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Runic test (2)

  Runic test (2)–floor quest....

  -----

  According to the information the inn manager had generously shared with me the night before, the first ten floors of the tower had a fairly grounded but deceptively complex theme—plains and moderate forest.

  Nothing too flashy at a glance, but often, simplicity bred the most cunning of traps.

  More specifically, floors 2 to 5 were dominated by goblins—small, nimble, cowardly in packs yet deadly with numbers.

  From 6 to 9, the dominant creatures shifted to orcs—brutal, territorial, and far more dangerous up close.

  Their raw strength was well-known, and careless players often underestimated their pack coordination.

  And then there was the political landscape: the Empire.

  It had once been just another modest kingdom in the tower’s world.

  But over time, through war, clever diplomacy, and sheer might, it had devoured neighboring kingdoms and transformed into a formidable empire.

  The faction controlled the mid and upper parts of the floor system with military precision. Their reach extended to even the starter zones.

  Naturally, an opposing force had to exist to stir the pot—the Rebels.

  Supposedly a band of criminals, opportunists, and outcasts.

  But something about the way the inn manager spoke hinted at hidden truths.

  They weren’t just some thieving bunch harassing weak players.

  There was something more... ideological behind their motives.

  ---

  Sip!

  Sip!

  "Haa…"

  I exhaled a relaxed breath as the warm coffee swirled across my tongue and settled in my throat.

  I stood outside the inn on the small balcony connected to the second floor, leaning slightly on the old wooden railing.

  A faint breeze swept through, brushing against my cheeks and making the steam from my mug dance in lazy spirals.

  The morning sun peeked over the rooftops of the town, casting long golden rays that painted the cobblestone roads and wooden signs in a soft amber hue.

  A light fog lingered between the buildings, dispersing slowly as the light grew stronger.

  Down below, the streets had already begun to bustle.

  Players in all kinds of gear were moving between shops and vendors, laughing, shouting, negotiating.

  Across from me, a tall, stone-clad building stood, its structure noble and refined.

  The Rune Academy.

  The dark slate roof glimmered faintly with dew, and the sign above the door glowed softly with enchanted runes that spelled its name.

  A place of study, magic, and structure.

  ‘So… this is the place where the Floor Quest begins, huh?’

  I took one last sip of my coffee—thicker and slightly bitter at the bottom—but still heavenly.

  The temporary mana regeneration buff was still in effect, gently humming beneath my skin.

  I tilted the mug back with a satisfied grin and chuckled to myself.

  “Yup. That’s the taste,” I whispered.

  Leaving the cup on the tray by the door, I descended the stairs and walked into the streets, boots tapping steadily against the sun-warmed stone.

  As I approached the academy’s entrance, a tall guard clad in polished iron armor stepped forward, hand resting on the hilt of his short sword.

  “Halt! State your business!”

  His voice was stern but not aggressive—more like protocol than suspicion.

  I raised my hands casually and smiled.

  “Oh! I’m here to take the floor quest.”

  The guard tilted his head, examining me for a second.

  Then he nodded and pointed to the left wing of the academy.

  “Head that way. You’ll find Instructor Hilton at the training grounds. He’s the one in charge of administering the quest.”

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  “Got it. Thanks!”

  I replied politely and moved in the direction he indicated.

  The path led through a beautifully maintained courtyard.

  A few benches lined the sides, where young players sat with open books, occasionally casting minor rune spells that sparkled in the morning light.

  Flowers bloomed along the edges of the stone path, their petals swaying gently in the breeze.

  Eventually, the path opened up into a training field.

  Sand covered the ground, and rune-inscribed dummies were spaced out in a row.

  The air smelled faintly of sweat, leather, and burning mana.

  At the far end of the field stood a man—tall and broad, wearing a long coat over a battle-worn tunic.

  His hair was a mixture of white and ash-brown, tied neatly back.

  His beard was equally well-maintained, giving him an aura of seasoned experience.

  Despite his age, his muscles were firm, and his stance held the weight of someone who had seen real combat.

  “Instructor Hilton!” I called out, walking toward him confidently.

  He turned, eyes scanning me with a slight squint.

  “Yes? And who might you be?”

  “I’m here to take the Floor Quest.”

  His brow arched slightly in interest.

  “Ah. One of the slower ones, huh? Alright then.”

  He opened his inventory and pulled out a small stack of thick books.

  Their covers shimmered faintly.

  “Here. These are your study materials. You can take your time to prepare and come whne you feel ready.”

  [New Quest: Runic Knowledge!]

  Type: Theory, battle

  Difficulty: C+

  Objective: Passive the three phase tests conducted by Rune Academy.

  Conditions: Player shouldn't have climbed above 1st Floor and should be of rune based class.

  Description:

  Congratulations on gaining your class!

  But the Tower has only begun.

  Prove yourself through the test that you're worthy of your class.

  Good luck!

  Time Limit: 5 hours (total)

  Rewards:

  - Unlock: next floor access

  - Tower Points (TP) +6,000

  [Quest will begin when you're ready!]

  I received the prompt with a ding.

  With enhanced INT, it was easy for players to cram everything in mind quickly.

  But I didn’t need any cramming when it came to rune.

  I looked at him with a smile.

  “I’m sorry, but… I’d like to take the test immediately.”

  Hilton raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised.

  “The first part is purely theoretical, you know? Not many try to skip the preparation.”

  “Well,” I shrugged. “Even if I fail, I can just take it again, right?”

  Hilton grinned, clearly amused.

  “You’re not wrong! Alright then, give me a moment.”

  He turned to his assistant—an equally fit young man with a clipboard—likely instructing him to take over the current training session.

  Then, without delay, he turned back to me.

  “Follow me.”

  We walked through a short hallway in the side wing of the academy.

  Decorative runes lit the walls, illuminating our way.

  The sound of training faded behind us, replaced by the hushed echoes of an academic institution.

  Soon, we reached a modestly filled classroom.

  Around half the seats were taken by players in study robes, some flipping through notes, others nervously glancing at magical hourglasses.

  “Take your seat,” Hilton said, gesturing to an empty desk in the front row.

  “The floor quest’s first stage will begin shortly.”

  I nodded and took the seat, placing my hands calmly on the table.

  I could already feel it—something big was about to begin. Not just a test… but a step forward into a world few understood.

  And I was ready.

  Just a few minutes after taking my seat, a soft hum filled the room.

  Ding!

  A translucent blue screen shimmered into existence in front of me.

  All around, other players straightened in their chairs, the glow of the interface reflecting in their eyes.

  It displayed a long list of questions, some multiple-choice, some requiring long answers, and others shaped like puzzles.

  "You all have three hours," Instructor Hilton’s firm voice echoed through the classroom.

  "Solve as many questions as you can. Your theoretical knowledge will define your foundation!"

  The room fell into near silence, with only the sound of fingers tapping and pens scribbling on rune-compatible tablets.

  I cracked my knuckles and leaned forward.

  ---

  [Q1: Define Runic Magic in detail.]

  Answer: Runic magic is the art of channeling magical energy through pre-defined symbols, patterns, and ancient language, usually inscribed or projected onto a medium.

  These inscriptions serve as a formula that guides mana, transforming it into desired effects—whether attack, defense, utility, or control.

  ---

  [Q2: How many fundamental types of runes are there? List them.]

  Answer: There are five core types:

  1. Engraved Runes – Carved into surfaces, usually permanent or semi-permanent.

  2. Incantation Runes – Spoken or chanted with language-based triggers.

  3. Symbolic Runes – Use ancient glyphs drawn or projected to cast.

  4. Imprinted Runes – Transient, usually found on objects like runestones or scrolls.

  5. Pseudo-Symbolic Runes – Hastily made or simplified forms for quick use, often less stable.

  ---

  [Q3: Categorize the following – Runestones and Quick Cast skills.]

  Answer:

  - Runestones fall under the Imprinted Rune category.

  They are consumable and activated upon impact or specific trigger conditions.

  Their power depends on the material of the board (stone, crystal, paper, etc.) and type of ink (mana-infused, elemental, etc.).

  - Quick Cast Skills are part of Pseudo-Symbolic Runes.

  They are rapidly drawn or spoken, bypassing precision for speed, useful in battle but risk backfiring if misused.

  ---

  [Q4: Which rune category is considered the strongest? Which the weakest? Justify.]

  Answer: There is no absolute answer—it depends on the user's expertise and intent.

  However:

  - Symbolic Runes are often viewed as the strongest due to their vast flexibility and powerful effects when drawn perfectly.

  - Yet, they are also considered weakest if drawn poorly, as even a minor flaw can render them ineffective or cause magical backlash.

  ---

  [Q5: What is the foundational base of each rune type?]

  Answer:

  - Engraved: Pattern-focused; often carved into metal, stone, or bone.

  - Incantation: Language-based; relies on ancient dialects and precise tone.

  - Symbolic: Purely symbol-based; success depends on accuracy and mana flow.

  - Imprinted: Hybrid; utilizes both symbols and patterns on temporary mediums.

  - Pseudo-Symbolic: Relies on partial symbols or incomplete patterns, usable in emergencies.

  ---

  [Q6: Explain the properties of Runestones.]

  Answer:

  Runestones are a subtype of Imprinted Runes.

  They require:

  - Ink (Engraving Medium): Can be crafted from various sources such as water, air essence, lava droplets, mana or blood.

  - Board (Physical Base): Stone, paper, crystal, bark, or even glass.

  The final rune’s effect and strength rely heavily on:

  1. The precision of the inscribed symbol.

  2. Compatibility of ink and board.

  3. Type of materials used.

  Example: A flame explosion rune etched on obsidian using phoenix ash as ink would be far more potent than the same rune made with rock and regular fire-essence as ink.

  ---

  [Q7: What are the core classifications of Runestones based on utility?]

  Answer:

  1. Enhancement Runes: Boost stats temporarily.

  2. Trap Runes: Trigger upon contact or time delay, used for ambush or protection.

  3. Attack Runes: Cause direct magical effects, like fireballs, lightning arcs, or spikes.

  ---

  More questions followed. Some were logic-based rune puzzles:

  ---

  [Q8: Complete the Chain Reaction – Fill in the missing symbol to trigger a Flame-Web Trap.]

  I examined the pattern carefully.

  The missing symbol was the Mana Distribution Node, without which the surrounding sigils would not activate in sequence.

  I inserted it and watched the simulation confirm the activation.

  ---

  Situational scenarios popped up too.

  ---

  [Q9: You are being chased by a berserk orc, armed with an axe. You possess three runes: Explosion, Bind, and Stealth. What do you do?]

  Easy.

  1. Throw the Explosion Rune in front of the orc to blind him.

  2. Use the Bind Rune to immobilize his legs while he’s stunned.

  3. Activate Stealth Rune to vanish from his senses.

  4. Retrieve his fallen weapon and counterattack if needed, otherwise run away.

  ---

  Time passed in a blur.

  The classroom was filled with concentrated expressions, muttered formulas, and the quiet flicker of magical blue screens.

  Three hours slipped by.

  "Okay. Time’s up. Stop everyone!" Instructor Hilton’s voice snapped the room out of its trance.

  Some players leaned back, sweat beading on their foreheads.

  Many looked disheartened, chewing lips or shaking heads.

  ‘Huh, test must’ve been rough for them,’ I thought.

  Hilton didn’t waste time.

  "Now, we move to the next phase!"

  He clapped once.

  Poof!

  Several material sets materialized in front of us on long worktables: rune boards of different types, vials of colored ink, crystal dust, metal shards, bark, bones, and even blank scrolls.

  "Here are your crafting materials. You have one hour to prepare. You have create to runestones that apear on your screens. These will be used in the final test, so do wisely."

  I glanced around.

  Some players quickly began.

  Others fumbled nervously with ink vials.

  I, however, had no problems in creating the runestones.

  Each line was sharp, clean, glowing faintly.

  "Okay, stop!" Hilton declared. Instantly, all materials vanished in a flash of light.

  "Time for your final test. Follow me!"

  We stood and marched out of the classroom like silent soldiers.

  The hallway led to a grand training chamber, spacious and domed, lit with arcane torches floating midair.

  The floor was marked with summoning circles and magical barriers.

  "Inside the chamber, there is test dummy waiting for you. You have five minutes to inflict damage on it."

  At the entrance, another instructor was waiting, holding a tray of glowing silver bracelets.

  "These are safety bracelets. If damage taken by you all exceeds you will be disqualified."

  "But there's a catch," he added. "You can only use the items you crafted in the previous phase, no skills are allowed and all your status will be normalize."

  Some players paled. Others clenched their fists.

  I tightened my bracelet and smirked.

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