Second Life as a Soldier

I had been drawing runes on shields and spears for the last five days. At this point, I’d lost track of how many pieces of equipment I’d repaired. But the continuous rune work had improved me greatly. I could draw smaller runes now, not small enough for badge-level inscriptions, which would take me decades to master, but small enough to repair spear shafts reliably. The only problem was that I was still familiar with only three runes: one Strengthening rune and two variations of the Self-Repair rune.

Yesterday, Master Vey announced that Rune-Master Tharic would be conducting a knowledge-transfer session on defensive arrays today. Regrettably, we would only receive the basic theory behind the three arrays, not a full, in-depth understanding.

We all gathered in a big room inside the command building. Around forty to forty-five of us were present, excluding ten people from the Rune-Master’s team. The atmosphere of the room reminded me of college classrooms on Earth, but instead of a blackboard, there was a thick stack of hand-drawn charts on a table, and one large chart hung on the center wall, where the Rune-Master stood, like a teacher about to start a presentation.

Inside the room there were five big tables with chairs around them. I took a corner seat at the very back. For the last few months I had started getting some attention, and I still wasn’t sure how to deal with it. My new intelligence method had made me known to most intelligence soldiers in the fort, but that was a very small number. When I was allowed to etch runes on the outer trench line, a few more people learned about me, but mostly the surprise was my age and the fact that such a young soldier was drawing runes on the trenches.

Still, many people wouldn’t have recognized me or even known my name. But my breakthrough changed everything. Word of it spread fast. Even after the fort received new soldiers, there were only around 1,400 infantry, and news of me reaching Tier 2 spread like wildfire.

The main reason was Sergeant Holt, my moat-work supervisor, and Colin and Jack from my squad. They never missed a chance to brag about me. I had mentioned my breakthrough to Sergeant Holt hoping he would spread it, but I didn’t expect this kind of response. I didn’t mind the attention; in fact, I welcomed it. Who wouldn’t enjoy being called a genius by their peers?

But things changed after my conversation with the Rune-Master on the first day and the extra attention Master Vey gave me during repair work. That brought a tinge of envy, especially from those working with runes. Almost all of them came from wealthy families, sons of merchants, and a few minor nobles. Over the last two days, I’d begun hearing comments like “Lucky peasant,” “mud-rat,” “smug orphan,” “mud-licker,” and a handful of others.

That was why I chose a seat in the corner, trying to avoid attention while I sorted out my emotions. I hadn’t expected people to react like this, especially after being treated fairly by most soldiers since the day I joined the army at Oxspell. It was easy to forget that there was another kind of division in the world, one based on background rather than class tiers.

Not that this was the first time I’d faced it. I’d experienced the same attitude during rune specialization classes. Sitting in the corner didn’t mean I was afraid of them, and it certainly didn’t mean I disliked proving those smug bastards wrong. I did enjoy that part. I just didn’t need to do it loudly, not every battle needed noise. Sometimes, I simply wanted some peace and quiet to focus.

Slowly the room filled, and each of us received two parchments and a pencil to write or draw if needed.

The Rune-Master stepped forward.

“Okay,” he said, scanning the room. “I already provided a little information about the three arrays that form the last line of defense for this fort. Today, I will give you the fundamental knowledge required to repair these arrays.”

He continued, “For those who don’t know, runes are considered the language of mana. They are also fundamental to the spells mages use. This shows runes can be used in many forms, array runes are the same.”

He pointed at the chart on the wall.

“Of the three arrays we use, two have a different type of rune structure. The Earth-Stability Array and the Aegis Array are referred to as arrays due to their size and functionality. But in a true sense, they are single runes, very similar to how a strengthening rune works on a shield. The difference is that instead of four symbols, these runes use more than fifteen unique symbols, repeated at least a hundred times across the entire array to generate the desired effect.”

“Meanwhile, the Impact Dissipation Grid is a chain of runes drawn on spears. But in this case, you are not working with two runes, you are working with more than fifteen, each complex rune containing five or more unique symbols.”

He let that sink in before continuing.

“These arrays were created more than five hundred years ago. It took the combined effort of two Grand Scholars and one Rune-Grandmaster.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I listened carefully, but the last line surprised me. I had always thought Rune-Master was just something people called Lieutenant Tharic, but it looked like it might be an official position recognized by the royal family. I wanted to know the difference between Rune-Master and Rune-Grandmaster. I only knew about titles like Grand Scholar and Royal Scholar from stories my father used to tell.

The Rune-Master walked toward the diagram.

It showed a hexagon with a large circle inside it. At the center was a smaller circle representing a mana node. Inside that, a triangle was drawn with earth element symbols on the edges. From each earth symbol, one more symbol, basically a straight line going downward, connected into a vertical line.

He pointed to the center.

“This hexagon represents a tower, and this here is the node, called the mana node. Just like the small runes you draw with liquid mana, this node and its circle are created by pouring melted mana-iron. For those interested, mana-iron is iron found near elemental crystal mines. For this array, we use iron ore found near earth-mana crystal deposits. As you know, circles are used for mana intake. In this rune, both the node and the circle provide mana for the array’s function.”

Then he tapped the triangle.

“The triangle is for conversion. At the edges you see the earth symbol, this converts and concentrates earth mana at these points. And here, this symbol, this is the Stabilizer symbol, drawn underground. For the earth symbol and the Stabilizer, we use quartz, a natural earth gem.”

He paused again.

“All these stabilizer symbols are connected to each other and to the central core placed in the command center. These are the only symbols you need to know for field repair.”

Class carried on as we learned about all three arrays and added a few more symbols to our repertoire.

For the Impact Dissipation Array, we were provided with two runes, one for impact absorption and one for mana dissipation. There were other runes involved, but we weren’t at the level where those would be shared with us.

Compared to Impact Dissipation, the Aegis Array was one of the most fascinating things I learned. Even after the Rune-master’s explanation, it still felt more mystical than something built from runes. Even though it’s technically considered a single rune, most of its symbols are far apart, spread across different points with no direct connection. At the top of each tower there are symbols similar to the Earth-Stability symbols, but instead of using the earth element, these use the wind element symbol.

As for how these symbols connect, the Rune-Master explained why this array is so mana-extensive. Each tower node requires a huge number of mana crystals, and once activated, every Wind symbol has a resonance symbol linked to it. This creates a resonance of wind-element mana, connecting all the symbols together and forming the protective shield.

After finishing class, I reached the Longhall and sat in a meditation position, activating [Memory Recall (UC)] and trying to recall all the details of the class and everything I had learned, either from my own analysis or back at Stonegate.

Once I was done, I was surprised to see that I had a skill upgrade available.

My [Basic Rune Theory (C)] was ready to upgrade, but the more surprising part was that I had two upgrade options available.

[Intermediate Rune Theory (UC)]

Type: Cognitive / Theoretical Knowledge

Associated Attributes: Intelligence, Wisdom

Description:

An expanded understanding of foundational runic principles, symbol interactions, and basic structural logic. This skill deepens the user’s grasp of how individual glyphs form functional effects when combined. While still limited in practical inscription, the user gains the ability to interpret more complex symbols, recognize derivative forms, and understand the reasoning behind simple multi-symbol runes. This mastery provides the conceptual groundwork required for higher-level analysis and array studies.

Effects:

• Symbol Interaction Awareness: Understand how common symbols reinforce, weaken, or modify each other.

• Pattern Recognition: Increases clarity when reading two–four symbol rune sequences (strengthening, self-repair, stabilizers).

• Improved Diagram Reading: Allows interpretation of basic rune diagrams and simplified array charts without guidance.

• Theoretical Stability Insight: Provides conceptual understanding of why runes degrade over time (material, mana flow, environment).

[Rune Analysis (UC)]

Type: Cognitive / Perceptive / Theoretical Mastery

Associated Attributes: Intelligence, Wisdom

Description:

A refined analytical discipline focused on understanding the internal logic, structure, and symbolic interplay of runic constructs. Instead of learning new rune formations, the user gains heightened clarity when observing or studying existing runes. Patterns, contradictions, and mana-flow inconsistencies become easier to detect, allowing the user to mentally deconstruct glyphs, symbol chains, and simplified array components. This skill strengthens interpretation, not inscription — deepening theoretical comprehension while providing limited practical stabilization during repairs.

Effects:

• Symbolic Insight: Enhances recognition of hidden or secondary symbols in medium-complexity runes.

• Mana-Flow Trace: Allows sensing the intended mana direction or flow pattern inside a rune when touching or examining it.

• Structural Breakdown: Mentally separate primary, secondary, and support symbols for better understanding.

• Diagnostic Clarity: Slightly increases the chance of identifying instability, cracks, or mana-bleed points in damaged runes.

I analyzed both skills.

Though at a high level they looked similar, [Intermediate Rune Theory (UC)] felt like a direct upgrade to [Basic Rune Theory (C)], providing a strong foundation, helping me learn symbols faster, and improving my ability to read diagrams.

Meanwhile, [Rune Analysis (UC)] felt like the result of all my experimentation with runes and my curiosity to analyze every rune I came in contact with. It provided deep insight into runic logic, the ability to mentally dissect complex runes, and helped detect flaws, inconsistencies, and hidden symbols, along with tracing mana-flow.

If I wanted to derive my future path from runes, then [Rune Analysis (UC)] would help me the most.

So I made it my final decision.