"This is too hard! What kind of runes are these? How can they have so many variations and meanings?"
The Bi Sheng laboratory, sixteenth floor of the East Lainer Mage Tower.
With a helpless groan, the elite apprentice Bona wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, his heart filled with profound frustration.
He had certainly turned shame into motivation and worked hard to improve, but faced with the vast linguistic knowledge of the Runes School, he still felt utterly lost.
Alchemical magic potions tasted awful.
Spell enhancements were expensive, too.
He suddenly felt the urge to drop out...
Diego said, "I think it's manageable. Oracle-Bronze Seal Script, clerical, cursive, regular, running, and simplified scripts form a clearly traceable developmental sequence. Following that structured approach, you can deduce the linguistic forms a mature civilization ought to possess."
"Combine that with the teacher's Romance of Seris, and it becomes even more meaningful.
"You probably haven't read much of Romance of Seris. That's why you're finding it so difficult."
Another elite apprentice added, "Exactly. If you finish the heroic epic sections of Romance of Seris, many of your questions will resolve themselves."
"Good heavens! Studying Seris Language and Literature isn't enough? Now you want me to finish the elective Romance of Seris, too!" Bona was utterly speechless.
At that, Diego shrugged with a hint of regret.
He had sincerely been sharing his own study experience.
Studying the Seris language without studying Seris culture-wasn't that having knowledge without cultural understanding?
Even a lifetime of study would get you nowhere.
"Bona, Diego is right. Only by understanding the stories in Romance of Seris can you gain a deeper understanding of Teacher Roland's culture."
Prince Silaire, standing beside them, voiced his agreement.
They had come to the laboratory together for practical training. The applications of Seris runes had