“Incredible,” Noah whispered. “You found all of that out just by using a low-level Space Rune?”

    “And a lot of research. I plan to travel to this edge and determine what it is that lies beyond the kingdom. I have calculated its approximate distance from us. There, I will find... wait.” Tim’s proud expression faltered. He squinted at Noah. “You knew.”

    “I knew, but not because I figured it out. I was told.”

    “Told?” Tim asked. “By whom? If this knowledge has already been discovered, then why—”

    “By someone who exists outside the empire.”

    Tim’s string of questions evaporated. He trailed off and stared at Noah in abject disbelief for several moments. Then he let out a bark of laughter, one borne from a mix of surprise and delight.

    “Then I was right!” Tim exclaimed. He grabbed Noah by the shoulders. “There’s a greater world! Tell me about it! How did you meet this person? Why are they here? And why—”

    “Hold on,” Noah said with a laugh. “I don’t know the answers to those questions, Tim. The person I spoke to only told me this because I got caught up in something. I barely know any more than you do. Honestly, I probably know less. There’s only one piece you’re missing, though I don’t think it’s related.”

    “Tell me,” Tim said, his eyes flashing. He paused, then released Noah and cleared his throat. “If you can, of course. I don’t mean to overstep.”@@@@

    “There’s a reason there are no Rank 7s in the Arbalest Empire,” Noah said simply. “And it isn’t because making a Rank 7 Rune is impossible. I met many Rank 7 Demons in the Damned Plains.”

    “A reason...” Tim’s brow furrowed. Then his face went pale. He took a step back, and Noah could practically see connections forming in his mind. “An intentional limit. The decreased amount of spatial energy in the Empire isn’t because we’re living in some form of anomaly. This was intentionally formed. Magical power is being removed from this area on purpose. But why?”

    Noah didn’t even get a chance to respond. Tim’s mind was working so fast and the old man was pulling pieces together so quickly that Noah couldn’t do anything but sit and stare in awe as Tim pieced together the biggest secrets of the Arbalest Empire.

    “An experiment,” Tim exclaimed. “That must be it! It’s the only thing that explains the abnormalities and the potential barrier surrounding the empire. Someone is intentionally keeping everyone within it at Rank 6 or below. Those that reach Rank 7 are removed to avoid impacting the spatial energy.”

    “What’s that last bit?” Noah asked, blinking. “Impacting the energy?”

    “Well, artifacts bear magical weight. That’s why there’s more power around the Bastions where they’re stored,” Tim said absent-mindedly. “The same bears true for mages. Insignificant ones may as well have no weight at all. But truly powerful mages would theoretically have the same weight as a powerful artifact. I’ve been wondering why that hasn’t proven to be the case — but if all the powerful mages are being removed from the kingdom, that would preserve this strange imbalance that we seem to be locked in. Thus, it must be an experiment. Someone doesn’t want the Empire to grow.”

    “Fuck, Tim.” Noah shook his head in awe. “Your talents were completely wasted. You might be one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. I’m pretty sure everything you just said is completely correct.”

    “Then you must introduce me!” Tim exclaimed. “The person you spoke to. I have so many questions for them. I do hope you haven’t killed them.”

    “Killed them? How would I kill somebody strong enough to be from outside the kingdom?”

    Tim arched an eyebrow. “If there’s one thing that I’ve become abundantly aware of, it is your ability to do what should be impossible. I take it that this person still lives? Are they our enemy?”

    “A few someones,” Noah said with a grin. “And I think you’d find that they have quite a different worldview. It would definitely be beneficial for all of you to get to know each other.”

    “Then dally not. This tower has been empty for too long. I would be thrilled to make this mysterious groups’ acquaintance,” Tim said, reading the look in Noah’s eyes. “Something tells me this will be enjoyable.”

    “With pleasure,” Noah replied. “There’s just one thing I want to do first. It seems you’ve specialized into Spatial Runes. Shall we polish up what you’ve got to make sure you don’t have any trouble advancing further?”

    Tim’s eyes lit up in delight. “Truly? Are you certain?”

    Noah just grinned in response.

    ***

    A short while later, Noah headed down from the transport cannon, the Fragment of Renewal back on cooldown and his mind thoroughly unbalanced.

    Tim’s runes were terrifying. He’d made 6 space-based runes along with a mixed up one that had been the original Rank 2 that Noah had helped him make before his trip to the Damned Plains. And in that time, not only had Tim hit Rank 3, but Noah could literally see the progress in the man’s understanding in each consecutive one. Tim’s seventh Rank 3 Rune had been flawless — and Tim didn’t even know what a flawless rune was.

    He’d made it flawless purely through his understanding of spatial magic.

    What might have been even more ridiculous was that, even though Noah had cut apart and put together spatial runes dozens upon dozens of time, he realized that Tim’s understanding of spatial magic was considerably better than his.

    Just looking at Tim’s Rank 3 Runes had been enough to show him the difference between someone who understood a subject and someone who may as well have been the subject.

    He’d barely even had to do anything to help Tim polish his Rank 3’s up. Noah had just gone through and split the runes, removing the only non-spatial one, and Tim formed each of them into a flawless space-based rune within seconds.

    It had been one of the fastest repair sessions Noah had ever done, and Tim had been left with six Rank 3s, many of which were rather close to full. He was pretty sure it wouldn’t be long until Tim was ready to advance to Rank 4.

    How many more people are there like Tim? People that could have been incredible mages if the nobles hadn’t completely failed them?

    Noah’s hands tightened at his sides. Arbitage pissed him off. It had everything it had needed to have been a real school. They were literally supposed to be one. It was a brilliant cover story. But instead of actually turning into a place of learning, the Bastion was nothing more than a place for nobles to posture.

    People here didn’t truly want to learn. They just wanted to make sure they stayed ahead of their opponents so they could keep the little slice of the world they’d stolen for themselves. Noah’s lips curled up in derision.

    The Advanced Track might be the only exception to that... but I’m not too pleased with them so far. I suppose we’ll have to see how tonight goes. Either way, I’m done playing around. Arbitage needs a fire lit under it. There are people here that want to learn. People that haven’t had the chance to.

    The world is changing. Arbitage is going to have to change as well. And if there isn’t anyone willing to teach anyone how things should properly be done...

    Then I’ll do it myself.