Archmage Arlen was surprised. He gazed at Max's countenance for a while, perceiving how serene he was in his decision, and sighed helplessly.
"I thought you were mocking what I was saying."
Max was taken aback. He immediately explained. "N-No. It just came into me. I realized that your words made more sense now that I have fully decided on the path I have chosen."
Archmage Arlen nodded. "I understand."
Max, panicking, immediately thought of diverting the topic. "Right, you haven't told me about the Rune Mage yet."
Archmage Arlen smiled and glanced at his tea pot imbued with runes.
He said, "Simply put I can imbue runes to program, store, and trigger spells. It can be placed on weapons, armor, surfaces, scrolls, and especially magical constructs.
We focused on preparation-based magic, trap setting and magical constructs, and strategic battlefield control.
In other words, preparation and control.
We are weaker in close-combat, though. I mean, the sudden one, so we are prone to assassination.
That's why I chose to become an Archmage."
Max was intrigued. He thought. When an elementalist becomes an Archmage, they can control multiple elements simultaneously and use larger scale elemental spells. How about the Rune Mage?
Curious, he asked, "What happens when a Rune Mage becomes an Archmage?"
Archmage Arlen's eyebrows raised. He gazed at Max in long silence, gaining the latter's confusion.
He thought. This might be a chance for me to convince him to become a Rune Mage.
As much as Archmage Arlen accepted Max's decision to become a Summoner, the desire to invite him to choose the Rune Mage class instead had not died down.
He gave Max an enigmatic smile, "We became a battlefield architect."
Max was silent for a while.
Archmage Arlen continued, "We prepare magical zones, fortify our allies, control the terrain, and set devastating traps.
Because of our presence, the demons and monsters always target us and won't initiate a war by giving us ample time to prepare.
Nevertheless, as long as we have time, we can always construct runes, even for a split second.
That's the power of an Archmage."
Archmage Arlen felt smug. He had not once regretted choosing the Rune Mage class at Tier 2.
However, Max's question startled him.
"Does a knight of the First Emperor have such powers, too?"
Archmage Arlen stared at Max, dumbfounded.
…
Archmage Arlen inevitably accepted the fact that Max was interested in Summoner Class, rather than his path.
It was painful for him that he failed, but he knew he had to accept the fact that Max had his own path to choose.
It would be harmful for Max if he was getting involved with his future decision.
Afterwards, Archmage Arlen had a brief conversation with Max, until the latter decided to increase his passive skills' proficiency.
At the moment, Max was meditating in the mana sensitivity chamber. He was now wearing a robe, comfortable clothes beneath, and proper sandals. He also had a name tag on his left chest, colored gold, seemingly indicating his status as a personal student of Archmage Arlen.
Such status had many benefits that many mage trainees and players envied.
As Max sat down on the mat, he had already noticed there were many players beside him inside the mana sensitivity chamber.
The surprise painted from their face and their envious gaze directed at him was certainly an immense satisfaction to Max.
As he sat and closed his eyes, he thought. In my past life, I had never once gained attention like this.
It's quite satisfying to say the least.
He emptied his mind and for the next hours until the limit, Max focused on increasing his skill's proficiency, attempting to make a breakthrough.
Unfortunately, until the system notified him that he must log out, Max failed.
He reached Level 6, though.
As he logged out and exited from the game, causing the other players to be shocked, he left from the gaming pod and felt a slight headache.
He sat and leaned his back against it, pondering.
I have reached an intermediate level in both of my passive skill's proficiency, though. What's the problem? Is it because I was in a hurry? Or my level difference?
Max increased his mana sensitivity and mana control proficiency to intermediate stage when he was past level 20. At the moment, he was utilizing increasing skill's proficiency to gain EXP.
Of course, it would work better that way but Max felt like something was preventing him from having a breakthrough, even in the intermediate level's proficiency.
As he was lost in his thoughts, his brother, who was already studying since it was already 7pm now, glanced at him and asked, "Is something bothering you?"
As much as he disliked interrupting his elder brother from dwelling on his thoughts, he simply couldn't help but be curious.
Enzo thought. If it also concerns me, I must not let him carry the burden alone.
Max glanced at his brother and noticed it was already night through the window.
He shook his head and said, "I was having a problem inside the game, but it's a problem that no one would think someone is having."
He chuckled.
Enzo was quite surprised by his brother's response, but he believed it was a good thing since he was treating the problem lightly.
He nodded and said, "I will focus on studying now. I have already cooked you food. You should eat now."
Max nodded. "Thanks. I'm actually hungry now."
Without hesitation, Max went to grab the food and exercised for the next four hours before diving into the game again.
When he returned, Max noticed that the players were staring at him with a bewildering gaze.
Max took some time to finally formulate an idea in his mind.
He smirked at them. They must have thought I'm a pro player, or someone who can buy a NovaPro Immersion Pod.
If it was not because the NovaLite Pod only has a 6 hours continuous use limit and has to rest for four hours at least, Max would have long left them in the dust.