No More Pain For This Villain. - #219 - 219 Rune-Craftsman

So, the five origin runes are at the center of the first ring. We already know that when forming any inscriptions or runes, they have to replicate the pattern of mana movements in the atmosphere. Each layer of runes represents a new ring, and the strength of the spell is reciprocal to that of the ring.

But each of these inscriptions or runes has to start from somewhere, which is the center. Until this day, every spell that has been cast has one of these origin runes in the center of its first ring, indicating that these spells have a common pattern at the start.

The five origin inscriptions are as follows: a wavy line, a half arc with a horizontal line going through the center, a circle with a point in between with a small line connecting both the outlines, and a triangle with a square in it that touches all the walls by its corners from the inside.

[Half hour later.]

“Y’all done?” Professor Elgara asked, her keen gaze sweeping past all of us, assessing our progress in carving the runes.

‘You think this is it?’ I asked Blaze, uncertain about whether I was doing well or not.

‘…dude, you’ve got a steady hand,’ he responded, offering an unexpected compliment.

I used the quill to carve the runes, trying to mimic their intricate designs. But not everyone was finding it easy.

“Ouch,” someone winced in pain.

It seemed that not everyone was able to do it smoothly. Over the last half hour, I had witnessed four students breaking their quills or exploding the tip as they struggled with the constant and continuous flow of mana needed for carving.

‘Skill issue,’ Blaze remarked, pointing out the source of their problems.

“I am done,” I reported proudly, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Elgara raised her brows as she walked up to my station and examined the board with the carved runes. “Is this really your first time?” She questioned, her tone filled with surprise.

“Yep,” I replied confidently, placing my hands on my waist and flashing a satisfied smile.

‘Stop looking so smug, dude,’ Blaze commented before deciding to step out for a while.

“That’s…good,” Professor Elgara admitted, acknowledging my effort. She then picked up the board and announced, “I’ll be keeping this board as an example for the next class.”

“Go ahead,” I replied, not minding the idea of leaving the board behind. I was quite content with the praise I had received from this experienced veteran teacher.

“Now, take another board and draw this rune on it. Focus on the board and watch what I am drawing. Make sure you do the same,” she instructed, her guidance proving to be helpful.

“Sure,” I responded, eager to continue learning and making the most of this class.

Professor Elara walked back to her desk, gently placing the board she had taken from me in my hands. I made my way to the shelf with the carved runes, picked up a fresh quill, and selected a new acacia board.

Acacia wood, I reminded myself, was the most basic surface for carving runes. The type of material used influenced the strength, duration, and range of the carved spells. It was all about understanding the relationship between the material and the magic being inscribed.

“This -” she said, tapping the chalk on the board. She deftly drew a triangle with a square inside it and added three small lines connecting the corners of the triangles with arcs that touched tip to tip. “This is the spell formation for a gentle breeze of wind.”

I observed the formation with keen interest. While it might not be the most powerful spell, knowing how to create it seemed like a valuable skill.

A student from the second-to-last row raised his hand and asked, “Professor, how do we find the pattern of a spell when we can’t see the mana, but only the elements? And how do strengthening runes work on weapons when the strengthening magic happens within our body, and we can’t see the flow of mana inside our own body?”

Professor Elara paused for a moment, her thoughtful expression casting a hushed atmosphere in the classroom. All eyes were on her, eager to hear her response.

“The pattern of a spell can be discerned through careful observation and study,” she began, her tone measured. “While we may not see the mana itself, we can detect its effects on the elements. By understanding how mana interacts with different elements, we can deduce the patterns of various spells.”

I couldn’t help but feel a bit let down by her response. After all, I could see the flow of raw mana with my own eyes and manipulate it. To me, this explanation seemed a bit lacking.

“We have to keep records of the already discovered spell patterns and continue to add to our knowledge,” she continued, her words carrying a deeper meaning. “Sometimes, it doesn’t work, and it takes years of research and data collection to replicate them one by one.”

In other words, it was a combination of time, chance, and luck. There was no surefire way to unlock all the secrets of magic, and my ability to see and manipulate mana was just a part of the puzzle. I might be able to control the flow of mana, but deciphering the intricate patterns of elemental magic remained a challenge.

….. it’s quite complex to explain in words.

She gestured to a diagram on the chalkboard, depicting the interaction of mana with elemental forces. “For example, when fire mana meets water mana, there is a certain reaction that occurs. By studying these interactions and their outcomes, we can infer the patterns of different spells.”

“As for strengthening runes on weapons,” she continued, “it is true that the strengthening magic occurs within the wielder’s body. However, when you imbue a weapon with this magic, you are essentially extending your mana’s influence to the weapon. It’s a transfer of power, and while you may not see the flow of mana within your own body, you can sense the connection between yourself and the weapon.”

I contemplated her words, pondering the concept of mana interactions and the transfer of power. It made sense, even though my ability to see the flow of mana within my body had diminished after Blaze left. Nevertheless, I could still sense the connection between myself and any object I infused with mana.

Shut up dude.’ Looks like Smokeball is back,

‘Where were you?’ I asked.

‘…..that Isolde Halloway girl, She passed by the door and was looking at you for some reason, looked quite grumpy for some reason.’ Blaze jumped on the station.

‘You worried?’ i questioned.

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ He looked at me like I was spouting nonsense.

Anyways back to the board after the fat student sat down after nodding about something that he probably didn’t even understand.

“So, how do we practice these runes?” Another student asked, breaking the silence that had settled over the classroom.

Professor Elara acknowledged the question with a nod. “Excellent question. Practicing runes requires both precision and control over your mana flow. Start by drawing the rune on a wooden plank. Then, focus on channeling your mana into the quill to replicate the pattern. It may take time and patience to get it right, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t succeed on your first attempt.”

With her guidance, the students set to work, each one carefully drawing the small breeze of wind formation on their wooden planks. As I focused on replicating the rune, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. This was the beginning of my journey into runecrafting, a subject that held endless possibilities.

‘…..stop sounding like a good innocent guy, it irks me dude.’ Blaze was right. I didn’t usually adopt this kind of demeanor, but for the sake of blending in as a normal student, I had to make the effort.

‘Will you commit a mass genocide if it meant to complete what your goal?’ He questioned.

‘yes,’ and I answered.

‘Good student my foot!’ And he cursed….. I ignored.

I pressed the new quill onto the board, carefully regulating the mana flow. With deliberate strokes, I began to draw the intricate lines of the spell formation. It was a challenging task, requiring both precision and finesse. The quill hummed with energy as I channeled my mana into it, willing the rune to take shape on the wooden plank.

Haa how peaceful it is.

[In a dorm room]

Raven sat near the desk in her dimly lit dorm room. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere. She had received a letter earlier in the day, and now, with trembling hands, she decided it was time to read it.

The envelope was delicate, sealed with a deep crimson wax, imprinted with an intricate emblem. Her heart raced with anticipation as she carefully broke the seal and unfolded the parchment within. The contents were written in elegant calligraphy, and she devoured the words with a mix of excitement and relief.

The letter stated that Adam’s group had returned safely to the palace, and there were no losses among them. A wave of relief washed over her. They had faced perilous challenges in Elishia Forest, and the fact that they had all returned unharmed was a reason to celebrate.

But there was more. The letter went on to reveal that Adam had been granted the title of a war hero for his valiant actions in Elishia Forest. He had fought courageously and played a pivotal role in saving the royal family, an incredible feat that had earned him this prestigious recognition.

Raven couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling with pride for Adam’s achievements. She had always known he was capable of greatness, but this confirmation filled her with a sense of joy and admiration.

With the letter in hand, Raven leaned back in her chair, her thoughts filled with images of Adam’s return and the adventures that awaited them. The room was filled with the warm glow of the candlelight, and in that moment, it felt like the world outside had faded away, leaving Raven alone with the joyful news that had brightened her evening.

“Haa maybe I’ll visit Ren and tell him about this.” That was the first thing that came to her mind, celebrating this with her new friend.