[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-power-of-runes":3,"chapter-power-of-runes-power-of-runes-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Power of Runes",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1106190,1443,"Chapter 25 25: Rune of Knowledge (2)","power-of-runes-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The journey to the library was longer than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it… that took way too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having access to a detailed map of the entire academy through his Academy Watch, navigating through the vast campus proved to be more confusing than he had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every corridor looked identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grand marble halls, lined with intricate carvings of past heroes and scholars, all seemed to blur together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Courtyards, training fields, and dormitory complexes stretched endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he had tried following the signs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever designed this place must have been either a sadist or a fan of mazes—because nothing made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>North Wing? South Wing? Why was the library not just in the center?! he thought with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he finally arrived, more than an hour had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And frustrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, as he finally stood before the massive structure, he couldn't help but pause for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was huge, about seven stories tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exterior of the library was unlike any building he had seen before. The walls glowed faintly with golden runes carved into the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These runes weren't just for decoration; they were protective enchantments, ensuring that the vast knowledge within was kept secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heh. They think this is impressive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash's lips curled into a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recognized the runes for what they were—cheap imitations. A crude attempt to replicate something far beyond mortal understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had read about it in the novel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Runic Magic… They took fragments from ancient texts that mentioned the Runes and called it a new branch of magic. Funny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unlike the scholars who barely understood their own research, Ash had something else—the Codex of Creation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trait that allowed him to create skills based on Runes, and also the Protective Override function of the Trait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretically, if he used Protective Override, he could experiment with these runes—maybe even use real Runic Patterns as magic one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze traveled upwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very top of the building, he could see floating crystal spheres, spinning slowly in the air, pulsing with soft light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They served as magic detectors, scanning everyone who entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance itself was grand—massive double doors, seemingly made of enchanted steel, stood firmly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their heavy appearance, they would open effortlessly for those permitted to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash's eyes landed on someone familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A guy who was just about to step into the library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray Dawson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only human in history with all affinities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prodigy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Protagonist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash got the feeling that Fate—or whatever entity—was once again on his tail, just as he was about to obtain another Rune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without hesitation, he shouted with all his strength—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"RAY DAWSON!!!!!!!!!!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shout was so loud that even the surrounding academy staff and students stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash ignored the stares, ignored the whispering, ignored the fact that he had just made a scene in the middle of the most prestigious academy in the human continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because none of that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because at stake was not only the world's fate but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fucking bastard! That Rune is mine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Rune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray turned, his expression neutral as he noticed Ash approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ash?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ash didn't slow down. He marched straight up to Ray and grabbed him by the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ray, listen to me carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray blinked. \"Uh… okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You cannot go inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray frowned. \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash glanced around, lowering his voice as if he were revealing classified information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"… Someone's looking for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray's posture straightened slightly. \"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash hadn't thought that far ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think, Ash! Think!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—an idea struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The… uh… girls, I mean—the teacher is looking for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray gave him a skeptical look. \"The teacher?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash nodded gravely. \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray folded his arms. \"And why exactly would the teacher be looking for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash sighed dramatically, shaking his head. \"It's about your affinities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned in, voice dropping further. \"I overheard staff members talking about it. Something about… 'Keeping an eye on the new students.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray's brows furrowed in confusion. \"I s-see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash nodded quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray's eyes narrowed slightly. \"But… why would you tell me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash mentally cursed but still replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"… Because\"—he exhaled sharply—\"I found out you helped me when I was unconscious during the exam, so I wanted to repay you in some way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray's gaze lingered on him for a moment, assessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"… Huh.\" He scratched the back of his head. \"That's weird as hell… You don't seem like the type to care about this stuff.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash forced a neutral expression. \"Believe me, I don't. But I also don't like owing people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray still seemed unsure but eventually sighed. \"Alright. I'll check with one of the staff first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash barely kept himself from grinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, good call. You should definitely clear it up before stepping inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ray gave him a nod before turning and walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second he disappeared, Ash spun on his heel, smirking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was way too easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a cheeky grin, he strolled toward the library doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright. Time to claim my Rune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ash approached the library doors, a firm voice stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Show your Academy Watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned toward the source of the voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A guard stood at the entrance, clad in dark blue armor with an emblem of a book and sword on his chest plate. But what truly caught Ash's attention wasn't the armor—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the badge on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Grandmaster…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash's eyes flickered with subtle surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone to hold the title of Grandmaster, they had to be an exceptional warrior or mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, such a person was stationed here as a mere guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone spoke volumes about how important this place was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Ash raised his arm, displaying his Academy Watch. The magical device, secured around his wrist, shimmered faintly as its runes pulsed with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard didn't immediately let him through. Instead, he pulled out a small, rectangular device and hovered it just above Ash's wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, the device beeped, and a thin, translucent screen materialized in the air, displaying Ash's name, year, and student classification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard's sharp eyes flickered over the details before he gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may enter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without another word, Ash stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he crossed the threshold, a strange sensation washed over him—like a thin veil of magic brushing against his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scanning spell?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lasted only a second before fading away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—he entered the library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped inside, Ash's breath hitched just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interior was even more magnificent than the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towering bookshelves stretched high, their tops nearly disappearing into the vast ceiling. They weren't just made of wood but reinforced with mana-infused materials, ensuring the ancient books wouldn't decay with time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft golden glow bathed the entire space—not from torches or chandeliers, but from floating orbs of light that drifted lazily through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As people moved, the orbs adjusted their brightness, ensuring every section was perfectly illuminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, Ash noticed multiple floors, each seamlessly connected by floating mana bridges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of these platforms carried students and scholars, allowing them to travel between different sections effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—despite the sheer number of people inside—absolute silence reigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The library's enchantments absorbed any unnecessary noise, leaving only the gentle flutter of pages turning and the occasional rustle of robes. The silence wasn't eerie—it was commanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place… is a treasure trove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unlike anything he had seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could dwell on it further, his attention shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front desk, just near the entrance, sat an elderly man, completely absorbed in the thick tome before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His silver hair was neatly combed back, and he wore thin-framed glasses, which reflected the soft glow of the enchanted lamps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura around him felt tranquil yet unyielding, as if no force in the world could disturb his focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't even glance up when Ash entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The novel hadn't mentioned a librarian—or at least, not one like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shrugging the thought aside, Ash exhaled and took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright. Now let's get the Rune of Knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cheeky grin tugged at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash moved deeper into the library, his steps light against the polished floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vast shelves stretched endlessly around him, each one packed with books of all sizes and ages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had pristine covers, their spines gleaming under the soft golden light, while others were cracked with age, their pages yellowed and fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ash wasn't here for just any book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was looking for one in particular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the novel, it wasn't stored in any locked vault or a hidden chamber guarded by layers of magic. It was just… buried among thousands of other books, tucked away in a forgotten corner—overlooked simply because no one thought to search for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should be around here…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze flickered between the shelves as he walked, his fingers occasionally brushing against the book spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The further he went, the fewer people he saw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most students gathered near the central areas, where books on popular subjects—mana theories, combat techniques, and recorded histories—were neatly arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But here, in the more remote sections, the silence felt deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash rounded a corner and found himself in a dusty aisle. The bookshelves here were older, the wood slightly warped with time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin layer of dust coated some of the books, suggesting that hardly anyone ever bothered coming this far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small smirk tugged at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Found it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes locked onto a specific shelf—third row from the bottom, near the farthest edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin, faded red book, its once-golden lettering dulled with age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked no different from the rest, filled with old, worn-out books whose covers barely held their titles anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ash crouched down, running his fingers along the spines, his touch light but deliberate. As he subtly nudged each book, feeling for any irregularities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—his fingertips brushed against something odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A book, identical in size and color to the others, but… slightly heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash grasped it and carefully pulled it free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he pulled it, there was no surge of mana, no hidden mechanism—just the weight of an ordinary, forgotten book resting in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't just any book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Rune of Knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a slow breath. It really was this easy…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening it wouldn't unleash a wave of power. There were no riddles to solve or trials to pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rune of Knowledge had always been hiding in plain sight, mistaken for a mundane book no one bothered to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, it was his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips curled into a small smirk as he opened the book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN: A massive shoutout to [Herbwick], my very first Patreon supporter! 🎉🔥 Your support truly means the world to me, and I can't express how much I appreciate it. Thanks to you and all my amazing readers, I can keep writing and bringing Ash's journey to life. This story wouldn't be the same without you all—so once again, thank you! 🙌✨\u003C\u002Fp>",1862,"2026-06-03T11:25:58.029Z","2026-06-03T11:26:07.394Z",1,"novelbin.me","84aa58b6c7cabe1215b5d42e00c04a9c264d8dbef69b41918fe00c69fdd4144a","power-of-runes-chapter-26","power-of-runes-chapter-24",452,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpower-of-runes-cover.jpg"]