[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-power-of-runes":3,"chapter-power-of-runes-power-of-runes-chapter-27":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},1106192,1443,"Chapter 27 27: Magic Circle","power-of-runes-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>[Next Day]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to leave the academy for at least two days, Ash thought, lazily leaning back in his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day to go, another to return. If I practice at the academy's pace, my growth will be way too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also need a sword. A proper sword art. Too much to do, too little time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And next month… the demon's first attack on the students will happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thoughts were interrupted as Elva strolled into the classroom, her usual energy radiating off her like a crackling spark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the podium, she clapped her hands together. \"Alright, little Hunters! Did everyone fill out their course selection forms?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"YES, TEACHER!!\" the class responded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good! As you all know, you can only pick five courses. But—lucky you—one is already chosen for you!\" She grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"[Mana Manipulation Fundamentals] is compulsory, whether you like it or not. Even if you think you're a mana prodigy, there's always more to learn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes flicked toward Melissia with an exaggerated, knowing look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissia merely rolled her eyes, resting her chin on her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash ignored their silent exchange and glanced towards his watch, at his selected courses:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Mana Manipulation Fundamentals. (Compulsory)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Swordsmanship & Combat Arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Battle Strategy & War Tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Monster & Beast Anatomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Dungeon Survival & strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything he chose was deliberate—no unnecessary subjects, no distractions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he knew a little bit about the swords from the VR game, it won't hurt to know more and make a better foundation for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most mages also train in close combat because their greatest weakness in battle is their vulnerability at close range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story is already changing, he thought while tapping his fingers lightly on his desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't know what courses Ray picked. And if his choices changed, then with Elysia's change in personality, her courses might have too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of uncertainty pressed on him, but he pushed the thoughts away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright!\" Elva clapped her hands again, drawing back everyone's attention. \"Let's start with something simple today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to the board, picked up a piece of chalk, and in bold strokes, wrote one word:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mana\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering the chalk, she spun back toward the class with a dramatic flair, arms spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" she began with a mischievous smile, \"who wants to tell me what mana is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash watched as his classmates hesitated. Some fidgeted, a few exchanged uncertain glances, and others just avoided looking at her altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elva let the silence drag for a moment before sighing exaggeratedly. \"Oh no, my dear students. This is such a difficult question. However, will you answer it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few hands finally rose—nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She snickered. \"Relax, I won't bite.\" Then, without picking anyone, she launched into her own explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mana is… the very essence of life itself,\" she said, a rare note of seriousness creeping into her tone. \"It's everywhere. In the air, the earth, the creatures around us, and most importantly, within you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She raised a hand, and a soft blue glow shimmered into existence around her fingers, twisting playfully like a living thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some call it energy. Others, the breath of the world. But at its core, mana represents potential—the power to shape reality through sheer will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glow pulsed once before vanishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But!\" she suddenly grinned. \"Raw mana is like a drunk squirrel—completely chaotic and impossible to control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few students chuckled, breaking some of the earlier tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This,\" she continued, \"is why we refine it—why we control it. And that brings us to our next topic!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She whirled around, scribbling two more words onto the board:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mana Core.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned back with an amused look. \"Now, can anyone tell me what a Mana Core is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Mana Core,\" she explained before anyone could answer, \"is your personal mana storage. It's where all your magical power comes from! Think of it like a battery, but instead of charging your phone, it charges you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze landed on Melissia again, as if daring her to argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissia simply exhaled loudly, looking out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elva ignored her and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every living thing has mana inside them, but only mages refine it. We shape it, control it, and eventually use it to do really cool stuff—like this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flicked her wrist, and a glowing, translucent sphere materialized midair, pulsating with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This,\" she gestured grandly, \"is an abstract representation of a Mana Core.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some students leaned forward, intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The core forms deep inside you during awakening,\" she continued. \"For mages, it's located in the upper dantian; for warriors, the lower dantian. That's also when your Class gets decided—so if you don't like what you got, tough luck!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash remained silent, absorbing the information. He already knew this from the novel, but it still helped to hear it explained naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Elva grinned mischievously again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But here's the fun part!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned forward on her desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Simply having a Mana Core? Useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For warriors and other close range hunters, advancing is straightforward—they temper their body with mana inside out, train their bodies to the limit, and boom! They're ready to smash things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flexed dramatically, earning a few laughs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But mages and other magic class hunters?\" She tilted her head. \"They need one crucial thing to advance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her playful gaze scanned the class, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Magic Circle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elva's eyes widened slightly—just for a second—before her grin returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oho? Someone's been paying attention!\" she teased. \"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She raised a hand, and a glowing, intricate Magic Circle formed above her palm, spinning with arcane symbols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For a mage to cast spells, they must first form a Magic Circle in their heart,\" she explained, her voice suddenly serious again. \"One proportional to their rank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glowing symbols pulsed, radiating power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the Rank-1 Magic Circle\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something deep within Ash stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also need to create a magic circle now. The novel never explained how, but now that I've seen one, I can finally attempt it. If I succeed, I'll officially become a Novice Rank hunter and gain access to a greater variety of spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elva's voice rang through the lecture hall, pulling him back to the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The formation of a magic circle is tied to one's will and mana control. Those who haven't formed their first circle yet, I strongly suggest practicing mana manipulation for at least a week before attempting it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suggest you burn the magic circle into your memory before attempting it. It's crucial and dangerous if you make mistakes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced across the class before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For Sword masters and other close-range hunters, those still at Novice Rank should focus on pushing their bodies to the limit. Use the Academy facilities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice turned sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all received 50 credits after getting your resources. In this academy, credits are everything. Without them, you can't access any additional facilities…..\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lesson went on for two more hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Elva finished, Ash exhaled heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning about magic was fun… but damn, that was exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragging himself out of the classroom, he checked his watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classes ran from 7 AM to 7 PM, each lasting two hours, with a two-hour break in between.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What's my next class?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he glanced at the schedule, but\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice called out to him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft, hesitant voice stopped him in his tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elysia stood there, a gentle smile on her lips, her silver hair shimmering under the academy lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers curled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't even had time to process her existence properly, let alone figure out what to do about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his silence, she took a breath and spoke softly, her voice carrying an emotion she likely didn't intend to reveal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never got the chance to thank you properly for the water bottle during the test.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She met his gaze, and for a split second, something unspoken passed between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Elysia Moonglow] (Nancy)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke lightly, but inside—her heart pounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't know why… but I can feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is my Ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought sent a wave of emotions crashing over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she couldn't be certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His nature is different. His eyes… they aren't the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, when she had first felt a strange familiarity with him, she had spent hours thinking about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time night fell, she had made her decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would test him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would find out if it was really him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if it was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ash Burn]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine. I only gave you the bottle because I thought you wouldn't even qualify the Exam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied carelessly, his voice cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for a response, he turned and started walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp pang shot through his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of her footsteps behind him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body tensed as the memories he had desperately buried began to claw their way back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth and forced his mind to focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn't stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath grew shallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Elysia Moonglow] (Nancy)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it's really him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he'll remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked, her pace steady, unchanging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'll remember how I always followed him back then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he would ask, Why are you following me? with a annoyed expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart pounded painfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please be him. Please…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't want to be alone in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her vision blurred slightly, but she blinked it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it's him, if it's really him… then this world won't be so lonely anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tightened her resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, she kept walking in hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was uneven now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to act different. I need to be cold. I can't let her know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why… why did it hurt so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails bit into his palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The footsteps behind him remained steady, unrelenting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything he had buried—every emotion, every suppressed memory—tore through him all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unbearable longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision blurred slightly as the weight of everything came crashing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had tried so hard to suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To move on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was making it impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm now sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She is Nancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way she was following him—her steps, her persistence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was exactly the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was spiraling, questions tearing at him like claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was fate playing with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's not fair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream echoed in his mind, silent yet deafening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to hug her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to be with her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really, really want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world was more dangerous than the last one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can't let the same thing happen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't want her to die again because of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just kept walking, swallowing the overwhelming ache in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kept following.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN: Hello Readers! Just a quick heads-up—if you see \"Melissa\" popping up randomly, just ignore it. My keyboard is clearly on drugs and keeps messing up the spelling of Melissia. 😭😂\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's Melissia, not Melissa! I swear!\u003C\u002Fp>",1931,"2026-06-03T11:25:58.029Z","2026-06-03T11:26:07.394Z",1,"novelbin.me","30619882d3f0aeb2b0ae4e3774b0d44a4567ca726ac5e5161e982f86c61e0d8e","power-of-runes-chapter-28","power-of-runes-chapter-26",452,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpower-of-runes-cover.jpg"]