[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-power-of-runes":3,"chapter-power-of-runes-power-of-runes-chapter-30":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},1106195,1443,"Chapter 30 30: Talk with Melissia.","power-of-runes-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>Ash trudged back to his dorm room, his body still aching from the earlier spar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he entered, he headed straight for his study table and pulled open a drawer. Inside, nestled among a few scattered papers and trinkets, lay a simple yet elegant white ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked it up, slipped it onto his finger, and channeled a sliver of mana into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ring pulsed softly, glowing for a brief moment before the warmth spread through his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the soreness vanished, bruises faded, and the dull throbbing of his muscles eased as if they had never been injured in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that feels good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his first time using the Ring of Healing, and the effects were even better than he had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, another thought gnawed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once I absorb this Rune… how the hell am I going to hide it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A healing ability like this wasn't something he could openly display, it will put him in a spotlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If people knew he had it, they will hunt him down for the secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd have to come up with a method to conceal it, but that was a problem for the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, a shower sounded like a better idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash placed the ring back in its drawer, locked it, and headed to the shower room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he turned on the water, he glanced at the skin-tight combat suit he had worn during sparring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was good that the Academy allowed students to take them back. The suit was made of a special mana-conductive material—flexible, durable, and lightweight, perfect for training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drying off, he threw on casual clothes—a black t-shirt and loose-fitting gray shorts. Slumping onto his bed, he reached for his smartwatch and opened Melissia's message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Item List]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Healing Potion\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Soul Stone\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Eternium\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Morphium\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Katana\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Phoenix Blood\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Basilisk Fang\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Wyvern Heart Core\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Dragon bone Dagger\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Chimeric Cloak\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Arcane Ink\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Ethereal Chains\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Shadow cloak\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Blood fire Crystal\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Titan's Fang\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Siren's Tear\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Astral Compass\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Adamantine Plate\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- ....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash's eyes widened, and he nearly drooled at the sheer number of valuable items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze lingered on one particular item—Phoenix Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I could get my hands on that… I could make a Resurrection Potion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought was tempting,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method to make it isn't known right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the novel, Lyra Evergrove would develop the potion years later, but at this moment, she was just a freshman like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means this is useless to me… for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing, he closed the message and thought for a while, forming a rough plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few minutes, he typed a response to Melissia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> Ash: Let's meet at a café after the classes, around 8pm, I'll tell you what I need then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, a reply came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> Melissa: Alright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that settled, Ash changed into his uniform and left for his next class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next three classes passed by without issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no one cared about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Ash was fine with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the relationship between the main cast deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissia, Ray, Irvin, Grace, Elysia, Lyra, and Ethan had naturally grouped together. They were all talented and in time, they would be known as the Seven Pillars of Humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan, despite his reluctance, ended up joining them too—mostly because he hated how close Melissia was getting to Ray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Elysia, she also became part of their circle, since she was already friends with Grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash observed everything from the sidelines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something unsettling about watching Elysia get along with Ray so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't envious\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to push it aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had warned him, yet the guy completely ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I can do anything about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, his body had moved on instinct. He hadn't thought about it—just acted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled sharply and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever. I just need to become stronger. Everything will fall into place then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During classes, he absorbed knowledge like a sponge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Battle Strategy & War Tactics], [Monster & Beast Anatomy], [Dungeon Survival]—he memorized everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was making steady progress,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he was sitting in a quiet café outside the academy, within Nexus City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academy granted students the freedom to travel within the city as they pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, leaving the city required credits. If a student's credits ran out, they would be expelled—a harsh but effective system to keep students in check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The café had a cozy ambiance—wooden interiors, warm lighting, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few students were scattered around, engaged in quiet conversations or studying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash sat near the window, a cold iced tea in his hand. His outfit was simple yet neat—black pants, a white short-sleeved button-up shirt, and black shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was occupied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the sparring session with Leonard, he hadn't even increased the weight on himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in even increasing it. I am already weak. If I had fought with the weight increased, I would have just made a fool out of myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should start training while increasing the weights constantly. If I adapt to heavier weights, my base stats will increase, and after supplying mana to the suit constantly, I will also increase my Mana Manipulation ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a sip of his drink, his eyes narrowing as he thought further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also need to visit the library to read more books. Otherwise, I will be wasting the Rune of Knowledge just like the MC in the novel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind raced through possibilities—speed drills, weighted sprinting, endurance training, reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk. If only I had transmigrated earlier, it would have been nice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to note down a new training regimen, a familiar voice interrupted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oi, you bastard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash glanced up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before him was Melissia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fiery red hair, tied into a neat ponytail, shimmered under the sunlight, and her crimson eyes glowed with their usual sharpness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was wearing a sleeveless white summer dress, the fabric light and airy, allowing her ease of movement despite the heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small silver bracelet adorned her wrist—a subtle but elegant accessory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down, crossing her legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, what do you need?\" she asked, her tone direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash smirked slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Straight to business, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward and said in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need the ....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Melissia POV]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The café buzzed with soft chatter, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filling the air. The summer heat outside made the cool interior a welcome relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissa stepped inside, her sharp red eyes scanning the room—until they landed on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat in the farthest corner, by the window, utterly engrossed in whatever he was writing. His silvery-white hair caught the soft glow of the moonlight, strands falling over his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blue eyes held a sharp focus, brows furrowed in deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She approached, but he didn't even notice her presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hah? He dares to ignore me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers twitched, tempted to slam the table just to get a reaction. But she held back, tilting her head as she peeked over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was jotting down… a training schedule?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he's thinking about that fight, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression softened slightly—just a little—before she caught herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch. What a training-obsessed weirdo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Flashback]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had expected Ash to get destroyed—and, well, he was tossed around like a rag doll—but something about the way he fought kept her attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonard's attacks were brutal. Each strike was enough to shatter bones. Any other student would've given up, should have given up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ash didn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He absorbed each blow, adjusted his movements, and adapted. His stubbornness was infuriating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, she had thought he was just being reckless. But after a while… she realized it wasn't just recklessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reactions sharpened. His footwork got better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't talent. It wasn't some god-given gift. It was pure observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't just fighting—he was learning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that realization made her admire him a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a crazy bastard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still liked Ray more than Ash. He was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Present]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissia shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts. Her fingers unconsciously played with the hem of her summer dress—a deep crimson one that matched her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh, why am I even thinking about all that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze returned to Ash. He was still lost in his notebook, deep in thought. His lips moved slightly, as if he were muttering calculations to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She huffed. \"Oi, you bastard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulling out the chair opposite him, she sat down, crossing her legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't waste time. \"Alright, what do you need?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked slightly. \"Straight to business, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he leaned forward and said in a low voice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need the Phoenix Blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breath hitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grip on the table tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PHOENIX BLOOD?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrogant little—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You fucker!\" she snapped, slamming her hands onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few students turned to glance at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash shot her a look. \"Don't disturb others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissia's gaze swept over the onlookers, her red eyes flashing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They immediately turned away, pretending they hadn't seen anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that settled, she leaned forward, her disbelief morphing into frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell do you need that for? Do you think I can just pluck it out of thin air?! That stuff is insanely rara!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash met her glare with an impassive expression. \"I have my reasons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That calm, indifferent tone only fueled her irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers curled into fists. \"You have your reasons? Do you even know how hard it is to get? Do you have any idea what people would do for a single drop of that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash leaned back in his chair. \"It was on your list. Not my fault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissia's eye twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This smug little—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slammed her fist onto the table again. \"You… I swear to god—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, she saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smirk flickered across Ash's lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her anger wavered for half a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he… teasing her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fists clenched tighter. A slow burn spread across her face—not from embarrassment, but sheer frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, she crossed her arms and scoffed. \"You said you wouldn't ask for something out of your reach. That's why I didn't remove it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had simply forgotten to take it off the list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash tilted his head. \"I see. Well, in that case, I'll be needing more than one item now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes narrowed. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're refusing to give me the item I want. As compensation, you should add one or two extra things. Don't worry, they won't be too valuable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled. \"What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melissia stared at him, weighing his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long moment, she huffed. \"Fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash nodded, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could a 12-year-old know… that she had just walked into a trap?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>",1869,"2026-06-03T11:25:58.029Z","2026-06-03T11:26:07.394Z",1,"novelbin.me","0494f91170f9a239eea14c18d76c2269504fc4988d18d87ea5f92a69d52b3013","power-of-runes-chapter-31","power-of-runes-chapter-29",452,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpower-of-runes-cover.jpg"]