***
The journey to the library was longer than expected.
Damn it… that took way too long.
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.
Every corridor looked identical.
The grand marble halls, lined with intricate carvings of past heroes and scholars, all seemed to blur together.
Courtyards, training fields, and dormitory complexes stretched endlessly.
At first, he had tried following the signs.
Whoever designed this place must have been either a sadist or a fan of mazes—because nothing made sense.
North Wing? South Wing? Why was the library not just in the center?! he thought with frustration.
By the time he finally arrived, more than an hour had passed.
It was exhausting.
And frustrating.
Still, as he finally stood before the massive structure, he couldn't help but pause for a moment.
It was huge, about seven stories tall.
The exterior of the library was unlike any building he had seen before. The walls glowed faintly with golden runes carved into the surface.
These runes weren't just for decoration; they were protective enchantments, ensuring that the vast knowledge within was kept secure.
Heh. They think this is impressive?
Ash's lips curled into a smirk.
He recognized the runes for what they were—cheap imitations. A crude attempt to replicate something far beyond mortal understanding.
He had read about it in the novel.
Runic Magic… They took fragments from ancient texts that mentioned the Runes and called it a new branch of magic. Funny.
But unlike the scholars who barely understood their own research, Ash had something else—the Codex of Creation.
A trait that allowed him to create skills based on Runes, and also the Protective Override function of the Trait.
Theoretically, if he used Protective Override, he could experiment with these runes—maybe even use real Runic Patterns as magic one day.
His gaze traveled upwards.
At the very top of the building, he could see floating crystal spheres, spinning slowly in the air, pulsing with soft light.
They served as magic detectors, scanning everyone who entered.
The entrance itself was grand—massive double doors, seemingly made of enchanted steel, stood firmly shut.
Despite their heavy appearance, they would open effortlessly for those permitted to enter.
And then—
Ash's eyes landed on someone familiar.
A guy who was just about to step into the library.
Ray Dawson.
The only human in history with all affinities.
The golden boy.
The prodigy.
The Protagonist.
Ash got the feeling that Fate—or whatever entity—was once again on his tail, just as he was about to obtain another Rune.
Then, without hesitation, he shouted with all his strength—
"RAY DAWSON!!!!!!!!!!!!"
His shout was so loud that even the surrounding academy staff and students stopped.
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.
Because none of that mattered.
Because at stake was not only the world's fate but—
Fucking bastard! That Rune is mine!
A Rune.
**
Ray turned, his expression neutral as he noticed Ash approaching.
"Ash?"
But Ash didn't slow down. He marched straight up to Ray and grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Ray, listen to me carefully."
Ray blinked. "Uh… okay?"
"You cannot go inside."
Ray frowned. "Why?"
Ash glanced around, lowering his voice as if he were revealing classified information.
"… Someone's looking for you."
Ray's posture straightened slightly. "Who?"
Shit!!
Ash hadn't thought that far ahead.
Think, Ash! Think!
Then—an idea struck.
"The… uh… girls, I mean—the teacher is looking for you."
Ray gave him a skeptical look. "The teacher?"
Ash nodded gravely. "Yes."
Ray folded his arms. "And why exactly would the teacher be looking for me?"
Ash sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "It's about your affinities."
He leaned in, voice dropping further. "I overheard staff members talking about it. Something about… 'Keeping an eye on the new students.'"
Ray's brows furrowed in confusion. "I s-see."
Ash nodded quickly.
Ray's eyes narrowed slightly. "But… why would you tell me?"
Ash mentally cursed but still replied.
"… 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."
Ray's gaze lingered on him for a moment, assessing.
Then—
"… 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."
Ash forced a neutral expression. "Believe me, I don't. But I also don't like owing people."
Ray still seemed unsure but eventually sighed. "Alright. I'll check with one of the staff first."
Ash barely kept himself from grinning.
"Yeah, good call. You should definitely clear it up before stepping inside."
Ray gave him a nod before turning and walking away.
The second he disappeared, Ash spun on his heel, smirking.
That was way too easy.
With a cheeky grin, he strolled toward the library doors.
Alright. Time to claim my Rune.
**
As Ash approached the library doors, a firm voice stopped him.
"Show your Academy Watch."
He turned toward the source of the voice.
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—
It was the badge on his chest.
A Grandmaster…?
Ash's eyes flickered with subtle surprise.
For someone to hold the title of Grandmaster, they had to be an exceptional warrior or mage.
And yet, such a person was stationed here as a mere guard.
That alone spoke volumes about how important this place was.
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.
The guard didn't immediately let him through. Instead, he pulled out a small, rectangular device and hovered it just above Ash's wrist.
A moment later, the device beeped, and a thin, translucent screen materialized in the air, displaying Ash's name, year, and student classification.
The guard's sharp eyes flickered over the details before he gave a slight nod.
"You may enter."
Without another word, Ash stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the threshold, a strange sensation washed over him—like a thin veil of magic brushing against his skin.
A scanning spell?
It lasted only a second before fading away.
And then—he entered the library.
***
The moment he stepped inside, Ash's breath hitched just slightly.
What the…
The interior was even more magnificent than the outside.
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.
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.
As people moved, the orbs adjusted their brightness, ensuring every section was perfectly illuminated.
Looking up, Ash noticed multiple floors, each seamlessly connected by floating mana bridges.
Some of these platforms carried students and scholars, allowing them to travel between different sections effortlessly.
And yet—despite the sheer number of people inside—absolute silence reigned.
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.
This place… is a treasure trove.
It was unlike anything he had seen before.
But before he could dwell on it further, his attention shifted.
At the front desk, just near the entrance, sat an elderly man, completely absorbed in the thick tome before him.
His silver hair was neatly combed back, and he wore thin-framed glasses, which reflected the soft glow of the enchanted lamps.
The aura around him felt tranquil yet unyielding, as if no force in the world could disturb his focus.
He didn't even glance up when Ash entered.
The novel hadn't mentioned a librarian—or at least, not one like this.
Shrugging the thought aside, Ash exhaled and took a step forward.
Alright. Now let's get the Rune of Knowledge.
A cheeky grin tugged at his lips.
***
Ash moved deeper into the library, his steps light against the polished floor.
The vast shelves stretched endlessly around him, each one packed with books of all sizes and ages.
Some had pristine covers, their spines gleaming under the soft golden light, while others were cracked with age, their pages yellowed and fragile.
But Ash wasn't here for just any book.
He was looking for one in particular.
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.
It should be around here…
His gaze flickered between the shelves as he walked, his fingers occasionally brushing against the book spines.
The further he went, the fewer people he saw.
Most students gathered near the central areas, where books on popular subjects—mana theories, combat techniques, and recorded histories—were neatly arranged.
But here, in the more remote sections, the silence felt deeper.
Ash rounded a corner and found himself in a dusty aisle. The bookshelves here were older, the wood slightly warped with time.
A thin layer of dust coated some of the books, suggesting that hardly anyone ever bothered coming this far.
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
Found it.
His eyes locked onto a specific shelf—third row from the bottom, near the farthest edge.
A thin, faded red book, its once-golden lettering dulled with age.
It looked no different from the rest, filled with old, worn-out books whose covers barely held their titles anymore.
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.
Then—his fingertips brushed against something odd.
A book, identical in size and color to the others, but… slightly heavier.
Ash grasped it and carefully pulled it free.
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.
But he knew better.
This wasn't just any book.
This was the Rune of Knowledge.
He let out a slow breath. It really was this easy…
Opening it wouldn't unleash a wave of power. There were no riddles to solve or trials to pass.
The Rune of Knowledge had always been hiding in plain sight, mistaken for a mundane book no one bothered to read.
And now, it was his.
His lips curled into a small smirk as he opened the book.
***
A/N: 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! 🙌✨