Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 500 - 499- New era

What exactly did it mean to bind several threads to a single rune?

It made things more efficient, and the rune itself grew strong enough to sustain a longer lifespan.

Adrian had studied Clark’s work in the past and knew that the man was not aware of this method.

In fact, he had never encountered anyone who used such a technique, binding so many threads to a single syllable.

Ruby had once mentioned that unless Adrian personally taught someone and handed over his armament for study, it was impossible to replicate his work.

And yet, Clark had seemingly done exactly that.

"But how could this be?" Ruby muttered, somehow holding Annabelle from charging at the man. "Adrian surely hasn’t taught him anything, has he?" she asked, glancing at her man.

Ariana’s brows drew together. "But he did have a few ways of getting his hands on Adrian’s armaments, didn’t he?"

Annabelle growled, "Did he dare steal my Darling’s creations?"

Ruby blinked in surprise, then shook her head.

She looked at Adrian with uncertainty, prompting him to explain to Annabelle, "I have sold a few of my armaments in the past. Some out of necessity, and some as a precaution."

Annabelle was taken aback. She knew her Darling never liked handing his creations to those he did not fully trust.

Ariana suddenly felt her heart grow heavy. The realization settled on her shoulders, forcing her gaze downward.

The truth was that the funds Adrian had provided for the academy’s reconstruction, its security measures, and everything else had all come from one source. That money was earned by selling his armaments.

She realized it now.

"Because of me... he has gone against his principles," she muttered under her breath, grief evident in her posture.

Adrian took her hand and asked softly, "Ariana... do I look sad or aggravated to you?"

The silver-haired woman slowly turned toward him. "Of course you don’t. But that doesn’t lessen the guilt."

Adrian let out a sigh. "My dear Ariana, what I’m trying to say is that I’m thankful Clark took my armament as inspiration and attempted something that could change the field of runesmithing for the better."

Ariana groaned. "Stop sounding so benevolent. No one likes having their unique technique stolen."

Adrian leaned back and said, "Oh? And what if I told you that not even Avirin himself created this technique, but copied it from someone else?"

That news genuinely shocked the three women.

It was even more jarring than the replica they had just seen.

Ruby’s lips parted, and Ariana’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Annabelle broke the brief silence. "Really, Darling?"

Adrian nodded. "I’ve recently realized that Avirin isn’t the true originator of the techniques I learned. He learned them from someone else as well, so Clark knowing about it feels less like theft and more like information spreading."

That did lift some weight from Ariana’s chest, but she still asked, "Are you truly unbothered by him using that technique?"

Adrian chuckled. "I swear, Ariana. It makes no difference. It’s not like he can take away my ideas or my creativity."

Letting out a slow breath, Adrian glanced toward the man on the stage and continued, "This is a field of art. Nothing stays unique forever, but at the same time, nothing can stop an artist from creating something unique all over again." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Those words carried quiet confidence. Over time, Adrian had realized he was no longer strictly following Avirin’s methods. With every step in runesmithing, he was discovering his own path. That realization gave him hope that, one day, just like Avirin, he would compile a set of notes of his own, regarded not as a copy, but as an improved version.

Adrian glanced around and found the three women staring at him in a daze, making him wonder if he had sounded too dramatic just now.

He coughed lightly. "Alright, let’s focus on the exhibition."

As their attention returned to the stage, Clark spoke up. "Now, I’d like to invite one of you onto the stage. Someone who can’t use mana. Ah, yes... you." He pointed toward one of the men who had raised his hand after hearing the condition of being unawakened.

The chosen young man quickly made his way through the crowd and up onto the stage. Upon reaching Clark, he bowed deeply, offering a respectful greeting.

Clark smiled at the enthusiastic young man and asked, "Will you introduce yourself, young man?"

The black-haired youth replied, "Dawes."

"Alright, Dawes," Clark continued. "Can you tell us if you face any difficulties in your daily life because you can’t use mana like most of the people around you?"

The young man lowered his head and spoke honestly. "Every time I go out to collect herbs... even small monsters chase me out of the forest."

Some in the crowd laughed, while others nodded in shared understanding.

Clark raised a hand, silencing them, before asking, "Tell me, son, if you had a sword that could pierce even a sabertooth, how beneficial would that be for your work?"

Dawes immediately brightened. "It would help a lot. I’m a trained warrior, but without an armament, there’s only so much I can do."

Clark hummed as he stepped closer to the cart and placed his hand on the sword’s hilt.

The runes lit up instantly, drawing gasps from the crowd. He then drew the armament and presented it to Dawes.

"Go on, hold it, young man."

Dawes wiped his hands on his shirt, then lowered his head and extended both hands to receive it.

Ruby felt the urge to roll her eyes at how much respect Clark commanded, despite being a cheating bastard.

No matter what Adrian had explained, a thorn had already lodged itself in her heart. She could no longer look at the man with the same respect she once held for him.

Back on the stage, Dawes marveled at the weapon in his hands.

It hummed with energy, urging him to swing it at once.

He looked toward Clark and received a nod of permission.

Dawes turned to face the training doll set on the other side of the stage and gripped the sword with both hands.

After taking a deep breath, he swung.

SWISH

A blue wave tore through the air and cleaved the training doll apart in a diagonal slash.

Gasps echoed through the crowd, with some even jumping back in fright.

Dawes nearly collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by excitement and disbelief at what he had just done.

"I-I... can... use mana..." he muttered, almost to himself.

Clark smiled, then turned toward the audience.

Spreading his arms wide, he declared, "This... is the future, my friends. We are entering an era of total dominance."