The Ancient Ruin

"I didn't think you'd agree! ..." Rue stared at the person behind Asher and muttered in awe.

This young man had black hair, jet black eyes, and pale white skin ... very similar to Ian, and... He is none other than Ian's book's main character. Aeric Xander

The only difference between Ian and Aeric would be that Aeric had better facial features and looked slightly different.

"Ha! Do you even know who I am? How can I not persuade him? "Asher gave rue a smug smile.

Rue twitched his tongue in response and stopped pursuing this matter further.

Aeric, who was following them silently, didn't seem to notice these things and appeared to be lost in thought.

The group was now making its way out of the first-year district.

There is a 6-year mandatory program at the University of Novaetas.

By the end of the six years, everyone should have achieved the purple grade.

Or, to put it another way, the aim of the program is to raise the mind practitioner grade by one each year.

Each district at the university had a specific year's students. and generally, it's forbidden to enter other districts.

Ian didn't have to cross any districts after he teleported into the university because the principal office is in the first district.

After some time of walking, Aeric and their group came across a helicopter.

When they arrived, Ian, who was waiting by the helicopter, took a curious look at them.

"So that's how Aeric looks... Identical to me" Ian said. he is unsure whether this is simply a coincidence or something more but...he felt a sense of familiarity with aeric.

It was as if he had known Aeric for a very long time. Ian then laughed that idea off.

' How can I not feel a connection to the main character in my book? ' Laughing, Ian looked at the only person he had never met before.

It was a White-haired student with red crimson eyes and pale skin...At first glance, he looked like a vampire and Ian knew that wasn't far from the truth.

' Rue fallen huh...That Half-Vampire ' Ian thought and recalled something he knew about Rue.

Among the trio, Only rue had the most extensive backstory in his novel.

Rue's father has ignored him since his birth, and the only other living relative he has was his uncle, who is too busy working to see him every day.

Rue had a difficult childhood, suffering from his loneliness as well as the teasing and mocking of other heirs of aristocratic families.

That was until he met Asher Crowley...an oddball among the young Aristocrats and a cheerful and optimistic child.

Rue and Asher eventually became friends as a result of some 'coincidences' brought on by Asher's good fortune.

Ian was slightly envious of this since he was alone all his life...he doesn't even have a friend!

He was scared of thinking about that dark past any further and started observing aeric.

'Hmm...is he zoning out again?' Ian frowned, He noticed it as soon as he saw Aeric.

But... was Aeric really zoning out in the middle of nowhere!?

'It's got to be that Library...' A tattoo on Aeric's left wrist caught Ian's eye.

That tattoo was a circle with a book in the middle of the circle.

This mark represents Aeric's greatest opportunity...it allows him to enter a mysterious library where he can read any knowledge he would ever need...only limited by his strength.

The library is divided into sections based on the grade of the secret and information that was given by a particular book.

And as Aeric's strength increases, so does the level of knowledge he can read and the secrets he can learn.

Ian shook his head, clearing his mind of all unnecessary thoughts.

"Let's go, since you're all here...We can't afford to waste any more time." Ian had already placed his bag in the helicopter, so he assisted the trio with their luggage.

Following the introductions, Ian instructed the pilot to start the helicopter, and it soon took flight.

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______

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"So...the ruins that we are searching for are supposed to be on an island in this area of the sea?"

Aeric... who was silent the whole trip, finally opened his mouth and questioned ian.

"Yes, we're getting close to that island... I was at first unsure of its exact location, but I am now certain." Even though... Ian said that he knew the location so confidently he got no idea.

Aeric, who was still skeptical, looked at Ian puzzledly for a moment before returning to his seat. He decided to wait and see.

Ian ignored Aeric's skepticism and continued to look at Asher and Rue.

Both of them had already fallen asleep; it was past midnight at the university but afternoon in the middle of the Pacific.

This was due to time zone differences and other complicated factors...

'Won't they be fine even if they don't sleep for a few days? Why are they so desperate for sleep?!'.

Ian was at a loss for words and simply poured a few water drops from a water bottle on their faces to wake them up.

It took some time, but they finally lifted their drowsy heads and looked around dazedly.

Ian ignored them for the time being and gazed out the window.

After a period of scrutinizing his eyes, he discovered a group of islands at the end of his vision...barely visible.

"Pilot, take that route..." Ian ordered and stared at asher.

"Be prepared...we're getting close to the ruins."

Asher nodded with difficulty and slowly began sipping the coffee he had brought in a Vacuum Flask.

Rue had also awoken from his stupor long ago and was currently staring at the endless sea that filled his entire field of vision with amazement.

After a while, the helicopter landed on a deserted island with nothing on it.

Except for the pilot, everyone got out of the helicopter and relaxed for a while.

"Anyway, bring all of your Bags... we're going into the ruins." Ian was thrilled about the treasures hidden in the ruins and was not in the mood to mess around.

Everyone went back to the helicopter and got prepared for the exploration.

A moment later all of them left the island using an Inflatable Boat brought by Ian.

The boat was powered by an engine, so there was no need to row...

After a quick glimpse at all of the nearby islands, Ian's attention was drawn to a circular-shaped island.

'That's got to be it...' He thought and steered the boat in the direction of that island.

The boat approached the island, and the four-person party set foot on it.

Asher used an ability to observe his surroundings and soon noticed nothing.

With displeasure, he turned his head to face Ian.

" There is nothing on this island! did you get the right one? " Asher inquired.

Ian ignored Asher and began walking towards a massive stone at least a dozen feet tall.

He tapped and touched the stone before pulling a box from his bag.

Asher, the first person to notice what that box was, muttered in fear. "Is that a bomb?"

Ian didn't respond and began digging a small hole at the bottom of the massive stone...before planting the bomb right there.

"The bomb was set to explode in a minute...Hide behind something in meantime." Ian stated before running for a while and hiding behind a tree.

The trio also took cover behind some trees, and Asher even covered his ears with his hands.

'5...4...3...2.....1' Ian closed his eyes and crouched down as the countdown ended.

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**BOOM**

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A loud explosion reverberated throughout the island, but aside from the stone and the area a few meters nearby...nothing was damaged.

Ian looked at the area that was still covered in dust and debris...after a while, the dust got cleared and a passage appeared in their sight.

"Is that the entrance to the Ancient Ruins?" Questioned Aeric while staring at the passage.

' Why is this mark reacting,' Aeric frowned as he felt the mark on his head shake and become hot.

In an instant, The mark felt like a burning ball of molten lava on his hand, but Aeric gritted his teeth and only let out a few grunts.

"Yeah...this is the entrance, let's go," Ian responded as he began walking towards the passage.

But he had already noticed Aeric's strange behavior and realized what was going on...

'Good...now on to the next step,' Ian thought and grinned slyly... He can get that treasure soon.