Φεστιβάλ

During my stay here at the academy, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was a place on the brink of chaos. With all the ongoing events, it seemed inevitable that this would eventually turn into a bloodbath.

I woke up, changed into my uniform, and headed to the academy building. Walking through the hallway, I noticed posters attached to the pillars. Curiosity got the better of me, so I stopped to take a look.

It was an invitation to the annual Aetherfall Festival of Arts and Combat.

The event was set for the month of Rary—or February, by Earth's calendar—on the fourth day. As I scanned the poster, I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder.

"Morning~"

I sighed internally. It was a voice I wished I wouldn't have to hear this early. Turning around, I saw Selene, her usual chipper self.

"Right… morning," I mumbled, shrugging her hand off my shoulder.

Unfazed, she continued to tail me as if I were some kind of magnet.

"Are you looking to join the festival?" Selene asked, playfully following me like a dog trailing its owner.

"Not really. I was just curious," I replied, quickening my pace toward the classroom we'd be attending.

When we arrived, I was surprised to find the room arranged more like a lounge than a classroom. Comfortable chairs and sofas filled the space, giving it a cozy, almost homely feel. It was peculiar, especially compared to the more rigid setup of the arts and combat classrooms.

As I wandered around the lounge-like room, I noticed someone was missing.

"Where's Erna?" I asked a random male classmate nearby.

"Ah, Erna? I heard she's in the hunting grounds on orders from her family head," he replied casually.

"Is she even allowed to do that?"

"The academy has no authority over a clan head's orders. It's all part of the Coexistence Act 103," he explained.

The Coexistence Act 103 was a republic law allowing clan heads to summon or deploy academy students for guild missions or clan matters. It was a protocol that gave clan members significant leeway, even while under the academy's care.

I thanked my classmate and made my way to the couches in the corner, only to find Selene already sprawled across the one I'd been aiming for.

Sigh.

Reluctantly, I squeezed into the space beside her, ignoring the fact that she was taking up far more room than necessary.

Moments later, our professor entered. She was a tall, imposing elf, standing about six feet tall, with an air of strict discipline. She walked to the front of the room, her movements precise and commanding.

"Hello, Class E. I am Eliana Moonshade, your professor for this course," she announced, her voice firm yet melodic. She reached into a magical pouch and retrieved what appeared to be gemstones etched with strange markings.

The runes caught my attention immediately.

"Runes…" Selene muttered beside me, her discomfort palpable as her gaze fixated on the stones.

Professor Eliana spread the runes across the table and began her lecture.

"Welcome, scholars, to the arcane study of runes and enhancement! What you see before you are not mere letters or decorations. They are the fingerprints of power, conduits for invoking the will of gods, spirits, or even the forces of the universe itself.

Runes are more than just a written language—they are keys. In the Norse tradition, for instance, they were said to be discovered by the All-Father, Odin, who sacrificed himself on the World Tree, Yggdrasil, hanging for nine nights to unlock their secrets. Learning runes is an act of sacrifice and transformation because these symbols are not just tools; they demand understanding, reverence, and intent."

Her voice was captivating as she continued.

"Each rune is tied to a concept or force: wealth (Fehu), strength (Uruz), transformation (Perthro). They are ideograms—symbols that carry meaning, sound, and magical resonance. To write them, you do more than scribble—you evoke their essence.

For example, carving Algiz, the rune of protection, onto your shield doesn't just block an arrow; it invokes the energy of defense itself. Words and sound shape reality when charged with a rune's power."

The professor's lecture was riveting, her passion filling the room.

"Professor," a student raised their hand, "if runes can be chanted and spoken, why do we have difficulty harnessing their power?"

Professor Eliana paused, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

"An excellent question. Why indeed? The answer lies in the nature of power and the limits of understanding.

Runes aren't just tools—they're relationships. When you carve, chant, or invoke a rune, you're not simply saying a word; you're calling upon an ancient force. These forces don't respond to clumsy or hollow intent. Harnessing rune power requires three key elements:

First, understanding. You must know the rune's essence—not just its name or meaning, but its depth.

Second, intent. Runes resonate with your thoughts, emotions, and will.

Third, sacrifice. Runes demand an exchange: your energy, focus, or patience. Even Odin paid a price to learn them.

Finally, there's mystery. To wield runes, one must accept that some things cannot be fully controlled or understood.

So, if you find yourself struggling, ask yourself—have you studied deeply enough? Is your intent pure? And most importantly, what have you given in return?"

Her gaze swept the room, daring anyone to challenge her.

The lecture continued, touching on how even non-awakeners could harness the power of runes. Rituals, intent, and alignment with nature were key, but so was humility.

Despite my intrigue, I couldn't ignore Selene's growing discomfort beside me.

"Are you okay?" I asked, glancing at her.

She snapped back to reality, her gaze startlingly intense.

"I think so," she murmured, focusing her attention back on the professor.

Professor Eliana handed out pale white gemstones, instructing us to find ways to utilize runes in our lives. She didn't expect us to submit any tasks or assignments—only the results mattered, which would be evaluated during the mock battles at the festival.

As intriguing as the lesson was, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my own inadequacies. Targets were already on my back, and my Mimic Eye had grown stale from disuse. I needed to grow stronger, especially since I wasn't from this world.

The lessons were fascinating, but the festival loomed closer with every passing day.

What rune spell will I need? I wondered. More importantly, can I even use a rune?

I decided to use my vacant time to delve deeper into the study of runes at the library. However, upon entering, I immediately noticed that the setup was vastly different from the last time I had been here. The air felt heavier, as though the room itself was alive, and ancient bookshelves stretched infinitely toward the ceiling, exuding an aura of mystique.

"Hmm? What are you doing here?"

A deep, resonant voice interrupted my thoughts. Before I could properly survey the area, a towering, beastly figure emerged from the shadows. It was a sphinx-like man, his feline features blending seamlessly with an air of authority. His golden eyes glinted as he loomed over me, his sheer size intimidating.

"I... I was here to borrow a book?" I replied, instinctively stepping back.

The beastfolk scoffed, his voice sharp. "That Luna girl is strange enough, and now another uninvited pest has somehow wandered into my library."

"Your library?" I asked, confused by the possessive tone in his statement.

"Yes, my library," he growled, gesturing around the vast expanse. "This is the true library of the academy. I am its guardian. Normally, only authorized personnel are allowed here, yet somehow two students have breached its sanctity as if it were some common study hall."

"I didn't do it intentionally, though," I said, scratching the back of my head awkwardly.

The guardian sighed heavily, his frustration palpable. "Well, you did it anyway... so you might as well make use of it while you can. All the books here are special—far beyond what students are supposed to access—but frankly, I've grown tired of stopping you people."

"Don't mind if I do, then," I replied, taking advantage of his resignation as I moved to browse the shelves.

Rows upon rows of ancient tomes greeted me, their titles practically glowing with arcane knowledge. After a while, I collected the ones I deemed most essential and made my way toward the exit, my arms full of books. Just as I approached the door, I heard hurried footsteps and labored panting.

To my dismay, it was Luna, rushing toward me with a flushed face.

"You're here, Ezekiel?!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Well, I somehow ended up here," I replied nonchalantly, adjusting the books in my arms. "Might as well take advantage of this blessing."

Without waiting for a reply, I left the library, eager to begin my preparations.

Back in my dorm room, I placed the stack of books on the table, scanning their titles as I planned my next steps:

[Rune Spells – The History][Mana Utilization Guide – Expert Level][Recorded Abilities From the Root of Fire Elements][Recorded Abilities From Runes][Recorded Skills From First Generation to Present]

These were precisely what I needed to prepare for the upcoming festival. With the Mimic Eye, I could absorb the knowledge contained in these books, enhancing my abilities while formulating a strategy for the mock battles.

The Mimic Eye's trait allows me to skim through knowledge and internalize it rapidly, effectively leveling up from the information alone. For combat practice, I planned to head to the hunting grounds around the Aether Kingdom's vicinity.

I may have strong skills and abilities, but without proper utilization, I'm just a tangled knot waiting to be unraveled. The Mimic Eye's power grows stronger with the accumulation of knowledge, and I'm gambling on lifting the restriction of needing physical materials to replicate a skill and fully make it mine.

Currently, the Mimic Eye allows me to create skills, but each skill requires specific materials of a certain grade. I've been fortunate so far—Blood Aegis was crafted using Erythrotenebrae, and Clairvoyance was replicated from a monster's eyes.

But runes... runes demand sacrifice, and the mimicry of such power requires careful consideration.

The records on fire abilities would help me better utilize Surya's Blessings, harnessing its formless nature to create powerful skills. My focus now is on improving both my body and my combat techniques to synchronize with Karna's Vessel more effectively.

This endeavor will take time, but it's a challenge I am willing to face.

As I sat down, ready to immerse myself in the first book, my mind wandered briefly to the Sphinx guardian and Luna.

"Strange encounters lead to stranger paths," I muttered to myself.

With a deep breath, I opened the first tome. My preparations for the festival had officially begun.

I had just finished my usual study session in the secret library when I sensed something different in the air. The soft hum of magic that filled this place seemed... agitated, as if disturbed by an unfamiliar presence. I frowned, tucking my most recent book under my arm. It wasn't often that anyone besides me came here.

The guardian of the library, a massive sphinx-like beastfolk, usually ensured that only authorized individuals entered this sacred place. Yet today, someone had somehow slipped through his watchful gaze.

"Hmm? What are you doing here?" his booming voice echoed from the library's entrance.

Curious, I approached the source of the commotion, carefully peeking around one of the towering shelves. My eyes widened when I saw a familiar figure standing awkwardly before the guardian, arms crossed defensively. Ezekiel. Of course, it had to be him.

"I was here to borrow a book?" he said, his voice tinged with unease as he took a step back.

The guardian let out an exasperated sigh, towering over Ezekiel. "That Luna girl is already weird enough, and now another prick somehow stumbles into my library."

I couldn't help but smirk from where I stood hidden. I'd spent enough time here to earn the guardian's reluctant tolerance, but it was amusing to see him so irritated by Ezekiel's unexpected arrival.

"Your library?" Ezekiel asked, tilting his head.

The guardian rolled his eyes, his massive tail swishing in irritation. "Yes, my library. Normally only authorized personnel are allowed here, but now two students are breaching this place like it's nothing."

"I didn't do it intentionally, though?" Ezekiel replied, scratching the back of his head.

The guardian grumbled something under his breath before waving a paw dismissively. "Well, you're already here. Make use of the library, then. But remember—this place isn't meant for students."

Ezekiel grinned, taking the dismissal as permission. "Don't mind if I do," he said, eagerly scanning the shelves for books.

I decided to stay hidden, observing him as he piled book after book into his arms. His confidence in the face of the guardian's annoyance was... impressive, in a way. But more than that, I was curious about what he was searching for.

It wasn't long before he turned to leave, his stack of books carefully balanced. I stepped out of the shadows just in time to see him heading toward the exit.

"You're here, Ezekiel?!" I called out, my voice louder than I intended.

He turned, raising an eyebrow at me. "Well, I somehow got here, so I'm taking advantage of this blessing," he replied casually before disappearing out the door.

The guardian let out a low growl, clearly irritated. "First him, now you. Why do students keep showing up here uninvited?"

"I'm not uninvited," I said with a grin, holding up the book I'd been reading earlier. "You tolerate me, remember?"

He huffed, clearly unimpressed. "Barely."

I laughed softly and returned to the shelves, determined to find something useful before the guardian's patience with me ran out.

Later, as I made my way back to my dorm with a single tome in hand, I couldn't stop thinking about Ezekiel. He hadn't even seemed surprised by the grandeur of the secret library—if anything, he'd looked completely at ease. What was he planning with all those books?

Whatever it was, I couldn't let him get ahead of me. The library may have been my domain first, but Ezekiel had a way of turning everything into a challenge, whether he realized it or not.

This time, I'd make sure I stayed one step ahead.