The Flow of Power: Mastering the Absorption Rune

The Flow Spreaders struggled to maintain even distribution across larger distances, leading to uneven patches in the fire's spread. He paused the simulation and made a mental note to revisit the issue later.

With his nucleus fully occupied refining the absorption runes, Evan was left to work on Fire Wave manually. He spent hours in his mental space, dissecting the spell's structure and testing minor adjustments to its flow dynamics. Without the aid of Simulate for larger optimizations, progress was slow, but not without its victories.

By the end of the first day, he had managed to stabilize the ignition phase, ensuring that the wave began with consistent power. However, maintaining the wave's strength over time remained a challenge. Each test revealed new flaws, but it also brought him closer to understanding the intricacies of the spell.

Evan's days followed a strict routine. Mornings were spent refining the Fire Wave spell, his mental space filled with glowing runes and swirling flames as he worked to perfect its balance. Afternoons were dedicated to testing and tweaking the Ember Engine, adjusting its parameters to better align with the spell's demands. Evenings, when his focus began to wane, were reserved for reviewing the simulation results from the absorption runic set.

On the third day, Evan finally began seeing tangible results in his simulations. The nucleus had stabilized the core components of the absorption runes, resolving the surge issues that had plagued earlier designs. While the system wasn't ready to be used yet, the progress was undeniable.

"This is it," Evan thought, a small smile tugging at his lips as he reviewed the results. "The runes are finally coming together."

But he didn't dwell on it for long. With the absorption runes nearing completion, Evan redirected Simulate exclusively to refining Fire Wave. His focus narrowed as he worked to resolve the lingering inefficiencies in the spell's flow dynamics. The Ember Engine had proven its worth, but the spell itself still needed work to reach its full potential.

By the end of the third day, Evan sat back, his body aching from hours of concentration. The wave was stronger, more stable, and more efficient than it had been at the start. Though there was still work to do, Evan felt a growing sense of pride in his progress.

"This is the path forward," he thought, gazing at the dim light of his tent. The Shadowed Palace waited for him to meditate and refine further, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The challenges ahead would be steep, but Evan was determined to meet them head-on—with fire in his hands and determination in his heart.

Evan sat in his tent, reviewing the results from his simulations. After days of refining and adjusting, the runic set for absorbing ambient energy was finally complete. Every component aligned perfectly—Ambient Absorption Runes, Flow Balancers, and Energy Amplifiers. It was ready to be tested.

He leaned back, exhaling slowly. This wasn't like the marks he'd created for Cedric. This was for him, meant to integrate directly into his nucleus. The thought filled him with both excitement and apprehension. Without wasting time, Evan stood, summoning the power of Runic Forging.

The air around him grew warmer as the glowing, flame-like rune materialized above his right hand. The intricate design pulsed with energy, each line shimmering as though alive. The heat was intense but not overwhelming—controlled, precise.

Evan lifted his shirt, exposing his chest. He activated Inserir, projecting the runic design onto his skin. The glowing lines hovered just above his body, shifting slightly as he adjusted their placement. He thickened certain strokes, thinned others, ensuring the runes aligned perfectly with the flow of his energy.

"This has to be perfect," Evan murmured, his voice steady despite the tension in his jaw. Satisfied with the adjustments, he took a deep breath and pressed the flaming rune against his chest.

The pain was immediate and searing, like molten iron being branded into his skin. Evan clenched his teeth, his muscles tensing as the mark burned into place. The smell of scorched flesh filled the air, but he didn't waver. The urgency of the camp's situation and his determination to grow stronger fueled him, keeping him steady until the process was complete.

Finally, the glow faded, and the pain subsided to a dull ache. Evan dissipated the remaining energy from his hand, sitting back as he caught his breath. His chest still throbbed, the mark pulsing faintly in sync with his nucleus. He rested a hand over the runic set, feeling its presence, like a quiet hum just beneath the surface of his skin.

Evan closed his eyes and activated the mark.

The moment the runic set engaged, Evan's eyes shot open in shock. He felt it—a surge of energy unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as though a dam had broken, and a cascading torrent of power poured into him from the environment. The air around him seemed to shimmer as ambient magic flowed toward his core, fueling it effortlessly.

"It's... it's like a waterfall," Evan whispered, his voice trembling with awe. The energy wasn't just flowing—it was endless, a steady stream that made his nucleus feel lighter, sharper, more alive.

He stood, pacing the tent as he processed what he was feeling. Every movement felt charged, his body brimming with power. The strain he usually associated with casting spells was gone, replaced by an almost overwhelming abundance of energy. His thoughts raced as he considered the possibilities.

"This isn't just efficient," he thought. "This is transformative."

But testing it here, in the middle of the camp, wasn't an option. He needed space, somewhere isolated where he could push the limits of the runic set without drawing attention.

Evan grabbed his gear and stepped out of the tent, the faint pulse of the mark on his chest keeping him grounded. The sensation of ambient energy flowing into his core was exhilarating, but he knew he needed space to understand its limits. Moving swiftly through the camp, he slipped into the forest, seeking a secluded clearing where he could push the runic set to its full potential.

Once he found a suitable spot, Evan took a deep breath, the hum of his nucleus steady in his mind. He raised his hand and cast Fire Wave, channeling the energy through the newly integrated runic set. The wave of flames surged forward with incredible force, burning brighter and spreading farther than ever before. Evan grinned, marveling at the power coursing through him.

But his excitement quickly turned to focus as he tested spell after spell. Flame Spark, Fire Wave, and even basic Ignition Nodes—each spell was sharper, stronger, and more stable than he had ever managed before. The energy flowing from the environment made everything feel effortless.

For a time, it felt as though he had unlocked a limitless source of power. But as the testing intensified, Evan began to feel the strain. He pushed harder, summoning larger flames and chaining spells together, his nucleus pulsing in time with his rapid casting. The flow of energy from the environment wasn't enough to sustain his reckless pace. He felt the reserves in his core begin to dwindle.

Panting, he paused, his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. The mark on his chest burned faintly, as though urging him to slow down. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensations within his core. Slowly, he felt it—like a faint trickle at first, then a steady stream. The ambient energy began to flow back into him, replenishing what he had used.

Evan straightened, his breathing steadying as he allowed the energy to refill his reserves. "So it's not infinite," he murmured, his voice quiet but thoughtful. "If I push too hard, I'll still run out. But if I take a moment to recover..." He paused, feeling the strength returning to his nucleus. "It comes back."

Testing more cautiously now, Evan alternated between bursts of intense casting and brief moments of calm. Each time, he felt his energy reserves drop during the spells, only to replenish themselves as soon as he paused. It was like a natural rhythm, one he could harness if he learned to pace himself.

"This isn't just a power boost," Evan realized, his mind racing. "It's a way to fight smarter. To recover mid-battle instead of burning out."

He cast another Fire Wave, this time focusing on efficiency rather than raw power. The spell formed perfectly, its flames rolling out in a controlled arc. When he stopped to rest, the mark on his chest pulsed faintly, and the flow of energy resumed, filling his core with a steady warmth.

Evan nodded to himself, his excitement tempered by newfound respect for the runic set. It wasn't a limitless fountain, but it was close. By managing his pace and allowing time for recovery, he could fight longer and harder than ever before.