"Understanding the Runes"

Snake Calendar, Year 2025

13th Day of August, Wednesday Early Afternoon

The Inner City of Nova Asta, Astalight Archive

Accel walked down the cobblestone streets of Nova Asta, feeling the afternoon breeze against his face. After the grueling hellish training earlier, he decided to spend the rest of the day recuperating. He adjusted his satchel, his thoughts already on the modest building ahead—the Astalight Archive. This would be his second visit to the library, a haven for those seeking knowledge beyond the standard curriculum.

As he approached, a familiar voice called out behind him.

"Accel! What are you doing here?"

Turning around, he saw Lila Merritt walking briskly toward him. Her expression was one of mild surprise, yet it carried the warmth of familiarity.

"Taking a break?" she asked, falling into step beside him.

"Yeah," Accel replied with a faint smile. "I'm heading to the Astalight Archive. Need to study some things and gather information."

"Library?" Lila tilted her head, intrigued. "I didn't take you for the bookish type, Accel."

He chuckled softly. "It's less about being bookish and more about… filling gaps. There's a lot I don't know, and if I want to get stronger, I can't just rely on physical training."

Lila nodded thoughtfully. "Mind if I join you? I've got some time before I have to head back to the dorms. Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing what this library has to offer."

Accel hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure, why not? But you'll need to register if you plan to borrow anything."

With that, the two continued toward the archive, their footsteps mingling with the soft chatter of passersby.

Inside the Astalight Archive

The library was a quiet sanctuary, its wooden shelves filled with books, scrolls, and even a few holographic records. The scent of aged paper mixed with a faint whiff of varnished wood. A librarian behind the counter glanced up as they entered, offering a polite smile.

While Accel moved toward a nearby table, Lila approached the desk to register. The process was quick—just a scan of her system interface and confirmation of her student ID.

"So, what are you looking into?" Lila asked as she joined Accel at the table, a few basic books on beginner-level magical theory in her arms.

"Runes," Accel replied, opening a thick tome titled Practical Applications of Temporary Runes.

"Runes, huh? Aren't those usually one-time-use spells?" Lila asked, flipping through her book.

"Exactly," Accel said, his voice low as he didn't want to disturb the quiet atmosphere. "They're simple to create but can be incredibly versatile. I've stored data about runes in my system but haven't had the chance to study them properly until now."

Lila leaned closer, her curiosity piqued. "Like what kind of runes?"

Accel pointed to a diagram in his book. "Take this one, for example—'Rune of Light.' It creates a temporary light source, but only for five minutes. Simple but effective in dark places. Or this—'Rune of Shielding.' It's a basic defensive barrier that lasts for one hit."

Lila whistled softly. "Sounds handy. How do you make them?"

"The book says you can use chalk, ink, or even carve them into wood or stone. The trick is knowing the right symbols and infusing a small amount of energy to activate them," Accel explained, flipping to another page.

Lila frowned slightly. "But doesn't that take a lot of practice? I mean, getting the symbols just right must be tough."

Accel nodded. "It does. That's why I'm starting with the basics. Simple runes like these don't require much precision or energy. But the more complex the rune, the harder it is to execute."

They fell into a comfortable silence, each absorbed in their respective books. Occasionally, Lila would glance at Accel, watching as he diligently took notes in a small journal.

Breaking the Quiet (An Hour Later)

Archivist System Notification: User System Attribute

Knowledge: 21 (+1)

"Accel," Lila whispered after a while. "Why are you so… driven? I mean, you're always doing something—training, studying. Don't you ever rest?"

He looked up, meeting her gaze. For a moment, he seemed to consider how much to reveal.

"I guess," he began slowly, "I just don't want to be left behind. Everyone's improving and getting stronger; I don't want to hold others back. Besides, knowledge is power. If I can understand more, I can do more."

Lila smiled faintly. "That's admirable. But don't burn yourself out, okay? Even the strongest need time to breathe."

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied with a small grin.

Experimenting with Runes (Another Hour Later)

Archivist System Notification: User System Attribute

Knowledge: 21 (+2)

"Want to see something?" Accel asked after another hour of studying.

"Sure," Lila said, leaning forward.

Accel took out a small piece of chalk and carefully replicated the 'Rune of Light' symbol from his book onto the table's surface. Once the symbol was complete, he placed his hand over it and focused a small amount of energy.

The rune glowed faintly before a small orb of light floated up, casting a warm glow around them.

"Wow," Lila whispered, her eyes wide. "You did it."

Accel chuckled. "It's not much, but it works. The book said this one lasts five minutes."

Lila reached out, her hand hovering over the light. "It's beautiful. You're something, Accel."

He scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "It's just a start. I still have a lot to learn."

Archivist System Notification: You have completed the understanding of 'Runes'. Runes are now included in your Neural Commands, you may see their abilities.

Archivist System Notification: Neural Commands (Active Skills)

Skill Name: Rune Making

Description: Grants the ability to create and activate simple runes using various materials. These runes have limited power and duration but can provide utility or minor effects, depending on the rune type and user intent.

Runes Learned:

-> Rune of Light: Emits a faint glow for 30 seconds.

-> Rune of Heat: Produces warmth for 15 seconds.

-> Rune of Protection: Provides a minor barrier that blocks up to 50 damage points for 10 seconds.

Energy Cost: 50 ENCO

Sustaining Effect: 10 Energy per second for ongoing effects.

Rune Making Cooldown: 5 minutes

Material Requirement: The rune can be carved, drawn, or etched into wood, stone, paper, or other simple materials.

Proficiency Level: Beginner First Level

Attributes: No enhancements or No special effects or No buff/debuff

Chance of Failure: 15% (may increase with poor materials or rushed carving)