Hearing the words from the man, a round of whispers and taunts began to reverberate through the ceremonial hall.
Using runes to know someone's affinity? Yeah, sure.
"Is he gone mad or something? I have never heard any theory that proves that runes could tell the affinity of a person."
"Maybe he is just trying to be cool?"
"Wannabe protagonist, pfft-"
The number of students ridiculing him doubled once he brought forward an absurd statement.
One of the three Tower members, stepped forward and asked, "Mister Adrian, can you explain what did you just say?" From his voice, it was evident that the man was also not believing in what Adrian said. However, unlike the students, the Tower member wasn't unaware of the fact that there, indeed, is a way of knowing one's affinity using runes.
However, that technique is considered a myth, and everyone who tried bringing that theory to life was met with ultimate failure.
Adrian, who was about to begin, nearly clicked his tongue as he turned toward the man.
A stiff smile formed on his lips as he said, "Just as I mentioned, sir Albec, I will be using runes to find the exact affinity of student Allen." Saying so, Adrian turned toward Allen, and this time, he didn't wait to get disturbed.
Waving his inscribing pencil, he drew four symbols in the air—in a circular pattern behind Allen.
Everyone turned silent seeing the man inscribing runes for real.
Sylvia had a frown on her face, but she didn't believe he was making any sense and was delaying the inevitable; that's why she silently watched.
Adrian sighed in relief as the four elements were drawn just as he practiced.
The four elements—fire, earth, water, and air were surrounding Allen as the boy tilted his head to look at them.
Adrian began to speak, "As you all know, there are four basic elements which we all know, if taken out, light and darkness, which are quite rare elements. And since the element of flames is responding to student Allen, it can be said that he has an affinity with the fire element. Am I right, student?"
Adrian asked, and the person in question, answered in a panic, "Y-Yes, that's right."
Students were astonished. However, their numbers were scarce since anyone could get to know about their affinity by reading their profile.
One of the Tower members stepped forward before asking, "Then couldn't you have used the crystal ball for that?"
Adrian nodded, "A very good question, Madame Eleanor," Adrian said before he brought his inscribing pencil up again.
Somehow, his confident demeanor surprised Ariana as she raised her brows.
Meanwhile, Adrian waved his pencil around Allen, and the four elements disappeared and were replaced by two more elements.
It was in a crescent moon pattern, with two orbs—one at the top tip and the other at the bottom tip.
The two orbs represent "Light and Darkness. These are the two irregular affinities that, sadly, a crystal ball cannot track. However, the runes,"
As he said, the one orb at the higher point, began to illuminate, as Adrian smilingly said,
"-they dig out everything."
"…!"
"What the…"
The eyes of every single being inside the ceremonial hall except for Adrian, widened in utter shock.
Light affinity?!
There are only a few who possess such rare and strong elements.
And only a few knew that Allen possessed that element.
Naturally, Adrian knew about it from his last life; however, in this life, Adrian was not supposed to be aware of it, so revealing it using the runes wouldn't allow anyone to direct a doubtful gaze in his direction.
A very long silence remained in the hall before, finally, Albec asked, "…can you prove it…can you prove that he possesses the two elements?"
Adrian hummed, his hands folded on his chest as he said, "Of course, I can. But for that, I would need a weapon, you see."
Albec glanced at Ariana before the lady turned toward the school staff.
The staff went toward the weapon stand before bringing a sword for Adrian
Adrian picked the wooden sword. It was not something good for runes but since they were just testing his skills, there was no point in grumbling about it.
He took the sword and the inscribing pencil before he started to write.
What are threads? They are connecting components that make someone attached to their weapon for better use.
So if Adrian wanted the sword to become useful for Allen, then he had to inscribe the runes for flame and light elements properly.
That's the first and most basic thread. However, since the light element is not something one usually awakens, this sword can only be properly used by Allen.
'What the....hell is this....' Sylvia's mouth was hung open as she saw Adrian moving the runic penic on the sword without hesitation.
She couldn't comprehend how this fraud was able to identify Allen's secret and now, was even inscribing the perfect rune to change a normal weapon into celestial armament.
It wasn't her but Ariana as well, who was excessively shocked. She knows Adrian here better than anyone. She knew that he knew nothing about Runesmithing. He was knowledgeable, yes, but inscribing runes...?
'What changed in just a single night...' The woman muttered under her breath.
Back in the middle of the stage, all Adrian had to do was to etch the ancient language he read yesterday. One might think that it was impossible to learn a new language in just one night.
That's right. It's impossible.
However, Adrian didn't have to learn the whole runic language. He just had to learn the six combinations of words that describe the six elements. And that's it.
However, the problem would arise if they asked him to form the Second Thread.
Forget about inscribing the rune, he doesn't know how to read someone's magic flow!
Regardless of the fear, he didn't let his fingers tremble and cause any mistakes.
The rune was inscribed, and it glowed with a faint greenish hue.
Everyone watched in silence as the runes were etched and Adrian got back on his feet.
Heaving a sigh, Adrian extended the sword towards the boy before saying, "Go on, try it."
Ariana clenched her fist in anticipation.
Many people held their breath, including Sylvia. However, her reason for nervousness was completely different.
Allen held the sword and frowned.
It felt...comfortable.
A bit too comfortable.
He has used several weapons until now, but none of them supported both of his affinities.
But this..."I can coat my magic around the sword comfortably..." Allen muttered in a voice that reached the people on the stage and those who were standing near the front.
Sylvia was in denial. All the color from her face disappeared as she staggered back.
W-What is happening here....
Many students struggled to grasp what Allen had said. Some turned to ask for clarification when suddenly—
Shlink.
A spell formation flared to life.
Allen's head snapped toward the source.
BOOOOOM!
A fireball tore through the air, exploding in the crowd. Students screamed as flames engulfed those too slow to react. The stage trembled under the heat, burning embers scattering in all directions.
The fire roared forward, heading straight for Ariana.
But before it could reach her—
CLANG!
A blade intercepted the flames, slicing through them with sheer force.
Allen's grip tightened as he poured his own flames into the weapon. His sword burned like molten steel, yet the wood didn't so much as smolder. Gasps echoed through the hall—shock, awe, disbelief.
Gritting his teeth, he slashed through the fireball, scattering embers into the air before swatting the remnants away.
Then, his sharp eyes caught movement. A figure darting toward the exit.
Allen didn't hesitate.
He shifted his grip, holding the sword like a javelin. Light burst around the blade, a brilliant glow swallowing the weapon whole.
His gaze locked onto the fleeing man.
You won't escape.
With a flick of his wrist—
SHLINK!
The blade whistled through the air, its blazing light cutting through the smoke-filled hall.
The fleeing man barely had time to turn his head—
THUNK!
The sword pierced straight through his shoulder. A scream tore from his throat as the force sent him crashing into the ground, skidding across the floor before slamming into a pillar. Blood splattered against the polished tiles.
The guards instantly went to apprehend the attacker, while everyone on the stage watched Allen with pure astonishment.
However, only Adrian had a frown on his face...that blade was his first real work...and...he threw it like a spear. Guh!
"Mister Adrian," Hearing Tower Master Albec's voice, Adrian turned towards the man before he heard him saying,
"Shall we talk in the office?"
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Add the book to your collection.