Power of Runes

Chapter 13 - 13: Entrance Test (3)

The world around Ash twisted, his vision blurring as space itself seemed to stretch and fold.

This teleportation was different—slower, heavier. It wasn't just a short-range jump. They were being moved across a vast distance.

From the heart of a continent… to a deserted island.

The moment color bled back into his surroundings, Ash opened his eyes.

A thick forest loomed around him, its towering trees swaying gently under an unseen breeze. The scent of damp earth filled the air, and the rhythmic buzz of insects echoed in the distance, setting an almost eerie stillness.

His stomach churned slightly.

'I still can't get used to this damn teleportation sickness…'

A deep frown crept onto his face as he pressed a hand against a tree for balance.

With practiced caution, he swept his gaze across his surroundings,

Still sharpening his skills.

His sword cut through the air in fluid, decisive arcs as he deflected an incoming attack of a beast. His expression was focused, unwavering, as he engaged multiple beasts at once, his movements refined but not yet perfected.

He's growing.

Unlike Melissa, who dominated through overwhelming power, Ray's strength came from his Unparalleled sword Talent.

He had the potential to carve his way to the top—but he wasn't there yet.

Not yet.

Elva leaned forward slightly, watching as he, too, moved toward the mountains.

Which meant—

Elva's eyes flickered to another screen, and there he was.

Ash Burn.

Unlike Ray, whose path was one of raw struggle, or Melissa, who was born into her strength, Ash walked with an air of quiet certainty.

He wasn't scrambling to secure Flags.

He was even avoiding Beasts and Another kids, he was heading straight for the mountain.

Interesting…

Did he figure something out? Or was it blind luck?

Whatever the case, his actions set him apart from the others.

And Elva found herself intrigued.

Her fingers tapped against the armrest of her chair, a slow, thoughtful rhythm.

"Vice Principal?" one of the proctors asked hesitantly.

She smiled, her violet eyes gleaming.

"Nothing. Just enjoying the show."

Her gaze flickered back to Ash and Ray—Both unknowingly moving toward the same destination.

Two pieces on the board.

Two paths destined to collide.

And Elva couldn't wait to see what happened next.

And just as if the world had decided to entertain her, a beast appeared in front of Ash.

"Now, let's see what you do." she said while smirking.

***

Back In the Forest....

The beast lunged.

A blur of fur and claws, its predatory instincts honed to kill.

Ash didn't move.

Not yet.

He stood still, eyes locked onto the incoming strike, muscles coiled but relaxed—waiting.

He watched, eyes sharp, tracking the arc of the strike. His mind registered the distance, the speed, the moment of impact—

Then, he ducked.

His instincts, sharpened from years of gaming and battle simulations, guided his body before thought could.

A crackling sphere of violet lightning surged in his palm.

With a sharp thrust, he slammed it into the beast's stomach.

Boom!

The wolf-like creature yelped as the impact sent it skidding backward, its claws tearing into the dirt in a desperate attempt to regain footing. Blood oozed from the point of contact, singed fur curling from the heat of the attack.

Ash didn't let up.

He moved, closing the distance in a swift, calculated step. His fingers twitched—another surge of lightning lancing toward the wounded beast.

The first bolt struck its shoulder.

The second hit its leg.

By the third, it barely had the strength to snarl.

A final crackling arc of lightning ripped through the air, slamming into the beast's chest. Its body convulsed once—then collapsed, unmoving.

Ash stood there for a moment, feeling the static hum beneath his skin.

Then, he exhaled.

'Tsk. It's uncomfortable.'

Fighting like this—holding back.

If he had used mana the way he truly wanted to, the fight wouldn't have lasted more than a few seconds. Channeling it into his muscles, moving with the precision and raw force of a warrior—that was what felt natural.

But a mage couldn't do that.

And right now, he had to be a mage.

'It's fine. I trained for this.'

Traveling with Melissa, he hadn't just honed his mana. He had pushed his body daily, conditioning his stamina, strengthening his body.

The results were there.

**

Strength- 6 --> 8

Agility- 8 --> 10

Vitality- 4

Intelligence- 14

Stamina- 10 --> 12

Charm- 6

Mana- 50

**

Ash rolled his shoulders, shaking off the lingering static from his own attack.

The fight had been quick—too quick for anyone watching to pick up on what he truly was.

And yet, somewhere far away, in a dimly lit control room, a pair of sharp violet eyes gleamed with interest.

Elva leaned forward in her seat, a slow smirk tugging at her lips.

"Well, well…" she murmured, her voice laced with amusement. "That was quite the performance."

With a flick of her fingers, she expanded Ash's live feed on the main screen.

There were plenty of strong contenders in this test—Melissia's ruthless efficiency, Ray's relentless blade—and many more, but

Ash was different.

Something about him set him apart.

And Elva wanted to see what that was....

**

A/N: Hello, dear readers! ???? If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to smash those power stones! ????

Also, if you have any cool ideas about Runes—what kind he should have or absolutely shouldn't—drop them in the comments! Your input means a lot. ????✨