What exactly did it an to bind several threads to a single rune?
It made things more efficient, and the rune itself grew strong enough to sustain a longer lifespan.
Adrian had studied Clark’s work in the past and knew that the man was not aware of this thod.
In fact, he had never encountered anyone who used such a technique, binding so many threads to a single syllable.
Ruby had once ntioned that unless Adrian personally taught soone and handed over his armant for study, it was impossible to replicate his work.
And yet, Clark had seemingly done exactly that.
"But how could this be?" Ruby muttered, sohow holding Annabelle from charging at the man. "Adrian surely hasn’t taught him anything, has he?" she asked, glancing at her man.
Ariana’s brows drew together. "But he did have a few ways of getting his hands on Adrian’s armants, didn’t he?"
Annabelle growled, "Did he dare steal my Darling’s creations?"
Ruby blinked in surprise, then shook her head.
She looked at Adrian with uncertainty, prompting him to explain to Annabelle, "I have sold a few of my armants in the past. So out of necessity, and so as a precaution."
Annabelle was taken aback. She knew her Darling never liked handing his creations to those he did not fully trust.
Ariana suddenly felt her heart grow heavy. The realization settled on her shoulders, forcing her gaze downward.
The truth was that the funds Adrian had provided for the academy’s reconstruction, its security asures, and everything else had all co from one source. That money was earned by selling his armants.
She realized it now.
"Because of ... he has gone against his principles," she muttered under her breath, grief evident in her posture.
Adrian took her hand and asked softly, "Ariana... do I look sad or aggravated to you?"
The silver-haired woman slowly turned toward him. "Of course you don’t. But that doesn’t lessen the guilt."
Adrian let out a sigh. "My dear Ariana, what I’m trying to say is that I’m thankful Clark took my armant as inspiration and attempted sothing that could change the field of runesmithing for the better."
Ariana groaned. "Stop sounding so benevolent. No one likes having their unique technique stolen."
Adrian leaned back and said, "Oh? And what if I told you that not even Avirin himself created this technique, but copied it from soone else?"
That news genuinely shocked the three won.
It was even more jarring than the replica they had just seen.
Ruby’s lips parted, and Ariana’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Annabelle broke the brief silence. "Really, Darling?"
Adrian nodded. "I’ve recently realized that Avirin isn’t the true originator of the techniques I learned. He learned them from soone else as well, so Clark knowing about it feels less like theft and more like information spreading."
That did lift so weight from Ariana’s chest, but she still asked, "Are you truly unbothered by him using that technique?"
Adrian chuckled. "I swear, Ariana. It makes no difference. It’s not like he can take away my ideas or my creativity."
Letting out a slow breath, Adrian glanced toward the man on the stage and continued, "This is a field of art. Nothing stays unique forever, but at the sa ti, nothing can stop an artist from creating sothing unique all over again."
Those words carried quiet confidence. Over ti, Adrian had realized he was no longer strictly following Avirin’s thods. With every step in runesmithing, he was discovering his own path. That realization gave him hope that, one day, just like Avirin, he would compile a set of notes of his own, regarded not as a copy, but as an improved version.
Adrian glanced around and found the three won staring at him in a daze, making him wonder if he had sounded too dramatic just now.
He coughed lightly. "Alright, let’s focus on the exhibition."
As their attention returned to the stage, Clark spoke up. "Now, I’d like to invite one of you onto the stage. Soone who can’t use mana. Ah, yes... you." He pointed toward one of the n who had raised his hand after hearing the condition of being unawakened.
The chosen young man quickly made his way through the crowd and up onto the stage. Upon reaching Clark, he bowed deeply, offering a respectful greeting.
Clark smiled at the enthusiastic young man and asked, "Will you introduce yourself, young man?"
The black-haired youth replied, "Dawes."
"Alright, Dawes," Clark continued. "Can you tell us if you face any difficulties in your daily life because you can’t use mana like most of the people around you?"
The young man lowered his head and spoke honestly. "Every ti I go out to collect herbs... even small monsters chase out of the forest."
So in the crowd laughed, while others nodded in shared understanding.
Clark raised a hand, silencing them, before asking, "Tell , son, if you had a sword that could pierce even a sabertooth, how beneficial would that be for your work?"
Dawes imdiately brightened. "It would help a lot. I’m a trained warrior, but without an armant, there’s only so much I can do."
Clark humd as he stepped closer to the cart and placed his hand on the sword’s hilt.
The runes lit up instantly, drawing gasps from the crowd. He then drew the armant and presented it to Dawes.
"Go on, hold it, young man."
Dawes wiped his hands on his shirt, then lowered his head and extended both hands to receive it.
Ruby felt the urge to roll her eyes at how much respect Clark commanded, despite being a cheating bastard.
No matter what Adrian had explained, a thorn had already lodged itself in her heart. She could no longer look at the man with the sa respect she once held for him.
Back on the stage, Dawes marveled at the weapon in his hands.
It humd with energy, urging him to swing it at once.
He looked toward Clark and received a nod of permission.
Dawes turned to face the training doll set on the other side of the stage and gripped the sword with both hands.
After taking a deep breath, he swung.
SWISH
A blue wave tore through the air and cleaved the training doll apart in a diagonal slash.
Gasps echoed through the crowd, with so even jumping back in fright.
Dawes nearly collapsed to the floor, overwheld by excitent and disbelief at what he had just done.
"I-I... can... use mana..." he muttered, almost to himself.
Clark smiled, then turned toward the audience.
Spreading his arms wide, he declared, "This... is the future, my friends. We are entering an era of total dominance."
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