Power of Runes

Several months passed, and Ash continued his disciplined routine, strengthening both his body and honing his mana manipulation skills.

As the seasons shifted, so too did the atmosphere in the orphanage. A quiet anticipation filled the air as the caretakers prepared the children for something new: basic education.

The orphanage had always been a place of refuge, but now, as the children reached the age for formal learning, the caretakers arranged for them to attend a local school. It was a modest institution, focused on the basics—reading, writing, arithmetic. For Ash, however, it felt like another step in his journey.

The news stirred mixed reactions among the children. Some were excited at the thought of leaving the orphanage for the first time, while others, like Ash, saw it as an opportunity to observe and assess.

School would allow him to study those around him, discerning potential allies, manipulable figures, and those destined to play a role in the larger story he foresaw.

In class, Ash did his best to appear ordinary, yet he could barely mask his boredom; the lessons were child's play compared to what he'd mastered in his past life as a "homework mule."

Night after night, he returned to the orphanage, pushing himself even harder.

Two months had passed since his transmigration, and with each passing day, he grew stronger. His status screen now reflected tangible progress, but he knew there was still a long way to go.

'Status'

He called in his mind.

---

Name: Ash Burn

Age: 5

Level: 1 (54/100)

Class: (LOCKED)

HP: 50/50

Strength: 6

Agility: 7

Intelligence: 9

Vitality: 6

Magic Power: 10

Charm: 4

•[Skill Creation] (Un-Ranked)

Description: The ability to create new skills from host's imagination per level. The more diverse and unique the imagination, the more powerful the skills that can be created.

•[Mana manipulation] (Level 1)

Description: Allows the user to absorb mana from the surrounding environment and control the mana flow within the body.

Skills (1\1)

---

According to what he knew in the game the maximum level for a skill wa level 10 then if the conditions were met then the skill will evolve or stay as that.

In the back of his mind, one word lingered: "Awakening".

He remembered it mentioned briefly in the novel as a pivotal event, though its significance had eluded him. Typically, children experienced this awakening between ages 10 and 12, an event that ignited their magical or combat abilities, sometimes with terrifying intensity.

Yet Ash had never seen it firsthand, and while the orphanage kept him busy with his training, he wasn't interested in standing out.

Another thing he didn't notice in the novel was that at 15 years old here children's are considered as adults, They take admission in the academy at the age of 12 and after spending 4 years in the academy they graduate as a full fledge Hunter and Adult.

Ash's research revealed an intriguing detail: the nature of one's core depended on their job. For those with physical jobs, the core would awaken in the abdomen, commonly known as Lower-Dantian.

Meanwhile, those with magical jobs experienced an awakening in the middle-Dantian, where their core channelled the power of mana towards their heart and according to the Rank of circle, a person can cast the spells.

The Rank of Circle starts from 1st- Circle to 10th- Circle.

And In the World of Akumia a person is Ranked From G-rank to SSS-Rank.

This discovery threw Ash into confusion; in the game, there was no mention of a core, nor of such complex awakenings. He just simply became a magic swordsman.

But Ash was caught in a dilemma: what if he wanted the Unique magic swordsman class, a blend of both physical and magical prowess? Would that require two cores? Could he even handle two awakenings? Will the rune able to handle it?

As Ash wrestled with this possibility, the system chimed in suddenly:

DING!

[The Host will undergo a physical awakening at Level 5, during which a core will form in the abdomen for augmentation. At Level 10, a magical awakening will occur, forming a secondary core above the Abdomen to enable the use of magic. However, the presence of two cores will create instability within the Host's body.

And Host will Die.]

Ash froze, his mind reeling. Now, it's confirmed that the system he has gotten is Same system or you can say the Same status screen of his avatar.

Because the Status screen of the players was developed in a way that it only answers the question when it was necessary.

The system's answer seemed clear—pursuing the magic swordsman class could be fatal. The dual cores, drawing energy in conflicting ways, would throw his body into chaos. The very thing he sought could become his undoing. Now, he had a choice: continue on his current path, or reconsider his ambitions to avoid the risk of a fatal awakening.

Then his thoughts churned

Yes, exactly. Ash now realized that before reaching Level 10, he would need to acquire the Rune of Stability—As Rune of Stability represents the very essence of balance and stability.

When wielded, it grants the bearer a unique internal harmony, allowing conflicting energies within the body to coexist without disruption.

It fortifies the body, enhancing physical resilience to withstand intense forces or pressures from dual energies. This attribute is critical for a user pursuing both physical and magical paths, giving them the strength to endure powerful surges without suffering internal strain or collapse.

For Ash, the Rune of Stability is crucial. With its power, he can safely embrace both his physical and magical awakenings without fear, achieving a state of dual-core harmony that would otherwise be impossible. It is his only path forward to master both his physical and magical potential—and ultimately, to reach his goal without attracting unwanted suspicion.

With the Rune of Stability, he could undergo two awakenings.

Ash's path was clearer now, but the Rune of Stability wouldn't be easy to obtain. As he continued to strengthen his mana manipulation and physical abilities, he would have to begin seeking out the rune before his impending Level 10 breakthrough.

But then, something unexpected happened.

One day

David, one of the older boys, had just turned twelve. He was tall, lanky, and always bursting with energy—a natural leader in every physical challenge. It was on a hot summer afternoon, during an outdoor lesson, that David suddenly collapsed to his knees. His body trembled, and a strange, fierce energy crackled around him.

Ash's heart skipped a beat. David's eyes glowed with an unearthly light, his body enveloped in a faint, pulsing aura. The other children stared in stunned silence as the caretakers rushed to David's side, panic evident in their eyes. David was undergoing an awakening.

For the first time, Ash felt a pang of uncertainty. Awakening was supposed to be a rite of passage—a mark of entry into the world of magic. But David's intense awakening raised questions that left Ash uneasy. How much did he really understand about this world?

When David's episode finally subsided, he collapsed, gasping. The caretakers hurried him inside, leaving Ash standing frozen. As he tried to process what he'd just seen, the memory of his training and preparations resurfaced with renewed urgency. Could this happen to him? Would he be ready?

The revelation stunned him. Awakening at Level 5, with a second awakening and a class at Level 10? With this new insight, Ash felt more determined than ever.

The following months at school passed in a blur—a routine of basic lessons and quiet observation. The other children absorbed mundane topics like history and math with enthusiasm, but for Ash, they were just stepping stones. Every evening, after the children slept, he would sneak away to train.

While others might notice his increased strength or stamina, none suspected the scale of his nightly efforts.

Each night, after completing his exercises, Ash would sit cross-legged and practice mana manipulation. Initially, it felt foreign, like trying to hold water in his hands. But gradually, he sensed the mana more clearly, a faint current in the air around him. With time, he learned to draw it into himself, gathering it within his core. It wasn't much yet, but it was a start.

One night, after weeks of dedication, something shifted.

Sitting cross-legged in the dark, Ash felt the familiar tingling as mana flowed through his body. Tonight, however, it moved differently—smoother, steadier. As he guided it toward his abdomen, the mana pooled, swirling with a faint glow. Then, he felt a small pulse, a confirmation that the mana had coalesced. His heart raced.

Suddenly, the system chimed:

[Skill Level Up: Mana Manipulation – Level 2]

Ash froze, elated. Level 2 wasn't just progress; it felt like crossing an invisible threshold. His control over mana was now sharper, more precise, and his body hummed with newfound vitality.

The system spoke again:

[Mana Manipulation – Level 2: User's ability to absorb and control mana has increased. Mana flow is more refined, absorption more efficient.]

Ash took a deep breath, feeling the power within. It wasn't just a system update—it was a transformation he could feel, like his connection to mana had become a living part of him. But amid the quiet triumph, another thought struck him. How long could he keep this hidden?

David's awakening was a stark reminder that power rarely stayed in the shadows. If this was only the beginning, more children would eventually awaken, and some would likely be more formidable.

The path was clear. Ash had to press on, refining his mana manipulation and growing his physical strength.

Each step would demand caution and vigilance, but he had no choice. For now, he would savour this small victory. Tomorrow, he would return to his routine, pushing himself even further.

But tonight, for just a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the glow of his success, aware that each new level was a step closer to his ultimate goal.

***