Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 33 - 32- Third-Thread

For the preparation of the Anvil Cup, the top three students from each class across the three years were invited to a classroom.

Among these students, the teachers would decide who would be the best three to participate in the quiz.

Naturally, someone might assume that choosing the top three of the third year would be the best since they possess a year more worth of knowledge than their immediate juniors.

However, that wasn’t the case. frёeωebɳovel.com

The questions asked in the first two rounds are all about the history of runes, which students are being taught during their first year.

That’s why everyone says that the first year of the academy is very crucial.

The students are taught everything the world knows about runes, from where it originated, how it was carried through the years, and how it was developed.

The quiz questions are based on the knowledge from those thick books, which are taught during their first year.

Now, inside the classroom, nine students were sitting on different benches—the arrangement being made of their free will. No one was liable to share their seat with someone else so mostly everyone was sitting individually.

Elana, who was academically positioned at the third rank, was also present in the class.

The same goes for Sylvie, who was the first-ranked student in the second year.

The two of them haven’t exchanged a word, which was a relief for others.

Considering what happened last time, they didn’t want them to be involved in any kind of dispute, which could further lead to political disturbance.

The very fact Elana wasn’t suspended even though she destroyed the Princess was quite a surprise.

Sylvie was sitting alone, not wanting to chat at the moment.

She was reading the book—more specifically the third volume of World History.

She knew she would barely get asked any question about the history of the world, considering there was barely anything mentioned about runes in this book. However, she didn’t want to take any chances.

She was going to get selected as a participant and perform well for her academy.

She had already humbled herself by hitting the ground during the "spar," but when it came to academics, she was determined to prove that she was far from a complete failure.

Glancing at Elana, who was sitting at the frontmost seat in the middle row, the Princess couldn’t help but mutter, "She isn’t even trying to hide her feelings...how foolish." Elana is clearly not aware of the fact that Adrian actually likes Olivia. That’s why she was fawning over him.

But Sylvie knew...that Adrian wasn’t someone to trust. He shows something and feels something.

*Slide*

The door of the classroom slid open, and four people walked in—two men and two women.

Adrian Lockwood—in charge of Class A.

Gilbert—in charge of Class B.

Rose Cavendrel—in charge of Class C.

Lyra—in charge of Class D.

These are the four distinguished instructors entrusted with imparting knowledge of runes to the students of Runebound Academy.

There was a long table arranged for them and four chairs on the podium.

The four of them took their seats, starting from the left as Adrian silently sat down and rested the papers he was holding on the table.

"You all can stop reading now." Rose, a woman with flowing, curly pink hair, called out as she sat between Lyra and Gilbert.

The students closed their books and set them neatly on the desk.

Gilbert stepped forward and began, "You must all be aware of why you were summoned here." He paused briefly, waiting until every gaze met his. Then, with measured weight, he added, "It’s for the Arcane Anvil Cup."

No one reacted—this much, they already knew.

The grey-haired man continued, "From the nine of you, we will be selecting three students to represent the academy as official participants."

This time, a few murmurs and surprised glances broke the silence.

The head of the Disciplinary Board raised her hand, concern clear in her voice. "But sir, none of us have any talent for Runesmithing."

It was a valid question. After all, the contest’s final round revolved entirely around Runesmithing—meant to determine which academy held true mastery in the craft.

However, before Gilbert could answer, Rose spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "Things have changed. The emphasis now lies more in the first and second rounds."

That quieted the room.

Sylvie frowned, her brow twitching slightly. It was a bold approach. Imagine breezing through the first two rounds, only to stumble hard in the final.

Gilbert heaved a sigh and continued, "So now, we are going to let you ask as many questions as you can, but yes, they all should be relevant to the quiz, or you won’t be answered and, worse, get punished."

The command was clear—don’t waste their time or you are screwed.

Gilbert sat down and gave them a few moments to collect their thoughts.

Finally, the one who asked about the sudden change of rules, raised her hand, "Can I ask about the Third Thread? It’s one of the most confusing and least memorable topics I have ever come across."

Rose hummed before she turned to the glasses-wearing man and asked, "Professor Adrian, if you may?"

Adrian nodded before he got up.

The others also straightened their backs and prepared to listen to the man carefully.

While slowly sliding off his coat, Adrian asked, "First, tell me, how many of you have read the seventh volume of World History?"

Sylvie jerked, and instinctively, she was about to raise her hand.

...however, in the end, she didn’t. Biting her lip, she decided that remaining silent would be the best option.

’Less interaction with him, less drama I could further create.’

Naturally, no one else raised their hands since the fourteen volumes of World History are the most boring series in a student’s life.

If not for other books compensating for their studies, several students would have failed their exams every year.

Adrian sighed as he hung his coat on the chair and began, "Let’s just learn the story of the Third Thread’s discovery and you all will always remember the function of the Third Thread."

Taking a chalk, Adrian wrote on the board,

Sir Alistair Williams.

Sylvie inwardly rejoiced that she knew the name.

Adrian, naturally, didn’t know what was going on inside the Princess’s head, so he continued.

"About five hundred years ago," Adrian began, "there was a well-known Runesmith and adventurer named Sir Alistair. After years of wandering, fighting, and chasing glory, he finally grew tired of it all. He wanted to settle down and live a quiet life."

He paused for a moment, letting the students settle. "Back then, slavery was still a thing—some of you might remember from history. So, Sir Alistair decided to buy a slave, thinking it would make things easier."

Every student, except Sylvie and Elana, quietly began jotting down notes.

Adrian continued, "When he visited the slave traders, he noticed something strange. Most of the slaves looked up, hopeful to be chosen. But one girl didn’t even lift her head. She just sat there, still and silent, not even flinching when the slave master yelled at her."

"Sir Alistair had a strange way of looking at the world... and for some reason, he chose her."

He hesitated, his tone lowering. "Later, he found out why she was like that. She had been badly treated—beaten, abandoned, and left to rot—first by her parents then her previous owner."

A few students winced, some lowering their eyes.

Gilbert shifted in his seat, feeling uneasy about sharing this part with kids. But compared to the version in the book, Adrian’s words were gentle. In the actual text, there were details—marks from whips, a broken jaw, missing teeth—that he had chosen not to mention.

Adrian sighed softly. "Sir Alistair tried everything. He treated her kindly. Gave her food, warmth, safety. He spoke to her like a person, not a slave. But nothing worked. She didn’t cry, didn’t smile, didn’t speak. It was like her soul was locked away somewhere."

"And then... he made a choice. A strange one. He decided to build a weapon for her. But to do that, he needed to understand her completely—he needed to enter her mind."

Some students leaned forward, drawn in.

"He believed... that since she was already broken, experimenting on her wouldn’t make things worse."

"That’s horrible," someone whispered from the back.

Rose shot them a sharp glare, her eyes practically shouting ’Don’t interrupt.’ The student quickly shut their mouth.

Adrian leaned against the blackboard and slowly finished the story.

"And that’s how he made a discovery that changed everything. He found that emotions—the feelings we all carry—can change how mana flows in our bodies. He built a rune that reacted to her mood. It let him see her emotions, even if she couldn’t show them herself."

"For the first time, he realized... she wasn’t empty. She wasn’t numb. She had been feeling everything all along. She just didn’t know how to show it anymore."

It was...not a pleasant story. There were many things Adrian took away from it but that’s okay. What they needed to remember was the essence of the Third Thread.

Emotions.

Everyone has that one emotion that makes them stronger.

Once a Runesmith understands that and builds a rune for it, the warrior can draw out the power of their emotions to achieve impossible things.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- The story was inspired from a different story. Thanks for reading.