Rise of Lihas RAYZADA

Chapter 10: The Rune's Whisp

The Celestial Origin Academy pulsed with an energy that set Lihas Rayzada's nerves alight. The morning sun filtered through the towering spires, casting golden beams across the academy's labyrinthine halls, where runes carved into marble walls glowed with a soft, otherworldly light. Lihas, now sixteen and a Bronze Rank student, walked with purpose, his silver eyes scanning every corner. His new academy tunic felt stiff, a far cry from the tattered clothes of Elderoot Village, but the iron dagger at his belt—Garen Holt's gift—grounded him. The Soul Rune Pendant thrummed against his chest, its warmth a constant reminder of the Starforge System that had chosen him. In his sack, the Starveil Rune Fragment pulsed faintly, a mystery that demanded answers.The Starforge System's screen flickered in his vision, its cold, commanding voice ever-present:Host StatusName: Lihas RayzadaCultivation: Tier 1, Level 3 (Beginner)Skills: Mana Sense (Enhanced), Iron Rune Strike, Rune Spark (Enhanced)Progress to Level 4: 80/200 EXPQuest: [Daily Training – Run 5 miles, swing dagger 100 times]Reward: 10 EXP, 1 Attribute PointLihas's victory over Vorian Thalor in yesterday's spar had earned him respect among some students, but the Thalor Clan heir's venomous glare promised retaliation. More unsettling was the cloaked figure's void-like mana, a shadow that had trailed him from the Whisperpine Forest to Valenfort City. His Enhanced Mana Sense caught its faint echo even now, lurking somewhere in the academy's depths. The pendant burned, urging vigilance, as if the Starveil Bloodline itself sensed danger.Sylvara Elthorne walked beside him, her silver hair tied in a loose braid, her Moonshadow Wolf pup, Lunex, trotting with quiet alertness. Her emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity as they headed toward the academy's Rune Archive, a library said to hold secrets of ancient cultivators. "You're awfully quiet, village boy," she teased, nudging his arm. "Plotting to take on Vorian again?"Lihas smirked, though his thoughts were on the rune fragment. "Just thinking. That fragment I found in Whisperpine—it's tied to my pendant. I need answers."Sylvara's expression softened. "The Rune Archive's the place to start. My clan's studied runes for generations, but I've never seen anything like that fragment. Be careful, though. The academy's not just books and sparring—there's politics, and Vorian's got friends in high places."Lihas nodded, his Mana Sense scanning the bustling halls. Students hurried to classes, their mana signatures a kaleidoscope of colors—fiery reds, cool blues, earthy greens. But that void-like signature lingered, faint but persistent, like a shadow slipping through cracks. "I can handle Vorian," he said, gripping his dagger. "It's the other shadow I'm worried about."They reached the Rune Archive, a cavernous chamber lined with towering shelves, each packed with tomes and scrolls that hummed with mana. Crystal orbs floated above, casting a soft glow over tables where students pored over texts. At the entrance, a wizened librarian, Elder Mara, eyed them sternly. Her robes shimmered with runes, and her mana felt ancient, like a deep well. "Purpose?" she asked, her voice sharp."We're here to research runes," Sylvara said smoothly. "Bronze Rank students, under Master Toren's guidance."Elder Mara's gaze lingered on Lihas, as if sensing the pendant's power. "Mind your manners, and don't touch restricted texts," she warned, waving them in.Inside, Lihas's Enhanced Mana Sense buzzed, overwhelmed by the archive's mana-rich air. He followed Sylvara to a section on ancient runes, pulling out the Starveil Rune Fragment from his sack. Its single rune glowed faintly, mirroring the pendant's design. "This has to mean something," he murmured, tracing the rune with his finger. The pendant pulsed, and the system's voice echoed:[Exploration Quest: Uncover the Starveil Rune's Secret. Research the Starveil Bloodline in the Rune Archive. Reward: 30 EXP, Clue to Bloodline Origin. Deadline: End of day.]Sylvara grabbed a dusty tome titled Runes of the Elarion Universe, flipping through its pages. "Look for anything about 'Starveil' or celestial runes," she said. "My clan's records mention ancient bloodlines tied to the stars, but they're vague."Lihas scanned the shelves, his Mana Sense guiding him to a worn scroll tucked in a corner. Its parchment was brittle, its runes faded but pulsing with a familiar energy. He unrolled it carefully, revealing a passage in an ancient script: "The Starveil Bloodline, born of the Universal Ruler, binds the ten universes. Its runes seal the Oblivion Gate, guarding against the Void's hunger."Lihas's heart raced. "Oblivion Gate? Void?" The words echoed the shadow's presence, its void-like mana. The pendant burned hotter, and the system chimed:[Quest Progress: Clue found. Starveil Bloodline linked to Universal Ruler and Oblivion Gate. Continue research for further rewards.]Before he could read more, a cold laugh interrupted. "Digging in books, peasant? You'll need more than dusty scrolls to survive here." Vorian Thalor stood at the end of the aisle, flanked by Drenvar Kade and a lithe girl with crimson hair, her mana sharp like a blade. "Meet Zyra Blackthorn," Vorian said, gesturing to the girl. "She's with the Shadowblade Order. They don't like nosy villagers."Zyra's crimson eyes studied Lihas, her expression unreadable. Her mana felt sharp, almost predatory, but not void-like. "Stay out of our way, Rayzada," she said softly, her voice laced with warning.Lihas gripped the scroll, the pendant pulsing. "I'm not here for your games, Vorian. Back off."Vorian smirked, stepping closer. "You think beating me in a spar makes you something? You're nothing—a rat with a toy dagger."Sylvara stepped forward, Lunex growling. "Leave him alone, Thalor. Or do you need another lesson in humility?"Drenvar raised his hammer, but Elder Mara's voice cut through. "Silence in the archive!" She appeared behind them, her mana flaring like a storm. Vorian glared but retreated, Zyra and Drenvar following. "Next disturbance, and you're all banned," Mara warned.Lihas exhaled, tucking the scroll under his tunic. "Thanks, Sylvara," he said quietly.She winked. "Anytime, village boy. Let's keep digging."They spent hours poring over texts, finding fragments of lore: the Starveil Bloodline was tied to a long-lost ruler who sealed a catastrophic force in the Oblivion Gate Universe, using runes of celestial power. The pendant and fragment were likely relics of that era, but the details were maddeningly vague. As dusk fell, the system chimed:[Exploration Quest Complete: Uncover the Starveil Rune's Secret. Reward: 30 EXP. Progress to Level 4: 110/200 EXP.]Lihas felt a surge of clarity, his connection to the pendant deepening. But as they left the archive, his Enhanced Mana Sense flared violently. The void-like mana was close—too close. He grabbed Sylvara's arm, whispering, "It's here."They slipped into a shadowed corridor, Lunex's ears perked. A cloaked figure stood at the hall's end, their mana a cold void that made the pendant burn like fire. The figure raised a hand, and a wave of dark mana surged, forcing Lihas and Sylvara to dive behind a pillar. Lunex snarled, but Sylvara held him back."Who are you?" Lihas shouted, drawing his dagger. The system's voice rang:[Emergency Quest: Confront the Shadow. Survive the encounter and protect the Starveil Rune Fragment. Reward: 50 EXP, 1 Attribute Point. Failure: Loss of fragment or death.]The figure's voice hissed, low and chilling. "Bearer of the Starveil, you meddle in powers beyond you. Surrender the fragment, or perish."Lihas's silver eyes blazed. "Come and take it."The shadow unleashed a barrage of dark tendrils, their mana corrosive. Lihas dodged, using Enhanced Rune Spark to blind the figure, its light cutting through the darkness. Sylvara's Beast Tamer's Lash cracked, striking a tendril and forcing the figure back. Lunex lunged, biting at the cloak, but a dark pulse sent the pup skidding.Lihas channeled mana into his dagger, striking with Iron Rune Strike. The blade grazed the figure's arm, drawing a hiss of pain, but the shadow vanished, leaving only a ripple of void mana. The corridor fell silent, the pendant's heat fading.The system chimed:[Emergency Quest Complete: Confront the Shadow. Reward: 50 EXP, 1 Attribute Point. Progress to Level 4: 160/200 EXP.]Lihas allocated the point to Strength, feeling his muscles tighten. Sylvara panted, stroking Lunex. "What was that?" she asked, her voice shaky."I don't know," Lihas said, clutching the fragment. "But it's after this—and me."As they returned to their dorms, Lihas's mind raced. The Starveil Bloodline, the Oblivion Gate, the shadow—it was all connected. Vorian's schemes were a distraction compared to this. The Celestial Origin Academy was his proving ground, but the Starforge System was guiding him toward a destiny that could shake the universe.Upcoming Chapter Following Grandmaster Wolf: