Chapter 329: Smartass There were a lot of ways to deal with regular stalkers, but considering what he knew about her from the game, it was better he let her stalk in peace. Besides, he was really interested in how Mynes was going to teach today. "Alright, for today’s lesson, I’ll be teaching rune techniques that are a bit advanced but won’t be too hard to learn," Mynes said as she finished drawing three new runes on the board. She was right. The runes on the board were like the Nullification rune Stella had shown him in the palace... they were quite advanced, but still manageable. Though he wondered if some runes could ever become too complex along the line... He hadn’t seen much in the game but if it was possible to combine 50 runes into one complex rune, how complex and hard would it be to do? "Fascinating... I have never borne witness to these runes in all my years of study in the palace," Sylvie said. "Their structure appears wholly unfamiliar. How exquisite." She immediately began scribbling into her notebook. Azel could notice Mynes’s cheeks light up. She really enjoyed showing someone something new. The rune on the back of her hand glowed, and a cane materialized mid-air. "Like I told Student Azel before... this rune is connected to a personal storage room, so it’s easier to bring things from there to here," she explained. Sylvie wrote that down too, clearly excited for the lesson. "Professor," Sylvie began, her hand gracefully raised, "might you be so kind as to elaborate on the inscriptions adorning the board? Their configuration suggests fascinating applications." Mynes cleared her throat. "I was just getting there..." She lifted her cane and pointed at the first symbol. "These are attributeless runes... you can use them regardless of what element you’ve awakened. The first one here is called the Rune of Cancellation." The rune was a perfect circle intersected by a cross of thin lines, with four small triangles pointing outward from the circle’s edge. "And what does the Rune of Cancellation do? It erases the effect of runes or spells within a three-meter radius. It doesn’t destroy the magic, but it renders it inert," Mynes explained. That made Azel’s eyes widen. ’So I can use the rune to cancel out other spells?’ he thought, recalling the Skinbutcher and the oily mana leaking out of its body. Maybe this could cancel that kind of energy and make the man receive some sort of damage. "I’m assuming the both of you know how to project runes," Mynes continued. Sylvie inclined her head elegantly. "Indeed, Professor. I am proficient in projection fundamentals and will endeavor to demonstrate them flawlessly." Azel nodded as well. "Then try it," Mynes said. "Create a cancellation rune and cancel out each other’s rune." Azel closed his eyes and exhaled softly. He lifted his hand, letting mana flow into the air. Rune projection, Mynes had said, was like writing with magic... they were simply letters of power drawn with intent rather than ink. Slowly, carefully, he began tracing each curve and edge and his rune began forming neatly before him. However, before he could complete it, a shockwave burst through the room. His rune fizzled out like a candle losing flame. "Excellent," Mynes said with satisfaction. Her eyes went to Sylvie’s glowing hand. A flawless Rune of Cancellation floated there glowing in silver light. "As long as that rune remains active, Student Azel will not be able to project his own." Sylvie lowered her hand slightly and smiled with polite triumph. "My deepest apologies, Mister Azel. It seems the principles of suppression favor my inscription. Please, do not be disheartened." "That’s what the Rune of Cancellation does," Mynes explained, "but there’s a reason why this rune isn’t used everywhere in the Empire. That rune you’re holding wouldn’t work on a fireball." To prove her point, a crimson rune floated above Mynes’s palm and burst into flames. The bright orb of fire danced harmlessly even in the presence of Sylvie’s rune. "See... it doesn’t affect elemental output," Mynes said. "You have to match the rune’s output to the spell’s power." Sylvie nodded with perfect composure. "Then, by increasing its mana throughput — thus amplifying its counter-frequency, it should neutralize the interference, correct?" "Exactly," Mynes confirmed. Sylvie raised her hand, pouring more mana into the rune. It flared brighter... so bright that the fireball on Mynes’s palm sputtered and vanished into sparks. "The only issue," Mynes continued, "is that this rune struggles in large battles. Every spell has a different mana density. Matching outputs takes time, and time can get you killed. You can’t simply overpower everything with sheer mana, because increasing the output requires focus and effort." Sylvie bowed her head slightly. "Your insight is invaluable, Professor. I am most grateful for your detailed elucidation." "Now dispel your rune," Mynes said. "Let Student Azel try his." Sylvie dissolved the rune gracefully, turning toward him with an innocent, ever-so-polite smile like she hadn’t just obliterated his magic moments before. ’Let’s just get this over with,’ Azel thought. He raised his hand again, focusing this time on stabilizing his projection before it even manifested. His mana gathered in his palm, shaping into the circular pattern, the cross of lines, the four small triangles. This time, the rune glowed blue instead of silver. Mynes walked closer to observe. "Good... your stroke pressure is balanced, but the center circle’s rotation needs more cohesion." "I’m working on it," Azel muttered with sweat beading at his temple. "Excuse me, Professor," Sylvie said softly. "Might I offer a correction?" "Go ahead," Mynes said. Sylvie pointed at Azel’s rune with her pen. "The intersection of the auxiliary lines... see there? The energy flow is misaligned by precisely thirteen degrees. It disrupts the stability of the containment circle." Azel blinked. "Thirteen degrees?" "Yes," she replied with measured certainty. "If you adjust the inner pivot slightly clockwise, the runic resonance will harmonize. Observe—" She lifted her hand and traced the same rune in the air, her version shining brilliantly white. The moment her rune stabilized, Azel’s own started flickering like it was being pulled into alignment. Mynes smirked. "She’s right, you know. Good catch, Sylvia." "It was merely an observation, Professor," Sylvie said humbly. "However, precision in geometrical proportion often dictates the success or failure of runic activation." ’WHAT ARE THEY EVEN TALKING ABOUT?!’