Re-Awakening: Evolving My Shadow Limitlessly With A System
Chapter 49: Runesmith, Creating A Relic

Chapter 49: Runesmith, Creating A Relic

"It’s nothing," Aunt Liora said.

She turned her head away.

And a second later, I felt it.

A flash of pain lanced through my temple like a cold knife.

The tether I had to my shadow had been snapped.

’She killed my shadow summon.’

I wasn’t surprised.

’She most likely used a Mind Blade.’

I hadn’t even seen her attack.

I knew something like this could happen, which was why I didn’t react. I had prepared myself for it.

Still, it was annoying.

’She’s strong enough to detect my shadow that easily,’ I thought, letting out a quiet breath.

The loss wasn’t permanent.

I could re-summon the shadow later, though it would add more strain on my mind until I rested.

’Let’s not summon the shadow in front of her again.’

I glanced sideways at Aunt Liora.

’She’ll probably start investigating what the shadow was. But unless I reveal myself directly, she won’t be able to connect it to me easily.’

Even if she tried, there was no clear evidence.

She would most likely think of it as an assassin or spy send by the elder who tried to kill dad.

That was the reason I was okay even if she noticed the shadow.

’I need her to find that elder.’

While I could try to search for the elder myself, I didn’t had connections in the Daelthorn House yet.

It was best to use someone else to do it for me—like Aunt Liora.

’I can’t collect Shadow Essence since she is here.’

’Let’s do it later.’

Now that I knew the existence and location of dormitories, the task was easy.

I could come to collect stats at night.

As long as I avoided Rank 2 or higher Supernaturals, no one could detect my shadow and I would be fine.

After watching a bit longer, we left the training ground.

Aunt Liora didn’t say anything during the walk back.

Her expression was colder than it had been before.

When we returned to the house, she left soon after, citing work.

Before she left, Mom told her she was always welcome to have lunch with us.

Aunt Liora said she would do that at a later date.

Dad was already home, waiting for us at the entrance. He looked at Mom and then at me, gently ruffling my hair when I stepped in.

"Had fun?" he asked.

"Yes."

He gave me a small smile.

"That’s good."

...

Liora Dealthorn’s POV

The light in her office flickered softly as the clock neared one in the afternoon.

She stood near the window.

Her arms were folded behind her back, and her posture remained rigid.

The door opened after a knock.

"Elias," she said without turning.

He entered, half stumbling.

The faint smell of alcohol drifted in with him.

She finally turned to look at him. Her eyes narrowed.

"You were drinking?"

"What? No—no, of course not."

He forced a smile, the kind that tried too hard.

She just stared at him for a few seconds, letting the silence press in.

Then she spoke.

"I saw something unusual today in the training ground."

Eliaas blinked again, trying to stand straighter.

"There was an unidentified shadow-based being inside my sister-in-law’s shadow. There is a high chance it was an assassin, or a spy."

Her words sobered him.

His half-lidded gaze sharpened just slightly.

"Was it one of the from the elder who manipulated Frank, or from someone who didn’t like Adrian returning to the house?"

"I don’t know yet. But that’s why I called you."

Eliaas nodded slowly, understanding her intentions.

"Start watching the Elders closely. I want all their movements logged. You have the permission to use the Third Eye."

Eliaas’ shoulders straightened.

"Understood."

Third Eye were elite assassins, who served the House Head.

With the House Head currently in Wageah, they moved at Liora’s discretion.

"Also, increase security around Adrian and his family. Don’t make it obvious."

"I’ll handle it." Elias nodded.

He turned to leave.

After he was gone, Liora spoke to the empty air,

"Take all of his liquor. Even the hidden ones."

A soft rustle came from the shadow below her feet.

"As you wish, my Lord."

The shadow slithered, detaching itself from her form like ink pouring from her feet.

It rippled across the stone floor and vanished under the door. NovelFire

...

MC’s POV

It was late at night when I opened my eyes.

My parents had already checked on me, tucked me in, and turned off the lights.

I sat up and stretched.

’Time to farm some stats.’

I didn’t use Shadow to leave the room.

Aunt Liora must’ve assigned us guards.

They might be able to detect me if I use Shadow to leave.

Instead, I had another plan.

I used a Spell to cover the doors and windows with spatial sensory magic.

"—Silent Bind: Veil Layer."

If anyone opened the door or stepped into the room now, I would know.

Then, I would teleport back before anyone noticed I was missing.

Next came the preparation.

I took out a few materials from my Inventory Rune to create a bracelet with alchemy.

After I was done, I used my Runesmith Class perk, to create a Rune on the bracelet.

...

Class Runesmith

Rank: 0

Grade: Apprentice Runesmith

Perk: Basic Inscription

Effect: You can inscribe one simple rune per object.

...

I used a sliver of Fairy Dust to trace the lines in the air, each glowing faintly before they embedded themselves into the metal.

[Absorption Rune: Null Drift].

The rune’s effect was simple.

It absorbed ambient mana from surroundings.

’Portals leave behind mana traces, but this rune would devour those before the portal even closes.’

I fused the rune into the ring, turning it into a basic [Rank 0 Relic].

’That’s one thing done.’

I inscribed another [Absorption Rune: Null Drift] on the floor of the room.

This one would keep absorbing the mana leaking from the sensory spell I used on the room earlier.

That way, even a skilled mage wouldn’t be able to detect the mana traces.

With the preparations completed, I stood up.

It had taken maybe ten minutes in total. A small price for safety.

Now came the fun part.

I formed a small portal, the size of finger.

The other end connected to a quiet, unused courtyard near the west edge of the Daelthorn estate.

After I confirmed no guards patrolled there, I enlarged the portal, stepped through and closed the it.

The Rank 0 Relic, the bracelet, absorbed the lingering mana of the portal quickly.

I smirked.

Flawless.

Then I knelt down and used [Shadow Assimilation], sinking into the shadows around me.

I slipped into the darkness and moved, weaving through the long shadows cast by the moonlight.

The dormitories weren’t far.

Each building housed a specific age group.

The children—trainees—trained hard during the day and slept deeply during the night.

They had individual rooms.

I entered the first dormitory.

My movement through the shadows was smooth, like water flowing along carved grooves.

I rose from the floor of the first room and looked at the sleeping boy inside.

He looked to be eight or nine years old.

’Consume it.’

My shadow stretched and devoured his Shadow Essence.

+0.5 Strength

I raised my eyebrows.

’That’s five times more than what I get from normal people.’