Power of Runes-Chapter 95: For Her, I Destroy

The damage had healed remarkably fast.

Ash couldn’t help but think about it as he examined his core.

This is really strange, he mused, inspecting the almost complete healing of his core.

I was expecting it would take at least a couple of weeks, but here it is, nearly fully healed already. Just another day or two, and it’ll be good as new.

There was no searing pain anymore, just a lingering sense of tightness in his chest. Not suffocating—just the aftertaste of a battle hard fought.

Ash slowly stood up from his lotus position, stretching slightly, feeling the stiffness leave his body like dust shaking off a blade.

He summoned his sword, willing it to manifest.

The ring on his finger melted into the form of a delicate Jian—a sword that felt perfectly balanced.

The white handle glistened softly in the dim light, and the blade shimmered with a mirror-like surface, black lines running along the sheath.

If it can just form into a ring, why does it need a sheath? he thought, his mind wandering as he stared at the blade.

Then it occurred to him that Garry must have designed it this way because he didn’t know Ash’s preference—whether Ash liked to show off the sword or keep it concealed.

"Alright, let’s name you, buddy," Ash said aloud, smiling faintly.

The sword responded with a buzz, as though it was eager to hear its name.

He gave a small sigh and stared at the weapon, feeling the low hum of its presence.

Ash stood alone in his room, the clock ticking softly on the wall. It was 8 at night.

The sky outside was deep blue, dotted with scattered stars. He was planning to leave early in the morning, just before dawn, when the world was quiet and asleep.

Yesterday had been eventful. He’d talked with the Saints—laid down the foundation for his journey, even made plans that could possibly change the course of everything.

And today, after confirming that his core was almost healed, he decided he would leave the academy at dawn.

"Let’s see what name would suit you... hmm... how about, White?"

As soon as he said it, the sword trembled lightly in his hand, vibrating in a way that felt annoyed, almost insulted.

"Not liking that, huh?" Ash chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Alright, how about... Dyrnwyn?"

SHRINGGG!!!

The sword let out a sharp, metallic whine that pierced the silence of the room like a blade through cloth.

"But that’s already a famous white-hilted sword," Ash muttered, scratching the back of his head, "Legendary or not, you probably don’t want to share a name."

He sighed again, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"If you’re not into that either... then how about... Eclipse?"

The moment he said it, the sword buzzed—not violently, but like a deep resonance echoing from within.

As if the name had been carved into its identity long before Ash ever said it aloud.

Eclipse. A phenomenon where light and shadow collide, where even the sun can be swallowed by darkness. Just like you—hidden within a ring, disguised, but when revealed... you devour everything in your path.

BUZZZ!!!

"You like that, don’t you?" Ash asked as he smiled. "Alright then. From now on, your name is Eclipse."

With the naming ceremony done, Ash reformed the sword into a ring and slipped it back onto his finger. Its weight was subtle, but its presence lingered like a quiet storm.

But his night wasn’t done.

Ash turned toward the door. There was one last thing—one important, dangerous, and absolutely necessary thing he needed to do before he could leave the academy.

No matter how much he trusted the Saints... his mind wouldn’t rest easy. Not when Elysia was still here.

Not when demons, cloaked in human skins, were walking the halls of the academy—hiding in plain sight.

So, Ash had made a choice.

It was simple in concept. But massive in consequence.

He was going to purge every single demon hidden inside the academy.

One by one.

For Elysia.

If I do that, then there’ll be no internal danger left. The only threats after that will come from outside... and those, the Saints can deal with on their own. She’ll be safe.

This decision—this one action—was going to change the future he knew. It would sever the demons’ communication lines.

It would throw their plans into chaos. It would delay their attack on the academy, buying time.

And Ash believed—no, he knew—he’d be back before they could infiltrate again.

If doing this means I can keep her safe... then I don’t care what kind of future I destroy.

With that thought echoing in his heart, he stepped out of his room. His destination was clear: Ray Dawson.

Because let’s be real—the demons inside the academy weren’t some low-tier scum.

They were powerful.

They were staff members.

And Ash couldn’t take them all down alone... not unless he used Core Overload, which came with its own deadly risks.

But he didn’t need to fight.

Thanks to his Primordial Core, he could see through the disguises—he could identify the demons.

So his plan was straightforward.

He would gather the names and faces of every single demon hiding in the academy.

And then he would give that list to Ray.

Why Ray?

Because despite being dense sometimes, Ray was still the protagonist.

And with that cheat-like system of his, Ash was sure the guy had already sensed something weird happening around him.

He had to know someone was interfering with his fate by now.

That alone made Ash confident Ray would believe the list he will be giving Ray.

In fact, with Ray’s hatred for demons? The moment he saw that list, he’d probably act without question.

And if that idiot can’t figure out someone’s been screwing with his life this whole time... then maybe he really is just a dumb fuck.

Ash smirked to himself, shadows gathering under his eyes as he walked through the dark hallway.

Because tonight?

Tonight, he was the storm that would sweep through the academy and erase the darkness before it could ever reach her.

***

"What is this?"

Ray thought as he looked outside his door. He had just returned from training, his body a little sore, his breath steady, but something immediately caught his attention.

A packet.

It was lying right outside his door, plain and simple, with his name written neatly on the top.

Ray picked it up, his brows furrowed slightly in confusion, and then walked inside his room, closing the door behind him.

Unbeknownst to him, someone was watching from the corner.

Ash stood silently from a distance, watching the scene unfold from the shadows of the corridor.

He had already finished preparing a complete list of all the demons currently hiding within the academy, thanks to the ability of his Primordial Core, which could now identify demonic presences with frightening accuracy.

On top of that, the knowledge he possessed from the Novel gave him a clear advantage, allowing him to confirm the names and faces of those who weren’t supposed to be here.

He had been waiting for the right moment. He had made the list in advance, just in case it was ever needed. And now, finally, that moment had arrived.

First step done. Now don’t mess up, Ray.

Ash thought as he silently turned and disappeared back into his room.

---

Meanwhile, inside Ray’s room, Ray sat completely still, staring at the documents in his hands with a shocked expression.

He hadn’t expected this.

There were around three hundred names on the list, each one accompanied by a photo.

It wasn’t just students or outsiders. No—the list included staff members, workers, even professors.

People he saw every day.

W-What is this...?

His thoughts were spinning. He couldn’t make sense of it at first, but then, something else slipped out from the bundle of documents.

A small note.

It fluttered to the floor, landing softly at his feet.

Ray picked it up slowly and began to read the message written on it:

[These are the names of all the demons present inside the academy, who are in disguise as humans. It’s better to inform the Principal and have them killed quietly

If you’re wondering whether the information is true, just ask the Principal to check with one of them. But don’t make any noise, otherwise they might escape.

Yours truly,

-Unknown (I haven’t decided a name for myself yet, so I’ll be using this for the time being.)]

Ray stared at the note for a few seconds, then suddenly let out a small chuckle.

And then another.

And then he laughed harder, louder, like he couldn’t stop himself.

"Hahah... Ahahaha... AHAHAHA—"

He leaned back, the laugh echoing around the room with a strange mix of disbelief and awe.

Watching this reaction from within Ray’s consciousness, Aetheris spoke with concern.

{It’s true... There really is someone out there calling themselves ’Unknown’ who somehow knows everything about you.}

Ray grinned and muttered softly, "Didn’t I already tell you? He’s real."

{Yeah, yeah, fine. But now where are you going?}

"To inform Master, of course."

{Why? Why aren’t you trying to kill them yourself? You hate demons, don’t you? Isn’t this your chance?}

Ray stood still for a moment, thinking deeply. His voice was calm, but there was a weight to it when he finally replied.

"Yes, I do. I probably hate them more than anyone else."

His tone was steady, but his eyes were serious.

"But tell me, who is ’Unknown’?"

{How could I possibly know that?}

"I mean... he was the one who dealt with the demons back when we were unconscious, right?"

{Yes, he was.}

"That means, if Unknown is asking me to go inform the Master instead of handling it himself, then there are only a few possible reasons."

Ray’s tone became more thoughtful now, his mind moving quickly.

"Either he’s too weak to deal with it himself, or he doesn’t want to risk exposing himself... but we already know he’s strong. Crazy strong. So if even he can’t take them all out silently, then I definitely can’t. Not yet."

He paused, holding up the note again.

"Look at this line here—’Don’t make noise, or they might escape.’ That means even he is being cautious. This isn’t some half-baked plan."

Ray’s voice lowered, full of quiet understanding.

"If he can’t get rid of them silently... then what makes you think I could? I’m still weak. Nowhere near strong enough to pull that off. I’m not ready for that yet."

"But I’ll get there. I’ll keep growing until I am strong enough to fight them all myself."

He began walking toward the door again, the packet tucked under his arm.

"I’m going to inform Master about this... because I’ve also realized something."

Ray looked up, as if speaking not just to Aetheris, but to himself.

"Unknown only ever shows up when demons are involved. I don’t know if that’s just coincidence, or something deeper, but for now, I’m going to trust my instinct. I’m going to follow my heart."

Hearing Ray’s words, Aetheris fell silent for a moment, and then thought to himself quietly—

I don’t know who Unknown really is... but what I do know is that ever since this mysterious figure appeared, Ray has been growing at a terrifying pace, both in strength and in clarity.

---

That night, after Ray handed over the entire list to Principal Nichole, a silent storm passed through the academy.

Every demon on that list was hunted down and eliminated before sunrise.

Not a single one escaped, and not a single soul noticed it.

That one night proved it all.

The demons were truly inside the academy.

That the threat had been real.

And just as importantly, it proved something else—Unknown was no outsider.

He was someone inside the academy.

And now... both the Saints and Ray knew it too.

***