Chapter 352: Before the Spotlight

[Ruvian’s POV]

While enjoying his dinner, Ruvian occasionally shared more about what had happened at the Ashway Bazaar, since Ophelia had only recently learned of his involvement in the incident.

He explained how a vision had led him there, though that part was obviously fabricated. According to his story, the vision had shown him that he needed to obtain a certain scroll before it fell into the wrong hands.

He also revealed that the demons had been after the same scroll, which meant it was likely connected to whatever they were planning.

Unfortunately, Ruvian had been unable to learn much from it. Every word on the scroll had been written in the language of the Dead Runes.

Truthfully, Ruvian had once asked Morvayne whether she could read it. However, even she had been unable to decipher its contents. According to her, the language was unfathomably ancient, yet it had neither originated from nor descended from the language of spirits or demons.

Ruvian quietly glanced toward Morvayne.

Despite how much she seemed to enjoy the luxurious meal, she ate in a calm and graceful manner, taking small bites while a faint look of satisfaction softened her usually indifferent expression.

’Hmm... but I still don’t understand. If the Dead Rune Language is so ancient that even Morvayne knows little about it, and it didn’t originate from anything she is familiar with... then where exactly did the Nomav people come from?’

His curiosity only deepened the more he considered it.

However, before he could pursue the thought any further, Ophelia finished her meal and gently dabbed the corner of her lips with a folded napkin.

"So, do you still have this scroll in your possession?" she asked calmly.

Ruvian nodded before reaching toward the dimensional ring on his finger and taking out the ancient scroll.

Ophelia cast [Telekinesis], and the scroll slipped gently from his grasp. It opened before her — revealing the strange symbols written on it.

Several moments passed in silence, yet the faint crease between her brows only deepened.

"Huh, I cannot decipher it," Ophelia eventually admitted. "The problem is not merely the age of the language. There are too few surviving records to understand its grammar, structure, or the meaning behind each symbol."

She studied the scroll for another moment before carefully rolling it closed.

"However... I think I know someone who may be able to help. He is an expert in the Dead Rune Language and a rather obsessive fanatic of ancient history and lost civilizations."

The scroll floated back toward Ruvian.

"If it is him, he may know what this says."

Ruvian caught the scroll and returned it to his dimensional ring.

’Hmm... that’s certainly helpful.’

"Who is this person?" Ruvian asked.

Ophelia calmly took another sip from her glass before answering.

"Just a friend of mine."

’A friend, huh...?’

Judging by how casually she had said it, Ruvian doubted she intended to elaborate any further.

At that point, he was also tempted to tell Ophelia the truth about the Magus Spire. Having her support would greatly increase their chances of succeeding with minimal risk. However, before he could say anything, hesitation stopped him.

He sighed inwardly.

’Maybe... I should discuss this with Duchess first.’

After all, he had only recently witnessed just how terrifying a Primordial Demon could truly be. He had always known they were dangerous, but the threat was proving far more twisted and complicated than he had expected.

What if bringing Ophelia caused the demons hidden within the Magus Spire to tighten their defenses and raise their guard? What if they sensed her involvement beforehand and vanished before Ruvian could expose their true objective?

If possible, he wanted to strike while they still believed themselves untouchable. And when that moment came, he wanted the blow to be as brutal and devastating as possible.

After a while, Ruvian finally finished eating. He had sampled several dishes, though he kept each portion modest so the meal would not leave him sluggish during the ceremony.

Ophelia had also warned him that he would need to deliver a short speech after receiving the award. Because of that, he spent the remainder of the meal carefully considering what he should say before the entire academy.

"The dining period will end soon," Ophelia said, glancing toward the door. "Have you finished eating?"

"Yeah, I’m done," Ruvian replied calmly. He then shifted his attention toward Morvayne beside him.

She remained seated with her back straight and both hands folded neatly across her lap. However, her spotless plate, measured breathing, and slightly swollen stomach betrayed just how much she had eaten.

Ruvian’s lips curled into a teasing smile.

"Do you want to stay here and eat a little more?"

Morvayne quickly shook her head while waving one hand in refusal. "Ah, I cannot anymore, Child. I am already full."

A small laugh escaped Ruvian’s lips. Across the table, Ophelia glanced between them before raising an eyebrow.

"I thought spirits did not eat," she said. Her gaze settled on Morvayne, curious.

"No... we do not require nourishment to sustain ourselves," Morvayne explained, placing one hand over her stomach. "However, that does not prevent us from tasting and enjoying human food."

"I see," Ophelia replied with a slow nod. She quietly took note of the answer without asking anything further.

Ruvian pushed his chair back and stood from the table.

"Before we leave, may I use the bathroom first?"

"Sure, it is through that door, then the first room on your right," Ophelia said, pointing toward a narrow door at the side of the room.

Ruvian nodded and made his way toward the door.

*****

After emptying his bladder, Ruvian stood before the basin and washed his hands. Once he was done, he closed the tap and raised his gaze toward the mirror.

A dark blue suit fitted neatly around his frame, its sharp cut giving him a far more refined appearance than usual. The color matched his dark hair and deep blue eyes so perfectly that it almost looked as though the suit had been made solely for him.

Ruvian adjusted the collar slightly as he studied his reflection. By now, he had begun to understand why Ophelia had arranged everything this way.

Keeping him inside the private room allowed her to shield him from prying eyes while extracting more details about the Ashway Bazaar incident. However, that was not the only reason she had kept him apart from the other scholars.

Since Ruvian had personally made that request of her, Ophelia likely wanted his appearance to carve a lasting impression into everyone present. She wanted his name to strike with weight the moment it was announced.

Rather than having him blend into the buffet like everyone else, she intended for him to enter the hall only when it was time to claim his award — a grand entrance that would command everyone’s attention.

Ruvian sighed inwardly.

’Honestly, I’m still against this idea. Appearing out of nowhere just to claim an award will only drag even more eyes toward me.’

He had already stood at the center of nearly everything during and after the test. This setup would only push him deeper into the spotlight.

Still, there was one benefit he could not ignore. The more attention he received during the ceremony, the more Plot Points he could gain.

’Speaking of Plot Points, I already have enough to strengthen myself several times over.’

Ruvian narrowed his eyes at his reflection.

’If I can earn even more tonight, perhaps I should start investing some of them in others as well.’

Until now, most of his plans had revolved around strengthening himself. However, the threats waiting ahead were becoming far too dangerous for him to face alone.

Several people around him had already proven themselves worthy of that investment. If he could strengthen them as well, he would have more dependable allies when the situation inevitably turned worse.

Two light knocks sounded from the other side of the door. Ophelia’s calm voice followed soon after, edged with faint amusement.

"Do not take too long, Ruvian. Unless you would prefer that I [Warp] you directly from there onto the stage."

Ruvian frowned at the door.

"Yeah... I’m done."

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 352: Before the Spotlight]