Chapter 188: Studying the Rune (1/2)

The next few days passed uneventfully. Arthur spent his time studying the Restrain rune and reading any articles he can find. His progress picked up the pace once he began studying the science behind the rune. However, what he could find online was insufficient to guide him through the secrets of the world.

That's why once his rune got to 80%, his progress began slowing. That's when Arthur began examining the artifact's effects through using it. However, he needed some people to use it on.

”You want to Restrain me?” Zas looked at him with wide eyes when Arthur asked him. ”I'm not into that play, sorry.” And he ran away like that.

Arthur cursed for the misunderstanding but he still needed someone to help him. When he asked Ivy, who was working on her cooking skills for some reason, she brought up a valid point.

”If the rune can't work on people with strength above 200, then it's useless to try it on me and the others.”

Arthur couldn't help but agree. It would prove of little benefit for him to see the rune break over and over again. Luckily, Ivy suggested something.

”Ruby and Hua are the ones with the least amount of Strength above a hundred. Maybe they can hold back a bit and make it easier for you to research? Hua is fearsome when it comes to controlling techniques.” Ivy said as she played with her hair that has grown below her ears recently.

So, Arthur headed for his best option. That was Ruby. He was still avoiding Hua because she was growing bolder by the day.

At times, she sat with him in his workshop as he worked on artifacts. He tried to shoo her away, but she simply said that the rest of the fortress had no furniture. Arthur couldn't argue against that despite knowing that Idris was bringing new things every day.

Because of how much time he spent with her, Arthur had also started learning things about the mysterious woman. First of all, she read books in a language he didn't understand. From the covers of those books, they were mostly romance.

She also didn't train, not even a little bit. Arthur was the same since his training was his studying, but she was different. She simply lazed around all day.

To be fair, she did train her ability. The chair she sat on was floating while being surrounded by books, snacks, and various other objects that she might need.

Arthur had trouble getting used to someone flying above his head at the beginning, but he got used to it after a while. Unexpectedly, Hua was focused on her books. She only spoke to him a few times and all of them were laid with temptation.

Those were the reasons that Arthur didn't want to ask Hua for help, so he asked Ruby. She looked at him silently as if she had heard him wrong when he asked her.

”Restrain me?” Ruby asked with a frown. ”Are you out of your mind? Why would I willingly agree to that.”

Arthur was taken aback by the reaction and apologized quickly. He realized that not everyone was as understanding as Ivy, so he needs to take notice of people's boundaries.

”Do you want me to help you, Newbie?” After his return to the fortress, Reece asked.

He has been away somewhere training in the wilderness because of his ability. When Arthur asked why Reece couldn't train from the fortress, he said that his ability needed certain conditions to work.

”Really? Are you willing to do that?” Arthur asked with amazement. Reece pulled back his pink hair as he showed his teeth.

”Anything for my junior!”

”Thank you!” Arthur took out the artifact and used it on Reece.

”Wait, why are you so in a hurry!” Reece's eyes turned around as he tried to dodge but the whip touched him and his body went stiff.

Arthur realized that he had no idea of Reece's stats, but it seemed the rune was taking effect well. Reece fell to the ground after he tried to walk because Arthur restrained his legs.

Arthur studied the rune's effect as he saw the mana gather around Reece's legs and the air was compressed into a thick rope. As he looked at it, he heard a weird noise and turned to Reece.

”Why are you so rough, junior…” Reece said, panting. Arthur looked at him silently and stopped using the rune. He then started walking away, ignoring Reece's existence altogether.