Return of the Legendary Runesmith

Ariana sat in her office, wrapping up the day's work.

The funds Adrian had given her had lifted a huge weight off her shoulders. The resources spent during the recent event were fully replenished, and tomorrow she would be meeting the engineers who were set to begin construction on the academy's outer perimeter.

Even after covering that expense, she still had more than two thousand gold coins left. For a moment, she thought about returning the extra money to Adrian—but knowing him, he would never accept it back. So, she decided it might be better to use it for something worthwhile: a few additions for their new house.

Yes, they were buying a house together—a small mansion in the town downhill. It wasn't overly grand, but spacious enough for more than ten people to live in comfortably.

Their plan was to stay there during the winter break after the final exams. Just thinking about it filled Ariana with excitement.

Lately, life had been nothing but one problem after another, leaving them with little time to breathe. Whenever she and Adrian were together, it was usually just for a day before duty pulled them apart again. That was why those fifteen days meant so much to her. This time, she would bring no work at all—and she would make sure Adrian didn't either.

Those days would belong to them, and only them.

…Well, Annabelle might join in eventually—but not until the first week had passed.

Just as Ariana was about to close the document and head to her room for a long, much-needed bath, a knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?" she asked, barely holding back a sigh.

"Headmistress, it's me, Norma."

"Come in," Ariana replied.

The door opened with a soft click. Ariana lifted her tired eyes and saw Norma standing there with an uneasy look on her face.

"What is it?" Ariana asked, frowning.

Norma stepped aside, and behind her stood two figures in familiar uniforms. Sand-yellow robes, a polished metal insignia on their chests—members of the Celestial Hall.

Ariana immediately rose from her seat and gave Norma a small nod. Without a word, the professor quietly withdrew, leaving Ariana alone with the visitors.

She studied them carefully. "I wasn't expecting anyone from the Tower today," Ariana said in a low, heavy voice.

One of them stepped forward. "We apologize for arriving without notice, Headmistress, but the situation is dire."

"Surely," Ariana murmured, gesturing for them to sit.

They took their seats across from her, and Ariana eased back into her chair. "Is this about the incident?" she asked.

The two exchanged a glance. Then the one who had spoken earlier leaned forward and said, "Before that… could you call Sir Adrian?"

Ariana leaned back, exhaling quietly. Of course. Why wasn't she surprised that he was being dragged into this too?

Shaking her head, Ariana told them flatly, "He isn't here."

The second member spoke up this time, his tone almost pleading. "We promise, we only need to talk—"

"Do you think he is someone who hides?" Ariana cut in, her eyes cold as steel.

Silence fell. The man's words withered under her gaze.

"He. Is. Not. Here." Ariana repeated, each word sharp and deliberate.

The first member cleared his throat before speaking again, this time more carefully. "We apologize, Headmistress, but the situation has been like this … unsettled ever since." He paused, then produced a sealed letter. "Mister Adrian is requested to report to the Tower tomorrow. This is the official notice, bearing the Tower Master's seal."

Ariana's brows furrowed as she accepted the letter. Summoning him? For what?

Did they already find evidence? The thought struck like ice in her chest, her heart tightening with unease.

"Please don't take it the wrong way, Miss Ariana," the member continued, his tone firm yet respectful. "...but Sir Adrian has to be there tomorrow. Several matters hinge on tomorrow's meeting, so we ask that you make this a priority."

…

"It's done." Adrian finally spoke after fifteen minutes.

In that short span of time, judgments had already been formed—not about the result, but about the man shaping the artifact. His unconventional style of runesmithing looked impressive, even daring, yet very few in the room believed it would succeed. In truth, only one person held absolute faith in him.

Quinton rose from the bed and wrapped his hand around the handle.

Adrian, meanwhile, stepped closer to Ruby, his brows knit tightly together.

The redhead tilted her head slightly and asked in a quiet voice, "Is something wrong?" She could feel the unease radiating from him.

Adrian gave a low hum, as though he hadn't heard her clearly, then offered a small nod but nothing more.

Ruby didn't press. She turned her attention to Quinton instead, watching as he moved into position, keeping himself well away from the others.

In the corner, Raira had already set up a practice dummy, clearing away anything valuable from around it.

Everyone knew what the artifact was supposed to do…

The question was—would it actually work?

Quinton drew in a deep breath and gripped the artifact with both hands.

The room fell silent. Everyone held their breath.

Even Damien, who had been preoccupied with inspecting armaments, now looked up, his attention fixed on the little experiment.

Nathan stood with his arms crossed, already convinced of the outcome. His gaze was sharp, almost mocking, as it lingered on Quinton.

Quinton pushed his mana into the handle.

The runes flickered to life, glowing faintly. Energy pulsed through the artifact.

Raising the handle above his head, Quinton swung down.

SWISH

The handle swung through the air—yet the dummy remained untouched.

For a few tense seconds, everyone waited, expecting it to split apart.

But nothing happened.

Lowering the artifact, Quinton turned and said flatly, "It didn't work."

Ruby's eyes widened. Several others exhaled, some disappointed, some unsurprised.

Nathan smirked, stepping forward with a scoff. "And I'm not surprised. I told you—this was foolishness. To think anyone could bind a subject to an artifact without tracing every thread? Utter nonsense."

Ruby clenched her fist, her expression darkening. Her retort was on her lips, but before she could speak, Adrian moved.

His face was calm, if slightly frowning, completely unmoved by Nathan's words.

He strode past him and took Quinton's hand, lifting the artifact. With his runic pencil, Adrian swiftly erased a few marks. Then he gave a curt nod. "Go ahead. Try again."

Quinton blinked, confused. "What?"

"Go ahead," Adrian repeated simply.

Still skeptical, Quinton let out a short scoff, then swung the blade once more.

This time—

CLEAVE!

The strike tore through the dummy, carving deep into the wall behind it—clean and precise.

Damien nearly fell off the chair.

Nathan's jaw dropped.

Everyone gasped.

And Ruby's face brightened up.

The room froze in stunned silence, except for the mumbling coming from Adrian who was severely upset about something.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.