Return of the Legendary Runesmith

The next few days were normal...or what Adrian could call it.

He was spending twelve hours of his days studying the fourth thread.

He has ten days, now four, to finish the first stage which is to evaluate how a person's mana flows under different circumstances.

Mana flow isn't like emotional wavelength that influences the strength of armament. Mana flow works differently and it's not within the control of the person how their mana goes through their body, so all the work needs to be done by the Runesmith.

In a way, the second and the fourth threads are connected. After all, in the second Thread, one must study the mana pores of a being and then attach the threads. These mana pores now would be the entry point and parameters for Adrian to assess his subject's natural mana flow.

So, the task at hand was simple, but the process was lengthy and time-consuming. As always, it takes a lot of focus and precision to execute the task. But Adrian had no choice. Unless he wants the shop to disappear, he has to fulfill the task.

'Come to think about it, just when the system removed the censor, my identity got disclosed.' Adrian chuckled in self-mockery.

As the system stated, it was trying to protect him, since the system knew that in a panic, Adrian might endanger himself.

And he did. Ruby found out that the Runesmith was on the server, and the man her friend was desperately searching for was him.

A professor of Runebound Academy.

Well, he made a deal with her, and considering Annabelle hadn't come looking for him, Adrian knew that his secret was safe. However, he has to be very careful in the future. He can't let the beings on the server know about his original identity.

Not now, at least.

While the others belong to the other worlds, Idiot lives in the same world as him. And her involvement in his life would be nothing but problematic.

*Knock*

That soft knock broke the train of his thoughts as Adrian looked around and found himself completely surrounded by books.

"Uhmm..I am busy. Who is it?"

"It's me."

It was Ariana.

Adrian called out, "Come in, it's open."

The doorknob twisted before the sneaky silverhead stepped in, wearing a hood over her head.

She locked the door behind her with a soft click and leaned against it, staring at Adrian with a tired, deadpan look.

"Don't you ever get bored?" she asked, her voice laced with exasperation.

There he was again—her lover, seated under the warm glow of a lamp, completely absorbed.

Surrounded by the one thing that always stole him away from her.

The one thing that made her jealous beyond reason.

Not another woman.

Not some secret mission.

Goddamn books.

He spent more time with them than he did with her—and that, on a night like this, felt criminal.

"I have an urgent assignment, so can't take breaks. Sorry for not accompanying you at dinner." He apologized as he rested the book aside.

Ariana found her way through the maze and reached Adrian on her tiptoes.

There was barely any space to stand so she just acquired the throne that belonged to her.

"Oof~I can feel my legs now." The Runesmith chuckled.

Ariana grinned as she hugged his neck and teasingly asked, "I hope you didn't get your little prince numb while sitting here for hours."

Adrian teased back, "Grind that ass a few more times and you will know whether I am numb down there or not."

Ariana giggled, leaning against his chest.

Adrian hugged her waist and took a few moments to relax his nerves. Her presence brings peace to him.

A few moments of silence before she asked, "Did Ruby contact you?"

Noticing how casually she regarded her, he couldn't help but ask, "I see you two became friends?"

Ariana moved her head left and right, "Well, we have things we like and experiences we shared. And...she loves to talk about you."

"And you couldn't stop talking, I guess?"

Ariana grinned, "How can I? I love letting people know that the dignified Runesmith and respected professor was once a cocky little bully who liked to walk with his collars up and hands in his pockets."

Adrian groaned, "Can't you forget about that?"

Adrian scoffed, "Never. Those are precious memories."

Adrian couldn't tell why they were precious but he didn't insist and answered her question, "I received a letter from her. She asked me about my well-being and a few things."

"What about you? Did you respond?"

Adrian pointed at the table beside his bed, "Prepared a response but never got the time to send it."

Ariana's brows elevated as she looked back at him with a slight tilt of her head and a complaining look on her face, "Exactly how busy are you? Have you been taking three meals a day?"

Adrian was surprised, "Who takes three proper meals regularly these days?"

"I do and I want my future husband to follow the rules to remain healthy even in his 80s."

Adrian was taken aback, but then he smiled and asked, "Husband, eh? That's the first time I heard that."

She faintly blushed and looked away, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You don't like it? W-When I say that?"

He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, warm and full of affection.

"Kill me the day I hate you calling me your husband," he said with a soft smile, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I absolutely adore being called your husband."

Ariana purred in his arms, closing her eyes and enjoying the warmth she had been missing a lot these days.

He doesn't even come out for training or dinner. She just sees him in the classes or when it's really urgent to report at the office.

At some point, she thought she had angered him, but then he explained that he had an urgent matter that would take a couple of days, and then he would go back to normal.

A few peaceful moments passed before the headmistress softly whispered, "Sylvie returned today."

Adrian's eyes slowly opened, "How was she?"

The Princess returned home to attend her brother's funeral.

During the ambush, Edward was woken up and he tried to escape with his father.

But many ambushers rushed into the palace so to hold them back and to ensure that the King survives, he sacrificed himself.

A noble death. Or what they are calling it.

Adrian didn't feel anything for the Prince...not after what he did to Ariana. But surely, he couldn't just not feel anything for the people connected to Edward.

"She looked...devastated. Eyes blank...barely speaking."

Adrian hummed, "What do you say? Should I go talk to her?"

Ariana's grip on his shirt turned firm as she said, "You know, in these kinds of situations, I have two responses; from the perspective of a teacher and your girlfriend."

Adrian chuckled, "I know what you would say as a teacher and my lover." He kissed the crown of her head and told her, "Don't worry, I will find a way to not anger my girlfriend nor disappoint my employer."

Ariana hummed, "I trust you."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.