Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Father will arrive by evening," Adrian said as they sat inside the carriage, the wheels gently rolling along the forested path.

They were heading toward the teleportation center—but not the one near the academy. That one was currently under maintenance, so they had to travel a few hours to reach the center located in a neighboring town.

"Thanks for agreeing to my request," Ariana said softly, leaning back against the seat with a small smile.

She had asked Adrian to speak with the Count—to request his presence during the upcoming conversation.

Count Lockwood was someone her father respected deeply. Someone he would listen to.

"Well," Adrian replied with a light chuckle, "Father rarely says no to me. And this situation… it involves both children of the Lockwood family."

Adam Lockwood had been quick to offer his support, but he made one thing very clear: he wouldn't be using his authority here. He was coming as Victor's brother, not as the Count.

Adrian had no complaints.

His father's presence alone would be enough to make a difference. A good one.

"Did Elana approach you recently?" Ariana asked suddenly, breaking the silence in the carriage.

"Yeah... she did," Adrian replied. "Did she talk to you too? About the student exchange program?"

Ariana nodded. "She sent me a letter—demanding that her name be removed from the list."

Adrian let out a quiet chuckle. "She's really trying to get out of it. She came to me with the same request."

Ariana narrowed her eyes, a knowing look flashing across her face.

"And who do you think is the reason behind her reluctance?"

Adrian's smile faded.

His lips pressed into a line, and he looked away.

Ariana sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"Putting that aside, this situation is a mess. Elana is practically the face of Runebound—top-tier in both academics and combat."

Adrian gave her a calm nod. "I've talked to her. She won't resist anymore. I made sure of that."

Ariana's brows lifted in suspicion. "Tell me you didn't promise her a reward or something."

Adrian smirked faintly. "Not the kind of reward you usually have in mind… but yes, I might give her something for her help last time. Maybe an armament."

Ariana was about to respond when suddenly,

**BOOOOOM**

A heavy explosions resonated.

The duo fell to the left as the carriage came to a sudden halt.

Exchanging a glance they both jumped out of the carriage and looked at the scene ahead.

"Trolls?!" Ariana's eyes widened as she saw three huge monsters advancing towards the town where they were heading.

The twenty or so feet tall creatures were thrashing and stomping over soldiers and the barricades that were supposed to protect the town.

"Monster summoning...Acolyte!" Adrian concluded before asking, "Can you handle those three? I will go and search for the magician."

Ariana smirked, "With pleasure," saying so, he extended her hand toward him.

Adrian wordlessly pulled the armament he had recently tuned for her.

The heavy flail appeared in his hand which he handed to Ariana before saying, "Don't take uncessary risk."

"Don't worry, this won't take much time." Ariana winked at him before rushing toward the battlefield.

The weapon was extremely heavy—its spiked metal ball alone could crush bones with a single swing—but Ariana felt no hindrance. Her pace was wild, fierce, and unrelenting as she charged straight toward the first troll.

Her mana erupted like violent flames, rippling off her body in waves of power. The air around her warped from the pressure, and instantly, all three trolls turned their heads—sensing death fast approaching.

The first one didn't even bother to look. With a grunt, it swung its massive club backward, thick and wide like a tree trunk wrapped in stone.

Ariana's grin sharpened. She wasn't slowing down.

She slammed her left foot into the dirt—THUD—a mini shockwave rippling out as dust and debris flew around her. Then, with both hands gripping the staff, she hurled the spiked metal ball straight toward the incoming club.

CLANG—CRACK!

The weapons collided.

And one of them broke.

The club, reinforced with rocks, shattered in half, splinters flying. The troll roared in pain and confusion, stumbling a step forward.

"ARGHHU!" it cried, finally turning to see the human who had just overpowered it in raw strength.

Its dull grey eyes locked onto Ariana, rage and fear mixing inside them. With a grunt, it raised its massive fist and brought it down like a hammer.

But Ariana was faster.

She growled—a sound more beast than human—and jumped high, twisting midair. The troll's punch smashed into the earth below, missing her by feet. The ground cracked beneath its blow.

The flail's chain coiled back, snapping into her hand like a whip.

Her voice rang out—firm and cold.

"God's Hand!"

Above her, the sky split for a moment, and from it descended a massive hand made of jagged stone—fingers thick as pillars, palm glowing with runes. Dozens of small and large rocks pieced it together like armor.

The troll looked up.

Terror gripped it. Its massive legs twitched, trying to backpedal—but it was too late.

Ariana was already falling like a spear toward it, the hand above following her lead.

BAAAAAAM!

The hand came down with a thunderous crash. Dust exploded in all directions, and the sound echoed like a collapsing mountain. The ground cratered under the impact.

Blood splashed like mud, and the troll's head was gone—split open, crushed flat like a ripe watermelon stomped beneath a boot.

Chunks of grey flesh and shattered bone stuck to the hand's underside, dripping onto the stone floor.

Ariana landed atop the fallen corpse, not even glancing down as she yanked the flail free from her belt and turned her gaze toward the remaining two trolls.

"Oh, Adrian...you had given me such a wonderful gift."

With a grin, the ex-Warden rushed to the other two trolls, ready to decimate them before another life could have been wasted.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. I really am lazy for not uploading the spell categories and details about Runesmithing. Agh.