Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Exactly how did this happen?" Ariana asked sharply, her eyes narrowing at the dorm warden, who stood nervously by the door.

It wasn't the warden who answered—but Gilbert.

"The window frame gave way when Miss Elena leaned against it," he explained. "She couldn't react in time and fell. Landed on her arm. That's how it happened."

Adrian sighed. "If I'm not mistaken, the warden should've known if a window had loose screws, right?"

"I checked everything just last week, sir," the warden replied quickly, almost too quickly.

It was part of her job to inspect every room at least once a month. These inspections were meant to ensure students weren't doing anything illegal—like using dark magic or forging weapons.

At the same time, she was also expected to check things that require regular maintenance—like taps, windows, and bed frames.

"Then how did this happen?" Ariana frowned, glancing at the unconscious girl lying on the infirmary bed, her arm carefully wrapped in white bandages.

As a superhuman, Elana would heal faster than most. But even so—this would take time.

"She looks quite unwell," the Headmistress muttered, then turned to Adrian. "Can't you use your armament to heal her? Like last time?"

A soft groan interrupted them.

"N-No..." Elana's weak voice called out, drawing everyone's attention.

The girl blinked open her eyes and looked at Adrian.

"I don't want you to waste such a precious artifact on me, Professor," she said, her voice thin but determined. "Give me a few days... I'll recover on my own."

The school nurse stepped in with a nod. "She's right. Forced recovery takes a toll on the body," she added, looking at Adrian. "Unless she has to be somewhere urgently, it's best to let her heal naturally."

That reminder drew a quiet murmur from Gilbert.

"But... the student exchange program? She has to leave in two days."

Silence fell for a beat. That was urgent. Elana's role as the senior-most student made her participation important.

"Take the call, boss," the instructor to Ariana's left said, all eyes shifting toward her.

Ariana thought for a moment before speaking.

"I'm replacing Elana with Aries. She'll participate in the program."

Some of the teachers frowned, and Rose hesitantly asked,

"But... isn't Elana our best choice? Shouldn't we wait? Maybe she will recover in time?"

Ariana shook her head with a sigh.

"In two days, a cracked joint can't fully heal. And even if it does, we can't expect Elana to give her full strength during the countless assessments she'll face in Etherveil Enclave."

The other academies would be watching the exchange students closely—testing them in various areas, both academic and martial.

"Aries is our second best," Ariana continued. "Top in academics and close to Elana in combat. She's more than qualified."

She looked at the instructor. "Isn't that right?"

The instructor nodded. "Out of five spars, Aries wins one—thanks to her combat intelligence."

Aries had also been selected for the Arcane Anvil Cup—a prestigious academic challenge.

She was smart, capable, and more than ready.

"So it's decided," Adrian said, "Aries is replacing Elana. Miss Rose, please inform her."

Rose nodded and soon everyone started walking out of the infirmary.

What no one noticed when they left was that barely visible smile on the patient's face.

'Sorry, Professor...but I can't leave without you for a whole month.'

...

Adrian reached his room and dropped onto the bed with a sigh.

Elana's condition weighed on his mind. The girl who was usually strong and distant looked so pale and fragile now.

I hope she recovers soon.

And now, she has become a variable in the third arc.

Elana's presence was bound to bring changes in the upcoming chapter—where a secret organization would attack the academy, aiming to harm the exchange students and shatter the fragile alliance between the four countries.

Only time would tell if her presence would help... or make things worse.

Lost in thought, Adrian opened his chat box. Only one person was online.

He typed the first message:

"Is everything okay? I haven't seen you in the past two days."

Idiot: [Ah, Darling... yeah, I'm fine. Just had a long fight. I'm a bit tired now.]

Adrian frowned. A fight that left the strongest Warden this exhausted?

Maybe I'll find out what happened in tomorrow's newspaper, he thought.

Then something crossed his mind, and he typed:

"By the way, Idiot, what kind of weapon do you use?"

[Mostly regular ones. And when things get tough, I grab a factory-made one.]

Adrian frowned again.

She really was like her canon version—fighting without any enchantments, and even when she did use weapons, they were basic and not customized for her.

"You know I can make one for you, right?"

[Ah, yes...But I have nothing special to offer you at the moment....except for myself~]

Adrian chuckled, feeling relieved that she was being herself.

He thought for a moment, before telling her, "You don't need to give me anything special. How about you make me something handmade? Cookies or something?"

[H-Handmade? I am not a good cook.]

Adrian grinned ear to ear, "Anything works. If you put good effort into it, I will gladly eat it."

There was a long pause, making Adrian question her, "Are you still there?]

[Y-Yes...it's just hearing you talk so gently made me emotional.]

Adrian's smile dropped a little as he said, "I apologize if I have hurt your feelings in the past."

[No, please...don't apologize. You never hurt me. I am not just used to this….being loved.]

Those words...left a great impact on him.

He knew she was an orphan, and the only connection she shared was with Ruby.

He heaved a sigh, and asked her, "So...should I prepare an armament for you?"

[Yes, please.]

They chattef for a few more minutes. Adrian asked about her job and all. She was forbidden from sharing personal information but she told him about the dangers she recently came across.

After a few minutes, Adrian stepped into the Time Chamber.

'Let's see how strong the strongest Warden is.'

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.