Return of the Legendary Runesmith

[A few minutes ago]

Allen stood alone in the open field, rhythmically swinging his sword.

Due to the tournament's rules, no one was allowed to use indoor training grounds or be provided with equipment. However, they were permitted to move freely within a designated area outside the venue.

Naturally, each team had staked out a spot to conduct their own training.

The rest of his teammates had gone for a run. Allen and Elana, having woken up earlier than the others, had already completed their morning sprints. Now, the two of them were doing some light exercises before the professor arrived to begin the sparring session.

As Allen practiced his swings, a strange stiffness crept into his left shoulder.

At first, he thought it would fade on its own, but instead, it grew more uncomfortable with every motion.

He stopped swinging and rolled his shoulder, trying to work it out. Nothing.

He gave his arm a few loose swings, but the stiffness remained.

Looking around, he found that Elana was the only one nearby.

A bit hesitant, he walked over to her and asked, "Senior Elana."

She paused mid-swing, turning to face him without a word.

"Could you help me stretch my arm?" he asked. "It's gotten kind of stiff."

Without a word, she lowered the heavy axe she'd been training with—clearly working on her swing strength—then stepped closer.

She placed one hand firmly on his shoulder blade, and the other gripped his wrist.

"Loosen it," she instructed, and he obeyed.

With a sharp jerk, a loud *pop* echoed in the quiet field.

"Agh… Now that feels better. Thanks" Allen muttered, rotating his shoulder and feeling the stiffness ease at last.

Elana nodded and quietly returned to her previous spot.

Allen gave a wry smile. "You don't talk like a normal person, do you?"

He nearly added, Unless Professor Adrian is around, but wisely kept that part to himself—for the sake of his own safety.

Elana tilted her head. "Was I supposed to say something here?"

Allen simply shook his head and gave up. There was no point in trying to understand this girl.

He was just about to resume his training when a familiar voice rang out behind him.

"Ah, there you are."

Allen froze. He knew that voice all too well. Turning toward it, he groaned under his breath.

"Elizabeth…"

The very same girl who'd arrived at Runebound as an exchange student.

The same one who'd been nearly killed during an ambush—and harshly punished by Professor Adrian.

And yet, somehow, they'd ended up becoming good friends. Allen had even taken to teaching her swordsmanship.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Shouldn't you be preparing for the match? It's tomorrow, isn't it? Today should be... kind of important for your team."

Elizabeth just grinned. "I already finished my morning routine. There's still some time before breakfast, so I thought I'd wander a bit—and then I found you."

Allen offered a wry smile. "You were wandering around the opposite side of Aegis Academy's training grounds?"

Elizabeth smirked playfully. "So you knew where I was training? What a stalker you are~"

Allen went silent, completely speechless.

With a small shake of his head, he asked, "What do you want?"

Elizabeth pouted. "How cold. Can't I just come to say hello?"

Allen was about to respond when—

"Heh~ double-timing bastard?"

He turned his head to find Aries and the other two returning.

Altia was drenched in sweat while Brendon asked if she needed a towel.

Allen sighed. "She's just a friend, Senior."

The black-haired girl grinned, her eyes shifting to Elizabeth. "So you're the one they sent to Runebound? I've heard some things about you."

Elizabeth blinked, a bit taken aback by the girl's overly familiar tone. Still, she straightened up and replied politely, "Good to meet you. I'm Elizabeth."

Aries chuckled, "No need to be so stiff… well, not until 'he' arrives." Her tone dipped dangerously low as she said the last part.

Elizabeth blinked, caught off guard. "Who?"

With a casual motion, Aries rested a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and gently turned her around. "Him."

Elizabeth's gaze followed her direction—and her eyes slightly widened.

A familiar brown-haired man was walking toward them.

In that instant, a flood of memories surged through her.

The first—and only—time in her life when she'd experienced a completely one-sided beatdown.

It had been punishment for a prank. And the punishment was nothing short of brutal.

She had nearly gotten expelled because of it.

Her lips parted slightly as the weight of it hit her again.

That face…

She could never forget that face.

Adrian spotted Elizabeth but didn't spare her a glance. His voice was calm yet firm, "If you're all done warming up… shall we begin the training?"

Elizabeth quickly turned to Allen, whispering, "Let's meet at breakfast?"

Allen read the urgency in her tone. He didn't question her—just offered a small nod. With that, she rushed off, vanishing before Adrian could say another word.

Meanwhile, Elana skipped her way toward him, her energy high, clearly ready for training.

But just as Adrian opened his mouth to begin—

**BOOOOOOM**

The ground shook. A deafening explosion echoed from the front side of the arena.

Gasps erupted all around as students spun toward the blast in shock.

Adrian's expression darkened. "Stay here," he ordered the class sharply, then bolted toward the commotion without a moment's pause.

Smoke billowed in the distance as he arrived at the site. Teachers and management staff stood on the sidelines, none of them stepping in—because what was unfolding wasn't a mere scuffle.

Two blurs moved like lightning across the ruined section of the field, clashing with violent precision.

Adrian's eyes widened the moment he locked onto one of them.

"Ruby?!"

He couldn't tell why she was fighting or who she was up against, but one thing was clear—the opponent wasn't an Acolyte. No staff member would have just watched otherwise.

Without hesitation, Adrian pulled out his revolver.

*THWAK*

The gunshot split the air like thunder, silencing the entire arena.

Both fighters halted at once.

Ruby turned, her chest heaving, eyes flashing as they met Adrian's.

He stepped forward without a word, gaze sliding past her—

—to the figure she was fighting.

'...I hope it isn't what I am thinking it is.'

°°°°°°°

A/N:- And you thought only Annabelle is crazy.