Return of the Legendary Runesmith

It had been a while since they had gone out like this.

Adrian couldn't even remember the last time they went on a proper date.

…truth be told, after his confession, it had happened only once. Which meant today was their second date.

How pathetic was that?

Yes, he had duties. Yes, he needed to prepare for the future. But wasn't all of it for the sake of building a peaceful world—a world where he could spend his days with the people he loved?

And Ariana… she was someone very special to him. How could he let her feel neglected?

"I'm really sorry, Aria," Adrian said softly, his tone heavy with regret. "I've been so insensitive lately. I must have seemed like I didn't care, but I do. I really do. I want to go on dates with you—more than you think. Trust me."

Ariana chuckled at the sight of him all flustered and apologetic.

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Hey, I understand what's going on with you. I just have to manage the school, but you… you're a Professor and a Runesmith. And the people you're trading with aren't even from this world. You're doing far more than I could reasonably expect."

She let out a small sigh. "And it's not like I've been asking you again and again only for you to finally agree now. I could have spoken up earlier… it's just that sometimes, I can't bring myself to be honest."

Adrian leaned closer, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "That's something I already know. You get embarrassed when it comes to romance."

Ariana shot him a glare. "Ha ha, very funny." Then, in a quieter voice, she added, "I'm new to this, you know… I've never depended on a man before. I never thought I'd have something as normal as a romantic life."

Adrian's smile softened. "And now that you have it… how do you feel?"

She lowered her gaze, a tender smile curving her lips before she glanced back at him. "I feel… fulfilled. Happy."

Adrian raised their joined hands and pressed his lips to her knuckles.

God, he loved her.

They soon stepped into the nearby town, just a half-hour walk from the tournament grounds.

It was small, but today it was alive with people. Visitors from all over had come for the tournament, filling every corner with noise and movement.

Wooden houses lined the stony path, their walls draped with creeping greenery that gave the streets a warm, natural charm. A faint aroma of tea drifted in the air, carried by the wind.

Vendors called out to passersby. Laughter mingled with the clinking of cups. The whole town felt alive.

"Hello! You're the manager of the Runebound team, right?"

A group of young women approached, their eyes fixed squarely on Adrian.

The brown-haired man gave a polite nod. "Yes, I am."

They exchanged excited glances before one of them stepped forward. "We're celebrating Runebound's victory. Would you join us?"

Ariana's brows drew together. Who were they to celebrate her academy's win? And more importantly, how shameless could they be—inviting a man who was very clearly on a date with someone?

It wasn't the first time something like this had happened, but it never failed to spark that same irritation.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Adrian beat her to it.

"Ah, forgive me," he said warmly yet firmly. "But as you can see, I'm currently on a date with my fiancée."

The women finally turned their eyes to Ariana. Their smiles faded in an instant. They quickly muttered apologies before retreating.

Adrian turned to her with a playful smile. "Shall we continue our date, my lady?"

Ariana only hummed in response, but her lips betrayed her, curving into a soft, happy smile.

They wandered from shop to shop, stopping to glance at trinkets and goods they had absolutely no intention of buying. It wasn't about the items—it was about walking side by side, stealing moments in between, and enjoying each other's company.

"Remember the time I made you buy a dagger?" Adrian suddenly asked.

She knew exactly what he was talking about. Back then, whenever she came to the market, she was always with someone who shielded her from the less pleasant parts of the world. Adrian had taken it upon himself to change that—teaching her the ways of people and the not-so-safe streets.

Ariana chuckled. "Yeah, I remember. You handed me just two bronze coins and told me to negotiate."

Shaking her head, she added, "Negotiating is one thing… you were basically expecting me to scam the poor shopkeeper. That dagger was worth a gold coin, Adrian!"

He rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Okay, maybe I went a bit overboard. But you did learn something that day, didn't you?"

His gaze softened as he looked at her. "You realized that not every person with a kind smile actually has a kind heart."

She remembered it vividly—how the shopkeeper's face had lit up when she walked in wearing fine clothes, only for that warmth to vanish the moment she revealed the two bronze coins in her palm. Without a word, he had shoved her out of the shop.

She'd been on the verge of tears, and Adrian had to coax her for a long while before she calmed down. But that day had left her with a lesson she'd never forget.

The world ran on authority and wealth. If you had them, people treated you with respect. If you didn't… you were little more than an inconvenience in their eyes.

"Hey, want something sweet?" Adrian asked, his eyes catching on a small shop selling fruitcakes.

Ariana followed his gaze and raised a brow. "You suggesting something sweet? Now that's new."

Adrian's lips curled into a smile. "Well, I want to make my date happy. I can change my preferences for a day, can't I?"

She shook her head with a faint laugh. "Cheeky bastard." Still, she gave a nod. "But… yeah, that does smell good."

Adrian let go of her hand. "Wait here, I'll get us some."

The counter was crowded, and having both of them squeeze in would just be a hassle.

With people constantly passing by, Ariana stepped away and found a quieter spot in a nearby alley, leaning against the wall as she waited. Her arms crossed loosely over her chest, and she tilted her head back, watching the pale afternoon sky.

That was when a voice came from behind.

"Well now… aren't you quite the beauty, young lady?"

Her brows lifted slightly. Turning her head, she found three men stepping toward her, grins twisting into something far less than friendly.

The scars across their faces and the heavy, dangerous build of their bodies made it clear—these weren't ordinary humans.

But they were hardly the kind of people who could pose a real threat to her.

"Every town has goons like you," Ariana sighed, uncrossing her arms.

The men kept advancing—then suddenly stopped.

Not because she had moved. In fact, she froze as well. Her eyes had caught a familiar figure standing between her and the thugs, his back to her.

"Picking on a lone woman…" Adrian's voice was calm, almost bored. "Could there be anything more pathetic?"

Without turning, he extended his arm backward, pressing a small paper bag into her hands. "Here. Hold the cakes."

One of the men sneered. "Oh, so you're here to save the damsel, huh?"

Another snorted. "Calling us lame while wearing that ridiculous hat?"

Ariana accepted the cakes, her gaze fixed on Adrian as he casually pulled off his gloves, slipping them into his pocket. That slow, deliberate movement told her everything—he wasn't here to talk.

Her lips curved into a small smile she couldn't hide.

'Now… isn't this a bit familiar?'

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.