Return of the Legendary Runesmith

The purpose of this training was clear—Adrian wanted to see how well they could work as a team.

Sure, they had done group exercises before in the academy. But those had mostly been monster raids where Elana gave the orders and everyone followed.

A few times, they had sparred against the backup team to prepare for opponents who could think and strategize.

But this time, Adrian had a different plan. 'Why train them in a way they already know? Why not pull them out of their comfort zone?'

"Today," Adrian began, "you will show me your teamwork and your trust in each other. The entire circumference of the arena is your field. I can be anywhere—your job is to find me while dodging the obstacles."

Then, with a small smirk, he added, "Oh, and you are not allowed to use your armament."

That drew an immediate protest from Aries. "But sir… our armaments are our greatest strength. How are we supposed to do our best without them?"

Brendon followed, his tone sharper but logical. "In the second assessment, we'll be allowed to bring our armaments. Why not now?"

Adrian clasped his hands behind his back. "Tell me—what makes a warrior? Their weapon… or their skill and courage?"

Brendon's lips tightened. No one answered, because they already knew the truth. With that truth, there was no point in arguing further.

Adrian's gaze narrowed. "I trust your skills… but your hesitation makes me question that trust."

That stung. Elana and Allen both flinched. Then the silver-haired teenager stepped forward, voice firm. "We won't disappoint you, sir."

Allen added, "We'll do our best. With or without our armaments—we're a team."

Adrian gave a short nod. "You have five minutes to plan your strategy." And with that, he vanished into thin air.

"…woah," Aries muttered. "Does anyone even know how he does that?"

No one answered—too focused on figuring out how to win.

"From what I've seen," Allen began, "Professor Adrian can use every single element through his special artifact. We need to be ready for any kind of trap."

"That's right," Brendon agreed. "We have to watch every step we take."

"Umm… won't we disturb the other students' training?" Altia asked.

Elana shook her head. "He's aware of that. That's why he'll avoid areas where other academies are training."

"Which means…" Aries suddenly grabbed Allen's sword, drew a circle in the dirt, and pointed at three spots. "He'll avoid these areas."

Blackthorn and Aegis Academy were training close to each other in the northwest. They were currently on the southern side, while the Etherveil Enclave trained on the west.

"That leaves a huge empty space between us and Blackthorn," Elana concluded. "The whole eastern and northern side is clear."

"What's the plan, leader?" Allen asked, ready to follow her lead.

Elana thought for a moment, then pointed at the eastern route. "I'll take this path—alone."

Aries frowned. "But—"

"Hear me out," the Ice Princess cut in. "Allen and Altia will stay here. Brendon will go with Aries to the opposite side. If I find the Professor, I'll send a signal with my magic."

Altia tilted her head. "But… we aren't allowed to use our armament."

Aries smirked. "You don't know? This lady can control her 'accidental' magic on purpose."

Brendon and Altia froze in surprise. Allen, having seen it before, stayed calm.

Elana went on, "Once I send the signal, move as fast as you can. I'll either fight him or stall until you arrive. If Aries and Brendon run into him first, hold him off until I get there. When I do, I'll signal Allen and Altia for backup. Understood?"

The plan was simple—but effective. If they stuck to it, no one would have to face the Professor alone for long.

And the only one who might encounter him first was the strongest among them, meaning they could regroup in time.

"Alright then—move!" Elana commanded, vanishing in a blur toward the right.

Aries turned to Allen with a sly grin. "Keep your eyes open. You two will be the first to respond when Elana calls."

Allen nodded firmly. "Understood. Stay safe, senior."

With a confident smirk, Aries followed Brendon and headed left.

Allen exhaled slowly before glancing at Altia. She was shifting on her feet, fingers fidgeting, her eyes betraying her nerves.

"Don't be nervous," Allen said, his voice steady. "We're just the backup—we'll do just fi—"

He stopped mid-sentence. A cold shiver crawled down his spine.

Spinning on his heel, his eyes widened—

a fist was already flying toward his face.

"Allen!" Altia cried, but it was too late.

DHAK!

The blow connected squarely, and the raven-haired youth was sent crashing backward, the sheer force behind the strike rattling his bones.

Altia's heart pounded as she stepped forward, her fingers curling around the hilt of a sword stabbed into the ground nearby.

Adrian tilted his head, his eyes narrowing in mild amusement. "Didn't I prohibit armaments, Altia?"

The blue-haired teenager met his gaze without flinching. "You said we can't use our armaments."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Adrian's lips as he drew his staff from behind his back. "True. Very well… let's see what you can do on your own, Altia."

Without hesitation, she sprinted forward, sword raised high.

Adrian planted his feet, gathering mana at the butt of his staff, then slammed it into the ground.

TWANG!

The deep reverberation rippled through the air, throwing Altia off balance. Her footing slipped, her eyes widening as she saw the wooden staff swinging toward her face.

At the last instant, she twisted—using the sword as a pivot—spinning around its handle. Her body snapped into motion, heel whipping toward Adrian's stomach.

Adrian's smirk deepened. Releasing the staff, he stepped back in a smooth retreat, letting her strike cut through empty air.

Altia gritted her teeth and, with a sharp kick, sent the staff skidding across the ground once she regained her balance.

"You don't look too happy, student," Adrian remarked, his tone almost playful.

Altia's chin trembled. "You… you cheated. You were supposed to face Senior Elana!"

Adrian chuckled, low and unbothered. "The battlefield is unfair to everyone. You can't cling to a belief and follow it blindly. Always expect the unexpected, child."

Even as he spoke, his gaze flicked to the left. Without warning, he sprang upward into a flawless cartwheel—Allen's fist cutting through the space where he'd been standing only a heartbeat earlier.

Allen spun on his heel, his leg whipping upward in a high kick aimed straight at the descending Adrian.

But Adrian wasn't bound by the same restriction as them—his armament was still in play.

THWAK!

A shot rang out, perfectly timed.

Allen's eyes widened as his foot connected—not with Adrian—

"KHWAK!" Altia's cry tore through the air as the force of his kick sent her flying.

"No…" Allen's heart trembled as he hurriedly advanced towards Altia.

Big mistake.

Once he tried to help her up, suddenly several vines protruded from the ground and instantly wrapped around the duo.

"Guh! I can't move!" Allen did his best to remove the vines but to no avail.

Adrian sighed as he told them, "You two failed. Allen, try to get a grip on your emotions mid-battle. Altia could have handled herself."

Allen stopped struggling, his teeth clenched as he refused to look up.

Adrian could understand his anger but he didn't console him and turned towards his next target.

"You guys were faster than I anticipated."

On his left were the three remaining students he needed to deal with.

Elana's eyes were unusually cold as she took a step forward.

'Sorry Professor…but to earn your respect, I must hurt you today.' With that thought, she lunged forward.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you are enjoying the story so far, consider leaving a review.