Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Is there anything you want to ask?" Adrian asked, setting the chalk down and turning toward the class.

It was the last period of the day, and he was holding an extra class—filling in while most of the other instructors were still away and the academy hadn’t fully resumed regular sessions.

Half of the year remained before graduation. Many things were bound to happen and change. Taking away the terrorism arc, there were still plenty of arcs Adrian needed to plan about before the year ended.

Inside the classroom, only the students genuinely interested in the subject could be seen. Yet every time Adrian faced the classroom, he couldn’t help but notice the same thing: all the seats were filled with female students.

’Is it really my charm that brings them here, or are they actually learning something?’ he often wondered. But a glance at their grades reassured him—his words weren’t just echoing into empty heads.

From the front row, Aries raised her hand.

"Professor, I’ve been meaning to ask you a very important question for quite some time," she said with a weighty tone that suggested deep scholarly curiosity.

Adrian, already wary of her dramatics, offered a patient smile and gestured for her to continue. "Go ahead."

With the gravest expression she could muster, Aries asked, "Professor, I am dying to know—what type of girls do you prefer?"

Adrian blinked, deadpan. Why had he expected her seriousness to be real?

"I’ve been curious too, sir," another student chimed in from the back, her grin barely hidden.

Soon, a murmur of agreement filled the classroom. Apparently, the topic was of widespread academic interest.

Adrian shook his head and reached for his coat, already walking toward the door. "If all of you manage to score above a B in the Aegis Trials," he said without turning back, "then maybe—maybe—I’ll consider answering that."

A wave of excited groans and determined chatter followed him as he left the room, amused.

Many of the girls groaned—loud and long.

Scoring passing marks in the Aegis Trials was already a monumental task. But now, Professor Adrian was demanding over seventy percent?

That was nearly impossible.

Well... not for everyone.

Adrian stepped out from behind the desk, slinging his coat over his arm and gathering the few books he’d brought for the day. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"Ah, yes," he said, pausing at the door. "I won’t be available for the next two days. If you have any questions, note them down and wait for my return."

That set off another round of exaggerated wailing.

"Two days without seeing my favorite professor?!"

"That’s just cruel..."

"Why must you punish us like this?!"

He didn’t even look back. Their dramatic complaints rolled off him like water. Teenage girls were quick to fawn over any decent-looking man—he’d seen it enough to recognize the harmless teasing for what it was.

No need to scold them.

With a small sigh, he began walking toward his office, coat in hand and mind already shifting gears. He wanted to explore the ’Shop’ feature more—there were still several things in the books he wanted to study.

But just as he turned the corner, a familiar voice called out.

"Excuse me, Professor. Do you have a minute?"

Adrian sighed quietly. Alone time would have to wait.

Still, he stopped and turned. "Yes, Elana?"

The silver-haired girl stood at a respectful distance, her expression unreadable—but her eyes gave her away. She was concerned.

She noticed the fatigue in his posture and instantly regretted calling out to him. But instead of dancing around her reason, she got to the point.

"Is it important for you to go?"

Adrian blinked. "...Go where?"

"To the capital," she answered, her tone steady, her eyes locked onto his.

Adrian stared at her for a moment, clearly surprised. "How do you know I’m going to the capital?"

He hadn’t told anyone besides Ariana, and she wasn’t exactly the talkative type—especially when it came to classified missions.

So how did Elana know?

"I heard from somewhere that the Vermillion family is cooperating with Valmora," Elana said, her voice calm but unwavering. "I figured the Headmistress would be summoned—and if she’s going, then you will too."

Adrian blinked, stunned for a moment.

Her deduction left no room for doubt. She had pieced it together from scraps like a seasoned strategist.

He let out a slow sigh. He wanted to ask where she got her information, but he already knew—Elana would never reveal her sources.

"You understand how the capital works better than most," he muttered. "They pressure strong Wardens into service during times like this... And with danger looming over our borders, I can’t let Ariana go alone."

He watched her, expecting her to press further. But she didn’t.

Because she understood.

This wasn’t just a political visit. It wasn’t a casual escort job either.

No, Adrian had made the choice because something smelled off—too sudden, too quiet. And he refused to let the Headmistress walk into a den alone.

Elana lowered her head, her silver bangs hiding her eyes. Then, softly—almost too softly—she asked,

"Sir... are you in a relationship with the Headmistress?"

Adrian froze.

That... caught him completely off guard.

He looked at her sharply, caught between shock and instinctive denial. There was no way anyone should know. No slip-ups. No gossip. He and Ariana had been discreet to the point of paranoia.

So how the hell did Elana even think to ask that?

Adrian spoke in a slightly stern tone, "I think as a student you should pry into your teachers’ life, Elana." Rejecting her assumption felt as if he would be betraying Ariana, considering Elana had feelings for him. So he chose an ambiguous response.

Her fist clenched, "So that’s what I am...just a student to you?"

Adrian frowned...so it had come to it.

He was about to say something when she lifted her moist eyes and shook her head, "I-I didn’t mean to say that...I-I am sorry, sir...please...don’t hate me. I didn’t mean to say it..." She seemed shaken up.

The emotions she felt upon realizing the closeness between Ariana and Adrian and then what she ended up saying to him...it all just messed up her mind and she ran away from him.

...leaving a completely baffled Adrian behind.

’Now, what am I supposed to do?’

The only person he could think of, to take any advice was Ariana...but considering this whole situation, he hesitated.

Ariana knows that Elana likes him...and then her sudden outburst.

Will she...be upset?

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.