Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"I am really sorry about the gap, but it was important," Adrian said to the girls before him.

What was supposed to be a one-on-one lesson with Thalia turned out to be a small group of three girls—adding Sylvie and Elana.

Sylvie just requested to have a seat in the class so she could listen to him and take notes. Adrian presented a test to see if she was really benefiting from his lectures, and she didn't surprise him with perfect scores.

As for Elana, she was still not fully fine to return to her usual routine. She wasn't attending her classes but when Adrian suggested going out for a walk, she asked if she could come to his workshop.

The sparkle in her eyes was quite endearing, so he offered her a seat as well.

"It's okay, Professor. I practiced what you taught me." Thalia responded with a soft smile.

Adrian nodded, "Now that you know how to sense the mana nodes, shall we move on to connecting the threads?"

Thalia eagerly nodded.

Adrian took a chair and sat before Thalia.

Folding his sleeves, he told her, "Feel the mana node and try to draw its power to this pencil." He said while offering her a normal wooden pencil.

"Sir...won't this be too much for me?" She asked—drawing a thread to something that isn't made of mithril or even steel is quite complicated and holds a wide margin of error.

"You need to let go of the thought that enchantments can only be done on materials that can sustain them for long. Runes doesn't know what wood is or what silver is. They just needed to be drawn well by the Runesmith."

The younger one slowly nodded, hesitation still apparent in her eyes

Adrian offered his arm to her.

Elana shifted uncomfortably in her seat when Thalia began to move her fingers on his arm.

"Uhm..." She unconsciously let out a sound, drawing others' attention.

Adrian's brows elevated as he asked, "Yes?"

"Can I be the test subject?" She asked, her eyes still focused on those two fingers that Thalia kept on his arm.

'How long does she plan on touching him?' She thought with a frown.

Adrian chuckled at her before reminding the girl, "Should I remind you of the reason why Aries was being sent to the Etherveil instead of you?"

Elana grumbled...her other arm was fine though....

A sigh seeped through his lips as with a shake of his head, Adrian turned back to Thalia—only to hear another hesitant voice,

"Then...me?"

Elana's brows elevated as she looked at the Princess.

Adrian was equally surprised.

But then, Thalia said, "If you become my test subject, how will you write the notes?" She asked in confusion.

Except for Thalia, the other three knew why she was getting interrupted here.

Adrian shook his head and told his student, "Continue, Thalia."

As such, for the next half an hour, two people sat there gritting their teeth.

....

[Close to midnight]

"I am sorry." Adrian apologized as soon as he stepped inside Ariana's room through the window.

She was sitting on the bed with food served on the table.

She calmly got up and asked, "Tell me you got so engrossed in your books that you forgot we were having dinner together."

Adrian smiled in embarrassment, "Actually, Aries was throwing a tantrum earlier, so I talked to her for about half an hour. Then, I went to check the arrangement for the exchange students...and then...I got a little busy in the workshop."

Ariana heaved a sigh, "Well, it's okay. Not like it's only you who usually arrives late for dinner."

They both have their own work to deal with. That's why, they barely argue or scold each other for arriving late.

"Yes, but take it easy, Adrian. You have been pushing yourself a lot and that is not good for your health."

Adrian gave her a small salute, "Understood, my lady."

He pulled a chair for her which Ariana took, before Adrian sat across from her.

Being the headmistress, she had a fairly large room, made by combining two standard rooms. So there was enough space for a small dining table.

The food was brilliant, even though it was cold.

The school chef is one of the best cooks Adrian has ever come across.

There were not many things since they preferred to have light meals for dinner.

They chatted about things related to school security and all.

A few moments of silence, and then, Adrian asked, "Umm..Aria."

The silver head raised her head to look at him, "Hmm?"

"I actually promised Ruby something. I told her that if she would help Valmora then I would teach her more about the second Thread."

Ariana shrugged, "Then find a free day and go meet her."

Adrian blinked in surprise, "You...don't mind?"

Ariana also seemed confused, "She is a friend of yours...why would I mind you helping her?"

Adrian heaved a sigh of relief, "I thought...well, forget about it-"

"But Mister Adrian," Ariana soon added with a sharp look in her eyes, "...don't you dare sleep around with other women."

Adrian instantly affirmed, "Of course, I won't cheat on you. You can trust me with that."

Ariana shrugged, "Then you can go."

After finishing dinner, Ariana and Adrian decided to go to sleep rather than getting romantic since tomorrow was a hectic day.

Naturally, they were sleeping on the same bed while cuddling.

Ariana put her hand on his waist while Adrian collected her in his arms.

"Hey, Aria..." Adrian softly asked, "...what will you do if I turn out to be a monster or something?"

Ariana was baffled by that question as she looked at him, "You...aren't talking about the monster you become in bed, right?"

"Not that...a real one. Something inhuame?"

Ariana's expression softened, "Then I will hide you in my arms and protect you from the world."

Adrian tilted his head, "You won't abandon me despite your last profession?"

Ariana firmly looked at him before relaying, "Nothing in the world can take you away from me. So unless you don't ask me to leave, I ain't going anywhere."

She snuggled closer before declaring, "I belong here. You are my home."

No further words were required.

A serene smile lifted the edges of his lips as he kissed the crown of her head and closed his eyes.

That's right, regardless of what he finds out about himself, his Ariana would never abandon him.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you are enjoying the work so far, drop a review.