Return of the Legendary Runesmith

Without another thought, Adrian bolted toward his workshop.

He had no idea what had happened—but the boy wouldn't have come running, looking so pale, if it were a prank.

'An attack? Or a break-in?' he thought, rushing down the stairs. A crowd had already formed near the garden.

His eyes snapped to the small workshop at the corner—and his breath hitched.

Long, jagged slashes scarred the wooden door. Smoke billowed from within, curling into the sky like a warning.

Adrian summoned his spear and sprinted inside.

The heat struck first. Then the chaos.

The center table was torn apart, with deep gouges across its surface. Flames licked at its frame, spreading embers across scattered tools and parchment.

Adrian wasted no time. With a sharp slash of his spear, several water orbs shot out, smothering the flames in a hiss of steam.

He pushed the door open to clear the air, only to see the smoke suddenly twist together, pulled into a single orb, and whisked away.

He turned.

Rylie stood at the entrance, brow furrowed. "Who did this?"

Adrian shook his head. "No idea."

He stepped further into the scorched room, scanning the damage—until his eyes landed on something that made his heart stop.

"Sylvie?!"

The girl was crouched behind the ruined table, clutching a bundle of scorched papers tightly to her chest. Her clothes were singed, flames still eating at the hem.

Adrian reacted instantly, casting the same water spell to douse the fire. As the smoke cleared, her back came into view—raw, red, and burnt.

Slowly, Sylvie lifted her eyes to him, her voice weak but steady. "Sorry, Professor… I couldn't save everything."

She held out the notes and artifact she had shielded with her body.

Adrian dropped to one knee, catching her as she slumped forward. His arms wrapped around her trembling form.

Teeth clenched, voice low with fury, he muttered, "I hope the one behind this is still on campus."

-------**-------

"What?" Ariana frowned as the teleportation center's chief finished speaking.

"It's just as I said, Miss Lockwood. Erin was absent that day claiming his parents were unwell. Since we hadn't done a maintenance visit in some time we used that day. Later, we thought we'd take the chance to check on him. But when we arrived… we found him tied to his bed, mouth gagged."

Ariana's brows furrowed deeper.

Taking leave in this profession was strictly forbidden—but the chief had made an exception.

Erin's parents were elderly, and he'd vouched for them. It had seemed harmless.

"What about his parents?" she asked, voice clipped.

"They're still missing," the older man replied quietly.

Ariana crossed her arms, lost in thought. There was no point in blaming anyone now.

The Acolytes had orchestrated all of this—just to lure Adrian into that quiet town. But why?

Was it because of his reputation as a gifted runesmith? Or… was there something more?

"For now, prepare a formal report," she said, turning back to the chief. "The Tower needs to understand that leniency in staff protection nearly led to catastrophe."

The man bowed slightly and hurried toward the main office.

Ariana pulled out her notebook and began jotting down everything she'd seen and heard since arriving. The Tower would almost certainly launch a deeper investigation—and she wanted her account to be ready.

"My handwriting's still nowhere near as neat as his," she muttered with a faint smile, eyeing the messy scrawl.

Shaking her head, she snapped the notebook shut. A break was overdue.

She was already in the market, so finding a tea shop didn't take long. The scent of roasted beans and herbs hung in the air as she stepped up to the counter.

"One herbal tea," she ordered, "very little sugar… and a pinch of coffee powder."

She blinked. That wasn't her usual.

The man behind the counter asked, "Is… that all?"

She gave a small nod and stepped aside.

She liked her tea sweet—syrupy, even. Two mugs a day, minimum. So why…?

Her eyes softened as the thought settled in.

"He's influencing me more than I realized."

A helpless smile tugged at her lips.

It had started recently—ever since they crossed that line, deepening their bond. Since then, he'd lingered in her mind constantly. When she tied her hair. When she was absentmindedly chewing on a pencil. In the quiet moments between one duty and the next… he was there.

She was never this way. Romance had always seemed like an unnecessary distraction. But now?

Now, she wasn't so sure anymore.

She took the cup of tea and settled into the seat by the window, letting her eyes wander to the quiet street outside.

The past few days had been busy, but she didn't mind. In just a month, she would be engaged—to the only man she had ever truly fallen for.

Taking a sip, she hummed softly. "This isn't half bad—" Her words stopped short as her gaze caught a familiar redhead passing by.

She tapped on the window, and it instantly caught the girl's attention.

Ariana looked over and gestured to the empty seat across from her. A small smile formed on Ruby's face as she gave a nod.

Moments later, the door to the tea shop opened and Ruby stepped in, walking over with steady strides. She sat down across from the headmistress and offered a soft, "Hi."

Ariana returned the greeting with a nod. "It's a surprise to see you here."

A sheepish smile played on Ruby's lips as she answered, "Well, Adrian hasn't been replying to my letters... so I got worried. And since he had a promise to keep, I decided to visit him myself."

Her tone betrayed her discomfort—she knew how it might sound. Like a woman chasing after someone already taken.

But Ariana's expression shifted slightly, brows lifting. "That's strange. He said he sent you a letter."

Ruby blinked. "I never received anything... Was he lying? Or did he forget?"

Ariana shook her head. "No, he wouldn't lie about that. And his memory isn't that bad either. Which means…"

Ruby tilted her head, still not quite catching on. "You're saying… someone might've stopped his letter from reaching me?"

Ariana let out a slow breath. "With everything going on around Adrian lately, I wouldn't be surprised."

Ruby frowned. "What do you mean?"

The headmistress leaned back and lowered her voice. "I can tell you, but you have to promise to keep it to yourself. If word gets out, the Tower will be on our backs."

Ruby gave a dry chuckle. "If it involves the Tower, then it must be serious."

Ariana nodded, then began to recount everything—from the maintenance at the teleportation center to the strange events in that quiet town. She didn't leave out a single detail.

Ruby listened closely, her expression growing darker. "He trapped Adrian… that's concerning."

"It is," Ariana agreed. "That's why I'm here. Someone powerful has their eye on him. I don't know why yet, but I'm following every thread that might reveal what they're planning."

She took the final sip of her tea, then placed the cup down with quiet intent. "That's why I believe someone intercepted his letter—maybe to keep the two of you apart."

Ruby pressed a curled finger gently to her lips, her gaze shifting to the side. "Then... doesn't that mean the Acolyte might be planning to strike soon?"

Ariana met her eyes. "Exactly. Thankfully, with the exchange students around, the academy's security has been tighter than ever."

Ruby frowned, "But will that be enough?"

Ariana sighed, "That's the only natural thing that would not create any suspicion. Asking for extra protection would alert the Acolytes."

"Hmm, you are right. Those vermin have eyes and ears everywhere." Leaning back in the chair, she looked out and said, "They might already know that I am here."

"Yes, but it's okay....no, it's better. Your sudden appearance might warn them that a strong warden was close enough to Adrian to visit him anytime. Surely, they would think twice before attacking him. Maybe?"

Ruby's brows went up, "You don't mind?"

"You two being close? Not much. I trust you."

Ruby grinned as she asked, "What if I seduce him and get the other side of his bed?"

Ariana narrowed her eyes, "Then, except for some bloodshed."

Ruby smiled with her gaze darkening, "If shedding blood all it takes then I might give it a try?"

Ariana's smile disappeared as she asked, "I believe you were with a purpose."

Ruby nodded, "Yup," saying so, she got up,"...going to meet him now."

"Wait, I will come with you," Ariana said as she also got up.

They didn't talk much on their way uphill, just mostly about Adrian and the world.

It didn't take time before they both reached the gates of the academy, and instantly spotted several people rushing to the backside of the academy.

"Did something happen?"

Ariana shrugged before she advanced in the same direction as the others.

Naturally, Ruby followed her.

And when they reached the scene, Ruby's eyes widened to see a bruised and bloodied girl on the ground.

A familiar black-haired who carries the blood of Vermillion in her veins.

"Eli...?"

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.