Return of the Legendary Runesmith

A crowd was gathered before the workshop.

Sylvie was taken to the infirmary for medical treatment.

Adrian looked at the faces of the students.

For a moment, he believed that it might be an accidental magic. But those were attacks, not something mana alone could cause.

Then, someone intentionally tried to break everything he was working on.

Acolytes? No, he can't blame everything on them just because he knew they were after him.

Looking at the students, he called out in a loud and clear voice, "Whoever has done this, step forward and I promise the punishment will be bearable."

Students started glancing at each other but no one stepped forward.

Adrian's eyes caught sight of Elizabeth, who stood there with a stoic expression and her hands folded.

Adrian asked again, this time his voice containing the fury he was experiencing, "I will ask once again. Don't make me investigate this or the consequences would be severe."

The other teachers glance at Adrian, surprised to hear the usually gentle and soft-spoken man being so aggressive.

But it was understandable too. One of the students was gravely injured and his precious inventions were destroyed intentionally by someone.

This was not a prank, but a crime.

Adrian nodded, acknowledging their answer.

He took out his revolver, making Gilbert and many others gasp, as the former hurriedly asked, "W-What are you planning, Mister Adrian?!" His shock elevated when Adrian pointed the gun at his temple and closed his eyes.

Without caring about others he pulled the trigger.

Instantly, his eyes turned blank, and his mind was thrown back to that not-so-distant past of the place where he stood.

He glanced at the workshop and saw Sylvie walking inside. Not so long after, he saw Elizabeth appearing before the workshop.

It was just a few minutes before lunch break, so no one was around—that's why she took the opportunity and using her armament, she sent several air slashes into the workshop.

One after another, mercilessly.

Adrian gritted his teeth as he returned to his consciousness and instantly called out, "Elizabeth! Come forward!"

His roaring voice shook everyone, and the smirk on Elizabeth's face faltered.

She took a few steps forward with a frown on her face as she said, "Don't tell me you are going to blame me no-*SLAP*"

A crisp slap resonated through the ground.

Elizabeth staggered to her left, her eyes stretched wide as she felt the sting on her cheek.

The other students gasped and covered their mouths upon seeing the exchange student getting slapped.

Gilbert's stomach dropped; while he served the Vermillion family from the shadows, he couldn't come between them because he had to act like a teacher here.

"Not only did you destroy every single piece I designed, but you also nearly killed a student," Adrian spoke in a tone that signified disgust.

There was no response from the other side but just a surge of mana explained the fury building inside her.

The others backed off, but Elana stepped forward in support of Adrian.

However, the Runesmith raised his hand and told her to stay back.

"Y-You..." Her anger had reached the point where her voice quaked, "...not even my father dared to slap me...and you...!!" She pulled out her whip, which seemed to be radiating with her mana.

Her hair slowly lifted, air becoming heavy around the girl.

With her teeth tightly pressed, she glared at Adrian with killing intent.

Adrian calmly stood there and warned her, "Taking a step here-" he couldn't finish the words as suddenly she launched her whip towards his head.

Adrian barely had the chance to move away so he ducked and shot a bullet instantly at her left foot.

"Agh!" She winced as ice covered her leg and blocked her movements.

Adrian moved quickly and reached the girl before placing his hand on her right arm, intending to take away her armament.

However,

*STAB*

Adrian's eyes widened when she suddenly stabbed him with her left hand, grinning as she did so.

"Professor!" Elana dashed toward him—but was blocked by Rylie, who said,

"Let the Professor discipline the child."

Elana gritted her teeth in frustration, but before she could say anything, Adrian had already made his move.

**THWACK**

Another shot from point blank which sent Elizabeth hurling through the ground like a vortex before she hit a tree and came to a stop.

Adrian grunted as he pulled the small knife from his stomach and shot a bullet at his wound.

Elizabeth groaned as she pushed herself from the ground.

She growled at him, "You are a fucking coward! Using such an advanced armament in a battle!"

Adrian coldly looked at her.

His anger was rising.

He had forgotten this.

How it feels to be enraged

Elizabeth grinned, but that smile didn't last for long when Adrian blurred.

"What the-" In the panic, she brought her forearms before her—but Adrian's target was her stomach.

**DHAK**

A punch in the gut that pushed her against the tree again.

Spit and blood flew out of her mouth as she forgot to breathe in that moment.

"You shouldn't have done that," Adrian told her.

With a growl, she charged at him, throwing wild blows.

One grazed his shoulder.

The next was aimed low.

Adrian blocked the punch, slammed his elbow into her gut, and followed with a backhand across her face.

She fell but rolled, pushing herself up, teeth gritted.

He met her again, faster this time.

A punch to her ribs—short, sharp.

Then another.

She tried to block, but his fists slipped through like a storm.

He kicked her shin. She dropped to one knee.

Adrian stepped forward, grabbed her collar, and lifted her up until they were face to face.

She flailed to get free but Adrian wasn't buzzing.

"Such bragging doesn't suit a weakling like you," he growled before bringing his hand up and,

**SLAP**

Another crisp slap which threw her on the ground—bloodied and bruised.

Adrian turned towards her again, but this time Gilbert was prepared to come in their way and stop Adrian.

But he didn't need to.

"What is happening here?!"

A crackling voice came as everyone turned towards the redhead.

Elizabeth also looked up and instantly her eyes began to water, "A-Aunt Ruby!!"

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Let the drama unfold.

Thanks for reading.