Return of the Legendary Runesmith

Adrian didn't know what had just happened.

In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to obliterate Elizabeth. The plot, her role, his identity—he forgot it all. The only thing that mattered was the raw fury boiling inside him. It felt like slaughtering her was the only cure for that sudden rage.

'System… do you know anything about this?' he asked, sitting alone in his office, trying to steady his breath.

[No, Host. However, the Host's heart rate spiked dangerously high during that moment.]

'Yeah, I could feel that myself…' he muttered.

This was bad. On the battlefield, one mistake could mean the end. But even worse, losing control like this during Runesmithing could be catastrophic. If his emotions got the better of him while attaching the third thread, he'd lose focus—and the target would suffer the consequences.

No. He had to stay calm. He had to learn to control his emotions.

Knock knock.

"Yes, come in," Adrian called out immediately. He was expecting her.

The door opened, and a familiar redhead stepped inside.

"How are you now?" Ruby asked, gently closing the door behind her.

"I'm better. Sorry about earlier." He spoke without looking at her. He had walked away and ignored her completely, even though Ruby had nothing to do with what happened.

That was… rude.

Ruby didn't seem to mind. "Don't worry about it. It's natural to be angry. If someone had wrecked my workshop, I would've flipped too."

Adrian smiled wryly. Only if she knew what I almost did...

"Did you meet Elizabeth?" he asked, changing the topic. He poured a glass of water and handed it to her.

"Thanks." Ruby accepted it with a nod. "No, I left her with Ariana. If Ariana decides to send her back, then let her. The humiliation will be her best medicine."

Ruby knew what kind of person Elizabeth really was, no matter how innocent she tried to appear.

Being labeled as the girl kicked out of the academy on the third day for committing a crime—that would hurt more than any punishment.

Adrian shrugged. "Well, like you said, it's up to Ariana now."

Ruby glanced around the office. "This place looks neat…"

Adrian chuckled. "Yeah, I know. It's plain and a bit boring. I keep all my rune-related stuff in the workshop, so this room stays simple."

Ruby shook her head. "Plain isn't boring. Sometimes it's calming. I could definitely take a nap here."

Adrian didn't say anything to that. He just leaned back slightly.

After a pause, Ruby spoke again, more quietly this time. "I heard from Ariana… my letter never reached you, right?"

Adrian's expression turned thoughtful. "Right. Do you think someone's been blocking our communication?"

"Could be," Ruby replied, brows drawing together. "But then again, if someone wanted to stop us from talking, wouldn't they block every letter I sent? Maybe it's just taking longer than usual?"

Adrian nodded slowly, offering a different perspective. "Yeah... it might be a delay. Let's not jump to conclusions yet."

After a brief pause, Adrian asked, "Did you come here because you're eager to learn about the second thread?"

A sheepish smile tugged at Ruby's lips as she slowly nodded. "Well… what can I say? I've been researching it for a long time. And you have the answers I've been looking for. I couldn't stop myself."

Adrian nodded in understanding. "Makes sense." He stood up from his seat and added, "Since the Workshop is wrecked, it's best if I teach you in the Time Chamber."

Ruby raised an eyebrow, grinning. "That same eerie place where you saved my life?"

"You don't like that place?" Adrian asked, amused.

She got up and stretched a little, then offered him her hand. "Nope. I love that place."

"Let's go."

Adrian took her hand and sent a thought to the system. 'Time Chamber, system.'

But instead of the usual sensation of being pulled into another space, a red message flashed before his eyes:

[Warning: Bringing any living entity into the Time Chamber is forbidden.]

Adrian blinked. 'You let me bring her last time.'

[That was an exception. The Time Chamber is strictly for the Host's use only.]

He sighed. This system really had its own logic.

Ruby noticed the hesitation. "What happened?" she asked, tilting her head.

Adrian quickly shook his head. "Ah… just remembered I can't go there right now. I sprayed some pest repellent in there earlier. Strong stuff. Let's just stay here."

Ruby narrowed her eyes slightly. That sounded suspicious.

Still, if he didn't want to bring her, there had to be a reason. She chose not to press further and simply smiled.

"Anywhere is fine with me," she said softly. "I just want to learn more about the thread."

Adrian nodded before he asked her, "Have you studied anything that I showed you the last time?"

Ruby seemed hesitant, "Nothing much....I couldn't discern how you can tell which thread provides more mana and which one, less."

Adrian sighed as he told her, "Actually, now that I am learning the fourth thread I am realising that even my knowledge m-"

"What?!" She suddenly slammed her hands on the table, startling Adrian, as she asked, "You are already learning the fourth thread?!"

Adrian scratched his cheek, "Well...yeah? Is there a problem?"

Ruby fell on her chair as she asked, "Didn't you say you only know how to chant the Third Thread last time we met? Have you assembled enough armament to move forward?"

Adrian gave a firm nod, "Fifty out of fifty armaments were successfully enchanted. No problem there."

Ruby's lips slightly parted..."For real?"

Adrian nodded, "Once you start to understand how things are interrelated, it will get better."

Adding, he said, "Like the second and fourth threads are connected, the third and fifth are connected. So yes, it's fun."

Ruby leaned back in her seat, remained silent for a few moments, before offering, "I know it's impossible...but can you make me your student?"

"....you know that's not possible." Not only she has already graduated, she is a very influential and famous person. For her to appear her often would surely bring unnecessary attention on him.

And he doesn't want that.

Ruby narrowed her eyes as she said, "Don't you find it tempting? To see me in a short skirt? Even if it's private classes, I can wear that uniform for you." She added the last part in a dangerously low tone.

Adrian massaged the brows as he told her, "If you are done with your teasing, shall we begin?"

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A/N:- Say yes, say yes, say yes! Drop a comment.