Return of the Legendary Runesmith - Chapter 426

Chapter 426: Chapter 425- I am here for you
Ariana believed Elana would be more comfortable talking with Adrian alone, so she quietly stepped back, offering the girl a gentle smile before making her way toward the garden path. The sound of her footsteps faded beneath the rustle of leaves as she vanished behind the hedges, giving the teacher and student the space they needed.

Adrian and Elana sat near the marble fountain, a few inches of respectful distance between them. Water trickled down the carved stone nymphs behind them, soft and rhythmic, in stark contrast to the tension coiling between the two.

Adrian was still trying to understand why Elana—of all people—was considering skipping the final exams. These exams weren’t ordinary tests; they were the threshold between becoming a certified mage or being pushed back for a retake. Retakes were given to those who lacked the capability to pass in one go, or those who were going through difficult phases in life.

And knowing Elana… Adrian was certain she wasn’t lacking in ability. If anything, she ranked among the most capable students he ever taught.

That only left one possibility.

“You’re suffering because of your accidental magic, right?”

Elana flinched at the question. She slowly turned toward him, eyes widening with surprise.

“Have you developed a mind-reading artifact, Professor?”

Adrian chuckled softly. “No such thing exists. Well, not yet. But judging from your reaction… I suppose I hit the nail on the head.”

Her shoulders sank. She faced forward again and gave the faintest nod.

“Yes… it’s getting worse by the day.”

Adrian’s tone softened. “Tell me.”

Elana hesitated only for a heartbeat. The only person she trusted blindly in the academy was sitting beside her, waiting patiently. She couldn’t lie.

“It started two days ago,” she began quietly. “I went out for a morning run with Aries. Everything felt normal. I wasn’t overthinking, I wasn’t upset, nothing was out of balance. And suddenly… my magic reacted on its own.”

Her breath trembled as she continued.

“It went haywire, Professor. Trees, ground, even the air around me started freezing uncontrollably. Aries got caught in it. She was lucky it wasn’t worse.”

Adrian frowned, deeply. That was unexpected—unnatural.

Independent magic running wild without emotional instability was rare. Extremely rare.

It was common for independent magic users to lose control when their emotions spiraled—fear, anger, grief, anything extreme.

Annabelle was a perfect example. In a fit of rage, she wiped out an entire cult alone. She didn’t remember most of it.

But Elana’s case… this was stranger than anything he had observed.

“Are you absolutely sure you didn’t feel any extreme emotion?” he asked.

Elana immediately shook her head.

“No, Professor. I’ve been monitoring myself ever since my talk with Miss Annabelle. I know how dangerous it can get. I’m being extra careful.”

Adrian didn’t doubt her. Elana wasn’t the type to brush off responsibilities.

After a moment of silence, he asked, “So… what did you tell Aries? I hope she didn’t mention anything to others.”

“She didn’t.” Elana’s voice softened. “I trust her. She can keep a secret.”

Adrian hummed, then went quiet again, thinking.

Elana continued, her voice hollow. “That’s why I locked myself in my room. I didn’t want to lose control again. I didn’t want people to see that… that side of me. I didn’t want them to fear me.”

Adrian crossed his arms. “Any other incidents since then?”

“Not something that severe,” she admitted. “But I felt my magic constantly shifting inside me—like it wanted to break free. It scared me so much I couldn’t even practice with my armaments.”

She lifted her head, gaze trembling.

“That’s why… I’m thinking of not taking the exam.”

And finally—Adrian understood.

If news got out that Elana was an independent magic user, everything would fall apart.

It wouldn’t matter that she could wield an armament. It wouldn’t matter that she was a Duke’s daughter. It wouldn’t matter that she had never hurt anyone intentionally.

In the eyes of the world…

Independent magic users were criminals.

Monsters tied to the Fallen God.

Walking disasters waiting to explode.

Adrian stayed quiet for a long moment before asking, “Have you told your parents about this?”

Elana shook her head. “I’m unsure…”

“Unsure of what, Elana?” Adrian scolded her gently. “They’re your parents. They wouldn’t judge you.”

Parents were supposed to be the safest place for a child to fall back on. They had watched her grow since she first held their fingers and then later a sword. They had seen her cry, laugh, struggle, triumph. They knew the weight she carried.

They would never confuse their daughter with a monster.

Elana’s fingers clenched the hem of her skirt, knuckles paling.

“Should I… drop out, sir?”

The question hung between them like a blade. The light breeze failed to ease the heaviness.

Adrian didn’t answer immediately. He thought, long and carefully.

Then he asked, “What do you want, Elana? Not the rational answer. Not the safe answer. Tell me what your heart wants.”

Elana swallowed. Her voice wavered.

“I… I always wanted to graduate from this academy. To make something of myself. To pursue my dream. Being Duke Ironhart’s daughter, I’ve achieved many things, but none of them felt like they belonged entirely to me. This—graduating—was something I wanted for myself. Something I wanted my father to be proud of. I don’t want to mess it up.”

Adrian sighed quietly. She was cornered, pressured, suffocating under expectations she had worn like armor for years. But beneath all of it, she was just an eighteen-year-old girl trying to stand tall.

No matter how mighty her name sounded, she was still someone who sought belonging. Someone who feared being seen as a monster.

And the world… the world loved to drag down those who climbed too high.

If people discovered her independent magic, they would tear apart everything she had earned—claim it was all because of her connection to the Fallen God. Claim she cheated her way through life. Claim every medal, every contest, every praise wasn’t hers.

The world struck hardest when you were on the pinnacle.

Rationally, the best decision would be to return home and wait until they found a cure to suppress or conceal her independent magic.

But rationality wasn’t always right.

“You are taking the final exams tomorrow,” Adrian finally said.

Elana jerked her head toward him, eyes blown wide.

“P-Professor?”

Adrian nodded firmly.

“Yes. You heard me. You’re reporting at eight sharp, and you’ll take your assessment like everyone else.”

Elana blinked rapidly, torn between relief and rising fear.

“But… I’ll need to use my armament. What if I accidentally use independent magic during the test?”

“I’ll cover for you.” Adrian’s voice was unwavering. “No matter what happens tomorrow, I’ll make sure your secret doesn’t get out. Trust me, Elana.”

Her eyes glistened—not with fear this time, but something fragile, trembling, and hopeful.

For the first time in days… she didn’t feel alone.

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she rested her hand on his.

Adrian stiffened for a moment but heard her fragile voice asking, “Can I stay like this for a moment…please?” He relaxed and didn’t move away.

Maybe it was his absence that had her heart restless for so long. And now that he was finally here, sitting right beside her, Elana felt that nothing would go wrong

The doubt that has grown severely inside her mind that whether she should give the exams or not…it was slowly subduing.

Not because she utterly trusted her own skills and control but because the Professor was here. He said he would protect her.

And that was all she needed to appear tomorrow with a brave front.

….

After calming Elana down and sending her back to the dormitory, Ariana and Adrian packed some dinner for Annabelle and were moving back towards the dormitory.

It was already quite late but they weren’t worried about Annabelle crying in hunger since they know she must be still sleeping.

The night breeze was quite gentle on the skin. It was slightly cold since the winters were approaching but nothing too extreme to make them shiver.

The second stage of final exams would begin tomorrow and would continue for three days before three days gap and then, the wild card entry. The new addition of the third exam which was introduced just this year.

Naturally, many were quite nervous about the third round which has no previous record. This would be a beginning of a new exam system. And Elana’s batch was going to be the first one to face it.

“Haah…I hope nothing goes wrong during the exams.” Ariana muttered, making Adrian smile wryly.

“You just jinxed things, Aria.”

The silver head was startled, “Did I?”

Adrian nodded, “But well…when are we not surrounded by danger?”

Ariana nodded, “True.”

Their hands found each other naturally as they walked through the silent garden.

Adrian glanced at his lover once. That smile on contentment on her face…he wanted to do everything to protect it.

But unfortunately, he was going to tell her something tonight which surely would steal that smile.