Return of the Legendary Runesmith - Chapter 434

Chapter 434: Chapter 433- Date with Bella
With the addition of independent magic, the runes were getting stronger — Adrian concluded.

It was still only a hunch since he had seen it happen just twice, but nothing else could explain what he witnessed.

During the assessment of the first student, when he used the runes on his axe, he felt it. Somehow, the runes were performing far better than expected — cleaner, more aligned, and with noticeably higher output.

The second time was during Elana’s assessment.

Adrian had tuned the runes on her baton himself, so he knew exactly what they were capable of. Yet when he saw her performance — especially the moment she pierced the Golem using the ice platform — he felt the same thing again. The runes were giving far more output than they should have.

That stirred his curiosity, and he asked her to perform the testing spell once more in the workshop. The results erased all doubt.

The runes were getting stronger. And since the only thing he and Elana shared was the ability to use both runes and independent magic, he believed independent magic was the reason.

“I don’t understand, sir. How is something that is considered taboo strengthening the ancient language?” Elana asked, clearly confused.

Adrian smiled. “The world may call it taboo, but that doesn’t change the nature of the energy. Both independent magic and runes feed on mana. The only difference lies in range, activation time, and versatility.”

He turned toward the batons. “But these runes don’t recognize the difference, nor do they reject independent magic. That means they might be evolving.”

Elana frowned. “Sir… but runes are powered by the magic inside our bodies. Mana nodes supply that magic. Acolytes take mana directly from the surroundings, and that energy is chaotic and unfiltered.”

Runes were like appliances — unstable power should damage them. The chaotic mana in the air should have harmed the runes.

Adrian hummed. “That’s not the only problem with my theory. But Elana, I have a strong feeling I’m heading in the right direction.”

His conviction eased her expression. “I believe you’ll figure out the reason behind this change. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need my help.”

Adrian smiled warmly. “Thank you, Elana. Now go back to your room and rest.”

The silver-haired girl nodded, stood from her chair, and placed her cup on the table.

Adrian was about to take out his notepad when he noticed she still hadn’t moved.

She stood there fidgeting, looking around nervously.

Adrian hummed. “Is there something you want to tell me?” he asked gently.

Elana finally looked up. “I performed well today, didn’t I? So… don’t I deserve a reward?” She slowly opened her arms — a clear request for a hug.

Adrian sighed softly. He believed the coffee was already a good reward, but… “You’re getting quite greedy these days.”

Elana puffed her cheek a little. “I didn’t complain when you, despite your promise, threw such a dangerous creature at me and expected me to handle it. Now shouldn’t I get at least one-tenth of the compensation I deserve?”

Adrian chuckled. “One-tenth?” He stepped toward her and pulled her into his arms.

Her face pressed against his chest as he hugged her.

Elana melted completely — wrapped in his warmth, his scent, and his presence.

It was the best feeling in the world.

If she had a rune that could rewind time, she would have used it to relive this moment endlessly.

But all good things end.

“Now don’t be a bad girl and stay up late, okay? You need proper rest.”

Elana nodded quietly before stepping back and heading for the door.

Adrian shook his head as he watched her leave.

His gaze drifted to the wall she broke. Thankfully, she hadn’t broken the front wall, or everything inside would have been exposed to anyone passing by.

‘I’ll have it repaired tomorrow…’

He decided to pack up and then meet Ariana and Annabelle for dinner.

Ariana was probably still buried in reports and meetings with the instructors responsible for tomorrow’s assessment.

Thinking about Annabelle, he opened the cross-dimensional group chat and was surprised to see many people online.

Valor: [Trust me, it works!]

Raven: [No, Valor. I’m not doing that.]

Scarlette: [Yeah, that’s nonsense.]

Dark Knight: [I respect you, but even I don’t believe that will work.]

Valor: [You’re all heartless! Ah, Avirin will agree with me.]

Adrian typed, “What happened?”

Raven: [It’s nothing, Avirin… he’s saying that—]

Valor: [—that dipping your weapon in boiled monster fat boosts its affinity!]

Adrian blinked.

Scarlette: [For the tenth time, NO, Valor.]

Dark Knight: [Where do you even get these ideas?]

Valor: [Life experience.]

Raven: [Valor, your “life experience” once made you drink a potion labeled Do Not Drink.]

Valor: [And I survived, didn’t I?]

Scarlette: [Barely. You turned mute for two days.]

Valor: [Che! You’re all jealous because I’m bringing innovation to life.

You tell them, Avirin—there is a possibility—]

“No, Valor. That’s pure rubbish,” Adrian cut in before he could finish.

A moment of dead silence.

Then the chat exploded.

Scarlette: [You heard that? Happy now, you genius innovator?]

Raven: [So much excitement for what? Only to get slapped with the truth.]

Dark Knight: [My condolences.]

Valor: […I expected betrayal, but not from you, Avirin.]

Adrian sighed deeply. “How’s it going, Raven? Any more unwanted sightings around the plantations?”

Raven: [No, it’s been quiet. Thanks to your help, the artifacts are letting the farmers actually sleep while the crops get nourished.]

Adrian smiled. “That’s good to hear. Still, let me know if something goes awry.”

Scarlette: [Yet again, Avirin saves the day.]

Raven: [Jealous?]

Scarlette: [I am not. But someone clearly is.]

Adrian chuckled. “I’ll make it up to her. Anyway, has Forgelet said anything about me recently?”

He still owed her a set of tools in exchange for the golems she provided. Golems that were now guarding the plantations like loyal sentries. And also, she had provided quite many tools to him as well.

Truth be told, Adrian feels he owes Forgelet a lot more than he had admitted. And he was willing to pay her back however she wanted.

Dark Knight: [She’s been quiet for a while. Probably buried under another world-changing invention.]

Adrian hummed. “That sounds like her. I’ll wait for her message.”

Just then, Valor spoke again—loudly, as usual.

Valor: [Avirin… when can you come to my place? You said you wanted training, remember?]

Adrian hummed. “Right, but I’m quite busy at the moment. How about next month?”

Dark Knight: […Wait. Hold on. Did Valor actually agree to train you, Avirin?]

Scarlette: [No way. Recheck that message. It must be fake.]

Raven: [Valor? Training someone willingly?]

Dark Knight: [I once asked him to train me and he said,

“You have more real experience than I do, you train me.”]

Scarlette: [And then he left the chat for three hours.]

Valor: [I WAS REFLECTING, OKAY!?]

Adrian snorted. The guy was unbelievable.

Dark Knight: [So… why Avirin?]

Scarlette: [Yes, Valor. Explain.]

Valor: [H-Hey, do I need a reason?]

Raven: [You absolutely do.]

Scarlette: [We’re waiting.]

Valor: [Okay fine—FINE. It’s because—]

The chat bubble appeared.

Typing…

Still typing…

Scarlette: [Is he writing a poem?]

Raven: [He’s sweating.]

Dark Knight: [Here it comes.]

Valor finally sent the message.

[He will end up killing himself one day if I don’t train him properly how to use the relic I gave him.]

There was a long pause.

Raven and the others weren’t expecting such a serious answer from the guy.

Adrian hummed before responding, “I will make time and let you know how soon I can visit you.”

Valor: [Alright, Avirin. I expect you arrival.]

….

Adrian, after finishing wrapping up, returned to his room where he saw Annabelle currently writing something in her diary.

“Since when did you start writing a diary?”

Annabelle flinched hearing his voice and hurried closed the diary before turning towards him, “Welcome back, Darling. How was the day?”

Adrian was surprised that Annabelle was actually hiding something from him.

Well, she was a girl too, surely she wants to keep a few things to herself.

“Quite hectic but everything turned out to be fine.” He informed her as he took off his coat and hung it.

Annabelle asked, “What about that girl? Did she lose control?”

Adrian smiled, “Yeah, a little but she covered things up pretty nicely. Hopefully, no one suspected anything. They were quite in awe of her abilities to to doubt her.”

Annabelle felt a little grumpy hearing her Darling praising another girl.

Her expression made it clear to him as well that she was unhappy.

Adrian paused in his tracks and asked her, “Umm…are you free right now?”

Annabelle blinked before nodding, “Yes, why?”

Adrian shrugged, “Ariana is busy so how about we go out to have dinner?”

Annabelle flinched, her eyes widening a little before she hopped from the bed and cried, “It’s a date!”

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been enjoying the story so far, please leave a review to motivate me.