Return of the Legendary Runesmith

Sooner or later, this day was bound to come—the day the world learned that Adrian could wield independent magic.

A few days ago, he had spoken with Ariana about it. She believed people might see him as a miracle, maybe even a hero. But Adrian's thoughts were different. He knew how the world reacted to things it didn't understand.

There had never been a case of a non-believer using independent magic. Once the truth spread, he wouldn't be seen as a wonder—he would be seen as an anomaly, perhaps even a threat.

That was why Adrian waited anxiously to see how the Patriarch of the Vermillion family would respond to this revelation.

"Hah… your existence is no longer something I can treat lightly," the man muttered under his breath. Yet, his words were clearly meant for everyone in the room.

"You can't take him with you!" Annabelle protested, stepping protectively in front of Adrian.

"I'm not taking him anywhere, Anna," Reid reassured her. The way he called her by name showed the closeness between them.

Turning his gaze back to Adrian, Reid asked, "Have you noticed any changes in your behavior? Do you find it harder to control your thoughts when you use mana without an armament?"

For a moment, Adrian's mind replayed a memory—the incident with Elizabeth, when he had nearly lost control and almost obliterated her. That had been the only time, and since then he had kept himself in check. With a steady breath, he shook his head.

"No. None that I can recall. I remain myself."

Reid studied him, unconvinced but with no other choice than to take him at his word. This was uncharted territory, and Reid knew he had to tread carefully around Adrian.

After a pause, the scarred man's voice grew sharper. "You realize what will happen once the Tower learns your secret, don't you? Under Section B12, Law 31, they have the right to take you under their command."

Section B12, Law 31—any entity, living or otherwise, deemed dangerous to mankind must be taken into custody by the Tower.

Adrian's expression darkened. "I am aware."

"And the only person who could have protected you against them," Reid added with a cold look, "is the very one who holds a grudge against you. The King."

Adrian felt the weight of that truth. During the celebration, they had humiliated the Prince. And although the Prince's death had not been their doing, the blame had been twisted upon them. That bitterness had only taken deeper root.

The King was the last person who would ever help them. But well, Adrian doesn't regret what happened that night.

"Dad…" Ruby's complaining voice rose, "…why are you just making things difficult for him? I thought you came here because you had a solution."

Adrian gave a faint smile. So that was why she had brought him here—because she believed her father could help him.

'That's sweet of you, Ruby. But…'

He let out a quiet sigh. Before the thought could deepen, Reid's voice cut in.

"Before anything else, I'd like to know what Mister Adrian has in mind."

Leaning back in his seat, Adrian replied, "Relying on my friendship with Master Albec, I was hoping to make him an ally. That way, when the other Towers begin raising questions, the Celestial Hall would stand by my side."

It was a hopeful plan, yes. But Adrian trusted that the Tower valued his knowledge of runesmithing enough to hesitate before acting against him.

Reid chuckled, the sound edged with cynicism. "I may sound rude, but every single member of the Tower are snakes—greedy people who only think of their own gain. The first requirement to join the Tower is to sacrifice your family, your home. That alone should tell you how far gone they are in their ambitions."

Adrian bit his lip. He knew Reid was right.

The Tower might not imprison him outright, but once they learned of his anomaly, they would never truly let him go. His freedom, his usual life—everything would be over. He would have to say goodbye to those he loved. His Ariana. His Bella.

Did I not think this through?

He had the bullets to teleport only a few people, yet he had chosen to save everyone. And in doing so, he had exposed his secret.

Was that…a mistake?

"As I thought, I'll just crush the Towers after all." Annabelle's cold voice cut through the silence, her mana flaring dangerously.

Reid's brows rose. For a girl usually so indifferent, her devotion to Adrian was startling. If not for Ruby's earlier hints, he would have been utterly blindsided by it.

"That's not the solution, Annabelle. Calm down." Ariana's voice was steady, but the weight in her tone betrayed her unease. She too was deeply troubled by the path ahead.

A long silence lingered before Reid finally spoke.

"I have a solution—one that would keep the Tower from laying a hand on you."

Every gaze in the room snapped toward him. If he had come here, then surely he had weighed every possibility and carried with him an answer.

Reid had turned the thought over and over in his mind. He knew he would regret saying it. And yet, he went on.

"I, Vermillion Reid, offer you a place in my family—by allowing you to become engaged to my daughter."

Silence.

Utter silence filled the room after those words.

Adrian's lips parted in shock. Annabelle was too stunned to even breathe. Ruby's face burned red, matching the shade of her hair, as she stared at her father in disbelief—clearly dumbfounded by such a proposal.

In contrast, Ariana's expression was far calmer. Almost as if… she had expected this.

Reid calmly set his empty glass down, his voice steady as he explained, "I'm not asking you to marry her. This engagement would serve only as a shield, nothing more. By becoming part of the Vermillion family, I would gain the authority to keep the Tower away from you. Unless, of course, they join hands with the other Towers—which is highly unlikely anytime soon."

Adrian slowly calmed down as he glanced at Ruby before saying, "But sir…is this really fine with you?" Adrian was very much aware of how much the man adored his daughter. And here, he was allowing Adrian to use her as a shield.

Reid groaned, massaging his brows he said, "Well, nothing I am doing is for your sake." Heaving a sigh, he added, "My daughter never asks for anything, but for you, she was ready to beg for my assistance."

Adrian again glanced at Ruby and found her looking down.

Soon, Reid got up and said, "Well, take your time to decide. Let me know by tomorrow what you have decided."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.