Return of the Legendary Runesmith

Adrian walked toward the classroom, a faint nervousness clinging to him.

The cult had already learned that he now held the staff, and he was certain they would make their move. He expected them to try and drag him into their dark sect—but he hadn't thought they would stoop so low as to twist the world's view of him.

Not that public opinion mattered to him. Still, if his name brought too much trouble to his family, he would simply tell his father that he was no longer part of the Lockwood household. It was a clean break, simple as that.

What worried him more was the King. The man carried a grudge against Adrian, and this might be the perfect chance to turn it against Count Lockwood. That was why Adrian had already decided—when the time came to introduce Ruby to his parents, he would also have that difficult talk with his father.

But right now, the source of his unease was much closer: his students.

What if they turned on him? What if whispers grew into open protests—students refusing to be taught by someone branded as a possible Acolyte? Wouldn't that mean he'd have to step away from the academy?

"Haah… in the end, I'll have to choose what's best for everyone," he thought.

He knew Ariana would never ask him to leave. Even if only a handful of students remained, she would stand by him. But Adrian couldn't let things go that far.

If the students showed even the slightest reluctance, he would walk away on his own.

Yes, he loved teaching. But not enough to let his passion weigh down their future.

What Adrian didn't expect upon reaching the classroom was to find a student sprawled on the ground—his body beaten, bruised, and barely conscious.

"What is going—" His words froze in his throat the moment he saw who had reduced the boy to that state.

The classroom was utterly silent. Dozens of eyes shifted between Adrian and the silver-haired girl standing at the center.

Adrian's gaze sharpened. He turned to a certain boy among the students.

"Grey, take Nicholas to the infirmary."

Grey gave a silent nod and hurried over, carefully lifting Nicholas to his feet. The boy's body trembled, ice still clinging stubbornly to his skin and ankles.

Once they left, Adrian fixed his eyes on the silver head.

"Elana… to my office. Now."

Elana stepped forward without a word, but before she could leave, a girl shot up from her seat.

"Sir!" Aries called out, her voice firm.

Adrian turned his head as she quickly spoke, "Nicholas was spouting nonsense about you. If Elana hadn't done it, then one of us would've shut him up."

"That's right, Professor. Nicholas was completely out of his mind," another girl added, her face tight with anger.

"We tried to silence him, but he just wouldn't stop," a boy said, exasperation written across his features.

Adrian understood their intent. They were defending him—furious at Nicholas for speaking ill of him. But his tone hardened as he replied,

"That doesn't give Elana—or any of you—the right to use violence against your classmate. Now, return to your seats and revise the third portion."

His words left no room for argument. The students fell silent, heads lowered.

Moments later, Elana followed him out of the classroom.

They walked in silence.

Adrian's office was in the same building, so it wasn't long before he opened the door, stepped aside, and gestured for her to enter.

"Please," he said quietly, urging her toward a chair.

Elana sat down.

Adrian took off his glasses and tossed them onto the table with a dull clack. His voice was steady, but his eyes burned as he asked,

"Did I ever ask you to defend me?"

Elana said nothing.

"Do you realize what stage you're at in your academic year right now? Do you understand the consequences your actions could bring down on you?"

Her silence stretched on.

Adrian stepped closer, his shadow falling over her.

"What was going through your mind, Elana? Nicholas isn't the only one talking. Out there, in this academy and beyond, plenty of people are calling me a traitor—branding me with all sorts of names. Are you planning to fight them all?"

"Yes."

The word fell sharp and clear, leaving no space for doubt.

Adrian stilled. He had heard her perfectly, but he leaned in, resting one hand on the table between them, his voice lower now.

"Come again?"

It was a chance—a way for her to take it back.

But Elana's icy gaze met his without a flicker of hesitation.

"I will fight them all. Every single person who dares to speak against you. Anyone who dares to spit your name with contempt will pay for it."

Her mana surged out of control, rattling the furniture around them. The air grew heavy with her conviction.

"You risked your life again and again for their sake," she spat, her voice trembling with restrained fury. "And those vermin dare to raise their voices against you? No. That's unforgivable. That's a sin."

Her hands clenched on her lap, knuckles white, as a crack split the edge of his desk under the pressure of her mana.

"They don't deserve forgiveness. They don't even deserve mercy. If the world dares to condemn you, then let the world freeze. Let it shatter. I'll bury every last one of them in ice."

The room groaned as frost clawed its way across the ceiling. The light dimmed, shadows twisting as the creeping chill stole the warmth from the air.

Adrian hurriedly held her shoulder and called out, "Elana, stop!"

Elana jerked out of her daze and then she realized the reason for his panic.

Not a single spot of the office was left uncovered.

Everywhere she looked, she saw frost.

A sudden rush of panic overwhelmed her as she got up, intending to bow, but nearly slipped on the ice.

"Ah!" Adrian held her arm just in time but he lost his footing as well and both of them fell.

Fortunately, Adrian planted his arm beside her face to prevent a collision.

But just then, the door of the office was kicked open and a certain female entered the room.

"What just-ah!" Ariana's eyes widened as she saw her fiancée currently in a very compromising pose with his student.

Adrian's eyes widened as he looked at Ariana and shook his head, "This…isn't like how it appears."

Ariana's brows elevated, "Look at the girl and say that to me again."

Adrian blinked and looked down…only to find an furiously blushing Elana fidgeting there.

"..."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.