Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 480 - 478- Combat examiner

It had been two days since the confession.

Unfortunately, Ariana had to return to her duties, as the final assessment of the third-year students was set to begin the following day.

Annabelle had recently gone to meet Ruby. Not only because she missed Papa and Mama Vermillion, but also because a public exhibition hosted by Borodicus Clark was scheduled to take place in a few days.

Adrian had informed her that he would join them during the exhibition. After all, he was both curious and wary of what that man intended to present to the world.

At present, however, Adrian’s attention was fixed on the meeting being held among the senior Professors regarding tomorrow’s assessment.

"Things have gone awry. We never anticipated the ambush, nor the attack on the Headmistress. However, postponing the third examination is no longer an option."

As Ariana still needed to rest her throat, Adrian had taken on the role of spokesperson.

Aside from him and Ariana, six other instructors and Professors were present in the office.

Gilbert released a tired sigh. "We should have already begun with the second-year students by now."

Rose followed up, "I have been receiving complaints. Mostly from those who had already booked teleportation prior to all this mess."

Rylie scoffed. "It’s not like we invited the disaster. If they are so desperate to return to their hometowns, they can skip the exams and repeat a year."

Blunt as it sounded, he was not wrong. The delay was caused by circumstances beyond the administration’s control.

In a low voice, Ariana muttered, "The most we could do is reduce the time between each segment to zero."

Norma asked, her voice tinged with anxiety, "Wouldn’t that aggravate the situation?"

Gilbert nodded. "I agree, but not out of concern for the students’ sentiments. From the standpoint of physical recovery, this is risky."

The second and third examinations relied entirely on physical capability. With no interval between them, students would be heavily affected, leading to unfair judgments.

Adrian spoke up, "We can manage that by sequencing them in a way that allows at least four to five days of recovery."

Rylie groaned quietly. "Sounds like too much work," he muttered under his breath.

Ariana looked around the room before asking, "Is everyone in agreement?"

Gilbert nodded. "That should resolve our problems."

Rose, Norma, and the others followed with nods of agreement.

Adrian continued, "For tomorrow’s assessment, we will need Instructor Rylie to take charge."

The short-haired man grinned. "Don’t worry. I’ve got it, Professor Adrian."

Ariana frowned. "He alone won’t be enough," she pointed out. "We need to assess at least fifty students a day if we want to finish within a week."

There were three hundred students in total, and time was running short before the second-year assessments would also need to begin.

"Even if a battle only lasts three minutes, these are third-year students. Elana, Ralph, Aries... it cannot be guaranteed that an instructor would remain uninjured."

Gilbert voiced the truth. It did not offend Rylie, since he had trained them himself and understood their strength better than anyone.

"What about the other instructors? We need at least five," Ariana said, her fingers interlaced atop the table.

Rylie replied, "Instructor Issac and Instructor Mollie are available."

There were six instructors in the academy, but the remaining three had been injured during the ambush and were in no condition to walk for more than a minute, let alone conduct assessments.

Ariana leaned back in her chair and muttered, "I would have volunteered, but..." She glanced at her fiancé. The smile on his face sent a shiver down her spine.

Shaking her head, she continued, "What about you, Norma? If I recall correctly, you once aimed to become a Warden."

The redhead squealed softly before offering a sheepish smile. "Ahaha... you’re right, Headmistress. But I’m not sure I would be enough to challenge those students."

Adrian hummed thoughtfully. "We have sparred several times. I can say with confidence that you are capable, Miss Norma."

Norma blushed faintly and lowered her head, tapping her index fingers together shyly. After a moment, she nodded. "Alright... I’ll do it."

Ariana rolled her eyes just as Rylie spoke up. "Then it’s settled, isn’t it?"

Gilbert hummed. "We’re still one staff member short."

Rylie tilted his head. "Instructor Issac, Instructor Mollie, myself, Professor Norma, and Professor Adrian. That makes five."

Gilbert leaned back in his seat. "Professor Adrian as well?"

Even Adrian was taken aback. "When did I agree to that?"

Rylie offered a wry smile. "We’ve all seen what you’re capable of. If anyone deserves to be named a combat instructor alongside me, it’s you."

Ariana grinned. "I agree."

Adrian crossed his arms. "It’s not that I’m reluctant, but I’ve never served as a combat assessor before."

Gilbert smiled. "You had never managed a team before either," he said. When Adrian and the others turned toward the oldest Professor, he added, "Yet you performed that role exceptionally well."

Rylie grinned. "Exactly. Don’t worry. I’ll share the key points you need to properly examine a student."

Adrian let out a slow sigh before yielding. "Very well. If you all believe I’m capable, I’ll take on the role of an examiner."

....

Back in their room, Adrian and Ariana were having dinner together.

They had preferred eating in the room ever since Annabelle began living with them. Naturally, she could not go out on campus often.

Ariana’s throat had improved significantly, which was why she was eating solid food for the first time in a long while.

"If it feels uncomfortable, tell me immediately," Adrian reminded her as he sat across from her and picked up his spoon.

Ariana was fully focused on savoring the meat. Even so, she nodded in understanding, her head bobbing gently as she continued eating.

As they ate, Adrian asked, "What will you do tomorrow?"

Ariana tilted her head slightly, consciously limiting her words.

"I mean," he added, "will you stay in your office, or will you come to watch the examination?"

Ariana did not need long to think. "Of course, I’ll come to see the examination."

She did not have much work waiting for her in the office. And with so much combat happening nearby, how could she possibly keep herself glued to a chair?

Not to mention—

"You’ll be showing everyone who the real daddy is," she added with a wink.

Adrian shook his head, a chuckle escaping his lips. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Really? You think I’ll dominate the battlefield?" He looked amused. "Have you forgotten? I was eating dust against you just a year ago."

Ariana told him, "And that alone tells me how monstrously you’ve grown in just a year." She met his gaze and continued, "It’s true that you couldn’t hold your ground against me in the past, but now, I believe you could defeat me, Adrian."

The brown-haired man leaned back in his chair. "Now you’re exaggerating."

Ariana’s eyes went blank. "Are you serious?" She shook her head. "You’re being unbelievably modest right now. I mean, you nearly defeated a being I stood no chance against. If you became a Warden today, I’m certain you’d reach the top three instantly."

Adrian hummed, "Well, I have no interest in that field. I just keep improving for something much more important than any rank or fame."

Ariana heaved a sigh, "Sometimes I wonder if you really are a twenty-three year old guy or someone close to his retirement."

Adrian smiled and told her, "Now, don’t speak and finish the food."

.....

"Hmm..." Adrian hummed, his arms crossed as he stood near the window.

A soft breeze brushed against his face, white curtain flowing freely.

His gaze landed on the bed where a beautiful woman slept, her eyes closed and relaxed, breathing soft.

He kept looking at her for a few moments before suddenly, a sudden voice broke his attention.

He frowned and focused on the sound.

It was distant but since it was late night he could hear it clearly.

Several dull thuds reached him but no human sound.

’Who is this?’ He glanced at Ariana once before jumping out of the window.

His body fell freely before his figure disappeared.

*Thud*

Softly, he landed on the ground, showing his mastery over teleportation.

Following the sound, he sprinted through the campus.

So late...he could only think of a few names who would dare break the rules and use the gymnasium.

Within seconds, he reached the destination.

Just for safety, he summoned his dagger and entered the building...only to sigh upon seeing platinum silver flowing freely in the arena.

Elana froze mid-punch as she felt a pair of eyes watching her.

Her heart, which was already beating fast, suddenly began to skip beats.

She didn’t need to turn to tell who it was.

A soft smile adorned her lips as she said, "Am I going to get punished?"

Adrian hummed, "You don’t sound scared?"

Elana turned, an elated smile on her face as she muttered, "Of course, I am."

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.