Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 536 - 535- Reward

"Ahhh!" Annabelle squealed in delight as Ariana shared the news. The three of them had gathered in the villa at the foot of the town, and the atmosphere shifted instantly.

Ruby’s eyes remained wide, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard.

"Are you serious?" she asked again. "Adrian... really?"

Ariana grinned. "Yes. As unbelievable as it sounds, he actually did it."

Just two days ago, Adrian had still been studying the fundamentals of the fifth thread, carefully registering every detail about the final stage of Runesmithing.

And now he had already learned how to tune it?

Even for Adrian, that sounded outrageous.

"This is insane," Ruby muttered, sinking onto the couch as she tried to calm her racing thoughts. "He’s the first Runesmith in decades to truly master the fifth thread."

"Don’t I always say it?" Annabelle said proudly. "Darling is the finest Runesmith this world will ever see. I knew he would reach that stage one day. He just proved us all wrong by reaching it this early."

She was practically glowing with excitement.

Ariana crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Once this information spreads, Adrian will have to prepare for endless interviews and inquiries."

Ruby shook her head slightly. "It’s more than that, Ariana. The major Towers, nations, and organizations will all rush to form alliances with him. In fact, some already are. After his debate with Clark, people began speculating that he had cracked the fifth thread."

The implications of this breakthrough were far greater than simple recognition.

Annabelle huffed. "They can praise my Darling all they want, but bothering him is absolutely not allowed."

Ariana nodded thoughtfully. "From now on, he’ll likely need a personal guard with him at all times. And a secretary to handle all the matters he dislikes dealing with."

Annabelle’s eyes sparkled. "I can do that! Fufu~ That way, I get to stay by Darling’s side all day."

Ariana and Ruby exchanged a look before bursting into quiet laughter.

After a moment, Ruby asked, "Has he forged any fifth grade tool for someone yet?"

She knew all his practice tuning had been done on a nonliving doll. Attempting it on a living person was an entirely different matter.

Ariana shook her head. "Not yet. But I believe he will soon."

She paused briefly.

"On his student. Elana."

Annabelle immediately pouted. "Why does she get to be first? Darling can use me instead."

Just then, a fourth voice joined the conversation.

"That’s because I need Elana to help save a world, Bella."

All three women turned toward the source.

Annabelle’s eyes lit up the moment she saw him approaching.

"Darling!"

She rushed forward and leapt into his arms, nearly knocking him off balance as she buried her face against his chest. "You have no idea how happy I am."

Ruby rose to her feet, her expression warm. "Congratulations, Adrian. You’ve finally completed every Chapter of Runesmithing and mastered it."

Adrian smiled at the redhead and gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

As he gently rubbed Annabelle’s back, he asked, "Are you sure you’re alright leaving your work like this?"

She had recently taken time off, and as the newly appointed Tower Master, her responsibilities were far from light. He did not want her presence here to disrupt important matters.

Ruby shook her head reassuringly. "There are capable people who can handle things in my absence. I just prefer overseeing matters personally most of the time. But today is different."

Her gaze softened.

"I wanted to celebrate this day with you."

Adrian’s smile turned tender as he extended his hand toward her.

Ruby stepped closer and placed her hand in his, the warmth of his touch making her smile grow even brighter.

Ariana glanced around and asked, "What about Raven? Where is she?"

Annabelle nodded in agreement. "Yes, Darling? Didn’t you contact her?" Normally she did not mind Raven’s absence, but today was special. She wanted everyone to be present.

Adrian let out a quiet sigh. "I did. She said she needs a little time. She’ll be here in half an hour."

Ruby chuckled lightly. "I bet she’s dressing up for the occasion. Unlike me, who came straight here in my work clothes."

Annabelle suddenly stiffened and pulled away from Adrian’s chest, looking down at herself. "I didn’t even bathe after fighting those monsters..." she muttered. Her dress still carried faint bloodstains from battle.

Ariana grimaced. "Now that you mention it... I didn’t either. I just threw on whatever I found."

Adrian looked at the three women and smiled gently. "Clothes don’t define your charm. To me, you all look beautiful regardless of what you’re wearing."

The three of them fell silent.

They stared into his eyes with almost identical expressions.

Affection. Warmth. Love.

Ariana was the first to recover. "Bella, at least wash your hands and change out of that bloodstained dress. There are spare clothes in the wardrobe."

Annabelle pouted but did not argue. After all, she could faintly smell herself too.

She leaned in, placed a quick peck on Adrian’s cheek, and said, "I’ll be back, Darling."

Then she hurried off.

Ariana soon spoke up. "I’ll go wash my face."

Once the two of them left, Ruby let out a quiet breath and turned toward Adrian.

"So... you’ve finally done it. Reached the top."

Adrian gave a small shrug. "I suppose I have." He felt slightly embarrassed under all the praise, but he did not try to dismiss it outright.

Ruby chuckled softly. "The first time I saw you tune the second thread, I knew you were different. The way you understood it... the way you solved a mystery I had been chasing for years in mere moments. Even back then, you were leagues above the rest."

She stepped a little closer.

"But this?" she continued. "Now it almost feels wrong to even compare you to others."

Adrian shook his head. "To be honest, I had advantages from the start. The Time Chamber. Avirin’s notes. His memories..."

"But can those alone create a genius?" Ruby asked gently. "Give me all of that, and I would probably overcomplicate things and stall my progress for years. You never did. You never got stuck."

Her eyes held nothing but admiration.

"You unraveled every thread in your own way. In a way that set you apart from every other Runesmith... even the great Avirin."

Turning to face him fully, Ruby added, "So no, it wasn’t just your advantages that brought you here. It was your wisdom. Your discipline. Your relentless effort. That’s what earned you the title of the greatest Runesmith of all time."

Adrian groaned softly. "Alright, that’s enough. You’re going to make me blush at this rate."

Ruby laughed. "Unfortunately, I didn’t even bring a gift to congratulate you. I came here in such a rush that I didn’t think of one."

Adrian’s lips curved into a teasing grin. "You can still give me something as a reward."

Ruby immediately understood what he meant.

A faint warmth spread across her cheeks. She glanced around the room. No one was there.

Looking back at him, she leaned in and placed a quick peck on his lips.

Adrian chuckled. "That’s unfair. You don’t reward someone half heartedly."

Ruby’s face flushed deeper. "Then... take it yourself."

She hesitantly opened her arms and looked up at him, her eyes soft and slightly misted with emotion.

Adrian swallowed.

’That’s an unfair way to provoke a man,’ he thought.

He leaned down and claimed the reward she offered.

Perhaps a little more than she initially intended.