Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 537 - 536- Confidence

Late into the night, Adrian finally received Raven’s message.

"She’s on her way," he informed the others.

They were gathered in the living room. Annabelle had lit up the fireplace, its warm glow dancing across the walls. Ruby and Ariana were setting down the food they had prepared together, while Adrian had been firmly instructed to sit still and do nothing.

"Alright then," Ariana said with a smile as she placed a tray of assorted juices on the table.

Not long after, a soft burst of light illuminated the room.

Everyone stood side by side except Adrian, who remained seated as ordered.

From within the fading glow, a familiar figure emerged.

Her long, curly black hair was styled into a high braided bun, exposing the elegant line of her neck. She wore a dark red off shoulder gown that flowed down to her ankles, clinging just enough to accentuate her curves while maintaining a graceful poise.

Querella possessed the kind of beauty that could stir envy in women and temptation in men.

When her eyes met the three women waiting for her, she smiled warmly.

"Hello."

Ariana stepped forward first. "Glad you could make it."

The two embraced with a soft laugh, making it obvious that Raven and Ariana shared a comfortable bond.

Then Raven turned to Ruby and offered a gentle nod.

Ruby returned it. "You look beautiful. That color suits you."

Raven’s smile deepened. "Thank you. And that suit complements your presence quite well."

Ruby chuckled. "I didn’t wear it for the occasion, but I suppose I’ve grown into it."

Raven nodded lightly before shifting her attention to Annabelle.

Annabelle stood with her arms crossed, wearing nothing but Adrian’s shirt, which barely reached her upper thighs.

"You truly need more clothes," Raven remarked dryly.

Annabelle huffed. "Darling’s shirt keeps me warm enough."

The implication was clear.

Raven only chuckled.

Then she turned toward the pair of eyes that had been fixed on her since she arrived.

Their gazes met.

And for a brief moment, the world narrowed.

She felt herself fall for him all over again.

Taking a few steps closer, she asked softly, "Why don’t you stand up so I can hug you properly?"

Adrian smiled apologetically. "Strict orders. I’m not allowed to leave the couch."

Ruby laughed. "We told him to rest tonight."

Raven nodded in understanding. "Very well. Then excuse me."

She moved beside him and sat down, leaning gently against his side.

Adrian wrapped an arm around her shoulder and whispered near her ear, "You look stunning, Querella."

She hummed softly. "I knew you would like it."

Then she pulled back slightly and met his eyes.

"Congratulations. You finally mastered the fifth thread."

Adrian inclined his head. "Thank you. Now I can at least craft the finest equipment for all of you."

Ruby folded her arms and replied with a faint smile, "Even your first grade creations are superior to what we previously possessed."

"True," Ariana added without hesitation. "I have completely abandoned the idea of wasting money on mass produced weapons when I can have something crafted specifically for me by you."

Annabelle nodded proudly. "I’ve never used an armament made by anyone else but my Darling. I always knew nothing else would satisfy me."

That reminded Ruby and Ariana of something unsettling.

Annabelle had climbed the ranks using ordinary weapons before Adrian ever crafted one for her.

Terrifying.

Querella then looked at Adrian thoughtfully. "I heard you plan to help Scarlette. Did you rush your mastery because of that?"

Adrian gave a small nod. "Yes. The System pushed me toward it. And now I understand why."

Ruby leaned forward slightly. "Is there a fifth tier spell that can resolve her situation?"

Querella tilted her head, equally curious. From everything she had heard, Scarlette’s crisis was far beyond the reach of a single spellcaster.

An entire planet stood on the brink.

The root of the catastrophe could not even be properly examined.

So naturally, she wanted to know what her husband had in mind.

Adrian leaned back calmly and said, "A sixth tier spell."

He paused deliberately.

"That is the only thing that can save her planet now."

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

"Sixth?"

"Does that even exist?"

Each of the four women reacted differently, yet disbelief was written across all their faces.

Adrian nodded.

"Yes. The System has provided the blueprint. It requires a sequence of layered incantations and a tool directly synchronized with the caster’s body and mind."

There was no hesitation in his explanation.

He trusted them completely.

"And if executed correctly," he added quietly, "it can alter the very laws governing that world."

For a long moment, no one spoke.

They were still processing what they had just heard.

Finally, Ruby broke the silence. "Is... Elana truly ready to carry something like this?"

Adrian exhaled slowly. "She’s a strong warrior. That much is undeniable. And this won’t be direct combat. She won’t be fighting the core threat herself. She’ll be preparing the battlefield for others to destroy that absurd plant."

The spell’s purpose was to counteract the overwhelming heat the entity released, stabilizing the environment long enough for the main force to strike at the root.

Ariana’s brows remained knit. "But she’s only eighteen. Can she withstand the burden of a sixth tier spell?"

Adrian’s expression turned serious.

"That depends on me."

The room stilled again.

"Elana possesses one of the largest mana reserves I’ve encountered. Her magical frequency is remarkably stable. If anyone has the foundation to endure such a spell, it’s her."

He paused.

"But..."

His fingers tightened slightly against the armrest.

"If I fail to craft the tool perfectly... if even a minor flaw remains in the synchronization..."

His voice lowered.

"She could suffer severe damage."

The weight of that possibility settled heavily in the room.

For the first time that evening, Adrian did not sound certain.

Because this decision did not concern him alone.

The risk would not fall on him.

It would fall on Elana.

And that was what unsettled him.

"Did you explain the risks to her clearly?" Querella asked gently.

Adrian nodded. "I told her she could lose her life."

Querella’s brows lifted. "And she still agreed?"

Annabelle scoffed lightly. "Why wouldn’t she? That girl is completely smitten with Darling."

Adrian closed his eyes briefly and exhaled.

"And that," he said quietly, "is what makes me uneasy."

The warmth in the room dimmed slightly.

"I can’t ignore the possibility that her feelings are influencing her decision. If she’s agreeing because she trusts me blindly... or because she wants to prove herself to me..."

His jaw tightened.

"Then I am no better than someone exploiting that devotion."

Silence settled again.

This was not about pride.

Not about mastery.

It was about responsibility.

After a moment of silence, Ruby spoke softly.

"Adrian... you must have tested the fifth thread multiple times before declaring it complete, correct?"

Adrian looked at her and nodded. "Six consecutive attempts. All successful."

Ruby’s lips curved slightly. "Then why this hesitation? You’ve never failed before. And I don’t believe you will start now. Honestly, I have more confidence in your skill than you seem to have in yourself right now."

Ariana agreed. "You wouldn’t have considered it mastered unless every attempt was seamless. You’re not reckless. If you declared it complete, it means you eliminated every flaw you could detect. So why doubt yourself now?"

Annabelle suddenly stepped forward.

"If Darling is worried," she said boldly, "then use me first. Tune the fifth thread for me as practice."

Querella gently squeezed his hand.

"We trust you, Adrian. If not for anything else, then at least respect our faith in you and stop doubting yourself. We know you can do this. Just like you always have."

Adrian looked at each of them in turn.

Ruby’s steady composure.

Ariana’s calm certainty.

Annabelle’s fierce devotion.

Querella’s unwavering belief.

There was no hesitation in their eyes.

Only trust.

He let out a slow breath and smiled.

"Alright. I understand."

His shoulders relaxed slightly.

"I won’t doubt myself anymore."

Then, turning toward Ruby, he added lightly, "Now, are you going to let me taste the gratin you prepared?"

The redhead chuckled and gave a graceful nod.

"Right away."

After that, everyone got busy chatting and eating, the previous atmosphere slowly fading.

Adrian needed this...their faith in him has surely helped in boosting his confidence.

And now, he was one hundred percent certain to build a perfect armament for Elana tomorrow.

....

Meanwhile, the dormitory lay wrapped in silence.

Every corridor was dimly lit, shadows stretching lazily across polished floors. One by one, the students had slipped beneath their blankets, surrendering to sleep after days filled with training, tension, and lingering thoughts.

The usual chatter was gone. No laughter. No footsteps.

Only the faint whistle of night wind brushing against the tall windows.

Wardens moved through the hallways at measured intervals, their boots soft against stone. They paused at every corner, listening. Watching. Ensuring no student wandered past curfew and no hidden conflict brewed behind closed doors.

Outside, guards patrolled the campus perimeter.

Lanterns flickered along the pathways, casting pale halos over trimmed hedges and silent statues. Steel armor glinted faintly under moonlight as the sentries scanned the darkness beyond the academy walls.

The recent events had tightened security.

Meanwhile, inside a certain room, a silver-haired girl was currently breathing unevenly, her forehead damp and eyes closed.

She was apparently feeling uncomfortable.

Faintly, several ancient marks glowed on her face as she shifted in her sleep.

But then, the marks faded, allowing the girl to breathe normally once again.

The disaster was subdued...for now.