Valor: [Is XXXX here?]
Adrian had just opened the chat that morning, hoping to see if there were any new ssages—and right away, he saw his na ntioned.
Since the chat automatically deletes older ssages, he had no way of knowing if soone had been looking for him earlier or if he had already been part of a conversation. But this one—this ssage—it was fresh. There were only two people online, and the timing made it obvious.
"Yes, I'm here," Adrian replied, assuming the system was only censoring his na since everyone else seed to show up fine. Still, he had a feeling those weren't real nas—more like nicknas or sothing close.
Valor: [Ah, finally I was able to connect.]
The ssage ca through sounding like a breath of relief. Adrian could sense the desperation in it.
"What can I do for you?" he asked calmly.
Valor: [I need an armant. I... would've said third grade, but the system won't let ask for it. Can you make a second-grade one instead?]
Adrian frowned.
Why are you blocking him? he asked the system silently. Adrian had already been cleared to create third-grade armants—so what was the issue?
[It's for the host's safety.]
The system's answer only deepened his confusion. Safety? Since when did the system worry about that so suddenly?
But if the system wouldn't allow Valor to make the request, there was nothing Adrian could do to override it.
"Okay," he replied. "I'll make the second-grade one."
Valor: [Thank you, XXXX. It's such a relief to have you back. Using anything other than your armants... it's been exhausting. Nothing feels quite as solid, as right, as the things you make. It's been a rough stretch—but now the drought is finally over.]
Adrian could feel the weight behind those words. Valor really needed this. Whatever he was dealing with out there, it must've been serious.
And sohow, Adrian's craft—his touch—was part of what gave people like Valor strength to carry on.
"Should I start right away?" Adrian asked, already a breath away from stepping into the Ti Chamber to begin crafting the armant.
But just then—
Valor: [Ah, I've asked soone to prepare a new sword for . It'll take a few hours. Can you wait?]
Adrian leaned back and gave a small shrug. "Works for ."
Ti flowed differently in the Chamber anyway. Whatever he did in there wouldn't be interrupted by real-world delays.
Valor: [Glad to see you back.]
That line made Adrian pause.
Why did everyone on this server speak to him like they knew him so well? Like they were close... like they missed him. What kind of connection had he shared with them before?
Was he really the person they believed he was?
A part of him felt like coming clean—to just say they might have the wrong guy. But sothing held him back.
He didn't have all the pieces yet. Not about them. Not about himself.
No, he wouldn't rush into anything. Not until he uncovered the truth behind his identity.
'Haah… I'm overthinking again.' He shook his head. His focus needed to shift—to the arc ahead, and the trip to Grimvale.
There were things to do. Questions could wait.
Ruby had told him to et at the teleportation center, where she'd be waiting with the permit that would allow him to cross the border.
Adrian had packed light—just a spare pair of clothes, his runic pencil, a dagger strapped to his waist, and a few materials for the artifact he might need to craft.
Truthfully, he still had no idea what exactly he was being called there to do, so he hadn't bothered with anything specific.
As he descended the stairs and headed toward the main gate, he paused mid-step—soone familiar was walking toward the dormitory.
"Elana?" he called, surprised. She had left just two days ago for vacation, and he assud she'd be staying with her parents longer.
"Professor!" she smiled brightly and hurried toward him, her joy almost radiant.
"How was your trip?" he asked, reaching out to gently pluck a dried leaf from her shoulder.
The simple gesture made her cheeks turn pink. She lowered her gaze, her smile soft.
"It was good. I spent so ti with my parents and ca back as soon as I could."
Adrian gave a thoughtful hum, hesitation flickering in his eyes. He seed unsure if he should bring up a certain topic.
Yet before he could decide, Elana spoke again—almost as if she had read his thoughts.
"The engagent was called off," she said quietly. "I convinced the Prince that I'm not the partner he's looking for."
"Oh… is that so."
Adrian's smile finally returned—calm, warm, and full of pride. Even without the so-called Protagonist guiding her path, Elana had rewritten her fate with her own hands.
She suddenly stepped closer, her eyes rising to et his, her ears a soft shade of red.
"Did I do a good job, Professor?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian let out a small sigh, then smiled and gently patted her head.
"You did great. I'm proud of you."
Not everyone could reject a prince and walk away unshaken. But Elana wasn't just anyone. She was one of those rare individuals who didn't let fear or politics chain her heart. She spoke her truth, no matter the consequences.
A truly strong child.
As she relished the warmth of those brief, affectionate seconds, Elana glanced at the bag slung over his shoulder and asked curiously,
"Are you going sowhere?"
She had expected to find him training in the early morning, not dressed up and ready to leave.
Adrian inford, "Ah, yes. Going to fulfill a promise and spend so ti with a fellow Runesmith."
Elana, still holding a smile, asked, "Who is this person?"
For a mont, he thought of lying just for the sake of not spoiling her good mood. But then, he realized he didn't need to lie, "Ruby Vermillion. I am going to et her."
"...." Elana's smile dropped. It disappeared.
She stared at him with a look of betrayal, making Adrian sigh.
"You should go and rest. I will be back by tomorrow." He told her before making his way past Elana.
He could feel her gaze on his back for long but he didn't turn to look at her.
'What should I do...' Her growing feelings were going to make things difficult in the future. Not to talk about, her affection towards him was borderline obsession.
'I think I should confront her about these feelings and tell her what I feel about her.'
He was unsure now but if things continued to elevate, then he might have to confess.
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Nooooo...don't break her heart. Well, drop a comnt.
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