There was a single four-storey building connected to a massive stadium.
The participants weren’t allowed inside the arena just yet.
The arena is revealed to everyone at the sa ti on day one.
When the Runebound carriage finally ca to a halt in front of the building, a man—likely soone from the Tower—stepped forward.
Adrian and Gilbert walked toward him while the students began unloading their luggage from the carriage.
"Glad to have you here, Mister Adrian," the man said with a friendly smile. Then he turned to the bald man beside him. "Good to et you as well."
Gilbert returned the smile, and the man continued,
"I’ll take you to your chambers."
Adrian asked politely, "Umm... is Master Albec around?"
The man looked a little surprised before shaking his head.
"No... he’s dealing with so matters at the mont. I’ll let him know you’re here once he returns."
Adrian waved it off. "It’s nothing urgent. I just wanted to ask about the developnts in the Wastelands."
Gilbert pretended not to hear any of it. It sounded like a conversation that didn’t need his involvent.
The Tower mber paused briefly before answering in a quiet tone, "There have been so issues at the site. He’ll probably speak to you once he’s back."
Adrian frowned slightly. ’What kind of issues?’
Ruby had promised to handle things the last ti they spoke. He had trusted her with too much—maybe more than he should have.
He hadn’t heard from her in a while. And with the Fifth Thread taking up so much of his ti, he hadn’t reached out either.
"Professor?"
Gilbert’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Adrian blinked and nodded slowly.
"Ah, yes. Let’s go," he said, turning to the students and motioning for them to follow.
Norma quietly walked behind the group as they stepped into the building.
The reception area was elegant and calm. Soft music played in the background. A grand chandelier hung overhead, casting a warm glow across the polished wooden floor
Staff stood neatly on both sides, ready to welco the students with a courteous bow.
Adrian observed the place carefully.
He didn’t rember many details from the novel, so to be safe, he wanted to morize every possible escape route.
As they walked, the man leading them suddenly spoke up,
"While we’re heading to your rooms, I must go over a few rules for the students."
His voice was clear and firm.
"You’ll be given the schedule for the three daily als. Students are required to eat in the cafeteria. After dinner, you’re not allowed to wander outside."
No one replied, but everyone was listening.
"Students may train in the open areas," the man continued, "but do not cross the border under any circumstances. Also, try to remain in your rooms at night and don’t go on different floors."
The man fell silent after that.
Adrian didn’t feel the need to remind his students about what they should or shouldn’t do.
Aries might co off as wild and a little unruly, but she had a solid sense of judgnt. She was mature enough to carry herself well around others.
As for the rest, they were naturally quiet and disciplined. He was confident they would either spend their ti training or resting in their rooms.
Before long, they climbed the stairs and reached the third floor.
On one side of the hallway, large windows offered a breathtaking view of the distant mountains. On the other side were the doors to the rooms.
Adrian was a mountain guy, so this place was like heaven for him.
A nice change.
"There are six rooms on this floor," the man said. "You’ll need to adjust for tonight. Starting tomorrow, the guest houses will be available."
That’s right—only the five participants and their manager were allowed to stay in this building.
For the arriving guests, there was a nearby town with plenty of accommodations, including a guest house just as large as this one.
Gilbert gave a faint, knowing smile.
"No need to worry," he said. "We weren’t planning on staying tonight."
He and Norma had already decided to rent a room in town to avoid causing any inconvenience.
The man didn’t respond to Gilbert’s words. Instead, he turned to Adrian and said,
"Please let know if you need anything."
Adrian gave a small nod, and the man walked away without another word.
Adrian shook his head. "That guy was a little rude."
Gilbert chuckled. "If you think that was rude, you should’ve seen how things were last year. They usually don’t even assign a guide. You’re just handed a sheet with directions and rules, and you’re on your own. Maybe they’re being polite this ti because Professor Adrian is with us."
Adrian looked at him, dumbfounded.
"Wait, seriously?"
Aries grinned and chid in, "Wow, Professor Adrian has quite the influence, huh? I wonder if the judges will give us so extra love too~"
Adrian let out a tired sigh.
He turned to the students. "For now, go and get so rest. Based on the schedule, shall we et at lunch?"
But Altia raised her hand gently. "Um... sir, after all that traveling, I don’t think I could eat much. Do you mind if I skip lunch?"
"Sa here," Allen said. "I’m not really hungry either."
"Sa for ." Brendon raised his hand as well.
Adrian turned to Elana and Aries. Before he could ask, Elana spoke up,
"I brought so sandwiches. I’ll finish them before they go bad."
Adrian gave a nod.
"All right then. Let’s et in the evening for the welcoming ceremony."
Everyone nodded and began picking up their luggage, heading toward their assigned rooms.
But Brendon paused mid-step and turned back.
"Professor Gilbert, if you want to rest, you can use my room. I’ll be fine sharing with Senior Allen."
He looked at the black-haired second-year student, who gave a quick nod.
"Yes, sir. He can stay in my room for the ti being."
Altia stepped forward as well. "Professor Norma can use my room, if that’s all right. I really don’t mind."
The two teachers smiled warmly at their students’ kindness.
Gilbert responded with a gentle wave of his hand.
"Thank you for the offer, truly. But we’ll manage in a single room for now. Go on, take a look inside and get so rest."
The students exchanged a few glances before quietly agreeing not to press the matter further.
Yet, Elana’s gaze lingered—not on the group as a whole, but on the three teachers... or rather, on Norma in particular.
She and Adrian are in the sa room...
"Co on now. We’ve got plenty to explore!"
Aries pulled her inside by the wrist, but even as Elana stepped through the door, her eyes remained fixed on the professor.
...
The room was quite decent.
A double bed. A lamp on either side of the bed and a beautiful painting hanging above it.
There was a couch across from the bed and a small tea table beside the couch.
There was a wardrobe on the left of the bed and taking a few steps further opens the door to the bathroom.
The room was quite spacious. Enough for four to five people.
As they entered, Gilbert and Norma took a seat on the couch.
"Want so coffee?" Adrian asked, pulling out a compact coffee-making set from the Ti Chamber.
Naturally, the question ca.
"Where did you pull that out from?"
Adrian gave a rather believable excuse. "I t soone with a Space Affinity. They helped create a small dinsional pocket."
Gilbert raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "A pocket dinsion? The material needed for that must be rare."
It made sense. Even silver couldn’t survive the pressure inside a dinsional space. No wonder he was surprised.
Adrian let out a soft chuckle. "I guess I’m just lucky when it cos to things like this."
Of course, he couldn’t actually tell them about the Ti Chamber.
Norma leaned in with interest. "You’ve been getting better at artifact work lately, Professor Adrian. I wonder... are you expanding your skills for future opportunities?"
As Adrian stirred the coffee powder into the warm milk and sugar, he shook his head with a soft smile. "As far as I can see, I’ll be teaching at Runbound Academy. Crafting is just a hobby I picked up recently."
Norma found herself genuinely impressed.
There weren’t many people like him—those who could turn down fa and fortune and still stay grounded.
He had been invited by the prestigious Vermillion family and even by the Celestial Hall. The Prince himself had once co in person to recruit him.
Yet Adrian chose to remain loyal to the one profession that gave him purpose—a teacher. The job that offered him a na in society and a place to stand tall.
Perhaps the Headmistress played a part in why he stayed. But in the end, what truly mattered was Adrian’s unwavering resolve.
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
I am dearly sorry for uploading just one Chapter. Still recovering from the sickness. From tomorrow, two Chapters at least.
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