Ariana humd when her lover appeared before her in a faint flicker. She had seen this enough tis to know he must have just returned from the Ti Chamber.
She raised a brow and asked, "So? How is it going? Did you reach the third stage yet? You can use the night to study further and prepare the notes."
Adrian had told her how crucial it was for him to learn the fifth thread.
Scarlette’s situation was dire, and the system had suggested that mastering the fifth thread was the only solution. That was why she never refused when others offered to replace Adrian as the combat assessor.
She knew achieving sothing like the fifth thread in just a few days was nearly impossible, even for Adrian. Still, she would do everything in her power to support him, even if it ant leaving his room to give him space to study. A grave sacrifice, but a necessary one.
However, the mont she noticed his tired expression and slumped shoulders, her heart tightened with worry.
She rose from the bed at once, still in her underwear, and walked toward him.
Sitting him down gently, she said, "Hey, it’s okay. I understand you’re going through a lot, so it’s fine if you haven’t made much progress—"
"I achieved it, Aria," Adrian cut in, leaving her speechless.
He turned to her and nodded. "You heard right. I can tune a fifth-grade armant now."
Ariana’s eyes widened. "A-Adrian... are you serious?"
Adrian chuckled softly. "Why would I lie about sothing like this? I found my own path and reached the fifth stage."
"Aaahhh!" Ariana squealed in delight, sothing he had never seen her do before, and then she leapt at him in excitent.
He fell back onto the bed with Ariana on top of him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
He laughed aloud. "What got you so happy?"
She looked at him, lips curved in disbelief. "Are you insane? This is trendous news. You’ve finally reached the pinnacle of runesmithing. And you’re not reacting the way you should, Adrian. Not at all."
Adrian sighed, though his smile refused to fade. "Well, it was expected. I knew I could do it. I just did it a little earlier than planned."
Ariana giggled. "Look at this smug bastard, pretending it isn’t a huge achievent."
She suddenly sprang to her feet and hurried toward the wardrobe.
"What are you doing?" Adrian asked as he pushed himself up from the bed.
"I need to get dressed and call Ruby. We’re celebrating tonight."
Adrian chuckled. "We definitely can celebrate, but is it okay to call her? She must be busy, no?"
Ariana turned and shot him a glare, though there was no real heat behind it. "Listen, this is between us. You just need to show up when we raise our glasses. And invite Raven too. She has to be there."
Adrian nodded. "I’ll ask the system. What about the venue? Our house?"
Ariana nodded without hesitation. "Of course. You don’t want the others hearing Bella crying in joy once she finds out, do you?"
Adrian raised a brow. "But Aria... you have work tomorrow, don’t you?"
Ariana grinned. "This day won’t co back, my dear. So let celebrate my husband’s achievent to my heart’s content."
Once changed into her regular clothes, she hopped out of the window and headed toward her office.
Adrian let out a slow breath, his face still lit with a smile. Truth be told, he felt more fulfilled watching her reaction than he had while reaching the fifth thread itself.
Shaking his head, he muttered, "I better be there on ti tonight."
...
It was late at night. Most students had either skipped dinner or returned to their rooms early, buried in anxiety over the upcoming exams.
But for the third year students who had already completed their assessnts, this was one of the last chances to wander freely through the academy grounds they would soon leave behind.
Aries exhaled softly as she walked beside her best friend. The moon was bright tonight, its light spilling over the gravel path and guiding their steps.
With her arms locked behind her back, Aries muttered, "Good for you. You won’t be missing this place for long."
Elana shrugged. "You could rejoin the academy as an instructor if you wanted."
Aries’ combat skills were exceptional. She had even pushed their combat instructor, Rylie, into serious territory during spars.
If she truly tried, becoming a staff mber of the Runebound was well within her reach.
Aries chuckled. "Nah, I’m not ant to teach a bunch of brats. Trust , within six months the headmistress would receive so many complaints about that she’d personally kick my butt and throw out."
Elana glanced at her. "Is that fear talking, or do you actually have sothing else in mind?"
Aries lowered her gaze and fell silent for a mont. Then, in a quieter voice, she said, "I don’t think you’ll judge for this... but I want to beco a knight. Just not for this country."
Elana humd softly. "That’s new. Tell more."
She had always known Aries wanted to pursue a career in this field, but she had never heard her ntion a destination.
She could have beco a Warden, a militant, even an adventurer. But tonight, there was sothing different in her tone. Conviction.
Aries drew in a breath. "This might make sound like a traitor, but I want to be recruited into Noredeim’s elite regi."
Elana stopped mid-step. "The Hounds of the North? What in the world..."
She knew of Noredeim and its military reputation. Their forces were said to be the most ferocious in the world.
Tall, broad-shouldered warriors with overwhelming physical strength.
They never participated in combat tournants or inter-nation contests, not because they feared defeat, but because they knew they would dominate.
Aries continued, her voice steady now. "They train their soldiers in a way that’s allowed Noredeim to stand strong for decades without forming any official alliance. I want to be part of that. I want to be trained by the best... so I can uncover the best version of myself."
Elana was surprised, but only for a mont. From the very first day they spoke, it had been obvious that Aries was a little unhinged in the best way possible. She never feared failure and never hesitated to choose the harder road.
If sothing would make her stronger, she would pursue it without regret. Joining a military force rumored to be survivors of hell itself? Yes, that was exactly the kind of path Elana would expect from her.
Turning fully toward her friend, the silver-haired girl asked, "And after that, Aries? I’m sure you’ve thought beyond simply serving in the military, haven’t you?"
Aries looked back at her, a faint smile playing on her lips. She raised a finger and pressed it lightly against her lips, closing one eye in a playful wink.
"That’s a secret," she said softly. "Just know I’m fulfilling a promise I made to soone not too long ago."
Elana didn’t ask who she promised to and with a smile she nodded, "I wish you best of luck, Aries."
"You too, Elana. May you achieve your every dream."
••••••••
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comnt.
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