Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 201 - 200- Failure

"Are you sure about this?" Ariana asked, her voice calm but curious after hearing his decision.

Gilbert beamed with pride, while the other professors and instructors exchanged surprised glances.

Rose voiced the concern on everyone’s mind.

"But Professor Adrian has never been the team manager before. And with only about forty days left—"

"You don’t need to worry about that!" Gilbert jumped in, instantly drawing all attention his way. "I’ll train him myself. And from what I’ve seen, Professor Adrian has a strong influence on the students. Just look at the Arcane Anvil Cup—he handled the team brilliantly. That’s why I believe he’ll make an excellent manager."

Adrian let out a quiet sigh at the old man’s enthusiasm.

Then Ariana leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful look on her face.

"What does a team manager even do, exactly?"

That question, while unexpected, didn’t come as a total surprise.

Though she was the Headmistress, Ariana had continued the habit of her predecessor—paying little attention to the contest.

Gilbert, ever eager, took it upon himself to explain.

"First and foremost," Gilbert began, "the manager also acts as the tuner. Only one teacher is allowed inside the students’ strategy room during the contest. If that teacher isn’t a Runesmith, the students are forced to use mass-produced armaments."

No one raised any objections—everyone had long accepted that Adrian was the best Runesmith in the academy.

"Second," Gilbert continued, "battle strategy. While the students themselves prepare the plans, the manager’s job is to make sure they stay within the contest’s rules and regulations during the match."

Rylie looked toward Adrian and asked, "Can you really memorize everything in just a few days?"

Adrian glanced back. "How many rules are there?"

Gilbert chuckled. "Just one hundred and eight."

Adrian gave a small shrug and nodded.

"That’s manageable."

"Third," Gilbert went on, "the manager has to ensure all student armaments are submitted for testing before every match. The committee checks each one to make sure no illegal components are involved."

"And finally," Gilbert said with a warm smile, "the manager must keep the students motivated—to help them give their very best."

Adrian blinked. That was it?

He expected a longer list.

As the older professor returned to his seat, Ariana brought the focus back to Adrian.

"So?" she asked. "What do you say? Are you willing to take on this role?"

Adrian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned to Gilbert.

"Professor... are you really sure you want me to take this role? After dedicating so many years to this academy... always pushing yourself to lead the students to victory—you’re stepping back at the final stretch?"

Many professors around the table silently agreed. Gilbert had worked relentlessly year after year. This was supposed to be his final contest as a teacher—and ironically, the one where they finally had a real chance.

He had lost many times in the past. But this year... this year, they had a team with true potential.

Even so—

"Knowing what’s right but choosing not to act on it—that’s cowardice. Selfishness, Professor Adrian," Gilbert said calmly.

Then, with a soft smile on his weathered face, he added,

"I just want to see our students win. Whether I’m the one leading them or not doesn’t matter to me. I just want to see our academy’s name shine on that ranking board."

Ariana’s brows rose slightly at the depth of his words. The room fell quiet.

Gilbert’s sincerity touched the hearts of many. It was clear—his pride wasn’t in being the leader. It was in seeing the students succeed... in finally shaking off the label of losers once and for all.

Adrian exhaled a sigh, "Since you believe I am worthy of this job, then okay. I accept."

....

[Attempt: 47]

[Failure: 26]

[Success: 21]

[Ding!]

[You have already reached the criteria!]

Adrian glanced at the system prompt but ignored it for now.

Today was the final day.

Whatever emotions he had—doubt, frustration, or disbelief—they didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to reject the reward.

Even if he felt he hadn’t truly mastered the fourth thread yet, he would accept whatever hint the system had to offer.

Because his origin... was on the line.

"Alright... let’s begin. One more time."

Adrian sighed and picked up another training axe.

The doll lay before him—still, lifeless, and waiting.

He pressed his fingers against its abdomen, sending a controlled pulse of mana into its body. Within seconds, he synchronized with its artificial mana flow.

Step one: complete.

Next came the real work.

He began locating the mana pores—those junctions where mana gathered and dispersed. Like invisible portals scattered throughout the body, they served as both intake and release points for magical energy.

Now he had to form a mana map inside his head—memorizing the coordinates of every pore and understanding how mana behaved around each one.

This was the longest and most grueling part of the fourth thread.

Why?

Because the moment he lost focus...

The entire map would collapse.

And he’d have to start all over again.

While keeping his focus locked on the mana map, Adrian began to draw the first two runes.

Eight junctions—two runes were enough to stabilize them.

Now came the third step: mana flow. Or more precisely—mana pattern.

Unlike the map, this part wasn’t fixed.

Mana patterns varied from person to person. Some flowed in smooth spirals, others in chaotic, jagged bursts. Some were steady and rhythmic, while a rare few followed unique, almost unnatural patterns.

And it was the Runesmith’s job to recognize and match these subtle flows.

A single mismatch in the rune’s structure—even by a hair—would cause a clash with the pattern, breaking the tuning.

So, while drawing the rune, Adrian had to account for more than just placement.

He had to make sure it was written for the right pattern... and for the right person.

He kept writing the pattern... but then—his focus slipped from the mana map.

And that infuriated him.

"Fuck!" Adrian snapped, throwing the axe across the room.

The weapon spun through the air before slamming into the wall, its blade burying deep and leaving a visible crack.

He stood there, breathing heavily, his hands clenched.

Even though he’d just successfully enchanted a fourth-grade armament... it still wasn’t perfect.

It wasn’t right.

’Shit... this is so damn annoying.’

Adrian pressed a hand to his face in frustration.

Then the system’s voice chimed in, calm and precise:

[The host should try creating an armament for someone with whom he is familiar. This may help build confidence.]

Adrian frowned.

It wasn’t a bad suggestion.

The training doll’s internal structure changed with every attempt, offering no consistency. No sense of progress. No solid proof that he was mastering the fourth thread.

He hadn’t even considered that angle—he was too caught up in the failure.

Then... who?

He muttered, "Ariana left for the Tower about an hour ago..."

They had called her regarding the cube they found.

So that left him with just two names.

Elana and Annabelle.

He stood in silence for a moment, staring at the cracked wall.

But... who should I call?

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Both would be thrilled to be called by you...but then again, bringing both into the same room might cause disaster.

And yeaaaah! We reached 200 mark!

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