Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 566 - 565- Rusty

Sylvie lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

She hadn't been studying much these past few days, even though the final step before graduating from the second year was right around the corner.

She had worked hard all year, only to slack off when it mattered most.

Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn't focus anymore.

She didn't feel like eating, nor did she have the energy to talk to her friends. She had begun living listlessly, her thoughts circling around a single thing every time her mind fell silent, or even when it didn't

Her to-be life partner.

"What am I doing to myself? This was supposed to happen..." she sighed, pushing herself up from the bed. She intended to splash some water on her face and force herself to study.

Just then, something flickered at the corner of her eye. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She frowned and turned, only to find a parchment lying there, where there had been nothing just a moment ago.

Her gaze swept across the room. No one was there, and both the door and windows remained closed. Ever since the incident with that stalker, she had grown cautious about her safety.

Slowly, she approached the parchment and looked down at the words written on it.

It wasn't a letter, just four simple words,

{Look down your window}

Her frown deepened. This was definitely suspicious.

She reached for the armament by her bedside, a small hand knife she always kept near her pillow, and moved toward the window.

If it was another creep, she would make sure to leave a mark tonight.

However, the moment she peeked outside, her shoulders relaxed in relief, only for that relief to quickly turn into surprise.

"Professor Adrian?" Right below her window stood a familiar man with brown hair and glasses, waving up at her with a smile.

He gestured for her to come down.

Excitement surged through her as she flung the window open and moved to jump, but he immediately raised both hands in alarm, stopping her.

Sylvie froze, then quickly realized her mistake. Embarrassment flushed her face red.

She nodded frantically before closing the window and heading for the door.

Since it was just past dinner time, the warden didn't stop her. Sylvie rushed down the stairs and made her way toward the back of the building.

Adrian remained standing there, barely holding back his laughter, his lips pressed together in restraint.

Sylvie's face, which had only just cooled, began to warm again with embarrassment.

"You can laugh if you want, Professor."

"Phaha... it was just too adorable, Sylvie."

She pouted to herself, but somehow, the sound of his laughter eased the weight that had been pressing on her heart these past few days.

After a moment, she lifted her head and asked, "You wanted to see me for something, Professor?" Truthfully, even if he had come without a reason, she wouldn't have minded. If anything, she would have appreciated it.

Adrian hummed lightly before saying, "I heard you've been neglecting your training lately. I came to remind you how important the final exams are."

He suddenly walked past her. Before she could question him, he added, "Come with me. Show me how rusty you've gotten."

Confused as she was, she didn't ignore his call and quickly followed after him like a small kitten.

Adrian didn't say a word, even though she knew he wouldn't have called her out at this hour just for a spar.

Yet, simply walking beside him felt so safe and warm that she didn't feel the need to break the silence.

It was strange. Just being in the presence of the man she respected and adored the most was enough to quiet the burdening thoughts that had kept her awake for nights.

Soon, they arrived at the open garden near the gym, where no students were present. The third years were busy enjoying their final days before graduation, while the others were occupied with preparations for their theoretical exams.

Adrian reached into his inventory, pulled out two wooden sticks, and tossed one to Sylvie. "I know you prefer blunt weapons, but skill doesn't depend on shape or hardness, does it?"

Sylvie nodded, gripping the stick near its base.

The moment she saw him take his stance, she understood that he was serious about the spar. As his student, she didn't want to disappoint him.

She steadied her breathing, gathered her thoughts, and pushed her confusion aside for later.

A beat later, he charged.

Sylvie's eyes widened as he moved without any signal, taking the role of the aggressor from the very start.

Still, she neither faltered nor panicked. She raised her weapon just in time to block the first strike.

Kirk

A dull sound rang out. In the same motion, he shifted his footing and glided forward, his stick tilting to strike her side.

She flipped her grip and intercepted the attack. Instead of simply parrying, she twirled her stick to force him back. His wrist twisted under the pressure, and their weapons locked against each other in a brief deadlock.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I heard you haven't been eating. Where did this energy come from?"

In the same breath, he shifted his footing. Sylvie's balance tipped forward, and before she could fully recover, his elbow shot toward her side.

She gritted her teeth and sprang into a front flip, narrowly dodging the strike before landing cleanly, still uninjured.

Glancing back at him, she replied, "I've been trained not to go rusty, even without eating for days."

Adrian hummed. "So it's true. You haven't been eating."

Sylvie's lips parted, her expression faltering.

He seized the opening. Pivoting on his hips, he brought the stick down toward her shoulder.

Sylvie reacted instantly, raising her defense with her back still turned to him, blocking the strike just above her shoulder.

Their gazes locked for a brief moment before he muttered, "Must be concern for the exams, I suppose."

Sylvie spun on her heels, trying to steady herself against the surprising strength of a man who looked so lean.

She attempted to push back, but suddenly, he let go of his stick and grabbed her wrist.

"Ah!" She pitched forward, on the verge of falling, but he caught her easily, holding her weight against him.

Pulled close, she caught the faint scent of his cologne, laced with a hint of caffeine on his breath.

Heat rushed to her face, her eyes wavering, when she heard him say, "Sylvie... you disappoint me."

Her eyes widened at those words, but Adrian wasn't done.

"I don't know what's troubling you, but I expected my student to fight against every situation, to consult others, to debate, to protest. Anything but beating themselves down and locking themselves in their room."

Sylvie's excitement faded, her gaze dropping to his shirt button. Her shoulders slumped as the weight of her actions settled in.

Adrian sighed softly before stepping back and patting her on the shoulder. "Come on. I'll treat you to my special coffee while you tell me what's bothering you. We'll face everything together, cadet. Just keep faith in yourself."

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.