[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith":3,"chapter-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-162":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Return of the Legendary Runesmith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1562487,2026,"Chapter 162 161- Emotional idiot","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-162",162,"\u003Cp>\"Exactly how did this happen?\" Ariana asked sharply, her eyes narrowing at the dorm warden, who stood nervously by the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't the warden who answered—but Gilbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The window frame gave way when Miss Elena leaned against it,\" he explained. \"She couldn't react in time and fell. Landed on her arm. That's how it happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian sighed. \"If I'm not mistaken, the warden should've known if a window had loose screws, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I checked everything just last week, sir,\" the warden replied quickly, almost too quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was part of her job to inspect every room at least once a month. These inspections were meant to ensure students weren't doing anything illegal—like using dark magic or forging weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, she was also expected to check things that require regular maintenance—like taps, windows, and bed frames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how did this happen?\" Ariana frowned, glancing at the unconscious girl lying on the infirmary bed, her arm carefully wrapped in white bandages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a superhuman, Elana would heal faster than most. But even so—this would take time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She looks quite unwell,\" the Headmistress muttered, then turned to Adrian. \"Can't you use your armament to heal her? Like last time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft groan interrupted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N-No...\" Elana's weak voice called out, drawing everyone's attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl blinked open her eyes and looked at Adrian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't want you to waste such a precious artifact on me, Professor,\" she said, her voice thin but determined. \"Give me a few days... I'll recover on my own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school nurse stepped in with a nod. \"She's right. Forced recovery takes a toll on the body,\" she added, looking at Adrian. \"Unless she has to be somewhere urgently, it's best to let her heal naturally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That reminder drew a quiet murmur from Gilbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... the student exchange program? She has to leave in two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell for a beat. That was urgent. Elana's role as the senior-most student made her participation important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take the call, boss,\" the instructor to Ariana's left said, all eyes shifting toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana thought for a moment before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm replacing Elana with Aries. She'll participate in the program.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of the teachers frowned, and Rose hesitantly asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... isn't Elana our best choice? Shouldn't we wait? Maybe she will recover in time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana shook her head with a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In two days, a cracked joint can't fully heal. And even if it does, we can't expect Elana to give her full strength during the countless assessments she'll face in Etherveil Enclave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other academies would be watching the exchange students closely—testing them in various areas, both academic and martial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aries is our second best,\" Ariana continued. \"Top in academics and close to Elana in combat. She's more than qualified.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at the instructor. \"Isn't that right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor nodded. \"Out of five spars, Aries wins one—thanks to her combat intelligence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aries had also been selected for the Arcane Anvil Cup—a prestigious academic challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was smart, capable, and more than ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it's decided,\" Adrian said, \"Aries is replacing Elana. Miss Rose, please inform her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rose nodded and soon everyone started walking out of the infirmary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What no one noticed when they left was that barely visible smile on the patient's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Sorry, Professor...but I can't leave without you for a whole month.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian reached his room and dropped onto the bed with a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana's condition weighed on his mind. The girl who was usually strong and distant looked so pale and fragile now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope she recovers soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, she has become a variable in the third arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana's presence was bound to bring changes in the upcoming chapter—where a secret organization would attack the academy, aiming to harm the exchange students and shatter the fragile alliance between the four countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only time would tell if her presence would help... or make things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in thought, Adrian opened his chat box. Only one person was online.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He typed the first message:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is everything okay? I haven't seen you in the past two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Idiot: [Ah, Darling... yeah, I'm fine. Just had a long fight. I'm a bit tired now.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian frowned. A fight that left the strongest Warden this exhausted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I'll find out what happened in tomorrow's newspaper, he thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then something crossed his mind, and he typed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, Idiot, what kind of weapon do you use?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Mostly regular ones. And when things get tough, I grab a factory-made one.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian frowned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really was like her canon version—fighting without any enchantments, and even when she did use weapons, they were basic and not customized for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know I can make one for you, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah, yes...But I have nothing special to offer you at the moment....except for myself~]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian chuckled, feeling relieved that she was being herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment, before telling her, \"You don't need to give me anything special. How about you make me something handmade? Cookies or something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[H-Handmade? I am not a good cook.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian grinned ear to ear, \"Anything works. If you put good effort into it, I will gladly eat it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a long pause, making Adrian question her, \"Are you still there?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Y-Yes...it's just hearing you talk so gently made me emotional.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian's smile dropped a little as he said, \"I apologize if I have hurt your feelings in the past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No, please...don't apologize. You never hurt me. I am not just used to this….being loved.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words...left a great impact on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew she was an orphan, and the only connection she shared was with Ruby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He heaved a sigh, and asked her, \"So...should I prepare an armament for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, please.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They chattef for a few more minutes. Adrian asked about her job and all. She was forbidden from sharing personal information but she told him about the dangers she recently came across.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few minutes, Adrian stepped into the Time Chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Let's see how strong the strongest Warden is.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading.\u003C\u002Fp>",1014,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","972b8ff82d418474aaf1775bca8401b1dad7d92967287a0c95b3c76d65dde4fe","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-163","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-161",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]