[{"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-166":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},1562491,2026,"Chapter 166 165- Ally","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-166",166,"\u003Cp>[Next morning]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two figures could be seen currently moving on the grass field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian and Ariana had time today to do some light sparring, so they took the chance, and here they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Huff* *Huff*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian panted as they came to a small pause, staring at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana was unfazed, waiting for another assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here I come,\" He vanished from her sight, appearing right in front of her with a sudden burst of speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely leaned back—his fist brushed just inches past her chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" she whispered with a grin. \"You've been holding back on me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spun around, ducked under his next strike, and slid to his side. Her palm tapped his ribs lightly, like a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too slow,\" she teased, winking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian didn't reply. He stepped back, then suddenly lunged again—this time feinting a left hook before going low with a sweeping kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ariana leapt over it effortlessly, landing behind him like a dancer on air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good feint,\" she said close to his ear, \"but I've seen better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twisted, aiming a sharp elbow toward her shoulder—but she caught it with one hand, her body moving with natural flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian quickly stepped back, sweat starting to form at his temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn't hit him hard even once—but he couldn't touch her either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're reading my moves,\" he muttered, eyes narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you're getting better at hiding them,\" she said, circling him. \"You've grown faster. Stronger. Smarter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet still not enough to land a clean hit,\" Adrian said in slight exasperation, dashing in again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time his footwork shifted mid-charge—he switched directions in the blink of an eye and launched a palm strike aimed at her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Ariana was surprised. She barely twisted in time, deflecting it with her forearm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force pushed her back a step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That one almost got me,\" she said, licking her lips playfully. \"Should I be worried?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should,\" Adrian replied, his breath steadying. \"I'm just warming up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled, stepping close again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, she didn't attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned forward, her hand softly brushing his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know… If you keep looking at me like that, I might not be able to dodge it next time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian blinked, thrown off just long enough for her to lean back and trip him with a gentle sweep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hit the ground with a dull thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian groaned with a wince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana smirked, \"Did it hurt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me this wasn't revenge for last night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana didn't respond which gave him his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night, Adrian embarrassed her to no end. They did it in front of a full-length mirror, and God, the way her face turned crimson in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just couldn't look at herself...being erotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana offered him a hand as she told him, \"I hope you learned your lesson, Mister Adrian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian got up and whispered in her ear, \"I will make a room of mirrors next time~just imagine, everywhere you look, you will see yourself moaning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\" Ariana's ears turned red as she glared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian chuckled as he backed away before she could hit him hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana shook her head gently before telling him, \"I'm leaving for inspection today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The teleportation portal?\" Adrian asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" she nodded. \"They requested my presence. It'll take a day at most. I just wish they don't asked me to visit the Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teleportation center fell under the Tower's jurisdiction, so it wasn't surprising that they wanted her involved in the investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had just been routine maintenance that day, none of this would've happened. But as it turned out, the whole thing had been part of the Acolytes' plan from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So yes—this was going to be taken seriously. Every detail would be closely assessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be safe,\" Adrian said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They shared a brief look before parting ways—each heading to their own room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana had to leave for the teleportation center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian still had classes to attend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, while taking a bath, Adrian found his thoughts drifting toward Annabelle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd crafted a weapon for her just a few days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her affinity was rare—a variant of the Air element.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vibration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With it came the ability to use spells like echolocation, resonance, sound manipulation, and shockwave generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a natural fit for scouting and surveillance. But if given a high-grade weapon, she could easily turn destructive. A ghost in the field—swift, silent, and devastating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that much potential, Adrian wondered, why did she never let any Runesmith craft her an armament until now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't want to believe the reason that was forming in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not until he asks her directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that she had a weapon tailored to her element, he hoped things would change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if they did, maybe—just maybe—she'd finally step into the role she was always meant for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'System, show me my stats,' he asked as he stepped out of the bathroom and walked toward the closet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Adrian]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 23]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Race: Human]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Str: 31]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Spd: 28]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[End: 49]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[MP: 210\u002F210] (Avg: 100)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[HP: 100\u002F100]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mana points had remained steady ever since that spar with Rylie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single fluctuation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't used any magic since then, operating under the assumption that Abraham might still be keeping an eye on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This can't go on...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fists in silent frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have to tell Ariana. At least one person should know, in case things fall apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his secret ever got exposed, he'd need someone in his corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone he could trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Ariana—if there was anyone who wouldn't look at him with fear or suspicion—it would be her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still deep in thought, he made his way to the classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he entered, something immediately felt different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth, for once, sat silently in her seat. No questions. No comments. No smirks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared blankly ahead, lost in her own world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well… that's better, Adrian thought. At least he wouldn't have to deal with another snide remark today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana had taken a seat near the back, away from her usual front-row spot. That gave him breathing room, both physically and mentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The class went on quietly, and thankfully today, Adrian managed to go through his lecture without interruptions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest of the day passed smoothly, the rhythm of academy life returning to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until lunch break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was heading toward the staff hallway when a student ran in, breathless, eyes wide with panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian stopped in his tracks. The urgency in the boy's voice made his heart skip a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your workshop! It's— it's destroyed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading.\u003C\u002Fp>",1113,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","884ed808d1c1351d5b60170336bd06535917c7b0f16a75bf6c7655e2f0900ace","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-167","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-165",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]