[{"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-169":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},1562494,2026,"Chapter 169 168- Punishment","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-169",169,"\u003Cp>Just two days before she was set to leave for the Runebound, Ruby crossed paths with Elizabeth. The latter had come to the main house for some security-related matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby and Elizabeth shared a close bond. Whenever the young girl visited the main estate, they'd often go out hunting—if Ruby had time to spare. And Elizabeth never missed a chance to show interest in Ruby's work. So yes, their relationship was warm and strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, when Ruby saw her niece collapse on the ground, surrounded by students, her heart skipped a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\" she asked, pulling the girl into her arms and then turning her gaze to Adrian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana stood nearby, frowning. For Adrian to become violent was not normal—this wasn't just rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time he had ever raised his hand against a student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She nearly killed Sylvie,\" Adrian said calmly, arms crossed. \"And destroyed my workshop—just to get back at me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's lying!\" Elizabeth shouted, eyes wide in disbelief. \"I wasn't even there when it happened! He's just angry because I don't care about his boring lectures!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby narrowed her eyes. She knew Adrian. He wasn't the type to lose his temper over something so petty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, she couldn't just accuse Elizabeth of lying—not without proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why she spoke firmly, \"Let me look into it. If I use Echo Trace, I can see what really happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth's face went pale. She knew exactly what that ability could reveal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice trembled as she asked, \"Y-You don't trust me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears welled up in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby sighed, brushing a hand over Elizabeth's hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do trust you, Eli. But if we want to fight against something unfair… we need to have proof, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth bit her lip hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would you need proof against this dickhea—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eli~\" Ruby cut in softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was light, almost teasing, but the chill in her voice made Elizabeth flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby was smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her eyes were cold as ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before you curse someone,\" she said gently, \"Let me investigate. Fair enough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth swallowed hard and said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew pressing this further would only hurt her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a quiet breath, Ruby stood up and walked toward Adrian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met—and in that moment, Ruby could tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't the time to question him. Not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So instead, she reached into her coat and drew her armament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single crack of her whip, the entire backyard fell under a dome of shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps spread through the students as the scene changed before their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, clear as day, they saw it—just as Adrian had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sylvie walked into the workshop. A few minutes later, Elizabeth followed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She unleashed her armament and launched a relentless series of strikes—without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students who had been on Elizabeth's side now turned quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some stared. Others looked away, their pity replaced by unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth lowered her gaze and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby's expression darkened as she faced her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have anything to say for yourself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth stayed quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no excuse. No defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the one person who might have stood by her—was now standing against her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby stepped closer, her voice sharp and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you realize what your actions suggest? It looks like you were trying to kill the Princess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\" Elizabeth cried, shaking her head quickly. \"Please! You have to believe me—I didn't know she was in there!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby didn't respond right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes, once full of warmth, were now distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if I believe that,\" she said at last, \"It doesn't change the facts. You seriously hurt the Princess—and destroyed someone else's entire property in the process.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elizabeth bit her lip and looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby heaved a sigh, before turning towards Ariana, \"Please proceed with the punishment you deem right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana nodded and she was about to turn towards Rylie, when she and many others spotted Adrian walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students gave him the way as he advanced towards the male dormitories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana felt restless in her heart, but first, she decided to handle the situation here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, back to your class. And Instructor Rylie, bring Elizabeth to the counselor's office.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor nodded and the students slowly started to disperse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana was still rooted at her spot, staring at the male dormitories with a look of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Professor seemed...frustrated. Was it because of what he lost or was it Sylvie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ariana..I...I am sorry for what happened.\" Ruby stepped closer to the silver head as she apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Headmistress shook her head, \"It's okay, it's not your fault. Children at this age always take impulsive actions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a quieter tone, she added, \"But I didn't think Adrian would be this harsh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby nodded, \"Yes ..this is the first time I have seen him this angry. He looked extremely displeased even when he left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana hummed, crossing her arms as she looked at the workshop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there something important he was building? Or was it something else? She won't know until she talks to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about you go and wait in my office? I will go and have a talk with him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby nodded, \"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana hurried toward the back of the dormitory, taking the same hidden path she always used when sneaking into his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached the door and knocked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From inside, a low voice answered, \"Come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened the door and stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian was lying on the bed, his forearm draped over his eyes, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quietly closing the door behind her, Ariana walked over and asked softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian gave a slight shake of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nope... something's wrong with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana frowned, her concern growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat up slowly, rubbing his face, then looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not myself. I almost lost control back there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a quiet sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It happens sometimes. You don't have to beat yourself up over it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She assumed he was still feeling guilty for hitting the student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he reached into the drawer and pulled out a single bullet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, Ariana... you don't get it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held the bullet between his fingers and showed it to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... this is what I was about to fire before you walked in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana carefully took it from him, her fingers brushing his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned it over in her hand, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly does this do?\" she asked hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian's voice dropped lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It creates a black hole. Everything within range... gets pulled in and erased.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What...?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now do you see? If you had come even a few seconds later... I could've killed dozens of students along with Elizabeth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading.\u003C\u002Fp>",1133,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","a2702652a4bd95144b6d68f185e7f198e7aae545dc298f5811d98bfd1954afc9","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-170","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-168",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]