[{"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-200":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},1562525,2026,"Chapter 200 - 199- Either you or no one","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-200",200,"\u003Cp>This was troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next arc was supposed to unfold during the contest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The target was meant to be the group responsible for killing the main antagonist of the previous arc. But aside from the mole, the others had survived—and escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things were supposed to go differently. Still, Adrian had a gut feeling they’d strike around the time of the contest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The event would draw a massive crowd, including aspiring warriors and influential figures from several nations. If someone wanted to make a statement, there was no better stage than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian had originally planned to stay out of the spotlight—keeping his distance from Allen, the main character—and instead influence events from the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of attention, he wouldn’t be able to use teleportation or other magic freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never intended to skip this arc by hiding at the academy—but by staying away from Allen, he would have had a much better chance of controlling things from behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now... what should he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That question lingered in Adrian’s mind as he walked toward his office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been bothering him since yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana had told him she was fine with either decision. In her eyes, Adrian was the better choice—but she didn’t want to pressure him, knowing how busy he’d been lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contest was still fifty days away, but preparations had already begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was lost in thought, someone called out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can we talk for a moment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Elana. She looked troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian gave a thoughtful hum, then said, \"Let’s go to my office.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He assumed it was something related to class... but the worry on her face made him pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she fight with Sylvie or something? He wondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the door and stepped aside, letting her in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana quietly pulled out a chair and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Want some coffee?\" Adrian asked, already heading toward the shelf. He was going to make some for himself anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana gave a small nod in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he started boiling water, she finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor... as you know, in the contest, students are allowed to bring an armament up to Grade Three for the individual battles, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian hummed, \"Yes, I know. But why is that a concern for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana stayed quiet for a moment, clearly trying to choose her words with care. But no matter how much she thought about it, there was no delicate way to say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she simply said, \"I can’t let another man draw the third thread for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian’s hand slipped slightly, and the cup almost fell from his grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning behind her words was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For proper tuning of the third thread, a person needed to wear as little clothing as possible—allowing the runesmith to properly assess all the mana pores. While it wasn’t full exposure, it was still... intimate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she didn’t want Gilbert to see her like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t comfortable with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian leaned back against the counter, arms loosely folded as he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So if it’s Professor Gilbert, you can’t have your third-grade armament made?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana gave a small nod. \"Yes. Until last year, I only participated in team battles, so there was no need for a third-grade armament. But now... I have to fight solo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at him, her gaze steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it’s either going to be you... Or I won’t take part in the contest at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly. \"Is that a threat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana blinked, caught off guard, then quickly shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just... telling you how I feel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian finished brewing the coffee and quietly poured it into the cups. As he handed one to Elana, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elana... there might come a time when you’ll have no choice but to expose yourself to someone else. Maybe during a war... or in a life-or-death situation. If you keep hesitating like this, you might end up losing—not just a battle, but something more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reply was immediate, calm, and resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll keep fighting with whatever I have... believing that the thread I already carry is the only hope I need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian walked closer and placed the cup on the table beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you so stubborn?\" he asked, his voice quieter now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana lowered her head, her fingers curled lightly around the warm cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because... I’ve already devoted myself to someone,\" she whispered. \"And the thought of anyone else looking at me that way... it just makes me feel sick.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian rubbed his eyes. This girl...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, he already knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a tired sigh, he said, \"You realize... if someone finds out about your feelings, it could put my job at risk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana looked up and replied without hesitation, \"My family could hire you. We pay well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course. Why didn’t he expect that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian shook his head with a faint smile of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know nothing’s ever going to happen between us... and yet, you’re still this devoted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana gently shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t lose hope. Even if you say you hate me... even if you tell me to stay out of your life, I’ll still keep trying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft smile curved her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve learned a lot from my father, sir. And one of the most important things... is to never give up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian let out a quiet sigh, then gestured toward her cup. \"Go on. Try the coffee.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elana took a sip, and before she could comment, he spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll be your tuner... but only if you promise me something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything,\" she said instantly, her voice filled with enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian’s expression turned serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have to make our academy’s name shine. No more carrying the tag of losers. Whoever steps into that arena—you beat them. All of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold glint flickered in Elana’s eyes. She set the cup down slowly and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already had plenty of reasons to win,\" she said, her voice firm. \"But now—I’ll erase even the slightest chance of losing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at him, her gaze unwavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For you, Professor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading.\u003C\u002Fp>",1039,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","b7d1e4188b62da7c9fcc789f399a5e53bdadd070c97ac67f2b06e433ec131c80","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-1","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-199",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]