This was troublesome.

The next arc was supposed to unfold during the contest.

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.

Things were supposed to go differently. Still, Adrian had a gut feeling they'd strike around the time of the contest.

It made sense.

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.

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.

In the center of attention, he wouldn't be able to use teleportation or other magic freely.

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.

But now… what should he do?

That question lingered in Adrian's mind as he walked toward his office.

It had been bothering him since yesterday.

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.

The contest was still fifty days away, but preparations had already begun.

As he was lost in thought, someone called out to him.

"Can we talk for a moment?"

It was Elana. She looked troubled.

Adrian gave a thoughtful hum, then said, "Let's go to my office."

He assumed it was something related to class… but the worry on her face made him pause.

Did she fight with Sylvie or something? He wondered.

Click.

He opened the door and stepped aside, letting her in.

Elana quietly pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Want some coffee?" Adrian asked, already heading toward the shelf. He was going to make some for himself anyway.

Elana gave a small nod in response.

As he started boiling water, she finally spoke.

"Professor… as you know, in the contest, students are allowed to bring an armament up to Grade Three for the individual battles, right?"

Adrian hummed, "Yes, I know. But why is that a concern for you?"

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.

So she simply said, "I can't let another man draw the third thread for me."

Adrian's hand slipped slightly, and the cup almost fell from his grasp.

He froze.

The meaning behind her words was clear.

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.

And she didn't want Gilbert to see her like that.

She wasn't comfortable with it.

Adrian leaned back against the counter, arms loosely folded as he asked,

"So if it's Professor Gilbert, you can't have your third-grade armament made?"

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."

She looked up at him, her gaze steady.

"So it's either going to be you… Or I won't take part in the contest at all."

Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that a threat?"

Elana blinked, caught off guard, then quickly shook her head.

"I-I didn't mean it like that. I'm just… telling you how I feel."

Adrian finished brewing the coffee and quietly poured it into the cups. As he handed one to Elana, he spoke.

"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."

Her reply was immediate, calm, and resolute.

"Then I'll keep fighting with whatever I have… believing that the thread I already carry is the only hope I need."

Adrian walked closer and placed the cup on the table beside her.

"Why are you so stubborn?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

Elana lowered her head, her fingers curled lightly around the warm cup.

"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."

Adrian rubbed his eyes. This girl...

Why was she so—

Well, he already knew the answer.

Letting out a tired sigh, he said, "You realize… if someone finds out about your feelings, it could put my job at risk."

Elana looked up and replied without hesitation, "My family could hire you. We pay well."

"…"

Of course. Why didn't he expect that?

Adrian shook his head with a faint smile of disbelief.

"You know nothing's ever going to happen between us… and yet, you're still this devoted."

Elana gently shook her head.

"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."

A soft smile curved her lips.

"I've learned a lot from my father, sir. And one of the most important things… is to never give up."

Adrian let out a quiet sigh, then gestured toward her cup. "Go on. Try the coffee."

Elana took a sip, and before she could comment, he spoke again.

"I'll be your tuner… but only if you promise me something."

"Anything," she said instantly, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Adrian's expression turned serious.

"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."

A cold glint flickered in Elana's eyes. She set the cup down slowly and nodded.

"I already had plenty of reasons to win," she said, her voice firm. "But now—I'll erase even the slightest chance of losing."

She looked up at him, her gaze unwavering.

"For you, Professor."

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.