Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 31 - 30- Unexpected advice

It was absurd. Now that Adrian thinks about it.

Just ten days ago, he couldn’t inscribe a single f*kcing rune. And now, he was a genius. Well, not genius but somewhere around it.

’Do I have a different talent than others?’ He asked himself but someone responded.

[I suppose you have a great ability to learn and adapt.]

The system sometimes responds to him even when Adrian doesn’t talk to it.

Adrian hummed, ’Thanks to the book and the tools provided in the time chamber, I can learn and practice better than anyone.’

He’d been using the Time Chamber every single day, staying inside until it forcibly threw him out. Even outside of it, when he wasn’t teaching, his mind stayed glued to the books. That relentless focus never left him.

Maybe that helped? Or maybe... it was something more. He was already a studious and brilliant child in his last life. Now, with Adrian’s discipline and Lex’s raw mental power fused into one, it was as if he’d become a super genius—something beyond either of them.

’Yeah, that sums up the daily quota of narcissism.’ He inwardly mused as he finally reached the foot of the hill, from where the town began.

Nestled beneath the rolling Adevery Hills lay Adevery Town—a humble home to just over a thousand souls. Most who lived here were war refugees, orphans, and elderly folks—people who had nowhere else to go, no place to truly call home.

The Tower and the Academy provided the town with financial support, ensuring that no one went hungry. Law and order were kept in check by a governor, whose role was rotated every two years based on the people’s voice. Once a month, an inspector from the Tower would arrive to make sure everything stayed in line.

Today, however, the town wore a different face—it was alive, vibrant as if wrapped in celebration. The streets bustled with vendors offering trinkets, toys, and freshly baked goods. Lanterns hung along the paths, their soft glow casting a warm light that danced on the cobblestones. Above, colorful flags fluttered from strings stretched across the roads, swaying gently in the breeze.

It felt like a medieval festival plucked from a storybook—glowing lamps, laughter in the air, and a town momentarily free of sorrow.

Adrian took a deep breath, as a smile extended his lips.

’This is so chaotic yet so peaceful...’ There are many people around since people get a variety of shops here. But despite the evening rush, Adrian could feel his heart at peace

With his hands tugged in his pockets, he weaves through the market silently. Unlike some Professors, including the Headmistress, Adrian wasn’t famous, so no one identified him.

"That...looks delicious." He found a shop of steamed rice dumplings.

He checked his pockets, and fortunately, he brought some coins along.

"Can I get two dumplings, please?" He asked as he offered one silver coin to the vendor.

The vendor took the coin and was about to offer the change—one dumpling was ten bronze worth—but when he raised his head, the customer was gone.

’Well...he was in a fancy suit.’ The vendor smiled and just kept the change back.

While chewing on the chewy dumpling Adrian continued to move.

Seeing people smiling and having a happy time with their families, he...was suddenly reminded of his family.

’Something I never had...’ If there was something that his parents left for him then it was debt. And because he used to work almost twelve hours a day, Lex always remembers his darn father who left his responsibilities to him.

’No point in scratching old wounds...’ He has already moved on from that life and has decided to think about only his new life

Maybe it was because of the life he’d lived—the constant struggle, the days where even a coin mattered—that money became more than just a means of survival. It became a deep-rooted desire.

A wish to be rich... rich enough to buy what he wants without ever asking the price. Rich enough to not worry about bills when sickness strikes. Rich enough to wear a different coat, not the same old one, worn and patched over the years.

He’s learned something the hard way—money brings respect. When you’re rich, your words carry weight. People listen. They don’t brush you aside or look past you.

They don’t dare ignore you when there’s even a slight chance you could reach into your pocket and solve their problems.

It gives you fame and respect. And Adrian knows it too very well.

’I can never forget that birthday celebration of my nephew...’ His heart clenched when his mind went to that day...when he actually realized how unfair this world is.

Shaking his head, Adrian dumped the wrapper into the dustbin and decided to shop for something.

His eyes landed on a shop with pitch dark signboard and a single word written on it in white letters,

’Creation’

Adrian has come here in the past too, but only a few times. Since he only had an interest in teaching, not runesmithing, and the books were provided by the academy, Adrian never found it useful to come here often.

But now things are different.

"Woah...." He exhaled a sigh as he looked at the fine collection of tools arranged on the shelves.

Runesmithing doesn’t require anything more than your knowledge, skills, and a runic pencil.

However, some people needlessly bring unnecessary equipment in it to make Runesmithing appear difficult.

For example, some people buy the expensive Rune Alignment Compass to align the runes perfectly.

Then there was Amplifying Inks—some people believe that dipping the runic pencil in the ink enhances the rune’s abilities.

Then one of the most useless things—Mind Calming Candles. It, as it is written, allows the runesmiths to focus better during their sessions.

’Like...seriously?’ he couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

He has been Runesmithing for ten days, and he hasn’t found a single use for these things. Heck, he didn’t even know some of these things even existed.

Shaking his head, he headed towards the counter where the runic pencils were arranged.

"What would you like to see, sir?" The shopkeeper who was in charge of the department asked Adrian

Adrian looked around a bit before he pointed at one, "Show me that one."

The shopkeeper took out the pencil before handing it to Adrian.

As he held the pencil, the shopkeeper began to detail things about it, "Six inches made from etherwood. The lid is made of—"

"It doesn’t matter. The nib is just for show and to allow us to concentrate on where the pen is moving. The lid doesn’t actually do anything." Adrian interrupted the man and shared some knowledge that was not well-liked by the other person.

Adrian ignored him and continued to assess it—when suddenly, "You will find more comfort with this one," The runic pencil from his hand was snatched and a thinner one was slid between his fingers.

Adrian’s brows raised as this Pencil felt much more comfortable to hold.

"This is...actually quite-" his words were caught in his throat when he turned and found a pair of beautiful eyes looking back at him.

He was momentarily dazed but soon recovered, "Thank you for the suggestion."

The woman’s face was covered with a veil, but he could see those red burning eyes. And the way her eyes turned crescent, it was apparent that she was smiling.

"In exchange for the help, why don’t you treat me to something?"

Adrian was taken aback by that request, but he didn’t know why he nodded, "...okay."

In the future, he would recall this day as his first date with his wife.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.