Return of the Legendary Runesmith

Kaylie, a second-year student and Allen's classmate, stood off to the side, fidgeting nervously as her eyes darted around.

It wasn't just her who was nervous. But her situation was worse than others. After all, she was one of the non-combatant students who got caught in the chaos.

Each explosion made her flinch, and she instinctively stepped farther away.

"A-Are we going to die?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Stay calm, Kay. The Headmistress will protect us," her boyfriend—Davis—said, gently squeezing her hand.

What he didn't notice, however, were the sparks of mana flickering in her eyes behind her glasses.

While pretending to hide in the crowd, Kaylie was quietly chanting summoning spells across the academy grounds—deliberately keeping the teachers occupied. But despite all that effort, one thing nagged at her.

'Where the hell did that bastard take those three?' she thought, grinding her teeth in frustration.

Just a few minutes ago, right after the Headmistress stepped outside, Adrian had asked the three transfer students to follow him. Kaylie had wanted to follow too, but this idiot holding her hand had unknowingly stopped her.

"I think we should get ready for battle," Olivia called out, drawing everyone's attention.

The two instructors were too focused on guarding the entrances to notice her words.

Standing tall in front of the students, Olivia—her dark green hair catching the light—spoke clearly,

"I can hear the monsters getting closer. Prepare yourselves. Draw your weapons and take formation."

Kaylie narrowed her eyes. What is she suddenly talking about?

Still, no one questioned her authority. After all, the one giving the order was none other than the Student Council President.

Everyone began grabbing their armaments from the nearby stands, and those who already had theirs holstered drew them—ready to fight.

But one person didn't move.

Kaylie stood frozen in place, not making a single move.

"What's wrong, Kaylie?" Allen asked, glancing at her. "Where's your armament?"

The short-haired girl gave a sheepish smile. "I… must've left it in my room."

Allen frowned. "You came to training without your weapon?" he asked, clearly suspicious.

"Then at least tell me your element. I'm sure the gym has something that suits you." he insisted, already moving toward the weapon rack.

Kaylie could feel their suspicion growing, but she kept up the act.

"I-I won't be much help in this situation—"

"How long do you plan to keep pretending?"

A cold voice cut through the air, coming from the entrance.

Everyone turned, eyes wide, to see a brown-haired man standing there—his revolver aimed straight at Kaylie.

"Professor—ah!" Davis cried out as a shadow darted behind him.

In the blink of an eye, he was yanked back. A glint of steel flashed—pressed right against his throat.

Gasps echoed through the room.

Kaylie had taken him hostage.

She stepped forward, gripping Davis tightly, using him as a shield. Her blade stayed firm at his neck, the edge gleaming.

"Back off, unless you want me to slice his head off!"

Allen clenched his teeth and moved to step forward—

"Aghh!" Davis groaned in pain, freezing Allen mid-step.

"Easy there, tiger," Kaylie said with a wicked grin. "I won't hesitate," she said while bringing herself close to the wall so she could have a full view of the front.

Rylie and Blake also stepped closer but made no hasty move in fear of something happening to Davis.

She turned toward Adrian, her eyes burning. "You! Hands up!"

Adrian narrowed his eyes. "You switched sides recently, didn't you?"

He remembered correctly. The girl could use armaments until a few days ago.

Kaylie smirked. "You noticed? I thought all you ever looked at was Elana and Sylvie."

Adrian kept his voice calm. "Kaylie, if something's bothering you—"

"Oh, save it!" she snapped. "No one ever cared until now. But now that I'm the villain, suddenly you're all concerned? I don't want your pity!"

"But wasn't I there for you?" Adrian asked. "When you missed your deadline, didn't I stay with you in the classroom until you finished? Or did I ever ignore you when you came asking for help? And Davis—he stayed with you through everything."

Her expression wavered. Her grip on the knife loosened for just a moment.

But then—something whispered in her ear.

Her focus snapped back, her hand tightening.

"I don't care about any of that!" she shouted. "Hands up! Or he dies!"

The blade pressed deeper. Blood trickled down Davis's neck, dark and maroon.

Adrian slowly raised his hands, still holding his revolver. "I gave you a chance."

*THA* *THA*

Two gunshots rang out, loud and sudden. Kaylie flinched, eyes darting to the ceiling.

Then—

**SCIILP**

Something sharp sliced into her scalp. Her eyes went blank. Her legs gave way.

*Dhak*

She hit the floor.

Lifeless.

Adrian stepped forward, letting out a long breath.

Davis stared at the blood pooling around Kaylie's head. His eyes welled up.

"Kay... why... why didn't you listen to him…"

Adrian stood beside him and gently patted his back. "I'm sorry for your loss, Davis."

The boy bowed his head, his shoulders shaking.

Everyone around them fell silent, hearts heavy for the boy who cried even after being betrayed.

Allen gritted his teeth. He failed once again. Despite being so close to the mole, he couldn't do anything.

Once again, he was reminded of how big a failure he was.

"It's okay, child," Adrian whispered. "There was nothing you could've done." he patted his back gently to calm him down.

Davis trembled. His voice came out low, barely a whisper. "No… there is definitely something I can do."

Adrian tilted his head, puzzled.

But then—his eyes widened.

*STAB*

A cold pain pierced his gut.

He looked down—and saw Davis holding the knife.

Only it wasn't Davis anymore.

The figure before him had changed. Gone was the boy.

Standing there was a pale-faced man with a twisted grin.

"Abraham…"

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Bro is turning stalker ghey for Adrian.

By the way, the two bullets were—teleportation and a normal bullet. You can guess how it worked.

Drop a comment.