Annabelle was rushing back to the academy.

A terrible feeling gnawed at her chest.

She had gone to Aritveil to check on the situation after Jean received intel that the Acolytes were showing strange movements around the capital.

But when she arrived, there was nothing. No suspicious gatherings, no traces of Acolytes, not even a hint of Skulth members anywhere.

That in itself was odd. Too quiet. Too clean.

Her unease turned into certainty when she learned that the spy they had planted in Aritveil hadn't sent any report at all.

That's when it hit her—this could all be a ploy. A trap to draw her away from her Darling.

She wanted to deny it, to believe she was overthinking. Maybe the enemy really was planning to lure her instead. But no matter how much she tried, the feeling wouldn't go away.

And so, she was flying back at full speed.

She needed to see him.

Right now.

---

"What?" Ruby's lips parted in shock as she heard who Adrian had met.

He had told her not long ago about the man behind his brilliance in runesmithing—the one Bella once lived with. The man who had shaped their understanding of runes and craft.

The Legendary Runesmith, Avirin.

But to think Adrian had met him recently—even if only in his memory—that was something else entirely.

"Damn… you actually met the most famous man in all of recorded history," Ariana muttered, letting out a long sigh.

Adrian gave a small hum. "I had a feeling I'd cross paths with him someday… but not this soon."

He had assumed Avirin might've left behind a message or a trace within the armament the system promised him once he mastered the Fifth Thread.

But a full conversation with the man himself? That was far beyond what he had imagined—

and it came at the strangest possible time.

"So… what exactly happened to you?" Ariana asked, leaning back in her chair.

Adrian let out a long sigh and began explaining everything from the start.

He didn't leave anything out—there was no reason to.

He told them about the strange world he found himself in, his meeting with Avirin in that quiet village, and finally, the truth he had learned about himself.

"…So yes," he concluded, his tone calm but heavy, "I'm a descendant of one of the witches."

Ruby, still in a daze, silently handed him a glass of water. Adrian gave her a small nod of thanks before the room fell into silence.

Both women sat there, processing everything they'd just heard.

There were so many shocking details that, if it had come from anyone else, they might not have believed a single word.

After a long silence, Ariana finally spoke. "So… you have to keep your emotions under control. And you can't let anyone find out about your origin, right?"

Adrian nodded. "Exactly. If people learned I had ties to Nytharos, some might tolerate me for a while. But if they found out I'm connected to witches? No chance. They'd hunt me down with torches in their hands. Believer, non-belivers alike."

In this world, witches were seen as omens of disaster—servants of the Darkness, the very force that had brought chaos and death to countless lives.

That was why he had to keep it a secret—that the very source of independent magic came from those cursed beings.

"Hey, Adrian… about the world you described," Ruby said, her tone carrying more doubt than curiosity. "Are you sure you didn't notice a part of the city dedicated to the Divine One?"

Adrian shook his head. "I've traveled through that city more than once. Every street, every district—it was the same everywhere."

Ruby frowned slightly. "Then maybe that city was meant to be devoted to God?"

Ariana raised an eyebrow. "I don't get it, Ruby. You're not exactly the type to be bothered by religious things."

Ruby let out a small sigh. "It's not that I'm suddenly turning devout or anything. I only visit church on my birthday." She shook her head slowly. "It's just… something doesn't add up."

Adrian tilted his head. "What doesn't?"

Ruby stood up this time, offering her seat to Adrian.

Looking at both of them, she spoke carefully. "There are records in the Vermillion archives from the pre-Darkness era. And according to those records, life wasn't like what you described, Adrian."

Every great family and Tower had their own hidden archives—collections of texts and notes kept far from public eyes for obvious reasons.

Things like the notes Tia had found from Avirin. Or records of what really happened after the Darkness appeared.

Secrets powerful enough to change the present—whether it was the balance of power or the very beliefs of the people.

Naturally, the Vermillion family had one too.

And in that archive, Ruby had read about a time when people lived in peace and harmony.

"I mean, those records can't be forged," she added. "They're legitimate. Verified by professionals."

Adrian let out a slow sigh. He wasn't angry. Anyone would doubt what he'd said—accusing the very Gods who had once saved humanity would shake anyone's faith.

Ruby wasn't exactly doubting him. She just felt he might have misunderstood what he saw.

Ariana opened her mouth to speak—but before she could, a fourth voice drifted in from the window.

"So, you mean to say you don't trust Darling and me either?"

All three turned toward the sound.

A familiar raven-haired woman stood at the window, her eyes glinting.

"Bell—*dhak*—" Adrian couldn't finish saying her name before she appeared in front of him in a blink and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

Ariana and Ruby stared at them with concern.

Adrian also wrapped his arms around her as he heard her saying, "I am glad you are safe."

Adrian glanced at Ruby before he asked the girl, "Bella…are you okay?"

"Now I am."

The two remained in each other's arms for some time.

Annabelle couldn't explain how she had felt in these few minutes when she discerned that the Acolytes had fooled them.

Since she left that place, she has been praying in her mind continuously. Praying for her Darling's safety.

So yes, she was better now.

Separating from him, she informed Adrian, "The Acolytes fooled us…they planned to separate us so he could lure you to somewhere else. And it is apparent that they got you trapped."

The new shocked everyone in the room

Ruby gasped, "So…this ambush…was meant to…"

Adrian clenched his fist, anger boiling in his eyes.

Ariana growled, "I believe it's time, Adrian."

The man nodded.

It's time to erase the existence of a major section of the Acolyte society.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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