Chapter 375: Chapter 374- Can’t focus
"Where are you going?" Annabelle asked with a pout, holding onto his arm with both hands, acting spoiled.
It was so early in the morning that she could barely feel awake.
She wanted to cuddle more, flirt more. And then, they eat breakfast together.
However, her Darling was already up and ready to leave.
Adrian let out a soft sigh. "Didn’t I tell you I’d be busy for a few days?"
"But why?" Annabelle groaned. "Where are you going now?"
"I’m going to assemble the question paper for the Aegis Trials," Adrian replied.
There were four rune teachers, each assigned to prepare several questions for the test. They would all meet today, just two days before the exam to assemble the final paper and avoid any leaks.
"Can I come with you?" Annabelle asked hopefully.
Adrian shook his head. "If I bring you to the staff room, no one will be able to focus. Imagine the strongest Warden walking in and sitting in the corner—everyone would freeze up."
Annabelle’s bangs covered her eyes as she asked softly, "Darling... am I that scary?"
Adrian frowned. "Why would you think that?"
Her voice grew smaller. "When I asked Ariana what happened back at the base... she told me I caused quite a scene. I didn’t realize it was that bad."
Adrian sighed. She truly didn’t understand how much chaos she had brought upon Skulth that day. Only after hearing Ariana’s account did she realize what she’d done—terrifying, yes, but in the best way possible.
Skulth no longer exists and it was all thanks to her. But it appears she might feel she has done something bad.
He sat back down on the bed and gently cupped her cheek. "Look at me," he said.
She slowly lifted her head, meeting his calm gaze.
"In my eyes, you’re still my adorable Bella," he said softly. "Don’t ever forget that, alright?"
"Really?" she asked, her tone filled with quiet hope, wanting him to say it again.
Adrian smiled and nodded. "Yes. You’re my cute little Bella."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
Annabelle hugged him tightly, burying her face against his chest.
The moment didn’t last long—Adrian was already running late.
He stood up and said, "There’s a meal waiting for you. And if you get a letter from Ruby, don’t open it."
Annabelle pouted. "I’ll open it and read it."
Adrian could only shake his head before heading out the door.
....
Adrian made his way to the staff room where the others were already waiting.
*Click*
The door opened, and he stepped inside to see four familiar faces gathered around the table.
"Sorry for keeping you all waiting, and good morning," he said, taking a seat between Ariana and Gilbert.
Rose smiled politely. "We just arrived as well."
Adrian returned the smile, setting his bag on the table before turning to face the headmistress.
Ariana leaned back in her chair. "I believe everyone has prepared their questions? You’ve had plenty of time."
Lyra’s hand shot up as she grinned. "Yes! I finished mine two weeks ago!" She looked far too eager to share what she had come up with.
Each professor was required to prepare fifty questions for the Aegis Trials, though only twenty-five would ultimately be chosen.
Adrian took out his neatly folded paper and handed it to Lyra, exchanging it for hers. Across the table, Rose and Gilbert did the same. Soon enough, all four teachers had their pens in hand, reviewing one another’s questions.
Adrian frowned slightly as he read the very first one.
> [’A’ and ’B’ share a similar affinity. An armament is tuned for ’A’, but under certain circumstances, ’B’ receives it. Will ’B’ be able to use the armament in any way? And what happens if ’B’ gets it tuned for their second thread—will it function? If it does, can ’A’ still use it afterward?]
Adrian hummed softly. The question sounded clever, but it wasn’t really that complicated.
Anyone who had learned the basics would know that even with similar attributes, runes inscribed for two different people aren’t the same.
When writing runes, you’re not just scribbling down the name of an element—you’re establishing a connection between the armament and its rightful owner.
So the answer was simple. Just a plain "No."
’B’ wouldn’t be able to use the armament under any circumstances—unless, of course, they just wanted to swing it around like an ordinary weapon.
He crossed out the question. It wasn’t strong enough to truly test a third-year student—though it might’ve made the first years sweat a little.
Continuing down the list, Adrian frowned again, his eyes flicking toward Lyra. Was she going easy on the students this time?
Across the table, Lyra looked utterly pleased with Adrian’s paper, her eyes sparkling as she read through the questions Adrian had written.
Adrian sighed quietly and returned his attention to the paper—until he suddenly flinched.
Something brushed against his ankle, sliding up his leg.
He narrowed his eyes and turned slightly toward the silver-haired woman beside him.
Ariana’s face was hidden behind the newspaper, her expression concealed from the others. But Adrian caught the faint curve of a smirk as she playfully rubbed her bare foot against his leg.
He shot her a sharp glare, his eyes clearly saying, ’Let me work.’
Ariana merely shrugged, the teasing smile never leaving her lips. ’Then focus on it,’ her eyes seemed to say.
Adrian grumbled under his breath. Why did she always have to tease him at the worst possible time?
He tried to focus again, but she suddenly rested her foot on his lap.
Adrian’s eyes widened when her heel started to grind.
He looked at her with the expression, ’Are you for real?’
Ariana just continued to move her heel, making it difficult for Adrian to concentrate.
Thankfully, the others were too occupied to even notice the subtle movement under the table.
Adrian tried to read a few questions again...but he couldn’t focus at all.
He tried to hold her foot too but she was just too persistent.
He glared at her, ’You want to play like this?’
She growled silently, ’Bite me,’
Adrian took a deep breath and suddenly his hand shot up her thigh and touched a place she wasn’t expecting.
"Ah!" She yelped instinctively, gathering everyone’s attention.
Ariana was suddenly the center of everyone’s attention while Adrian calmly held the paper, his both hands on the table.
"Headmistress?" Rose asked with a tilt of her head.
The silver head felt her face turning hot as she coughed and said, "I am feeling a bit stiff. Just continue."
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.