The Runesmith

Chapter 660: Loud Chaperone.

“It’s such a shame Mother couldn’t be there. She would have loved to see it, but I don’t think the Count would have allowed it.”

“Probably not.”

Roland and his sister were talking about their older brother, Robert. The conversation drifted to his wedding, one that had not been officially sanctioned by their parents. In their world, nobles usually married to secure alliances and advantages, not for love.

Lucille had already been promised to someone else, and an agreement between two noble families was not easily broken. There needed to be a compelling reason to dissolve it, otherwise the wronged family could demand a substantial sum of gold as compensation for the insult. In this case, it would be deeply humiliating for a noble lady to choose a no-name knight like Robert. Even though their father’s reputation had grown, it was still not enough.

“Perhaps if Father gave them his blessing?”

“Did he suddenly grow softer while I was away?”

Lucienne still clung to a sliver of hope. If their family truly wished to proceed and if their father offered his blessing, then perhaps it might be possible. But she was forgetting one important detail.

“I do not think so.”

“Exactly. And besides, he already made a binding contract with Lady Lucille’s father to send Robert away.”

“That’s true.”

Lucienne lowered her head as the weight of reality settled over her. The binding contract between their father and Graham De Vere had not been a mere verbal agreement. Among nobles, especially those of standing like House De Vere, contracts were reinforced with magic. Graham could even claim that House Arden had acted in bad faith and deliberately broken the agreement, bringing serious consequences upon their entire family.

“It’s unfair.”

She muttered.

“They love each other. Isn’t that supposed to matter? Why do those old men have to interfere?”

Roland did not respond. He did not want to shatter his sister’s fragile understanding of the world. She was still a child and did not truly grasp how things worked.

“Unfortunately, that is simply how this world functions. But do not worry. In time, you will be able to see him again, maybe sooner than you might think.”

“Really? I can meet him?”

“Yes. I would even take you with me now, but we need to be careful of the person you came with.”

In truth, Roland could simply step through the gate and take his sister to see their brother whenever he wished. The problem was not the gate but the person she arrived with. 𝘙𝘈ΝＯВƐS

“Her…”

“Yes. I checked your situation, and if I try to take you with me, that guard of yours will start asking questions.”

Even now, the person who had accompanied Lucienne stood outside the entrance to the Deputy Professor’s private office. She kept her distance, but her gaze never strayed far. She was Lucienne’s new personal guard, a tier-three woman knight assigned to protect her after the recent attack.

“Ivetta would probably tell Father about it…”

“That would be my guess. She was likely ordered to shadow you and report your movements back to the estate regularly.”

The situation reminded Roland of the man once assigned to watch over him when he left to become an adventurer. Back then, his guardian had only been a trainee knight, poorly equipped and even more poorly prepared. The difference was obvious. His sister received a seasoned knight in proper gear, while he had been given the bare minimum. It was a quiet but clear sign of how their family valued them.

“Ivetta, is it? She seems diligent.”

“Is she here?”

“Just outside. She saw you enter through the hidden door and has been waiting ever since.”

Through the monitoring system, Roland could easily observe anyone lingering nearby. Lucienne was officially his student, which gave him a reasonable excuse to meet with her. However, if he attempted to take her to the teleportation chamber, the knight would almost certainly intervene.

“You can see her while we’re talking?”

“It is not difficult.”

Roland stretched out his hand. The runes etched into his armor began to glow and shift as he adjusted the spell. Moments later, a small holographic image of the park outside flickered into view. Ivetta stood behind one of the trees, watching the building’s entrance with a serious look on her face.

“Oh. It really is her…”

Lucienne was still a novice mage, currently classed as a Clairvoyant. It was not a combat-focused class, but it excelled at reconnaissance and perception.

“If you continue practicing your spells, you may be able to do something similar before long.”

“Really?”

“Yes, one of the first things a clairvoyant learns is to see things from a distance. Have you been studying anything during your house arrest?”

“Not really. The teacher Father hired only taught me some basic and a few new mana meditation techniques, along with a couple of new spells.”

He could see her status screen, and it was true. She had not learned anything that would truly advance her core abilities. She had gained a few levels and picked up several additional combat spells. It was possible she had been using the underground area to defeat monsters. The same one he trained when he was young against goblins.

“Is that so? Then take this.”

“This is?”

“A special badge. With it, you will be able to access the institute libraries without limits. Just be careful. Your current class is quite special.”

“I know. Mother and Father even gave me this.”

Roland nodded when he noticed the pendant she was wearing. It concealed her status screen and displayed her second class as a mana scribe. It was similar to the necklace he used himself, though his version might have been more refined.

“It is good, but use this as well.”

From his runic spatial pocket, he produced a small ring. The runes etched into it were extremely small. Unless examined closely, even experienced runesmiths or rune mages would not be able to determine its function.

“It will enhance the pendant you already have and also allow me to know where you are. Keep it with you at all times.”

Lucienne nodded, took the ring, and tried to slip it onto one of her fingers.

“Thank you, but I think it is a bit too big for me.”

“Just inject some of your mana into it.”

“Like this?”

She followed his instructions. As her mana flowed into the ring, it began to shrink until it fit her finger perfectly.

“Oh? How does it work?”

“It uses a special spell combined with an alloy that can constrict slightly when infused with mana. If you reverse the flow of mana, it will expand again.”

After giving an explanation, he demonstrated the process once more, enlarging and shrinking the ring before they finished their conversation. Elodia had helped him with the design, since he had no idea what a teenager might consider cute to wear. Judging by her reaction, his sister liked it.

“It is best if we end this now. Otherwise, your guardian will grow suspicious. She seems to be getting restless.”

Roland noticed the knight peeking out from behind a tree more frequently. It was clear she was about to approach. He had said what he needed to his sister and had also gathered some information about his father and the Arden estate.

As always, their father, Wentworth Arden, remained near the northern border. With his newly acquired position, he had become deeply involved in the ongoing battles against the empire and other forces that threatened the kingdom.

Roland did not know whether his father was searching for Robert. Lucienne had told him that Wentworth had rarely been at the estate since the escape. Francine, the second wife, was aware that Robert was alive, as he had sent a message to ease his family’s worries while making them believe he had left the kingdom to start a better life elsewhere.

“Ivetta can be overprotective. It is all because of Mother. She made all those unreasonable orders. She is always somewhere, watching...”

Lucienne seemed to have some reservations about her new chaperone, but in Roland’s eyes, the woman was doing a good job. It was understandable that Francine had tightened security around her youngest daughter. After Robert’s trial and disappearance, fear had likely taken root in her heart.

“Your mother is worried. After what happened, caution is not unreasonable.”

“I know…”

“At least in this Institute you are safe, so go back to your friends and your classes. Use the badge I gave you to study for the tests. You are going to need it.”

“Tests?”

“Yes. Did you forget that you missed a lot of classes? You will have to retake them before midterms.”

“Ack!”

Lucienne grabbed her head as if she might tear out her hair. She had missed many lessons, and some needed to be completed, or she would be held back a year. Luckily, she still had time to catch up with her peers.

“Just do your best.”

Finally, Roland rose from his seat and headed for the exit. Before he could reach it, he felt her hug him from the side. His sister no longer seemed to mind the sharp edges of his armor. For a moment, he wrapped an arm around her and gently patted her head.

“I am glad that you are back. I did not think I would ever see you again.”

“Well… it was not a decision I entirely made myself.”

“Oh?”

“Let’s walk, and I’ll explain.”

Roland moved forward and explained that he would be coming here more often than he had originally planned.

“The runic department will take part in the Quinquennial Arcane Institute Convocation, and due to certain circumstances, I will be designing some of the devices for the competition.”

“The Quinquennial Arcane Institute Convocation?”

“Yes. In a few months, I also have to decide on some of the students who will participate.”

Surprisingly, Lucienne did not ask many questions. Instead, she seemed lost in thought.

“The participants are chosen based on their grades, right?”

As they were about to step outside, she stopped and asked her question.

“Yes, most of them will be selected from the top performers.”

Usually, the highest-scoring students were chosen to represent the institute. However, a professor could also nominate someone they believed was exceptional in a particular field. There were many competitions, some larger than others, so there would be many participants this time, and the competition would be fierce.

“Good grades…”

His sister nodded as though she had come to a decision. A moment later, the door opened, and the two of them stepped outside. Ivetta, the knight hiding behind one of the trees, had moved a little closer. The instant she spotted Lucienne, however, she froze.

‘Someone needs to teach her how to be less obvious.’

The thought crossed Roland’s mind as he glanced at the knight. Ivetta stood rigid behind the tree, half of her armored shoulder visible from his angle. Strong, perhaps, but hardly subtle.

‘At least her level is high.’

He did not recognize the woman’s last name and wondered if she had only recently sworn loyalty to his father during one of his military expeditions. Now that his father held a high enough position, being a Baron no longer mattered. Many would seek to prove their worth, and perhaps she was one of them.

‘She could contend with that Baskerville fellow, but not against more than one.’

He thought back to the Magic Swordmaster he had faced with his allies. This knight stood at a similar level. In most regions of the kingdom, a tier three class holder would be more than sufficient, but Roland remained cautious. There were far too many hidden powerhouses in this world. For now, though, he would have to entrust his sister to this woman and to the institute. As long as the Archmagus resided here, it was likely the safest place for Lucienne.

“Ivetta, come out. I know you are here.”

Roland stepped away, and Lucienne did the same. They parted as teacher and student rather than as brother and sister. Ivetta seemed startled that she had been discovered and slowly leaned out from behind the tree.

She was slightly taller than average, with long brown hair and light blue eyes. Medium half plate armor covered her body, the crest of House Arden displayed on her shoulder guard. A long spear rested against her back, its pale polished shaft reinforced with dormant runes near the blade.

“My apologies, Lady Lucienne.”

Ivetta said, stepping fully into view and giving a crisp bow. Her voice was steady, but her eyes briefly shifted toward Roland.

“Deputy Professor Wayland, I presume?”

Roland inclined his head slightly, adopting the calm and distant demeanor expected of him.

“Indeed. She is free to go.”

He gestured, expecting both of them to leave. Instead, the woman approached him, her expression serious. At first, he was unsure of her intentions, half expecting the knight to scold him for addressing her as though she were a commoner. However, before he could say anything, she suddenly knelt before him as if he were her lord.

“News of what you have done for House Arden has reached me. You will forever have my earnest gratitude for protecting Lady Lucienne and even Lord Robert.”

“Ah…”

Several students began glancing over. It was not common for knights to kneel before others so openly.

“It was nothing. I was simply doing my duty as a faculty member.”

Roland shook his head, trying to downplay his involvement, but the woman did not seem convinced. Rather than leaving, she stepped forward, took his hand, and held it firmly.

“Nonsense. You showed righteousness and courage when others chose silence. House Arden will not forget such a debt.”

Her grip was strong. Had he not been a tier three class holder who had undergone bone reinforcement, his hand might have been crushed. He could not tell whether she was testing his strength or if this was simply the depth of her devotion to the Arden estate.

“…”

Resisting the urge to pull away, Roland turned his head toward Lucienne, who immediately understood.

“Ivetta, what are you doing? Leave the Deputy Professor alone. You are causing a scene.”

At her words, Ivetta seemed to notice their surroundings. She released his hand at once and rose smoothly to her feet, though her posture remained rigid.

“My apologies. I allowed my emotions to run wild and overstepped. Please punish me accordingly.”

‘Is this person truly trustworthy?’

The moment she stood, her voice rang out across the courtyard as if she were a soldier reporting a grave mistake to her superior. It was painfully obvious she had spent her life in the north battling nations and monsters rather than attending courtly gatherings. Roland quickly raised a hand before she could kneel again.

“There is no need for punishment. Please just remain standing.”

Ivetta froze mid-motion, then straightened like a spear driven into the ground.

“Yes, sir!”

Lucienne covered her face with one hand.

“Lower your voice…”

Several students were openly staring now. A few whispered among themselves, no doubt wondering why an armored knight had just declared her loyalty to a deputy professor in full view of the campus courtyard.

“I need to attend to some things.”

Roland exhaled slowly inside his helmet and turned away before the strange woman could start shouting again. His sister’s face had flushed red as she noticed the other students staring at them from all sides. That brief encounter marked the end of their meeting, and Roland finally had an excuse to leave the Institute. The competition had not begun yet, so for now, he headed back home.

‘They will be all right, won’t they?’

As he stepped into his workshop, the question surfaced again. He was not certain he could trust that knight with his sister’s safety. Her skill in battle was likely impressive, but she did not seem particularly sharp. Anyone with a bit of cunning could probably deceive her.

“Hey boss, you’re finally back?”

While he was considering the possibility of crafting a powerful golem to guard his sister, his assistant appeared at the entrance.

“For now, at least, yes.”

Bernir looked unusually cheerful. He stood there as if expecting Roland to congratulate him again on his new class.

“Congratulations again, Bernir. How is the new class?”

“Haha, it’s great, boss. I can’t stop myself from using this Soul Sense.”

He declared this while squinting in Roland’s direction. At first, he wore a wide grin, but it gradually shifted into a look of confusion.

“That’s odd.”

Bernir’s voice turned uncertain, and Roland frowned.

“What is?”

“Your color. Usually there’s only one, but you… You have more than one.”