In the evening, Adrian met the person who would be protecting him for the next two days.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Eve." It was a red-haired woman in her twenties, perhaps.
Clad in sleeveless armor that showcased her toned muscles and battle-worn scars, she carried a striking, almost rugged allure. Her fiery red eyes burned with intensity, and her sharp features only added to her untamed beauty—fierce, unyielding, and effortlessly captivating.
"I was requested to be an escort." She said in a flat tone as she remained standing before the table
A straightforward personality, huh? Well, Adrian appreciates it.
"Yes, you need to be my guard until I return to the Academy. I think you must have already had a talk with Headmistress Ariana about the pay?"
"Yes. It'd be 700 a day."
Adrian raised his brows...that's quite less than what he heard.
"Would you mind if I ask for your Warden ID card?"
The woman might have read his thoughts as her eyes narrowed. However, she didn't say anything, even though she seemed inclined to, and handed him her hunting ID.
Adrian assessed the ID and was surprised to find her rank.
"You are at seventy-seven rank? That's impressive." Adrian complimented.
"Yes. The only reason I am charging you so little is because Ariana is my ex-senior." She clarified.
Adrian hummed. That explains.
He handed the ID back to her before asking her, "So, shall we leave right away?"
The woman remained silent, which was taken as a 'Yes' by Adrian as he got up from his seat.
He has already hired a carriage and a driver to drive him back home.
The total money he would be spending on this trip was about two thousand gold coins. Too much, but there was no other option.
As he stepped into the hall, Eve began following him.
There were several students who came across them and greeted Adrian as they usually do.
Eve noticed that the most enthusiastic ones were the little girls, who stopped in their tracks to greet the teacher.
Their giggling and the sighs of admiration made it clear that Adrian was popular in the Academy.
'Well, he has the looks...but without strength, it means nothing.'
"Oh, hello, Miss Sylvie." Adrian nearly bumped into a girl with wavy blond hair.
She visibly shivered upon coming across the male.
'Blond hair, those eyes, that name and student of the Runebound...' She discerned her identity soon and also stepped forward and greeted her, "Good evening, Your Highness."
Sylvie narrowed her eyes at the woman before she reflexively asked, "Who are you?"
Eve opened her mouth to say something but, "She is my friend. We are going for a casual outing. Okay then, student."
Without another word, Adrian pulled Eve away from the Princess—leaving a shocked Sylvie behind.
"Why did you lie?" Eve asked in a tone that barely hid her annoyance.
"I don't want anyone to know that you would be working as my guard." He simply told her without further explaining.
The truth was, Adrian knew how far his family could go. If they get to know that Adrian is bringing a Warden as security, they will also prepare accordingly.
They don't want to lose control over Adrian.
And considering Sylvie's grudge against him, he knew she might inform his family.
On the other hand, Eve felt that the man was spouting nonsense. He just didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the Princess by declaring that he needed a guard just because he was a weakling.
'I heard he is a failure as a Runesmith as well...' She scoffed inwardly.
....
Soon they reached the front gate of the Academy.
The academy was quite vast that's why it took them ten minutes to reach the exit.
A black carriage, not too fancy, with four wheels and tied to two horses, could be seen.
Adrian went to have a quick chat with the carriage driver and after he paid him, he returned to the lady before ushering her, "Please go ahead." He opened the gate for her.
Eve wordlessly stepped inside the carriage and ran her eyes around just in case.
She didn't find any unnecessary items, nor did the carriage driver seem suspicious.
She sat down on the left while Adrian took the seat across from her.
Since there was not much leg space, and Adrian had really long legs, he shifted to the front end of the carriage and gave her the space.
The carriage soon left the premises and headed towards the destination.
The Runebound Academy was situated on the top of Adevery Hill.
It lies in the north of the Capital. Since the Kingdom is small, there is only one Duke, one Count, two Viscount, and three Barons.
So the whole nation was situated in a compact area.
The Lockwood's territory lies between the academy and the Capital.
The main reason for the family's strong ties with the royal family lies in the invaluable services Count Lockwood has provided over the years.
Not only does Count Lockwood ensure the presence of elite personnel for security during times of crisis, but his long-standing reputation among traders has also significantly boosted trade, further strengthening his influence.
That's why, the new lady of the Lockwood would force Adrian to apologize to the Princess to maintain a good relationship with the King.
Well, she is not a bad ruler, however, she is a cruel person when it comes to her family's reputation.
And since she never considered Adrian as her family member, there was no doubt that she would go beyond rational means to bring things back under her control.
"What are you doing?"
Hearing Eve's voice, Adrian broke out of his daze and realized he was drawing runes in the air.
And the astonishing part ...he was not using his magical tool but his finger
"I got distracted." He said but just when he was about to dispel it, he found the flame rune reacting violently to the girl.
"You have fire affinity?"
Eve narrowed her eyes, but her head nodded in agreement.
Adrian hummed as he took out a wooden spoon from his bag before he asked, "What weapon do you use?"
Eve took out a dagger from the side of her waist.
Adrian nodded as he inscribed runes on the spoon casually.
He didn't know why, but inscribing runes seemed fun to him.
Maybe because he merged with the real Adrian, he feels so relaxed when his fingers continue to move, and his mind is focused on runes.
Eve was looking at him with a blank expression; she couldn't discern what was going on in his mind.
It was then—
**BOOOOOM**
An explosion shook the surface, making Eve and Adrian hold their seats to prevent their fall.
Eve instantly looked out of the window, and her eyes widened upon seeing a cloaked figure approaching them.
It was an Evil-God believer.
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- The story might feel slow in the beginning...I am trying to build the world.