“Hello, senior.” Olivia was startled at first, but quickly composed herself and greeted the silver-haired girl already seated at the table.

They were in the library, and since Olivia had already approached the table, walking away now would seem rude. So, the green-haired girl quietly pulled out a chair and sat down across from her senior.

Elana responded with a simple nod, her eyes still focused on the book in front of her.

Olivia opened her own book and began studying for the Aegis Trials—one of the three major exams held at the end of the term. Her weakest subject was runes and their history, so she was working extra hard to catch up.

A few minutes passed before Olivia’s brows furrowed slightly.

‘Hmm… this rune doesn’t match the alignment.’

She stared at the pattern on the practice sheet, confused.

One of the main tasks students had was to understand ancient runes and explain their history. But the symbol she was looking at didn’t match anything in her book, and that left her stuck.

She glanced around the room, but no teacher was nearby. The only person she could ask was sitting right across from her.

After taking a deep breath and gathering her courage, she asked, “Umm… Senior Elana, can I ask you something?”

Elana looked up briefly, her gaze shifting to the rune Olivia pointed out. Then she calmly replied, “Hapity’s Riddle, third chapter, fifth book.”

“…” Olivia was left speechless.

Such precision?!

“Y-You’re really good at this…”

Elana shrugged. “I just pay attention in class.” She closed her book and rested it on her lap. Then, looking at Olivia, she added, “But it seems like you didn’t just ignore the professor—you skipped his classes too.”

Olivia was caught off guard by that remark.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “I never ignored him… I’m just not good with runes. I need more time to understand things.”

Then, almost under her breath, she muttered, “…the one who ignored me was me.”

Elana chuckled—she clearly heard that.

“You mean to say you were the one being ignored… and that’s what led to the annulment, right?”

Olivia didn’t reply. She was already regretting starting this conversation, especially now that it was heading toward her past. She shifted slightly, ready to leave.

But Elana leaned back in her seat and said, “I know quite a bit about what’s been going on around you. A woman engaged to Professor Adrian… yet seen in bed with another man.”

Olivia’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Elana. “H-How do you—did Adrian tell you?” She couldn’t believe it. After everything—after the cold distance between them—he still talked about their past?

Elana laughed. But there was no humor in that laugh. It was sharp, mocking.

“You really don’t know anything about him, do you? If you did, you’d never accuse Adrian of something like that.” She leaned forward, her voice quieter but firm. “He’s not the kind of man who would ever humiliate a woman, or let her name be dragged through the mud. But clearly… you never understood him.”

“Then how—”

“Because everyone else knows,” Elana said flatly.

Olivia was stunned into silence. Elana didn’t waste the moment.

“Everyone in the female dormitory has seen Allen coming and going from your room late at night. That alone was enough for people to put the pieces together.”

Olivia’s face turned pale. She had convinced herself that the whole thing—with Adrian, with Allen—had long been buried and forgotten. But now she realized… the entire academy knew.

Elana continued her voice sharper now, “You cheated on him, and yet you walk around as if nothing happened. And you even have the nerve to say he ignored you?”

Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

“Tell me something, my dear junior. How many times did you actually talk to him? Did you ever ask about his past… or what kind of burdens he was carrying? Did you even wonder whether that smile he always wears is real… or just something he puts on to hide the pain?”

Olivia’s hands tightened into fists on her lap, her eyes locked on the table.

Because the truth was… she hadn’t.

She never did.

She always resented Adrian for being cold and for not opening up. That resentment had pushed her toward someone else—toward Allen.

But now, in this moment of cruel clarity, she realized something bitter: Adrian was lonely too.

He had his own battles. His own scars. He needed someone to lean on… just like she had.

The only difference was—she found someone.

And he didn’t.

She very well knew that when they were engaged, despite everything, he had stayed loyal.

She was certain of it.

Elana stood up and took a step back. Her parting words struck like a final blow.

“You’ve committed an unforgivable sin. But… thank you for that.”

Olivia looked up, startled.

Elana’s silver eyes glowed—not with anger, but satisfaction. “Because now that you’ve let him go… I won’t hold back in going after him.”

And with that, she walked away ….leaving a stunned Olivia behind.

°°°°°°

“Insane…”

That was the only word Adrian could manage when he stepped into the workshop of the Vermillion heiress.

Tucked behind the grand mansion, a modest one-story building stood quietly, entirely devoted to her craft.

It wasn’t tall, but it was wide—spanning nearly twenty meter. Not an inch of space was wasted.

To the left, the blacksmithing area gleamed with purpose. Tools of every kind hung neatly on the walls, and stacks of metal, ores, and unfinished pieces were organized carefully in the corner. The scent of iron still lingered in the air.

On the right side lay a small indoor training zone. A worn punching bag swayed gently from the ceiling, and training dolls stood in silent readiness. Swords, spears, and practice weapons lined the walls, each one showing signs of regular use.

But it was the center that stole Adrian’s breath.

The heart of the room—spanning more than half the space—was devoted entirely to Runesmithing. Tables were scattered with glowing parchments, ink vials, and fragments of etched metal.

Complex rune circles were drawn across the floor and walls, pulsing faintly with stored magic. He could see a few artifact scattered around, and a huge board hanging on the wall which was filled with scribbles.

It was clear—this was not a hobby. This was her world.

And in that moment, standing at the threshold, Adrian felt as though he had stepped into the mind of a genius.

“Welcome to my favorite place in the world.”

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Match made in heavens. Thanks for reading.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep