For the past two days, the academy has followed the same strict routine.

Wake up. Revise for the day’s exams. Head to school. Take the tests. Eat lunch. Sit through the second shift of exams. Then return home and prepare all over again for tomorrow.

Everyone was serious. Focused. Determined to keep their scores high and their records clean.

Today, Adrian had been assigned as the invigilator for Class 2-B. He didn’t visit this class often—just the occasional weekly doubt-clearing sessions—so he wasn’t familiar with all the students seated before him.

Not that it mattered. He didn’t need to know their names. His job was simple: watch over the class, keep order, and make sure no one broke the rules.

In his past life, Adrian had been a teacher too. But back then, he taught little children in their homes—gentle lessons, full of laughter and crayons. This? This was different. A quiet hall. Rows of serious faces. The soft rustle of pages and ticking clocks.

And strangely, he found himself enjoying it.

“Seat three, left row—shift to your right,” he said, voice calm but firm.

The student froze for a moment, then silently obeyed.

Adrian didn’t need to explain. He understood their pressure, the desire to do well, maybe even the temptation to cheat. But that wasn’t the way. Not here.

He folded his arms and continued his quiet watch, reminding himself that sometimes, the best lessons are taught without saying much at all.

While he watched the student, he asked the system,

‘Show me my stats.’

[Name: Adrian]

[Age: 23]

[Race: Human]

[Str: 20]

[Spd: 20]

[End: 18]

[MP: 150/150] (Avg: 100)

[HP: 100/100]

….

Nothing much has changed except for his endurance. And the endurance stats progressed because he took a few hits from the Acolyte and then recovered.

Well, he has a way to increase his other stats too by working hard, but he isn’t getting much time these days to focus on himself.

‘Haah~I hope I am ready for what is to come.’

°°°°°°°°°

Ariana was in her office, currently reading something. However, her mind was focused on something else

Only four Wardens have responded to her request. She contacted ten.

Well, she couldn’t blame them; some of them were too far to come, and some were posted at critical spots to neglect their duties.

Regardless of their reasons, Ariana could rely on the four friends she once worked with. They are between the twenty-fifth and the forty-ninth rank.

Although these Wardens, along with Ariana, could handle a battalion of Acolytes, the opponent must have already prepared a foolproof plan to attack one of the safest establishments in the world.

Several unpredictable factors, and all she could do was to hope that Adrian would fulfill what he had promised.

For her, the children’s safety matters the most. And until they are safe, she knew she would tackle the danger somehow.

°°°°°°°°

[Next Day]

It was the final day of the examination.

Only the first half of the day required students to remain in the school building. The rest of the day would be theirs to breathe again—until the results, at least.

Unlike yesterday, Adrian didn’t have a class to monitor.

He sat quietly in his office, the soft morning light slipping in through the window. Before him lay the notes he had been compiling over the past few days—details on the Third-Thread.

Runesmithing had always been a form of therapy for him. The precise lines, the measured energy, the logic behind each symbol… it helped quiet the noise in his head. It helped him think.

And he needed that clarity now more than ever.

Because, unlike the others, Adrian knew what was coming.

The weight of that knowledge pressed down on his shoulders like a storm cloud no one else could see. He was the only one who understood the threat lurking beneath the surface. The only one preparing.

That made his responsibility heavier.

But if he allowed panic to creep in—if he let doubt or fear get the better of him—then everything would fall apart before it even began.

So he breathed slowly. Steadied his heart. And traced the symbols again.

Because staying calm wasn’t just a choice—it was the first line of defense.

*Knock*

Much to disturb his calmness, someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Adrian asked as he rested the notes on the desk.

“It’s me.”

Adrian paused….then doubted. He was hearing it right, right?

Getting up from his seat, he approached the door.

*Click*

The door parted and revealed a face which he was expecting.

“Why…are you here?” He asked without giving her the space to enter the room.

The blue-haired lady who once frightened Adrian stood there with an uncomfortable expression as she requested, “Can we talk? For a few minutes?”

Adrian sighed, “Well, you are already here, so come on in.”

He closed the door as she stepped inside and took the seat.

Adrian sat down across from her and said, “You contacted Ariana but didn’t get a reply. Shouldn’t you have already guessed my answer?”

Adrian didn’t need to share greetings or ask the reason for her visit.

The lady looked in a panic, and the only person who could arouse such emotions from her was Lord Lockwood.

He must have insisted on meeting him, that’s why the lady had to come here so she could convince him

“Adrian…your father recovered a few days ago. How would he feel to know his son has left the family-“

“Left or…thrown out?” Adrian interrupted.

Melissa frowned, “But we agreed on it.”

He gave a dry chuckle, “You would have gotten rid of me by any means. I just eased up on your work.”

Melissa averted her gaze and leaned back in her seat.

He was right, but she couldn’t back off now.

“I am ready to pay you…but when your Dad visits you, don’t mention anything about the agreement.”

“I have money, and I can earn more. So I don’t need your help anymore.” Adrian casually responded as he also leaned back in his seat, but not in distress.

Melissa clenched her fists, “Then…what do you want? What can I do to convince you?” Her voice trembled, and Adrian could guess the reason behind her desperation.

Adrian hummed before he told her his decision, “Then annul the agreement and let me become the next Count.”

This was something she could never accept. She has done everything in her power to strengthen the County and has prepared the kingdom for her son to rule.

That’s why Adrian asked for something which she would never-

“I agree.”

Huh?

Adrian’s lips parted as he heard her saying, “Nothing is more important to me than Adam’s happiness…so yes, tear those papers.”

“….”

Adrian underestimated her.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. The woman is obsessed with her husband.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep