Return of the Legendary Runesmith
Chapter 140 139- Love

Ariana sat quietly, her body wrapped in a blanket. She was still naked underneath, but since the second thread had been tied, she had covered herself.

Adrian took a moment before moving on to the next step.

He glanced at the armament and said, "I've adjusted all the threads to match your mana flow. It might feel freeing—but don't push yourself too much."

"Freeing?" Ariana asked, puzzled.

Adrian paused, then explained, "It'll feel like you had a cramp in your back all this time. And now that it's gone, you'll feel lighter, like you can move better. Just don't overdo it, or you might end up with a new kind of injury."

Ariana gave a small nod, showing she understood.

Adrian pulled up a chair and sat in front of her.

"I'm going to tie the third thread now," he said. "But before that, I need to warn you—I'll be diving into your mind. I'll search through your memories to find the one emotion that truly shapes your mana."

Adrian seemed unsure. "If there's something you don't want me to see, we can stick to the normal method," he offered.

Ariana understood what he meant. She wasn't just some ordinary subject. Letting him inside her mind would reveal everything she had worked hard to keep hidden from the world.

That included any past relationships—things she might not be proud of.

That's why Adrian looked hesitant.

But Ariana said calmly, "There's nothing I want to hide from you. You might feel disgusted, though—so just be prepared."

Adrian gave a short nod. "That won't bother me," he replied. After all, he had seen horrific memories through the training doll. At this point, there wasn't much that could shock him.

Ariana gave a small shrug. "Then go ahead."

Adrian let out a soft sigh and told her to lie down.

She did, watching as he walked over to the cupboard and pulled out something unexpected.

Her eyes widened. "Wait—are you tying me up now?" she asked, startled by the thick ropes in his hands.

"Memories can cause strong reactions," he explained calmly. "I know you'd never hurt me on purpose, but I also don't want you to blame yourself if something happens while you're not in control."

Without arguing, Ariana let him tie her wrists to the headboard. She didn't think it was necessary, but she didn't resist.

When he finished, Adrian sat back down in the chair beside her.

"Now," he said gently, "calm your mind, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths."

Ariana followed his instructions without a word, trying to clear her thoughts and focus on the center of her forehead—a spot that always helped her find peace.

Adrian placed his hand gently on her head. Through one of her mana pores, he sent a steady wave of his own energy into her body, allowing it to flow in sync with her magic. Their resonance made the entry smooth—no resistance, no backlash.

Once inside her mind, he searched for a memory—something strong enough to anchor him within her consciousness.

And he found it.

Almost immediately.

Maybe because he already knew where to look.

The sky was dark.

Ariana was crouched by a dumpster, trying to disappear into the shadows. Her eyes shimmered with tears as she watched a boy—clearly younger than her—getting beaten mercilessly by a group of local thugs.

Back then, she had only just begun her combat training. Her mana control was shaky at best.

She had been timid—so timid that even someone raising their voice could make her flinch and back away.

When one of the goons brushed her hair aside and whispered something crude, she froze and tried to shrink away.

But the boy walking beside her wasn't the type to ignore such things.

Despite being smaller and clearly outmatched, Adrian had slammed his boot into the thug's face without hesitation.

What followed was a savage beating.

He was no match for them, and he knew it.

Yet every time he hit the ground, he rose again. Bruised, bloodied—but standing. Clenching his fists in front of his chest, as if to say, "I'm not done yet."

That was the moment Ariana truly realized how much Adrian cared about her.

That memory became a turning point for her—

The day she stopped running.

The day she decided to change.

The day she understood what strength really looked like… and what kind of person she wanted to become.

It took Adrian a few quiet minutes before he finally pulled back and began writing the rune on the weapon.

Ariana remained calm, even after revisiting that memory with him.

She watched him in silence, eyes steady, until he finished. Then, she softly asked,

"So? What is it… that influences me the most?"

Adrian looked up at her, then pointed his runic pencil at himself.

"Love," he said.

It was rare. Most people were driven by grief… or anger. Pain made strong roots in the soul.

But Ariana was different.

Her strength came from her love—

A love that centered around Adrian.

Without saying a word, he climbed onto the bed and kissed her.

Ariana let out a soft moan. His lips were rough, yet filled with longing. She could feel everything in that kiss—his love, his hunger, his restraint slowly slipping.

And she welcomed it.

She let him hold her, let herself melt into his arms, surrendering fully.

Every beat of his heart echoed against hers, and it filled her with warmth.

Her strength was tied to him.

And that truth made her… happy.

He parted from her and then hugged her closely.

Softly, he breathed a few words, "I love you, Aria..."

"I-I love you too..." She said it, finally.

Adrian looked at her smilingly before he slowly uncovered her, revealing her naked form.

She shivered slightly, noticing his gaze as she asked, "What about the walls?*

Adrian assured her, "I have artifact installed that suppresses the noise from leaking."

Ariana's eyes widened, "Then previously you told me to keep my voice low...just to torment me?" She tried to move her hand and grab him; but failed because of the ropes.

Adrian grinned, "Not today, Aria. You are now at my mercy~"

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.