Chapter 201: Suspicions
Lucas raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering with interest. "That’s one way to put it," he said. "I’d say it’s more... Unique."
Adeline shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe. But unique doesn’t always an better."
Lucas was silent for a mont, his eyes scanning her face as if searching for sothing. "You’re wrong," he said finally. "It’s better to be unique. It sets you apart."
Adeline t his gaze, surprised by the conviction in his voice. Before she could respond, the instructor’s voice rang out, calling for the students’ attention.
"Now, let us move on to your practical exercises," the instructor said. "Rember, connection is the foundation of control. Without it, your elent will remain a stranger to you."
The students began their exercises in earnest, each group focusing on their respective elents. Adeline watched as flas danced, water swirled, and stones shifted under the guidance of their wielders.
Adeline sat quietly at the side of the classroom, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her desk. Her gaze wandered to the groups of students working diligently with their instructors, their faces alight with concentration as they connected with their elents.
She glanced at Lucas, who was seated beside her. They were both outliers here, left without an instructor to guide them. For a mont, Adeline felt a pang of envy.
At least Lucas’s elent was still known, still studied. Ice might be rare, but it wasn’t extinct. There were books, teachings, and records about it, things she could only dream of for her own elent.
But then another thought struck her, heavier and more bitter. Even with all that information available, Lucas had still been abandoned by the instructor.
His presence was deed not worth the effort. The instructor was far more interested in tutoring the third prince, soone whose potential far outshone Lucas’s agre powers. Despite the rarity of his elent, Lucas’s abilities were minimal, unimpressive in the eyes of those who sought prodigies.
Adeline sighed softly, the familiar weight of self-pity settling in her chest. Her circumstances were even worse. She had no instructor, no peers, no knowledge, and no precedent for her elent.
Lightning was an enigma, a relic of the past that no one seed interested in understanding. She had learned how to use it in battle, but it was raw, untad power. Control eluded her.
Lucas turned his head, watching her closely. He didn’t miss the flicker of sadness in her eyes or the way her shoulders slumped slightly. For a mont, he considered saying nothing, but then an idea ford in his mind. This was an opportunity, one he couldn’t let slip by.
"Miss Adeline," Lucas said softly, his voice calm and asured.
She looked at him, her expression neutral but curious.
"I couldn’t help but notice..." He began, his tone carefully casual, "You seem a bit... disconnected from your elent. It’s understandable, given the circumstances."
Adeline raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued despite herself. "And what would you know about it?" she asked, though there was no malice in her voice.
Lucas leaned back slightly, folding his hands in his lap. "I know what it feels like to be left out," he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "We’re both here, aren’t we? No instructor, no guidance. Just us and our elents."
Adeline tilted her head, studying him. His words weren’t wrong, but she couldn’t help but feel there was more to his sudden interest. "True enough," she admitted cautiously.
Lucas’s smile widened ever so slightly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I might not be the strongest wielder, but I do have so experience in understanding my elent. Ice is... Stubborn. It doesn’t co naturally to . But I’ve learned a few things about connecting with it, and I think those thods might help you too."
Adeline blinked, surprised by his offer. "You want to help ?" she asked, scepticism creeping into her tone.
"Why not?" Lucas replied smoothly. "We’re in the sa boat, aren’t we? Besides, helping you might help
as well. Sotis teaching others can deepen your own understanding."
Adeline frowned slightly, her mind racing. She didn’t trust him entirely—Lucas wasn’t soone she knew well, and his sudden interest was suspicious.
But then again, she was desperate. She needed to feel a connection to her elent, to gain so semblance of control. Her father’s training had been useful for combat, but finesse had never been his priority.
"Alright," she said slowly, her voice careful. "I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try."
Lucas’s smile grew slightly, his expression remaining calm and collected. "Good. Let’s start simple," he said, gesturing for her to focus. "Your elent is lightning, yes? It’s powerful and destructive... But it’s also fleeting. It’s not like fire, which can burn continuously, or water, which flows endlessly. Lightning strikes, and then it’s gone. To connect with it, you need to understand that rhythm."
Adeline nodded, though doubt lingered in her eyes. "And how do I do that?" she asked.
Lucas leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "You need to stop trying to control it like the other elents. Lightning doesn’t want to be tad—it wants to be free. You have to let it co to you, to feel its energy without forcing it."
As for how he knew all of this... He had to thank the person who brought him back to the past. Lightning powers... Hah, the Adeline in his past life was stupid. Desperate for attention and importantly, had no powers.
He knew she was special... Just like him. She received powers... Just like he did. He wishes he was lying about his powers being weak... He was brought back but there were not too many changes, he still ended up with the shortest stick.
And still, the world threw him curveballs... A brother that should not have been born. And with powers that could rival Cassian’s!
He hated it... Why... Why couldn’t anything go his way? He shook his head, one problem at a ti. Right now, he needed to investigate Adeline and possibly make her an ally. Who knows? Maybe she would be a useful pawn after all.
Adeline frowned, her mind working through his words. It made sense, in theory. Lightning wasn’t sothing that could be contained or manipulated like other elents. It was wild, and unpredictable. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to focus.
She was only its vessel, she was not the controller. She needed to direct lightning towards the target...
Lucas watched her intently, his gaze sharp and calculating. He needed her trust, her willingness to confide in him. Cassian had always been a barrier, hovering protectively around her and ensuring no one got too close. But now, with the Crown Prince off playing the role of a powerless, pitiful man without magic, Lucas had his chance.
"Try to feel it," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "Don’t think about controlling it. Just let it co to you, like a storm rolling in."
Adeline’s brows furrowed in concentration. She could feel the faint hum of energy within her, a spark buried deep inside.
The problem was never the amount or strength it was all about her control.
"I can’t," she muttered, frustration creeping into her voice. "It’s still beyond ... If I go on like this I am sure to hurt many."
Hah... Lucas scowled. If only he was given these powers. He could do many things... So many things. But instead it was wasted on the likes of her while he was stuck with useless, agre ice powers that could barely do any damage.
Lucas’s expression remained neutral, though he felt a flicker of satisfaction. Her desperation was clear, and it would make her more willing to rely on him. "It takes ti," he said calmly. "You’re not going to master it in a day. But with practice, you’ll find your way."
Adeline opened her eyes, eting his gaze. There was still doubt in her expression, but there was also a glimr of hope. "We’ll see," she said quietly, though her tone was slightly softer than before.
Lucas leaned back, his smile faint but unwavering. "We will," he agreed.
As the class continued around them, Adeline couldn’t shake the feeling that Lucas had ulterior motives. But for now, she decided to set her suspicions aside. She needed help, and Lucas was offering it. Whether his intentions were pure or not, she would take whatever guidance she could get.
Lightning was her elent, her power, and she was determined to master it—even if it ant working with soone like Lucas.
Back then, he had been timid and shy, the kind of boy who slinked into the shadows rather than command attention.
Yet even then, a small part of her had always been certain that there was more to him than t the eye. Sothing about him, the way he observed others so carefully, had hinted at a hidden side—a side he had never let anyone see.
Was she going to uncover that part?
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