The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 53: Alex’s Breaking Point and the Secrets of Elemental Power

Chapter 53: Alex’s Breaking Point and the Secrets of Elemental Power

As everyone started leaving, Alex saw a beautiful girl sitting alongside Riven. She stood up and left after stomping her feet.

Everyone was looking at the girl, but Alex’s eyes were on Riven. The smile on Riven’s face was different. It felt playful—but not calculating.

Alex thought, So, he can make that kind of smile... it really is different from the one he used to give me back at the camp, calling me his friend.

Black Alex said in his mind: We are quite naïve, you know.

White Alex nodded, sadness in his eyes.

"Yes, you’re right," Alex replied, nodding his head to his inner self without noticing.

Hati’s head rose from the desk and looked at Alex in confusion, but he didn’t bark.

Alex stood up and left the class, with Hati following behind.

He reached the hall and headed for the stairs to go down. When he reached the stairs, from the shadow at the base, a figure stepped forward—tall, graceful, and wrapped in a dark green dress that hugged her body tightly. It enhanced her long, graceful legs, ending in the alluring curve of her hips and a narrow waist, tapering to a small chest, giving her a graceful allure. Her lustrous black hair reached her waist, a single emerald pin securing it behind her ear. Bangs framed her face, drawing attention to her sharp jawline and vibrant emerald eyes.

In Alex’s memory, a figure flashed—his mother’s figure—similar to hers, but different. Alex clenched his teeth.

As he tried to sidestep and leave, a venomous whisper came.

"You are still weak."

Alex stopped and turned his head sharply toward the girl, his eyes blazing in fury—but she had already left and vanished outside the door.

Alex clenched his fists and stormed down the stairs.

Hati quietly followed behind, clueless.

Alex reached the forest and stood before a large stone. He slammed his fist against it in anger and frustration.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Alex kept beating the rock until the skin on his fists cracked and blood started dripping down. Pain hit his brain.

Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!

Hati kept barking, circling around and biting at Alex’s clothes, trying to stop him.

Alex finally stopped, knelt down, and then screamed toward the sky—a scream of agony that tore through the silence.

He slammed down, and tears began to fall from his eyes, blood dripping from his hands, with Hati nuzzling him from the side.

Alex composed himself a little and said in a broken voice, "Sorry, Hati. I just couldn’t control my frustration this time. I remembered my mother... that memory still hurts me, even after so long."

He began caressing Hati with his bloody hands, leaning on the stone he had beaten, extending his legs and looking at the sky.

Did I make a mistake coming here? I know I can get stronger, but... why am I in the midst of enemies? It sure feels lonely in the midst of enemies.

Then he looked at Hati, and a warm smile appeared on his face. He took Hati in his embrace.

What am I thinking? My brother is always with me. I’ll beat this world that stands against me.

Resolve returned to Alex’s face.

Unbeknownst to Alex, in the shadow of a tree, the same girl who had whispered to him at the stairs was watching everything—with tears in her eyes.

She whispered, "Sister... I think you made a big mistake by abandoning your son."

On the first floor, the cafeteria was a vast, echoing hall lined with long tables and arched ceilings. The scent of sizzling meat and baked bread filled the air, mingling with the chatter of students and the clatter of cutlery.

But one section of the cafeteria stood apart—barricaded by shimmering elemental screens and steel—forming a wide enclosure at the far end. It offered privacy to those of higher status or with special permission. Inside, plush seating and elegantly carved tables replaced the standard benches, and waiters in academy robes moved silently, serving with impeccable grace.

At one of those luxurious tables, two girls were sitting.

Selene spoke with a worried face and a pleading voice.

"Rina, can you help me? Please?"

Rina sighed, putting her spoon down.

"Selene, you know it’s too late, right?"

Selene replied, guilt apparent in her voice and anxiousness on her face.

"I have to ask for his forgiveness. Mama said to tell her if I do that."

Rina scratched her already messy hair, thinking.

"Then why don’t you help him by donating the credits?"

Selene replied immediately, "That’s really a good idea. Sometimes, you can also suggest something so clever."

Rina didn’t understand and just nodded with food still in her mouth.

Meika Noctshade sat in the cafeteria’s private area, her hands clenched in her lap.

Across from her sat her elder brother, Evan Noctshade—his eyes dark as the abyss, watching her like a predator eyeing its prey.

With a greasy voice and a smile that never reached his eyes, he said,

"My little sister... if you were to tell someone about Riven Veylor, what do you think would happen?"

He paused, sipping slowly from a glass before continuing,

"You saw him kill a girl from a lower noble family. He didn’t help the students when it mattered most.

But tell me... would those crimes really be enough to punish him?"

He leaned back in his chair, the shadows around him thickening unnaturally.

"And even if someone tried... who would that be?

The girl he killed? A forgotten noble house? He could erase that family entirely, and no one would bat an eye.

In the end, he’s still the one who saved the students—including you."

He stood up.

It felt like the shadows bent toward him, like they were alive.

Evan moved slowly, kneeling down beside Meika—his face close.

She gulped. Sweat beaded down her brow.

He whispered in her ear, voice cold and oily,

"Be clever, sister. Don’t act naïve here.

This place is full of hyenas—

If you fall, they won’t save you.

They’ll just tear your carcass apart."

After Evan left, Meika slumped back into her chair.

"Huff..."

She let out a long, trembling breath—as if she had been holding it the entire time he was there.

Her shoulders sagged, and her eyes stared at the table.

My thinking really is naïve...

Alex returned and sat at the same desk in the back of the class. Hati slumped over the desk in front of him.

Dried blood still stained Alex’s hands. He had already healed the wounds using his wood element, but the stains lingered.

A teacher walked in—a towering figure wearing a sleeveless shirt, his bulging arms covered in old scars. A long, horizontal claw mark stretched across his entire forehead. His deep brown hair was tied back, and his eyes—sharp like an eagle’s—swept across the room with quiet authority.

He stepped onto the stage and smiled warmly. His voice was deep, calm, and confident.

"Hello, students. My name is Theodore Stormgaze."

He paused, scanning the students again, then continued,

"I’ll be teaching you the basics of Elemental Power, followed by cultivation methods. Eventually, we’ll discuss elemental properties in detail. Feel free to ask questions anytime."

He then asked,

"Now, let’s start with a basic question: What is Elemental Power?"

His sharp eyes landed on Riven Veylor, who wasn’t paying attention.

"Mr. Veylor, could you answer that?"

Riven blinked, caught off guard.

"What, sir?"

Laughter rippled through the class.

Professor Stormgaze didn’t react.

"Once more—What is Elemental Power, Mr. Veylor?"

This time, Riven straightened up and answered with a confident smile:

"Elemental power is a type of energy present naturally in our blood. We store it in our hearts in the form of circles. It’s a miraculous force that makes us stronger."

Professor Theodore nodded.

"Not wrong. But here’s a more complete answer—Elemental power is a part of nature. We humans acquired the ability to absorb it into our blood. Once absorbed, it flows through our body, strengthening every cell. Whatever remains is returned to the heart, where it is stored in the form of elemental circles.

Some of us are born with affinities—wind, lightning, fire... even rare ones like space, Mr. Veylor. These elements shape the natural world—and now, we harness them."

A hand rose in the crowd. The professor smiled.

"Yes, Mr. Alexander?"

Alex asked:

"Professor, do monsters have the same ability as us? And if yes, why are they stronger? Also, why do they form a core around their heart after B-rank? Do humans do the same?"

The room went silent. Students started whispering.

Professor Theodore grinned.

"That’s an excellent question, Mr. Alex. I’ll award you one credit for that."

Gasps erupted across the classroom.

"To answer the first part—yes, monsters do have a similar ability. However, there’s one key difference. Monsters focus on body cultivation from the very start. Their strength is rooted in physical transformation, constantly rebuilding themselves using elemental power.

Humans used to do that too—but it’s a painful path. You must break and rebuild your body, over and over, with your own element."

He continued,

"As for your second question—why monsters form a core around the heart—there’s a theory. As monsters grow stronger, their elemental energy becomes too volatile and fierce to be contained. To manage this, they convert their heart into a core, storing and channeling their elemental power more efficiently.

Humans, on the other hand, refine their elemental energy over time. It becomes purer, more stable—so we don’t need to form cores to survive our own power..."