The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 175: Arch Mage

Chapter 175: Arch Mage

She would be miserable if she had to be away from her family, was that not the reason why she was fighting against the Holy Temple in the first place?

One of the elders rushed out to inform someone... Dimitri was getting nervous. He felt like he was not good enough and that he was going to be turned away.

His control over wind magic, often dismissed as weak and impractical for combat, was unprecedented. He manipulated the air with a precision and force that defied expectation, conjuring gales that could cut through steel and breezes that danced like a symphony.

The doors to the Arch Mage’s chamber creaked open, revealing a room filled with ancient scrolls, glowing artifacts, and a massive window overlooking the sprawling landscape below.

With the sun in the background, and the light enveloping the Arch Mage, he looked ethereal and almost divine. Dimitri was nervous. This man could decide his fate. If he was able to earn the favour of the Arch Mage, he would be able to make a name for himself!

He could climb the ranks and learn the secret techniques guarded by the tower, he was desperate to prove himself.

The Arch Mage stood by the window, his silhouette outlined by the setting sun. He turned as Dimitri entered.

The man was a striking figure—tall, lean and muscular at the same time, with long white hair that cascaded down his back like a river of silk.

Despite his unkempt appearance, there was an undeniable aura of power about him. His emerald green eyes, sharp and piercing, seemed to see right through Dimitri.

"So, you’re the one causing all the commotion," the Arch Mage said, his voice deep and resonant. He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving Dimitri’s. "Show me what you can do."

Without hesitation, Dimitri extended his hand. The air around him shimmered as he summoned a whirlwind, its force lifting objects off the ground. He thought that this would be enough.

He caused all the objects to float and kept them floating steadily, was that not enough to prove his mastery over the element, his control?

The Archmage had his eyebrows lifted. Was this a joke? This was the display of power he wanted to go with.

Dimitri... He was not the type to be violent. While others would have directed their force at the Archmage.

He shook his head, "try again." He gave Dimitri one more chance. And this time, he got the hint. He showed off his most powerful moves. Forming blades of wind that cut his desk in half.

The Arch Mage’s eyes narrowed, but his expression betrayed a hint of approval. "Impressive," he said. "Wind magic is often underestimated, but in the right hands, it can be devastating. You, boy, have the potential to redefine its limits."

Under the Arch Mage’s tutelage, Dimitri’s days were filled with rigorous training and relentless challenges. The Arch Mage pushed him to his limits, demanding perfection in every spell and technique. Dimitri learned to manipulate wind not just as a weapon but as a tool of unparalleled versatility.

Every time he felt like he could not do it anymore, he pushed himself remembering his goal. He needed to give it his all... He needed to be powerful enough to help Adeline.

Joining the upper echelon of the Mage Tower meant dedicating himself entirely to this path, leaving behind everything—and everyone—he cared about.

One evening, after a particularly gruelling session, Dimitri sat by the tower’s edge, gazing at the distant horizon. The thought of Adeline tugged at his heart.

He knew he couldn’t be there for her in the way he wanted, but he resolved to become someone worthy of standing by her side—a name that commanded respect and power.

The sound of heavy boots against stone startled Dimitri from his reverie. Turning, he saw the Arch Mage standing behind him, his tall frame partially illuminated by the faint glow of runes etched into the tower walls.

The man’s long white hair, wild and untamed, fluttered slightly in the breeze. His piercing emerald eyes bore into Dimitri, seeing far more than the young boy was comfortable revealing.

The Arch Mage, noticing Dimitri’s inner turmoil, approached him one night. "You’re struggling," he said, his tone unusually gentle. "You think you’re abandoning the people you care about by being here. But magic requires dedication and your full focus. If they love you, they will understand."

Dimitri’s heart sank at the words, even as he nodded in reluctant agreement. The Arch Mage’s tone was pragmatic, almost indifferent, as though emotions were an unnecessary hindrance. It wasn’t what Dimitri wanted to hear, but he couldn’t argue with the truth in the man’s words.

What could he do? Argue with his master? No, that would not be the right thing to do.

"Do you know why this tower is so strict?" The Arch Mage asked, his voice hardening. He gestured broadly at the towering spires and the faintly glowing runes carved into every surface.

"Knowledge is our ultimate goal. It is the one true pursuit that matters. Families, relationships, emotions—they are fleeting, distractions from the timeless quest for understanding."

Dimitri frowned, the Arch Mage’s words cutting deeper than he cared to admit. "You don’t care about anyone?" He asked hesitantly.

The Arch Mage tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "I care about magic," he said after a moment. "The forgotten techniques, the forbidden methods, the ancient ruins and their secrets. That is what matters. Everything else is secondary."

He could not understand his master. He could not be like that. How could he not care about anyone... Was that not the basis of humanity? Just caring for others, friends family, and fellow human beings.

The words lingered in the air, heavy and unyielding. Dimitri felt a pang of unease. Was that the kind of person he wanted to become? Could he truly set aside his feelings, his connections, for the sake of magic?

Dimitri pushed himself to his feet, brushing dust off his robes. "Thank you for your advice," he said quietly, though his heart felt heavier than ever. He bowed slightly before turning to leave, his steps slower than usual as he made his way back to his quarters.

The Arch Mage watched him go, his sharp eyes narrowing in thought. The boy had potential—raw, untamed, but undeniable.

Yet there was something in him that the Arch Mage couldn’t overlook: a softness, a vulnerability born of his attachments. It was a liability, a weakness that would hold him back if not tempered.

"He is not ready," the Arch Mage muttered to himself, his tone laced with frustration. He crossed his arms, his emerald gaze following Dimitri’s retreating figure. "And I doubt he ever will be."

"I’ll become stronger," he whispered, clutching the charm tightly. "For her. For myself. I’ll prove that I can protect what matters without losing who I am."

But as he lay down that night, staring at the ceiling, doubt crept into his mind. Could he balance the demands of the Mage Tower with the ties that made him human? Or would he have to choose, as the Arch Mage had suggested, between power and love?

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