The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 184: Duel

Chapter 184: Duel

Adeline exhaled heavily, trying to keep her frustration in check. She adjusted her grip, focusing on her movements. Her father circled her like a hawk, catching her every flaw leaving her no chance for respite.

Meanwhile, Aaron’s voice carried across the field. "Come on, Captain! Give me a break!"

The Captain’s response was a sharp bark of laughter, followed by the clash of wooden swords as he pushed Aaron harder.

Adeline could not help but smirk, despite her own misery. At least she wasn’t the only one suffering.

"Do not get distracted," her father snapped, drawing her attention back to him. "You will be fighting your brother tomorrow."

"What?!"

"You heard me," he said, his tone casual as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell. "You will spar with Aaron. It’s time to test what you have learned."

"But—"

"No buts, Adeline. You’ll face him, and you’ll do your best. If you can’t hold your own against your brother, you’ll have no hope against a real opponent."

Her stomach churned at the thought. Sparring with Aaron was the last thing she wanted. He was stronger, faster, and had years of training under his belt. The idea of going up against him was daunting, to say the least.

"But he’s—he is better than me!" she protested, gripping the staff tightly.

"That’s exactly why you need this," her father replied. "You don’t learn by staying comfortable. You learn by pushing yourself, by facing challenges head-on."

Adeline’s shoulders slumped, the weight of his words settling heavily on her. She wanted to argue, to beg him to change his mind, but she knew it would be pointless. Her father was not one to back down once he made a decision.

"You have the rest of today to prepare," he said.

Adeline wanted to cry! You are being too tough on a six-year-old! Yes, six, she had recently celebrated her birthday, it was an intimate celebration only with friends and family.

As she rested she thought about how she could fight her brother... Well, maybe she would do well. After all, she had the rare lightning ability.

"I believe in you!" Shouted the Goddess at the top of her lungs. Ever since her absence, she apologised countless times and promised to always be there for her.

Adeline was also prevented from secretly using her powers to revitalise herself. Her father hated her holy powers, to him they were nothing but trouble, he tried his best to hide it but she could tell.

The training grounds were alive with energy. A crisp morning wind swept through, carrying the faint scent of dew and freshly turned soil.

Adeline stood in the middle of the ring, gripping her small wooden sword tightly, her other hand trembling slightly as sparks of lightning crackled faintly at her fingertips. She was only six years old, but her father had made it clear that today, she was expected to face Aaron in a sparring match.

Across from her, Aaron smirked confidently, his wooden sword resting lazily on his shoulder. At eleven, he towered over her with a lean frame that hinted at years of training. Fire magic danced along his free hand, small embers flickering and twisting like they were alive.

"I will be giving it my all, Linny," Aaron remarked. It was a kind of warning...

Their father, the Marquess, stood at the edge of the ring, his arms crossed as he observed them with his usual stern expression. "Begin," he commanded, his voice carrying over the field like a bell.

Aaron didn’t hesitate. He lunged forward, his wooden sword aimed for a quick strike at Adeline’s side. Adeline barely managed to parry, the force of the impact sending a jolt up her small arms. She stumbled back, gritting her teeth.

Aaron pressed the advantage, delivering a series of rapid strikes that forced her to retreat further.

"You’re too slow," Aaron said. He was not mocking, but trying to teach her. He swung again, but this time Adeline dodged, rolling to the side and coming up with her sword raised. Sparks of lightning trailed her movements, small arcs snapping in the air around her.

Adeline gave him one look. She was focused, the crackling energy around her intensifying. She thrust her hand forward, and a small bolt of lightning shot out, aimed directly at Aaron’s chest.

Aaron reacted quickly, raising his free hand. A wall of flames erupted between them, the lightning bolt dissipating as it collided with the fire. The heat washed over Adeline, making her wince, but she didn’t back down.

"Not bad," Aaron admitted, lowering the wall of fire. He smiled. "But you’re going to have to try harder than that."

With a flick of his wrist, Aaron sent a wave of fire racing toward her. The flames roared as they surged forward, licking at the ground and closing the distance between them. Adeline’s heart pounded, but she didn’t falter.

She raised her hand, summoning a shield of crackling lightning that met the flames head-on. The two elements collided, creating a burst of light and heat that forced both siblings to step back.

Adeline seized the momentary stalemate to close the gap between them. She darted forward, her smaller size giving her an advantage in speed.

She aimed a low strike at Aaron’s legs, but he jumped back just in time, countering with a downward swing of his own sword. Adeline blocked it, her arms trembling under the force.

"You will have to face bigger opponents than me, be more creative."

She surged forward again, this time channelling her magic into her sword. The wooden blade crackled with energy, tiny arcs of lightning dancing along its surface. She swung with all her might, the enhanced strike forcing Aaron to go on the defensive.

He blocked the strike, but the impact sent a jolt of electricity through his sword and into his arm. Aaron hissed, shaking out his hand. "That actually hurt!"

Adeline took a deep breath and steadied herself.

He stepped back, raising his hand high. Flames coiled around his palm, growing brighter and hotter with each passing second.

With a sharp motion, he hurled a fireball at her. Adeline barely managed to dodge, the fireball exploding against the ground behind her and leaving a scorch mark.

She did not let the attack intimidate her. Instead, she used the opening to launch her own counterattack.

She threw another bolt of lightning, this one larger and faster than before. Aaron tried to block it with a shield of fire, but the bolt broke through, striking him near his shoulders.

He staggered back, his sword falling from his hand as he clutched his shoulder. "Ah!!!"

He could feel a searing pain, a pain that he felt in his bones. Just a brush from lightning was enough to render one paralysed.

Before he could finish, Adeline charged forward, her sword raised. Aaron managed to recover just in time, grabbing his sword and parrying her strike.

The two siblings clashed in the centre of the ring, their swords locked as they pushed against each other. Sparks of lightning and embers of fire flew in all directions, the air around them crackling with energy.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.