The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 193: Layla

Chapter 193: Layla

The room fell into a comfortable silence, and Adeline decided to shift the topic. "So, the exams... Theresa seems pretty confident about beating you. How are you feeling about it?"

Maia’s expression grew thoughtful. "I’ve been preparing, but I know she’s been training hard too. She’s skilled, I won’t deny that. But I think I have a good chance."

Adeline nodded. "Good. Confidence is key. Just don’t let her words get into your head. People like her thrive on making others doubt themselves."

Maia’s smile returned, this time stronger. "I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Adeline."

Adeline waved her off. "No need for thanks. Just focus on doing your best."

The two girls fell into an easy conversation after that, discussing the upcoming exams and their plans for the term.

She learnt a lot about Maia, she came from a modest family, and she had a younger brother. She worked very hard to get into this academy, sure there were many educational institutions but this was the top-ranking one.

If she was able to graduate from here, she could achieve great things and help out her parents. Adeline was glad to hear that she had supportive parents. She knew how some parents were... Especially in a world like this.

They did not value daughters that much but she was glad Maia was given a chance to achieve her dreams.

As Adeline and Maia were chatting comfortably in their dorm, the door suddenly swung open. A girl walked in, her presence as loud as her entrance.

She had light blond hair that was curly and slightly messy, much like her bed had looked earlier. The moment she stepped inside, her foot caught the edge of the small table near the entrance.

"Ouch! Damn it!" she yelled, hopping slightly as she rubbed her foot. Her pretty green eyes instantly welled up with tears, making her look like an upset child.

"This was not the entrance I had planned..." she mumbled to herself before straightening up as though nothing had happened.

She cleared her throat, trying to recover some dignity, and said, "Ahem. Hello, I’m Layla. I wield wind, and I’m from the Harmony faction." She smiled brightly as if the earlier mishap had never occurred.

Adeline and Maia exchanged a glance, Layla had a certain energy that was hard to ignore.

Adeline, observing the girl more closely, noted her noble demeanour—there was something about the way she carried herself that gave it away, though everything about her screamed otherwise.

However, Layla did not seem like the typical stuck-up noble they had encountered earlier in the day. She seemed refreshingly down-to-earth despite her clumsy entrance.

Adeline seemed to get why her hair was like that. She wields wind!

"Ah, did you come back from practice? Is that why your hair is like that? " Adeline asked, pointing to the tousled state of Layla’s hair.

"No." She maintained the same smile, not offended at all.

"Oh-"

Her simple response hung in the air for a moment, and Adeline’s cheeks flushed. She let out a nervous laugh, realising her comment might have been a bit awkward.

’Well, that was embarrassing,’ Adeline thought, wishing she could take back the question.

Layla, however, seemed entirely unbothered. "Anyway!" she said cheerfully, shifting the focus. "I know you! Adeline Kendrick, right? The girl with the lightning powers. Very cool!" She clapped her hands together, her enthusiasm genuine and contagious.

Adeline blinked in surprise. Layla’s excitement caught her off guard, but it was strangely flattering.

"Thanks," Adeline said with a small smile. She then gestured toward Maia, eager to shift the attention. "How about you? What’s your name?"

Layla turned her attention to Maia, her bright green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Oh, hello! I am Layla," she said, though she had already introduced herself, apparently too excited to notice.

Maia hesitated for a moment before standing up to greet her. "I—I am Maia. I wield the power of Earth, and I’m from the Defense faction," she said, her voice shy but steady.

Layla’s face lit up with excitement. "Wow, Earth powers? That means you’re very reliable, eh? Hehe."

She extended her hand eagerly for a handshake, her movements brimming with energy.

Maia reached out tentatively, but before their hands could meet, Layla tripped over absolutely nothing and went tumbling to the floor with a dramatic thud.

"Owww," she groaned, lying sprawled out on the floor.

Adeline couldn’t suppress a laugh this time, quickly covering her mouth with her hand. Maia gasped and moved to help Layla up, her concern genuine.

"Are you okay?" Maia asked, holding out a hand.

Layla took it and got to her feet, brushing herself off as though nothing had happened. "I’m fine! Happens all the time," she said with a carefree laugh.

Adeline raised an eyebrow, watching Layla closely. There was something endearing about her clumsiness—it was the kind of charm that made her hard to dislike. But it also raised some practical concerns.

Adeline glanced at Layla’s bed—the bottom bunk directly below her own. For a brief moment, she considered asking to switch beds, but after watching Layla stumble twice in the span of a few minutes, she quickly dismissed the idea.

’Nope,’ Adeline thought to herself, shaking her head slightly. ’It’s safer for everyone if she stays on the bottom bunk. She’s going to break something at this rate.’

"So this is our dorm room, huh? Very neat. I can’t wait to start living here~ Aww you already arranged your luggage! You really are an earth wielder aren’t you, steady and calm." She said with excitement. She was prepared to lean on this reliable friend in the future.

Maia smiled shyly at the praise. "Thank you," she said softly.

Adeline shook her head. And Layla really was a wind wielder. She never saw this side of Dimitri. It would have been fun.

Layla turned to Adeline, her energy undiminished. "And you! Lightning powers! That’s so rare. Have you always had them?"

Adeline hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer. The truth was far more complicated and she could not tell anyone what she did.

"Kind of," Adeline said vaguely, hoping Layla wouldn’t press further.

Layla didn’t seem to notice the hesitation. "Amazing! I can’t wait to see you in action. You’re probably super strong already!"

Adeline laughed nervously, unsure how to respond. "Thanks, I guess," she said, scratching the back of her neck.

As the conversation continued, Layla’s bubbly personality filled the room, lifting the mood significantly. Maia seemed more relaxed, her earlier nerves fading in the presence of Layla’s unrelenting positivity. Adeline found herself smiling more than she expected.

Her roommates were not so bad! But what about the fourth one? She hadn’t arrived yet. Adeline was hoping to get to know her too, maybe they were from the same faction, maybe they weren’t. It was a mystery.

Eventually, Layla flopped onto her bed with a dramatic sigh. "This place is amazing, isn’t it?" she said, staring up at the ceiling. "So much to learn, so many people to meet... It’s like a dream come true."

Adeline nodded thoughtfully, leaning against the bedframe. "It is," she said, though her tone was more measured.