The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 195: Her Plan

Chapter 195: Her Plan

Adeline made a mental note to keep an eye on her, not out of concern for herself, but for Maia and Layla. Bullying came in many forms, and someone as petty as Theresa wasn’t likely to give up so easily.

The classroom fell silent as a tall woman entered, her presence commanding immediate attention. She was elegant yet imposing, her dark robes adorned with faint golden embroidery that glimmered in the sunlight streaming through the windows.

She set down a stack of papers on the desk and turned to face the students, her gaze sweeping across the room with a subtle air of authority.

"Good morning, class," she began, her voice smooth and clear, carrying just the right amount of firmness to demand respect. "I am Professor Eveline Marston, and I will be your instructor for Magic Theory and History. This course will focus on the foundations of magical principles and their applications, as well as the historical evolution of elemental magic in our world."

The students straightened in their seats, some hastily pulling out notebooks and quills. Professor Marston continued, "To understand magic, we must first understand its roots. Magic is not just a tool—it is a force that binds our world together, influencing everything from our environment to our interactions with one another.

Each element has its strengths and limitations, and understanding these will allow you to harness your abilities to their fullest potential."

Adeline leaned back in her seat, her interest piqued despite herself. She had always been curious about the broader scope of magic, especially since her own powers—lightning—seemed to defy categorisation.

Beside her, Maia was already scribbling notes, her quill scratching against the parchment with determined focus. Layla, on the other hand, twirled a loose strand of her braid between her fingers as she listened, her green eyes locked on the professor with an expression of curiosity.

Professor Marston moved to the centre of the room, her hands clasped behind her back. "Let us begin by discussing the elemental affinities and their traditional roles within the factions.

Fire, as many of you might expect, is most commonly associated with the offensive faction. It is strong, it is life, it is fierce.

Its destructive power and versatility make it an invaluable tool in combat. However, fire is not limited to offence. In skilled hands, it can also serve harmony through controlled warmth or even defence by creating barriers of flame. Its true potential lies in the user’s creativity."

Several students nodded along, and Adeline noticed Theresa sitting at the front, her posture impossibly straight, taking meticulous notes with a self-satisfied expression.

She heard from Maia that Theresa wielded fire well... She seemed to be very proud of the fact that the professor was calling her element so strong.

Adeline looked around hoping to see Victoria but she was not there... That was odd, Victoria would never be late for class!

"Wind," Professor Marston continued, "is a fascinating element. Traditionally, it aligns with harmony and defence. Wind mages often excel in support roles, using their abilities to heal, protect, or enhance their allies. However, there are rare occasions when wind can be wielded offensively, though this requires exceptional skill and control. Its versatility is its greatest strength."

Layla straightened slightly at the mention of her element, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Earth," the professor said, her voice steady, "is perhaps the most grounded of all elements, no pun intended. It shines brightest in defence, providing stability and resilience.

Walls of stone, unyielding barriers, and even the manipulation of terrain can turn the tide of a battle. While it is possible to use earth offensively, it is less common due to its slower, more deliberate nature."

Maia nodded intently, her quill moving faster as she wrote down every word.

Adeline listened quietly, her gaze fixed on Professor Marston, but her mind was elsewhere. The professor had yet to mention lightning, and it was beginning to gnaw at her. She felt a familiar twinge of frustration, a reminder of how her element was rare and she could find no information related to it.

"And then there is water," Professor Marston continued. "Water is another highly versatile element, capable of fitting into all factions. It can heal, defend, or attack depending on the user’s intent and skill. It is a vital resource in harmony but equally potent in offence when wielded creatively."

Adeline’s fingers tapped lightly against her desk. It was not like it was not expected, she did notice the absence of two elements: lightning and ice. She understood why ice was excluded—it was a power unique to the royal family... As for hers... It was thought to be extinct.

She put her face on the desk and hid her face, she needed a second.

Beside her, Maia continued to write diligently, seemingly unbothered by the omission. Layla, meanwhile, was now braiding her hair absentmindedly, her attention still on the professor.

Adeline’s gaze flicked back to Professor Marston, who showed no signs of addressing the missing elements. The professor had shifted her focus to the interactions between elements, describing how fire and wind could amplify one another, or how earth could absorb water to create mud for defensive strategies. It was all fascinating, but Adeline couldn’t shake her disappointment.

Should she say something? Should she ask?

Her fingers stilled, and she debated internally. Would it make her seem petty or insecure to bring it up? Or would it simply draw attention to the fact that she wielded a power no one seemed to know how to handle?

"Lightning..." She murmured under her breath, barely audible.

Layla glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "What was that?" she whispered.

"Nothing," Adeline replied quickly, shaking her head.

Professor Marston continued, "The interactions between elements are crucial to understand as they form the basis of teamwork within the factions. A well-coordinated group can exploit these synergies to their advantage, overcoming even the most difficult challenges."

Adeline sighed quietly, leaning back in her chair. She was happy to be here, to learn and grow, but it was hard not to feel a pang of isolation.

Adeline clenched her fists under the desk, her resolve hardening. She had another plan. An annoying plan that needed a lot of work and effort on her end. She wanted to be a leech to society but this world would not let her be that way.

For now, though, she stayed silent, letting the professor’s words wash over her as the lecture continued.

Adeline’s plan was simple, yet ambitious: she was determined to join the student council. The reason wasn’t prestige or the desire to wield authority.

No, her motivation lay in the exclusive access the council members had to the VIP library—a hidden treasure trove of knowledge, holding texts that could potentially unlock the mysteries of her lightning powers.

There were no specialised classes for wielders of lightning, no instructors who could guide her, and, perhaps most painfully, no written records, no scrolls. Adeline sighed. She expected this but it still hurts.

She had no choice but to mimic the techniques of fire wielders, adapting their methods to suit her volatile element. It was a crude workaround, and though it worked to some extent, it was far from ideal.

She longed for something more—something that would help her understand her powers on a deeper level. Lightning was not fire. It was untamed, unpredictable, and devastatingly fast.

You can control and tame fire... But not lightning...

Adeline knew she could achieve so much more if she had the right guidance.

The VIP library was her best chance. Rumour had it that its shelves were lined with ancient texts, some of which recorded the history of this world in detail that the standard curriculum barely touched upon. If there was any information about lightning magic—its origins, its capabilities, its limitations—it would be there.

However, gaining access to the library was no easy feat. Only a select few had the privilege, and that privilege was tightly guarded. Joining the student council was one of the only ways to obtain it.

Adeline had thought long and hard about this decision. The student council wasn’t just a group of overachieving students organising events and mediating disputes. It was a political arena, the centre of a power struggle that was reflected in the outside world. To get in, she would have to outshine some of the academy’s most talented and influential students.

Her noble status gave her a certain level of influence, and her lightning powers—though poorly understood—were enough to turn heads. The key was to play her cards strategically, making allies where needed and showcasing her abilities at just the right moments.

It should no be hard, right? She was likeable. People would elect her... Cassian was the student council president and Benedict represented his faction. Cassian was the first non-elemental wielders to become the president.

But she knew that he had powers. She shook her head. She just did not get him.