The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 202: The Hunt

Chapter 202: The Hunt

Lucas watched Adeline with an expression carefully curated. He could not let her suspect him...

But beneath the surface, a storm brewed. He stood a short distance away, mimicking the motions of practice to avoid suspicion.

His palms glowed faintly with the icy hue of his element, weak and faltering, a pitiful contrast to the powerful bolts of lightning Adeline summoned effortlessly. His fingers twitched, and his fists clenched by his sides as his jealousy burned.

Adeline’s power was remarkable, even in its raw, uncontrolled state. Each crackling arc of electricity lit up the space around her, commanding attention and respect.

Lucas could feel the sharp pang of resentment in his chest. He despised his own limitations, the meagre strength of his ice powers. They were a shadow of what they could have been if not for years of neglect and the dismissive attitudes of those around him.

His eyes lingered on Adeline, his thoughts darkening with every second. She was so absorbed in her practice, so unaware of the intricate web of schemes he was weaving. He hated her power, hated the awe it inspired, but most of all, he hated the way Cassian looked at her.

Lucas had seen it clearly earlier at lunch—the way Cassian’s icy blue eyes softened when they rested on Adeline, the way his usual indifference melted into something more. It had been unmistakable. Cassian wanted her, and that was unacceptable. Lucas wouldn’t allow Cassian to have her.

The thought of Cassian filled him with an intense, smouldering rage. The perfect Crown Prince, always one step ahead, always adored. Lucas clenched his jaw as he forced his ice magic to swirl in his palm. He couldn’t allow Cassian to win. Not this time.

His thoughts turned darker, more twisted, as he debated his next moves. Did Adeline need to survive his plans? She was a useful piece, yes, but her existence complicated things. She was tied to Cassian in ways Lucas didn’t fully understand yet, but he knew one thing—if he wanted to destroy Cassian completely, Adeline could play a pivotal role.

Perhaps the ultimate revenge wouldn’t be simply to take Cassian’s throne or his status. Perhaps it would be to take everything he held dear, everything he valued—including Adeline. If she became a tool to bring Cassian to his knees, so be it. And if she resisted? Well, there were other ways to ensure Cassian’s downfall.

A grim, almost cruel smirk tugged at the corners of Lucas’s lips as the idea formed in his mind. If he couldn’t use Adeline to break Cassian, maybe he could unite them—in death. A bitter, poetic justice. Let Cassian meet his end alongside the woman he so clearly cared for.

Lucas glanced back at Adeline, quickly schooling his expression into one of calm politeness. For now, he would play his role. He would help her, earn her trust, and bide his time. The pieces were all moving into place, and soon, the game would truly begin.

Adeline leaned against a nearby tree, catching her breath after another intense practice session. The lightning bolts she summoned earlier still crackled faintly in the air, the scent of ozone lingering around her. Despite her exhaustion, her mind was buzzing with determination to master her powers. She tilted her head back, letting the cool breeze soothe her. It was then that she noticed Lucas approaching her, his steps deliberate and calm.

"Taking a break already, Miss Kendrick?" he asked casually, his tone polite but with a hint of amusement.

Adeline straightened up, brushing her hands against her skirt. "Not everyone can be as composed as you, Prince Lucas," she replied with a faint smile.

Lucas chuckled softly, his cold, calculating eyes betraying none of his thoughts. "I was wondering," he began, his voice light, "if you plan to participate in the hunt."

Adeline blinked in confusion, her interest piqued. "The hunt?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Lucas’s lips curved into a faint smile, as if pleased by her reaction. "Ah, I see you’re not familiar with it. The hunt is a school tradition—a competition of sorts," he began explaining. "Participants enter the hunting grounds, a heavily monitored area filled with captured monsters. The goal is simple: eliminate as many monsters as you can. The one with the highest kill count wins."

Adeline’s curiosity deepened. "And what’s the reward?"

Lucas leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "The Dean personally grants a reward to the winner. It could be anything, from a powerful artifact to special requests. After all, a promise from the Dean means a lot, one can ask anything and he cannot refuse."

Adeline’s heart skipped a beat.

The mention of a request that the Dean cannot refuse made her instantly alert. She had been trying to gain access to the library’s restricted section for months now, hoping to uncover any information about her lightning powers. This could be her opportunity.

Still, she tried to hide her excitement. She crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly. "Interesting," she said nonchalantly. "But is it safe? I imagine something like this could get dangerous."

Lucas smiled as if he had anticipated her concern. "The hunting grounds are designed with safety in mind," he assured her. "There are wards and barriers in place to prevent serious harm. Professors and academy staff monitor every participant closely. Injuries can happen, of course, but fatal accidents are extremely rare."

His words reassured her somewhat. The academy wouldn’t risk losing its students, especially not in a publicised event like this. But her logical mind couldn’t entirely dismiss the potential dangers.

"When is this hunt supposed to take place?" she asked, keeping her tone casual.

Lucas’s smile widened, and he gestured toward the horizon as if marking time itself. "Six months from now, exactly mid-school year. It’s a tradition to hold it during that time. It gives students enough time to prepare themselves, though..." He paused, studying her expression. "For some, six months isn’t nearly enough to gain the confidence or skill required to participate."

Adeline met his gaze, her resolve hardening. "Six months is more than enough for me," she said firmly.

Lucas’s eyes gleamed with something unspoken, but he only nodded. "I thought you might say that."

Adeline’s mind raced as she considered her options. If she could win this competition, she could bypass the entire student council route and gain access to the restricted documents. Her father had tried everything to help her, even going so far as to petition the dean directly. But the dean had been unyielding, refusing to grant permission. He had claimed that the documents were too rare and valuable to be handled by anyone, even the Marquess’s daughter.

Her father had attempted to push the Emperor to intervene, but the Emperor had refused, unwilling to disrupt the academy’s autonomy over such a matter. As a result, her father had reluctantly let the matter drop. Adeline understood his position, but she couldn’t afford to let her powers remain unchecked any longer.

The hunt was her chance.

"Will you be participating?" she asked, her tone curious as she studied Lucas.

"Of course," Lucas said smoothly, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "It’s my final year at the academy, after all. I wouldn’t miss it for anything."

Adeline nodded thoughtfully. She didn’t know Lucas well, but she remembered him from years ago. He had been a timid, shy boy, often hiding behind his mother’s skirts and avoiding attention. Now, he was confident, and composed. It was a stark transformation, but she didn’t have the time or inclination to dwell on it.

Her focus was on the hunt and what it could mean for her.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Adeline asked after a moment, her voice carefully neutral.

Lucas smiled, a touch of amusement in his expression. "Consider it a courtesy," he said lightly. "You seemed unaware of the event, and I thought it would be unfair for someone with your talents to miss such an opportunity."

She couldn’t put her finger on it... It felt suspicious but at the moment he hadn’t done anything to earn her suspicion so she brushed it off and scolded herself for being judgemental. In all the years that they have known each other, he did not do anything weird... Anything amiss that would draw suspicion.

Adeline arched an eyebrow. "You think I have talents?"

"Without a doubt," Lucas said smoothly. "Your element is rare, almost mythical. I’m certain you’ll leave quite the impression during the hunt."

His words, though flattering, carried an undertone that Adeline couldn’t quite place. Still, she nodded in acknowledgement. "Thank you for letting me know."

Lucas inclined his head, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he stepped back. "I’ll see you in the hunting grounds, then," he said, his voice calm and composed as always.

This was her chance to finally uncover the secrets of her lightning powers, to take control of her destiny. And she wouldn’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way.