Chapter 29: Whispers of a Hidden Talent

Chapter 29: Whispers of a Hidden Talent

The atmosphere in the lecture hall was tense as the professor strode into the room, his presence silencing the idle chatter. Aetrial, seated near the back, leaned slightly against her chair, her golden hair tucked neatly to give the illusion of a male’s short-cut style. Her face remained composed, though she inwardly sighed at the prospect of another day filled with prying stares and whispered gossip.

Since the incident with the barrier spell, the students had grown more cautious around her. Though they tried to mask their fear, it was evident in their overly polite greetings and the way they instinctively gave her a wide berth. While Aetrial appreciated the space, it was also exhausting. The constant attention only served to remind her how different she was from her peers.

The professor, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, set down a stack of notes on his desk. “Today’s topic is practical application of elemental magic. Those who lack proficiency will struggle, but that is why we are here: to improve.”

Aetrial leaned forward slightly, curious despite herself. Practical lessons meant she could avoid sitting still and listening for hours. More importantly, it was an opportunity to test her magic under the guise of learning.

“Each of you will pair up and demonstrate your mastery of at least two elements,” the professor continued, scanning the room. “This is not about raw power but control and precision.”

As the students began murmuring and shifting to find partners, Aetrial’s sharp ears caught snippets of their conversations.

“Do you think he’ll use dark magic again?”

“Better not. The last time, he nearly gave everyone a heart attack.”

“I’d rather not get paired with him, honestly…”

Aetrial sighed inwardly, already resigned to the difficulty of finding a willing partner.

“Ranolf,” the professor called, silencing the whispers.

“Yes?” Aetrial responded, her voice calm and polite.

“You’ll be paired with Lilliana Hart.”

Aetrial’s heart sank. Her again? She glanced across the room to where the heroine of the novel was sitting, her blonde hair catching the light like a halo. Lilliana met her gaze with a soft smile, entirely unbothered by the murmurs around her.

“Of course,” Aetrial muttered under her breath. Why is it always her?

---

The Practical Test

The students filed into the academy’s training grounds, where wide-open spaces and enchanted barriers allowed for safe practice. Aetrial stood beside Lilliana, who was practically glowing with enthusiasm.

“I’m excited to see what you can do,” she said, her voice warm and genuine.

Aetrial resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Don’t expect too much.”

As the pairs began their demonstrations, Aetrial watched with mild interest. Most of the students struggled to balance two elements, often letting one overpower the other. It was clear that control was a skill few of them had mastered.

When it was their turn, Aetrial stepped forward, her expression neutral. “You can go first,” she offered, gesturing to Lilliana.

She nodded, summoning her magic with practiced ease. A gentle breeze stirred the training ground, followed by a swirl of light that formed a shimmering shield around her. It was a textbook demonstration of wind and light magic, executed with grace and precision.

Aetrial couldn’t deny her talent, though she found it frustratingly predictable. Of course, the heroine would be perfect at everything, she thought wryly.

When it was her turn, she hesitated for a moment before raising her hand. She decided to keep things simple, opting for fire and water. Flames danced around her fingers, twisting into intricate patterns before morphing seamlessly into a stream of water that flowed with unnatural grace.

The display was subtle but flawless, a testament to her control rather than raw power. Yet, as she finished, she noticed the professor frowning slightly.

“Impressive, Ranolf,” the professor said, his tone measured. “But I wonder… your magic feels different somehow.”

Aetrial’s pulse quickened. “Different how?”

“It’s difficult to pinpoint,” the professor admitted, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps it’s the way you channel it. It doesn’t quite align with traditional methods.”

Before Aetrial could respond, Lilliana spoke up. “I think it’s wonderful! Your magic has a unique charm to it.”

Aetrial shot her a sidelong glance, unsure whether to be annoyed or grateful for her interjection.

---

Shadows Watching

Unbeknownst to the students, a pair of crimson eyes observed the training ground from a distance. Cain, the demon lord, leaned against a tree, his arms crossed as he watched Aetrial’s performance with keen interest.

“His magic…” Cain murmured, more to himself than to the shadowy figure at his side. “It’s refined, yet there’s something… off about it.”

The shadow nodded. “His movements are precise, but the aura surrounding his magic feels incomplete, as though something is holding it back.”

Cain’s eyes narrowed. “He’s hiding something.”

“Shall we investigate further, my lord?”

Cain didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he continued to watch as Aetrial and Lilliana exchanged a few words before stepping back to let the next pair take their turn.

“No,” Cain said finally. “Not yet. Let’s see how this plays out.”

The shadow bowed, sinking back into the ground. Cain remained where he was, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Ranolf… you’re more interesting than I anticipated.”

---

End of Chapter 29