The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!-Chapter 316: No Surrender

By the time she arrived at the training grounds, it was almost night. That was expected, though. Fire illuminated the arena, it looked quite beautiful. The noticeable marks left by swords on the wooden walls showed the history. Aaron trained his soldiers well.

Aaron was already stretching, his expression calm and focused. Layla, still stuck in her extravagant gown, was leaning against a post, arms crossed with a very entertained smirk.

Adeline cleared her throat loudly. When both turned, she spread her arms wide and announced, "Behold! The previously depressed heroine is here to reclaim her honour in glorious battle!" She twirled on her heel dramatically, nearly tripping over a loose stone.

Aaron rubbed his temples. "You’ve officially lost it."

Layla clapped, delighted. "Oh no, I like this. Keep going, this is the most fun I’ve had in a while."

"I haven’t even begun!" Adeline declared, skipping toward them. "Aaron, prepare yourself. I will not go easy on you."

"Well, you stole my line. I will not be going easy on you either." Aaron shrugged. His hand rested on the trusty sword he had had for years.

Aaron rolled his shoulders, raising his sword with a steady grip. "I’m warning you, Linny. I won’t go easy just because you’re my sister. And I mean what I said—this isn’t a game. You don’t belong in the middle of this."

Adeline tightened her hold on her own blade, the familiar lightweight steel her father had gifted her years ago. "You’ve been saying that a lot," she shot back. "Guess what? I’m still here, and I will defeat you," She flicked her gaze at Layla. "Back me up here."

Layla crossed her arms, eyes glinting. "I don’t support him. You’re both strong, and since it’s between you two, you should settle this yourselves. But—" she tilted her head toward Aaron, her lips curving in a sly smile, "I’d really like to see him get humbled for once."

Aaron groaned. "You’re supposed to be an impartial judge."

Layla laughed mockingly, "I never agreed to that."

He had been brushing them off and underestimating them a lot, she hated that. Obviously, she was on Adeline’s side! That was her friend! They graduated with laurels, and he should give them some credit instead of dismissing them.

Adeline smirked and lifted her sword. "It’s like you forgot what power I possess. I’m special, Aaron. And I’m here especially to kick your butt."

Aaron raised an unimpressed brow. "Trash talk. Nice."

Her smile vanished. She straightened, eyes flashing. "If you want me to stay away, then you’d better give it your all."

Aaron only gave a single nod, his stance shifting. That was all the warning Adeline got before he lunged forward. His strike was fast, precise—years of experience shaping the motion.

The clash of steel rang out sharp and clear as Aaron’s blade came down in a clean arc. He wasn’t holding back much—his strikes were heavy, controlled, meant to test her footing.

Adeline caught the blow with the flat of her sword, but the impact still jarred her shoulder. She stumbled back a few steps, teeth clenched. He had raw strength, years of experience, and a weapon forged for his hand alone. She had... Well, stubbornness, quick reflexes, and a sword her father had given her when she was still a girl.

No, she was selling herself too short, she was trained too.

Aaron pressed forward again, his stance steady, his weight perfectly balanced. Every strike came with purpose, the kind of discipline drilled into him from years on battlefields. He didn’t waste energy. He didn’t swing wide. He might be strong, but he was not as fast as her.

Adeline held on, it was a stalemate until they both stepped back from the recoil.

Adeline ducked his next slash, sliding under his guard and striking out at his side, but he pivoted neatly and parried, almost casually. "Not bad," he said, voice calm, almost instructional. "But predictable."

Adeline said nothing, her eyes focused on him, trying to predict his next move.

She darted forward with renewed energy, light on her feet, her strikes quicker, sharper. Where he relied on strength, she relied on speed, forcing him to adjust as she slashed and thrust from odd angles.

He countered each strike with power, making her take a step back each time. She was thinking about how to defeat this strong opponent. She would not admit defeat, no.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he disengaged and raised his free hand.

Flames burst to life across his knuckles.

"Don’t make me roast you," he warned.

Adeline’s eyes narrowed. "Oh, please. You think I’m scared of a little campfire?"

Aaron didn’t respond—he surged forward again, this time weaving fire into his movements. His blade glowed faintly, heat radiating with each swing. The ground sizzled where sparks fell, and the air grew hot between them.

Adeline’s sword arm ached from deflecting blow after blow. Sweat beaded on her brow. He wasn’t just testing her anymore—he was pushing her back, forcing her to the edge. She expected this, it was time for her to use her powers, too.

As his blade came down in another heavy strike, she sidestepped and jabbed her sword into the dirt, using the leverage to spring herself up and over his shoulder. She landed light on her feet behind him, smirking.

Aaron turned quickly, surprised but unfazed. "You’re getting reckless."

"No," Adeline said, catching her breath, her grin sharp. "I’m getting serious."

She raised her sword again, but this time her grip tightened differently—like she was bracing herself. Sparks danced faintly along the blade, blue energy crackled around it.

"First time fighting against a lightning wielder, make it worth it." Aaron grinned.

This went on for a while, Layla watched with her mouth open, she was immersed in this duel.

Aaron’s blade clashed against hers, sparks flying as they clashed. For a moment, they were evenly matched—until his strength pushed through. With a sharp twist, her sword flew from her hand, landing a few feet away.

He stepped in, sword raised, expecting her surrender.

But instead of yielding, Adeline lifted her hand. Light gathered in her palm, blindingly him for a second, holy power shaping itself into a gleaming hilt. From it, lightning erupted, forming a blade of pure energy, she wielded a lightning bolt.

"What-"