Chapter 652
From a Third-Person Perspective
Why would anyone attempt to take away the one thing Adelaide valued above all else?
In truth, he was only speaking honestly. After years of relentless training, he was convinced that his success came more from sheer hard work than from any natural talent.
Adelaide, however, was truly gifted.
Lance chimed in, “Klein once said Adelaide was the most naturally talented student he’d ever had. She could learn most fighting techniques just by watching them once.”
Craig laughed and picked up the thread of the story. “That’s true, but Klein left out the rest of the quote—the part where he said Adelaide was ridiculously lazy! She was always off wandering the mountains, climbing trees just to disturb bird nests, or digging holes to catch venomous snakes. Sometimes, she’d even terrify the other students by swinging a rat by its tail.”
Avery spoke with a flat tone, “I was the poor fool she kept tormenting. I’d run back crying to complain to Klein, and he actually punished me for it. But the very next day, Klein went to negotiate with their pack.”
Paisley, who knew the story well, jumped in. “They eventually reached a settlement, and as part of the deal, Klein had a year’s worth of land usage fees waived.”
The surge of emotion that had just risen in Adelaide’s chest quickly deflated.
She said awkwardly, “We were talking about the Western Tribe! Why did we suddenly switch to my childhood stories? Let’s just eat, everyone! Please finish your dinner.”
Avery looked at Paisley, confused. “A whole year of waived fees? Is that true? How do you know that?”
Paisley smiled knowingly. “We’ve always lived in Shadow Peaks. How could we not know? Everyone around here knows! Every year when it was time for them to pay the land fees, Klein would send you to spar with Adelaide, right?”
“Ah!” Avery’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you saying Klein deliberately sent me to fight Adelaide, waited for me to get beaten up, and then used that as leverage to negotiate a discount on the land fees?”
Paisley nodded seriously. “Yep, that’s an open secret around Shadow Peaks. Everyone knew about it.”
Avery’s face fell in heartbreak. “No way! Klein always seemed so proper and serious. Why would he do that? I almost always lost when I fought Adelaide!”
“And he always told me I deserved the punishment because I was a lousy fighter who didn’t practice enough,” Avery added bitterly.
Paisley gave his shoulder a sympathetic pat. “Poor guy, you really had no idea. But thanks to all those beatings you took, they basically didn’t have to pay the fees every year—or if they did, it was dirt cheap.”
Adelaide shook her head, eager to set the record straight. “No, that’s not true. Klein said that since their pack was struggling—they couldn’t even afford proper food or warm clothes—he voluntarily waived their fees. Sometimes he even sent fabric and blankets. Klein always taught us to help those in need.”


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