"Hey, Fleur! Just calm down, alright? We'll figure this out! I know the situation is bad, but it won't improve by taking your anger out on me!"
Lucas was in quite a pickle right now. Unable to absorb the fire, he didn't have any means to defend himself anymore.
His ability allows him to wandlessly return the spells that he has absorbed within a 5 minute window.
After that, the spells gets fully converted into his own, formless magic, moldable into any spell of his choice. But, they can no longer be cast wandlessly. At least not yet.
So, fighting Fleur in this state was out of question. He couldn't run away either, since the door was behind Fleur.
He dodged the fireballs as best as he could, trying to close in the gap, but then, things took a turn for the worse.
Flames caught Fleur's clothes, and waves of heat and aura radiating off of her intensified.
The temperature of the room rose dramatically and Lucas's breaking hitched, sensing impending danger.
Fleur aimed her hand at him and a column of flames shot out, catching him by surprise.
Lucas managed to avoid the first one, but his vision went awry due to the sheer brightness, akin to a phone screen going to full brightness mode point blank in a pitch black room.
This time, he wasn't so lucky. He was hit across his mid section, the sheer force sending him soaring like a ragdoll, landing in a heap several feet away.
Lucas screamed like a butchered pig as he felt the flesh of his chest burn with a searing sound, the smell of cooked meat filling his nostrils.
Fortunately enough, Fleur seemed to have either calmed down after that, or ran out of steam as the next fireball didn't arrive to finish him off.
She slowly stalked up to him with a predatory gait, her clothes having been burnt off, revealing her in all her naked glory.
She was in her avian form, feathers coating her shoulders and hips, cascading just enough to barely hide the important bits.
And, she seems to have gained more flesh and all the right places, making her an incredibly erotic sight.
Coupled with the huge amount of allure she is releasing, Lucas is having a hard time focusing on his pain.
Fleur raised her hand, ready to destroy him, and Lucas thrust out his own hand, pouring out any magic he could.
And then, something happened. An invisible magic poured out of his hand, flowing out in waves. To his surprise, Fleur actually paused, her flames flickering.
At the same time, Lucas also realized what the familiar magic he was using was.
'It's allure!'
That's right, Allure is also a kind of magic.
And this whole time, Lucas has been absorbing it as well.
He just didn't realise it due to his resistance, always thinking of it as him feeling incredibly horny. But when Fleur unleashed the full extent of it, making even his resistance useless, Lucas realized what it was.
Fleur's gaze intensified, her eyes roaming over his body. A low screech escaped his sharpened lips and she lunged at him, pinning him down.
Her allure grew so overpowering that Lucas even temporarily forgot the pain from the burn wound.
'What have I done?' he wondered as the naked veela now looked down at him with a different kind of heat in her eyes now.
Fleur seemed to be running purely on primal instincts.
With incredible strength, she tore off the rest of his clothes, and pinned him down, overlapping their bodies.
Lucas suddenly felt soft sensations all over his body as Fleur rubbed her supple and voluptuous body all over him. She kept nuzzling his neck, her talons exploring his back.
'That's it!'
Sensing the opportunity, Lucas slipped out, flipping himself over Fleur's slender back. He then pinned her hands under his legs, locking down those razor sharp fingers, or talons.
His hands snaked around her neck, applying a perfect choke.
The injury from Fleur's flame column is serious. Once he runs out of adrenaline, it would be over.
Moreover, Fleur is really unpredictable in this state. One moment she might be fucking him, the next she might bite through his neck in one go.
So, even if felt like he was in heaven just moments ago, he just couldn't risk it.
"NO!" Fleur growled, struggling mightily and her freakish strength almost overwhelmed him.
"What in the–?"
Note to self: Veela transformation also gives a physical boost.
Lucas had improved a lot over the past few weeks. His physical talent is off the charts as his muscles have filled out and his strength can rival any peak 25 year old guy, which is quite a huge leap despite all the magical potions and supplements he has been using.
But even then, he was caught lagging compared to Fleur's enhanced strength. His bones cracked her with immense pressure, his grip starting to loosen. But just when the Veela was about to break free, Lucas closed his eyes.
With death looping over him, his desperation level reaches its peak. He was barely a month into his transmigrated life and he was about to die. And that too at the hands of a Veela.
"Absolutely not!"
He cried out, more strength flooding into his system. Unnoticed to him, his muscle fibres started to emit a very faint glow.
Within seconds, Fleur's struggles started to vain before she slumped, her body losing its strength. Her transformation came undone and the feathers receded, exposing her smooth, milky skin with a healthy flush.
But Lucas had no time to appreciate it. As soon as he relaxed, an intense vertigo hit him and he collapsed beside Fleur.
…..
Fleur's eyes fluttered open, her blurry vision slowly coming into focus.
The first thing she saw was Lucas, who lay beside her with his eyes closed.
'What in the merde?'
At first she felt offended. How come this squib is lying beside her? How dare he?!
But then, the memories flooded in and her whole body stiffened. She actually 'shifted'! It was the first time this had happened in years!
'No…'
"NO!"
She pushed herself up, and completely ignoring her weakness and nakedness, immediately turned Lucas over, checking the damage she had done.
As soon as her eyes landed on his chest, she flinched. She haphazardly conjured clothes over herself and Lucas and levitated him, heading straight for Miss Fontaine.
Opening the heavy door, she cursed her previous self who thought it would be a brilliant idea to sound-proof the room.
A while later, she stood in front of Miss Fontain with her head low as the woman who is always gentle with her angrily rebuked her.
Thankfully, the damage had been healed and Lucas should be able to regain consciousness soon. But Miss Fontain was not going to let this slide.
"Why do you always need to torture him?! He did nothing wrong to you!"
"Aunt Vivi! I didn't 'torture' him! I told you, this time I lost control because of my friend's death."
"You know what I mean. Always ordering him around, scolding him, berating, and don't even get me started on your 'training sessions'! You obviously hate him! You blame him for your father's death!"
Fleur opened her mouth to speak but her voice failed her. Miss Fontain wasn't exactly right, but she wasn't exactly wrong either.
She did detest Lucas. For many reasons. Her father could be one of them.
Miss Fontain sighed.
"The circumstances of Monsieur Sebastian's death were far more complicated than you think."
"But he did die trying to protect him," Fleur blurted out. "He inexplicably appeared one night with Lucas, covered in injuries. And even his last words were: 'Raise him well. He will be your weapon and protector'."
As a researcher working in the Department of Mystery, Fleur had long gotten to a certain degree of incomprehensibility regarding her father, but this mystery, she HAD to unearth.
What was so special about this little experimental subject that prompted her father to risk his life for him?
The confusion only deepened when the boy turned out to have no aptitude for magic at all. And when faced with his inexplicably cowardly personality, it started to turn into resentment.
Did her father really die because of a squib?
"But anyways, all that's in the past." Fleur shook her head. "He has changed," she said, glancing at the boy resting in the bed.
"I… don't hate him that much anymore." The words came out easier than she thought, and she also realized that meant them for the first time.
While the guy was still extremely annoying, he was at least no longer a waste of space like he used to be.
His combat ability has skyrocketed, his cooking has improved and he is no longer a complete coward.
But most important of all: He's finally trying. Really trying. As he should. To be worth that sacrifice.
"He has indeed changed." Miss Fontain smiled, running her hand through Lucas's hair. "In just a few weeks, he has mastered the basics of all wizarding subjects, including Arithermency and Runes."
'It's not just that.'
Fleur hesitated, wondering whether to tell Miss Fontain about Lucas's special abilities. But then, she decided against it.
'Let the guy have fun hiding it.'
Lucas's abilities are unprecedented. It's normal to want to keep it a secret. But while Fleur can understand where Lucas is coming from, she just felt like hiding it even from Miss Fontain and her mother was unnecessary. It would only be more helpful for him if he told them.
'That cowardice hasn't completely left him yet.'
Fleur felt annoyed again.
…
Lucas woke up with a dull ache in his chest and slight difficulty in breathing. The first thing he did was to check his body.
Instead of the burnt flesh he was expecting, he found the burnt area of his chest and shoulder cover newly grown red skin that was still tender.
'So that's called healing, huh?'
"Lucas…?"
Hearing the voice, he turned to see Miss Fontain looking at him tentatively.
"Are you alright?"
"Yea–" Lucas tried to speak but coughed immediately. But after that, he was able to breathe again. "Yeah, I'm fine now," he said, clearing his throat as he sat up.
"Oh, thank Flamel!" Miss Fontain immediately hugged him to her chest.
Lucas found himself unable to breathe once again, though this time his body refused to struggle.
"I was so scared! Thank god you weren't hit directly."
"I… wasn't directly hit?"
"Of course, you only got first and second degree burns. Direct impact from a Royal Veela flame ball would have definitely been more dangerous. We might have needed to rush you straight to Saint Aubert."
"...Right."
Lucas knew that his magic-absorption ability had been steadily increasing due to the consistent training, but was it already that good? Maybe not.
He decided to investigate later. After Miss Fontain left Fleur stepped in looking anywhere into the room but his eyes.
"You could have killed me," he remarked.
Lucas still remembers that their sparring had begun with Stinging hexes, progressing step by step in terms of the danger level of the spells.
And up until now, aside from the normal bumps and bruises, he hadn't been injured even once, a testament to Fleur's control.
He had never imagined they would suddenly escalate to life-threatening levels.
Fleur lowered her head. "I… I apologize."
She apologized to him for the first time in her life.
And Lucas had to admit, even though he might have considered the possibility, he wouldn't have bet his money on her apologizing so sincerely. Just goes to show that even with someone with his talent, it is difficult to read women.
But it also means that he was right about being able to break through her hatred with consistent efforts.
Lucas sighed. "I almost died."
"I… will try to make up for it."
"Leave it," Lucas waved her off. "Just treat me like a human being from now on. I'm actually not a house-elf."
"I didn't— I understand," she said, looking even more guilty. "Anything else?"
"Well, I could use a wand."
"Oh, are you ready now? Last time when you were 11, the wands didn't react at all."
"I think so."
"Then we'll go today."
Lucas didn't try to make any exorbitant demand. Fleur was not in the right mind right now. She was too angry and frustrated. And also, vulnerable.
"So, how did you lose control in the first place?" He asked.
"It's nothing…" Fleur looked away. "I was just upset about a spell failure."
"Alright," Lucas shrugged. "I don't even deserve to know why I almost died."
"Fine… I'll tell you. My friend, Morena… she was murdered by Death Eaters last night."
Lucas had already guessed but he still gasped, feigning surprise. "The one in the newspaper?"
Fleur nodded.
Lucas put a hand on her shoulder. "My condolences. But I understand now. No wonder you were mad."
Fleur's fingers slowly curled into fist. "I just… really want to kill those bastards."
"But they'll most likely get away scot free, even if they're caught," Lucas observed.
"Exactly! That is the most frustrating part. The powerlessness. Everything is controlled by the Purebloods. And I am nowhere near powerful enough to make a change like Ariana Dumbledore did."
"No." Lucas shook his head. "You're wrong."
"...What?"
"You are so frustrated because you cannot see yourself becoming as strong as Ariana Dumbledore. But you fail to see that individual fighting power was not the main reason behind Ariana's success. And in order to achieve your goal, you don't necessarily need overwhelming power."
"What do you mean? How else did she achieve it?"
"Well, have you actually seen her power?"
"No."
"Exactly. The main factor behind her success is her fame, her influence, and her ability to use it perfectly."
Fleur seemed to think about it. "Fame and influence…?"
"Yes, First of all, whether you have the power or not, you need an opportunity for everyone to believe you do, and be in awe. Like Ariana's duel with Grindelwald. That's the first thing you should focus on."
Fleur eyes started to light up with enlightenment. "An opportunity… you mean–"
"Yes, the Tri-wizard Tournament. You have to win it."
Fleur's brow furrowed but then her eyes showed determination. "I will do it. But what next?"
"You shouldn't think further than this for now. It will only distract you from your immediate goal," said Lucas.
For the past month, he has been compiling all the information and drawing predictions based on it. And unfortunately, he had found that the Delacours and the Veela community are going to clash with the Death Eaters no matter what.
He doesn't want to live in a place ruled by Death Eaters. So even if he personally does not participate, he has decided to indirectly help them as much as possible.
Most people like to keep things straightforward and hate playing politics, mind games, and underhanded tactics. Why? Because they are bad at it. But not Lucas.
Fleur nodded. "Fine. Shall we get your wand now?"
….
Lucas stood alone in the training room, Gabrielle's wand in his hand.
"Incedio."
Flames emerged from the tip of his wand.
He slowly brought his other hand over the flames.
Instead of the expected intense burning sensation, he just felt his palm go really hot.
Just when it got unbearable, he removed his hand.
So, let's get this straight.
Quickly recovery, ability to absorb magic and return it, magic resistance, and now, flame resistance.
Just what exactly is the principal behind all this?
....
"Are you ready?" Asked Fleur, standing by the fireplace.
"Bet."
With consecutive bursts of green fire, they left the Delacour mansion.
Their destination? The wand shop.
Indeed. He was finally getting a wand.
So, why did he only buy a wand now? Fleur had already offered to try getting him one long before.
It's because his own magic was negligible.
But he had found that after repeated casting and absorption, his body had also begun to develop its own magic.
It felt different from the one that was converted by other people's magic into his own.
Meaning he was really not a squib in official sense.
But since the amount was still rather low, he decided to wait for it to grow in order to increase his chances. Binding a wand using the magic he absorbed from Fleur or Gabrielle's magic was too risky. It might not work when he didn't have their magic.
Originally, he had planned on waiting a while longer but after the last fight with the berserk Fleur, his magic had increased dramatically, along with his resistance to fire.
So, it seems that he can finally get it.
Just in time too. Tomorrow they leave for Britain, to watch the Quidditch World Cup Final: France vs Bulgaria.
…..
A.N.: I've posted character illustrations in the auxiliary chapter so you can check it out.
Also, vote with powerstones👇🏻