"And you thought of the sea when we did abstract defense magic - although that idea did not work at that time", Val kept explaining. He let out a small, crestfallen sigh. "I did not consider... I am sorry, Adrien -- I believe that your struggles are partially my fault".

"What? Why?", Adrien gasped, taken aback.

"I have given you the wrong task to start with", Val replied, his voice bending with upset. "You come from a town by the sea... I've been asking you to fill a cup with water when I could have been asking you to summon waves and tides. If I had understood this, I would have not wasted so much of your time... I am sorry for not realizing this sooner".

Adrien smiled, touched by how much Val had wanted to help him, and how much he'd taken his troubles to heart. "So that's what you've been thinking about", he said in a low voice.

"I am really sorry", Val repeated, lowering his head. "I've failed you".