Outside The Academy

The world of Veloria was vast, a realm where FIVE great Kingdoms ruled.

Veloria was a land of diverse landscapes, from towering mountain ranges to dense, mysterious forests. Among these kingdoms was the Ainsley Kingdom, where Arin currently resided.

Ainsley was renowned for one thing above all else: its Magic Academies. While the kingdom also boasted Warrior Academies, they paled in comparison to the prestige and investment poured into the Magic Academies.

Among these, one Academy stood above the rest: Greenfield Academy. It was here that Arin studied, a place destined to be the stage for some of the novel's most pivotal events.

Yet, unbeknownst to the citizens of Veloria or even the leaders of the five kingdoms, there was a lurking danger—something that could threaten the world itself...

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Arin finally reached the academy's outer wall, Tessa still cradled in his arms. Her cheeks had yet to lose their rosy hue as she clung to his neck, her grip tight and secure.

Once they arrived, Arin gently set her down. Tessa took a moment to regain her composure, trying to quell the heat in her face. She cast a quick glance at Arin as he inspected the wall, his fingers brushing over its surface with a purpose she couldn't yet discern.

His gaze shifted to the right, where the Academy's main gate stood. Normally, that was the route to exit the Academy, but at this hour, the gate would be locked. Security was tight there, making it impossible to either open or bypass it unnoticed.

Tessa, having regained her composure, placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head slightly. "So... are we jumping over?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and expectation.

Arin remained silent for a few moments, his hand still tracing the wall's rough surface. The wall was solid, constructed from sturdy bricks and reinforced with a "Magic Pattern" that boosted its defenses. Destroying it would be no simple feat, but that wasn't Arin's intention.

He continued to run his hand along the wall, methodically moving from right to left. Tessa watched him closely, her curiosity growing with each passing second.

Without a word, Arin began walking towards the right, his hand still in contact with the wall.

"Chaos, what are you doing?" Tessa asked, her tone more insistent as she followed him. She was too intrigued to stay silent any longer.

Arin suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing as he studied a particular spot. "I think it's here..." he muttered, his voice slightly muffled by the mask.

"What's here?" Tessa asked, stepping closer. Her curiosity was evident as she squinted at the wall, trying to see what he saw.

"Touch this part of the wall," Arin instructed, pointing to the section he had just been examining.

Tessa moved closer and pressed her hand against the wall. She felt the roughness beneath her fingers and pulled back. "It's rough," she noted, her brow furrowing in thought.

Arin nodded slightly. "Good," he said, then pointed to another section a bit further along. "Now, touch that part."

Tessa's confusion deepened as she glanced at Arin, but she followed his instructions. This time, when she touched the wall, her eyes widened in surprise. "It's... smooth," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Her mind raced as she compared the textures. 'Isn't it the same material used throughout the wall? Why does this part feel so much smoother?'

Her hand moved over several other parts of the wall, each one rough and unyielding, except for the smooth section Arin had pointed out. It was almost unnaturally smooth, as if deliberately crafted that way.

Arin walked over, his cloak billowing slightly in the breeze. "This is why I brought you here."

Tessa looked at him, her eyes filled with questions. "Why? What's special about this spot?"

Instead of answering directly, Arin placed his hand on the smooth section. "Use your Sound Magic. Make sure no sound escapes."

Tessa blinked, her confusion deepening. "What do you plan to do?"

"You'll see," Arin replied, his tone steady.

Trusting him, Tessa joined her palms together, focusing her energy. An invisible barrier enveloped them, surrounding the smooth part of the wall as well.

"Done," she said, her voice calm yet laced with curiosity.

Arin immediately pressed both hands against the smooth surface. He assumed a stance taught in the Weapon Training Class, shifting his right leg back and bending his left knee forward. With a steady breath, he gathered his strength in his legs and hands, then pushed with all his might.

A loud, deep groan resonated through the wall as the smooth section began to give way, slowly pushing outwards. The Sound Barrier Tessa had created absorbed the noise, ensuring that no one was alerted to their actions.

The smooth part of the wall was less resistant than the rest, and within seconds.....

*BOOM*

It fell away, landing neatly on the other side. It was clear that this section had been deliberately designed to be removed, a hidden exit, perhaps for emergencies or other clandestine purposes.

Arin and Tessa now stood before an opening just large enough to slip through, revealing the world beyond the Academy walls.

"Let's go," Arin said, his voice steady as he stepped through the gap.

Tessa stood there, momentarily stunned. Her mouth opened in disbelief as she processed what had just happened. This was not what she had expected when Arin said they were going to leave the Academy.

"There's no time to waste," Arin urged, his voice snapping her out of her daze.

"Oh... right," Tessa stammered as she followed him through the wall, her mind still reeling from the revelation.

Now outside the Academy, they stood before the dense forest that loomed just a few steps away. Arin's eyes were fixed on the treeline, his mind focused on what lay ahead.

"Chaos..." Tessa called out, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Just to confirm... we're really going to fight "something" tonight, aren't we?"

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[A/N]

Hey guys!! I know that you all are eager to know the Spells Tessa can use. Well, we'll find out in the next chapter, where the battle is about to unfold!!