There's going to be a showdown tonight

Arin sat on his bed, his gaze fixed on the window. The daylight was slowly retreating, allowing darkness to creep across the sky.

He had spent some time outside with Lina, and by the time he returned to his room, night was already closing in.

"Almost time..." he muttered under his breath.

He had a meeting with Tessa scheduled for tonight, and he was ready to leave. The only thing holding him back was the lingering daylight that hadn't fully faded.

There was a specific reason he wanted to meet Tessa tonight.

"I could do it alone, but..." Arin squinted, his eyes narrowing with thought. "I'm not sure I can do it quietly. I'll need her."

What he planned to do tonight would benefit him in more ways than one, and he intended to discuss Alex and their next steps with Tessa.

With a sigh, Arin stood up and walked over to the window. "This is why I like this room," he murmured, his eyes scanning the view.

From his room, he had a high vantage point, allowing him to see the main Academy building in a different light. The streetlights illuminated the path to the Academy, creating a mesmerizing scene.

There was no one outside now. The night had fully arrived, signaling that it was time for him to leave.

In one swift motion, he donned his cloak and mask, giving him a mysterious air—one that Tessa hadn't fully deciphered yet.

Just like last time, he jumped out of the window, his hair catching the wind as he descended.

*WHOOSH*

His cloak billowed as he fixed his eyes on the library building below. He landed without making a sound, immediately activating his "Extra's Cloak" Skill, and sprinted toward the library.

Even though he knew no one would be outside at this hour, he activated the Skill as a precaution.

He reached the library building and, using the same method as before, scaled its walls.

'I could have asked her to meet in the forest...' Arin thought as he ascended. It would have been simpler, but there was something about the library rooftop that appealed to him, so he didn't dwell on the alternative.

With a burst of strength, he hoisted himself onto the rooftop.

Tessa stood at the edge, her back to him, gazing into the distance. Her black cloak, with its hood pulled up, obscured her face.

Even though Arin was right behind her, she hadn't noticed him. The "Extra's Cloak" Skill was in full effect.

Her posture and demeanor made it clear she was lost in thought.

Arin watched her in silence, arms crossed, giving her a few moments before deciding to speak.

"Tessa..." he called out, his voice calm.

She spun around instantly, surprise flashing in her eyes. Her hand shot to the hilt of her sword, but she quickly relaxed when she recognized him.

"You're late... again," Tessa muttered, her gaze assessing him.

A smirk tugged at the corners of Arin's mouth, though it remained hidden behind his mask. "Let's get straight to the point."

Tessa folded her arms, prepared to listen, but his next words caught her off guard.

"We're going outside the Academy," Arin said, his tone matter-of-fact.

Tessa's eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a stunned, "Huh?"

"Relax," Arin said, turning to look at the main Academy building, his cloak fluttering in the wind. "We'll be back before you know it."

"Wait... What are we going to do outside the Academy?" Tessa asked, her curiosity piqued. She squinted, waiting for his answer.

Arin turned to face her, his voice tinged with amusement. "What, are you scared?"

Tessa's face hardened into a frown. "You know what's outside the Academy, right?"

"So? Are you really that afraid of Beasts?" Arin teased.

The Ainsley Kingdom Academy was renowned, one of the most prestigious in the land. Its location near a forest filled with Beasts was one of its defining features. However, leaving the Academy grounds didn't necessarily mean entering the forest.

Tessa raised an eyebrow at him. "Of course not."

Arin nodded, his tone shifting to a more serious one. "Good. Let's get going, then."

"Wait," Tessa said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You still haven't told me what we're going to do outside. And how do you even plan on leaving the Academy? You know that's impossible."

Arin remained silent, as if weighing her questions. The pause stretched out, tension building, but Tessa kept her gaze on him, waiting.

Finally, Arin moved closer, stopping right in front of her.

"As for your first question, you'll find out when we get there," he said quietly. "And as for your second question, there is a way out."

Tessa blinked, her confusion deepening. "That's not an answer," she whispered, frustration edging into her voice. But she knew that with Chaos, there was always more beneath the surface. If he said he had a way, she believed him, so she decided to follow.

'Should I ask him about what he did in the forest?' Tessa wondered, her fingers twitching as she considered it. But she quickly dismissed the idea; she doubted he would reveal anything, given his nature.

'Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask...' She looked up, steeling herself.

"Chaos, I—"

Before she could finish, she found herself staring directly into his eyes, closer than she'd anticipated.

"Uh..." She stammered, but before she could react further—

*WHOOSH*

Arin swept her off her feet, holding her firmly in his arms.

Her cheeks flushed crimson. "Wh-what?!"

Her thoughts spiraled, her heartbeat racing in her chest.

"Just stay quiet," Arin instructed, his voice steady. "Hold on tight..."

And with that—

*WHOOSH*

Without warning, he leaped from the rooftop, Tessa securely in his arms.

The wind whipped around them as they descended, their cloaks flaring out behind them.

As they landed, Arin immediately dashed toward the Academy walls.

"W-where are we going?" Tessa asked, clutching his neck to keep herself steady.

Arin's focus was sharp, his expression unreadable as he raced forward. This was one of the main reasons he had brought Tessa with him tonight.

"Tessa..." Arin murmured.

"Huh?"

"There's going to be a showdown tonight..."

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[A/N]

Another chapter coming in a few hours!! There's about to be a battle!!