บท 22: Just One Hour

"I need you to do something..." Arin's voice cut through the silence, his tone firm and unyielding.

Tessa's curiosity was immediately piqued. She adjusted her posture, her sharp eyes locked onto Chaos. "What is it?" she asked, her voice steady, though her mind raced with possibilities.

She recalled the pact they had made on the rooftop that day. If he was asking her for a favor, it likely had something to do with Alex.

Arin folded his arms, his gaze unwavering. "It's simple," he replied, his voice cool and controlled. "Find Alex. Keep him away from this forest for at least an hour, no matter what."

Tessa's brow furrowed as she considered his request. Her eyes drifted past Arin, toward the forest. "Why? What's happening here that I need to keep him away from?"

Arin had expected the question and didn't hesitate with his response. "You want to take Alex down, right?" His eyes met Tessa's, a cold determination in them. "This is part of it. Just do it."

Tessa still didn't fully grasp his intentions, but Arin's words made sense in their twisted alliance. Before she could voice her lingering doubts, Arin spoke again.

"Meet me on the rooftop of the library building at nightfall," he instructed. "We have more to discuss."

Tessa took a deep breath, the cool breeze making her black bluish-pink hair flutter around her face. His words had pushed her toward action—after all, this meant they were moving forward with their plan against Alex.

"Fine," she agreed, her voice resigned but determined. "I can stall him for an hour or more." As she said this, her thoughts raced. 'If he wants me to keep Alex away, then something is happening here—something before Alex gets here.'

She knew Alex rarely ventured into the forest, which made Arin's request all the more curious. But today must be different, or Arin wouldn't have asked.

"Good," Arin muttered, averting his gaze as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

He walked past Tessa, heading deeper into the forest without another word. Tessa watched his figure until it disappeared among the trees, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. She turned and began her own journey out of the forest, thoughts of Alex clouding her mind.

"I still can't get it out of my head," she muttered to herself, the gruesome image of Alex slashing through her parents flashing before her eyes. Her pace quickened as anger flared within her, her fists clenching involuntarily. 'I'll kill him...'

By the time she reached the edge of the forest, she had managed to calm herself. The main Academy building loomed in the distance, her next destination. She knew Alex would likely be there, surrounded by his usual crowd of admirers.

With measured steps, Tessa approached the building. Minutes later, she was inside, climbing the stairs that led to the hallway. Sure enough, she spotted Alex in the center of a group of girls, his smile as charming as ever.

Once, she might have felt a pang of jealousy, but now all she wanted was to see him suffer. As she approached, Alex's eyes lit up, and he broke away from the group to meet her.

"Tessa," he greeted her warmly, his smile widening. "How are you feeling now?"

Tessa forced a smile, folding her arms in a casual stance. "I'm better, thanks to you," she replied, keeping her tone light. "You've been really worried about me, haven't you?"

"It's nothing," Alex said, his hand reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Of course," Tessa replied, her smile never wavering.

The girls in Alex's entourage watched the interaction, some beginning to drift away while others lingered, curious.

"So..." Tessa began, her tone shifting subtly. "Do you mind taking a walk with me? I'd love to hear more about you."

Alex didn't hesitate, his enthusiasm barely contained. "Of course! I'd love that," he said, a wide smile on his face. After all, this was Tessa—the girl he considered himself lucky to know.

Tessa nodded, and Alex took her hand, guiding her toward the stairs. The remaining girls exchanged glances, some clearly disappointed as they watched Alex leave with Tessa.

As they walked out of the main building, Tessa could feel the weight of their stares. Being two of the most popular students at the Academy, it was no surprise they attracted attention.

'Just one hour... then I'm out of here,' Tessa thought, pushing down the urge to pull her hand away from Alex's.

Meanwhile, Arin had ventured deeper into the forest, his eyes scanning his surroundings. "It should be around here..." he mused, moving with purpose.

After a few moments, he spotted it—a flower unlike any other in the vicinity. Light blue and glowing faintly, it stood out against the pale pink of the surrounding blossoms.

"There it is..." Arin muttered, stepping closer. The flower's ethereal glow was visible even in the daylight, casting a soft, otherworldly light.

Arin crouched down, examining it closely. "This will do," he said to himself, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. 'With this... there's no doubt I'll gain a significant boost.'

This flower was crucial to his plans, a key component to a Spell that could tip the scales in his favor. And not just any spell—a Spell with immense potential.