Lina had finally finished eating, and after spending some time in The Area, it was time to leave—it was getting close to curfew.
"I'm still surprised you didn't eat anything," Lina said, staring at Arin.
Arin chuckled softly. "I told you, I'm not hungry."
Lina squinted her eyes, scrutinizing him, trying to catch any hint of a lie. After a moment, she sighed and gave up. "Okay, if you say so."
Just as they were both about to stand up and leave, a boy with long brown hair approached their table.
He slammed his hand onto the table, drawing the attention of the remaining students.
Grinning, his gaze locked onto Lina. "Finally found you..."
He glanced at Arin, who stood beside Lina, his face indifferent. "So, this is the guy you've been hanging around with? Is that why you've been avoiding me?"
With his hands still in his pockets, Arin casually turned to Lina. "Who's this?"
But he noticed Lina trembling, gripping his shirt and trying to hide behind him.
'I think I know what's going on here...' Arin thought.
Before Lina could answer, the boy interrupted.
"I'm talking to you!" he shouted, grabbing Arin's collar.
Arin instantly noticed the black band on the boy's wrist, signaling he was a second-year student.
"Second-year, huh?" Arin muttered.
The boy scowled. "Tch... I'm not here for you. I just saw my darling and thought I'd pay her a visit." With that, he shoved Arin aside and reached for Lina.
By now, a crowd had gathered, watching the commotion unfold.
"Master, what are you going to do?" Seraphine asked. "This boy... He's behaving like that pervert who almost married my teacher in the Vampire Kingdom. He certai—" Seraphine continued rambling, but Arin wasn't listening.
Lina trembled, backing away. "Leave me alone! Don't come near me!"
None of the first-year students dared intervene—challenging a second-year was as good as asking for trouble. And the second-year students merely looked on indifferently.
The boy's grin widened as he approached Lina, but before his hand could reach her...
Arin didn't know if it was the protective instinct of the former Arin, or if it was his own instincts, but he just moved, and then, he grabbed the boy's shoulder, stopping his advance.
And then, with his voice was low and icy, he muttered. "Don't even think about it..."
The boy froze, a shiver running down his spine. But he quickly regained his bravado.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" the boy snarled.
"Uhm... Master, please, control yourself," Seraphine stammered, sensing something was off.
Despite her warning, Arin didn't loosen his grip.
"Shit... Let go of me!" the boy roared, flames igniting around his right fist as he swung at Arin.
Lina's voice trembled with fear. "Arin! Move!"
But Arin didn't flinch. Instead, he clenched his right fist, feeling his Blood Energy surge through him, strengthening his punch.
With lightning speed, he swung his fist toward the boy's flaming one. The sheer force caused the air to ripple as both fists flew toward each other like bullets.
The crowd held its breath in anticipation as both fists moved closer and closer to each other.
Dust cloud suddenly filled everywhere, obscuring everyone's vision.
Seconds later, as the dust settled, the result wasn't what anyone expected.
"It seems you all enjoy a good show," a woman's voice cut through the silence.
"Shit, it's Miss Riya..." a girl muttered.
Riya stood there, her long black hair fluttering in the air, calmly gripping both the boy's and Arin's fists. A bubble of water surrounded her hands, preventing any injury from the impact.
Her face, as always, was unreadable. "Everyone, return to your rooms. Curfew is near."
The crowd quickly dispersed, and the workers began packing up to close The Area for the night.
'Such speed... I didn't even see her move,' the boy thought as Riya released his fist.
She let go of Arin as well, her gaze shifting to Lina. "Don't worry, you can go to your room now."
Lina looked at Arin, who gave her a reassuring nod. Reluctantly, she turned and left for her room.
Riya's eyes then bore into the boy, making him shudder. "I don't think I need to tell you what to do..."
The boy nodded hastily and bolted, heading toward the second-year dorms.
As he fled, he frowned, remembering Arin's face. 'A first-year dares to stand up to me? This isn't over... I'll make sure to deal with him...'
A malicious grin crept onto his face. 'And I know just the way...'
Meanwhile, Arin was deep in thought. 'Aren't the teachers supposed to have left the Academy by now? Why is she here?'
He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right, especially after recalling the way Riya had stared at him in class. Now, she appeared just as his fist was about to clash with the boy's. It couldn't be a coincidence.
Riya's eyes met Arin's as she spoke. "Go to your room. Curfew is here."
Arin nodded, but as he started to walk away, Riya grabbed his hand and touched his face, caressing it lightly.
She leaned in, her face almost touching his, so close they could feel each other's breath. In a soft, mesmerizing voice, she whispered, "Be careful... it won't be easy."
Arin swallowed hard, his gaze locked on hers. In that moment, one thing became crystal clear.
'Something is definitely wrong...'