The Extra Seeks Chaos

"Luckily, Orion mentioned something about Alex to the teachers," Riya said as she placed her hands on the table, leaning closer to Arin.

"I believe it'll give us an idea..."

Arin raised a brow, intrigued.

His expression alone made it obvious that he wanted to hear it.

"Orion mentioned that Alex will be assigned to Starshine City... This very city," Riya said.

Arin squinted his eyes. "That was quite unexpected."

"That was exactly the same thing I thought when he said it," Riya said.

"I thought Alex would be assigned to the Capital City to join the main Royal Army," she added.

That was also what Arin thought, but it wasn't like it was actually supposed to be like that. After all, all this stuff about the Vampires fully attacking and the Academies closing didn't happen in the novel.

"But even with that, there's still a possibility that Alex won't remain in this city," Riya said. "The King might send for him at any time."

"True," Arin said. "But at least, the fact that he will be assigned to this city is enough for now."

Riya nodded as she leaned back, her eyes still locked on Arin. "So... Enough about Alex for now. How are you doing?"

Before Arin could say anything, she spoke again.

"Answer honestly... How are you doing?"

She had a smile on her face as she stared at him.

Arin raised a brow as he folded his arms.

"I'm fine... How about you?"

"Same," Riya said with a sigh. "I'm fine."

"I didn't get the chance to introduce my cousin to you," she added.

Arin remembered that Riya indeed did say that she wanted to introduce her cousin to him.

"Maybe next time," she said.

"Alright," Arin said.

"And about the Spells, how's it going?" Riya asked.

Arin adjusted on the chair before replying, "I took your advice and decided to understand each Spell before making the next one.

I now understand the Water Slash Spell, so I'm already making the next one. Those drawings were really helpful. Thank you once again."

Arin smiled at her as he spoke.

"I'm glad I could help," Riya said.

Her gaze suddenly softened as she spoke. "Arin... I know you've already decided what to do next. Just know that any decision you make, I'll gladly follow you."

Arin could sense the sincerity in her voice and couldn't help but be amazed once again.

"Don't worry Riya," he said as he stood up, ready to leave. "I'll let you know once it's time to move."

Riya smiled. "I'll be waiting..."

With that, Arin left the office and exited the building.

"Riya..." He muttered under his breath. He didn't even know when a smile broke out from his lips. "Thank you..."

Now that he had made his decision, he had a few more things to do.

'After everyone has been assigned, I'll meet Riya again to tell her the things I'll need, but before that, I'll have to meet Tessa and Leon... I have to know what their decision would be.'

Thankfully, he could already see Leon talking with a group of girls.

He quickly walked towards him.

"Yeah! I'm telling you, I struck the Bear with my large axe. It couldn't even do anything. It knew it was facing a formidable opponent and decided to run!"

"Really? Wow, you're so cool!"

"Hell yeah, I am!"

As soon as Arin reached him, he tapped his back, making him turn.

He could already hear Leon's conversation with the girls from far away, and he didn't know if the girls actually believed him or were just being sarcastic. If that was the case, then they were really good at it.

"Hey brother!" Leon exclaimed.

"I'm glad you're here. Tell them about the Bear who ran away from me," Leon said as he winked at Arin as if telling him to play along.

'Bro will do anything to look cool in front of girls,' Arin thought, but he couldn't blame him, though.

It was of human nature to seek validation.

With a sigh, Arin grabbed Leon's shoulder and began dragging him away while saying to the girls, "Yeah, a Bear ran away from him."

"Wait, no! Tell them in full details... I-"

The girls just watched as Arin dragged the screaming Leon away.

Finally, Arin and Leon reached a building and stopped.

"The usual spot. Let Tessa know," Arin said.

Leon instantly understood. "She's in The Area with some of her friends," he said, and left with a nod.

Arin sighed again as he rested his back on the wall of the building. 'I don't know how Lina would react to this...'

He had already made his decision, and no matter how Lina acted, he would still go ahead.

Arin couldn't help but laugh to himself. 'I guess I've unknowingly gotten quite attached to her.'

After a few minutes, he began walking towards the forest. "They must have gotten there by now."

Getting closer to the forest, he put on his mask.

"Ah, I've not used this for a while now," he muttered.

Arin knew that with what he was about to do, there probably wasn't any need to hide his face anymore, but he still wore the mask nonetheless.

Finally, he entered the forest, and immediately he got to the usual spot, he saw Leon and Tessa.

"It's been a while, huh?" Tessa said with a smile.

"It sure has," Arin replied.

"Ah, a lot has happened," Leon said, clearly talking about the Vampire attack.

"At least, I and the Nightmare Shadow have even become closer than before," he added.

Tessa chuckled as she shook her head.

"Alright," Arin said, going straight to the point. "With the recent events, and the fact that all students are being assigned to different cities, I've made a decision."

Leon and Tessa's expression instantly became serious as they waited to hear what Arin would say next.

"I won't be joining any army," he said.

Tessa nodded. "I expected that, and I clearly understand why."

"If 'we' join an army, we might not be able to get any chance to launch any attack, heck, we might not even see Alex anymore," she said.

Arin once again heard the use of 'we', and he couldn't help but feel like this meant that Tessa had already decided that she would come with him.

"Exactly," Arin said. "So, I already know where to go next."

"I'm coming with you," Tessa instantly said, her voice firm.

The look in her eyes... Arin could see it... It was that same look of anger... That same look she had whenever they talked about Alex.

It was as if the thought of revenge clouded every other thought, and she would do anything to get her revenge.

'She didn't even think about her new set of friends,' Arin thought.

Thinking about it, he was no different. He was even prepared to leave Lina and his family just for this goal.

'It would be all worth it in the end,' Arin thought, steeling his resolve.

"Not joining an army?" Leon muttered. "I understand that there will be no opportunity to fully attack Alex anymore, but..."

Leon glanced at Arin and Tessa. "But don't you think that's a quite rash decision?... I mean, there are still a lot of things to consider."

"Leon, there's still a lot of advantages for not joining an army," Tessa said. "At least, a lot of advantages for us..."

As soon as Tessa said 'us', she then realized that Alex hadn't really done anything to Leon.

"Maybe that's why you're hesitating, huh?" Tessa muttered under her breath.

Leon's hesitancy was completely understandable.

He didn't know what would happen after not joining an army.

He didn't know what kind of obstacles he would face if he didn't join an army, and if he'll even be able to face the obstacles.

The Vampires were also a problem. Would they be able to cope if they didn't join an army?

Arin also knew that Leon would have all these thoughts, but he wasn't intending on letting him go. And for that, he had to convince him.

And he hoped that all it would take would be this single question.

"Leon, do you trust me?"

Leon was silent as his eyes darted from left to right, considering everything.

He trusted Arin, and he knew that he wouldn't be abandoned if he followed him, just like the way he fought alongside Tessa and the others when fighting Alex's clone.

But apart from that, because of Arin, he had been granted strength... Strength he thought he wouldn't have for the rest of his life.

Because of his abnormally low amount of Mana, he already knew in his heart that he would forever remain powerless. But Arin... Arin broke that destiny for him, and made it possible for him to be powerful.

Even though it was in a shady way.

And because of this, he could now carve a path for himself.

He no longer needed to follow his former scripted destiny.

All these were possible because of Arin.

And for that, he would forever be grateful to him.

"I trust you, Arin," Leon stared at Arin with a smile. "And I'll follow you..."

Arin smiled beneath his mask. 'Perfect...'

With this, he could now carry on.