Why Her?!

DING!

The sound of salvation. \ (•◡•) / The last class of the day was finally over, and I could practically hear the angels singing. If I had to endure one more second of Tessa Vale's silent, burning presence behind me, I might have actually combusted.

I gathered my things at lightning speed, ready to bolt out the door and flee to the safety of my dorm. Freedom was so close I could almost taste it.

But, of course, fate had other plans.

"Sera Vandren," Professor Liora's calm, melodic voice called out, freezing me mid-step.

Great. Just great. Perfect timing.

I turned around slowly, masking my frustration with a polite smile that probably looked more like a grimace. "Yes, Professor?"

Elysia Liora's serene face was unreadable as she gestured for me to approach her desk. Behind me, I could feel Tessa's eyes still lingering, no doubt watching my every move with her signature mix of curiosity and intensity. Fantastic. Just the audience I needed.

As I walked toward the front of the room, I tried to suppress the growing anxiety in my chest. What could she possibly want? I hadn't done anything to draw attention—or so I thought.

"You demonstrated a keen understanding of the foundational elements today," Professor Liora said, her tone soft but firm. "I would like to speak with you further about your magical aptitude. Do you have a moment?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yes, of course."

"Excellent." She gave a small nod before glancing at the other students filing out of the room. "This won't take long. Please wait here."

As the last few students trickled out, I caught a glimpse of Tessa pausing by the doorway. She hesitated, as if debating whether to stay or leave, before finally stepping out of the room. The weight of her gaze lingered long after she was gone.

At least now I could breathe. Sort of.

Professor Liora's piercing blue eyes met mine, and I straightened instinctively. "Sera, I've been observing you today," she began, her voice as soothing as the lull of ocean waves. "You have a natural affinity for magic, but there's something... unique about your energy. It feels different from the others."

My heart skipped a beat. Was that a compliment or a warning?

"I'd like to recommend you for an advanced study group," she continued, tilting her head slightly. "It's optional, but I believe it could help you refine your abilities. Think of it as a challenge—one I'm confident you can rise to."

Advanced study group? That sounded like more work, and more work meant less time avoiding the heroines. But saying no to a professor on the first day of class? Not exactly a great idea.

"I'll think about it," I said carefully.

Professor Liora's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, as if she already knew my answer. "Very well. You're dismissed, Sera. Have a good evening."

I nodded, mumbling a quick "Thank you," before practically sprinting out of the classroom.

The day was finally over, but something told me my struggles were only just beginning. As I trudged toward the dorms, the weight of the day pressed down on me. That's when I remembered something Elysia Liora had said in class—about my magic being unique.

In the whirlwind of dealing with the heroines and their chaotic personalities, I had been so focused on them that I'd completely ignored one crucial fact, Sera Vandren's magic abilities were anything but ordinary.

Ice and Fire.

Two opposing elements, each with immense destructive potential, wielded effortlessly by one person. That was what made Sera so terrifyingly powerful in the original novel. She wasn't just any villainess, she was the kind of villainess who could freeze one half of a kingdom and burn the other to ash without breaking a sweat. And what was worse was Sera almost did it in the novel. 

Seriously, what was she thinking?! No, what am I thinking?! The last thing I needed was to dwell on that terrifying legacy. Right now, I just wanted a break—a little peace, maybe even some solitude.

Finally reaching the dormitory, I approached the front desk, where a cheerful woman greeted me.

"Your name?" she asked, her tone brisk but friendly.

"Sera Vandren," I replied, trying not to let my exhaustion show.

She scanned a clipboard before nodding. "Third floor, Room 304. You'll be sharing with a roommate. Good luck—and remember, don't be a stranger to the fridge!"

"Uh, thanks?" I mumbled, blinking at her cryptic parting advice. What the hell does that even mean? Were all the characters in this world just inherently weird? On second thought, maybe I didn't want to know.

After a quick ride up in the magic elevator, I found myself standing in front of Room 304. My heart was racing for reasons I couldn't entirely explain. I took a deep breath, slid the key into the lock, and turned it.

The door swung open, and there she was.

Tessa Vale. 

┻━┻ ︵ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ︵ ┻━┻

Sitting casually on the bed nearest the window, her long black hair cascading over one shoulder, and her piercing red eyes locking onto mine with unsettling intensity.

"Hey, princess," she greeted, her voice smooth and teasing, her lips curling into a smile that screamed trouble.

Nope. Absolutely not.

I didn't even let her finish her sentence before I slammed the door shut again. My heart was pounding in my chest as I stared at the wooden barrier, hoping it would somehow erase what I had just seen.

Maybe this is a dream, I thought desperately. Maybe if I open the door again, she won't be there.

Summoning every ounce of courage—or maybe sheer denial—I slowly opened the door once more.

She was still there, sitting in the same spot, that infuriatingly smug smile firmly in place.

"Did you miss me already?" Tessa teased, leaning her chin on her hand as if she didn't have a care in the world.

Yeah, this was definitely not a dream.

With a resigned sigh, I stepped into the room, closing the door behind me. "Why are you here?" I asked, my voice laced with irritation.

"Because this is my room too," she replied nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Of all the people in this entire academy," I muttered under my breath, dragging my suitcase toward the unoccupied bed. "It had to be you."

Tessa tilted her head, her red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Fate works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?"

I didn't bother responding further, instead resigning myself to unpacking my belongings. This was my new reality, as much as I wanted to deny it.

"Don't be like that, princess," Tessa said, her voice light and teasing as she gazed out the window, her black hair catching the dim evening light. "I have a feeling we're going to get along quite well. After all, the oddities of magic are quite intricate, wouldn't you agree?"

I paused mid-motion, clutching a neatly folded uniform. What in the world was she talking about? Actually, no—better question, Why was she talking about it?

I shook my head and muttered, "Whatever." It was safer not to dwell on her cryptic musings. As I turned back to unpacking, I added, "And stop calling me princess. Just call me Sera."

Tessa finally turned to face me, a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. "If that's what you want, then Sera it is," she said, her tone almost mockingly formal. "And you may call me Tessa. Let's consider this the beginning of our friendship. After all, introductions are where all good stories begin."

Friendship? Was she serious?

I spun around and made an exaggerated X with my arms, glaring at her. "No way. I don't want to be friends with you."

Tessa's response was unexpected. She burst out laughing, her melodic laughter filling the room as if I'd just told the funniest joke in existence. "Hahaha! You're hilarious! Yep, I'm certain now—we're going to get along really well." She strode toward my side of the room and began reaching for one of my bags. "Come on, I'll help you unpack. After all, we'll be sharing this dorm whether you like it or not."

I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. "Do whatever you want."

As I returned to my task, I couldn't help but sneak glances at her. Tessa Vale was such an enigma—one moment shrouded in mystery, the next entirely too casual, and somehow, in between, annoyingly normal.

"What is it, Sera?" Tessa asked suddenly, catching my gaze with those piercing red eyes. A playful smirk tugged at her lips as she flipped her hair dramatically. "Am I so stunning that you're mesmerized by my beauty? If you're hoping to court me, you'll have to try harder than that."

I stared at her, deadpan. "I'll kill you for real." My tone was monotone, but the exhaustion in my voice was palpable.

Tessa giggled, clearly unfazed by my threat. "Just joking," she said, waving it off with a chuckle.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, praying for patience I didn't have. If there really was some all-powerful being out there, please, anyone but Tessa. 

"Haaaaa." I sighed. (;一_一)