Mason couldn't help but notice that Tessa had a talent for making everything sound like a joke, even when it was clearly not. It was probably why he found himself smiling more than he'd expected. He wasn't usually the "smile on command" type, but when she was around, it was like she had some kind of magic that made the chaos of Ardenmoor just a bit more bearable.
As they made their way to the far corner of the courtyard, Tessa was still talking, but now she had a faraway look in her eyes.
"So, if you're ever stuck on a homework assignment, find Kyle under the tree. He may look like he hates everyone, but he has all the answers... well, if you can get him to stop throwing rocks at people," Tessa said casually, scanning the courtyard.
Mason followed her gaze and spotted the guy she'd mentioned earlier—the one with the perpetual scowl who looked like he would rather be anywhere but here. He wasn't sure if he was more intimidated by Kyle's scowl or his complete lack of care for anything going on around him.
Tessa nudged him, breaking his concentration. "You're doing that thing where you get lost in your thoughts," she teased. "You look like a guy who's about to crack the secret of the universe or something."
"I'm just trying to figure out if the rock-throwing guy is a threat or just misunderstood," Mason replied with a grin.
She raised an eyebrow. "Both, probably. But don't worry about him. He's too busy being emo to care about anything else."
They both chuckled, and for a moment, it was easy to forget that they were standing in a magical academy full of ancient secrets, towering spires, and whispered rumors. The air felt lighter—until, of course, Tessa's gaze shifted once again.
"Speaking of problems," Tessa said, her tone lowering slightly, "you might want to watch out for Logan's fan club. They've been eyeing you."
Mason's brow furrowed. "What's wrong with my fan club?"
Tessa snorted. "You wish you had a fan club. No, it's Logan's groupies. The blonde girl with the too-perfect braid? She's the ringleader. Never trust a braid like that."
Mason's lips twitched. "I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 'never trust a braid,' but I'll take your word for it."
Tessa just shook her head, muttering something about boys and their egos. Mason laughed and nudged her, knowing how much she enjoyed stirring the pot. But before he could respond, his attention was drawn to the front of the courtyard where a new figure appeared—a girl who looked like she stepped straight out of a painting.
Tessa caught his eye and smirked. "That's Liliana's best friend, Violet. If you can survive her glares and still be standing, I'll personally give you a prize."
Mason turned his head, eyebrows raised. "What's her deal?"
"She's a whole mystery wrapped in sarcasm and sharp looks," Tessa said with a grin. "You'll figure it out. Just don't get on her bad side. She's got a temper to match her fashion sense. And trust me, you do not want her on your bad side."
Mason chuckled, enjoying the banter, but the feeling that something else—something much bigger—was lurking in the shadows of Ardenmoor lingered in the back of his mind. It was hard to shake the tension that followed Caleb Hayes everywhere he went. It was like the guy carried an invisible storm cloud above him.
"So… when do the actual classes start?" Mason asked, trying to redirect his thoughts to something lighter.
"Tomorrow," Tessa said, shrugging. "And just so you know, Control class will probably be your worst nightmare. You'll have to focus on learning how to use your fire without setting half the school on fire. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Mason groaned. "Great. Sounds like exactly what I'm here for."
Tessa laughed, her carefree attitude lighting up the space around them. "Hey, it's not all bad. You might even end up being best buds with your sparring partner. Or you might burn them to a crisp. Either way, you're in for an interesting time."
Mason raised an eyebrow. "I'm starting to get the feeling you enjoy making everything sound like a challenge."
"Challenge is my middle name," Tessa said with a wink, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just wait until we get to the Skywalk. You'll love it… or hate it. We'll see."
They both stopped by the fountain for a moment, taking in the view of the campus, the sun starting to dip behind the spires. Everything felt almost serene for a split second—until, of course, the air suddenly felt thicker.
A soft buzz, like an electrical hum, vibrated through the stonework of the fountain as Mason looked around, trying to pinpoint its source.
"Don't mind the statues," Tessa said casually, as if she didn't notice the strange energy that now hung in the air. "They like to mess with new students. Don't worry, they're not dangerous… unless you're late for class."
Mason frowned. "You're telling me the statues here move?"
Tessa's grin returned, but there was a hint of wariness in her expression. "Not move move. More like… observe. They have a thing for checking you out when you're near them. But it's all harmless, mostly."
Mason wasn't so sure, but before he could ask more, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned quickly, but there was no one there.
Instead, his eyes were drawn to Caleb Hayes across the courtyard, standing at the top of the stairs leading to one of the academic towers. His back was turned to the crowd, but even from here, Mason could feel the weight of his presence. The guy didn't talk to anyone, didn't make a scene, and yet the entire courtyard seemed to subtly shift when he entered a space.
Tessa noticed where Mason's gaze had shifted and let out a small sigh. "Don't bother with him. He's as silent as they come. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't talk to anyone the entire year. Just… keep your distance, okay?"
Mason nodded, though the pull of Caleb's presence was undeniable. The way the air seemed to grow heavier around him, the way people quietly cleared paths as he walked—there was something magnetic about him, something unsettling.
"I'll keep that in mind," Mason replied, though part of him wasn't so sure.
As Caleb disappeared into the shadows of the tower, Mason turned his attention back to Tessa, who was eyeing him with a smirk.
"I see you noticed him," she said, her voice more serious than before. "Just... be careful. People like him don't play by the same rules."
Mason wasn't sure what exactly she meant by that, but he could feel the gravity of her words. He was beginning to realize that everyone at Ardenmoor had their own secrets—and some of them were more dangerous than others.
Tessa seemed to pick up on his contemplative mood and nudged him with a grin. "Don't let the statues or the silent types get to you. Tomorrow's another day to start fresh. Just focus on surviving the first week, and I'll take care of the rest."
Mason offered her a small smile, but the feeling that something deeper was at play remained. Ardenmoor was far more than just a school—it was a place where even the quietest moments could carry the weight of something much more significant.