There was Mine: standing next to the Herbology Center entrance.

With his bag over his shoulders, and his hands on his waist, he counted the seconds while impatiently waiting for Addai to come. Exactly forty seconds passed before the Dark Mana teacher appeared amidst a dark mist.

Addai wore different clothing that day and his hair seemed to be fluffier, once the shaved sides were a bit denser in hair. He coughed after stepping on the floor, maybe that dark mist was the cause. When he saw Mine, his thin pupils instantly turned round as dark marbles surrounded by heterochromatic irises.

Mine sighed and faintly smiled when he saw his friend coming. “Finally! I thought that you were the one who changed the mind,” he teased.

Addai’s cheeks slightly blushed at the teasing and frowned. “Your ass that I changed my mind,” he grumbled. “Let’s go, Lydia is waiting for us.”

“You befriended Lydia… hm… interesting,” Mine said, looking at Addai while he followed him.

“She’s not my friend,” Addai grumbled.

“Yeah, sure,” Mine chuckled. “And what’s this clothing today? Where’s your smelly uniform?” he teased, pinching the long-sleeved black shirt Addai wore.

“Can’t a man choose their own clothing anymore?” Addai pulled his sleeve from Mine’s pinch.

“Okay, okay… Mr. man,” Mine laughed.

The duo wandered through the Herbology Center gardens, where the air carried the delightful fresh flowers and wet soil. A warm breeze brushed their petals and leaves, making the air even more whimsical.

The Herbology Center was a living masterpiece, known for its exuberance in plants and the beauty in its built structures. The sun above made sure to show them every beauty in that building, from the ornaments on the corners of the walls to the brilliant flowers and plants.

As they approached a small hut in the middle, Mine identified who was standing there, waiting for him.

“Hey! You two!! Come inside!!” Lydia waved, beaming as she did so.

Lydia’s short hair was crowned with a colorful, vivid flower wreath. She was beaming so brightly that Addai couldn’t help but sigh and wave back.

Mine chuckled and gave Addai a playful nudge in the ribs.

“It’s impossible to not be friends with Lydia, right?” Mine whispered, looking at Addai.

“Shut up,” Addai grumbled, his cheeks reddish.

“You have a heart of gold, you just don’t like to admit it,” Mine chuckled.

“Heeeey~ Lydia is here too~” Lydia suddenly appeared in the middle of the duo. “What’s the gossip between you two? Hm? You two are sure an item…” she teased.

Addai’s cheeks flared even more, even his neck was red. Mine’s cheeks were no better, and the tips of his hair glowed in faint pink.

“Now that I have your attention… follow me!” Lydia grabbed their arms and laughed out loud, guiding the duo through the corridors of her office.

From the outside, Lydia’s office looked small—but inside, it was huge!

Long corridors branched off into several rooms, each dedicated to caring for plant seedlings—whether ordinary or rare—like the simple daisies used in concentrated happiness potions. Other common specimens for general potions and pouches were kept on display.

The most dangerous ones were covered with bands imbued with neutralizing spells, and the doors that gave access to them had several warning signs. Their effects were no joke, so a bit more care wouldn’t hurt.

Humming happily, Lydia greeted every specimen that turned toward her—and the plants, somehow, greeted her back. Mine and Addai, caught up in the moment, found themselves greeting them too.

The final room they entered was a sprawling archive.

Among boxes and stacks of papers, Lydia rummaged for what she had promised Addai. Meanwhile, the duo stood watching in absolute silence. Mine was fidgeting with Addai’s sleeves, feeling the shirt’s smooth texture while Addai simply let him do whatever he wanted.

Lydia’s sharp eyes locked on the dynamics and grinned mischievously. “You two seem pretty close, hm?” she said while moving the shelves and boxes.

The question took them both by surprise, and what had previously been absolute silence – only being able to hear the old air conditioning working hard along with the splashes of rain outside – turned into agitated murmurs. Mine let go of Addai’s sleeves and rubbed his hands together.

“Close… how?” Mine asked while Addai seemed to be carefully choosing his words.

“You know the closeness I meant,” Lydia teased. She slapped one blue cardboard box, and a plastic flower popped out. Argh, those gnome pests… she grumbled internally and placed the box aside.

“I don’t follow,” Mine crossed his arms. But, in fact, he did follow – he was in denial.

“Hm… so, you answer me that, Addai,” Lydia called and Addai was slightly startled.

“If I say anything, it’ll get worse,” Addai said, his cheeks blushing. Mine looked at him in disbelief, his cheeks blushing as well.

Before Lydia could pester them any further, a box to her right gave a violent shake. Without missing a beat, she slapped it hard, and two flowerpots popped into view.

She let out a satisfied sigh, her face lighting up with relief.

“Aha! Here’s your delivery, Mr. blushing man,” Lydia bowed and gave Addai both flowerpots with a bow.

Addai grumbled and lightly kicked Lydia’s ankle as she laughed out loud. Mine couldn’t help but fix his gaze on both flowerpots. The smaller flower was dark in color, its petals’ texture like suede—an obsidian suede, Mine would say. The stem was thick and rough, contrasting with the dark petals and long golden stamens.

It was a true masterpiece.

Mine approached the flowerpot in Addai’s hands and touched the flower’s petals with care. “It’s a Satan’s Will flower…” he said in awe. “How did you get one of these, Lydia?”

“I had a friend’s help,” Lydia nudged Addai’s rib.

Mine looked at Addai as if admiring him.

Addai felt his skin turn hotter again and he cleared his throat before speaking. “Yes, I helped Lydia with it,” he coughed and avoided to look at Mine’s eyes.

Lydia leaned to Addai’s ears and nudged his ribs again. “C’mon buddy, he’s right in front of you…” she whispered.

“The fuck do you mean with that?” Addai grumbled, his cheeks red.

“I don’t know, but you should do something,” Lydia teased.

“Shut up!” Addai argued.

“What are you two whispering about?” Mine asked, confused.

Lydia nudged Addai’s ribs twice before he looked at Mine.

Mine's cheeks were lightly dusted with a peachy hue... his eyes followed the movement of his mouth, smiling as well... his hands cradled the flowerpot with such happiness – he didn’t even know when Mine took it from his hands, but still – and his hair had rosé tips and strands, forming a harmonious mix of colors.

Addai hadn't noticed earlier, but Mine's smile was unique. His front teeth were slightly larger than the rest, resembling a bunny’s smile. Also, his nose would wrinkle whenever he smiled too much.

Addai cleared his throat. “Y-you can keep it,” he said.

“For real?! Wait– where’s the trick?” Mine lifted the flowerpot, looking for any mischievous spell attached to it.

“Yes, I… thought you’d like it so…” Addai fidgeted, not minding Lydia’s intense cupid-like eyes beside him.

Mine lowered his head and the flowerpot. His cheeks were burning! Not only that but his heart was as crazy as the other day when Addai was at his place. No matter how much his reason tried to pull him back to reality – and apply his own advice to not get too attached – his body felt like a statue.

“Y-you didn’t need to do all of this…” Mine murmured, trying to apply his advice.

“I wanted to, and you’re happy. That’s what matters,” Addai replied and took two steps forward.

Addai caressed Mine’s cheek, his fingers lingering on the soft, smooth skin. Slowly, he lifted Mine’s chin. Mine’s eyes met Addai’s and…

… something was wrong.

Mine blinked, then froze. Addai’s eyes—they weren’t right. His irises were crimson, glowing faintly, as though the light itself was afraid to touch them. Mine’s breath hitched. 

"Addai…?" he called.

Mine turned, searching for Lydia—but the room was empty, as if she'd been swallowed by the walls. Where was she?

The air seemed… heavier.

Addai’s face twitched and an unsettling smile crept across his lips.

Mine’s senses sharpened. His heart began to race, but now in another rhythm.

“Ah…” Addai sighed before starting to laugh, the sound hollow and eerie.

It wasn’t a laugh. It was a twisted cackle, jagged and sharp, like the Joker’s. A laugh that crawled under the skin, rattling the bones. 

Mine took three quick steps back—then three more until his back hit the wall.

Something was horribly wrong with Addai.

"What is so funny?" Mine inquired.

Addai then chuckled. "You wouldn't get it," he exhaled, resting his hand on his face.

Mine's nerves tensed. Danger crept on his skin.

"Who are you?" Mine asked.

That "Addai" then looked at him, and his face wasn't actually Addai's. The room suddenly turned cold and dim.

The sound of metal being dragged across the floor began to make the hairs on the back of Mine's neck stand up, and his Chronos scriptures instantly lit up. From the back of his hand to his face, all glowing in the dim room.

"What's behind you?" Mine urged.

"I found him. Take notes," that person in front of him said through a spy device on their ear. "So... I came to attest if you're a legit Chronos."

A damn shiny sword appeared behind that person.

The petals of Satan's Will emitted an alluring scent. The fragrance was a unique combination of sandalwood and jasmine but with a more distinct musky undertone. The petals, velvety to the touch, seemed to emanate the aroma.

Pleasant, yet intoxicating scent...

... once there was something else mixed in the fragrances.

"Do you need my ID, you psycho?!" Mine fretted, avoiding a sword thrust. "Hey, what do you want to do? Play Fruit Ninja? This sword of yours looks damn sharp," he laughed nervously, ignoring how much his hands trembled.

"I'm not very good at acting. This boyfriend of yours is definitely not my style," the person made ‘Addai's’ skin melt and soon revealed a whole new person under that mess of flesh.

"I knew it wasn't Addai! He's sweet not-" Mine chugged down those cringe words and gagged. Wait. "YO, HE'S NOT MY-"

SLASH.