The Wyndhams stopped in their tracks.
They all turned back to look at Rhyssa, who was now standing directly in Alex's path, blocking him from following them.
Confusion spread across their faces.
They weren't sure what to make of her anymore.
Just a moment ago, she had told them to leave.
Now she was stopping Alex from going with them.
"What are you doing?!" Clifford shouted.
"You told us to leave. So why are you stopping him?" His voice rose without him realizing it.
Even Zephyr, Isla, and Lennox were becoming uneasy.
None of them liked where this was going.
"I meant what I said," Rhyssa replied without even looking at them.
"The rest of you can leave. Everyone except him."
The Wyndhams exchanged uncertain glances.
None of them knew what Rhyssa wanted with Alex.
Because of that, none of them moved.
"Do you want me to change my mind?" Rhyssa asked after noticing that they were still standing there.
Neither side made a move.
The Wyndhams didn't leave.
Rhyssa didn't attack.
The tension in the warehouse quietly continued to build.
She shifted her gaze toward them slightly, silently waiting for their decision.
"You guys can go on," Alex said, breaking the silence.
"I'll be fine."
Clifford looked at Alex.
The others did the same.
'He doesn't look scared of her at all... Do they know each other?' Clifford wondered.
"You heard the brat. We don't have to die for him. Let's get out of here!" Isla shouted.
Without wasting another second, he turned and sprinted out of the warehouse.
The others hesitated for a brief moment.
Clifford glanced at Alex one last time before letting out a quiet sigh. Then he followed the rest as they made their way out of the building.
Soon, only Alex and Rhyssa remained inside the battered warehouse.
After the Wyndhams left, Rhyssa turned her full attention back to Alex.
"You said you'll be okay," she said, a smirk resting on her lips. "You sound pretty confident about that."
As she spoke, she slowly began circling him.
Alex never took his eyes off her.
His gaze followed every step she made, refusing to let her leave his sight.
"Just like you said," Alex replied calmly, "you have no reason to start a fight."
The smile on Rhyssa's face widened.
"So, let's stop dancing around it," Alex said bluntly. "What do you want to talk to me about?"
"Well..." Rhyssa said, her smile growing even more. "Isn't it obvious? I've taken an interest in you."
"Really?" Alex asked.
"What?"
"You'd really say something like that to a man just like that?" Alex said as his eyes slowly wandered over Rhyssa's body.
"What?" Rhyssa asked, raising a brow.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Wait a moment..." she said, pointing a finger at Alex.
"You don't actually think I meant that kind of interest... do you?"
Alex frowned.
"What are you even talking about?" he asked.
Hearing that, Rhyssa let out a long sigh.
"Seems like you completely misunderstood what I meant."
She shook her head lightly.
"When I said I was interested in you, I meant that something about you caught my attention," Rhyssa explained.
"Then what is it?" Alex asked without hesitation.
Rhyssa stopped circling him.
Her eyes settled on him.
"How were you able to keep your true stage level hidden?" she asked.
"Is that it?" Alex replied.
"You stopped me from following my clan members just because of that?"
Rhyssa giggled at his response.
"Come on, Alex," she said.
"Anyone can instantly tell that your so-called clan members care very little about what happens to you in this tournament."
She paused for a brief moment before continuing.
"I could tell from their movements that they were already prepared to leave you here with me, even if you hadn't told them to go."
Her gaze remained fixed on him.
"And I can also tell that, to some extent, you feel the same way about them."
Alex had no idea how Rhyssa was able to read him so well.
Still, he couldn't deny one thing.
He didn't care much about the other Wyndhams either.
"Regardless of that, I still have a certain level of safety around them," Alex said. "Or at the very least, I can find a way to get out of this damn tournament."
"Get out of this tournament?" Rhyssa repeated, tilting her head slightly.
"Why would you need to get out of it when you can leave with a single thought?" she asked.
Almost on instinct, Alex covered one of his wrists with his hand.
The movement was immediate.
But it was already too late.
"You..." Rhyssa said, narrowing her eyes.
"What happened to your watch?"
Alex instinctively looked down to see what had given him away.
Then he realized it.
He had covered his right wrist.
The tournament watches were worn on the left wrist by every participant.
He had covered the wrong hand.
For a brief moment, Alex remained silent.
Instead of answering, he slowly took a step back, putting a little more distance between himself and Rhyssa.
"Come on," she said with a faint smile.
"You know I can always beat the answers I want out of you."
Alex stopped retreating.
His gaze hardened as he looked straight at her.
The relaxed expression on his face disappeared, replaced by a cold, serious look.
"Of course," he said.
"You can always try."
"Then we'll see just how easy it'll be."
His aura shifted.
Rhyssa immediately sensed the change in him.
A hint of surprise flashed across her face.
'This boy... He doesn't seem afraid of me. Cautious, yes... but not afraid,' she noted to herself.
"Fine..." Rhyssa said.
"Since your watch is damaged, I can help you find the exit door. That's what you're looking for, isn't it? I can get you there faster... and a lot safer."
Alex didn't answer right away.
He studied her for a moment.
"And what would I be doing in return?" Alex finally asked.
"It's simple," Rhyssa replied.
"You just answer a few questions for me."
"Just that?" Alex asked.
"That sounds a little too simple to be true."
Rhyssa let out a soft chuckle.
"Trust me. What else do you possibly think I'd want from you?" she asked.
Alex fell silent again, weighing his options.
'Her siblings all said she had taken a particular interest in me,' he thought.
'If all she wants are answers to a few questions... then maybe it isn't such a big deal.'
His thoughts continued.
'With her leading the way, I can reach the exit door much faster. It'll probably be safer too.'
After thinking it through, Alex finally made his decision.
"Fine," he said.
"I'll accept your offer... but you help me first. After that, you can ask your questions."
Rhyssa raised an eyebrow.
"Do you really expect me to accept that?" she asked.
"What if you run away after I help you get out of the tournament?" she asked.
"Exactly," Alex replied without missing a beat.
"If I answer your questions now, you can simply decide not to keep your end of the deal."
"I keep my promises. I—"
Rhyssa stopped halfway through her sentence.
She let out a quiet sigh.
"Fine," she said.
"I'll agree... but on one condition."
"You let me ask just one question now. I'll save the rest until after I've helped you leave the tournament."
Alex looked at her for a moment.
"Why do you even care so much about asking me questions?" he asked.
"I can't think of any knowledge I have that would benefit you."
Even as the words left his mouth, he knew they weren't entirely true.
Deep down, he knew there were things about him that others would want answers to.
Rhyssa ignored that part.
"So," she said, extending her hand toward him, "is that a deal?"
Alex glanced at her outstretched hand.
After a brief pause, he reached out and shook it.
"Fine."
The handshake lasted only a moment before they let go.
"So, ask me your first question," Alex said.
"Then let's get moving."
Rhyssa smiled.
"My first question is..."
She paused just long enough for Alex to focus on her words.
"How did you lose your tournament watch?"
The instant he heard the question, Alex froze.
His expression stiffened.
Almost instinctively, he took several steps back, widening the distance between them.
'No...!'
'That's the worst question she could've asked right now,' Alex panicked.