Drago's POV
Ilang minuto makalipas ang Cloak Declaration ay pinayagan na kami ng aming Professor na i-enjoy ang natitirang oras ng kaniyang asignatura. Ang rami kong natutunan sa huli kong misyon at nais ko itong ibahagi kay Aski, kaso magbabanyo na muna raw ito kaya naiwan akong naghihintay dito sa may hagdanan.
"Mabuti na lang at naka-abot pa ako sa event na ito, I don't think matutuwa si Aski kung hindi ako nakarating." bulong ko sa sarili.
Naalala ko tuloy ang araw na nagkakilala kami ni Kadaski, ang dungis niyang tingnan noon. Palibhasa ay mahilig itong maglaro sa mga lugar na masyadong malupa at ma-alikabok, pero akala ko lang iyon, inakala kong paglalaro ang dahilan kung bakit ang dumi ng dami nito.
Linapitan ko siya upang tulungang tumayo ngunit pinapa-alis niya ako. Iyon pala, nagsasanay ito ng kaniyang mahika. Tandang-tanda ko pa kung gaano nito pilit na pinalalakas ang apoy sa kaniyang mga kamao at isinusuntok sa lupa upang makagawa ng crater. "Pfft, ni-hindi nga makagawa ng butas na sapat para mapatid ang dadaang tao, pero tingnan mo ngayon at halos sampung beses na ang lakas niya."
Noong elementarya naman, salamat sa isang butihin guro ay napag-alaman naming compatible ang kulay ng aming elemento. Ito rin ang dahilan kaya isang dual-manifestation ang aming ginawa para sa Cloak Declaration.
Sa totoo lang, kilala ko ang dating may-ari ng cloak ko, iyon ay dahil siya ang pumanaw ko ng kapatid. Sabi nila baka raw nasa dugo na namin ang ganitong mga coat.
Nahalata ko ring hindi inaasahan ni Virdjana na posible ang ganoong manifestation. Mabuti na lang at nag-concentrate ako kaya hindi ako natawa, medyo may kababawan din kasi ang kaligayahan ko.
Speaking of Virdjana, the cloak she got was just purely black, and I'm pretty sure that showing knife-work is not the requirement for an Executioner. I'm still curious, so I'm going to research about it later.
Isang kamay ang dumapo sa balikat ko napagtanto ko namang si Aski lang pala iyon. "May problema ba? Mukhang malalim ang iniisip mo ha. May kaugnayan ba iyan sa..." hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya ng sumabat ako.
"Hindi ito tungkol sa bagong kaklase natin." sabi ko.
"Ang sasabihin ko ay kung ito tungkol sa misyon mo." paliwanag ni Kadaski.
"But think about it, the cloak that Miss Assassin got is weird, it seems lacking. And, not to mention even Miss Assassin, herself, seems out of this place too." I stated while placing a thumb under my chin.
"Drago, don't think about her. She's just bad news." saad ni Aski.
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya at napa-iling-iling, "bad news in terms of what? In terms of power, intelligence or temperament? She looked pretty chill back there."
"Oh no, I see where this is going. Not again." mumbled Kadaski under his breath. "Anyway, let's go buy lunch."
"Sige, tara!" pagsang-ayon ako saka tumayo at mabilis na ipinasok sa mga bulsa ang dalawa kong kamay.
[Cafeteria]
Nang makapasok na kami sa cafeteria napayuko ako nang makitang marami ng tao at mahaba na ang pila. Tumingin ako sa paligid para sana makahanap ng mauupuan pero mukhang puno na.
Sa hindi kalayuan ay nakita ko ang Sound Enchant na si Ruby na kausap ang transfer student sa klase namin. Nagtaka nga ako kung bakit nag-uusap ang dalawa, magkaibigan na kaya sila? Inobserbahan ko ang dalawa hanggang mag-walk-out si Virdjana at naiwang tahimik si Ruby.
"Dapat pala inagahan natin." pagrereklamo ni Kadaski, dulot ng mahabang pila.
"Hayaan mo na, mamaya niyan at tayo na ang makalalapit sa counter." baling ko kay Aski sabay thumbs-up.
"Imposible, baka next subject na andito pa rin tayo." pag-kontra niya saka humalukipkip.
"OH ME GERD."
"Sila iyong galing sa star section ng 4th year."
"Ang gwapo noong may itim na buhok, gurl. Ano nga iyong name niya?"
"Kadaski Nueva at iyan namang kasama niya ay si Drago Arcedes. Grabe besh....ang suwerte natin nasa likuran natin sila!"
'Ang ingay nila.' sa isip-isip ko lang.
"Hala, besh. Ang ingay daw natin. Ssshhh~" sabi ng isa.
Nagulat ako sa sinabi noong isang babae, nagkataon talagang Mind Reader siya? Magugulat ka na lang talaga sa mga Restovakian eh, dahil sa lawak ba naman ng iba-ibang kategorya ng kapangyarihan nila, mahirap mahulaan ko ano ang kanilang abilidad. Mayamaya ay yumuko ang dalawa bilang tanda ng paghingi ng tawa saka umalis sa pila.
"T-teka, pasensya na." huli na nang masabi ko iyon dahil nakalayo na sila. Hayysss.
"Yes, nabawasan. nainip na rin siguro." nakangiting komentio ni Kadaski.
"Yikes..." tanging-nasabi ko na lamang.
Naghintay pa kami ng higit sa 20 minuto bago makarating sa counter. "One ramen, one beef noodles, dalawang tubig." pag-order ko.
"Here sir en-enjoy!" sabi ng tindera at akmang ibibigay na sana sa amin ang tray ng mabitawan niya ito.
Kumislap ang mga mata nitong tindera at nagsimulang magsulat ng mga letra sa hangin. "Hey, sayang iyong pagkain!" Reklamo ni Aski.
"Mister Arcedes? Mister Nueva? This is heaven! Charming Magic: Predatorial Instinct." she enchanted.
"Aski, mas alalahanin mong may attraction enchantment ang tinderang iyan." Bulong ko.
Animong yumanig sa buong cafeteria at paglingon namin ay nagsitayuan ang lahat ng babaeng napasailalim sa kapangyarihan nitong tindera.
"Cr*p." sabay naming sabi ni Aski.
Patay kang kupal ka. Takbo na~!
Kasalukuyan kaming hinahabol ng mga fangirls kuno namin, dali-dali kami ngayong lumabas ng cafeteria at tumungo sa Main path ng Academy papunta sa Dormitories.
"Pumunta ka sa kanan, kakaliwa ako!" sabi na Aski.
Tumango naman ako at naghiwalay kami kaya nahati din ang mga humahabol sa amin.
Kadaski's POV
Tumakbo na ako pakaliwa at kumanan naman si Drago. Bakit naman kasi nagkataong iyong tinderang iyon ang nasa shift? Ka-badtrip! Hindi ko sila pu-puwedeng sunugin dahil halatang namang magiging mamamatay-tao ako niyan.
'Ang hirap nilang iligaw dahil mukhang long range ang Attraction Enchant na iyon.'
"Kadaski, ano ba?!" nagulat ako nang mabangga ko si Ertune na kasalukuyang nakatapat ang mga kamay sa ilang mga buto sa lupa.
"Oh, sh*t." biglang sabi ni Ertune at saka itinago ang kanyang mga kamay.
Napatingin ako sa iba't-ibang seedlings natatabunan ng kaunting lupa. Is he gardening? No, looks like he is practicing.
"Pre, hindi kita i-ja-judge. Tulungan mo nga ako!" sabi ko sa kaniya na may kasabay pang kumpas ng kamay.
"Pakialam ko ba sa iyo." maangas niyang pagkakasabi at nagsimula nang maglakad palayo.
"Ah, ganyanan pala ah." gumawa ako ng bolang-apoy sa kanang kamay ko at itinapat ito sa mga buto. Natigilan si Ertune at nangangalit ang mga matang lumingon sa akin.
"Don't dare." he warned.
Ilinapit ko pa ang apoy at saka ngumisi.
"Naghahanap ka talaga ng away ha? Gago ka ah. Layuan mo sabi eh!" sigaw ni Ertune kasabay ng paglapat niya ng mga kamay sa damuhan. "Veniceum Arts: Vine Riddle!" Ertune enchanted.
Laking-gulat ko ng mabilis na tumubo ang mga buto at mala-galamay ang mga itong wuma-wasiwas sa paligid. Inapula ko na ang mga apoy dahil narinig ko na ang mga yabag ng mga fangirls.
"Good timing." bulong ko sa sarili.
Hindi pa rin kumakalma si Ertune, itinaas niya ang kaliwang kamay niya at nakontrol niya ang tatlong malalaking halaman sa kaliwang bahagi niya upang habulin ako. Tumirintas sa bawat isa ang tatlong halaman kaya mas lumaki pa ito, tinubuan ng mga matatalim na tinik at mas bumilis.
"Sh*t." Tumakbo ako upang salubungin ang mga fangirls. I smirked. Pasensya na mga girls, hindi ko naman ginustong habulin ninyo ako.
"Kadaski-samaaaaaaaaaaaa! AHHHH!" sigaw ng mga kababaihan nang tamaan sila ng mahika ni Ertune.
Ang galing ko talagang umilag.
"Aski, what have you done?!" nagpapanic na tanong ni Ertune dahil akala niya ay may ilan siyang na-injure.
"They're alright. Nakalimutan mo bang nagbibigay ng immunity to pain at wounds ang kapangyarihang Attraction or Manipulation of Hormones Ability?" pagpapaalala ko sa kanya.
Napahawak siya sa dibdib niya. Afterwards, he gave me a glare as he started withdrawing the plants back to its normal size. Bumalik na siya sa tapat ng plant box at ipinagpatuloy ang pag-aalaga sa mga halaman. Pagkanaka'y nagsitayuan na iyong mga babae at napasapo sa ulo nila.
"What are we doing here?" reklamo ng isa.
"Jeez, I don't remember anything." nakasimangot na sabi ng isa pa.
Kaniya-kaniya na silang tayuan at sialisan. Eksakto namang kumalam ang tiyan ko. Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga ni Ertune lumapit siya sa akin at sinapol ako sa ulo ng isang mansanas.
"Aray!" daing ko nang masapol ang ulo ko, pero eksakto ring lumapag sa palad ko ang prutas.
"Take that and yeet yourself away from my plants. Tch, loko-loko ka talaga." seryosong sabi ni Ertune nang umi-iling-iling.
Pinili ko na lang manahimik saka kumagat sa apple, ngayon ko lang nakita ang side na ito ng Gangster na si Ertune.
"Alis na ako." sabi ko na lang at saka tinahak ang daan papuntang Timog, kung saan may malawak na damuhan.
Drago's POV
Pumasok ako sa isang dormitory habang hinahabol pa rin ng mga estudyanteng naapektuhan ng charm magic ng isa sa cafeteria vendor ng paaralan. Naririnig ko ang nakakapanindig-balahibong mga yabag na umaakyat sa hagdan ng dormitoryo. Sa kabutihang-palad ay may nakita akong kuwarto na hindi naka-lock. Dahan-dahan ay pumasok ako at isinara ito mula sa loob, siyempre hindi ko na-lock dahil required ng key card kaya hinawakan ko na lang.
Walang tao sa kuwarto na ito. Buhat ng curiosity ko ay inilibot ko ang aking paningin sa lugar. Ang linis naman dito, pero bakit walang upuan? Nang lalapitan ko sana ang bookshelf ay may naapakan ko ang rug dahilan para mauntog ako sa isang floating cabinet.
"Aray!" pinulot ko ang sarili at minasahe ang aking noo.
"Drago Arcedes?"
I watched in disbelief as Virdjana Phantom Assassin appeared materializing from small gusts of wind.
Virdjana's POV
I was practicing my air mimicry when someone entered my room. It was quiet from the very beginning so he did not notice that I was there.I was also floating in mid-air and meditating to gather my thoughts about the academy together. I can only transform my body into air for an hour.
"Drago Arcedes?" I raised a brow. "What are you doing here?" I added, my knife quickly making its way near his neck.
"I'm sorry." he apologized while still rubbing his forehead, "I was being followed and I hope you can help me hide for a few minutes."
I know what it feels to have people running after you, so I pulled my knife away before throwing it into a darting board hanging on my room. 'Bull's eye.'
"You have two minutes." I told him before heading to my bed, and eyeing him just in case he does anything funny.
Those two minutes passed by quickly, and in silence no one dared to speak, or so I thought. "You're a Eumythymn. Wow, wow, wow. Is this why Kadaski was telling me to stay away from you? How dare he, you guys are long... gone from society and-"
"NOT ANOTHER WORD." I shouted.
Then I kicked him out.
I sighed and grabbed my knife from the darting board. "Reggie, I'm taking a walk." Pagkalabas ko ng dormitory. tinahak ko lang ang daang una kong natipuhan, ni wala akong idea kung saan ako dadalhin ng daanang ito.
"Miss Assassin." tawag sa akin ng isang lalakeng nakasuot ng blue pants at black long-sleeve button up.
"D*mn, another stranger. Calm down and don't act rude." I whispered to myself.
May inaabot siyang sulat at halatang hinihintay niya akong basahin iyon. Walang-alinlangan ko namang binuksan ang sulat at binasa ito ng tahimik.
Dear Virdjana Phantom Assassin,
Good morning Miss Virdjana we are hoping in advance that you will accept a mission. This will be your first mission outside of the Prestigious Academy of Arcacia. This might be overwhelming because you are a new student and we agreed that you are fit for the mission. We received a report that you passed the requirement as an Executioner and the last time we had one were ten years ago. This importnant mission, it involves your classmate Drago Arcedes which was cursed by the black pearl he obtained from his last mission. You are eligible to be his partner. A reward of cash and food supplies are on the line."
Sincerely yours,
Student Council President Rizz,
"What do you think?" tanong sa akin ng lalake.
"With all due respect, may I know who you are?" tanong ko sa lalake.
He cleared his throat and blinked twice, probably thinking if he will introduce himself or not. "I am Ian Navalle. The Secretary of the Student Council."
"Give me time to think about this." sabi ko.
He then bowed and left me without uttering a word.
Bitbit-bitbit ko ang sulat habang naglalakad pabalik sa kuwarto ko.
"What were they thinking? Hindi ako madaling makumbinsi ng isang sulat kaya sana iba na lang ang pinili nila. This is actually suspicious enough, lalong-lalo na at baguhan ako dito. Not to mention it's Drago Arcedes." sabi ko sa sarili.
Then I sensed someone nearby, watching me silently. "You won't give it a shot?" napatingin ako sa aking likuran kung saan nakatayo si Kadaski Nueva,
"Stalker." I told him.
"I'm not a stalker, but I did tell myself that I'd keep a close watch of you." Kadaski stated as he folds his arms in front of his chest.
"Whatever." I stated.
"Let's make a deal." Kadaski said while clenching his fists.
That statement piqued my interest. I'm not new when it comes to deals, I could even say that I'm quite skilled at it too, especially making up one on the spot. "Let me guess, you want me to accept this mission? What can you offer that's better than money and food from the Student Council?
I noticed Kadaski's eyes dilated, yet quickly he became serious again. He even looked like he would burn me alive if I don't do something about this mission that involves his friend.
"Go ahead." I prompted.
"I'll leave you alone. Treat you like we're equals, forget everything I learned of you." he stated.
My eyebrows furrowed for a few seconds, then I found myself smirking. "Basically ,you're going to stop discriminating against me and pretend like we don't know each other?"
"Something like that, whatever that curse is I can feel that it's not going to be good for him." Kadaski uttered with a frown on his face.
"Why can't you come with him yourself?" I asked.
"Because I'm not allowed to. I'm prohibited." he explains, looking frustrated.
"Why?" all I can do at the moment was to try to understand his situation. I don't really have to, but he looks desperate.
Almost three minutes had passed and Kadaski Nueva did not give me any answer. I would have probably used the necklace to read his mind, but Reggie is not in it at the moment.
"Everyone has their secrets, I understand." I crumpled the letter and placed it on my pocket. "Your offer sounded beneficial to me, so I'll consider since you're begging right?" I remarked before walking away.
Ruby's POV
[Gymnasium]
Wala nang atrasan toh. Since hindi ko naman nakumbinsi na sumapi sa amin si Virdjana. Ang tanging choice namin ay lumaban ng lima laban sa sampu at kami ang nasa losing side.
"Dehado yata kayo b*tches." komento ng leader sa kabilang grupo.
"Hindi ko halata eh." I manage to keep my voice strong kahit halatang kinakabahan na ako. Alam kong sa oras na umakto akong natatakot ay maaapektuhan ang natitirang tapang ng mga kagrupo ko.
"We need to fight Ruby." agaw-pansin ng una kong kakampi.
"I know, pero alam mo na kapag ako ang umatake there's a chance na malaman ng mga advisers ang ginagawa natin. Ayoko sa detention room" I whispered to her.
"Kami rin naman Ruby, kaya kailangang maging maingat." saad ng ikalawa kong kakampi at sumang-ayon ang ikatlo at ikaapat.
"I hope you can defeat us." The leader of the other group stated. Pinagdikit niya ang kanyang mga palad at pinagkiskis ito and the next thing I know it was now sparking with a hundred volts of electricity.
"What do you think? Deadly?" tanong niya sa akin. Napaatras ang mga kakampi ko sa takot.
"Nabansagan pa naman kayong TroubleMakers, wala naman kayong nagagawa ano kayang mas bagay girls?" tanong niya sa mga alipores niya.
"Hmm, I think mas bagay ang Mouse Whimperers." sabi ng nasa kanan nito.
"I like that mga mumunting daga na walang magawa~ AHAHAHAHA!" saka sila nagtawanan na parang mga baliw.
"Electric Jaws" she enchanted.
"Tch no choice." I muttered under my breath..
Virdjana's POV
I found myself nearby the Gymnasium, why would my feet bring me here of all places?
It was amusing to see Kadaski's pissed expression that I did not even notice that I was towards the Gymnasium door with a crazy expression on my face. it was just a little satisfying to see that prideful Fire Enchant looked miserable. Although, I do understand where he was coming from. Psyche, not really. I can't comprehend why people fuss about friendships.
I was still in the middle of my thoughts when an explosion occurred in front of me. "What was that?"
"School fight." Reggie stated which had just returned to my necklace. He seemed concern but later on shrugged it off. "Would you want to help them or just let them be? I think you need a refresher after the stress that boy gave you."
"Ah, you mean go back to my room and chill with your comics?" I asked in monotone.
"Yeah? What else?" Reggie responded before yawning.
I squinted my eyes to better see who were the people that caused the explosion. "Aura Sensos." I casted after spreading radar spell on the soles of my feet, its comparable to echolocation. "15 people."
"Oh no. I'm going to get cut off again, am I?" pouted Reggie and just like he expected, I took off my necklace and place it in my pocket.
"You're here."
Lumingon ako sa nagsalita, si Ruby. Wounded at halos isang mata na lang ang nakamulat halos tumbado na yung apat na kasamahan niya, yet she's strong enough para i-endure ang kuryente na kasalukuyang bumabalot sa katawan niya.
"Woah, woah? is this the trump card you dipsh*ts are talking about?" began the Electric Enchant, "akala ko naduwag ka na."
"Napadaan lang ako" kaswal kong sabi, "I don't even know any of you."
"No problem darling, I'll introduce myself to you!" sa isang iglap ay nawala ang Electric Enchant sa harapan ko, at naiwan ang nagtatawanan niyang kasamahan.
"Agk- AHHHHH!" napasigaw ako ng maramdaman ko ang biglaang kuryenteng dumikit sa katawan ko.
Liningon ko siya, "get your hands off lady." I said seriously, while panting slightly. That surprised me.
"Virdjana tumakbo ka na!" sigaw ni Ruby. Lalong lumakas ang tawanan.
"Shut her up." Utos nitong leader. Lumapit ang isang alipores nito at sinipa sa tiyan si Ruby.
"Ack!" Ruby groaned before curling into a ball.
'That surely hurts.'
Tinabig ko ang kamay nitong mayabang na babaeng kuryente at mukhang hindi niya inaasahang kakayanin ko ang boltahe ng kuryente niya.
"How dare you?" she then asked.
"Oh I would love to dare, try me." I stated at saka ko siya hinarap at ibinalabag sa harapan.
"Tch. Ouch! Attack her! " utos nitong leader.
Ang mga sumunod na pangyayari ay hindi ko inaasahan sapagkat naglabasan sila ng wands at sabay-sabay itong itinutok sa akin. I guess anyone can just conveniently carry wands? I mean, I carry my knife around and I see no teachers trying to take it away.
"That's it. I'll show you no mercy." after saying that, I disappeared before their eyes. I know I'm faster than most of them. I smack their wrists really hard that caused them to wrenched in pain and let go of their weapons. "Oh I'm not done, you'll pay for laughing with your leader."
I slid towards the Electric Enchant's members tripping them, then giving each one a punch of a lifetime.
"You little-" the Electric Enchant stood up and struck me with another lightning attack. It was fast enough to go after me even if I tried to dodge it.
"Goddammit...this hurts." I mumbled, for the lightning made me flinched a bit.
"Ano? Wala naman pala eh!" nakangising sabi ng leader nila, ignoring the fact that her teammates all have broken wrists now.
"Fanna, let's leave for now. Most of us are injured already, that student is too much for us." saad ng isa sa mga kasamahan nitong si Fanna, probably the leader.
"Chill out. Kita mo namang nangingisay na siya oh? She's going to die." sabi ni Fanna.
"You really thought that you're strong enough to bring me down?" I said smirking, and seeing her surprised expression made me feel excited. "You don't call someone a trump card if they lose to the boss."
I rolled my eyes, as I massage my not-so-numb shoulders. I won't use an enchantment to finish her off, I am already scaring her anyway whilst just being angry. "Ah, I should introduce myself to you too. I don't want to be impolite."
I stood up properly, before pulling my knife off of its sheath.
"Ha! You got me all worked up for nothing." laughed Fanna.
"I'll make it worth it then." after saying that, I bent one knee empowering it with my air turbulences, in this manner it would not be so obvious that I was using wind magic.
I threw the knife at her, and she dodged it by bending backwards.
"Predictable!" Fanna remarked.
"And so are you." I whispered before jumping upwards and delivering an axe kick onto her head. "That's a K.O I believe."
I was expecting that this electric girl would predict that too.
"Let's run!" said Fanna's injured members, leaving their knocked out leader behind.
"Thanks for coming." sabi ni Ruby na nakasandal na ngayon sa pader.
"Huh? I just happen to pass by. You're not the reason why I'm here." I bluntly stated na kaniyang ikinagulat, but she still smiled afterwards.
"You're pretty cool." Ruby said in the middle of her coughing.
I internally cringed, but remained wearing a neutral expression on the outside. "Doesn't matter."
"You're really amazing." Ruby whispered before falling asleep.
My instincts told me to catch her, and so I did. I hate this. I looked around me and everyone were flat out unconscious on the gymnasium floor.
"And now they're all asleep." I sarcastically whispered to myself.
I looked at Ruby, glancing at her frame. She's actually shorter than me, but she acts as if she's some kind of Godzilla. I guess, that's what you call a big crocodile that share some characteristics with dinosaurs? "Jeez, nahahawaan na yata ako ng mga comics na binabasa ni Reggie."