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Chapter 28 - Chronicle Book Safeguarding Operation

Virdjana's POV

"Attention! Ito ang mga dapat isaisip sa araw ng Chronicle Play!" sabi ni ma'am sabay pindot sa touch screen monitor, dahilan para magkaroon ng katahimikan sa loob ng kuwarto.

Ang unang slide ay may pamagat na Historia na hula ko ay tatalakay sa pinagmulan o kung paano nabuo ang Chronicle Book.

'This should be entertaining or else.' I thought.

"Alright Enchanted Elites of Arcacia Academy, most of you already knew the basic things information about the Chronicle Book, including what to do before, during and after the event, but I would give a quick summary of the history first, for our new members Virdjana Phantom Assassin and Ryoline Nanami." stated Professor Jelina as she slaps the stick to the screen slightly where the slide was shown.

Speaking of Ryoline, wala naman talaga akong planong kausapin siya nang magsimula na silang mag-sipasok at mag-siupo sa mga bakanteng upuan, pero agad siyang nagpakilala.

Sinabi niya sa akin na kung mayroon man daw akong gustong itanong tungkol sa grupo ay magsabi lamang ako. At dahil hindi naman ako nabigyan ni Nueva ng paliwanag ay nagtanong na ako. Doon ko napag-alamang ang sinasabing 10 miyembro ng Enchanted Elite ay kaming 10 lamang, kumbaga ten in ten thousands.

'So much for a normal student life.' sa isip-isip ko lang. 'Although I should have expected this given the chaotic first student I met outside the gates back then.'

Nang mahalata naman ni Ryoline na may plano akong mag-back-out bigla niya naman inilista ang mga advantages ng isang Enchanted Elite: 100% discount when it comes to school fees, ultimatum financial support for chosen future vocation, travel pass to other schools, leaves during missions, hirable private tutors.

Ang sabi pa ni Ryoline as long as ma-maintain ng Enchanted Elite ang level ng kanilang abilidad at hindi madisappoint ang Master na nag-recommend sa kanila, maaaring manatili sa posisyon, at kung ang pag-back-out naman ang usapan, wala namang pipigil sa iyo bukod lamang sa kaunting persuasion ng Master na manatili muna. In short, mas marami ang advantages.

"The Chronicle Book is forged in the Eco Village, home of the skilled marksmen in our continent, as you all know there are many known individuals that hailed in this village. Aside from their natural affinity with plants and earth, they are also famous when it comes to the manufacturing of furniture, papers and tools used by the blacksmiths from different villages. And speaking of paper, according to the information written on the Chronicle Book itself, the ancestor mages from the Veniceum Clan gave birth to this powerful relic by sacrificing their life energy in exchange with the book's ability to record the history automatically on its pages. We can also say that it's one of their clan's oldest treasures."

'Damn.' sa isip-isip ko lang saka aksidenteng na-i-untog ang tuhod ko sa upuan sa harap. "Aray...."

Nagulat na lamang ako nang lingunin ako ng lahat, kaya tuluyan akong natahimik, binigyan ko na lamang sila ng don't-mind-me-look, at nagpatuloy naman si Professor Jelina.

"It was believed that the book's content changes depending on the place where it was located, and would only record the events that happened in which it was currently at." dagdag pa ni ma'am.

'Changes depending on location?' The thought of it triggered many questions in my head, I needed to ask, but I don't think it would be a good idea to do so. I'm not desperate enough to look for them.

"There are more to its background, but that could be discussed later. Pay close attention to the details of your duties." continued Professor Jelina.

She slid to the right, changing what was on the screen in front of us into a chart with our names along with a legend of colors. "Supposedly there should be ten of you here, but some are out on a mission. However, do not fret since you can just imagine this as a little training under the institution of the academy. There is no need for combat because I would simply assign locations for every pair, you are to remain in that place to provide support for the roaming knights of the Academy when the day of the Chronicle Play arrives."

"Ma'am? Does that mean that we would not be able to watch the live shows in the Auditorium?" Ryoline asked after raising a hand.

"You can, however your role is more important than any play." Professor Jelina remarks.

"Don't worry Ryoline, we can always watch them through recordings. The Student Council have copies and we can ask if we want to have one since we are part of the Enchanted Elites." explained Drago with a reassuring smile.

"Oh really? Alright, I guess the job is more important. I won't let you guys down!" exclaimed the young girl.

Hindi ko kaagad napansin na isa pa lang freshman student ang babaeng ito, napagtanto ko lamang nang makita ko ang kulay berde na lining ng kaniyang blazer na isang sensyales na isa siyang first year student dito sa Arcacia.

"Another privilege?" I asked Drago, despite knowing the answer to my question.

"Yes." baling naman niya sa akin nang hindi nawawala ang ngiti.

Professor Jelina cleared her throat to take back our attention to her presentation, in which she began assigning our specific tasks. I was tasked to patrol above the rooftops in the watchtowers with Ertune, the reason being that Ertune Merdinia is a skilled marksman from Eco Village, and for me was because I have sharp hearing - or rather I can manipulate the air particles so that sound waves would reach my ear faster.

Soriz and Ryoline were tasked to become a part of the staff that checks people that enters and leaves the Auditorium, because their abilities matches so too. On the other hand Drago and Kadaski decided to work alone, both asked Professor Jelina to keep their duties a secret from the rest of the Enchanted Elites and Ma'am Jelina agreed with it. They seem to be pros when it comes to their tasks, that there was no need for it be discussed.

"You can contact one another with a private line using your Elemental Headphones, so make sure you have enough mana to power up those medium-tier magical items, eat a lot before the event begins so that you would not run out of stamina." Professor Jelina reminded.

"Would we be running?" tanong ni Ryoline.

'Wow, this girl sure is talkative...' I thought to myself.

"You might, you might not. That's why we have to be prepared." answered Kadaski this time. "We don't want to lower our guards and jinx the bad things to happen. Mahirap na." he adds.

'Mahirap na dahil?' sa isip-isip ko lang.

"Ma'am, I'm being told to visit the faculty office. May I take my leave?" asked Soriz, standing up from their seat only to give Ma'am Jelina a simple glance.

"Go ahead. I bet that's another mission. It's better completed before the Chronicle Play." spoke our professor before giving Soriz a nod.

"Yes, ma'am." responded Soriz.

"Prof, this is a little farther from our main goal, but what history would they be showing for the next month?" inquired Ertune while scratching his chin.

"Hmm, I have no idea. I can ask, but that's not really significant to our objective." she answers, sliding the screen once again. "Alright, what are the dos and don'ts during our mission, any guess?"

'Wow, this turned from an orientation to a lecture.' I thought before looking away in order to avoid eye contact.

"Any thoughts, Miss Assassin?" questioned our professor.

There was silence, except from Ryoline who immediately giggled seemingly excited about what could be my possible answer.

"Avoid disclosing the safeguarding plans to people that are not present during this meeting and do not get one's self, distracted during the event, also remember as much as faces as possible." I spoke.

Napansin kong medyo nanlaki ang mga mata ni Ma'am Jelina nang marinig ang mga sagot ko, sa kabilang banda ay inaasahan ko na ang magiging reaksiyon niya dahil binasa ko nga ang pag-iisip niya.

"That's most of it." saad ni Ma'am Jelina.

"Most?" I echoed.

"Ano ka ba naman Phantom, masyado kang seryoso, totoo namang dapat nating ayusin ang trabaho natin pero huwag mong kakalimutang isa pa ring school event ang Chronicle Play. You ought to have fun." sabi ni Kadaski na animong naghahamon ng away ang dating sa akin.

"He's right Miss Assassin." agreed Professor Jelina before shutting down the presentation. "And that would be all for now, we have less than 15 days left before the event commences and while we wait, you can return to your usual class routines. Dismissed."

Kadaski's POV

Inabot na nang tanghali ang pagpupulong namin, kaya malamang ay oras na para pumunta sa cafeteria at kumain ng pananghalian. Siyempre, sino pa bang aayain kung hindi si Drago, o si JP. Ang rason lang naman kaya kasama naman dati si Ruby ay dahil sa narinig nitong sasama si Phantom, samantalang pumayag si Drago na sumabay na sa pagkain si Lizbeth noong nakaraan.

"Ayos, may dalawang oras pa tayo bagong magsimula ang unang subject sa hapon!" nakangiting pahayag ni Ertune na siya nang sumunod sa kapatid nitong si Professor Jelina palabas ng opisina.

"Two hours."

I looked to my left and heard what Phantom had mumbled.

Without saying another word, she also went out of the room. The next thing I felt was that Drago might follow her so I grabbed his arm the moment he took a step forward.

"Oh bakit?" tanong ni Drago sa malumanay na tono. "Huwag mong sabihing gusto mong magpalibre? Linibre na kita last time ah."

"Aba, sira ka pala eh!" sigaw ko sa kaniya, kasunod ay ang pagbatok ko sa ulo niya.

"Aray, bakit ba? Ah...teka, aaminin mo na ba sa akin na crush mo si Virdjana?" nakangisi nitong tanong.

At binatukan ko siya ulit.

"Huwag mong sundan. Susunod ka na naman, kailan ka pa naging tuta ng babaeng iyon ah?" naaasar kong pahayag.

Luminga-linga muna siya, sumilip sa malapit na bintana bago isinara ang pinto ng Enchanted Elite Office bago muling tumayo sa harapan ko.

"I'm not suppose to tell anyone, but I know that you would be the persistent type," he stated before exhaling with a bothered expression. "Ikaw naman palagi naka-aalam ng mga missions ko."

Pinag-taasan ko siya ng isang kilay dahil nakaramdam ako ng masamang-kutob.

"Huwag mong sabihing may kaugnayan sa babaeng iyon ang misyon mo?" pang-huhula ko naman.

"Hindi lang may kaugnayan Aski, siya ngayon ang mission ko. Kailangan kong--," ngunit hindi niya na natapos pa ang sasabihin niya dahil tinakpan ko ang bibig niya.

"The subtle idea is fine, no need to explain what you needed to do. Your mission is YOUR mission after all. Para saan pa ba at ikaw ang tinaguriang may pinakamataas na approval rating pagdating sa Mission Completion kung basta-basta mo lang sasabihin sa iba ang detalye." saad ko kasabay nang pag-iling-iling ko ng aking ulo.

"IKAW KAYANG KATING-KATING MALAMAN!" sigaw ni Drago sa akin bago ako sinunggaban bago kami magsakitan sa sahig.

[After Classes]

"Class dismissed." pahayag ni Professor Edric.

Si Professor Edric ay dalawang beses na nagtuturo sa aming mga 4th-year S class students. Siya rin ang aming combat at language teacher. Kani-kanina lang ay nagsimula na ang leksyon tungkol sa Noraxian History. As usual, active participants ang halos lahat ng mga kaklase ko, hindi rin ako makapaniwalang nasagot ni Phantom ang dalawang tanong na ibinato sa kaniya ni Prof. Siguro kailangan ko nang tumigil sa paggamit ng dahilang isa itong magnanakaw upang sukatin ang intellectual capability nito.

"If you have any questions, feel free to visit me in the Teacher's Lounge before six in the afternoon." pahabol pa ni Sir Edric bago tuluyang lumabas ng silid-aralan.

Isinilid ko na ang mga gamit ko sa bag, at nagsimulang mag-stretch ng hita at paa ako na animong warm-up exercise. Sa totoo lang, iyon na lang ang itatawag ko sa ginagawa ko. Kailangang maghanda lalong-lalo na at papalapit na ang araw ng Chronicle Play.

"Ayos ah. Mukhang hindi ka paaawat ngayong taon." nakangiting pahayag ni Jeffrey sa akin.

"Siyempre naman. Hindi ako papayag na maungusan nang isang ranggo dahil sa simpleng pagkakamali ko nang nakaraan." nakangisi kong saad.

"Track and Field? 6pm?" tanong sa akin nitong Striker Type.

Striker Types are students known to have mastery over their speed and agility, they have a very agile body that allows them to be quite difficult to beat when it comes to anything related to speed, well most of it. Given that he was challenging me to a race, it shows that his prowess is not to be underestimated.

"Sure, pero isali natin si Drago. Hindi siya naka-attend last time dahil busy siya sa mga missions." sabi ko naman sabay tayo ng maayos.

Pareho kaming napalingon ni Jeffrey sa direksiyon ng ilan pa naming kaklase na nagsimulang mag-bulungan.

"Mukhang talk of the town na naman kayo ah~" baling ni Lizbeth, a gravity manipulator, habang nag-a-apply ng kaniyang lipstick.

Habang nagkakatuwaan kami sa paksa namin patungkol sa marathon na gaganapin sa araw ng Chronicle Play, nahagip ng peripheral vision ko ang pagdaan ni Phantom sa likuran ko, dahilan para agad akong mapabaling sa direksiyon ng upuan ni Drago. Sa kabutihang-palad, mukhang abala pa rin si Drago na mag-outline ng mga notes namin tungkol sa Noraxian History. I will surely keep an eye on him. Sumunod na rin lumabas ang sound manipulator na si Ruby Xercedes.

Hindi ko napansin na matagal na pala akong nakatitig sa kawalan kung hindi lamang dumapo ang kamay ng kung sino man sa likuran ko.

"Aba't gago ka ah?!" walang-babala kong hinatak ang buong braso nitong lumapit sa akin saka ibinalabag siya sa harapan ko.

"F*ck!" he cussed, Ertune Merdinia cussed.

Yikes. Hindi ko iyon sinasadya. Nang bumaling ako kay Jeffrey ay nagsimula na itong maglakad pabalik sa upuan niya bago hablutin ang kaniyang bag. "A-ah, i-postpone na lang natin iyong karera! B-bukas na lang!" at tuluyan na nga itong naglaho.

"Something bothering you?" tanong ni Drago habang nakapamulsa, saklay niya na rin sa balikat ang bag niya. "You looked pretty tensed."

"Hoy! Mag-sorry ka sa akin!" baling sa akin ni Ertune na kusot-kusot na ang itsura dahil sa ginawa ko.

Binalingan ko ang kapwa ko Elemental Type at pinag-taasan ko siya ng isang kilay, "Ha? Ako ba kinakausap mo?" tanong ko kasabay ng pagpapaliyab ng mga palad ko.

"T-Tch. Umalis na nga tayo. May araw ka rin sa akin." pahayag ni Ertune bago lumabas ng silid-aralan kasama ang mga miyembro ng gang niya.

"Boys, kung mananatili pa kayo dito. Kayo na rin magsara ng classroom." sabi sa amin ni Lizbeth sabay bato ng key card ng classroom sa direksiyon ko.

"Okay." maikli kong sagot.

Drago's POV

Sinalo ni Kadaski ang susi nang hindi nagbibitaw ng kung ano mang reklamo. Nangangahulugan lamang nitong mukhang magpapatuloy ang usapan namin mula nitong umaga. Pasikreto akong bumuntong-hininga bago muling ini-upo ang sarili sa aking silya. Ipinatong ko ring muli ang bag ko sa ibabaw ng aking mesa.

"I guess you changed your mind about your wanting to keep details confidential to me alone. Knowing you, you want me to spill everything?' I stated in askance.

"I just want you to answer a few questions. No need for every detail." sagot niya naman.

I was expecting him to snap at me like the usual, but he seems to be unnaturally calm about this. Suspicious.

"What?" tanong nito sa akin nang mapansing tinititigan ko na siya.

"Alright, payag na ako. Pero just so you know, hindi ako isang romantic rival." saad ko habang nakangisi.

Napansin ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya na tanda na seryoso siya tungkol sa usapan na ito. Napakamot tuloy ako ng batok saka pinawi ang mapaglarong ngiti sa aking mga labi.

Umupo siya sa silya sa tapat ako nang naka-dekuwatro at nagsabing, "sagutin mo lang ang mga tanong na hindi maka-aapekto sa misyon mo, kung hindi mo puwedeng ibahagi ay magsabi ka lang."

Mukhang interrogation na ito ah, gusto kong matawa, pero kapag ginawa ko iyon ay siguradong mapupunta lang ang usapang ito sa isang labanan.

"Does your mission requires you to gather information about Phantom?" pagsisimula ni Kadaski.

"Yep."

Kumunot ang noo niya, ngunit nagpatuloy pa rin siya sa pagtatanong.

"Does your mission requires you to take something from Phantom?" he questioned, clasping his hands in front of his legs in the process.

Tumagal ng mga halos isang minuto ang lumipas bago ko nagpapasiyahang sagutin ang tanong na iyon, "that would be her trust." then I smiled.

I noticed how his aura slightly spiked because he felt alarmed with the answer I gave him. Why so? I wonder if he is starting to consider the real context of my mission.

"Drago. I don't like the sound of that." Kadaski remarked.

I slightly found myself chuckling, his eyes had always been honest every single time, right now - his orbs were screaming that he is willing to stop me if ever the mission involves hurting myself.

"Relax Aski. Huwag kang mag-overthink." I assured.

"Do you really have to involve yourself with that sketchy girl?!" sigaw nito.

There it goes. He finally snapped.

"It won't take too long." bulong ko sa sarili.

"Bakit ano bang inaasahan mong reaksiyon ko? Mas magiging kalmado na ako ngayon dahil alam ko na kung bakit mo siya kinakaibigan." pahayag ni Aski sabay tumayo at tumawa nang parang may sira sa ulo.

"Ano pa bang hinihintay mo? Halika na at bumalik na tayo sa dormitoryo." pag-aaya nito saka dumire-diretso na palabas ng classroom, para tumayo lamang sa may labas upang hintayin ako.