Chapter 1: Light Academy

It was already midnight when the carriage halted in front of a huge iron gate. Silence enveloped the dark, giving me a certain feeling of security. For some reason, I liked it, darkness made me feel at ease.

I looked up, astonished by how bright the moon was through the carriage window. My eyes only left the moon when the coachman opened the door for me, and as soon as I stepped out, the cold breeze kissed my skin. My hair was taken away by the winds. Pulling my suitcase, I entered the place I'm going to stay for the meantime.

"Welcome to Light Academy. May the blessings of the Holy King be upon you," a man, wearing a butler suit greeted me, lowering his head as a courtesy.

I also lowered my head, "Glory to the Kingdom and his Holiness." 

He gestured his hand to follow him. Silence surrounded us as we stride the long, quiet hallway. My eyes roamed the place. This no ordinary school for sure. The chandeliers, the pillars, the paintings on the wall, everything was lavish. It felt like as if I was in a castle rather than a school.

Just to let you know, I had a little bit of knowledge before coming here.

Light Academy was built to develop and polish those who possessed the power in order to protect the kingdom. They are called the 'Gladiators' and I'm currently one of them. Although I'm not from this kindgom, every Gladiator is required to enter the academy as a preparation for any upcoming war. It's located within the Palace's area, meaning to say, sakop ng lupa ng palasyo ang akademya.

However, a war happens mainly because of the two kingdoms.

"Hope you will enjoy your stay here, Thalia," the butler said when we reached the dormitory. He stopped in front of a wooden door, the number 404 was carved into it.

Since I'm now an official student here, I am required to stay within the academy's grounds. It is part of their rules I must say. This must be my room, right?

"May I ask for your name?" I glanced at the butler.

"You may call me, Ridge, Uncle Ridge or Sir Ridge, whatever makes you comfortable." He politely smiled, "I must take my leave now. Rest well and enjoy."

I nodded and flustered a warm smile, watching Sir Ridge's back to be swallowed by darkness.

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa pintuan at pinihit ito upang makapasok. I was immediately bombarded with books scattered around the floor, the room was a huge mess. A girl wearing glasses suddenly appeared, panicking. Her hair was hazel nut, mid-length. She was shorter than me and she was still wearing her uniform. Nakita ko ang logo ng academy sa breast pocket ng coat niya. 

"Sorry! Hindi ako na-inform na may roommate ako. Ngayon ko lang din nalaman," she explained, picking the books one by one. Mukhang mahilig siya magbasa sa dami ng nagkalat na libro sa kwarto.

I only nodded even though she was busy picking up the mess she made. I decided to help her clean the room to save up time. I just really wanted to rest as soon as possible, I feel tired after the long ride.

"Thank you," She said, arranging the books on the shelf while her other hand is carrying another few books. "By the way, I'm Blaze. I can wield a single sword."

"Thalia." I said shortly. "Dual sword."

It was not my real name but I made it sound closer to my real name.

Her brows furrowed, "Double sword? You must be extremely special. What is your element? Mine's fire, just like my name." She happily said.

"Black magic." I casually answered.

She was suddenly stunned and it took her few seconds before she had spoken again, "So you are special.. You're probably in S-class," she smiled, "Before I forgot, that is your room. Your uniform and essentials must be inside, reach out to me kung wala sa loob." She pointed the door beside hers. Nakaukit sa kabilang pintong na tinuro ni Blaze ang pangalan niya kaya naisip kong sa kaniya ang kwarto. 

"Oh, thanks." Tumalikod ako sa kaniya at nagtungo sa sinabi niyang kwarto.

Dinala ko ang gamit ko sa loob at nakita sa kama ang uniporme at mga kakailanganin ko. May shelf sa loob at study table, kumpleto din ang gamit. Sinuri ko ang pin na kasama sa uniporme kung sa'n nakalagay ang rank ko. It's just like what Blaze said. The pin was color gold, my name, and S-class was carved in it.

Napahigpit ang kapit ko dito. I'm here. I'm finally here.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal ang pag-aayos ko ng gamit at isinantabi ko na ang mga kalat ko. The room was plain and big enough. Puti lang ang tanging kulay kaya malinis tignan. Hindi ko ine-expect na ganitong kalaki ang bawat kwartong binibigay nila.

Nahiga na ako upang makapagpahinga at hinayaan ang sariling makatulog.

Morning came and I'm not really a morning person. Siguro ay kasabay na rin ng maaga kong pagkagising ay dahil naninibago pa ako. Hindi ako mapakali dahil nandito ako sa kabilang kaharian na dapat naman nasa Tenebrar ako.

Sinuot ko ang uniform at gumayak. Our uniform was a black skirt, white longsleeves partnered by a white coat with black linings on the collar and cuff. Black naman ang necktie at kailangan isara ang ibabang bahagi ng coat kaya hindi makikita ang pagkakatucked-in ng longsleeves sa palda. The academy's logo was embroided on the breast pocket, a black and white shield with crossed pair of swords. Pinagmasdan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin at kumurba ang maliit na ngiti sa'kin.

Naalis nalang ang tingin ko sa salamin nang marinig ang katok sa pinto at iniluwa no'n si Blaze.

"Sooo... the Headmistress told me to show you around before we proceed to the briefing hall. Are you ready?" Blaze beamed with excitement and her eyes twinkled. I gave her a nod. Ikinabit ko ang pin na hawak ko sa itaas na bahagi ng breast pocket bago sumunod sa kaniya sa labas.

Napatingin ako sa pin ni Blaze na gold din ang kulay.

If you're wondering, the students here are divided into 4 classes. The S rank, A rank, B rank, and C rank.

Of course, the higher the rank, the powerful their magic sword abilities. A Gladiator can wield a sword with their own element. It's like having magic but our swords producrs 'that' magic. The common elements are wind, fire, water, and earth. Even if it's the most common elements, it requiresa lot of training and understanding your element. Better control gains high ranking.

High tier elements such as light magic and black magic were rare kaso maraming henerasyon na ang nakalipas kaya mas madami na rin ang may black and light element.

Kaonti lang ang may gano'ng element pero sa loob ng sampong tao, tatlo do'n ang meron. Yeah, still rare though.

And the most anticipated is the holder of the Holy Sword. That holder has the heaven's blessings that's they are as the 'descendant' and when that person appeares... it only means one thing.

A bad omen. No one can determine his appearance.It may be after a hundred years, a thousand years, it depends. Maybe that person is alrrady here, maybe not.

On the other side, there's two tests you need to take before the academy considers your registration. Aptitude test and combat ability. It wasn't really hard but I somehow managed to hide my abilites.

Gaya ng sinabi ni Blaze, sinamahan niya akong libutin ang lugar hangga't may oras pa kami bago pumunta ng briefing hall.

"What's that place called?" I pointed at the tower outside the academy's boundaries.

"It's the Door of Eloah. It's a temple where you can ask for divine powers. It's where the High Priestess lives," she answered. 

"Divine powers?" I asked.

"Divine powers are temporary boost to our body. It doubles the amount of element we release, but too much divine powers could lead to death," she explained.

"How long does it last? Libre lang ba 'yon?"

"It last for about 6 hours. Mostly, adventurers ang pumupunta jan o kaya mga taong pupunta sa expedition, pwede ring squad kapag may mission. It's free when you're a student from the academy."

Tumango-tango ako nang maintindihan ko ang sinasabi niya. Sinasabi sa'kin ni Blaze ang mga pangalan ng nadadaanan namin hanggang sa hindi ko namalayang narating na namin ang briefing hall. Everyone seemed so busy talking with each other. The entire place was filled with buzzing sound and unclear words. Sinundan ko lang si Blaze na napunta sa pila ng iba pang naka gold pins.

Napaayos naman ang lahat nang may tumayong babae sa gitna ng hall. Biglang nawala ang ingay na kanina ko pa kinaiinisan. Her aura was strong and fierce, and the butler beside her was the same butler who accompanied me last night, Sir Ridge.

"Welcome to Light Academy," The woman said with a stern voice. Her voice clearly shoe her superiority. She then turned her back and exited the hall.

My brows drew together. Confusion started to build up. Is that it?

"That's Headmistress Lavina for you," Blaze, behind me, whispered. "She's strict and brutal. Pag nag-init ang mata niya sa'yo, lintik na."

The woman stopped mid-way. She faced us again.

"The Academy Duel will begin next month." Maikling anunsyo niya.

My brows furrowed, "Academy Duel?" 

"It's a yearly duel between two students. It can help you earn points to ascend your rank," explenasyon muli ni Blaze. 

They do that?... but classes just started.

"Isn't it too early for duels?" I asked.

"It's sort of a tradition," sagot niya.

Nang makaalis ang headmistress, do'n lang nawala ang pila ng estudyante. Or should I say, the student body parted and S-rank students were left standing on the center, including me. Other ranks were on the side of the path, carefully watching us.

Nagtaka na naman ako dahil sa paglayo ng ibang estudyante sa'min.

"Some S-rank students abuse their authority. Lower ranks can't oppose. It can't be helped if they seem too distant, they just want peace."

Good thing Blaze was here to explain everything. Kung wala siya sigurado mukha akong ligaw na bata dito.

Blaze and I had the same schedule. Our first class was combat training. Umagang-umaga pero sakit sa katawan agad ang bungad nila. The instructor said a few things about having a group or squad at mukhang alam naman na ni Blaze ang tungkol do'n.

A hologram displayed our names. May mga numbers pa do'n na hindi ko naintindihan kung para saan. ""Please go to your designated group," the instructor announced after reciting our names.

Kahit naguguluhan, tumayo ako do'n at luminga-linga. Hinahanap ko si Blaze dahil narinig kong magkasama ang pangalan namin. Coincidentally, Blaze was one of my squadmate. Ang saya-saya niya nga nang makita sa hologram ang pangalan naming magkasama, together with two more members named Aqua and Rai.

"Ikaw ulit?" A man who had yellow highlights in his hair appeared. 

Blaze crossed her arms over her chest, giving the newly came guy a glare. She looked like a kid because of their height gap. Hindi pa ata aabot si Blaze sa balikat nung lalaki.

"Oo ako ulit. Ang malas nga laging ikaw ang nakakasama ko." Umirap si Blaze.

"'Mas malas ka," sabi ng lalaki.

"Talaga. Makita ko palang mukha mo nagdudulot na ng kamalasan sa'kin, e. Siguro magulang mo ang pinakamalas dahil mukha kang tae?" Tumango-tango pa si Blaze habang nakalagay ang kamay sa baba, sinusuri ang mukha ng lalaki.

Napatigil lang sila sa pag-uusap nang magbulungan ang mga tao at napansin kong nakatingin ang iba sa'min. 

"It's Aqua."

"Must feel good to be in his team."

"17 lang ba talaga siya? Bakit ang pogi?"

Nagtaka ako kung sino ang pinagbubulungan nila hanggang sa hinanap na rin ng mata ko ang tinitignan nila at 'yon ay ang isa pang lalaking papalapit sa'min na halos kasing tangkad lang rin ni Blaze. Nalamangan lang ng isang tulog sa hapon noong bata.

"Ey kiddo!" The man with yellow highlights wrapped his arm around Aqua, ginulo naman ng kabilanv kamay ang buhok ng lalaking tinawag na Aqua.

Aqua forcedly removed the guy's hand, getting irritated, "Get off me, you ugly yellow-haired hag."

"Foul!" Umarteng nasasaktan ang lalaki sa sinabi ni Aqua.

Mukhang napansin na nila ang presensya ko dahil huminto na sa pagsasalita ang kausap ni Aqua. Aqua fixed his hair, irked.

"Sino siya?" The yellow haired asked Blaze, referring to me. He eyed me from head to toe. 

Hinatak ako ni Blaze sa tabi niya bago ngumiti, "She is Thalia. A Dual Sword Black Magic user. Stronger than you who has nothing but lightning." 

"The same goes to you who has nothing but fire," the guy countered.

"Do you wanna get burnt into crisp?" Blaze's face was grim.

"Do you wanna get struck into ashes?" Hindi naman nagpatalo ang lalaki at nakipagsagutan.

"Do you guys wanna drown?" Aqua asked. His serious face made them shut up.

I just noticed that their names are sorta connected with their element.

Is it a thing to be named after your element? 

I think it is. 

"Are you all going to stand there and chat all day? Proceed to the arena," the instructor raised a brow. Napagalitan tuloy kami dahil sa pagtatalo nila. Umalis at tinalikuran din naman kami ng insturctor na nagpakilala bilang Zeah.

Sabay-sabay kaming pumuta sa arena.

First, there will be an individual training para makita ang combat ability namin. Sabi ng instructor, titignan nila ang weak points namin at sa susunod na training ay 'yon ang gagamitin laban sa'min.

Aqua was the first one to enter the arena from our squad. The enemies are made out of illusion but once you get hit, the pain is unbearable. Parang sa totoong buhay lang.

In a battlefield, you need to think and move fast. A waste of time could lead to death.

Like his name, he summoned his sword and chanted something before the sword created a water chain.

"Me and Aqua make a good combination," Rai who's beside Blaze commented. The guy who had yellow highlights name eas Rai. Naririnig ko lang kay Blaze nung pumunta kami dito sa arena.

Malaki ang arena at may mga bleachers do'n, parang field lang pero kwarto ang nasa gitna dahil may nakaharang na salamin para makita namin ang nagyayari sa loob.

Nagpatuloy lang kami sa panonood hanggang sa naging sunod-sunod na kami. Habang si Blaze ang nasa arena, nagpaalam si Rai na aalis muna siya.

Blaze showcased her swordskills. I could tell how she devoted her life to master her swordsmanship. Hindi na siya nag-abalang gamitin ang element niya kaya hindi ko 'yon nakita.

"Passed." An automated voice from the arena announced.

The light attached above the arena's door switched from red to green. Blaze left the arena with a smile on her face, looking satisfied.

It was Rai's turn after coming back. He entered the arena with confident stance. Other girls were fangirling over him which caused him to smirk.

Rai's skills does not differ from Blaze's. Mas ginagamit lang niya ang element niya pero magaling din siya. Pumalakpak kami nang matapos si Rai.

"Init!" Agad na reklamo ni Rai nang makalabas siya sa arena, basa ng pawis at medyo hinihingal.

We killed time by watching the other students perform and as expected, S-class students won't be called S-class if the student does not exceed the school's qualities. Halos lahat ay sanay sa pakikipaglaban at halatang nagt-training.

"Hi, Aqua!" A girl approached us. Her face was red like an apple. Bigla nalang siyang sumulpot kung saan kaya napatingin kaming tatlo kay Aqua na tinawag ng babae.

Bored naman siyang tinignan ni Aqua na halatang walang pakielam. Mukhang naiinis pa nga siya.

"A-Class," Aqua murmured the girl's pin.

Parang nahiya naman ang babae sa sinabi sa kaniya, "Y-yeah."

"Ano kailangan mo?" Masungit na tanong ni Aqua.

"Pwede ka bang makausap mamaya sa library?" Kagat-labing wika naman ng babae.

"No." Agad na sagot ni Aqua, directly rejecting her.

"O-okay."

Tahimik namang umalis ang babae at nakita ko nalang ang pag-awang ng bibig ni Blaze.

"What the hell, Aqua? Pogi ka dude?" Naiinis na wika ni Blaze.

Aqua scowled, "Anong paki mo?"

"Ewan ko sayo," Blaze rolled her eyes. "You kept on hurting and rejecting girls. Ang dami-dami nila."

"Bakit? Kasali ka ba do'n?"

Hindi agad nakasagot si Blaze sa sinabi ni Aqua, "H-hindi 'no! Ang layo mo sa type ko."

"E bakit kung maka-react ka parang ikaw 'yung sinabihan ko?"

I saw Blaze's lips parted in disbeief upon hearing Aqua's words. They started arguing. Rai gave me an apologetic smile because of Blaze's unending arguements to everyone.

Blaze mentioned that they were sqaudmates before. Last year ata. Nakakainis nga daw dahil sila na naman ang kasama niya.

Nabasag ang pagtatalo ni Blaze at Aqua nang pangalan ko na ang tawagin. It was my turn to enter the arena. I only summoned my single sword para hindi na makuha ang atensyon ng iba. It didn't took me long enough to pass the test. Pakiramdam ko nga dinalian lang nila dahil unang araw naman ng klase.

Blaze showered me with praise when I got out. I only gave her an akward smile. She seemed to be so friendly but it's just out of nowhere. Naninibago ako. It's been awhile after shutting myself away from others.

"Everyone did a great job today. You can now proceed to your headquarters and meet your advisers," the instructor said.

Isa-isang nagtayuan ang mga taong nasa loob ng arena at umalis.

"Headquarters?" I asked Blaze.

"Each squad has their own headquarters. May adviser din tayo na naghahandle o 'di kaya nagbibigay ng mission. 'Diba nag-announce ng mga pangalan kanina? Sinabi ni Instructor Zeah kung sino ang magkakagrupo." Sagot niya.

'Yon pala 'yon. Nginitian niya ako bago naunang maglakad kasama si Rai at Aqua. Sumabay nalang ako sa kanila.

"Sino kaya adviser natin?" Curious na tanong ni Blaze habang naglalakad na kami.

"Sana 'wag si Miss Sakuya. Strict pa naman 'yon," komento ni Rai.

"I prefer Miss Sakuya than Sir Ronald. That man sucks. Hindi siya nagpapadala ng tao para sa missions. Sayang points!" Ani Blaze.

"Akala ko ba dual sword ka? Bakit 'di mo ginamit?" Biglang tanong sa'kin ni Rai.

"I just don't feel like it," sambit ko.

"Wow, strong," natatawa niyang sabi kaya binigyan ko lang siya ng maliit na ngiti. "Let me formally introduce ourselves. I'm Rai Cazavon. This is Aqua Synivia—" He pointed Aqua whose face was resting, a hint of boredom crossed his face, "and this is Blaze Francizca—" tinuro niya si Blaze bago bumalik ang tingin sa'kin. "Welcome to Light Academy, Thalia."