He's a what?!
"Hahahaha. Nice nice. You're tripping me man", tanging naging reaction ko. "Demon? Hahahaha. It's impossible", it's beyond impossible. There are only four types of spirit guardians. Fire, water, wind, and earth. So ano pinagsasabi nitong demon spirit? Plus, it's one of the demon spirit kings.
"So stupid".
Tinignan ko siya ng mabuti. He really looks like a demon. Is this for real?
"Yeah, it's real", napatingin ako ulit sakaniya. Did he just--
"I can hear your thoughts".
"Eh?".
"You know what, even though you're dense, I like you". Kanina pa ako ini-insulto nito.
"So, what happens next?", tanong ko.
"None since the contract signing is done", ani niya na ikinakunot noo ko. Hoy! Wala pa akong pinepirmahan na kahit ano.
"Ffufufu.. look at your hand", napatingin naman ako sa kamay ko. Oh no!
"What's this?", there's a black insignia on my hand. I tried rubbing it but it won't come off.
"Fool. You won't be able to erase that. That's our contract and today's forward, I'll be your spirit guardian". Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. Kasabay nun ang pagsakit ng ulo ko hanggang sa nawalan ako ng malay.
Hmm.. Hmm..
Binuksan ko ang mga mata ko dahil sa liwanag ng araw. Babangon na sana ako nang maramdaman kong medyo mabigat ang bahaging leeg ko.
"Le--letty?", napahawak ako sa kung ano man ang nasa leeg ko ng biglang may ulo ng ahas ang lumitaw.
"Aaaahhhh!!!".
"It's me! It's me! Zagan", napatigil ako sa pagsakal sa ahas ng marinig ko itong magsalita or more likely talk to me telepathically.
"Good heavens! My lady, there's a snake on your neck. I'm going to call the knights!", dahil sa biglang pagsigaw ko kanina ay pumasok si Letty at nadatnan niya akong may ahas na nakapalibot sa aking leeg. Papalabas na sana siya para magtawag ng tulong nang pinigilan ko siya.
"Wait! Letty!", napatingin ako sa kwarto ko. Ngayon ko lang na napansin na sobrang gulo. Sinara ko agad ang pintuan. "This is my pet. See, it's tamed".
"But my lady, that's a poisonous snake".
"It's fine Letty, trust me".
Ilang oras ko rin kinumbinsi si Letty na pet ko itong ahas na hanggang ngayon ay nakapalibot sa leeg ko. Pinapunta ko muna siya sa labas at inutusan na magpadala ng sulat sa academy na magdadala ako ng pet.
"You've been on and on with the pet thing. I am your spirit guardian, kiddo".
"Shut it, Zaggy!"
"My name is Zagan. I am one of the demon spirit kings and you're calling me, Zaggy? Such a disgraceful human".
"And you're pretty annoying for a demon. By the way, you've mentioned that you can hear my thoughts, so it means that you can also understand it?", napansin ko lang dahil nagtatagalog ako sa utak ko.
"Yes. I'm a demon, I know all the languages".
"Pinapahirapan mo pa ako mag-ingles dito nakakaintindi ka naman pala ng tagalog".
"Assuming ka lang talaga", masama tabas ng dila nitong ahas na ito.
"I also heard that".
"Anyway, what's your power?".
"Heh, that's a secret". Anong klaseng spirit guardian ito? Well, what do I expect? He's a demon.
Of all the spirit I could summon, it happens to be a demon. A demon in a body of a snake.
"Since you know all of my thoughts, you understand my situation right? The situation that I am not from this world and I am not the real Alexandria Eveque though we have the same face".
"Yes, that is why I conducted the contract myself since your existence is interesting and the fact that this world is a book. What's more compelling is that I, a demon, is not part of the novel", maybe it's a good thing that I was able to summon Zagan. Now, there's someone with who I can share my problems. I'm quite happy to have Zaggy.
"It's Zagan and you should really be happy". On second thought.
"Nope, I'll be calling you Zaggy from now on since Zagan sounds like a taboo. I'll be looking at some records if demon spirit exists in this world, okay? And besides, it suits you. It's perfect for a pet snake like you".
Ilang oras din akong nakipagchikahan kay Zagan hanggang sa ipinatawag ako ng magulang ko at nakipagtalo dahil kay Zagan. They're willing to buy hundreds of dogs in exchange for keeping the snake (Zagan).
I didn't agree, of course. Tsaka kahit bilhan nila ako ng isang daang aso kakainin lang ni Zagan. He told me that he only eats fresh meat, yung kakapatay lang. Nakipag-negotiate pa ako hindi ako pwede pumatay ng basta-basta para may makain siya, instead I insist that he can have raw meat like chicken, boar, beef, etc. nalang. Arte pa siya.
Napapayag ko rin ang parents ko hanggang sa dumating na ang araw na biya-biyahe na ako papuntang Kershian Academy. May kaunting iyakan session (mother). "You take care, my dear", sabay yakap nila saakin bago ako sumakay sa karwahe.
It will take at least two days to arrive at the academy. Buti nalang at comfortable ang upuan ng carriage namin hindi sasakit ang pwet ko. I mostly read a book during the journey and by that.. two days have passed.
~~~
Bumaba ako sa karwahe at tumayo sa harap ng malaking gintong gate.
Kershian Academy. This is it, Alex, this is where your hell starts.
"Your hell or their hell?", rinig kong komento ni Zaggy na nasa loob pa ng carriage. I almost forgot that spirit can hear my thoughts.
Talk about privacy.
"My lady, this gentleman here will guide us to your assigned dorm room", ani ni Letty. May lumapit naman saamin na lalaki na mukhang staff ng academy?
"Welcome to Kershian Academy, Miss Alexandra Eveque. My name is Drew and your assigned dorm room will be on the west wing of the Flora building. Your room is the one with the Eveque insignia on the door, third floor", sabay abot saakin ng mga susi. Ibinigay ko kay Letty ang isang susi tsaka ko naman itinagoi ang akin.
"Also, we have received your belongings yesterday and the academy's servants had organized it in your room", mostly mga damit ko lang naman mga yun.
"I've also made aware that you brought a pet?", tanong niya saakin.
"Who are you calling pet? I'm a demon spirit! You weakling!"
"Shut up, Zaggy!"
"Yes, I brought my pet. I already asked for permission if I can bring my Zaggy", ani ko. "Letty, go get Zaggy", utos ko kay Letty. "Yes, my lady".
Letty opened the carriage door then a black snake slithered on my way and crawled on my body. Ipinulupot ni Zaggy ang kaniyang katawan sa may leeg ko. Are you trying to choke me?
"Why would I hurt my master?"
"At least we're on the same page".
"Mr. Drew, this is my snake, Zaggy", pagpapakilala ko. "Rest assured that my Zaggy is tamed and trained. He won't attack anyone unless... I said so", I said while petting the snake coiled to my neck.
"T-that's g-good to know, Lady Alexandria. I didn't expect that your pet was a snake, much less of a red-bellied black snake. Either way, since the academy allowed you, then it is fine. I'll lead the way to your room, milady", pag-iiba ni Mr. Drew.
Pumasok kami sa loob ng Flora building daw. The uneasiness of Sir Drew is noticeable.
"He looks afraid of me. Why?", tanong ni Zaggy. Napapansin ko rin kasi yung patingin-tingin niya sa ahas na nasa leeg ko.
"Hindi kasi normal na mag-alaga ng ahas lalo na't red-bellied black snake ang aalagaan. You know, you are a venomous snake. Isang tuklaw from you, means death", pag-eexplain ko kay Zaggy na hindi alam kung anong klaseng ahas siya. And we're talking telepathically.
"And this is your room, Lady Alexandria. Please tell us if you need some..thing", nakarating na kami sa magiging room ko for the next 3 years.
"Thank you Mr. Drew", pagpapasalamat ko. Nagtaka ako ng hindi pa siya umaalis. Mukha siyang may gustong sabihin.
"Uh.. Miss Alexandria, I know this is impertinent of me but..", may pag-aalinlangan na sabi ni Mr. Drew. "Go on", pagpapatuloy ko sakaniya. I think he's just worried about me or afraid?
"The red-bellied black snake is venomous and...", ani niya sabay tingin kay Zaggy na nasa leeg ko pa rin. "Yes, he is indeed venomous but thanks for worrying for me Mr. Drew". Ningitian ko nalang siya.
Lumabas na rin siya ng room ko habang si Letty ay inaayos ang ilang gamit namin. Umalis sa pagkakapulipot si Zaggy sa leeg ko at pumwesto sa higaan ko.
Iba din itong ahas na toh!
Nag-inat inat na din ako. Nakakapagod din magbiyahe gamit ang carriage. Buti nalang malambot ang upuan kahit papano. Konti lang yung pag-alog alog ko sa loob.
Humiga ako sa tabi Zaggy na mukhang tulog na. Wala naman itong ginawa sa buong biyahe bakit parang pagod na pagod ito? "Letty, once you're finished organizing my things, you should also take a break", ani ko kay Letty. May maliit na connecting room dito at yun ang magiging room niya. "Yes, milady. Please take your rest".
Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko hanggang sa nilamon na ako ng antok.
=========================================
Nagising ako sa mga mahihinang tapik sa akin ni Letty. "Miss, please wake up. You are going to be late".
Huh?
Nag-inat inat na muna ako at napatingin sa paligid. Nasaan na yung ahas na yun?
"I'm right here!", nadako ang tingin ko kay Zaggy na kumakain ng raw beef. Sinabihan ko nga pala si Letty na raw meat ang kinakain ng napakaarteng ahas na yan. Mas mahal pa sa per meal ko kasi maramihan ang gusto niya. Kung hindi ko naman pagbibigyan, tao ang kakainin niya.Para sa ikaliligtas ng iba, magwawaldas ako ng pera.
Napadako naman ang tingin ko kay Letty na kanina pa kinakalkal ang closet ko. May lakad ba siya? "Letty, what are you doing?".
"I'm preparing for your dress, my lady". May lakad ba ako? Napatingin ako sa may bintana. Magdidilim na.
"Master is dense as always", sinamaan ko nga ng tingin si Zaggy. Bastos din eh.
"My lady, there will be a welcoming party for all the freshmen tonight. I was in the letter sent to you by the academy. I hope you didn't forget about it". Oh right, the welcoming party.
"Of course, I didn't forget the party. Hahaha". Hindi ko lang talaga alam. I didn't read the whole letter I just skimmed it. It was too long.
Buti nalang at pakilamera si Letty at binasa ng mabuti ang letter. Malay ko bang may paganap sila.
The novel didn't highlight this event since none of the main characters attend the party. So, okay lang na magpunta ako. Makiki-kain lang naman ako.
Or not.
Nandito na ako sa welcoming party at nasa entrance palang ako ay marami ng nakatingin sa akin. I know that I am remarkably beautiful but I wore the most simple dress tonight kasi nga makiki-kain lang ako.
Hindi ko nalang pinansin ang mga tingin nila at mga bulungan na rinig na rinig ko naman. Mga inggetera.
They must have heard the rumors about me.
I don't have plans to mingle or make any friends tonight. People here are pathetic that only spreading rumors keep them alive. But still, I could use these blabbermouths in my future endeavors.
Hehehe...
Umupo nalang ako sa bakanteng upuan at nagsimulang kumain. Naalis na rin naman ang atensiyon nila sa akin nang dumating ang dean ng academy at nagbigay ng kaniyang welcoming speech.
Now I can peacefully eat my-- "Lady Eveque?". Kakasabi ko lang ng peacefully. Tinignan ko yung lalaking tumawag sa akin.
He looks the same age as me. His looks are somewhat average. "Yes?".
"Oh nothing. I just want to make sure that you are Miss Alexandria Eveque. By the way, I am the second son of Viscount Reynolds, my name is Arvin Reynolds. I don't want to disturb you so I'll be on my way", huh? That was weird. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang paalis na "Arvin".
What was that? Hindi man lang ako pinagsalita. Napatingin ako sa paligid. May plina-plano ba itong mga tao dito?
Though I didn't sense any hostility from him nor fear. Maybe, he's a fan of mine?
Nope. That's impossible.
Pagkatapos kong kumain ay umalis na rin ako. My purpose of attending is to eat only. As expected of a prestigious school, the food was exquisite. That was a good meal. Hahahaha...
Though there was a weirdo who suspiciously approached me without throwing any insults or whatever.
Pumasok na ako sa kwarto ko at inutusan si Letty na ihanda ang pangligo ko. I need my beauty sleep now since tomorrow is the day.
The web novel Charlotte will be starting tomorrow.