"Didiretso ka ba sa Dean's office?" tanong ni Walter kaya napunta sa kaniya ang atensyon ko at ang atensyon ni Victor.
"Oo, eh. Kailangan ko kasing kunin ang schedule ko," nakangiting sagot ko. They both nodded and helped me with my luggage. Isa lang naman ang luggage ko, but it's quite heavy.
"Gusto mo samahan ka na namin?" the book nerd, Victor, stated. I darted to Walter and he is also waiting for my answer.
"Well, I don't have any idea where the Dean's office is. So why not?" I answered alternately. Rolex began screaming again which created an annoyed expression on their faces.
"Why is your watch screaming?" Tinakpan ko kaagad si Rolex at saka nag-aalinlangang ngumiti.
"Are you seriously asking her about that, Walter?"
"Bakit naman hindi?" Nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko ang pag-irap ni Victor at saka binatukan si Walter.
"She's a Blanche Student, Major in Computer Science wizardly and craft. What do you expect her to invent?" Napapangiti na lang ako at saka tumingin sa kabuuan ng Parallel World, Rogue College.
Hindi na sumagot pa si Walter at saka tinulungan ako sa gamit ko. Victor, on the other hand, grabbed my shoulder bag at siya narin ang nagdala niyon papunta sa Dean's office.
"I never really imagined that Rogue will ask for another exchange student. It's been 2 years." Now I finally know that there's something really off with this school and also Blanche.
Kung ganoon din naman, madalang lang sa kanila ang exchange student or transferee. Iyon ba ang dahilan kung bakit gano'n na lang akong pilitin ni Principal Spencer at Headmistress?
"Baka kailangan nila ng Computer Science Wizard?" Victor used his wand to carry my bag. How so? My bag is floating in the air. Mabuti na lang at sinara ko iyon nang maayos.
"And that's me? I am a pure-blooded mortal, I don't have any wizard genes," sagot ko sa usapan nila.They turned their back to face me, probably confused.
I should've zipped my lips. It's not good to meddle in someone's conversation.
"I am sorry, go ahead and talk." I chuckled awkwardly. But I guess, that doesn't make them pleased.
"You don't have wizard genes?" Should I repeat my answer again? Obviously, Hazel.
"Yes?"
"How come? Lahat ng estudyante rito, even exchange students presented 1/2, 1/4, or 1/6 genes of a wizard. Are you sure you are a pure mortal?" I raised my brows to Victor. Do I effin' look like I am lying? I asked Aunt about that question and she keeps on saying that I am 100% mortal/human.
"Kung wala kang genes ng wizard, bakit ka nandito?"Bakit nga ba?
"I don't have any idea. Blanche's officers, council, and staff keep on pestering me about Parallel World, Rogue College for 1 year already and I said 'yes' lastweek." I can't read their facial expressions. They look surprised, amazed, confused, and most of all, lost. Is that really a big deal to them?
Like, so what if I don't have the genes of a wizard? Does that make me different from them? Regarding with magic and spells? I practiced a lot of spells and I had counterparts of invention and technologies. I also tried to practice magic using my hands but it was hard sometimes.
"This is weird," Walter stated after our long silence. Weird? I wanted to ask him about that pero mas pinili ko na lang na tumahimik. I have shared a lot.
"Hazel Gamalo?" Napalingon kaming tatlo sa nagsalita. I swallowed the lump on my throat. She has wrinkles, a round eyeglass, a creepy smile, anda long hair. Si sadako ba itong tinitingnan ko? Kulang na lang maging kasing puti siya ng gatas.
"Po?"
"Follow me." And she walked ahead of us. Napatingin ako kina Victor at Walter and they both shrugged.
"Ms. Fiona Tarciana, can we come, too?" Napatigil si Ms. Fiona sa paglalakad at saka nilingon ulit kaming tatlo. Victor nudges his arm to Walter at napangiwi na lang si Walter.
"That's so kind of you, Mr. Jamora. Yes, you may come, including you Mr. Rough." Nice.
Nagawa narin ni Ms. Fiona ang i-tour ako sa campus. They had a wide field, a covered court, and a garden. It looks like a normal school after all. We crossed on the library also.
"Kung pwede na lang lumabas ako sa Parallel Word ng panandalian para mabili ko ang librong gusto ko, ihh," someone squealed.
"Ahhh, same!Next year na lang!"
"Sige!!"
"Ladies." The two lassies looked terrified after hearing Ms. Fiona's voice at saka tumahimik na ulit ang library. Is she this strict? She reminds me of Madam Emerita, Blanche's Librarian.
"I am so sorry about that. Let's move on, shall we?" I nodded.
From the library, we headed to another hallway. "This is the Campus Spa. My favorite," she introduced. Napatingin ako sa ilalim ng glass window and she's right, there's a spa there and most of the students are dipping their feet there while reading a book. Looks refreshing.
"Pwede ka rin dyan mag-study."Napatingin ako kay Walter.
"Dyan ka ba minsan? Kaya pala hindi ka dumiretso sa CR sa fifth floor," pigil-tawang sabi ni Victor.
"Hindi naman! Nakakatakot kasi doon sa fifth floor! Sino ba namang gaganahang maligo roon?" Nakakatakot? How so?
"Enough talking, boys. I wanted you to place Ms. Gamalo's personal stuff on her dorm and meet her on the Field, two and a half hours from now." Inilabas ni Ms. Fiona ang wand niya at saka pinitol ang aking lumilipad na shoulder bag. "Strictly, no magic's allowed to be used outside the classroom or inside the classroom unless it's necessary. Understood, boys?" I chuckled a little when they both puckered their lips sulkily.
"Yes, Ms."
"Let's go, Ms. Gamalo? The Dean's office is ahead of us already."Tumango naman ako saka sumunod kay Ms. Fiona. Napalingon ako sa likuran ko at nakita kong nagbabangayan si Walter at Victor, nagtutulakan pa ang dalawa bago damputin ang mga gamit ko at naghabulan palayo sa amin.
How old are they even? 10? 15? I shook my head.
"This way please." Itinulak ni Ms Fiona ang isang malaking pinto at saka ako iginaya sa loob. I clutched my chest when I recognized the concept of the office. Ancient.
"Good to finally see you, Ms. Gamalo." Napatingin ako sa nagsalita and I stepped back when I familiarize who's the man in front of me is.
"Principal Spencer?" I asked out of the blue. He laughed, shaking his shoulder after he heard what I just said.
"Oh, no, Ms. Gamalo. That's my twin brother. You can call me Principal King. A pleasure to meet the finest student of Blanche, College of Computer Science Wizard." I feel flattered. No one in Blanche called me that way.
"Pleasure is mine, Sir." I bowed politely. I really thought he's Principal Spencer. So damn look alike.
"So, have a seat and we can start discussing your classes. I know it'll be hard, especially when we discuss adjusting and fitting in." Bago pa nito matapos ang sasabihin ay umupo na ako sa upuang nasa harapan niya. "Just like Blanche, Rouge also has rules and regulations to follow. Can you take out your wand please?" Tumango ako at saka kinuha ang wand ko. I stopped when I realized something. They shouldn't take my wand but their required wand.
Instead of fishing out my old wand, I sneaked into the other pocket of my coat to take out the required wand and place it in front of me. "Ito po."
"Thank you." He mumbled some spell that turned my wand from brown into pink. I facepalmed mentally. Don't they have any idea that my favorite color is purple? There's no way I would use that pink shit.
"Every student has designated colors of wands. Each wand signifies what you will represent in the whole school year," he started. Nakita niya siguro ang pagkalito ko so he used his wand to get the book from one of his bookshelves.
"Turn it into page 02."
So cool, sogood?
What kind of book is this? As he said, I flipped the book into page 02 and my eyes squinted. I can't read it well. It's so small, the texts are so small.
"Oh! So sorry about that." And once again, Principal King used his wand to adjust the text.
"So, just like what you read, Blue is the highest color. That color highly represents the students in a higher position. Those students are the ones who provided the potions for the students or let's say potions like medicines, love potion, a potion for bullets, named it all." I wonder who these students are. They have such strong power.
"The next step is the Purple color. Most of the students who own this color are seniors. The graduating students. They often got misinterpreted because of the senior's height so to make them catch the attention of the students, they got their designated color."
"Yellow. Students who useyellow are the supreme students. I know it's quite new to you knowing that this is a Parallel World and we are still having supreme students... It is to maintain the peacefulness of the school. Away from harm." I nodded at saka hinawakan ang wand ko.
Principal King already mentions all the colors that were written in the book but he never mentioned my color. "Uhm, Principal King..."
"Oh, right! Before I forgot." May inilabas siyang isang papel sa mesa atsaka ito binulungan.
"Show her the way." After he whispered those to the map, it automatically showed up the whole campus. I was amazed a little, what do you expect in a Wizard school?
"Take the map with you." Tumango naman ako at saka iyon kinuha galing sa kamay niya. "You may go to your dorm now. I heard Mr. Rough and Mr. Jamora are waiting for you in the field." How did he know? I simply answered him with "Thank you" before I stepped out.
Weird.
Bakit hindi niya diniscuss ang color ko? Maybe it's better if Victor and Walter will answer my question regarding my color. I hope they know the answer, too.
The map is folded so I unfolded it as I started walking down, following the steps shown on the map. This is cool, huh? With the help of the map, I can recognize who is walking behind me and in front of me. The map shows their names followed by their footsteps and where they are heading. I would like to bring this map home but I'm afraid that this will only work here on the campus.
After minutes of walking, I can now see the field from the hallway. Kinawayan ko si Victor at Walter and they both waved back to me, too. I smiled. They are still arguing but what caught my attention is Walter's wand. Just like what Principal King stated, each student had a designation color.
I need to go and get a closer look at his wand and Victor's wand. They need to enlighten me, after all, they are the first students I had an encounter with. I guess they can help.
"Oh, bakit ka tumatakbo?Hindi naman kami aalis," natatawang wika niWalter.
"Can I have a talk with you, guys?"
"Oo naman," Victor answered.
"Your wands." Kahit naguguluhan, wala na silang nagawa kun'di ang ilabas ang wands nila.
"Mine's Red." Pagpapakita ni Walter sa wand niya.
"Brown here," sabi naman ni Victor at saka winagayway pa ang wand niya sa harapan ko.
"What does that means?"
"Well, Red sa akin kasi freshmen pa ako. Hindi ba sinabi sa'yo ni Sir King? Red is for freshmen." I frowned.
"And brown for me because I can manipulate other people. But I am also a good wizard. I've been here since I was a kid. Unlike blue, Brown is the rarest color on the list. Why? what's yours?"
I swallowed the lump on my throat before I grabbed my pink wand inside my coat. They both gasped which makes me anxious.
"Why?" They looked into each other and smiled before shrugging their shoulders off.
"Kung brown ang rare sa color na nasa listahan, mas rare ang pink. Pink is designated for mortals. More likely, pure blooded mortals." Now that makes sense.
Kaya pala hindi na 'to ipinaliwanag ni Principal King.
"Meron pa bang students dito na Pink?" I asked confusedly. Agad naman silang umiling.
"Most of them graduated last year." I crossed my arms and looked around the field. So that means... "You are the only mortal left in this school, Hazel."
Napalingon ako kay Victor."But don't worry, we are here for you!" Walter added. "So which one do you wished to go to? Sabi ni Ms. Fiona, magkaklase raw tayo. Akalain mo nga naman!" I smiled.
Akala ko may kung anong deep meaning ang color ko. Mabuti naman at yun lang pala ang meaning ng color ko. I am a pure blooded mortal and I am pink.
Ew.
"Classroom na lang muna. Saka binigyan naman ako ng map ni Principal King. Hindi naman siguro ako mawawala kung pupunta ako sa dorm." Nagsipag-tango naman sila at saka tumayo sa tabi ko.
They're talking about a lot of stuff like what happened last school year to which I can't relate myself. Sometimes they asked me about Blanche and if it's true na magaganda ang mga estudyante roon.
I entertained those questions but after that question, they tackled last year again and what happened last year. They threw a gaze at me and smiled then started talking again. Walter is the most talkative oneand Victor looks like he just got forced to answer his questions.
They talked about family status and sibling's status. Walter once shared that he had been into Blanche for a week only just to attend his younger sister's ceremony because his parents were busy serving the kings. I wonderwhat kind of person he is.
"Ang ganda ng school, pare! Meron ding iba na binabati ako—" Napatingala ako kay Walter kasi tumigil siya sa pagsasalita.
"Sir Jielo, Good Morning." Huh?
Napalingon ako sa gilid ko and hurriedly gripped on Victor's coat. He looks creepy. He is taller than Principal Spencer and he has this straight face on. I guess he often smiles and when he does, he will look creepy.
"Are you Ms. Gamalo?" I know it's stupid but I pointed myself out of curiosity and nodded my head.
"Mr. Rough and Mr. Jamora?" I swallowed the lump on the throat. His husky voice and his deep tone. It gave me shivers down my spine.
"Take her to her class, and..." Mas hinigpitan ko pa ang paghawak sa coat ni Victor nang lumapit si Sir sa direksyon ko. "Wear your coat," he said before vanishing.
"Okay ka lang?" That's the most stupid question I've heard so far. I was shaking and he's still going to ask me if I am fine? Of course, I'm not.
"Stupid," bulong ko na lang sa hangin at saka binitiwan ang pagkakahawak sa coat ni Victor. Geez. That's a creepy welcome.
"Let's go to your locker muna. Nando'n ang mga gamit mo. Hindi namin madala sa dorm kasi sinita kaagad kami, eh."
"Malamang, Female dormitory 'yon."
"Oo nga!"
I just shook my head and followed them.
When we arrived, they waited for me outside my locker. The best thing about studying in a magic school is everything here is magic. Ang akala kong maliit na locker ay malaki pala. Pwedeng pwede ka pang magbihis sa loob nito.
I change my clothes into their uniform. Good thing ay may uniform narito sa locker and all I just need to do is fix myself. I wore my coat, the name was written on the right side.
I was about to step out when I remembered my wand. I will need my original wand in the future. Siniguradokong secured ang wand ko sa loob ng dati kong coat saka ito tinupi para ilagay sa loob ng maletabago ako lumabas.
"Tara naa!Late na tayo ng 10 seconds!" nagtatampong sabi ni Walter saka nauna nang umalis. Sumunod naman sa kaniya si Victor at saka ito binigyan ng headlock. I just laughed, closed my locker and, maintained it secured.
"Tara naaaa!" And now it's Victor gripping my wrist as we three rushed to the fourth floor.
***
"Hunters are the kind of people that wizards are afraid to bump into. And in order to stop them, we need to practice our spells and turn them into something they are afraid of. If you are a hunter, what are you afraid of?" Everyone in the class was in total silence. Well, if I am a hunter, I would be afraid of wizards. That's the reason why they are hunting them down, right?
"Yes, Ms. Gamalo?" Me? But, I didn't raise my hands?
Looks of curiosity started to dart towards me. I don't even know how to answer that question. I am basically not doing anything here.
"I would turn them into a wizard?" A silent room filled with laughter that even Victor and Walter laughed their asses off.
"Why, Ms. Gamalo?"
"Well, if I will put myself into their shoes, of course, I am afraid of wizards or witches as they called. That's the main reason why they are hunting wizards down, right? Because they are afraid of them," I answered. I know I sounded not confident enough. But I guess, I answered the question right. Wala akong ibang maisip, eh.
"Make sense."
Umupo na ulit ako sa upuan ko at tumingin kina Victor and Walter, they are smiling widely and gave me a thumbs up. Napairap na lang ako at saka tumingin na lang ulit kay Sir Jielo.Yes, Sir Jielo. Yung instructor na nakita namin kanina. Kaya nga I didn't raise my hand up even though I wanted to answer his question because he looks intimidating and scary at the same time.
"Anybody else?"
"Sir!"Napatawa ako nang magtaas ng kamay si Walter pero si Victor ang tinawag.
"Yes, Mr. Rough?" Napa-sulk na lang si Walter at saka humalukipkip.
Just like me, Victor is also confused about how the hell he got called out when he didn't even raise his hand up.
Tumingin siya sa gawi ko bago tumayo at tumingin sa instructor namin. "I would turn them into cockroaches." I pressed my lips together to suppress my laughter.
What a wonderful answer!
"Go back to your seat." Napuno na naman ng tawanan ang buong klase kaya wala nang nagawa si Sir kun'di ang mapailing na lang.
"Everyone, take your wands," ma-awtoridad na wika ni Sir. Kahit natatawa ay kinuha naman namin ang mga wands namin. I am anxious again. I guess my eyes express it more than my face.
"I am going to teach you how to shut your mouth up from laughing."
Wala pang isang segundo, naging tahimik na ulit ang classroom at wala nang nagbabalak na magsalita o gumawa ng ingay. Aside from Sir Jielo's dagger look, his voice is also scary and deep.
"Can bring back the dead, can make us cry, can make us laugh, make us young. Born in an instant, make it last!" I frowned at the spell that was performed by Sir Jielo and almost held my breath when a rat turned into a hilarious zombie.
"Billy Jeans~ Is not my lover, Oh!" My hands covered my mouth when the zombie started singing and even did a moonwalk together with Sir Jielo.
The classroom was filled with laughter again. WHAT THE HELL!?