"We are here to apply," My brows wrinkled when I heard those words coming from Walter. That's so brave of you, Walter. For the first time, I am hearing his masculine and not-childish voice. "Only if you can turn down my officers." Mr. Mal crossed his arms, behind him, there is Victor, beside him is Keith, next to Keith is a girl with bob hair and the last one is a tall male.
"We can."
Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Victor atsaka itinuro ang labi ko. He just smiled and fished out his wand, revising the spell. "Finally, after one and a half hours." I sighed and mumbled in belief. One hour without talking feels like death, though I know I am not a social butterfly who likes to talk and talk, but still!
"Yes, Ms. Gamalo?" I snapped to reality when someone called me out. Stupid me, pointing out myself, raising my brows. "Why?" I asked confusedly. "You are here to apply too, right?" Nakangising tanong ni Keith. Oh geez, I hate that werewolf smile.
I just stare into Keith's eyes and he does the same to me. Why am I getting a twilight fight scene in those stares? Scratch that thing out, Hazel! He is asking you seriously. I was about to answer, pero inunahan ako ni Walter. "Bakit? Natatakot ka ba, Keith?"
"Why don't you ask this pure blooded, mortal. Are you afraid?" Wala akong alam kung ano ang trip ni, Keith but one thing is for sure, masyado mataas ang tingin niya sa sarili niya. "Should I?" I asked in a confused tone. Well, I really don't know what tone I should use. Yes, I am annoyed with him, but that doesn't change the fact that he is stronger than me.
"Tonight, 10pm, on the field. Let's see." Pagkasabing pagkasabi nun ni Mr. Mal ay tumalikod siya sa amin atsaka naglalakad palayo. Keith moves closer in my direction sniffing my scent before looking intently into my eyes. "Keith!" A full of authority from Victor's voice.
When they started leaving the training ground, that's the moment I clutched my chest and kneeled on the ground. Dang, I haven't felt this feeling for so long. I am trembling in fear. "What time is it, Walter?" Victor's voice coming from my side, he is helping me to gather my strength to stand up.
"6pm." Sagot ni Walter bago lumapit sa akin. "Are you fine?" The stupid question again coming from, Walter Jamora. I just ignore his question, composing myself to stand. "You guys need to practice. I will help." Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Walter atsaka tinasaan ng kilay si Victor. He will help us?
"You're kidding right?"
"No. "
"But, it's against your rule, Victor." I step in.
"Just trust me. Okay? Hindi ko kakayaning, Makita kayong mata-talo mamaya. After all, this is all my fault. Kung Hindi ko kayo dinala dito ay, baka Hindi pa kayo naipit." I and Walter flashed a sweet smile before giving him a hug.
"Salamat."
--
Same location, different time. It's already 8 pm in the evening, I am starving to death and Victor didn't do anything about it. "Again!" I stand up clear, pointing my wand in his direction. He is feeding me with these spells that I can't even digest.
"unsparing!" I quickly shifted my body to a different direction when he started throwing spells at me. "abhor!" I pointed my wand in his direction again, aiming for his stomach but he is as quick as the wind that my spell hits no one. Within a second, he is already beside me.
"coco chu!" What happened was quick as a flash. The next moment, I am already laying on the ground, I can't feel my legs, I can't even move them. Mahinang napa buntong hininga si Victor. He crouches on the ground, lifts my chin up, and smiles bitterly.
"May naririnig na akong ingay galing sa field."
"Disapero" I groaned when he pointed his wand to my legs. That's it. I can't win this game. Tinulungan nila akong tumayo atsaka pinaupo ako sa isang putol na trunk ng puno sa training ground. I can sense that they are worried about my performance later. What can I do? I am not a pure-blooded wizard like them. I am just a weak.... mortal
"Are you okay?"
I tilt my head and to my surprise, they are smiling towards me. "You did great. As usual," Wika ni Victor, my brows frowned deeply. I did great? but how? he wins against me? "Oo nga! Nakita ko, Yung brawl niyo, breath-taking nga eh!"
If Walter is complimenting the battle to make me feel better, it didn't help at all. If only I had time left to grab my spellbook, "Thank you, but I know the brawl didn't go well. At, ano sabi mo? May ingay sa field? Bakit?" I grab the bottled water that Walter handed to me and take a sip.
"Students from 1-A and 2-A are anticipating the battle. You applied as one of the officers so you need to defeat one person so you can replace their position." Walter explained. So that's how it works, kaya naman pala they had the guts to ask us if we can compete with them.
"I see."
"Here, eat this. Para magkalaman ka." Nakangiting wika ni Victor at binigyan ako ng isang cheeseburger. Wala naman na akong nagawa kundi ang kainin iyon. I need to fill up my empty stomach before brawling, baka ito pa ang maging dahilan sa pagkatalo ko. I had no idea who my opponent is, but I can sense that it's Keith. Sana lang mali itong hinala ko.
"Kung sino man ang makaka-kalaban n'yo mamaya. Keep eye contact, whatever happens. That's a technique to be able to read the mind of the opponent. As for you, Hazel. You can't read minds because you don't have the genes of a wizard," I heaved a sigh and nodded my head. "But, I know you are an empath, you can use that to sense their actions." He continued.
"Here's a tip guys, whatever happens, whoever your opponent is, either it's Keith, Ethel, or Franco, don't use too many skills, hayaan niyo lang sila na maubusan ng lakas bago kayo bumanat. That's the only possibility for your victory." A smile flashed on my lips before I nodded my head attentively.
"I believe in you guys."
Pagkatapos kong kumain, nagtayuan na kami atsaka tinahak ang daan palabas sa gubat, napatigil kami sa paglalakad, when we bumped to the Supreme Students Officers, Mr. Mal is not with them so I conclude that he doesn't have any idea that his officers are coming after us.
Nagkatinginan kaming anim atsaka ngumiti. Victor excused himself, to head to the field. I am anxious but I manage to hide it and keep it inside of me. "Handa na ba kayo?" The female asked with a soft smile.
"Of course, they are, Ethel." Nakangising wika ni Keith. I just cross my arms and ignore them. Sumunod naman si Walter sa akin and I gasp when a male grip on my arm. What the hell. Inilabas ko kaagad ang wand ko at itinutok nito sa mukha niya.
I got alarmed okay! I don't have any idea what they are planning right now. Maybe that's an advantage to a pure-blooded or mortal who has the genes of a wizard they can read minds. "Let her go, Franco." The girl named Ethel and Keith is also pointing their wands in my direction.
Tension filled up space. Lahat kami ay nakalabas ang wands, looking intimidatingly in each other's eyes. Keith's eyes are different. He had gray eyes while he's gritting his teeth in my direction. "I said, let her go!" Wala nang nagawa si Franco kundi bitawan ang braso ko.
Wala namang pinalampas na segundo si Walter at kaagad na hinila ako palayo sa kanila. "What took you guys for so long?" Worried presented in Victor's eyes. "Wala. Tara na, Hazel." Victor was left with no choice and go back to his place, where Mr. Mal is.
"Okay, lang ba ang braso mo?" Nag-aalala na tanong ni Walter, I nodded before rubbing my arm. "That grip is tight, but I can still feel my arm." Patawang sagot ko. "Fix yourself na, the brawl will start in a minute."
I was fixing my coat, taking a deep breath when Victor approached us again. Motivated us by telling us to do better and keep eye contact. According to him, my opponents are Franco and Keith, Ethel is all for Walter. Ngayon ko lang din nalamam na, Ethel is a Secretary, Keith is the Vice President and Franco is a treasurer.
"Please be safe." 'Yun ang huling bilin ni Victor bago siya bumalik sa bleacher kung saan ang ibang student. Kung hawak ko lang siguro ang dati kong wand may tsansa pa siguro akong ma-kumpyansa sa sarili ko. But, no. I know, I can use that wand but not right now, not today.
Wala nang patumpik-tumpik pa, wala nang introduction ang naganap. We are now in the center of attention, in the middle of the field. Supreme Student officers are in front of us, they are holding their yellow wands and they look so intense like they can't wait anymore.
I and Walter are just standing calmly, even though our inner self is literally screaming. I had no time to take off, Rolex. Sa tingin ko naman ay makatulong siya sa brawl na 'to.
At the first whistle, we got into our position. Siguro kung nakakamatay ang tingin ay matagal na akong nalapa ni, Keith. He is staring right directly into my eyes while he's licking his lips.
With the second whistle, we start to ready our wands. My eyes are squinting while staring into Franco and Keith's eyes. Before the third whistle blows, I gasped when someone blew on my hair and hurriedly pointed my wand in Franco's direction, who is currently standing next to me.
"Baboy ka!" I exclaimed, I ran to the other side while Keith was watching how I transformed Franco into a pig slowly, Franco mumbled a spell then after it, he pointed his wand in my direction, The moment I sensed the danger, I hurriedly swift my body to the side.
My eyes widened when the student behind me turned into a stone. What the fuck?
Right after that shocking moment, Franco finally turned into a pig who's now squeaking the entire brawl. In my peripheral vision, Walter rushed in my direction, leaning on my back. It's now 2 vs 2.
"Abhor!" My eyes widened to the spell that Ethel used. I know that spell. The spell for stomach and intense pain in the intestine. I tried to use that on Victor. "Watch out!" Sigaw ko kay Walter, nabigla siya at first but he managed to get away from the spell.
I tried to rush on the other side but I froze in shock when I recognize the guy from afar. He is directly pointing his wand in my direction, whispering spells that I can't read from his lips. Biglang nagvibrate si Rolex kaya bago pa siya ituro sa akin ulit ang wand niya ay nagtago na ako sa gilid ng isang pole sa field.
"You can't hide from me, human." Hinanap ng mata ko sa crowd si Victor and I can see him frowning his brows deeply. Why? What's with the frown?
"El Infernom departo!" I whine when my body becomes numb which makes me fall to the ground. "HEY! THAT'S FOUL!" I heard the crowd scream. The spell that Victor used earlier makes my leg numb, now, the spell he used makes my arm and breathing totally numb.
I closed my eyes to remember a spell despite my status. "A-abarakadab-dabra." I gasped with my eyes closed. A few seconds later, I felt an Arrow and Bow in my palm. Did I just summon these?
Kahit hirap, pilit kong hinarap si Keith who's smiling evilly, ear to ear. I didn't waste a second thought on hitting him on the shoulder. Everyone is surprised at what I did, so am I. "HAZEL!"
After gasping enough air to breathe and composure, I lay down defeatedly on the ground. I can't breathe. My chest is hurting and my arms start hurting. "Hang on there!" The last words I heard before I lost my consciousness.
--
"How are you feeling?" The first question that entertains me the moment I opened my eyes. I roam my eyes around the room and I just realize that I am laying on one of the eight beds. "Did we win?" I whispered.
I closed my eyes to adjust my sight before darting to Victor and Walter. "Walter won..." I sighed before I closed my eyes again. I knew it. I can't win against Keith. "You didn't. But you replaced Franco's position. Welcome to Supreme Student, Ms. Gamalo." Napalingon ako sa nagsalita and a smile flashed my lips because of what I heard.
"Thank you, Mr. President." Walter is the one said it. "Kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo? Dalawang araw kanang walang malay. Kinailangan pa naming tumawag ng blue wand member para sa'yo."
"Bakit?"
"Flatline ka for two days. It's the effect of the curse that Keith used to attack you." Curse? I frowned. Keith used a curse on me? "Which one?"
"Cotri."
I spend two hours inside the campus hospital and was waiting for the boys arrival. Sasabayan daw kasi nila ako sa dorm para masigurado na ayos na ang karamdaman ko. I don't feel any pain now, and two days akong flat line? Mabuti naman at nabuhay pa akong muli. What a life-risking brawl.
When the boys arrived, tinulungan nila akong maka-catch up sa lessons habang naglalakad kami sa hallway papunta sa main building. They shared a lot of things that happened two days ago and how they managed to save my life. According to them, I owe them my life which is partly right. Without their effort. I wouldn't make it or worse, dead.
Nang makarating kami sa dorm, pinapasok din naman sila ni Queen of Hearts, may ideya na din siya sa nangyari at hindi na nagtanong kung bakit gustong pumasok ng boys sa loob. When we arrive in my room, naghigaan kaagad sila sa kama ko, instead of escorting me there.
I took off my coat lazily and fished out my wand. My jaw literally dropped when the color of my wand turned from pink into yellow.
"Si Walter may pakana niyan. Ayaw niya kasing umalis nung nakaraang araw na wand niya lang ang makukulayan kaya kinuha niya na rin ang wand mo." Napapangiti nalang ako atsaka nag-inat inat. "Hindi pa ba kayo babalik sa dorm niyo?" Tanong ko sa kanila.
"Actually, may gusto kaming ikwento sa'yo." I nodded my head and lay on the couch comfortably. I am feeling better now but since they occupied my bed, I had no other choice but to lay here on the couch.
I waited for them to talk and frowned. "Ano?"
"Remember yung map na hinahanap ni Sir Jielo and King and Queen?" Ah! I almost forgot that one! Why what's wrong this time? They looked serious, so I sat properly and listened to them attentively. "The searching is over."
"You mean...."
"Someone sneak inside our room last night, at ito na lang ang natira." I keep my brows frown. May inilabas si Walter sa loob ng bulsa niya and I gulped intensely. It's a note. "Naka Sealed pa siya, and to my surprise, the letter was still sealed.
Kinuha ko naman iyon at naglapitan sila sa akin. "This is for you, Victor." Basa ko sa pangalang nakasulat sa letter. "Yeah, we did our best to keep it sealed. Mas mabuti kung tayong tatlo ang makabasa hindi ba?" To make it shorter, ayaw niyang maglihim sa amin.
Sweet.
Anyways, back to the letter. We're frowning our brows deeply. Sa tuwing binibigay ko naman sa kanina ang liham ay ayaw naman nilang tanggapin kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi buksan iyon ng kusa. Nakahanda na din ang mga wand nila incase the letter 'is a trap' at ginawa pa talaga nila akong pain.
Nang mabuksan ko ang liham ay napangiti nalang ako. "You can put down your wands now." Natatawang sabi ko. It was just a letter from someone, no harm intention.
"Dear Victor,
Hello dear, This is me. I am writing again because I miss you so much. Anyway, I heard from King that. You are doing well in school, and I am a proud mom. I also heard from the other committees that something is keeping you busy too? I don't have any idea about it, so I told Mr. Agapito to find out what's keeping you busy and it turns out that it's just the campus map. So, In order to keep your focus on studies and wizardry, I told him to get rid of the map hehe~ I love you baby~ mwah mwah tsup tsup!"
I press my lips together to suppress the laughter but I can't hold it in. Even Walter laughed hard because of the letter.
BABY? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA