"Here is the list of the groups that will brawl next week." I forced a smile at Rick and place the folder on his table. "Did you see them?" I frowned. See who? I remained silent kasi Baka Hindi ako ang kausap niya. I don't want to assume though and in fact, I am with yeah, one and only Keith with his dagger look towards me.
"The Male on the footages, Ms. Gamalo." Ah! Ako pala kausap niya. I closed my eyes to remember what happened on my way to the SS office. I remember turning my back to the males who accidentally bumped me and had the courage to spoke manipulatively to me.
"I think, I did," I whispered to myself while I am recollecting the memory. The first male is tall the second one is a bit shorter and the third one is a small kid. I turn my head in Rick's direction while I am squinting my eyes. "A group of males bumped me on my way here earlier at mukhang nagmamadali sila. I am still not sure cause I didn't lay my eyes on them but their features are quite similar to the footage that we watched earlier. Why?" Rick snapped his fingers and grip my shoulders tightly before shaking it.
Geez. It's making me dizzy. "Bakit?"
"Your memory is so useful. Come on, Mr. Arson." Napakamot nalang ako sa ulo ko atsaka umalis na rin sa office. Well, what's the use of staying there when I'm alone right? Hindi na ako bumalik pa sa office ni Victor at pumasok nalang sa next subject ko since I'm already 25 minutes late. When I arrived nakita ko si Victor at Walter messing around again.
"Natagalan ka ata?" Tanong ni Walter with his signature gummy smile. "May tinanong lang si Rick about 'don sa mga lalaking bumangga sa akin." I answered honestly. They stated at me so I raise my brow. What's with that look again? "Someone bumped you?" I nodded my head.
"Yes, earlier when I am on my way to the SS office. Why? Don't tell me you are going to tell me the same statement that Rick spoke?" They both shrugged and listen to me attentively. I just rolled my eyes, closed them to remember the exact words that I said to Rick.
"A group of males bumped me on my way here earlier at mukhang nagmamadali sila. I am still not sure cause I didn't lay my eyes on them but their features are quite similar to the footage that we watched earlier." I told me before I opened my eyes. "I knew it."
"Knew, what?" I said confusedly. Bakit ba Hindi nila sinasabi sa akin ang mga Alam nila? "Are they heading to the forest?" Tanong ni Victor. I slowly nodded my head and close my eyes again to recall it. "Yes, I guess? Why? Care to tell?"
"I am the one who told them to rush in the forest cause I am going to tell them something." Nakangising Sabi ni Victor. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Walter and he just shrugged his arms. Seriously? They are making a move without telling me?
"And?"
"And? Mr. Mal and Mr. Arson with Principal King and Ms. Fiona are there. They caught the mystery of undergarments thieves in the girl's dormitory." He replied clapping both hands. I and Walter ended up giving him a hand too. Well, he deserves it though.
"Now, what's your plan?" Tanong ni Walter. "Yes, what's your plan?" I repeated. Victor places his finger on his chin. He is thinking deeply. How did I know? He always does that thinking position when we are asking him a serious question.
He smiled. "Well, I am planning to recruit you guys but," Well that's not a bad idea after all but if that happens, a lot of students will look up to us. Brown Wand is top 1 on the list though. They are unbeatable. "You need to know more. Need to learn more spells. And study more skills." Ika nito. I didn't hope to be one of the Echelon though. SS position is enough for me.
But that rank is also privileged, but of course! I won't take it for granted. Especially, Victor. Just because he is my friend here in Parallel World, Rogue College means I am taking his words for granted. For overall rank though, He will stand out as number one. And I am proud of him for reaching that rank. He very well deserves it.
"No need na no! Okay na sa amin ang SS positions. It's too much naman Kung ere-recruit mo pa kami. Andami mo nang nagawa sa amin ni Hazel." A big 'point taken' for Walter. That's what I wanted to say though. "Sure kayo? Mas magkakaroon kasi tayo ng bonding if we're together in one group." We nodded.
"Baka sabihin pa ng ibang students na bias ka. It'll affect your image." I added. Napatawa naman si Victor sa sinabi ko that makes me frowned. "I don't care about image though. As long as I can make sure that you guys are safe. Parallel World, Rogue College is a different school after all." Tumingin ako kay Walter na nakanigiti.
He had a point. Parallel World, Rogue College is an extraordinary school for wizards. And mortals of course. I've known that from the start. Kaya nga, Hindi na ako magulat when I stepped on the Campus. It has some Blanche University vibes and the reason why is Principal Spencer and Principal King are twins.
We leans our back on the backrest of our chair when Ms. Rhea came in. Only I greeted her. She already got used to it somehow. Maybe you guys are thinking that We are already SS officers and we still don't need to learn hilarious spells but Nah. It refreshes our minds when we learn hilarious spells and it's useful!
Like for example, You are in a brawl and then you can't think of any better spells. Hilarious spells can take over. Remember what I did to Franco? I learn that spell from Blanche, and I bring it with me! But don't worry about Franco. He transformed into a pig for only 24 hours, after 24 hours he'll be back to normal.
I encounter him sometimes though and it's cute when he greeted me with a nod and smile. Ethel, on the other hand, I didn't have a chance to meet her but she's fine! Only me and Keith takes brawl too personally.
He attacks me with one of the dangerous hunter/s curses, the four types of curse spell and I attack him with the bow and arrow that I summon from their training that I had witnessed with my colleagues. It's unfair that he learn that spell for decades while I learn that summoning thing for only a couple of hours. If Victor didn't enlighten me for using the same spells with a different pronunciation, I would've never summoned a bow and arrow at that time.
"We will discuss the types of herbals that you can use to heal yourself without a poison from the Blue Group." I gasped when the classroom curtains and door closed itself. After a second, white curtains float in the air heading to Ms. Rhea.
Our eyes followed the white curtain until it was placed on our green board. "The first type of herbal is Bayabas," A photo of guava leaves flashed in the white curtain. I smiled. I know this one and I thought this kind of herbal doesn't exist here. I am wrong. "To use the bayabas leaves. You need to take one leaf from the tree of it and then munch it in your mouth good for 20 seconds. Place the munched leaf on your wound and spoke this spell 'Goyave aide-moi, guéris ma blessure pour arrêter cette misère' " I stared at the description for 10 seconds and close my eyes. Just to make sure that the definition will sink in my brain for good.
The curtain turned dark as another photo was flashed there. "The next one is, Kalamunggay," I know this one too! Well, Aunt Jane teach me how to heal my wound using moringa back when I was a kid. "You can use your want to magic this herbal to your palm and it'll appear after seconds. Let me show you the clip that I made." Ms. Rhea smiled at us but we are just focusing on the clip that was attached in the presentation of Ms. Rhea.
Bended knees, Focus, Soft twirl from the wand, and the moringa appeared on her pal after 5 seconds. "To get the magical liquid out from the moringa, You just need to squeeze it tight and the liquid will come out. Drop it directly to the wound and viola! It's healed." She explained while we are watching her recorded video.
A laugh filled the room. "Iconic that all these herbals are from the mortal world. Isn't Hazel?" I closed my eyes when I heard Keith's annoying voice once again and smiled. "Just ignore him. He's just teasing you." I heard Victor and Walter's whispered to my ears.
"He always does," I whispered back.
"To our last herbal, Kolicute, " And yep! another so-called 'herbal' appeared on the curtain and I can say, this finger chili or siling haba is famous in my place. How so? Aunt Jane and even our neighbors always add this spice in their dishes and it tastes good, to be honest. The spiciness of it gave more flavor to the dishes. "Kolicute or Finger Chili is used to heal deep wounds in the quickest way. After eating it, say the spell 'to infinity and beyond'" Toy story?
After the quick discussion about the three types of herbs that are useful in the brawl and other battles(according to Ms. Rhea). She bid her goodbye to us and yeah, only I responded to that goodbye. It's our 3 hours break time before our next class starts and it's already 11 am in the morning. Victor excused himself and told us that he can't come with us to the cafeteria cause he'll be handling important matters.
I guess it'll be the matter between his three members and the recruitment of their group. Wala namang isinulat sa libro na needed na palitan ang mga membro kung may mawawala. Excluding SS officers. Like, if you are really a SS president and two or three officers quieted their positions, it is compulsory to replace them ASAP. For the other groups, wala naman akong nabasang ga'non or Kung meron man maybe I missed it.
"One fried chicken leg please and Riceu." Riceu is Parallel World, Rogue College term for Rice. I don't know why but it sounds cute when you pronounced it especially when you state your orders. "Me too," I told the lady. She just answered us with a nod before paving her way back to the kitchen.
Only a few students are here in the cafeteria. I don't know why but for the first time, I feel good eating without much attention and it's 11 am though. Too early for lunch. When our orders arrived, I and Walter starts eating. We talk some but mostly we are quiet when we're eating. It's because we are savoring the food that we're eating.
It's already 12 pm and students from Rogue College start filling up the cafeteria. I and Walter are eating our snacks and I can feel my tummy bloated. We've been eating the same snack and it's a pinipig. This is my third pinipig and fourth for Walter. I've been telling him to stop treating me cause I can't eat more but he pushes me further. Ayaw ko namang ma-hurt siya kaya pumayag na lang ako.
--
"Gagi. Ang busog ko." I heard him mumbled while he's caressing his tummy. I'm not surprised. I would be if he told us that he's not full after he finished five pinipig and even ordered again for rice and chicken. What's with him today? So patay guts.
"Halata naman." I replied teasingly. Inakbayan lang niya ako atsaka kami naglakad papunta sa Brown Wand office. Yep! sa office ni Victor. Ang kapal ng mukha namin no? After namin mag lunch ng wala siya, magpapakita kami sa opisina niya na wala man lang dalang kahit ano.
Tumigil si Walter sa harapan ng pinto atsaka ngumiti. How I hate that smile. "Tingnan mo 'ah! Mag ga-grand entrance ako! " He fished out his wand while he's looking around. Baka kasi may makakita sa kanya na gumamit ng magic. Mapatawag pa siya. Prohibited ang magic outside the classrooms.
He twirls his wand above his head and I just cross my arms watching him when the diamonds from Frozen II appeared around us. Ano na namang trip nitong lalaking to at may pa ganito pang nalalaman? He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. I guess I know where this idea going.
He pushed the door to open before he starts singing "INTO THE UNKNOWN~ INTO THE UNKNOWN~ INTO THE UNKWOOOAHN~" Victor whose signing papers threw his pen upward when Walter opened the door harshly.
I place my palm on my face. Walter Jamora. "ARE YOU OUT THERE, DO YOU KNOW ME, CAN YOU SHOW ME, DO YOU SEE ME~~"
"AH OH AH OH! AH AH AH AH! AH! AH! OHHHHH!"
After Walter's so-called 'grand entrance' He's now facing the straight-faced Victor Rough. He's clasping his hands while he's seating on his recliner chair and Walter is the one who's in front of him. I've been suppressing my giggles while I am watching the two.
Well, Walter just disturbs this man. He deserves some punishments though. Kidding aside. "Hazel...." I raise my brow when Walter turns his body to me and whines while he's puckering his lips pointed. "Help me...."
I was staring into his helpless face before I burst out into laughter. Pati si Victor ay natawa na din sa akin. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi matatawa! Nakaka-awa ang mukha ni Walter. Parang batang kaharap ang School Principal dahil sa isang maling nagawa. He ended up pouting his lips while we are laughing hard.
"Nakaka-asar kayong dalawa." He spoke while pouting. "Kami pa talaga? Sino ang gumawa ng 'grand entrance' kemi kuno?" Nakangising tanong ko sa kanya. Kaagad naman niyang tinuro ang sarili niya ng walang pagdadalawang isip atsaka tumawa nalang din.
"Your face is priceless! Got it!" Walter the clueless guy stood up from seating on the mini couch and roam around the office. "GOT YA!!" I cover my ears when rolex, magtanggol, and no-jams screams at the top of their lungs. "PUT ME DOWN YOU FUCKER!" The doorknob holder yell.
"Edelete mo yung scene! now na!"
"AYOKO! Utos ni Master Victor na huwag ko daw e delete!" Walter choke the doorknob holder at sumigaw na naman si Rolex, Magtanggol, at No-jams! "PASHNEA! HUWAG MONG PATAYIN ANG CCTV KO!"
"magpapadelete lang naman akooo~ Hazel! oh! Si Victor!"
--
"Principal thanks me for catching the thief and now I am signing their resignation from the group. I would never tolerate their doings even though they are my best people." Victor said when he continued on signing papers after we teased each other earlier.
The humorous atmosphere that we built earlier hurdled with this conversation. "Ilan nalang kayo natira?" I asked in a serious tone. He took a pause from signing and squints his eyes before he places his hand on his chin. "We are 20. 17. "He replied before he continued and smiled.
I nodded my head. After I laid my eyes on him, I look up to the ceiling once again and watch the starry nights moved brace myself. The movement of the starry night, makes me hummed it's a song. Delightful and Perfection.
Taking a deep breath before I closed my eyes. I need to refresh my mind. I thought, there's nothing that keeping my mind busy but I was wrong. Just right now, someone meddles inside my head. It was faceless and I had no idea who the hell that is. But whoever that 'someone' is I need to figure it out.
I need to know.
Maybe he does know something that keeps me unbothered.
"Hazel... HAZEL!" I hummed when someone shakes my shoulder. I opened my eyes and blinks them at any time. "Why?"
"You are whimpering. Are you dreaming?" I shook my head slowly. Well, I'm really not dreaming at all! My mind is blank, literally blank. But... I am whimpering? For what reason? "Don't move." Walter state.
He places his palm above my forehead. He told me to close my eyes once again and so I did. Just like earlier, My mind literally went blank but someone appears once again. It was faceless. It's whispering to me and I can't hear it. I can't read his lips.
What is he trying to say?
When Victor told me to open my eyes, I did, and I swallow the lump on my throat when I saw their serious reaction. What is it this time?