Chapter 11: Pertification Magic

THE familiar scent of the academy's lawn greeted me as I stepped inside through the massive gate. Bitbit ang aking backpack, tinahak ko ang daan patungo sa opisina ni Boris. Walang masyadong estudyanteng pagala-gala ngayon dahil nga hindi pa opisyal na nagsisimula ang klase.

Ngayon na nakabalik na ako sa akademya, hindi ko maiwasang madismaya sa sarili. It was my damn chance to kill that fucking king! All thanks to Mr Shawth. Masyadong pakialamero. He tailed the king wherever he goes and that was a total blow against my plan.

"Oh hey, Ara!" Huminto ako at lumingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. "Nakabalik ka na pala," said Third, followed by Genesis whose shirt was totally unbuttoned, making a lot of girls squeal everytime he passes.

Feeling gwapo rin ang mayabang na 'to.

"You're back," Genesis said while staring at me. Ngumisi siya at bahagyang tumagilid para ipakita ang nakabukas niyang butones. Napairap na lamang ako.

Ano bang nakain ng lalaking 'to?

"Obviously." Nababagot ko silang tinitigan pero tanging nakakainis na ngisi lamang ang isinukli ni Genesis habang si Third ay ngumiti ng halos umabot na sa kanyang tainga.

Muli akong naglakad nang hindi sila pinapansin pero ramdam kong nakasunod lamang sila sa aking likuran.

"How's your mission?" Genesis asked. Without looking at him, I gave a thumbs up over my shoulder.

"Ano nga pala 'yung mission mo?" Kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong ni Third.

Hindi pala sinabi ni Boris sa ibang Arcane, but I am absolutely sure that Genesis knows about it. Halos lahat 'ata nalalaman niya, at hindi ko maintindihan kung paano niya iyon nagagawa.

Umiling ako bilang pagsagot kay Third. Hindi na rin naman ito umimik. Ilang minuto lamang ang lumapas at tuluyan na naming narating ang opisina ni Boris. Gaya ng dati kong ginagawa, binuksan ko ito nang hindi na nag-abalang kumatok. Hindi rin katakas sa aking pandinig ang mahinang paghagikhik ni Genesis na siyang ikinairap ko.

"Ara, you're here!" Boris stood up and clapped his hands. "How was it?" Itinaas baba niya ang kanyang kilay habang suot-suot ang nakakainis na ngisi.

"You knew it was going to happen, didn't you?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

Nawala ang ngiti niya. "Yes, but I didn't know it would hurt you—"

"Shut up," pagputol ko sa kanyang sasabihin gamit ang aking malamig na boses. He froze and stood still as if lightning has struck on him. Kahit ang dalawang makukulit na nagbubulungan sa likuran ko ay biglang natahimik.

Tumalikod na ako at humakbang palabas pero bago iyon ay pinukol ko ng matalim na tingin si Boris. "It was Braul."

"What?" He moved his head forward. "Sinong Braul?"

"The Dygaians' master," diretsang sagot ko. Bahagyang natigilan si Boris sa aking itinuran bago marahan na tumango na tila may sumagi sa kanyang isipan.

I walked towards the door which was slightly ajar. Nang tuluyan na akong makalabas ay agad akong napahinto at napakunot ng noo nang may malamig na kamay ang humawak sa aking braso.

"Hey..." It was Genesis.

"Hmm?" tanong ko sa kanya nang hindi siya nililingon kahit ramdam ko ang titig nilang dalawa ni Third.

"Nasaktan ka?" His voice was softer than usual. Hindi mo mahihimigan ang pagiging makulit at mayabang niya.

Strange.

"Does it matter?" simpleng sagot ko bago nagpalit ng anyo. Through my shadow form, kasing bilis ng hangin kong tinahak ang daan patungo sa dormitoryo ng mga Arcane.

Nang tuluyan na akong nakarating kay dumeritso na ako sa aking kwarto. I lied down and closed my eyes. I could hear my breathing and it's adding up to the disappointment that I'm feeling.

It was my chance. My damn chance.

I sighed and turned around. Ginawa kong unan ang aking kanang braso at muli na sanang pipikit nang may kung sino mang nilalang ang kumatok sa aking pintuan.

"Come in," tanging sambit ko at hindi na nag-abalang tumayo o kahit gumalaw man lang. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay si Shaye lamang ito. Siya at si Genesis lang naman ang may lakas ng loob na kumausap sa akin ng walang kabang nararamdaman.

Tumunog ang pintuan, tanda ng marahan nitong pagbukas. Nanatili lamang akong nakatalikod.

"Ara..." I was right. It was Shaye. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pag-uga ng aking higaan. "I'm sorry about the other day. Nag-alala lang talaga ako sa 'yo no'n," aniya.

"Hindi ako ang taong kailangan mong alalahanin," I replied. "I can handle myself."

"Pero gusto ko," she immediately responded.

Napabuntong hininga ako. "But you don't have to."

"But I want to."

Mabilis akong tumayo at sinalubong ang kanyang tingin. Akmang magsasalita na sana ako pero agad ring napahinto nang makita ang bahagyang pagkislap ng pisngi ni Shaye. Natigilan siya at mabilis na pinunasan ang magkabilang pisngi.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

What was that?

Umiiyak ba siya dahil sa 'kin?

I ZIPPED my black shoulder bag and hung it on myself. Bago ako tuluyang lumabas ay nahagip ng mga mata ko ang aking sariling repleksyon sa malawak na salamin. I can't believe I'm wearing this kind of shit. Suot ko ngayon ay isang black na palda na abot hanggang tuhod. It has silver linings that were obviously based on my rank. Beneath my corset-like top is a white long sleeve and paired with a medium cloak shaded in black and silver.

I look like shit.

"Ara, come on. Nasa labas na sina Estelle." Napalingon ako nang biglaang binuksan ni Shaye ang aking pintuan. She clapped and smiled widely at me. "You look so great!" aniya.

"I look like shit," malamig kong saad. Pabiro niyang hinampas ang braso ko kaya'y sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

Masyado ka ng komportable sa akin, Shaye.

"Naiinggit ako," she pouted. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ko at iniharap sa kanya.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto kung saan siya nakatingin. "What?'

Umiling-iling siya at humagikhik. "They're quite big..."

"What are you talking about?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

"Your breast." Nanlaki ang mata ko sa kanyang sagot. Niyakap ko pa ang sarili at tumalikod sa kanya.

Walang hiyang babae.

"Come on, don't be shy," aniya. "Naiinggit nga ako, 'e."

Humarap ako at inirapan siya. She grinned at me in return. I feel like my ears are burning. Mabilis akong humakbang palabas ng kwarto at walang sabi-sabing nilagpasan sina Estelle at Rhysan na naghihintay pala sa labas. Sinubukan pa nila akong tawagin ngunit hindi na ako nag-abalang lumingon o sumagot.

It's the first day of school. Ang araw na pinakaayaw ko pero wala akong choice. May mission pa akong kailangang tapusin.

Nang makarating na ako sa sinabi ni Boris na silid-aralan daw ng mga Arcane ay wala pang tao maliban sa isang lalaking nakahalukhip habang nakatitig sa may bintana. If I'm not mistaken, his name is Zale, the holder of the element of water.

Perhaps he felt my presence, he roamed his eyes 'til they darted into mine.

"Hey," tipid siyang ngumiti. "Ara, right?"

Tumango lamang ako at inilibot ang mga mata upang maghanap ng magandang pwesto. Kalaunan ay naglakad ako patungo sa pinakalikurang bahagi ng silid. Hindi na rin naman nagsalita pang muli si Zale kaya'y isinandal ko na lang ang aking ulo sa lamesa.

Ilang minuto lamang ay samu't saring boses na aking namayani sa paligid. Looks like nandito na lahat ng Arcane. I held my head up and it was something I shouldn't have done. My index prickled in sync with my pounding chest. The frigid and harsh hair came into warmth as my eyes met Carwell's... and it was something I did not felt for a long time now.

"ARA, SABAY na tayo kumain," Shaye said behind my back. Hindi ako sumagot, sa halip ay binigyan ko lamang siya ng matiim na tingin. Tumango siya nang mapagtanto ang gusto kong ipahiwatig at malawak na ngumiti.

She glanced at Estelle who was talking to Rhysan while organizing her desk. As though they felt Shaye's stare, lumingon sila sa gawi namin. Rhysan smiled at me and I responded with a light nod.

Among these girls, si Rhysan ang sa tingin ko ay mas matino. Hindi masyadong maingay at may sense kausap.

"Tara na!" Estelled exclaimed. Tumakbo siya patungo sa direksiyon ko at kumapit sa aking braso pero mabilis kong tinabig ang kanyang kamay. Ngumuso na lamang siya.

I rolled my eyes. Napakaisip bata talaga.

Shaye went closer to me as we walked our way to the academy's cafeteria. The morning period was as boring as hell. We did not even start a petty discussion, not one, and time was all wasted for a mere orientation, which is useless.

Lots of students were staring at me, specifically at me, as we walk through the corridor. Ang iba ay nakakunot ang noo, iba rin ay masama ang tingin. Dukutin ko iyang mga mata niyo, 'e. They are even murmuring things such as how lucky I am, how pretty Estelle is, talking about rule and restricted chambers, and stuff that was discussed earlier.

A couple of minutes had passed and I finally caught a glimpse of the cafeteria entrance. Papasok na sana kami nang biglang huminto si Estelle.

"Strange," she whispered and glanced at Rhysan whose eyebrows were furrowed. "Kailan pa naging tahimik ang cafeteria?"

Rhysan shrugged as well as Shaye. Nanatili lamang akong tahimik. If it's strange, then something must be going on inside.

I smirked.

A new game to play, huh?

As soon as we entered the cafeteria, a prickle of coldness pierced against my skin. Nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid at napaismid.

The cold was coming from a tall lady holding a stone that was shaped like a water goblet. Malakas ang aura na bumabalot sa kinaroroonan niya pero hindi iyon ang nakakuha ng atensyon ko. Ilang metro ang layo mula sa kanya ay tatlong estudyante na nakatayo na tila natuod sa kinatatayuan. Nakaawang ang mga bibig nila habang nakakunot ang noo pero kahit pagpilik ng mata ay hindi ko nakita.

"Oh no, she's doing it again." Lumingon ako kay Shaye nang bigla itong bumulong.

"Who is she?" I asked. Shaye gulped but her stare was not on me, instead she was staring at my back looking horrified.

Napairap ako at humarap sa aking likuran. I raised my eyebrow as I saw the woman glaring at me, still holding her stone goblet.

"The Supreme student," she started.

Mas lalong napataas ang kilay ko. "What's up?" I asked lousily.

"I understand that you're a transferee and that you don't know who I am," pahayag niya. "I'm Demi."

Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. "Hindi ko naman tinatanong."

She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, too. "I know, pero kailangan mong malaman kung sino ako because I can wipe you out from her in an instant. Huwag mo akong subukang kalabanin at lalong lalo na, 'wag mo akong subukang pigilan sa kung ano man ang gusto ko," mahaba niyang litanya.

A grunt escaped my lips and burst out to laughter. Sino ba siya sa tingin niya? At saka, anong bang pakialam ko sa buhay niya?

"Something funny?" she asked while glaring at me.

Huminto ako sa pagtawa at muling naging seryoso ang mukha. "I honestly don't give a damn about your petty game, silly," I answered.

She grunted as if I just broke out an absurd statement. "Fine. I'll play my game and you stay out of it."

I clicked my tongue and nodded at her. Mabilis kong hinigit ang kamay ni Shaye at hinila siya sa parte ng cafeteria na walang masyadong tao ngunit hindi pa lamang kami nakakailang hakbang ay bigla siyang sumigaw. I turned around to see what happened.

Napairap na lamang ako.

Petrification magic, huh?

"Let her go," malamig kong saad. Bahagya siyang natigilan sa paglamig ng boses ko pero agad ding nakabawi.

She smirked. "I'm playing my game, silly."

Rhysan and Estelle were glaring at her and some students as well. Ang iba ay masamang nakatitig kay Demi, o kaya'y nakatingin sa paa ni Shaye na unti-unting nagiging bato, habang ang iba naman ay tila walang paki at may sariling mundo.

Shaye is mine to play with, you bitch.

"You're overstepping your boundaries. Get Shaye out of it," pahayag ko.

Demi walked towards me, letting her footsteps echo in the whole cafeteria. "Paglalaruan ko ang lahat ng gusto kong paglaruan. Kung gugustuhin ko ay isasali kita."

"I don't play a game that is easy to win," I remarked, smirking.

She jerked her head forward. "Are you insulting me?" Tinuro niya ang sarili.

"Yes." I gave her a thumbs up. Petty fights are not worth my time.

Gumuhit ang ngisi sa kanyang labi. "Ganyan pala pinalaki ng mga magulang niya ang isang Supreme student," aniya.

Alam kong sinusubukan niya akong insultuhin gamit ang aking pamilya, but sorry, girl. Kahit ako ay kinamumuhian ko rin sila.

"Not really," sambit ko na may mapaglarong ngisi. "Now, let Shaye go."

"What if I don't?"

"Then don't."

I stared intently at her almond eyes. She hugged herself as the atmosphere went heavier than it already was. I could hear shrieks of panic from every corner of the cafeteria, voices of Estelle and Rhysan telling me to stop. My fingertips started to prickle and for a second, my left eye burned in heat, twitching to reveal its true color.

Demi fell to the floor with a horrified look on her face. The murmurs around me stopped, even Estelle's panicked yells faded to whisper.

She looked up, mouth ajar and eyes bewildered. "You," she gasped. "Y-you're a monster."

How ironic.

That was the last thing I heard from my mother and I dreaded it, but hearing it after a long time of grief, I can sense a burning pride.

Yes. I am a monster.

"My own mother thought I'm a monster," I looked down to meet her gaze, my voice sounding frigid. "She was right, of course."

Hindi siya nakapagsalita. Walang kahit anong ingay maliban sa mabibigat na paghinga ng mga estudyanteng nanunuod ang maririnig. They were all staring at Demi who seemed to be traumatized. Kaawa-awang nilalang. Hindi man lang alam ng mga estudyante ang totoong nangyari.

It was my plan, after all... that no one, other than Demi, can see the horror behind my silver eyes.

Horror that can only be seen when it turns to pure black.