Chapter 13: The Break-In

I almost jumped on the spot as the academy's bell suddenly rang. There was an eerie ding-dong filling the whole campus. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa mga pinto sa aking harapan. 

Should I—? I shook my head. 

This is not the right time for this. 

Not now that the bell had rang and the student councils will be roaming around to see other students skipping classes. Added the fact that everyone will suspect my absence. 

I shot a suspicious look at the smallest door and sighed, then I turned around, walking my way out of the eerie place. Bagsak ang balikat ko habang naglalakad pabalik sa aming  silid-aralan. There were students passing by, walking along with me in the same direction. Some of them gave a second to stare at me weirdly while some did not mind at all. 

Another step and I reached the familiar door of the Arcane's classroom. My face was blank and stiff as I entered without knocking. Bumungad akin ang mga lukot na mukha ng mga Arcane and two other students at the back. I bet they're the potential members of Arcane, kaya sila nandito. Maliban na lamang kay Shaye na pinilit ko lamang. 

"Ms Bilacour." I glanced sideways to see a woman wearing a sour expression while staring at me. Her voice was stiff and sharp. If I'm not mistaken, she's the professor who Boris made out with. 

"Be-la-cour," I corrected, making some of the Arcanes chuckle. Elleri glared at me. Napakibit balikat na lamang ako at naglakad patungo sa upuan ko. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Snow na parang kakarating niya lang din dahil sa pag-angat baba ng balikat niya. She stared at me with furious eyes and I have no idea why.

Ano bang pakialam ko?

"Where have you been?" Shaye whispered. 

"Somewhere," I replied. Umupo na ako sa aking pwesto at pinagkrus ang braso. 

This is another boring period. Mas mabuti sana kung may makabuluhan akong makukuha sa mga pinagsasabi ng babae sa harap namin. I drummed my fingertips on the table, at isa-isa kong tinitigan ang mga kaklase ko. Everyone was here except for Carwell and Zale. Si Genesis naman nakayuko, halatang natutulog at mukhang walang problema roon si Elleri. 

Perks of having good looks. 

The world had never been and will never be fair. You have to live with all the uncertainties and the never-ending battles of life itself. 

I breathed out a heavy sigh, kaya'y sabay na napalingon sa akin ang halos kalahati ng mga Arcane. Kahit si Elleri ay natigil sa pagdi-discuss. 

"May problema ba, Ms Be-la-cour?" She emphasized my last name. 

Napairap na lamang ako at umiling. Tumango na lamang ito pero halatang matalim ang paningin sa akin. 

"So, as I was saying before this Be-la-cour here, interrupted." She glared at me and as a form of courtesy, I glared back. People should practice 'give and take', you know. She flipped her hair before continuing, "Lex Omnia is the core of Zarsothia. The law of all things, living or dead. Now, is there any of you who can tell me the laws under Lex Omnia?" 

Nilibot niya ang tingin sa paligid hanggang dumako ito sa akin. "No one?" She was about to speak, more like to call me, but Rhysan stood up. 

"Lex Omnia," she started. Halos sabay na bumaling ang tingin ng ibang Arcane sa kanya, as well as Elleri. 

"Yes, Ms Flowel?" She signalled Rhysan to continue. 

"There are two major laws under Lex Omnia," she cleared her throat. "Firstly, the Law of Mages, which is where various decrees of humans fall under. Second, the Law of Divines, which states the laws of Deities and Guardians." She sucked her chest out and held up her chin as if taking pride in what she had just stated. 

Elleri looked as though she expected Rhysan's knowledge. She did not seem to be surprised at all. "Very well, Ms. Flowel. What about the Law of Mages?" 

Ngumiti si Rhysan, tila kampanteng-kampanti siya sa tanong. "First, the Decree of Reasonable Dissociation on Mortis and Mages states that Mortises or non-magic humans are lawfully segregated from Mages due to undesirable conflict on diversity." 

"Bullshit." I grunted. 

Lahat sila ay napalingon sa gawi ko. Matalim ang tingin ni Elleri sa akin habang nakakunot naman ang noo ng iba. 

"What did you just say?" asked Elleri. 

I crossed my legs before speaking, "That dissociation law is just an excuse for discrimination and racism." The whole room fell silent. Kahit si Elleri ay hindi nakaimik. Inikot ko ang mata bago nagpatuloy, "As I know, Forthill is the only place for Mortises. That law does not even help. It clearly shows that Mages like yourselves categorize Mortises as nasty as garbage. Do you even have a single idea what kind of life Mortises live? Hell no, right? Because Mages are busy sitting on their throne, eating grapes and bathed with greed." 

All the students exchanged unreadable stares. Kahit si Genesis na kanina ay tulog, ayos na ayos na ang pagkakaupo ngayon, but unlike the rest of the class, he seemed unbothered. His silver eyes were staring intently at me as the corner of his lips slightly lifted. He looks exactly how Rhysan was earlier. 

Proud as fuck.

"Point well taken, Ms Belacour," Elleri broke the silence. It was the whole class' cue to move, something that they, perhaps, had forgotten while I was speaking. "But the Law is Law. Its sole purpose is for the welfare of our world."

I snorted. 

Welfare of the world, my ass. Sino bang niloloko nila? The Law is Law but it's stupid and unjust. Yes, it helps the society, but only those who they think are part of them, taking all the Mortises out of the picture. 

Hindi ako umimik at nayayamot lamang silang tiningan. There is no point on explaining myself to someone who don't want to listen. 

Elleri smirked. She signalled Rhysan to sit down before crossing her arms. Her eyebrows raised, painting a victorious smile on her lips. "Oh, bakit natahimik ka?" she asked. "I'm quite impressed by your logic, Ms Belacour. Prove your worth as an Arcane." 

I maintained a straight face. Pinaglaruan ko ang aking daliri sa lamesa bago nagsalita, "I don't want to waste my time explaining to someone who's not on the same level of perception as mine." 

"How rude!" She glared. "Ganyan ka ba pinalaki—"

Hindi niya natuloy ang sasabihin nang marahas na bumukas ang pinto. It revealed a fine man panting, catching his breath. Nakakunot ang noo nito nang tumingin kay Elleri. 

"I apologize for interrupting, Professor, but Headmaster Boris wants all of us in his office," said Zale while clutching his chest. This is the first time I saw him panicked. Madalas ay kalmadong kalmado ito kagaya ng kapangyarihan niyang taglay — ang kapangyarihan ng tubig. 

"What happened?" Elleri asked, looking perplexed.

"May nawawala." Zale looked at each of us before turning back to her. "Someone broke into the restricted chamber."

"HOW can this happen!?" No one dared to speak. Paikot-ikot si Boris sa kanyang opisina habang hinihilot ang sintido. "Wala man lang bang isa sa inyo na nakakaalam kung sino ang maaring pumasok doon!?" galit niyang sigaw. Elleri tried to hold his hand, trying to calm him down, but he shoved them away. 

I looked around. Everyone's head was bowed down while hands on their back, even Carwell and Genesis. Paano nga ba nangyaring may nawala? 

"Wala ba talagang sasagot? Wala ba kayong mga bibig!?" muling sigaw ng nagwawalang headmaster. 

"Panicking won't help you, Boris. Calm the fucking down," malamig kong sambit. 

Malakas siyang napabuntong hininga. "How can I calm down?" Unti-unting bumaba ang kanyang boses. "The king is going to kill me." 

Napantig ang tainga ko. The king... What does he had to do with the restricted chamber? Anong kinalaman ng hari dito? 

"The king?" I asked. Boris glanced at me but he did not answered. Mas lalong sumiklab ang kuryosidad na nararamdaman ko. "Ano ba 'yung nawawala?" 

Whatever it is, it must be that important para magwala si Boris ng ganito. 

Rhysan paced forward. "Tama po si Ara, headmaster. If you tell us what has been stolen, we might be able to help you," magalang niyang saad naikinailing ni Boris. 

Something's not right here. Kahit ang Arcane ay hindi alam kung ano ang laman ng sinasabi nilang restricted chamber. 

"I know someone who might be able to identify the culprit, Headmaster Boris," sabay kaming lahat na napalingon kay Snow. Lumingon siya sa gawi ko at nagdilim ang mukha. "Or maybe she's the culprit herself." 

Is she referring to me? I did not make it to the chamber at all. What the actual fuck is wrong with Snow?

"I saw Ara in front of the chamber," she pointed at me. "You can interrogate her if you want. After all, ano ba'ng ginagawa ng isang transferee sa lugar na iyon?" 

Otomatikong kumunot ang noo ko. Ano bang pinagsasabi ng babaeng 'to? 

"I knew it," Elleri interrupted. Lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin. Naramdaman ko rin ang paghawak ni Shaye sa laylayan ng damit ko. "The first time I saw you, I know you'll bring disaster to this school." 

Napangiwi ako. How can they be this stupid? "The first time I saw you, I know you won't like me and I feel honored for that, but—" I stepped forward, "your accusations are grudges. You don't even have solid evidence." 

"Solid evidence?" asked Snow. "I am a witness. Nakita ko kung paano ka pumasok sa pinakamaliit na pintuan at kung paano ka nagpalit ng anyo." 

"So what were you doing there, then?" I smirked. "Kung nakita mo ako, ibig sabihin ay nando'n ka rin sa mga oras na 'yon." 

Silence followed. Tila napipi si Snow sa aking itinuran. Pati ang mga Arcane ay bakas ang pagkalito sa mukha habang palipat-lipat ang tingin sa aming dalawa. 

"You owe us an explanation, Ms Yasley," sambit ni Boris at naglakad sa direksyon ni Snow. "Anong ginagawa mo sa lugar na iyon?" 

Snow rolled her eyes. '"Fine." She grunted. "I followed Ara. I wanted to prove that she's no good for this academy kaya sinundan ko siya, and I know I confirmed my suspicions when I realized that she's heading to the restricted chamber." Itinaas niya ang kilay. "And perhaps that's why nahuli siya sa klase kanina." 

Muling bumalik ang tingin ni Boris sa akin. "Ara? Wala ka bang gustong sabihin? You won't be expelled basta ay isauli mo lamang ang ninakaw mo hangga't hindi pa ito nakakarating sa hari." 

"Seriously?" I sneered. "Make sure to present evidence before you accuse someone, Boris. Listening is good but not thinking is stupid." 

"Hold on." Napalingon ako sa nagsalita. "I don't think Ara can do such thing, headmaster. She may be rebellious but I know her. Nababasa ko ang isip at pakiramdam niya dahil sa kapangyarihan ko. I trust you know that too," said Genesis. 

"Headmaster," Carwell moved forward. "The break-in happened at exactly 1 PM, which is two minutes after the bell rang. It was reported at 1:04 PM, and according to Rhysan, Belacour came late pero iyon ay kakasimula pa lamang ng klase, which is 1:01 PM. There's a minute gap." He glanced at me. "Belacour can't be in two places at once." 

Napaikot ako ng mata. Hindi ko naman talaga kailangan ng paliwanag niya o kahit anong tulong niya, and I don't give a damn on these nonsense. 

Boris locked his eyes on Carwell's. "Gather your co-officers, Mr Carwell. I'll be reaching out to your uncle." Muli niyang hinilot ang sintido at sinulyapan kaming dalawa ni Snow. "Innocent until proven guilty, the both of you." 

Snow hadn't settled, though. She grunted and pointed herself. "Bakit nasali ako? I told you, headmaster, sinundan ko lamang si Ara do'n. Hindi ko magagawang magnakaw." 

"But we can't ignore the fact that you were there too, Snow." My head shifted to Estelle who's holding Rhysan's wrist. She doesn't look like the bubbly Estelle as she was. Nakakunot ang noo niya ngunit hindi ko mawari kung galit ba o naguguluhan. She gazed at me but avoided afterwards. 

Napairap na lamang ako. Mukhang alam ko na kung saan 'to papunta. 

Snow opened her mouth to speak but Boris cut her off. "Huwag kayong mag-away rito sa opisina ko. Go back to your dormitory now. Classes are cancelled," he said. 

His voice was cold and rough but nevermind, the thing that I can't get off my head was the king. 

Ano nga ba talaga ang nawawala? Anong kinalaman ng hari sa bagay na iyon? 

Staring from Jiro and Third who were utterly silent, the Arcanes walked out from the office hanggang sa kami na lamang nina Genesis, Carwell, Boris, at malanding Elleri ang natira. 

"Hindi ako naniniwala na ikaw ang nasa likod nito, Ara," Boris said casually and calmer than he was just a while ago. "But I need to know why you went there. Paano ka napunta roon? Bakit?" 

Their eyes went on me, waiting for my answer. I sighed. "There's something I need to know about this school. Something I knew that you were hiding," I replied. I look sideways at Carwell whose forehead was creased. 

Huh! Don't tell me he's in denial? That night when I saw the Jewel student, he was there to stop me, and surprisingly, I never heard about the incident the other day. Someone was trying to hush all these gruesome crimes up. 

"What are you talking about, Ara?" kunot-noong tanong ni Boris. Kahit siya? Tinatanggi niya rin? Ibang klase. 

"You're in denial," I uttered. "So coward of you."

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?" matinis na tanong ni Elleri sa akin. Umirap ako. 

Go on, idiots. Deny all you want. 

"I suppose Carwell knows it," I glanced at him, "after all, he was the one who stopped me that night on the dormitory ground." 

"What?" Carwell asked. "You broke the rule that night, Belacour, that's why I stopped you but I haven't got any idea why you were out there, too." 

I laughed — a sarcastic laugh. "You're playing innocent." I smirked. "You want to know what I found out?" Isa-isa ko silang tinignan. "It was midnight, down on the grounds, there were men holding a sword, pointing at the—"

"Let's get out of here." 

"What?" My face crumbled when Genesis held my hand and dragged me out of the office. Ni hindi ko man lang nakita ang reaksyon ng tatlong mangmang. We passed through the other Arcanes who were waiting outside. They stared at us but Genesis did not care. 

Finally, we reached the other side of the hallway, he stopped. 

"What's your problem?" I asked, annoyed, as I fixed my hair. 

His jaw clenched. Madilim ang mukha niya at tila hindi na siya ang mapaglarong Genesis na una kong nakilala. Matalim niya akong tiningnan. 

"I saw them, too." Kumunot ang noo ko. Rinig na rinig ko ang mabigat niyang paghinga habang nakatitig sa akin. "That night, I saw that student, a Jewel." 

Kumabog ng mabilis ang dibdib ko. Tila kabayong nagkakarera. Humakbang ako papalapit sa kanya bago nagsalita, "You knew, but... why did you keep it to yourself?" 

He gave me a mysterious look. "Why did you keep it to yourself?" he asked me back. 

So, then... he's— 

"Keep it silent, Ara." My thoughts broke. "Let's investigate in our own ways."