CHAPTER LXVIII PART I: The Grand Festival Fight
“WELCOME, students and mages of Caelum Academy. Today marks the beginning of Grand Festival here in our school. It’s been tough times for everyone since we left our families, friends and loved ones in our world that invaded by demons, Celestia, that we almost forgot to enjoy for a while. Thus, we are launching this festival in our academy for everyone to have fun and ease our worries for the meantime. We will also conduct activities and the first one will begin later, after lunch at the newly constructed Labyrinth of Phantasm. So stay tuned and return here later at Dome Magia for the announcement of the first activity,” Archmaster Leonard announced, declaring the start of Caelum’s Grand Festival.
All the audience cheered and shouted out of joy and excitement. It is evident on their faces that they are looking forward to the said activities. After a few minutes, the people in the Dome Magia were slo
CHAPTER LXVIII PART II: The Grand Festival Fight“OKAY, let’s begin the introduction of the teams with the Golden Arrows, headed by Lotus and Vela. Let’s give them a round of applause,” Archmaster Leonard started. The Dome Magia was suddenly filled with shouts from the crowd. Lotus, Vela and their team members went on the stage.“Next, may we have the team led by Nicanor and Almirah, the Red Scorpions. Let’s give them a clap that stings our ears,” Archmaster introduced. The two captains of the said team waved their hands before their team stepped on to the stage.“Okay, let’s move forward to the third team. Let’s welcome the team created by Niklais and Suzaine, the squad of White Doves.” The crowd clapped for them big time and most men shouted Suzaine’s name. She’s been gaining popularity from the boys in the academy for a month now. Yeah, we noticed it every time we have a hang
CHAPTER LXIX: Shadow of an Uncertain FutureI was about to rush inside the labyrinth but I came into halt when a loud rumbling sound engulfed the whole academy. My eyes widened as my mouth automatically went agape when a red light glistened from the center of the labyrinth and a fissure on the ground quickly ran through the academy, dividing it into two. The small division of the academy is falling down and there are still people there, pleading for help. Screams of horror started to ring on my ears.I caught Shone and Hannah barely hanging on the cliff on the bigger division of the academy. Then, Reel and Akiza came to help them. D*mn! I don’t know who to rescue first. Just hang on there, Black Thunders. I’ll just save these mages on that falling part of the academy. I told to myself and was about to fly towards those mages begging for help but I was taken aback when Ophra spoke behind me.“Go, save your team members, Cerina. Let m
CHAPTER I: Shadow of the PastA sweet smile curved on my lips as I surveyed the entirety of my newly constructed house— a small two-story one. It took me seven years before achieving this goal of mine and I am so proud of myself. The money I used to buy a lot and materials for the construction of my house came from my salary which I receive monthly at a restaurant as a waitress, dishwasher and janitor. My job was all-around at that restaurant. Hard as it may be, but manageable for my dream home sweet home.I grew up without parents. When I was only ten years old, I just woke up from a deep slumber in front of a church. I didn’t have any idea how did I end up there. That moment, I didn’t remember anything about me. I also have no recollections of my childhood memories. A nun took me to the convent and named me Ashburn. She dressed me up and sent me to school. But I only finished my 10th grade in high school.I left the monastery when I comple
CHAPTER II: First FightI gulped and gasped for an air. I gathered first all the courage and fortitude in my body before being able to speak. This shadow may be scary but I won’t miss what it did to the roof of my precious house."H-hey, you, demon, alien or whatsoever, what did you do to the roof of my house?" I shouted bravely but there’s still a hint in my voice that I was scared of him or her— I don’t know either.My throat went dry and the hairs all over my body stood up as it laughed frighteningly. Don't even ask if my pubic hairs stood up too because I shaved my genitals the other day. Shit, what am I saying here? Stupid, Ash. You are stupid as ever.“We have been searching for you for 12 long years and yet you were here on this filthy planet called Earth the whole time?” he said to me in a frightening deep hoarse voice. It seemed like it came from the depths of the earth.I gulped ag
CHAPTER III: Hard as RockI couldn't help it but to be surprised. What I'm seeing just astounds me. I assume that all of the creatures that can only be found in fairytales have gathered in one place.We come across several golems, goblins, imps, dwarves, elves, and even flying sweet fairies as we approach the huge golden gate. They were all busy in their own assigned task. I'm familiar with these creatures because I enjoy watching Disney films and animés. When Raid abruptly spoke, I came to a halt. That was Mr. Pervert's name, according to the lady with him.He said to Angel, "Can you give our companion a nice dress or else I may not be able to avoid staring at her chest.” He was attempting to stop looking at me, I found. The audacity, though. I wanna slap him 360 degrees right now if I was not only using my hands to cover my breast.He's ridiculously a pervert jerk to the heart. His mind is filled with filthy ideas. I just looked at the sky
CHAPTER IV: Welcome Home“Welcome to Caelum Academy, Miss Ashburn or Princess Cerina Samara Imperial I should say. I am sorry for the way Deborah greeted you. Her punishment has already been decided.” I looked at him with a confused expression in my face. He called me Cerina, right? The name of the baby I was dreaming lately. Something bothered me again in my mind. And I think he can explain to me everything later on. I’ll just let him for meantime call me whatever he wants.I stared at the man intently. He appeared to be the head in this Institution. He is wearing eyeglasses so I gotta call him Mr. Four-eyed for the meantime. He hasn’t introduced his name to me yet so I didn’t know how should I address him.Based on his physical characteristics, I can conclude that he is in his mid-40s or 50s. He had glaring eyes but his voice was so soft. And… wait, why do I just describe everything I see today? I think it was a hobby to describe the peop
CHAPTER V: Friends, Fight and FuryThere are so many questions bothering my mind right now. Things were moving so fast and I was unable to register all the information I have learned just a while ago in my brain. Archmaster Leonard’s explanations earlier why I am here and what does the Celestial Twelve mean were too much for me to contain. It was information overload.However, I still can’t believe I’m one of the chosen Celestial Zodiacs- the twelve individuals selected by Archgoddess Lumia to entrust the fragments of her magic and power. The Archgoddess of Sky chose us to be the guardians of order and peace in the world of magic called Celestia. Celestia, according to Archmaster Leonard, was in a great distress and chaos for almost a century and until now, destruction continues to siege the land.In addition to what I’ve known earlier was that I am the Cancer of the Zodiacs. And I am not merely
CHAPTER VI: TroubleYoung Marc’s eyes widened with anger. They were on fire and he seemed to want to destroy everything he could see right now. This is bad. The Sagittarius symbol is glowing on his forehead. Note to myself: Never provoke that kid. He's way too dangerous.“This is really bad,” Suzaine worriedly uttered. Yeah, it is. The magic flowing around rapidly increases as time goes by. It's going tremendous.“How dare you hurt my beloved pet, Poly! This is not a playground for the two of you, idiots!” Marc, the kid, angrily shouted.He swiftly raised his one hand then Raid and Glade floated on the air while facing each other. In the blink of an eye, the two were smashed on the ground violently and then burning rocks rained on them. Afterwards, they floated again and their heads strongly collided each other and flew in opposite directions. Was that Marc's doing? Woah, he's a monster whe
CHAPTER LXIX: Shadow of an Uncertain FutureI was about to rush inside the labyrinth but I came into halt when a loud rumbling sound engulfed the whole academy. My eyes widened as my mouth automatically went agape when a red light glistened from the center of the labyrinth and a fissure on the ground quickly ran through the academy, dividing it into two. The small division of the academy is falling down and there are still people there, pleading for help. Screams of horror started to ring on my ears.I caught Shone and Hannah barely hanging on the cliff on the bigger division of the academy. Then, Reel and Akiza came to help them. D*mn! I don’t know who to rescue first. Just hang on there, Black Thunders. I’ll just save these mages on that falling part of the academy. I told to myself and was about to fly towards those mages begging for help but I was taken aback when Ophra spoke behind me.“Go, save your team members, Cerina. Let m
CHAPTER LXVIII PART II: The Grand Festival Fight“OKAY, let’s begin the introduction of the teams with the Golden Arrows, headed by Lotus and Vela. Let’s give them a round of applause,” Archmaster Leonard started. The Dome Magia was suddenly filled with shouts from the crowd. Lotus, Vela and their team members went on the stage.“Next, may we have the team led by Nicanor and Almirah, the Red Scorpions. Let’s give them a clap that stings our ears,” Archmaster introduced. The two captains of the said team waved their hands before their team stepped on to the stage.“Okay, let’s move forward to the third team. Let’s welcome the team created by Niklais and Suzaine, the squad of White Doves.” The crowd clapped for them big time and most men shouted Suzaine’s name. She’s been gaining popularity from the boys in the academy for a month now. Yeah, we noticed it every time we have a hang
CHAPTER LXVIII PART I: The Grand Festival Fight“WELCOME, students and mages of Caelum Academy. Today marks the beginning of Grand Festival here in our school. It’s been tough times for everyone since we left our families, friends and loved ones in our world that invaded by demons, Celestia, that we almost forgot to enjoy for a while. Thus, we are launching this festival in our academy for everyone to have fun and ease our worries for the meantime. We will also conduct activities and the first one will begin later, after lunch at the newly constructed Labyrinth of Phantasm. So stay tuned and return here later at Dome Magia for the announcement of the first activity,” Archmaster Leonard announced, declaring the start of Caelum’s Grand Festival.All the audience cheered and shouted out of joy and excitement. It is evident on their faces that they are looking forward to the said activities. After a few minutes, the people in the Dome Magia were slo
CHAPTER LXVII: Confessions and Heartbreak“LET’S call it a day, Black Thunders. Tomorrow again,” I signaled, dismissing the members of our team in their training. They all let out a deep breath while catching up their breath. They are really exhausted. Some laid down on the bed of grasses. This is what we felt, Chosen Twelve, during our training with Archmaster Leonard. We were all worked up that day, pulling blocks of iron that weighed hundred tons. But as time passed by, we were all used to it.“Are we becoming hard on you, guys?” I asked them. They all managed to stand up properly and answered, “No, Captain Cerina!” in unison. I slowly smiled at them.“Okay, then. Rest for a while and let’s go home to our base,” I told them and they all nodded at me. They all sat down on the grass and some are massaging the muscles on their arms and legs.“You’ll be stronger too. Just keep it up,&r
CHAPTER LXVI: The Origin of Celestial ZodiacsLOTUS knocked on the wooden door of Archmaster’s office as we arrived there. Just before he could knock three times, a voice from the inside urged us to come in. He opened the door and we followed him as he stepped his foot inside the office. Archmaster greeted us and we did the same thing to him.A woman is complacently sitting on the coach as she’s holding the cup of her tea. She is wearing now a uniform like what we, students, here in the academy used to wear.“Archmaster, who is she? And where is the chosen user of Ophiuchus?” Lotus directly asked Archmaster without running in the circles. I was about to answer his question that the one he was looking for is right in front of him but Ophra suddenly spoke and she replied to Lotus.“Right here, dear. I know you all come here to see me and to ask for Archmaster Leonard an explanation about the existence of the thirteenth celestia
CHAPTER LXV: Ultimate HealerI summoned my celestial weapon and turned it into a katana. This is my favorite form of my Feather of Metamorphosis. I made it super light and easy to manage. It’s blade is sharp enough to cut hard irons and even spells with physical manifestations. I looked at her after completely summoning my weapon. The casual smile on her face did not fade away. I wonder what’s her magic and how strong she is.I coated my katana with my divine magic and a glowing golden aura covered it. I tightened my grip on my weapon and prepared myself to unleash an attack. “Divine Magic: Sacred Slash.” I swung my katana on the air and threw several golden blades at her. I caught a curve forming on her lips and the next thing happened startled me. I felt a great pressure from above pressing me down to the ground. I can’t help it but my knees started to quiver. I fell down on my knees and unintentionally let go of my katana.I stru
CHAPTER LXIV: The Thirteenth“RAID, do you know her?” I asked him with crease in my forehead. He became stiff for a while and seemed like he was hesitating to answer my question.“Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ophra, the chosen user of the thirteenth grace of celestial zodiacs, Ophiuchus. And one of the new captains of Black Thunders. Nice to meet you. Anyway, I’ve met Raid earlier and she helped me in carrying my things to Archmaster’s office,” the woman introduced herself and she was the one who answered my question.My mouth went agape for a moment. Raid has also the same reaction as me: confused and bewildered. Thirteenth celestial zodiac? Ophiuchus?“What do you mean? How come that there was a thirteenth grace when in fact Goddess Lumia only created twelve and she bestowed upon us?” I interrogated her out of confusion. She smirked at me, then, she lifted her hand and pointed her fi
CHAPTER LXIII: Love QuarrelONE month had passed already. All the damages in Caelum Academy brought about by the last battle were fixed already. We also fortified the barrier protecting the academy by the grace of our zodiacs.Three weeks ago, we held a meeting in the presence of Archmaster Leonard and Archmistress Demia and we already planned things. Three months from now, we are going to launch a surprise attack to the demons in Celestia. Vela had predictions about the future. She saw in her vision that those demons are already preparing, strengthening their armies and legions, and planning to attack us four months from now on. That alarmed us and decided to make the first move against them. Though, we need to be very cautious in carrying out our plan because it’s too risky, especially for those mages who volunteered to join us in this surprise attack and put their life in line.Furthermore, we, the Chosen Twelve, were divided
CHAPTER LXII: New Dawn“I JUST want my sister back, my confidant, my only best friend. But why? Why are all stopping me? And why no matter how much I try to change the past; no matter how I struggled… why I can’t change it?” Vela muttered in a low voice, crying while she was bowing her head to the ground.“Because no one can change the things that really meant to happen. Just accept it, Vela. Stop living on the past already. Focus on your life and the things you have today. Your sister is alive… alive in your heart. She is with the wind, the rain and all the elements of nature. You’re just too busy harboring that anger within you, that lust for revenge to notice that she’s still with you,” I replied to her. I caught how she was taken aback by my words as her head long stood and stared at me for a while.“Vixen’s physical body was the only aspect of her that had gone, but her spirit and memories