Chapter 4: Arrival

PEOPLE and danger don't go together, do they? But it's inevitable. I never thought my questions would be answered this early. Danger has found me, but the thing is — I must turn danger into opportunity.

Seeing him wearing the crown, gaining respect from people, living the abundant life everyone wishes for, makes me wanna curse him to death. How dare he live a life in spite of the horror and traumas he inflicted to an innocent child.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Don't mind me," sagot ko sa tanong ni Genesis. Hindi ko mapigilang mapayukom ng kamao na siyang dahilan ng pagkunot ng noo ng kasama ko.

"You're acting weird since you've met the king. He's quite intimidating, isn't he?"

Intimidating, huh? I was never intimidated, and never will. He's just acting mighty because of the throne, pero walang bagay na nakakatakot sa kanya. Why would I fear danger when I am the danger itself?

"Are you really sure you're alright? Hindi mo 'ko sinusungitan," pag-uulit ni Genesis. Inikot ko ang mata at tumayo. I've seen and discovered enough. Sapat na ang nalaman ko para sa buhay na tatahakin ko sa lugar na'to, at sisiguraduhin kong ako ang mananalo.

"Hey! Saan ka pupunta?"

"Sa lugar kung saan wala ka." Hinubad ko ang pares ng takong na suot-suot ko at naglakad paalis ng nakapaa. Ilang segundo lamang at may humigit sa kaliwang braso ko at iniharap sa kanya.

"Bitawan mo 'ko, Genesis," malamig kong sambit at tumingala upang salubungin ang nakakainis na mukha nito pero natigilan ako nang mapagtantong hindi si Genesis ang nasa harap ko.

"You forgot this. It was unlikely of me to leave the party but I want to return this personally to you." Kinuha ng hari ang kamay ko at may inilagay rito na maliit na pouch. Tipid itong ngumiti bago muling nagsalita, "Have we met before?"

I secretly gritted my teeth. "I don't think so. I don't remember seeing you somewhere from the past."

Natigilan ito at tinitigan ang mga mata ko. Nilabanan ko rin ang titig niya. Hindi nagtagal ay umiwas ito ng tingin at tumikhim.

"Do you often talk to people like that?" Ngumiti ito at mahinang tinapik ang balikat ko. "Use honorifics. Hindi ka ba tinuruan ng mga magulang mo na rumespeto sa mga katulad ko?"

His voice was gentle but his words held meaning. Plastikan pala ang gusto niya.

"I believe that respect is given only to those who deserve it," I said and held my chin up. I shall not bow down to anyone. Never.

His eyebrows narrowed. "Are you saying that I don't deserve to be respected?"

"Maybe." I gave him the sweetest smile. "But it's not my opinion that matters."

"I like that. You're straightforward and honest." Itinaas niya ang kamay at hinawi ang buhok na nakatakip sa kanang mata ko. "Your parents raised you well."

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa pouch. "Yeah. They were the best." I should congratulate myself for having the best parents anyone could have.

Best parents, my ass.

Muling ngumiti ang hari kasabay ng paghawak ni Genesis sa kamay ko na kakarating lang. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ng hari sa sa kanya at sa kamay namin. Alam ko na kung anong iniisip nito.

"King Zuri..."

"Of course, Rovuille. You shall go now. Extend my regard to Boris," putol nito sa dapat na sasabihin ni Genesis. The latter nodded and slightly bowed, and I did the opposite. Ngumiti lamang ang hari sa inasta ko.

"We'll see each other again soon," aniya. Hindi ko ito pinansin at tumalikod na paalis.

Nakasunod lamang sa'kin si Genesis habang bitbit ang takong na hinubad ko. Hindi ito umiimik at tila malalim ang iniisip. I bet he's thinking about my behavior earlier. Huminto ito kaya'y napahinto rin ako. Inis ko siyang tinitigan pero tanging titig lang din ang isinukli nito habang nakakunot ang noo.

Humugot siya ng hininga. "Why are you like that?"

I grunt at his question. Akala ko pa naman seryosong bagay na. "Why not?"

I know I sound rude but sometimes, reasons are better not said. Silence is better than explanation. After all, no one ever wants to listen and if they do, they'll never understand.

TAHIMIK kong pinagmamasdan ang matatayog at mayayabong na puno na aming nadadaanan. The sky is clear and the surrounding is full of life. Full of freaking life. Ilang minuto na akong nakadungaw sa magarang bintana ng sinasakyan naming kalesa at puro puno lamang ang nakikita ko. Makitid at magaspang na daan ang tinatahak namin dahil ito lamang daw ang nag-iisang ligtas na daan patungong akademya.

Yes, an academy. It was Genesis' idea that I should stay in their academy until I save enough money and get used with the place. Do I have a choice? Besides, the academy offers free tuition to top students. I just need to be on top and do missions to gain Dims. The more dangerous the mission, the bigger the money.

I always win, anyway. Missions are pieces of freaking cake.

Kagaya ko ay tahimik rin ang katabi kong si Genesis. Nakayuko ito na tila inaantok at pasuray-suray na ang ulo. Naging mailap ito sa 'kin simula no'ng nangyari kagabi sa palasyo at hindi ko siya maintindihan kung bakit. But, the hell I care? It's way better if he's silent. No loudmouths.

After almost a decade of sitting and staring, the carriage finally stopped. I immediately went out and fresh air gushed to my skin. Tinatangay ng hangin ang mahaba at itim kong buhok at ang sarap n'yon sa pakiramdam.

Nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. Sa harap ko ay isang malahiganteng bakod na gawa sa bato. Tanging bakod lamang at mga puno, wala ng iba. Sa gitna ng bakod ay may malaking bilog na nahahati sa dalawa. Naglakad papalit dito si Genesis at tinapat ang suot niyang violet na badge sa maliit na butas sa gitna ng bilog. Bahagya itong umilaw at ilang segundo lamang ang lumipas ay marahang nahati ang bilog at tumambad sa amin ang puting usok na tila kumikinang. Walang sabi-sabing pumasok si Genesis dito kaya sumunod din ako sa kanya, kahit na nag-aalangan.

As soon as I stepped into the white smoke, light, once again, blinded my eyes for a moment. Nang tuluyan na akong makakita ay isang palasyo muli ang nasa harapan ko. It's almost like the Forthmore palace, only that it is a bit smaller. It's a freaking castle with brick walls and freaking high towers! There's a huge building in the middle with the initials "F.A." on top and on both sides were two towers with wide windows. Sa kapwa gilid nito ay may medyo kalakihang daanan kung saan may iilang mga kasing edad ko lang ang naghaharutan.

They were wearing a corset-like top, paired with an inner plain white collared shirt with puff long sleeves. The bottoms were a knee-length skirt in the darkest shade of brown, a pair of black boots and black knee- length socks. I guess they are the students. Their uniform looks princessy and girly. Ew.

"This is Forthmore Academy, Ara. This will be your home," Genesis suddenly blurted.

"Where's the dormitory?" tanging sagot ko. I badly need to lie down and rest. Give me that shit!

"You're so impatient. We need to see the headmaster first. Come on." I mentally rolled my eyes when he dragged me again like how he used to do. Hindi na lamang ako nagreklamo dahil ayoko ng mag-aksaya pa ng laway.

It did not take us longer than 10 minutes to reach the headmaster's office. How did I know? I am not stupid, that's why.

Kumatok sa kayumangging pintuhan si Genesis at mabilis naman itong bumukas. Kusa lamang itong bumukas dahil wala naman akong nakikitang taong nagbukas nito. Tanging isang lalaking may kaedaran ang sumalubong sa 'min nang tuluyan na kaming makapasok. Malakas ang dating ng presensya nito at matipuno ang pangangatawan, matingkad na kayumanggi ang buhok at bilugan ang mata.

Ngumiti ito sa'min at sinenyasan kaming umupo kaya umupo na kami sa pahabang upuan.

"You did a good job, Genesis," he said in a deep voice.

"It wasn't that hard, headmaster. Lalo na't alam ko ang kailangan niya."

Napataas ang kilay ko sa dalawa. They surely have the courage to talk about me in front of my face. Pathetic.

"Your name, miss?"

Napairap ako sa tanong ng headmaster. "Alam kong kilala mo 'ko kaya 'wag ka ng magtanong."

Malakas itong tumawa. "As expected from you, Aurora."

Should I think that they're my stalkers? I never disclose any personal information of mine, but how the hell do they know my name?

"I'm Headmaster Boris. Boris Rovuille," pakilala nito at inabot ang kamay sa harap ko. Tinitigan ko lamang ito kaya'y kaagad niyang binawi saka siya tumikhim. "I'm Genesis' uncle. In case you're wondering."

I crossed my arms and gave him a bored look. "If you have nothing important to say, let me rest, so tell me where my room is."

Napaawang ang bibig nito sa inasta ko pero kaagad ding itinikom. "Of course. Genesis will take you to your room. You'll be oriented tomorrow about the rules and stuff. Susunduin ka ng head of student council," aniya.

Tumango ako at tumalikod na pero muli itong nagsalita.

"By the way, welcome to Forthmore Academy, Ms Belacour."

Inikot ko ang mata. "Yeah, whatever."

"WAKE up, Ara! The head council is looking for you!"

Inis akong umikot ng pwesto mula sa pagkakahiga at tinakpan ng unan ang tainga. Nakakarindi talaga ang boses ng babaeng 'to. Buong akala ko ay mag-isa lang ako sa dorm, but hell! Of all people, why did they let me stay with a loudmouthed woman?!

"Ara!" She knocked almost like a hundred times and it's getting into my nerves. Nakakaubos ng pasensya ang babaeng 'to!

"Ara, come on! Umuusok na ang ilong ng head!" muling sigaw nito na may bakas na takot ang boses.

Nakakunot ang noo ko sa inis nang bumangon. Marahas kong binuksan ang pintuan kaya'y natumba siya at nasubsob sa sahig. She's a petite girl with long wavy hair in the shade of brown. Medyo singkit din ang mata niyang ang sarap tusukin.

Nakakunot ang noo nito at itinuro ang pintuan. "Head... He's mad."

Napaikot ako ng mata nang makita ang takot sa mukha niya. Anong klaseng head ba ang mayroon ang akademyang 'to? Mamamatay tao ba?

I headed my way to the door and opened it but no single shadow was seen. Lumabas ako at inilibot ang tingin sa paligid. Pinaglalaruan ba ako nito?

"What took you so long?"

Lumingon ako sa likuran nang may baritonong boses na nagsalita. It's a good-looking man with wavy and close to black reddish hair parted in the middle, fair complexion, thick eyebrows, long and quite curvy eyelashes, pointy nose, and fine jawline. He's, I guess, 1 and a half inches taller than me. Why do men in this academy look so good? Boris and Genesis were quite handsome, and so was this goddamn man.

"Done checking me out?" malamig na tanong nito.

Pinilig ko ang ulo at napairap. "Yeah. So, what do you want?"

"You brat. Didn't the headmaster told you?" Walang bakas ng kahit anong emosyon ang mukha nito habang matiim akong tinitigan.

"Rules, stuff?"

He nodded. "Glad you know."

"Okay. So?"

Kumunot ng bahagya ang noo nito na tila may naisip. Good to know na marunong siyang mag-isip. Nagsimula na siyang maglakad papunta sa hindi ko alam kung saan kaya kunot-noo akong sumunod sa kanya. Ang tuwid ng tindig niya. Ang tuwid maglakad. Ayaw 'atang maging kuba.

"First thing you have to know, all students and professors here are mages. You're from Forthill, right?" Lumingon siya sa'kin kaya'y tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo nito. "Things works differently here."

Inikot ko ang mata at pinagkrus ang braso. "Cut the rubbishes. Stop info dumping me with lame stuff."

Napahinto siya at lumingon sa'kin na may matalim na titig. If looks could kill, I'll probably have my burial now.

"Second thing you need to know is to respect your superiors," he said in a much deeper voice. He seems mad. Shaye was right. "I am Caelum, the head of the student council. Clearly, you are no different from the rulebreakers I had punished. Mind your attitude towards me."

I grunt. Is he threatening me? Punishment? Geez. It's not like that's something I should be afraid of.

"Caelum, dear," marahan kong sambit at naglakad papalapit sa kanya nang hindi pinuputol ang titig sa kulay hazel niyang mata. His forehead was creased and he's slowly walking backwards as I move forward towards him.

"What are you doing, woman?" malamig na tanong nito. Hindi ako huminto sa paglakad hanggang sa wala na siyang maatrasan. He's now leaning against the brick wall. Cornered.

"Wanna know a little secret?" I traced his broad shoulder with my fingertips. Tumingkayad ako at itinapat ang bibig sa tainga niya.

"Even death bows down at me."