Chapter 6: The Arcane Tower

Tahimik kong tinahak ang daan palabas ng dormitory building at hindi pinansin ang maiingay na nag-aaway sa likuran ko.

"I am Ara's friend! Ako na niyan!"

"Get your nose away, Shaye. Ako ang kasama ni Ara nang dumating siya dito."

"Pero ako ang room mate niya!"

Napapikit ako at napabuntong hininga bago huminto at nilingon sila.

"Can you two shut up?" asik ko na halos magkasalubong na ang kilay sa inis.

For hell's sake, they have been arguing for almost a decade! Nag-aaway para sa walang katuturang bagay. Tinaasan ko ng kilay ang dalawang maingay.

"Ako naman kasi dapat ang maghahatid sa'yo, 'diba? Room mate tayo," ani Shaye at pasimpleng inirapan ang katabi niya.

"But I was the one who brought Ara here. Therefore, she's my responsibility."

"I'm no one's responsibility, Genesis." Matalim ko siyang tinitigan bago nagpatuloy. "At pwede ba? Tumahimik kayo bago ko pa tuluyang putulin 'yang dila niyo."

Wala sa oras na napaayos ng tayo si Shaye at napatakip sa bibig, at tanging ngisi lamang ang isinukli ni Genesis sa sinabi ko. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang lalaking 'to. May mga bagay siyang nalalaman tungkol sa'kin at hindi ko alam kung paano niya iyon nagagawa. There must be something he knew about me, at iyon ang kailangan kong alamin.

"Come on, Ara," pabulog na sambit ni Genesis at umismid nang makitang inirapan siya ni Shaye. Mga isip bata.

I did not bother to respond. Hinayaan ko na lamang na dalhin ni Genesis ang maliit na bag ko na naglalaman ng kaunti kong gamit. We're heading to the Arcane tower, the dormitory building for what they call 'Arcanes'. From the name of the tower itself, paniguradong sa Arcane talaga.

Iniyuko ko ang ulo at dumako ang paningin sa maliit na hugis pananggalang na nasa kaliwang bahagi ng dibdib ko. It's a silver badge engraved with letter F, just like Genesis' and Caelum's, only that mine is silver and theirs are violet. Ang badge na ito raw ang basehan na dumaan ako sa tamang proseso ng pagiging mage. According to Shaye, every mage should enroll on school, no matter what kind of family you're from. It's core purpose is to train mages and at the same time, prepare them for adulthood.

Psh. Adulthood, my ass.

Nilibot ko ang paningin sa mga nadadaanan naming mga nagsisilakihang portraits. Mga mukha ng mga kaedad ko lamang. Looks like they are the previous Arcane members.

The dormitory is a cylindrical tower made of bricks and marbles. Pa-ikot ang interior staircases nito na kumikintab sa sinag ng araw ang hawakan. It's very lavish. Walang-wala ang normal na dormitories ng ibang ranks. What do you expect? Special treatments are the perks of being a top student.

Ilang minuto lang ay nasa pinakamataas na palapag na kami.

"We're here, finally!" said Genesis and knocked on the door four times.

Pasipol-sipol lamang ito habang si Shaye ay nakakapit sa laylayan ng damit ko. Ano na naman bang trip ng babaeng 'to?

"Ara, I think I should go now," I heard her whispered, sounding anxious.

Bakit pa ba siya sumama dito kung aalis din naman siya kaagad? People are really stupid. Tatalikod na sana siya nang mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kanyang palapulsuhan.

"You're not going anywhere."

"P-pero, Ara..."

"No buts, Shaye." Aalma pa sana siya nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan. Tumambad sa amin ang isang babaeng nakataas ang kilay. Kasing tangkad ko lamang ito at abot hanggang beywang ang platinum blonde niyang buhok. Sa kaliwang dibdib niya naman ay isang violet na badge. Her eyes are in a shade of blue, baby blue. Maumbok rin ang cheek bone niyang namumula pa.

"What are you doing here?" tanong nito habang nakataas ang kilay at nakapameywang.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapagtantong hindi siya sa 'kin nakatingin kung hindi ay sa katabi kong nanginginig. I felt Shaye's grip tightened on the hem of my gothic shirt. She's even whispering curses behind me.

"Sinamahan niya lang kami ni Ara," mahinahong paliwanag ni Genesis pero tila hindi ito narinig ng babae. Dumako ang paningin nito sa 'kin at mas lalong sumama ang timpla ng mukha.

"And who are you? Secretary ka ba ng headmaster?" aniya na ikinaikot ng mata ko.

Do I look like a secretary? Hindi niya ba narinig si Genesis kanina? Maganda sana, bobo nga lang.

"She's the new member of Arcane," muling sagot ni Genesis.

"The new student they're all talking about?"

"Precisely. The first Supreme."

Umismid siya sa sagot ni Genesis at tinitigan ako ng may mapanuring tingin. She slowly walked towards me with her hands still rested on her hip. Nang tuluyan siyang makalapit ay tinapat niya ang kanyang mukha sa mukha ko at matalim akong tinitigan.

"Doesn't look like a Supreme to me."

I grunt and tilted my head. "Did you brush your teeth?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito at napaatras. "Of course, I did!" mabilis niyang sambit at sinamaan ako ng tingin.

Napakibit balikat na lamang ako. What's wrong? Nagtanong lang naman ako.

Napailing-iling si Genesis at naglakad na papasok sa loob. Inirapan ko muna ang babae bago sumunod pero bago iyon ay mahigpit kong hinawakan si Shaye at hinila rin papasok. Tuwid na tuwid siyang nakatayo na tila kinakabahan at ang babae naman ay hindi makapaniwala akong tinignan.

"What do think you're doing!? Ba't ka nagpapapasok ng Scout dito!?" singhal nito sa 'kin.

I look at her in displeasure. "Why not? Because this is for the Arcane? Iyan ba ang tinuturo sa inyo ng paaralan na 'to?"

"You bitch--!"

"What's going on here? Snow, may inaaway ka na naman?"

Sabay kaming tatlong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Napataas ang kilay ko. In front of me is a masculine man with radiant blue hair, reddish iris, and chiseled face. Maamo ang mukha nito kagaya ng boses niya. Medyo singkit rin ang mga mata at manipis ang labi. Hmm, good-boy-look.

Lumipat ang tingin nito sa 'kin at binigyan ako ng abot taingang ngiti. "Hi! Ikaw ang Supreme student, di'ba?"

Humakbang siya palapit sa amin nang hindi tinatanggal ang tingin sa gawi ko. Nang tuluyan na siyang makalapit ay inilahad niya ang kanang kamay sa pagitan namin.

"I'm Third. Ms Belacour, right?" aniya.

Tumango tamang ako at hindi nag-abalang tanggapin ang kamay niya. I don't do hand shakes. It's disgusting.

"I heard from Caelum that you're quite... feisty," he said, still smiling from ear to ear. Hindi ba nakakangawit ang ngiting iyan? And what's the matter with Caelum? He's been talking about me behind my back, huh?

"Did Snow hurt you?" he paused. Tumingala siya na tila may naisip saka natawa at umiling. "Not that you will let her hurt you, anyway."

I sneered. "Are you that talkative?"

He kept his smile as though he did not hear me. "Oh, hello, Cae's cousin!" bati nito nang mapansin ang katabi ko. Awkward namang ngumiti si Shaye na siyang ikinairap ko.

"Upo muna kayo. Wala pa dito ang iba, but they'll be here sooner for sure," pag-aya nito sa amin ngunit umiling ako.

"Where's my room?" diretsang tanong ko at inirapan ang nakangising lalaki na nakaupo sa pahabang upuan. Damn you, Genesis.

Third narrowed her eyebrows, looking back and forth at Shaye and me.

"She's not staying here, is she?"

Humigpit ang paghawak ni Shaye sa 'kin at paulit-ulit na umiling na kitang kita sa peripheral view ko. I frowned. She looks like she's about to pee. Pinagpapawisan na rin siya.

"She's staying with me."

"What!?"

"Ara..."

Hindi ko pinansin ang reklamo nina Shaye at Snow. Sa halip ay matalim kong tinitigan si Third.

"Walang sinabi si Boris na hindi ko pwedeng dalhin si Shaye sa paglipat ko. So, she's staying with me."

Tila hindi makapaniwala si Third sa sinabi ko at mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ni Genesis. Palihim kong sinulyapan si Shaye at hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang bahagyang panggiligid ng luha niya. She must be so touched to react like that. Did I sound thoughtful?

Oh, well... keeping your enemies closer is always the best.

-

I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. My room is cozy and kinda dark. I like it.

It's been hours since I moved here and so far, so boring. I mean, walang thrill sa dormitoryong ito. It would be much better if there's a day to day battle in the arena. For the sake of fun, and training as well. After all, what's life without a little trouble, right? It's not the good guy who makes the story, it's the villain.

I was about to switch side when a loud knock broke the silence.

"Ara? Let's eat na raw," a woman called. Judging by her voice, it's probably Shaye. Siya lang naman ang kumakausap sa 'kin ng kaswal maliban kay Genesis.

Speaking of Genesis, I have a hunch that he's known me for a long time now. He acts as though he can read my mind and knows how I react to things. Sa tingin niya ba ay hindi ko iyon nahahalata? Silence doesn't mean you know nothing.

Such a liar.

"Ara? Hello!?"

I rolled my eyes and got up, almost tripping down. I don't know what has gotten into me but I feel so lousy today. Gusto ko lamang humilata sa kama at matulog buong magdamag.

Just as I reached the door, I grasped the knob and hastily opened it. Tumambad sa 'kin ang nakangiting mukha ni Shaye.

"I know you'll answer to me! Friends na tayo, 'e!" she exclaimed while playing the pink turban on her head.

"Friends, my foot." I rolled my eyes once more and walked through her. I crinkled my nose when I smell something as unpleasant as a rotten egg. Nilingon ko si Shaye na nasa likuran ko.

"What's that smell?" I asked, wearing a disgusted look. She shrugged in response.

I diverted my attention to the wide door not so far from us. Doon nanggaling ang amoy and my best guess is, it's the way to the kitchen. Iniling ko na lamang ang ulo at naglakad na patungo roon. Agad naman sumunod si Shaye. We were about to enter when a splash of stinky slime showered through us.

I cussed and roamed my eyes to the entire kitchen. Apat na tao ang nasa harap namin. They were all looking at us wild-eyed. Shaye grunt in annoyance, and I clenched my fist, jerking my head forward. My eyes darted at the girl with platinum blonde hair holding a wooden container full of yellowish liquid.

"Don't you have anything to do with your boring life?" I asked in a colder voice, not planning to break the eye contact.

Snow closed her slightly ajar mouth and put the container down. Sabay namang lumapit sa kanya si Third at ang isa pa nitong kasama na hindi ko nakita kanina. However, Snow ignored them and walked towards me.

"It wasn't really my plan to include you, but since you're friends with that girl, I don't have a choice," she stated, giving me back the glare I gave her.

I laughed in sarcasm. "Oh! I never thought the Arcanes would be this low. Is that what your stupid mother taught you?"

Mas lalong tumalim ang titig nito sa akin na siyang sinuklian ko rin.

"You don't have the right to insult my mother!" she yelled furrowing her forehead and pointed at me.

"And so do you. Ganyan ka ba talaga ka-isip bata? Oh, wait..." I paused and smirked. "Perhaps, you're threatened."

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo nito. "What!?" sigaw niya.

"Having Shaye's presence here must be inferior to you, because if not, why are you even butting your anger to her when she's lower than you?" I remarked and stared at her from head to toe. "You are clearly insecure, dear."

She clenched her jaw as well as her fist. I was about to mock her again when an oozing aura surrounded her body. Third and the other guy cussed as the atmosphere went heavy. I blinked when Snow's baby blue eyes turned to crystal, reflecting mirrors and blades. So, this is her power, huh?

I smirked and opened my palm, then gestured in a circular motion. Thereafter, the atmosphere went heavier as it already was. My eyes turned into metallic silver, reflecting nothing but the unknown. I can feel the cold breeze of air as it passes through the window. The force of Snow's power and mine is making it more searing - almost piercing our clothes, revealing our bare skin.

"You don't wanna mess with me, bitch," she spoke as though she just swallowed ice.

"I do. I want to mess with you. Let's test the power of what they call an Arcane." I looked at her, wearing my ever so innocent expression.

Without a single minute, a dozen of tiny but sharp mirrors were surging towards me. I shifted my body sidewards to dodge her attack. I blinked thrice and held both of my hands upwards as it releases an immense smoke, almost looking solid. This weak attack distracted Snow. She must've thought there's a poison in there or something. I glided backwards and stared intently at her - taking over her body.

Her eyes widened when she tried to move her fingers but could not. She, again, tried to swing her arm to launch another attack but she failed once more. Another attempt and nothing changed.

"Oh, what happened?" I mocked and smirked.

"What did you do!? Bakit hindi ko magalaw ang sarili ko!?" she yelled, eyes squinting and her veins are almost popping out.

"Try to guess," I replied and shrugged. Iniyukom kong muli ang kamao at tumalikod nang hindi pinapakawalan si Snow sa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ko.

"You bitch!" pahabol pa nito.

Mabilis akong lumingon at nagsalita, "Yes, I am. So, know your place, weakling."

Nilibot ko ang tingin sa buong silid. I almost forgot na may kasama pala kami dito. I even forgot that I am soaking wet with freaking stinky slime! Third and the other guy beside him were staring at me as if I'm a medium of an experiment or something. Genesis, on the other hand, nodded while grinning at me like how a father does to his daughter.

"Who exactly are you? A-and your power..." halos pabulong na tanong ni Snow na nagpupumilit pa rin na makatakas sa kapangyarihan ko.

Ngumiti ako ng napakatamis. Nakakamatay sa sobrang tamis.

"Me? I can control shadows, kill its owner, and become one." I held my chin up and smirked. "The one and only Aurora."