MALAIKA and Yulli explored the capital city unguarded. They left Xoxo at home to guard the house for a possible burglary. The magical creature seemed comfortable in their new home.As the two strolled into Baraf, they were surprised that a lot of elves had recognized them. Unfortunately, most immediately distanced themselves as if they carried a contagious disease. “This saddens me. Despite our good performance during the festival, they still looked at us as low-class shapeshifters. Perhaps, our dreams of equality would take a long way to achieve.”“Don’t mind them, you so won’t get stressed.” Yulli suddenly paused.Malaika frowned and lost her vigor to keep going.“Come here.” He pulled her closer and grabbed his black handkerchief. “Let me cover your face so we can enjoy our tour.” Malaika looked up and met his gaze. Yulli slowly tied the cloth behind her head. She could feel his breath damping her cheeks. It had been a while since she felt discomfort because of him. Yulli’s aroma
THE SEAMSTRESS arrived after an hour. She was a plump middle-aged elf that looked friendly. She went in as if the house belonged to her.“Hello! You’re here, at last. I’m Tamni.” She looked around. “Where’s your kid? I can’t believe you will leave her unattended. Is that a common practice in Hala?”Malaika and Yulli looked at each other. And as if on cue, Xoxo came over in her child form, yawning.“You mean her?” Malaika turned to Xoxo. The shifters heartily laughed. “Don’t get us wrong, Miss Tamni. That’s Xoxo, my magical creature. Believe it or not, but she used to be an axolotl.”“Oh,” Tamni gasped, looking amazed. “I think she is a cute little human.”“Sure, she is. But please, don’t indulge her by giving her so much chocolate. She might not want to be back in her animal form.”“I’ll bear that in my mind.” Tamni winked at Xoxo. While the magical creature mischievously smirked as if there were unspoken words between their glances.Tamni got her tape measure from the satchel she had
MALAIKA stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror, wearing the uniform that Tamni had made. She turned around as the soft fabrics twirled. The Colegio Maxica’s uniform for females was a royal blue knee-length robe with silver lining on the collar and sleeves. The intricate insignia of Axum was embroidered on the arm, while a swirling crest was pinned on the chest. And they could be determined by the class they were in based on the color of the swirls. For Malaika, it was green.“You look good in your uniform, princess.” Xoxo in her child form suddenly popped in. The kid was still yawning as if tired.“I’ll take that as a compliment, Xoxo. But please, go back to your smaller form.”“Later,” the magical creature yawned again.Malaika heaved a sigh. She had no idea that she’d be babysitting her magical creature. When she peeked at Xoxo, Malaika shook her head to see the child again filling herself with chocolate cake. “Enough sweets, Xoxo. That’s probably the reason your body i
“EVERYONE, attention! Once your name is called. Please proceed to the stage,” Professor Prife announced. Malaika and Yulli observed how the Reception was done. The headmaster cast a spell creating three medium-sized ice tables. While the remaining professors simultaneously made translucent magic circles at each table. At the same time, the headmaster’s assistants put four glasses each on top.Malaika studied each glass, and she asked Niusa about it. “The glasses represent the four classes of water affinity, right?”“You got it, princess. We will cast our energy to the glasses, and it will determine our water-type magic.”“I understand,” she nodded. Malaika got a grasp of the so-called Reception. When the students were called, they stood before the table facing the crowd. The headmaster would give a signal for them to start, and the other professors oversaw each table to ensure everyone’s safety. The first glass contained contaminated water, the second had circulating water vapor, t
MALAIKA woke up at the school’s infirmary. Xoxo was lying on her chest as if listening to her heartbeat in its axolotl form.“I’m okay, Xoxo,” she whispered. Malaika immediately noticed Yulli having a serious conversation with the headmaster a meter away from her.“Professor Prife…”The headmaster checked on her. “She’s finally awake.”“Princess, are you all right?” Yulli stepped closer and held her forehead to feel her temperature. “Thank the goddess. You are not chilling anymore.”Malaika got up, massaging her temple because she could still feel her throbbing head. She wondered why her body could not withstand that magic, considering it didn’t consume much mana.She suddenly heard Xoxo’s voice in her mind.“Your body could not withstand it anymore, Princess. The more you use magic, your mana will be drained. That is why you need to learn back to the basics and find out how your body can sustain….”Malaika ignored Xoxo’s words. She’d talk to her magical creature once they reached the
IN THE main village of Hala, General Iljun gathered the high-ranking officials of the army. They were inside his private residence to ensure this meeting would not get much attention from the elders.It took him a while to return from patrolling the borders since the tension of the uprising had not subsided. A lot of elves tried to sneak in, and worse, the villages near the boundary almost got into trouble if their presence weren’t there.“I was investigating the uprising lately with the help of Rikrus...” General Ijun stood before a large board where a map of Virina. His visitor’s hall was massive enough to accommodate everyone.Alleki and Valin were facing each other in the front, where a huge rectangular wooden table was at the center. All the halan delegates who participated in the Aqua Festival were also present since they were promoted as unit heads for their respective squads.Everyone listened as the general spoke. “Some of you may not know, but I’ve been doing reconnaissance
ZUYESH was suddenly distracted when Alila, his maidservant, ran towards him as if there were an emergency.“What’s the matter, Alila?”“The fox patriarch is here to see you, Chief.” She averted her gaze.The chieftain smiled. “Let him in. Why do you look bothered?”“Nothing, Chief. Excuse me.” Alila scurried to the main entrance and let the visitor come to see their chieftain.“Raev!” Zuyesh stood as the fox patriarch gave him a Halan salute. “Please have a seat. What brought you here?”“As much as I want to enjoy a chat with you, I came here to warn you about Lazir. He is currently gathering the council of elders. The main village is stirred right now.” Raev took a deep breath.“Why? Something wrong?” The line in the chief’s forehead deepened.“Lazir wanted a Hafukana.”“Hafukana?!” The chieftain’s jaw dropped, but he immediately grasped the situation. “It seemed Lazir found the perfect reason to challenge me. I have to accept it despite the dangers of the Hafukana.”“He already knew
THE HALAN army guarding the perimeter prepared themselves, knowing that the two fighters were among the strongest. They were aware that the current chieftain possessed a destructive power once he turned to his animal form. Lazir aggressively attacked the chief using his two swords, which Zuyesh effortlessly blocked. Both were swift, and ordinary human eyes could not follow their movements. Their weapons clashed and gleamed under the late afternoon sun. Despite their old age, they were so agile that they could match the young ones.After showcasing their swordsmanship, both paused and maintained a distance while preparing for another strike. They were warming up, but it was evident that Lazir was eager to win.“Why don’t you transform, Chief?” Lazir urged.“I don’t see the need. Let’s finish this quick!” Zuyesh charged toward his opponent. He moved like the wind despite his huge physique. Although Lazir was quick to catch up, the chieftain succeeded with his blade slightly slicing the