Chapter 08- Entrance Exam Part 1

After training for a bit, I’ve decided to take a break. I don’t want to overdo myself again, mahirap na, bukas na ang entrance exam.

My first week here kanila lola was pretty tiring to think of, and definitely a disastrous time.

Unang linggo ko palang pero andami ko na agad napasok na gulo. Muntik pa akong makulong habang buhay, jusko.

Wala si lolo ngayon kaya wala akong mentor sa pagt-train. I doubt lola would know the techniques of this ability din.

Speaking of, I haven’t asked what’s her ability pa ‘no? Mystery pa ‘to sa ‘kin. I’ll ask her later about that.

For the past 1 day, I’ve been trying to control my ability when attacking. It’s a technique called ‘Phrone’. Ngayon ko lang din nalaman na dugo ko pala ang ginagamit ko kapag ginagamit ko ang technique na ‘yan. It sounded crazy to me at first, pero it made sense kasi itim ang lumabas na dugo ko noong nasugatan ako while nakikipag-switch sa ability ko.

I have already mastered it for about 40%. Not my ability, but that technique. I still have a long way to go, but what matters the most is may progress na ‘ko.

Lolo also enlightened me sa kung ano ang effects ng attack na ‘to such as Immobility, it can stop someone’s ability to move. Irve, it can stop one’s heart by saying that word, kinda OP, pero malakas ang impact sa ‘kin kapag ginamit ko ‘yan. And lastly, Yeal, it can suck out your ability. Yeal is the hardest effect to use. It’ll probably take me years just to master its effect.

The other and last technique lolo said to me was switch with our ability, with our full control and consciousness. Which is the hardest to do. And my weak-ass self still need to train myself para lang magamit ko ‘yon, probably would take me years too para aralin.

Andami ko pang kailangang aralin. But I think the Academy would be a big help, if ever makapasok man ako.

Pumasok na 'ko sa loob ng bahay at nakita si lola na nagb-bake ng cupcakes.

Kukuha na sana ako nang biglang pinalo ni lola ang kamay ko. "Mainit pa!"

Napahagikgik naman ako dahil biglang kumunot ang noo niya.

I sat down at the living room and took out a book that I bought from the stationary store. It was the history of Quire Academy.

I wanted to skim through its history, para kahit papaano may alam ako about sa papasukan ko. Plus, baka written exam about sa history ng academy ang entrance exam. Mas better kung ready rin ako para do'n.

The title of the book was 'Ιστορία de Ἀκαδημία'.

Sounds weird, looks weird, but I somehow managed to read it.

Its first page was about the founder.

AND THE FOUNDER WAS:

VIVIAN MORIANA!? 

What the fuck? 

I hurriedly went upstairs to my room to get the book my papa gave me.

"VIAN! HUWAG TUMAKBO BAKA MADAPA KA!" Paalala ni lola. "Sorry po!"

After taking it, I went downstairs ulit at bumalik sa inupuan ko sa sofa. 

"Our deepest respect and gratitude is expressed to our Founder, Vivian Moriana, The First Woman to lead the empire. The First Woman to build an academy."

I looked into the "Book of Wisdom & Prophecy". And looked at the pages.

Parehas na parehas ang pangalan pati ang description ni Vivian Moriana.

But what the hell is an empire? I don't get it.

"Lola, do you know Vivian Moriana?" I paused, then looked at lola, assembling the cupcakes, "She's the founder of Quire Academy. And the first woman to lead the empire. But what's an empire? I mean, we're covered by the government po 'di ba? Like president?"

Kita ko ang pag-tigil ni Lola sa ginagawa niya, "Ah, eh hindi ko rin alam 'yan, apo. Pasensya ka na ha."

Tumango nalang ako, "It's okay po."

I don't know kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito, but I know for a fact that there's more to know about this.

Itinabi ko na 'yung libro tungkol sa history ng academy sa book shelf malapit sa 'kin, mamaya ko nalang itutuloy ang pagbabasa do'n. 'Yung Book of Wisdom naman ay ibinalik ko sa kwarto ko.

"Vexiyana oh, halika, kain ka na dito." Lola called for me, I automatically walked to her and reached out for a cupcake.

Chocolate cupcake siya na may blue frosting.

I took a bite and my eyes immediately rounded, "La, ang sarap naman nito! Pwede ibenta!" 

Sinundot niya ang tagiliran ko, "Sus, bolera!"

"Seryoso po. Ay siya nga pala Lola. Ano po pala ang ability niyo? Kay lolo palang po kasi ang alam ko since parehas kami ng ability." Tanong ko, nac-curious na talaga ako. Hindi ko rin naman kasi sila nakikitang ginagamit ability nila.

Umupo si lola sa upuan sa dining area, umupo ako sa tapat niya habang bitbit 'yung isang tray ng cupcake tsaka tubig.

"My ability? I can do telepathy and this." She lifted up her right hand and placed it in front.

Umalis ako sa inuupuan ko just in case, baka masaktan ako sa ability niya.

I was amazed to see her ability. It was a portal.

Oh, that's probably how they sent me the paper na naglalaman ng address nila.

That was cool.

"The cons of this ability ay 5 portals lang ang kaya kong gawin sa loob ng 24 hours, at 30 minutes ko lang sila kayang palabasin."

"Cool! May dalawa kang ability, La!" I said, amazed.

She laughed, "Malay mo, dalawa rin iyo." 

--

It's already night time, at excited na 'ko dahil bukas na ang entrance exam. Ano kaya ang dapat kong suotin? Ano kaya ang first impression ko sa Academy? Makakapasa kaya ako?

Those were the questions that was lingering on my mind for about an hour.

Hindi ako makatulog dahil sa sobrang ka-excitedan ko. 

So, I've decided to pack the necessary things to bring tomorrow.

Excited ako, at the same time, kabado.

I went out of my bed and kinuha 'yung paper bags na naglalaman ng mga binili ko.

The first bag was my clothes. 

"What should I wear?" Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

I lifted a sweater out, kulay white siya. Pwede na 'to, papartneran ko nalang ng itim na short, tapos converse na puti.

Wala naman sigurong dress codes? 'No?

Whatever.

Inilagay ko sa hanger 'yung susuotin ko bukas.

Someone knocked on my door, "Vian?"

Si lolo.

"Tuloy po kayo, Lo." 

He entered my room, holding a glass of milk, and a bag?

"Inumin mo, apo. Buti nalang gising ka pa." He gave me the milk.

I took it, mainit pa siya. 

Lolo sat on the sofa beside my bed, "Ito pala. Vian, bag mo." He handed out the black backpack. 

May embroided na V sa front nito, tapos may nakapalibot sa V na ugat na may torns. Customized yata 'to.

May keychain sa malaking zipper. Kulay puti ito, bola siya na may puting fur. 

"Thank you po. Tamang-tama po, 'di po ako nakabili ng bag nung namili kami ni Lola."

He smiled, "Goodluck bukas, apo. I know malalampasan mo ang entrance exam. Mag-ayos ka muna diyan at matulog na ha?" Tumango ako, "Goodnight po." 

Umalis na si lolo. Binuksan ko 'yung iba pang paper bags.

Kinuha ko 'yung backpack na ibinigay ni lolo. Inilagay ko muna sa desk ko.

'Yung maliit na bag lang muna ang dadalhin ko, since hindi pa naman ako papasok, I mean, 'di pa sure.

Inilagay ko sa crotched bag ko na gawa ni mama ang 2 lapis, 2 ballpen, 1 notebook, at eraser. In case written exam.

Naglagay din ako ng towel, at extra shirt sa loob ng bag, in case outdoor activities ang gagawin.

I'm all prepped.

Inubos ko na rin 'yung gatas na bigay ni Lolo at inilapag sa desk ko.

After that I tucked myself in my comforter. Malamig kasi sa kwarto ko dahil may aircon. Medyo naga-adjust pa nga ako dahil hindi ako sanay na may aircon sa tutulugan.

Anyways, good night!

--

"OH GOD." I blurted out as soon as I woke up.

LATE NA BA 'KO?

PERO WAIT.

Ang ganda ganda ng gising ko ngayon, ni-hindi ko pansin ang pagpaparamdam ng ability ko. Mukhang nakikisama sa araw na 'to ah? Behave!

I looked at the clock at the top of the door. 5:30 AM na. I need to start preparing. 7:00 ang start ng entrance exam.

I washed my face and nag-toothbrush bago bumaba. Mamaya na 'ko maliligo after kumain.

I'm still on my PJs habang pababa. Napahikab pa 'ko. 

"Good morning, Lola! Lolo!" I cheerfully yelled.

"Hmm.. Good mood ang apo ko ah." Lolo said before drinking his coffee.

I smiled, "Yes, Lo! I'll aim for passing the exam!" 

Lumapit na 'ko sa kanila, tinulungan ko si Lola kunin 'yung mga plato, baso, kutsara at tinidor.

"Hernes, ihatid mo itong si Vexyiana ha?" Paalala ni Lola. 

Nag-thumbs up naman si Lolo bilang sagot. 

Ang breakfast for today is Bacon and Sunny-side up egg, tsaka fried rice. Dapat pala mas inagahan ko gising para ako na nagluto ng agahan, para may maitulong ako kahit sa pagluluto man lang.

Marunong akong magluto, tinuruan ako ni mama noon. Ako rin kasi ang nagluluto ng ulam ko whenever need ni mama pumasok nang maaga.

I quickly ate my food and drank milk. Then umakyat para maligo.

--

I took a refreshing 40-minute bath. It's currently 6:10, hindi ko kailangang magmadali.

I wore the clothes I picked last night. 

Pagkatapos ay pinatuyo ko ang buhok ko using my body towel. Kinuskos ko lang nang kinuskos. May blower dito, pero 'di ko alam pa'no gamitin.

Before ako matapos mag-ayos, I took the Book of Wisdom and looked at the last page. Hoping something was written on it.

And to my surprise, mayroon ngang nakasulat doon.

'GOODLUCK. YOU CAN DO IT!'

Napangiti ako. Na-imagine kong sila mama at papa ang nagsabi sa 'kin niyan.

Haaa... I hope you're both okay. Wait for me, Mama and Papa.