Light and Shadow 24: Gossip and Glares“The light ability bestowed upon him by the Deity of Light, God Sidis, is still unknown—actually, not just his, but also his brother’s, the second imperial prince. Their elemental abilities aren’t publicly known, but one thing is for sure: their elemental abilities are rare, too,” she shrugged, taking another bite of her steak. Tumango ako habang napapa-isip kung ano ang pwedeng dahilan kung bakit hindi ‘yon alam ng nakararami.“Maybe their abilities are so rare that it’s not just the Shadowfells would go after them, but also even their own people,” I mused aloud. Mula sa gilid ng aking mata ay nakita kong natigilan si Ingrid kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.Nakakunot ang kaniyang nuo at tila sang-ayon din sa sinabi ko. “Hmmm… siguro…” saad niya na tila mayroong malalim na iniisip.Napailing na lamang ako ng palihim bago tinapos ang pagkain at maya-maya pa ay gano’n din si Ingrid. Wala nang laman ang mga pinggan namin nang biglang nagliwanag ang bu
Light and Shadow 23: The Academy’s Pride“Uhm, Ingrid, what exactly do you mean by the Alphas having already achieved so much even though they’re still students like us?” I couldn’t help but ask, my curiosity piqued as we continued eating.Tumigil naman siya saglit sa pagkain at umakto pang nag-iisip. “Hmmm… that’s because their group is already considered the Luminous Realm’s heroes! The academy’s pride! They fought even the strongest Shadowfells and purified some of the lands they corrupted before! As in sila lang ang kayang makipag-one on one sa mga kalaban!” she answered, a hint of admiration in her voice. “Well, that was before the Shadowfells became even stronger,” she added, her tone dropping so low I almost didn’t catch it.“Gano’n sila kalakas?” Mahina ko ring tanong na ikinatango naman niya.“You see, our elements have different power levels depending on the amount of mana you possess, and the Alphas have exceptionally higher mana levels, therefore, their elements are on a h
Light and Shadow 22: Powerful Auras in the Dining HallNakaupo na ang mga estudyante ro’n na pareho namin ni Ingrid na nakasuot lang din ng simpleng damit. I also noticed there was also a second floor but they were like balconies with stone railings at sa dulo ay ang hagdan.Since the second floor was like balconies, above us, I saw that the high ceiling was made of glass, offering a breathtaking view of the starlit night sky. The left side of the hall featured three huge, intricately designed windows.And a long each wall hung a long banner bearing the academy’s emblem, cascading down from the high ceiling. Hinila naman ako ni Ingrid papunta sa pinapa-dulo kung na saan ang pangalawang malaking bintana at do’n kami umupo.Dito kasi sa dulo ay hindi long tables na maraming upuan ang naka-pwesto, kung ‘di tig-iisang table for four seats. Ito na lang din kasi ang available kaya wala kaming choice. Habang sa tapat nang unang malaking bintana ay isang medyo mahabang table na mayroong sampu
Light and Shadow 21: First Dinner at the Academy“And spoiled brats, too,” dagdag pa niya. “Hindi lang ako ang binu-bully nila. Since those two are members of Betas, the second rank in the academy’s hierarchy, it gives them the nerve to act like that. Their elemental powers and guardians are both high-level, which is certainly considered a strong attribute. It also makes them think very highly of themselves, especially since it’s difficult to achieve their rank.” She said, her voice dripping with distaste.“Honestly, they don’t deserve that rank. Tormenting the students simply because they consider them beneath them is pathetic,” inis kong wika. “If they’re acting like this inside the academy, what more outside. And how come the academy lets those bullies get away with it? Especially with you,” I said, my annoyance growing even more. “You told me you’re the daughter of an Archduke, yet you haven’t even considered telling your parents about this? Sigurado naman akong kapag sinabi mo sa
Light and Shadow 20: The Weight of Knowing“That’s why you have to keep it a secret for now that you hold that amount of power—not just from the Shadowfells, but from everyone,” she urged, her eyes pleading with me to understand the gravity of the situation.“Gano’n ba kadelikado ang sitwasyon ko ngayon?” Hindi ko mapigilang tanong at alam kong nahalata na niya ang kabang nararamdaman ko.Hinawakan naman niya ang kamay kong nanlalamig bago ako sinagot, “I don’t want to scare you, but yes. You see, the ‘Solaris Council’ are becoming desperate in their search for those they believe can save us from the Shadowfells,” she explained, her tone laced with a hint of worry. “The Councils might be quiet about it, but there are rumors that the Shadowfells has grown stronger. Nasakop na rin nila ang maliliit na lugar ng mga kaharian at kahit ang pinaka-malakas na light wielder—idagdag pa ang mga Imperial Royalty na may divine power ay hindi ma-purify ang mga lugar na ‘yon.”“Can’t I just try and
Light and Shadow 19: Element of Light’s Lost Ability“Uhm… hindi ba normal ‘yon…?” May pag-aalinlangan kong tanong.Bumuntong-hininga naman si Ingrid bago sumagot, “You are a rare case, Hope. Because, as far as I know, someone like you would be able to see deep within a person through their elemental auras. It won’t just let you determine if they are powerful or not, but also to perceive their truth,” she answered, her gaze holding a mixture of awe and concern.Nakakunot pa rin ang nuo ko dahil hindi ko pa rin maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin. Narinig ko naman siyang bumuntong-hininga bago tumabi sa akin. “Alam kong naguguluhan ka, at pasensya ka na dahil hindi ko masasagot ang lahat ng katanungan mo. Because honestly, that kind of ability is incredibly rare—no, it’s truly the rarest among the rare abilities that light wielders could possess. That’s why your specific ability hasn’t been explored extensively, and we only have limited information about it. It was like a lost ability