ANOTHER day has gone by and as usual, the tower is as boring as ever. I feel like I'm being imprisoned in a sense of endless peace. Peace is not the best thing for me, and will never be. I prefer being chaotic. Chaos means death, and death... is my expertise.
Nakakabagot na magmukmok sa kwarto araw-araw. It has been three days and geez, my hands are itching to do things! Things that mages aren't allowed to do.
I have been toured around the whole campus and Shaye was the one who accompanied me. It was my request, for I don't like Caelum's presence. He's too conceited just because he's the head council and the king's nephew! As Shaye said, classes will start three days from now. That means, sooner, I'll be sitting in my assigned seat, listening to some typically boring discussion.
I let out a huge sigh. Tumalikod ako sa bintana at sumandal dito. Tumingala ako sa kabilang pader ng aking kwarto. My eyes loc
A blinding light greeted me as I opened my eyes. Seemingly whirls of visible wind crossed on my forehead, leaving my vision fuzzy. Kinusot ko ang aking mga mata at mabilis na tumayo. After doing what's need to be done, walang emosyon kong tinahak ang kusina. "You're here," bungad sa 'kin ng mayabang na head council at masama akong tinignan. I rolled my eyes. "Obviously." Sinuklay ko ang aking buhok gamit ang aking kamay at uupo na sana sa hapag kainan nang may nagsalita na naman. "Good morning, Ara! How's my girl's sleep?" Mabilis kong hinila at inikot ang braso ni Genesis bago pa man niya ako maakbayan. He screamed in pain but I was taken aback when he turned and pulled me closer. Dahil dito ay nasubsob ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya. Fuck this flirty man! "Yuck, Genesis! Get a room!" matinis na sigaw ng boses na hindi pamilyar sa akin. I quickly pulled myself off Genesis' grip and glanced at the wom
WILL AND POWER are the weapons of every warrior— swords, magic, wit — but too much power is poisonous. It does not guarantee you an instant death but rather lingers into your veins, not leaving every part of your soul untouched, and drowns you with it. Greed and cruelty. I shifted sideways on my bed, avoiding the questioning look on Shaye's face beside me. Her brown eyebrows were creased just as her lips curled to form a slight pout. "What happened?" she asked. I titled my head and signalled her to go out. Paulit-ulit naman siyang umiling at umusog papalapit sa higaan ko. "Hindi ako aalis dito hangga't hindi mo sinasabi kung ano talaga ang nangyari," pagmamatigas niya. Umiwas ako ng tingin at humugot ng malalim na hininga. "You're being nosy again, Shaye." "I don't care," mabilis niyang sagot. "I need to know how and where you got all these burns!" Napairap ako sa kawalan.
STUPID things do happen and it does everyday. Just like this stupid Hugo pointing his filthy finger at me.I dashed towards the uncrowded part of the forest, still in my shadow form. Hugo may have noticed it, he sprung his legs forward to ran after me. I accelerated and was about to reach the small hole where I entered when he shrieked a faint yell.As though the gravity pulled me heavier than others, I thudded against the dry leaves on the ground, now back on being solid human. I looked up, wide-eyed, at Hugo who was wearing an annoying grin on his terribly chiseled face."Hello there, lady," he said, lifting his feet to my spot. "Hindi ka na makakatakas dito."Kapwa silang napaatras habang nanlaki ang mga mata nang mabilis akong tumayo at pinagpagan ang sarili."I don't think so, mister," I smirked at the sight of the panic across their faces. 
THE FAMILIAR scent of the academy's lawn greeted me as I stepped inside through the massive gate. Bitbit ang aking backpack, tinahak ko ang daan patungo sa opisina ni Boris. Walang masyadong estudyanteng pagala-gala ngayon dahil nga hindi pa opisyal na nagsisimula ang klase. Ngayon na nakabalik na ako sa akademya, hindi ko maiwasang madismaya sa sarili. It was my damn chance to kill that fucking king! All thanks to Mr Shawth. Masyadong pakialamero. He tailed the king wherever he goes and that was a total blow against my plan. "Oh hey, Ara!" Huminto ako at lumingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. "Nakabalik ka na pala," said Third, followed by Genesis whose shirt was unbuttoned, making a lot of girls squeal every time he passes. Feeling gwapo rin ang mayabang na 'to. "You're back," Genesis said while staring at me. Ngumisi siya at bahagyang tumagilid para ipakita ang nakabukas niyang butones. Napairap na lamang ako. Ano bang nakai
"Who are you?""Ara Belacour," I replied in a matter-of-fact tone.She grunted and picked herself up, pero hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pangangatog ng kanyang tuhod.Such a coward."I'm not stupid." She successfully managed to stand straight. "Sino ka?"Napairap ako at pinagkrus ang braso. "Are you deaf?"Demi slammed her stone goblet on the floor. Nilamon ng ingay nang pagbagsak nito ang kabuuan ng cafeteria, but what took me was how the floor where the goblet was slammed formed a slight crack. Gano'n ba kalakas ang kapangyarihan niya para masira pati ang sahig ng building na ito?The students weren't even surprised as much I am. They're probably used to seeing this woman pisses her ass off. How does throwing objects help one's anger, anyway?"Who's behind the Ara Belacour everyone is talking about?" she uttered. Her gaze sharpened. There was something in there that I could
I ALMOST JUMPED on the spot as the academy's bell suddenly rang. There was an eerie ding-dong filling the whole campus. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa mga pinto sa aking harapan.Should I—? I shook my head.This is not the right time for this.Not now that the bell had rung and the student councils will be roaming around to see other students skipping classes. Added the fact that everyone will suspect my absence.I shot a suspicious look at the smallest door and sighed, then I turned around, walking my way out of the eerie place. Bagsak ang balikat ko habang naglalakad pabalik sa aming silid-aralan. Students were passing by, walking along with me in the same direction. Some of them gave a second to stare at me weirdly while some did not mind at all.Another step and I reached the familiar door of the Arcane's classroom. My face was blank and stiff as I entered without knocking. Bumungad akin ang mga lukot n
"KEEP IT SILENT, ARA. Let's investigate in our own ways," Genesis' voice echoed in my head.Indeed, he knew— both of us knew... But how come? Imposible na hindi alam ni Boris ang mga nangyayari sa paaralan na 'to o kahit si Carwell man lang. There must be someone whose behind all these.There was a knock after knock on my bedroom's door, making me shook in surprise. I have been quite skittish these days, cautious perhaps, for some reason. Tahimik akong tumayo at pinagbuksan ang kumatok. Just as who I expected."Yes?" Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Shaye."Can we talk?""We're already talking," nayayamot kong sagot at umirap.She forced a smile. "I meant, talk — like in private. Just the two of us," she said.I lifted my shoulders in a shrug and let her in. She helped herself sit on my bed. Looking up to me, her face fell. "I don't think it's you who did it."I sniggered. "I don't c
The sky was starting to gloom when I reached the balcony of the Arcane tower. Carwell, who was looking like someone who eats hatred every minute, stared blanky at me. There was Genesis, too, who approach me with a wide smile. Estelle, Rhysan and the others were focused on reading their papers containing all the lists of clues or something that might help them solve the indicident that happened yesterday.I couldn't refrain myself from yawning. Kailan pa ba sila matatapos? Ano ba kasing naisip ni Boris at ginawa niya akong leader ng mga 'to? Dagdag lamang sila sa iisipin ko.Snow stood up, wearing her usual maldita look. Naglakad siya papalapit sa'kin at biglang inihagis ang bitbit niyang notebook. "Why don't you help us instead of yawning? You're the leader so act like one!""Snow, stop that," pagsingit ni Genesis. He looked at me worriedly but I couldn't care less.Third, who was sitting behind him, stood up. He held Snow's arm an