PROLOGUE

I WAS walking alone in the hallway of our college department when a group of three girls stood in my way. They were looking at me with anger and disgust on their eyes.

"Move," I ordered. "Don't stand in my way or you'll regret it."

They laughed, as if they heard a joke. Tinaasan nila ako ng kilay at pinameywangan. They stared at me like they are superior than me. One of them stepped forward and scanned my whole body from head to toe.

I remained calm. I don't want to cause any trouble. Ayokong sirain ang tiwalang ibinigay sa akin ni Mama. At isa pa, hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa school na ito kapag nagalit ako.

"I heard that Mark likes you," the girl in the middle stated. "But looking at you, he appears to have low standards when it comes to women."

"Tapos?" I replied in a monotonous voice.

I saw how her forehead creased. Pikon. Ano naman kasi ang pakialam ko sa lalaking sinasabi niya? At kung gusto niya ako, ano namang pakialam ko roon?

"It made me so proud that I dumped him," she added.

"Good for you." Naglakad na ako ulit pero napapikit ako sa inis nang marahas niyang hinablot ang braso ko. It did not hurt, pero nakakairita. Who does she think she is para gawin sa akin iyon?

"We are not done yet! Gusto pa naming ipamukha sa iyo kung gaano kam-"

"If you are really proud that you dumped that man who happens to like me, then why are you doing this to me?" putol ko sa sinasabi niya. "It seems like you did not dump him. He did dump you. And you just can't accept the fact that he chose me over you."

"Maxie, pinapamukha niya sa 'yo na mas maganda siya sa 'yo!" sulsol sa kaniya ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Your friends are right. Stop doing this, your just making yourself look pathetic. At para sa ikakapanatag ng loob mo, I don't even know that man you're talking about," bored kong sambit. I am starting to get pissed, pero pinapakalma ko lang ang sarili ko. "And please, bago pa ako tuluyang mainis, let me go."

"What did you just say?" she exclaimed. "How dare you say that!"

"I will not repeat myself anymore. Excuse me."

Muli niyang hinablot ang kamay ko at malakas ang sinampal. And there, she just hit the wrong nerve. Ito talaga ang ayaw na ayaw ko sa mga taong naninirahan sa mundong ito. Masyadong mababaw. At ang malas lang nila dahil mababaw din ako. I have low tolerance when it comes to situation like this.

Kinuyom ko ang kamay ko bago nagsimulang gumuhit sa sahig na kinatatayuan ko ang isang kulay itim na linya hanggang sa maging isa itong magic circle.

"Oh my god!"

"A monster!"

Unti-unting yumanig ang buong gusali. I can hear the screams of the people around, lalong-lalo na ang tatlong babaeng nasa harap ko. Walang emosyon ko silang pinagmasdan. How lovely. How lovely to see such pathetic dumbasses screaming at the top of their lungs.

The light that my magic circle emits turned brighter, making the quake stronger and stronger. I can hear the shattering of glasses, breaking of the ceiling, and debris hitting the ground. At nang makalabas ako ay tuluyan na ngang gumuho ang building na pinanggalingan ko.

Such a weak foundation. Ni hindi ko nga ginamit ang buong lakas ko, e.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at tinawagan si Mama. Ilang ring pa lang ay sinagot na niya ito. "Hello, 'Ma. We have a problem. Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. I destroyed our college building."

Kaagad kong pinatay ang cellphone ko bago ko pa marinig ang galit na boses ni Mama.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa building. Looks like I killed a lot of people and destroyed a million-worth property.

Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na si Mama. She's wearing a corporate attire. Well, just so you know, she's working as a secret agent.

"What have you done, Cassy?!"

"As usual."

Huminga siya nang malalim bago kinuha sa bag niya ang natitirang scroll na naglalaman ng spell na kayang ibalik sa dati ang anumang nasirang bagay na dulot ng paggamit ng mana. Maging ang buhay na nawala ay kaya rin nitong ibalik, but it's limited to powerless creatures only. It also erases the memory of the revived creatures on the day where he or she died. Amazing right?

"This is the last scroll, Cassy. I can no longer restore what you're going to destroy in the future!" singhal sa akin ni Mama. "I can't let you stay here anymore. I'll send you back to Phantasm. You'll continue your studies at Holy Grail Academy," she added as she handed me a blood ruby. "You'll need it for your daily living," she informed as a white circular light appeared to where I am standing. And in an instant, naging isa itong portal at tuluyan na nga akong nilamon.

She did not even let me bid goodbye. What a great mother.