Chapter Four: Gaearandys Academe of White Mahó Entrance Exam (2)

Hah! At last I've capture them, now I've secured my poi--- what was that? My vision began to dim, slowly until it was completely gone. I blinked rapidly and I regained my sight back but all I could see now is a radiant black light like those colorful Tinkers but this one is, oh, it's the black tinker, the strong one. I guess I became its victim. I should probably be panicking right now but for some reason I don't feel anxious or scared.

"Listarte" A voice that seems so distant echoed in my ear.

Who's there? I asked.

"You have showed great power," it said on an approving tone. I even imagined the voice nodding.

What do you mean? And who are you? 

“I am the guardian of these Tinkers; some calls me the Great Tinker. I have come to meet you my dear"

What, what do you need from me? 

"I do not need anything from you dear Lista, I have come to pay respect and to warn you of the foreboding danger. You shall prepare yourself the descent is near. Be alert dear Lista, they are coming" 

The calm distant voice started to fade and I started to hear the noise in my surroundings. I’m lying on the ground? Gosh. Did I faint? I quickly stood up and realized that there are people circling me. 

"Are you okay Lady?" asked a little boy. He was around the age of seven.

"You were amazing!" He added with twinkling eyes. I was amazing? I looked around and saw a student of the Academe check if there are any injured participants. The first test was already done. I guess I fainted after I saw that black tinker. I smiled at the boy.

"Yes I’m--

“MORÍA!” shouted someone. From the crowd I saw a very familiar face; panting and covered in sweat was Johann. 

"Moria are you hurt?! " he asked with a worried face. It was cute. 

"Johann, are you okay?" I asked back as he was panting hard.

"What are you talking about? You're the one who's injured!" he shouted in a low voice as he pointed my arm. I noticed there was a bandage on it

"Oh this?" I glanced at my arm.

 "I think I got it from the fall but I'm definitely okay" I said and looked around for the person who healed me but I only saw the back of the child I saw when I woke up. I glanced at Johann and his face was still laced with worry. It looked like any minute from now he would begin to blame himself.

"Hey Johann, I'm okay.  I’m strong you know" I patted his cheek twice as I returned his words a few days ago assuring him that I was okay. He just doesn’t stop worrying. 

"Okay, let's talk again later, the next test will start soon. Are you sure you could continue? You can stop Moria. Hey, why are you smiling?" his brows definitely just met I cannot help but giggle. Johann is just too cute. 

"This is no big deal I promise. Okay, let's talk again later" he reluctantly walked back to the benches massaging his temples. Johann was still on his usual outfit, his black suit and white gloves. His ashen gray hair’s blue parallel linings that glints whenever it meets the sun’s rays and hidden in his spectacles were his sharp scarlet eyes that made him look endearing.  

When Johann reached the benches, the announcer began announcing the results of the first test.

"Wizlings, I have here in my hand the list of the people who have qualified for the next test. I believe all examinees are safe. Those who have been injured have been treated so we have nothing to worry about. The examinee that aced this test is, ladies and gents let us raise our wands and staffs to, Ms. Listarte Moria Graciana! She has gained 70 points! Catching 60 green Tinkers and one black Tinker" 

The stadium was filled with applauses as I was guided to the stage together with two other examinees. 

"Together with these two young lads, Ms. Antonella Locke which is our third placer and Mr. Luther Grucius Orien our second placer, earning 47 and 55 points consecutively, let us once again congratulate them. These three mahò users will proceed to the next round together with all the participants who captured at least 30 points. Now without further ado, let the artificial dimension change and witness the second test unfold before your eyes!”

The space inside the stadium distorted once again. The scenery changed into a mini forest with a huge lake. This scenery was quite familiar.

“Participants, you are now inside an artificial Lake of Masks, I understand that you all know what this means? Yes! You lot will undergo the challenge of the Empousai. Conquer the illusions these Empousai’s throw at you in 10 minutes. Those who can break free within the time limit shall welcome a year of adventure in the Gaearandys Academe of White Mahò!”

“May the blessings of the sacred tree, Gaearandys be with you,” the public information officer ended.  So the test was like this. Everyone around Llfhame knows the treacherous Lake of Masks; it was pullulated with Empousais. On frequent situations they are harmless, but they love to make fun of people using illusions. And when you fail to get out of these illusions you will find yourself drowning in the lake.

The artificial lake spread towards the remaining participants. At first the water was on ankle level but on a second it was nearing my waist. I was about to go to ground when a slimy hand grabbed my foot and I found myself submerged into the water. Underwater I saw an Empousai; it looked like what the book I have once read described. Half wizling, half fish. They’re skin is slimy and had scales all over their lower body. They are adorned with jewels which they love the most. The Empousai held my arms and loomed closer to me. Its long greenish black hair circled around my body and my mind went black.

I opened my eyes and found myself in the flower field outside the Willow. The flowers were in bloom and crystal blue butterflies fluttered around. I reached out my finger and one of them landed on it. I smiled and raise my hand to let it hover again. I outstretched my palm and looked up in the sun with squinting eyes.

“You’re here early,” a voice called out from behind. 

I turned around and saw a man wearing unusual clothes. Though I have not seen it before, it looked like a battle suit. His black cape was deliberately cut into two and I saw the crescent moon orbited by a gale of wind emblem as it flapped with the breeze. The man’s face was blurred in my eyes. I wanted to ask who he was, but my body moved on its own, I ran towards the man, it was then that I noticed the clothes I was wearing. It was a long white gown that nearly touches the ground but as if there was air beneath my feet the hem of the gown fluttered around my ankles, it was tightly hugging my chest but was backless and the scarf like fabric hovered around my body.

My body hugged the man, my arms circled in his neck and I buried my face in his shoulders.

“We need to go to them now.” I said. I was still not in control of my own body and I haven’t got any idea what I was talking about. But the man’s face was slowly getting clearer. The fog was completely washed away and Johannes’ face greeted my eyes.

“Can’t we just stay here? You’ll be safer here,” he said

“But they will die!” I exclaimed.

“Let them be,” Johannes said nonchalantly.

 Although I don’t know what we were talking about I was grieved by Johannes answer. Disregarding lives so easily was not his character. I know he was not Johann. I attempted to break free from his embrace but he clutched my back tighter. Struggling I brought back my control over my body. I forcefully pushed and when I succeeded the entire scenery changed. The surroundings were pitched black the air was thick and I smelled something pungent. When I looked down I was horrified with the scene under my feet. Standing in a pile of bodies my white gown was soaked in red. In my hands were dry blood and a worn out wand. Bile rose from my throat, the hot sensation in my body was uncomfortable. My ears were filled with creepy cries and hysterical screams; it was as if the voices were delirious. 

“I told you to stay in the Willows.” A voice called out from the bottom of the piles of dead bodies. I looked down and saw the man with Johann’s face. His face was shrouded with contempt and anger. I shook my head, ready to deny the atrocious act I currently displayed.

“Look at what you have done, you killed all of them,” he shouted. The scene changed once again and it was horrifying than ever. Standing close to me was Johann, my hands were in his stomach holding a knife. My hands were sticky with blood and my eyes were filled with tears. I quickly broke hold of the knife and stepped backwards.  I began to shake my head violently.

“Kill me Lista. Save yourself.” he said helplessly. This was all wrong.

“I—I can’t, no, no please” I cried. My hands were trembling and my body was shaking. Suddenly I heard a piercing laugh. Johann was laughing evilly.

“I know! I know you can’t kill this man.” I looked at him with confused eyes.

“But if you don’t kill him you can’t live, would you rather die instead?” Johann said, or rather the man with Johann’s face said. What is happening?

“Kill me Lista,” the look in his face changed once again. It was the helpless’ Johann’s face again. My heart started to ache this is so cruel. How could I even attempt to kill Johann? Again his eyes changed.

“If you don’t kill any one of you, then I will kill this vessel,” the creepy voice said. Does he mean I should die if I don’t want to kill Johann? If I choose not to kill Johann or myself, he will kill Johann. This is crazy.  The end product is the same. Johann would end up dead.

I cleared my head and gathered my strength to stand straight. I picked up the knife and positioned it in my chest, ready to stab myself.

“No, don’t,” the helpless Johann said. I smile painfully and moved the knife closer. Only an inch far, I saw a glimpsed of the helpless Johann. In his face was a trace of mocking smile. I changed the trajectory of the knife piercing his heart instead of mine. It was painful watching his expression. It was with no doubt the face of the man I have been friends with for quite a long time now. But I was also certain that it was not him. Johann would never disregard life. He would never blame anyone. And he only calls me Moria.

“Johann would never call me Lista, you bitch”

I gasped for air; my body was heavy and soaked with water. I saw the Empousai swimming farther away leaving only the ripples of water from where it swam. I heard the crowds applaud and the public information officer’s cry.

“Ladies and gentleman let us applause for our second qualifier and now an official student of the Gaearandys Academe of White Mahò, Miss Listarte Moria Graciana!”