CHAPTER 2

“You’re early, Avy. It’s still three in the morning.” I exhaled before looking at Havoc who’s playing with his fire sword.

“I have no time to waste. I need to train harder.” I stretched my arms and continued punching and kicking the punching bag.

“I heard your application was already approved. Is it true?” Why are you even curious?

“Very true. That’s why I’m up early to train. I can’t lose there.” I need to aim high.

I heard his footsteps. He’s walking towards me. “When’s your schedule for transferring?” I watched him from my peripheral view; he’s swaying his sword smoothly, drawing a floating fireball or whatever it is.

“Next month. First week. That’s two weeks from now. Ha!” I kicked the punching bag and made a high-turning kick for the next move.

“The mansion wouldn’t be the same without you, Avy.”

“Don’t act like you’ll miss me, Havoc. You’re either banging someone in your room secretly or you’re outside partying and looking for someone to play with.” I stopped when he laughed so hard. I faced him and his face is…amused?

“Damn, lady. Your mouth is still blunt as ever. It’s much sharper than my sword.” He laughed again. “That’s partly true but, me banging someone in my room isn’t a secret anymore, wouldn’t you agree? You already know that information. Where’s the secret in that?”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m the only person who knows that. Don’t wait for Irina or Aunt Louisa to find out, Havoc. No one’s going to lock your door every time you do nasty things on that bed of yours once I’m gone.”

“Whoa! Lock? My door? Are you indirectly telling me that you’re peeking every time I play with some of my visitors?”

I cast a spell and threw him a big stone from behind which he immediately dodged using his sword. “Peek? You always leave your door slightly open. I have never even taken a look at your filthy… games, Havoc. Leave me alone, I’m trying to focus here.”

“You never failed to amuse me, Apharryll. How about some one-on-one fight? Something a bit serious.” I raised my brow at him. Serious, huh?

“We both know you have the upper hand if we are to fight right now. You are a melee user, I am a mage.”

“Will you be able to choose who to fight once you’re already in a battle? No? Fight me, I won’t fight you with all of my power neither I will fight you less of my ability. This is a fair battle.’

We both looked into each other with intense glares. Fair battle. On one point, he’s right. I can never choose my enemy. I may ran into a marksman, melee users, mage, monsters, a skilled combat warrior, anyone, I can never choose who will be my opponent once they attack me.

I lifted my head a bit before answering him, “Sword against sword or sword against magic?”

“Whatever you like, amore.” My lips twitched.

“Stop flirting with me, you’ll never be in between my legs.”

“You can’t tell that.” He smirked and started glowing the fire on his sword. I began wielding the sword I’ll use using my magic in just a few seconds, it appeared with glowing blue fire around it. I started heating up my body to increase my stamina. It is one of the things I learned while training with Master Hatsuke. Being a mage requires a different body temperature but mine was unique according to him. I need a higher temperature to prevent my power from consuming a  lot of my energy.

Havoc did the first move. He immediately closed the gap between us and I couldn’t deny that he’s fast. His facial expression tells me nothing more than he’s fighting me seriously. I am able to dodge his first attack but the next hits started to be much harder to dodge so I had to receive all of those using my sword.

The clanging of swords can be heard. Even though fighting him is a bit hard, I can’t deny that this is thrilling. It made my spirit alive as if this moment is building up my soul for fighting battles in the future.

“Is that everything you can give, Apharryll? I haven’t even used a quarter of my strength and power? Can’t believe you’re a weakling.”

Relax, Avy. Relax.

He pushed my sword using his sword that made me stumble and fall to the ground. He pointed the edge of his sword towards my neck, a symbol that I lost. “You’re weak, Avy.”

My chest is breathing heavily as I stare at him. Weak. I am no weak. I will never accept a defeat. Suddenly, my hearing becomes so clear, I can hear the sound of the birds, the roaring of the lions, the steps of the tiger, I can even hear the swirling of the wind. Havoc’s expression started to change, his smirk began to fade.

My body heat is increasing every second. I can feel my heartbeat getting stronger. The blue fire began glowing on my hand and my sword suddenly sharpened more. 

Words are coming out from my lips and then the next thing I knew, Aunt Louisa’s in front of me, shaking me repeatedly. She is mouthing something I could not understand. Slowly, words began to be clearer and I finally regain myself. Aunt Louisa is still calling my name.

“Avy, Avy! Wake up! Control your power. Use your inner consciousness to wake yourself. Avy!” My vision became clearer. It was when I realized that Aunt Louisa, Irina, Phillip, Tristan, and Lorain gathered inside the training area. Phillip and Tristan helped each other in carrying Havoc. The half-conscious Havoc.

“Havoc,” I whispered. I watched my hands, I could not believe what just happened. Did I do that? My hands began to tremble.

“Avy, relax. Calm yourself. Calm down.” I can’t. Guilt, conscience, anger, many emotions are running around my system. “Irina, go ahead and follow the boys. Heal Havoc’s wounds. Lorain, prepare the usual food for this situation. Come- Avy!”

~*~

My eyes slowly opened. The smell of my room greeted me. Memories from what happened earlier started to flood my thoughts. Havoc! Oh my gosh, what have I done? I lifted my hands and saw some bruises around it.

It happened again. I lost control of my power. Tears fell down from my eyes.

Master, I failed again.

How can I enter the academy with these uncontrollable powers? I can hurt anyone unconsciously. I don’t even know how to stop myself. What could have happened if Aunt Louisa didn’t come? Havoc… how can I face him? I almost killed him. I screamed in frustration. I ran towards my bathroom and showered myself with hot water.

I don’t know what happened, and how it even happened. I know that I increased my temperature very well. Is it possible that my powers grew stronger than before? I wanted to create a name for myself in the society of the magical world. However, not in a way where many people will know my name because I killed someone.

I can’t kill someone again. Not again.

I cried until there are no tears flowing down and only the water coming from the shower. I can’t keep myself hidden in this room. I should take responsibility for my actions. No matter what the reason is, it was my fault that Havoc is hurt and wounded. There is no valid reason for hurting someone especially if the person almost died.

I wrapped myself with the towel and dried my hair using my magic. I opened my wardrobe and chose to wear a simple pajama paired with a spaghetti-strapped top. While facing the mirror, questions of what should I say started running inside my little head.

Sorry isn’t enough, for sure. Should I bake him a cake? How about cooking something for him? Shall I buy him some clothes? Should I ask him out for a walk? Never mind, I’ll just cross the bridge when I get there.

You’re seriously going to cross that bridge in a few minutes.

I jumped in surprise when I opened the door. There he is, standing in front of me with his fist floating above. Is he about to knock at my door?

“Havoc…” he smiled. Did he smile? I punched him lightly on the chest.

“Ow! Hey, you seriously hit me thrice enough for this day. Please tell me if you’re still going to-” I cut him off by hugging him.

“Sorry.” In the end, that’s all that I could say. He hugged me back and squeezed me with his arms.

“You don’t have to, okay? It was my fault for triggering you. Besides, I am aware that you might lose your control yet I still did it. I really wanted to see you in that form. I want you to control those powers of you.”

I shook my head, “I can’t. Sorry for causing you some trouble.”

“Silly.” He combed my hair using his hand, it was soothing. “I am the trouble, remember?” I smiled. “Now, pull yourself together. The ball is three days from now. It was intentional. I did that on purpose. Don’t feel guilty for the things you have no control of.”

I pulled away from him. “You sound like a mature man when all you do is play with ladies’ feelings.” 

“Avy! You’ve hurt me four times in a row already. Are you really sorry?” I smiled.

“Of course, I am.”

I locked my door and then we both walked together downstairs. I saw Phillip with his usual headphones, he’s banging his head together with the beat of the music he’s listening to. His brows rose up when he saw us.

“Good morning, Avy. How’s your sleep?” His question made the other people in the room staring at us. They all smiled at me and greeted me as if nothing happened, as if I did not just almost kill someone.

“I slept well, still with eyes closed.” Phillip laughed.

“Hey, guys! Breakfast is ready!” Lorain shifted his gaze towards us. “Avy, come! I’ve baked some cakes for you.” Her cheerful voice sent calmness inside my shaking heart. This has happened before but they always cheer me up indirectly by giving me the same treatment, they do not judge me.

Will I experience this with my own Mom and Dad?

Of course not. They already abandoned me. I will never experience having my own real mother and father to cheer me up and support me. What I get right now is what I have right now. We all heard the echo from some pointed heels getting nearer and louder. Of course, it’s Aunt Louisa with her natural and elegant dress.

“Good morning everyone. Let us all gather and eat.” She smiled showing her shiny white teeth. She turned her gaze at me and walked towards me. “Hello there, my love. Had a good sleep?” I nodded.

“Just enough to regain my energy, Aunt Louisa.”

Everyone started to gather on the long rectangular table. Different foods were on top and as Lorain said, she really baked a cake. The giggles of Lulu and Lily were the outstanding noises while we were eating, both fighting over the chicken parts.

“Gosh! Lily, Lulu, stop it. I’ll just bring you both the same chicken parts whatever you both like. Don’t fight over some drumsticks.” Lorain stated, now having those furrowed eyebrows. She really hates it when there are people fighting while eating.

“Listen to Lorain, kids. Besides, you have to be grateful for whatever food you are eating right now. Other kids out there are starving and here you are living under a nice roof with tasteful foods served in front of you.”

The twins both lowered down their heads, “Yes, Aunt Louisa. We’re sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. Just don’t fight again, okay?” The twins nodded. All of us smiled at them, they’re too cute. I’m going to miss this ambiance.