[Helena]

The atmosphere, the pressure, their presences... an ordinary gifted will either pass out or vomit when they enter here.

The academies officials, number 1 and 2s, the secretaries, and of course, the two principals.

Nandito ngayon silang lahat sa opisina ni Bora, nakaupo sa pahaba at bilog na lamesa, nasa gitna ang taong may-ari ng silid. Almost all of the people here, has crimson red hair that stands out. Naupo sa bakanteng upuan si Xilah, sa bandang kaliwa.

Kahit maliwanag sa labas dahil paangat pa lang ang araw, medyo madilim sa loob dahil sa nakapatay na ilaw at nakasarang mga bintana na nahaharangan ng mga malalaking kurtina.

"You're back, principal Helena." Malalim ang boses ni Bora nang binati niya 'ko. Ramdam ko ang mga tingin nila na nalipat sa akin.

"Himala, hindi mo kasama ang anak-anakan mo ngayon." Sarkastikong sambit ng matandang babae.

Nalipat ang tingin ko sa kaniya, she's sitting at the right side of the table, close to Bora.

She's already in her 60s but she looks like she's just in her 40s, and she fights like she's still on her prime. One of the Elders, the previous Principal of the Nocturne Academy before Ethan, and Bora's older sister. Luceta Portugal.

"We allowed you to do anything as you please. Ni wala ka na ngang isang opisyales sa paaralan mo maliban sa mga guro. Sekritarya na lang ang meron ka, hindi mo pa sinama sa mahalagang pagpupulong na 'to." Walang buhay ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa akin.

Luceta was raised as a leader, mahigpit ang kinalakihan niya at naiintindihan ko 'yon. But sometimes, she really hit my nerves. I left Gin and August at the academy, dinala ko lang si Scarlet at Law mula sa guild.

Hindi pwedeng dalhin ko silang lahat dahil kailangang may maiwang magbabantay sa paaralan ko.

Naupo ako sa bakanteng upuan sa harapan ko, nakapwesto sa gitna at kaharap si Bora. Umupo rin ang mga kasama ko malapit sa akin. Ipinatong ko ang kanang braso ko sa lamesa at sumalumbaba, hindi nawawala ang tingin kay Luceta.

"Oh, old hag. Shouldn't you be at your room right now? You might get sick." I smirked.

Luceta gave me an irritated look. "Y-You disrespectful brat!-"

Malakas na paghampas sa lamesa ang nagpahinto kay Luceta. Nawala ang ngisi ko sa labi at walang buhay ang mga mata ko silang tinignan.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. If you're talking about respect, you should all know who has it more, right?" Inilibot ko ang tingin ko sa kanilang lahat. "All of your here are just brats in my eyes. Wag niyo 'kong ginagago, ayusin niyo ang postura at ekspresyon na pinapakita niyo sa akin."

Walang tono pero may diin ang bawat salitang binitawan ko. Because of what I've said, the atmosphere in the room slightly lightened, but still, their presences can't be changed just because of that.

"Principal, please calm yourself, Grandma Luceta is always like that." Someone said in a monotone voice.

"Anong sabi mo?!-"

"Stating facts." Muling dagdag niya.

 Napatingin ako sa kaliwang bahagi ng lamesa, katabi siya ni Xilah.

He has a slightly long crimson red hair, shoulder length. Nakatali ito sa isang maliit na ponytail. The presence he gives is the same as the Sin's guild master, Nyx, has. Like most of the people here, he's working behind the scenes as an official. The Nocturne Academy's number 2, Ethan's niece and Xilah's cousin, Elias Portugal. 

He's one of the candidates to be the next principal of Nocturne.

"Pfttt, lahaha!" Pagpipigil ng tawa ng isang babae. Kahit malayo ang pagitan namin, halatang nakataas ang dalawa niyang paa sa upuan.

"Eli is acting cool like a fool." She laughed. "Still, mas masaya kung nandito si Gin, I want to fight him!"

She's still the same as ever. Her long crimson red hair that she bleached at the roots and in a one long braid, like some kind of psychopath. Her messy make up, and her tattoos showing in her arms.

Isa sa mga sakit na ulo na bata, pero hindi maipagkakaila ang talento na meron siya. She doesn't look like a master at all, one of the Generation of Prodigies to be exact. 

One of the gifteds that has a unique talent and gift.  Also one of the Generation of Prodigies, almost in par with the Executioner and King. The Vixen, and the Solar Academy's number 2, Rox Portugal.

She's not that well known because just like Elias, Rox became an official as soon as she became a master. Mas pinili nilang magtrabaho sa dilim. 

She looked up to Xilah, the Nocturne Academy's secretary and currently number 1, it was Cael before. Xilah was also known as 'venus' in her generation.  Tho, hindi ko alam kung ano ang tingin ni Rox kay Xilah dahil ibang-iba siya sa iniidolo niya...

Well actually, now that I remember it... before Xilah became an official and a teacher, when she was on her prime and known as venus, she was also a freak. Nakatago man sa suot niya ngayon, pero napupuno rin ng tattoo ang kaniyang katawan.

"Your manners, Rox." Pagtikhim ng isang lalaki. A not so familiar face, maybe because I don't go to the Solar Academy often. But I know him.

Inayos niya ang salamin niya at postura. One of the oldies, and candidates to be the next principal of Solar Academy. Elias' father, the secretary of Solar Academy, Lor Portugal.

"It's okay, let's stop now." Maamong sambit pa ng isang lalaki.

Kumpara sa ibang mga nagsalita na mabibigat ang pananalita, kabaliktaran naman nito ang sa kaniya. When in fact, he has the most authority compared to them. He's just and looks like a softy, but he was also a monster in his prime.

One of my closest friend, and I guess, the kindest among here. The principal of Nocturne Academy, Ethan Portugal.

Rox pouted. "Ehhh? Bakit ako ang napagagalitan?!" Giit niya. "I'm just commenting!"

"And no one asked." Elias added.

"What did you say? Asshole-"

"Your words." Muling pagsingit ni Lor.

"But he started it!"

"Just stating facts."

"Fuck off!-"

"Tatahimik kayo, o ako mismo ang titikom ng bibig niyo?"

Mabilis na nakuha ang atensyon ko ng huling nagsalita. I wasn't scared, but I indeed felt the chills down my spine. Natahimik sa pagtatalo si Elias at Rox.

I glanced at his direction. Nasa pinakadulong upuan siya at nasa likod ng pader kung saan walang bintana, dahilan para anino niya lang ang makita ko. His arms and legs are crossed as he's leaning against the chair.

A powerful and troublesome Portugal. A gifted that caused trouble to the officials at first like me and the Judge, but because he was obedient, he immediately gained their trust.

 Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal at tumama ang mukha niya sa liwanang mula sa bintanang katabi niya. He has a bandage all over his upper body up to his neck, and a visible scar on his lips. Has a pushed back crimson red hair with some yellow strands.

Walang kabuhay-buhay ang mga mata niya kapag nakikita ko siya. One of the Portugals in this generation that has potential to become the strongest. Has a terrifying gift and one of the Generation of Prodigies, said to be in par with the Sloth. The Ruler, and Solar Academy's number 1; Bora's grandson, Yadiel Portugal.

"Pinapahiya niyo ang mga sarili niyo sa harapan ng mga nakatataas." Muling sambit ni Yadiel. Our eyes met. "Specially in front of our great guardian, Principal Helena... oh, Portugal." There's a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

This is what I like about him and at the same time, it pisses me off. He has the guts to talk back at me.

"Oi, oi-"

Pinakiramdaman ko ang pagkilos ni Law at mabilis ko siyang tinapunan ng tingin, dahilan para mahinto siya. Muli kong tinignan si Yadiel.

"Oh please, you're flattering me." Maamong sambit ko. "Well, that's why you're the best, Yadiel."

"You're smart,"

"Strong,"

"And obedient... you really deserve to be the number one-"

I intentionally paused. "Oh, number 2. We all know who's number one."

His face popped in my mind, I know it popped in his mind too.

The number 1, the Judge.

Yadiel maintained his expression, but it's obvious that he's pissed.

Yeah, I am the guardian of the Portugals. Their family trusted me for generations, but it doesn't mean that everybody likes me. Specially kids like him— who are thirsty for power. Hindi ko siya masisisi dahil si Bora ang lolo niya at kinilalang pinaka-malakas na Portugal sa henerasyon niya.

It pains me to admit it, but Yadiel really has the potential to be number 1. With his power right now, he can take Law and Cleofa, who are both an heir and heiress of Cronus. That's how powerful his control gift is.

He can easily be number 1 and the strongest in his generation... if he was not in the same generation with the Judge.

That brat is too strong.

Isa sa dahilan kung bakit ganito ang pakikitungo sa akin ni Yadiel ay dahil sa Judge na guild's master ng Avelites. Dahil mas malapit ako sa Nocturne Academy, Yadiel thought that I have my favorites, and one of them is the Judge.

That maybe the reason why the Judge is number 1 and the strongest is because I favored him. Which is fucking stupid. Is it my fault that this damn academy is too tiring to find? Of course I can't go here often!

The reason why the Judge is number 1 is because he's just too strong! A gifted born with raw talent and power!

"Yeah..." Sagot ni Yadiel. "But too bad, the number 1 is not here right now."

"True, it's a shame. But you're here, right? It's time for you to prove yourself."

"And what do you mean by that?-"

"Let's stop this idle talk." Pagsingit ng malalim na boses. I looked at the person in the middle, the one who just talked.

The principal of Solar Academy, the strongest in his generation, Bora Portugal.

"We shouldn't waste our time, right?" Dagdag niya.

I heaved a sigh. Walang gana akong sumandal sa upuan. I wan to drink some tea...

"Let's get started then." Walang kaemo-emosyong sambit ko.

Naririnig ko ang pasimple at patagong pagtawa ng taong nasa gilid ko. Joker is trying to stop herself from laughing.

"Pumapatol ka sa bata... pft..."

I rolled my eyes before looking at Bora once again.

He took a deep breath. "Before anything else, I would like to thank all of you for coming here in a short notice."

"Then, let's start this conference."

CHAPTER 6
Officials