[3RD POV]

Tunog ng pagbagsak ng ulan ang tanging ingay na umiikot sa paligid. It isn't the first time it rained, it isn't the first quiet night in the academy, it also isn't the first time the principal left. But for some reason, this night. . . this night is different. 

Sumasabay sa pag-ulan ang pag-ikot ng kahoy na mga gulong ng dalawang karwahe, palabas sa gate ng paaralan. It felt like time slowed down as it slowly passes through the gate.

The second the back of the carriage passed, a snap was heard in every places in the academy. Hindi ito sobrang lakas na nakabibingi, ordinaryong pagpitik lang na sa hindi malamang dahilan, narinig sa buong paligid.

And just like that, like a maze, the walls inside the academy moved on their own. It moved without breaking any furniture nor objects inside the rooms, without changing nor switching a thing. Ang lahat ng tao na nasa loob ng paaralan ay parang nahinto ang mundo nang makita ang paggalaw ng mga pader.

Gumalaw ang mga ito sa paraan na may mga simbolong pinapakita. Mga simbolong mga estudyante at opisyales sa Solar academy ang nakakaalam. With different strokes and movements, it made different kinds of symbols. And when you put all the symbols together, it means this.

'SPREAD THE WORDS. PRINCIPAL HELENA OF LUNAR ACADEMY... HAD LOST HER GIFT.'

Just like how Helena wanted it, Bora spread the words. And how they predicted it, it brought despair to everyone.

Mas lalong lumakas ang pag-ulan sa paaralan. Sa mahaba at madilim na pasilyo, isang binatilyo ang tumatakbo.

The reflection of his red hair can be seen in the huge windows of the academy. Nakatali ito sa mababang ponytail na sumasabay sa paggalaw niya.

Elias Portugal, the Nocturne Academy's number 2. He's still at the academy, and he just saw the news. He's running towards a certain's someone's room. And it wasn't long before he's already in front of it.

Walang katok-katok, agad siyang pumasok sa loob. Mabigat ang paghinga, kahit na pilit na pinakakalma ang ekspresyon, bigo sa pagtago ng kaba ang mga mata niya.

"Father! Have you seen the message?!" he exclaimed.

The person inside the room is sitting on a chair, casually writing something. He took a glance to Elias and he fixed his eyeglasses.

Lor Portugal, the Solar Academy's secretary and Elias' father.

"Where are your manners, Elias? Learn how to knock again," he casually said. His eyes went back to what he's writing. "Of course I've seen it, I'm not blind."

Elias bit his lower lip. "Anong ibig sabihin n'on?! Ano ng mangyayari sa 'tin?!"

Nanatiling kalmado si Lor. He's already old enough to know how their family works, and as a secretary, he also already knows how the Principal's brain works.

"It's not something we should think about. They didn't asked for our opinions, and just sent us a message. It only means, we should entrust it to them."

"But!-"

"Hush, child. You're losing your composure."

Natauhan sa narinig si Elias. Napatikom siya ng bibig.

"More importantly..." Lor glanced at him once again. At the same time, a lightning came. "Looks like it's going to be a long night." Followed by a thunder.

Muling natigilan si Elias. Alam niya ang tinutukoy ng ama niya. Iba ngayong gabi... may kakaiba.

Naningkit ang mga mata niya, kasunod ng pag-ismid.

"Someone's coming," Elias said.

"How many can you feel?" Lor asked.

"1... no, 2. 2 hundred."

As a Portugal— and as someone who knows the magician's trick, they are pretty sensitive when it comes to the academy.

They know how it works, and they feel it when something is not right. It hasn't been an hour since the principals left.

"200, huh... and not just ordinary gifteds," ani Lor. Tuluyan na siyang natigil sa pagsusulat.

"Is there some we can count on at the academy right now?" tanong niya, malalim na nag-isip ang kausap niya.

Unlike the other academies, the Solar Academy who's like a fortress, can not be entered just by anyone. Hindi pwede rito ang labas-pasok.

That is why every guild under the academy, are located inside the academy itself. The guild's doesn't have their respective bases. It's also one of the reasons why the word spreads fast.

And except the Sins, the special guild of the Solar, other students doesn't have their own dorms in the academy. For that reason, most of the students leave the academy to rest.

And tonight is one of those nights. Walang katao-tao sa paaralan.

"The Grim Reapers left with the principals... ate Xilah and Yadiel is with them too." Humigpit ang pagkasasara ng kamao ni Elias. "Greed, the Glutton, and Envy, left with the spiders. The pride is nowhere to be found after what happened to the Lust."

Humarap siya kay Lor. The atmosphere in the room can suffocate anyone. "Right now, the academy is at its most vulnerable state."

Lor sighed, almost like clicking his tongue. "The phoenix is here, right?"

"Yes, but she's taking care of her comrade. Near a room in the lounge."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Lor, may iniisip. Something popped in his mind as he think. 'I think she's here too.' He thought.

"Then, get ready. Guide the academy inside. I'll be outside," ani Lor.

Hindi nakumbinsi sa sinabi niya ang anak. "It's better if we're toge-"

"The principal entrusted the academy to us." May diin ang boses ni Lor. "I'm the next principal in line, if I can't protect the academy now, then I have no right to accept that position."

Hindi nakasagot si Elias at napatitig siya sa kaharap. Tanging pag-ismid ang nagawa niya at ang paghigpit ng kamao bago tumango. "Understood, father."

"Stay at the lounge. You can fight when they get inside. But as long as they're outside, they're mine."

Nakasunod ang nag-aalalang mga mata ni Elias sa ama. "Please be careful, dad..."

Lor didn't looked back. "You too, son."

And with that, they went to different directions. The rain continued pouring. Lor, greeting the rain, went outside, literally in front of the gate. He knew that there's only one possible entrance for the intruders to come. And that is— the gate.

But he didn't know an important information.

The lightning strikes. It wasn't just the gate opened, but for some reason, an entrance at the right wing, lounge, and left wing appeared too.

Groups of gifteds with 50 at least. Led by most wanted and dangerous criminals working under Andina. Each have unique gifts on their own.

WANTED, Logan, recorded kills, 289 (harassed, assisted kills, wrecked properties, failed murder not included)- RIGHT WING.

WANTED, Rake, recorded kills, 112 (harassed, assisted kills, wrecked properties, failed murder not included)- LOUNGE.

TRAITOR, Rox the Vixen, estimated kills, 76 (harassed, assisted kills, wrecked properties, failed murder not included)- LEFT WING.

WANTED, Barabbas, estimated kills, 437 (harassed, assisted kills, wrecked properties, failed murder not included)- GATE.

As soon as Lor felt their presences, he knew that it wouldn't be easy. With the academy's state right now, there's a high chance that they will all die.

He also realized what the principal is trying to do. His calculations were wrong.

Someone from the intruders knew the trick in the academy, that's why they managed to get in.

It only means that, a Portugal betrayed them.

(This is a basic site plan of the academy. It's not fully rendered, let your imaginations run wild. It's just a guide for you to visualize the locations easier.)

CHAPTER 60
Long night