Tale 41
Fieldtrip

It was hell.

Stephany simply wish to die as she lay down on her bed. Her two best friends were conveniently her dorm mates.

They’ve been doing physical training for three weeks now. Four hours a day after class, everyday!

For people with such weak stamina like them, it was torture!

“Can’t we removed these weights now?” maluhaluhang tanong ni Stephany

“You’ve been asking the same question for three weeks now. You already know the answer.” Tugon ni Lhey

Simula noong sinabi nila na gusto nilang lampasuhin ang mga mag-aaral ni Prof Linda, niregaluhan sila ni Prof Eclipse ng mahiwagang bracelets. Tig-isa sa bawat kamay at paa, apat in total. And each bracelet is as heavy as a bag of rice!

Imagine the look on their faces when they first wore these bracelets. Na-late sila sa kanilang mga klase noong unang linggo dahil hindi sila makatakbo! Kahit paglalakad ay torture!

Akala nila ay mamamatay na sila!

Hindi lang yun, madalas silang pagtawan ng ibang mga mag-aaral sa tuwing nakikita silang nahihirapan. Hindi man lamang nila paniwalaan na may suot silang weights! Muka kasing normal na bracelets ang suot nila.

Ang pinakamasaklap, hindi nila ito maaaring alisin kahit sa pagtulog!

But after weeks of rigorous training, nasanay na sila sa bigat ng mga ito. Ngayong buong week, sinasanay pa sila ni Prof Eclipse sa physical combat! They’re still a bit clumsy and lame compared with their prof, a week of training cannot magically transform them into martial artist, but at least they’re not so weak anymore.

“Im so tired.” Reklamo ni Zoe habang nakahiga sa kama

“I just want to sleep for an entire year..” Stephany

“No one can make me part with my bed..” Lhey

“I’am one with my bed.” Stephany

“I’am married to my bed.” Zoe

Bigla silang natawa sa mga pinagsasasabi nila.

“Good thing it’s Saturday tomorrow.” Zoe

“I hate to break this to you but prof Eclipse announce that we have an extra curricular activity tomorrow.” Lhey

“But it’s Saturday! It’s our rest day!!” maluhaluhang reklamo ni Stephany

“It’s our last training day. The celebration for the school’s founding anniversary will start on Monday. Game of Storms is on Friday. Prof Eclipse gave us the entire week to rest and join in on the fun.” Lhey

Agad nagbunyi ang tatlo..

Isang araw na lang!

Isang araw na lang ng pagdurusa!

Nakangiting natulog ang tatlo.

Nakangiti ang haring araw, sabado ng umaga.

Tahimik na nakikinig sa instructions ang dalawamput dalawang mag-aaral ni Amara.

“As part of your last training, I will be sending you to an adventure.” Amara

“I made you memorized tons of medicinal herbs for several weeks.” Saad ni Amara reminding them of their actual class

“For this activity, I want you to collect herbs that we will use for our activity later today.” Amara

“…huh?” everyone

They all thought that they will be suffering. But why are they going to collect herbs? Is this really their professor? Is the world going crazy?

“Here’s the list.” Saad ni Amara

“That’s all we have to do?? Collect herbs?” tanong ni Lhey

“Aha..” hindi interesadong tugon ni Amara na abala na sa pagbabasa ng isang libro habang kumakain ng mansanas

“Are you sure prof?” kumpirma pa ni Oxa, yung sakitin na babae sa klase nila

“Ayaw nyo?” tugon ni Amara

“Hehe syempre gusto namin.. Tara na guys!” masayang tugon ng lahat bago lumabas ng silid

“Damnable, go.” Saad ni Amara at agad lumitaw ang isang pulang ibon

“Fudge! Why do I have to babysit them?” reklamo nito

“You don’t need to do anything. Just make sure that no accident will happen.” Amara

“Hmmmp.” Damnable

“Don’t spoil them. Just protect them if their life is at stake. Let them get hurt, it’s part of the training.” Amara

“Arent you being too cruel??” tanong ni Damnable

“Am I?? They need to become strong so if I need to be cruel, then I will gladly do it for them.” Simpleng tugon ni Amara

“You hate being weak, don’t you?” komento nito

“Of course.. I hate not having the ability to protect myself and the people I cherish.” Amara

Memories from the distant past flashed through her mind. The suffering. The injustice.

She closed her eyes and breathed out.

“Go.” Utos nya at agad lumipad si Damnable upang sundan  ang mga mag-aaral

“Balita ko ay may inimbitahan na mga Grandmaster Alchemists si Headmaster bilang mga guests sa darating na Game of Storms.” Chika ni Stephany sa mga kaklase habang namimitas sila ng mga herbs sa kakahuyan sa likod ng kanilang paaralan

“Balita ko din.. Teka, Butterfly Mushroom ito diba?” tugon at sagot ni Zoe habang inaamoy ang isang mushroom

“The shape and it’s color indicates that it’s a Butterfly Mushroom so I think so.” Tugon ni Oxa

“Prof will make you do one thousand push ups if you bring that back.” Sabat ni Dior na dahilan para mahinto si Zoe sa paglagay sa hawak na mushroom sa kanyang basket

Muling inamoy ni Zoe ang mushroom.. “The smell reminds me of the earth mix with some sort of a sweet scent.... W-wait—Could it be that this is a Kimimila Mushroom?”

“According to Prof Eclipse, Kimimila Mushroom is similar to Butterfly Mushroom, except it has five times the Potassium content of the latter plus it contains Lead so it cannot be consume directly or it will led to poisoning.” Paliwanag ni Lhey

“In short, we dont need that.” Sabat ni Stephany

Muling ibinalik ni Zoe ang mushroom sa puno. Good thing nakinig sya sa lessons ni Prof Eclipse, she meticulously and professionally return the mushroom back. Masasabing hindi lamang medisina ang focus ng alchemy, gardeners din sila at botanists.

Amara teaches them about Herbs Cultivation. And after their classes, Amara teaches them hand combat, physical education and even turned their usual running lapses around the school into parkour lessons.

They dont know it yet, but each and every one of them can easily knock someone out with their fists.

“Look! It’s an Avis!” turo ni Zoe sa isang puno

“Saan??” excited na tanong ni Stephany

Avis is one of the magical species of birds in Aralon. Since magic vanished, magical creatures slowly started to migrate or hibernate. Elves, Sprites, Sirens can no longer be found in Aralon.

“Avis are magical birds that can live in both water and air.” Dior

“This is not a fieldtrip.” Paalala ni Lhey

“Waaahh! It flew away!” reklamo nila noong bigla itong lumipad papalayo na tila natakot sa kanilang presensya

“Kanina ko pa napapansin na kanina pa tayo nilalayuan ng mga hayop.” Lhey

“Nagtataka na nga din ako.” Oxa

“Ayaw nyo nun? At least we’re safe.” Stephany

Di kalayuan mula sa kanila ay may isang pulang ibon na tahimik na nakamasid. “Tsk. Why bother sending me here if she already sent her shadows to protect these kids?” naiiling na komento ni Damnable

Hindi nagtagal ay nakompleto na nila ang mga kailangang herbs.

“Im kinda hungry. How I wish there’s Imperial Berries growing here in the woods.” Stephany

“Asa ka pa.. Imperial Berries only grows in the State of Uddara.” Zoe

Sumimangot si Stephany. Kahit anong prutas pwede na.

“Look! I found something rare! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” excited na saad ni Stephany

“Anong nakita mo??” curious na tanong ng isa nilang kaklase

“This is a Sacred Ambrosia Tree!” excited na saad ni Stephany.. “I cant believe that we have it here! In the woods around the school! Oh my gosh!”

“Are you sure that’s a Sacred Ambrosia Tree?” Lhey

“According to prof, Sacred Ambrosia Trees have barks that look like gold. That tree look so normal to me.” Zoe

“Are you guys not listening to prof Eclipse? It’s the inside that is golden, not the outside bark!” gigil ni Stephany

“I think she’s right.” Dior

“But how did you know that that’s a Sacred Ambrosia Tree??” Oxa

“Duh! The leaves!” Stephany

“Oh! The leaves! They have stems that shines like gold!” Oxa

“Good job Steph!” Zoe

Proud na ngumiti si Stephany. Subalit nagtaka sya kung bakit biglang nawala ang ngiti ng mga kaibigan nya.

“Problema nyo?” usisa ni Stephany

“Stay calm. And dont move.” Saad ni Dior

“Huh?” nagtatakang tugon ni Stephany

“Steph dont panic okay?” kinakabahang saad ni Lhey

“Oh my gods.” Napalunok ng laway si Zoe

“A-anong gagawin natin?” Oxa

“W-wait.. Bakit ba? Tinatakot nyo naman ako eh.” Reklamo ni Stephany

“Stay calm. There’s something dangerous behind you. Walk slowly. Dont panic.” Dior

Hindi napigilan na mapalingon si Stephany sa kanyang likod.

Isang pares ng malamig na mga mata ang sumalubong sa kanya.

“Shet.” Lhey

“Dont break eye contact! Or it will immediately attack you!” Dior

It’s a giant snake!

“What snake is that? It’s huge!” Zoe

“It’s a Traitre. An extremely dangerous specie  of snake. When you make eye contact with it, you must kill it immediately. If you break eye contact, it will attack you in the speed of sound.” Oxa

“Ngayon nyo pa talaga naisipan mag-trivia?” reklamo ni Stephany

Nagumpisang humakbang patalikod si Stephany. Kinakabahan sya. Pero pinanatili nyang kalmado ang kanyang sarili.

Unti-unti nyang hinubad ang suot na bracelet, with it’s weight, it’s a good throwing weapon.

Ito rin ang nasa isipan ng lahat.The weights they are wearing can be use as a weapon. Once Stephany is within a safe distance, then will smash the snake using their bracelets.

Subalit sadyang mapaglaro ang tadhana.

Isang nakausling ugat ng puno ang sumira sa napakaganda nilang plano.

Tila nagslowmotion ang lahat noong matalisod si Stephany dahilan para mapakurap sya.

Nakita nya ang matalas na pangil ng ahas na papalapit sa kanya.

Subalit sa gitna ng kadiliman, isang mas madilim na pangyayari ang lumitaw. Hindi, mas tamang sabihin na isa itong itim na nilalang.

Isang anino.

Isang anino na nagkaron ng wangis.

Hindi nila maunawaan kung ano ito. Tila isang higanteng pincer na lumitaw mula sa ... lupa? Sa anino?

Anong nangyayari?

Hindi nila alam kung paanong bigla na lamang itong lumitaw mula sa mga aninong bumabalot sa kakahuyan.

Natumba si Stephany subalit hindi sya naabot ng ahas dahil sa biglang pagsulpot ng nilalang.

Agad syang  tumayo at nagtungo sa mga kaibigan.

Ngayon lang naunawaan ng Traite kung saan nagmumula ang mapanganib na aura na nararamdaman nya sa mga taong ito. May predator na nagkukubli sa kanilang anino. Subalit ganun pa man, malakas ang loob ng ahas. Walang takot na sinalakay ng Traite ang anino, subalit maling desisyon ito. The snake fell to the ground, sliced in two.

Mula sa mga anino ay umahon ang kabuuan ng wangis nito.

Unti-unting naging malinaw sa kanila ang wangis nito.

A humongous scorpion!

Kasing laki lamang sila ng paa nito!

Parepareho silang natigilan.

Tila nagshort circuit ang kanilang mga isipan.

A giant scorpion?!

Fear strucked their hearts.

Its normal to believe that the giant scorpion would pounce on them and eat them.

It’s only natural for predators to attack their preys.

Agad nabalot ng takot ang lahat.

Nandito lang naman sila para maghanap ng mga medicinal herbs and ingredients.

Ito na ba ang katapusan nila?

Wala na bang pag-asa?

Seeing the giant scorpion’s huge pincer and emotionless eyes, they already know the answer.

Yes, this is their end.

Goodbye friends. Goodbye Prof Eclipse. Goodbye cruel world.

“If this is our end, I would like you to know how grateful I’am to have meet you everyone.” Saad ni Dior

“Me too.” Oxa

“I want to confess something, if we’re gonna die, I want to let you guys know that I have a crush with Dior.” Stephany

“Alam namin.” React ng lahat

“........” Dior and Stephany

“Steph kung mamamatay na tayo, gusto ko lang sabihin na ako yung kumain sa special edition ng chocolate na itinatago mo sa cabinet ng dorm.” Zoe

“What?!” Stephany

“Huhuhu I love you friend.” Zoe

“Waaahhhh.. I love you too friend, pinapatawad na kita. Pero pagnakaligtas tayo patay ka talaga sakin.” Stephany

Just when they are finally accepting their end and their death, the giant scorpion suddenly turned back and run away!

What happened? Hindi ba sila mukang katakamtakam? Why did that giant scorpion suddenly run away? Shouldn’t it pounce on them and eat them like they normally would? Why did it run away upon seeing them?!

Wala silang alam na gusto na din maiyak ng scorpion.

‘Master told me not to show my face or she’ll punish me huhuhu.’ Amara‘s shadows have the thinking capability of a five year old kid, and they worship her as their one and only master.

“W-we survived..?” Lhey

“Oh my gods we’re alive!” pagbubunyi ni Stephany

“Akala ko mamamatay na tayo...” nakatulalang saad ni Oxa

“Shet... Dior kalimutan mo na yung sinabi ko!” sigaw ni Stephany sa muka ng binata

“...........” Dior

“Steph kalimutan mo na din yung sinabi ko..” sabat ni Zoe

Ngumiti si Steph.. Hindi nagtagal makikitang naghahabulan na ang dalawa habang may hawak na malaking sanga ng puno si Stephany.

“Ehem.. Since kumpleto na ang mga herbs na kailangan natin, mabuti pang bumalik na tayo sa paaralan.” Dior

Agad namang sumang-ayon ang lahat.

“How’s the fieldtrip?” bati ni Amara sa mga mag-aaral pagbalik nila sa Mill of Alchemy

Excited nilang isinalaysay ang mga nangyari.

For some reason, looking death in the eye and surviving actually felt good! Sa halip na matakot ay excited nilang ikinuwento ang pangyayari. Tila hanggang pagtanda ay maiikwento nila sa mga apo nila ang experience na ito!

“I like how you guys are getting bolder and braver.” Komento ni Amara

“Hehe thanks prof.” Tugon nila feeling proud

“By the way, para saan nga pala itong mga herbs prof??” tanong ni Lhey

“Ingredients of course.” Tugon ni Amara

“Ingredients? Are we making medicine for the Game of Storms?” Stephany

“Yes. And also weapons.” Amara

“Weapons??” Oxa

“What weapons?” Zoe

“We’re alchemists, what do you think?” mapaglarong tanong ni Amara

“Poisons and Explosives.” Dior

“Good guess.” Amara

“But isn’t that too dangerous?” Stephany

“And more fun.” Saad ni Amara, there is a trace of anticipation in her words.

“..........” everyone

Natatakot na talaga silang maling professor ang napa-assign sa kanila.

Good luck sa makakalaban nila sa darating na Game of Storms.

~~~~~~~~~