Kabanata 24
Halcyon University

Celestia Rogue

I GRINNED WIDELY looking at myself infront of the mirror. I looked at the male version of myself. 

It doesn't really look like me since I changed so many things except the color of my eyes and my height. My hair became short and black because of the magic, my body also became like a man's.

Isinuot ko ang uniform ng university kung saan ako nag enroll kahapon at napangisi.

It's a combination of white and black uniform. It looks quiet elegant since it's a university where most nobles studies.

I enrolled since my clone reported that feel something in that university and it could be one of the cores I am trying to find.

I'm already 23 but I enrolled as 19.

"If you show up like that in front of me I didn't know, it is you, I don't think I would figure out."

Ngisi ni papa na nagpangisi din saakin saka humalik sa pisngi ni mama na katatapos lang maglakad sa labas kasama si papa.

"That's why I used this disguise."

I chuckled.

"Good morning ma."

Ngiti ko.

"Good morning Celestia."

Masayang sabi ni mama na nagpatigil saakin.

"P-Po?"

Natigilang sambit ko.

"Celestia, diba iyon ang pangalan mo? kita mo nga at kulay lila ang mata mo."

Masayang sabi ni mama na nagpangiti saakin.

"Opo..Celestia po ang pangalan ko."

Halos maiyak kong sabi saka mahigpit siyang niyakap.

"Celestia? kapangalan mo pala ang anak ko."

Natatawang niyang sabi na nagpangiti nalang saamin.

"Ako ba Marissa? Anong pangalan ko?"

Ngiti niya.

"Ah ikaw ba? ito namang si Doc, syempre ikaw si Doctor Con, sayo pa nga kami nagpapacheck up ni papa every month."

Ngiti niyang nagpanguso kay papa na tumango tango nalang.

Napahagikhik ako doon saka kinuha si Leonard at isiniksik sa backpack ko.

"Hoy! Anong ginagawa mo!"

Iritang sabi nito.

"Sumama ka saakin at tulungan mo akong maghanap. Kung ayaw mong habang buhay ka nalang na ganyang kapanget na tandang."

Sabi ko saka iziniper na ang back pack ko.

"Alis na po ako pa, ma."

Ngiti ko saka humalik sakanilang pisngi at saka kumaway paalis. I teleported near the university and then walked untill I reached the place.

The guard checked my identification card before letting me in. 

I faked all my documents while enrolling. But once they do research about me, they will find everything as legit information.

"Lucius Xavier Strella."

I whispered my name while reading my identification card. Lucius means light and Xavier is my father's first name while Strella is my mother's surname before married papa. 

Unlike when I am Shaddow, I didn't hide my presence that much. I want them to feel me and know that I am just an average normal student. 

I also made another clone of me to be the Shadow guardian while I am not around.

I want to avoid attention as much as possible in this place.  Gusto ko lang namang mahanap kung nasaan ang core na iyon.

"Do you feel something?"

I asked Leonard through telepathy.

"Yes, it's definitely one of the cores, but I can't locate it."

He said, napatango ako doon.

"Me too, maybe I need to get near it."

I answered in my mind.

Nagpatuloy lamang ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating sa ceremony. I went to where the Mage department's seats is and sat in the corner. 

Halos makatulog ako dahil sa boring na program.

Next is each courses went to their own department gyms to measure the mana levels of each of us and to determine our ranks.

It's the same device that they use in the guild.

Good thing I practiced hard controlling the flow of my mana.

"When I call your name, come in front to measure your mana."

The department head said.

They started calling names of the students. Some unfortunate students got Green and Blue. The students who were often bullied because of having lower rank. Most got yellow since it is average, they would often have a peaceful life unless they got themselves into trouble with a higher rank.

And the lucky students got Orange and Red, ofcourse the Violet ranks is considered the most fortunate.

Napatingin ako sa isang parte ng gym at nakitang naririto din pala ang prinsesa. She's also 19 and a freshman in this university.

I didn't know she took the Mage course.

"Princess Natalia Zaveri."

They called. 

Napuno ng tingin ng pag hanga ang mata ng mga estudyante sa loob ng gym kasabay ng kanilang mga bulungan.

"I heard she's even enggaged to the current Archduke Cole Keegan Ashbell."

"Yeah! even if I hate to admit it, they really look good for each other.

I heard the girl in front whispering.

There is also a new archduke? isn't that man from Drashit's group? the red haired guy? 

As expected, the princess is a violet rank which made everyone delighted. Well she won the lottery of life. Beauty, power, wealth and she's also kind, everyone loves her dearly.

Well I guess not everyone, since some in the students seeing her feels really insecure. But she thinks of them kindly.

The program continued.

Nakakaantok dahil madaming estudyante. Pero pwede ng magpunta sa kanilang klase ang mga natawag na.

"Sirius Higgins."

They called a name of that guy. Son of that trash, Duke Higgins. Malawak ang ngisi niya nang maging isang Red rank. He's thinking so poorly of everyone right now, as if he's higher than a royalty.

Disgusting.

"Misha Quinlan"

The next student got orange.

"Geoff Nolan."

That one got red.

"Eithan Cohglan."

They called another student, and he got violet,

"Fiona Miller."

They called, napangisi ako sa naiisip niya. 

She got red and then went back to her friends.

"H-Hello."

Ngiti saakin ng isang estudyante.

"Hello."

Simpleng sagot ko na ikinapula ng pisngi nito.

"I'm in mage course, ikaw din ba?"

Tanong niya, napakamot ulo ako doon.

"Well yeah, this is the mage department."

I said as polite as I can. Nanlaki ang mata niya roong kabadong natawa saka mabilis na naglakad pabalik sakaniyang mga kaibigan.

And here I thought I would have an average life.

Kaya ba kanina pa ako pinagtitinginan ng mga babae dito? Dahil pogi? I thought I made myself look as average as I can.

"Lucius Xavier Strella."

They finally called my name.

Napatayo ako doon at nakapamulsang naglakad patungo sa harapan. Inilagay ko ang kamay sa ibabaw ng device at ibinuhos doon ang kontrolado kong mana.

I used wind magic, to pretend as a wind mage.

I hissed when I got orange. I only poured a very little amount of my power. I should've gotten yellow, but got orange instead. 

Nailing nalang ako at umalis na sa harapan upang magtungo sa klase.

THE CLASS STARTED, nakakailang lang ang tingin saakin ng mga kaklase kong babae. I just randomly made this face as my apearance. I used quiet average features in my face.

Why are they looking at me like I'm a hearthrob.

This will definitely put me into trouble.

Leonard on the other hand is busy exploring this university to find some lead about the core.

As the class continued, I felt something is gonna hit me. Gaya ng nakasanayan ay mabilis ko iyong naiwasan.

Kahit ata tulog ako ay umiiwas ako sa tuwing may tatama saakin.

Lumingon ako sa likod at napansing ang anak ng duke iyon.

He's mad at me because the girls are looking at me?

I don't even know why they are looking at me when I don't look that manly.

Well maybe in my opinion.

Since my definition of handsome and manly is like my father or yeah... Draco.

I've been surrounded by guys like that. Even when I was a kid, papa's friends were like that. So I thought this is what average looks like!

Nailing nalamang ako habang iniiwasan ang mga ibinabato saakin ng parang tangang nasa likuran ko.

Buong klase ay ganoon ako.

He wants to annoy me, but why is he the one who's more annoyed now?

Binabato niya ako eh, malamang iiwas ako. Tapos ngayon maaasar, tanga lang?

"Hi Lucius!"

Ngiti saakin ng isa kong kaklaseng babae na tinanguan ko lamang saka inayos ang mga gamit ko. 

Sirius is about to bump on my shoulders but I again dodged it. Gusto kong matawa sa itsura niya.

'Chill, lalo kang pumapanget eh.'

Sabi ko saaking isipan saka nailing nalamang na lumabas ng classroom. I should find leads on where the core could possibly be. 

Habang naglalakad ako ay napansin ko ang mga matang nakatingin saakin. They are curious of who I am and what family did I came from. 

Natigilan ako nang makakita ng isang komosyon.

"He lost his power? really?"

I heard one of the students, natigilan ako doon.

"Isn't that student, also a guardian? he said that he saw a light and then he suddenly lost his power."

My mouth formed an 'o' then grinned.

"He used to be a red rank right? good for him, I really hate how conceited he is."

They continued while watching the student being bullied, bumabalik sakaniya ang kaniyang mga ginagawa noon.

Nailing nalamang akong magpapatuloy na sana sa paglalakad nang makasalubong ko ang gagong nambabato saakin kanina.

"So this is the jerk who thinks so high of himself."

He grinned, gusto kong mapangiwi doon. Isn't he the one who thinks so high of himself? is he on drugs?

At gaya ng reaksiyon ng matinong theian ay hindi ko siya pinansin at nilagpasanan nalamang. He was about to grab my arm, but I imidiately dodged his filthy hands.

"Do you know who I am?"

Mariing sambit niya habang massama ang tinging ipinupukol saakin.

"Do I need to know who you are?"

I asked, he glared at me.

Nailing nalang akong tinalikuran na siya.

"If I were you, I will be wary of who I mess up with."

Malamig na sambit niya, gusto kong matawa doon.

"I don't need to."

I shrugged then left the annoying guy. I don't need to be warry of him, he should be the one warry of me.

Well this is Mytheia everyone. There's no way you'll have a peaceful life unless you kill them or isolate yourself in a place with no theian can enter.

They are like loud mosquitos that irritates you so much, you'd want to terminate them all for you to finally have a good night sleep.

I hissed.

"But I don't have to be on guard all the time now."

I whispered and looked in the sky. I don't know what will happen in the future. But the day will come that I will be able to dream on my own and live peacefully.

Nakapamulsa akong naglakad lakad. I wonder if Leonard found something?

I CONTINUED walking around the university until I met Leonard at the back of the school.

Naupo ako sa isang bench doon saka nag set up ng barrier habang kausap ko siya.

"Did you find something?"

I asked, umiling lamang siya saakin.

"No, diko alam kung bakit pero nahihirapan akong tukuyin kung saang banda naroroon ang core."

Napabuntong hiningang sagot niya.

"It's okay, I'll try to locate it while I am here."

I said, napatango tango siya doon.

"And another thing."

He looked at me.

"What?"

I asked.

"I found one of my brothers here in Zaveri but I also need to find his core to bring his memories back. There's a possibility that all of my brothers are in this kingdom."

Pamamalita niyang nagpalaki ng mga mata ko.

"Woah really? then that will make your job easier."

Ngisi kong nagpatango sakaniya.

"Yes, but their core is not here so me and my other brother who got his memories back are helping each other to awaken them so they could help us to the war with our eldest brother."

That made me smile.

"Tell me if you need some help."

I grinned.

"Just focus on your mission."

He said.

Napakibit balikat lamang ako samantalang ang panget na tandang ay pumapanget pa lalo habang tumatagal.

"Will you stop bullying me in your monologue?! bitch I'm a god!"

He frowned making me laugh.

"How did you know?"

I fake gasp, sinamaan ako nito ng tingin.

"I know that kind of judgemental expression."

He hissed.

"This is why I like animals more! They wouldn't really care what you look like!"

He frowned making me laugh.

"So what is your brother's state? you were reincarnated as a rooster, what is he?"

I asked.

"Well fortunately, the god of war is reincarnated as a theian. Just like you he is once a commoner that awakened."

He said, natigilan ako doon.

"Well atleast he's not one of those horrible nobles."

I shrugged.

"How about the other gods?"

I asked.

"I do not know yet. But I can feel them awakening so we might be able to find them when they does."

Paliwanag niya

"Our eldest brother's daughter on the other hand is still nowhere to be found. I know that she'll be on our side since she is against her father's rebelion. But I do not know if she'll help us, it's her father we'll have to fight."

He side.

"Dami mo namang problema, nakakalbo ka na tuloy, chill lang, tignan mo oh isang balahibo nalang natira sayo."

Sabi ko saka tinuro iyon, akmang tutukain niya ako ngunit agad kong naiiwas ang kamay.

"Pwede bang huwag mong sinisingit yang pang aasar mo kapag may pagkakataon!"

Reklamo niyang nagpatawa saakin.

"God! you have some serious attitude problem! and bitch you're supposed to be the one saving mytheia! more like causing destruction if I were to ask."

Stress ng sabi niya na malakas na nagpatawa saakin.

"Come on have some faith in me best friend."

I said, well he indeed became that chaotic friend after so many years I spent on that world, nakakasawa na nga ang pagmumuka niya eh.

"I don't remember having a friend with a bad personality, such as you."

He hissed making me grin as I started poking him, irritating him more.

"Asar ka na niyan? paano yung asar?"

Ngisi ko.

"Cringe."

Asar na sabi niya, halos malaglag na ang natitirang balibo dahil sa stress.

"So how did you have your memories back?"

I asked out of curiousity.

"I was just a normal chicken back then. The moment I hatched, I noticed that I am smarter than any of my siblings. They just eat all day and follow my mother while here I am planning to take over the whole forest ang making the other animals kneel before me."

Pagkukwento niya, gusto kong matawa doon ngunit pinigilan ko dahil baka tuluyan na itong maasar saakin.

I trained and trained all day. I noticed that animals do what I say for some reason. Until I encountered that monster! I used to look so handsome even being a rooster. He wanted me for dinner so he took off all my feathers and tried to kill me but I ran, I ran and fell into a hole."

He continued.

"That's where my core is and that's how I regained some of my powers and somewhat became immortal. Unfortunately, my feather didn't grow back."

Sambit niya.

"Eh bat para kang butot balat nung nakita kita kung lagi kang napapakain?"

Tanong ko, hanggang ngayon ay akala mo ay hindi napapakain ng maayos kung titignan, eh kain nga ito ng kain eh.

"I ran and ran for a year while that brainless monster continued chasing me non stop in his huge ass territory! I used to be a dazzling rooster! damn him!"

Reklamo niyang malakas na nagpatawa saakin saka inalis na ang barrier.

"Stop laughing at me me you idiot!"

Iritang sabi nito at akmang tutukain ako ngunit iniharang ko ang mais na binili ko kanina.

"Here, since you worked hard today."

I shrugged, sinamaan niya ako ng tingin ng panget at kalbong tandang na ito saka kinain lang din ang mais. Hindi ko alam kung saan ba napupunta ang kinakain nito.

"So what crimes did your brother's wife and son do anyways? is it that bad that they had a death penalty which made your brother that way?"

I asked.

"His wife is actually the one who did the crimes. She is about to be executed but her son, the god of wisdom tried to free her and helped her escape. But she also betrayed him. As a punishment, thay goddess is killed and his son were exiled to earth, forced to live as human where he could never come back."

He explained, natigilan ako doon.

"The god of wisdom is exiled in earth?"

I asked.

"Ulit ulit?"

Pilosopo niyang sabi na nagpairap saakin. Whenever I visit the temple back then, I would always glance at the God of wisdom's statue and I feel weird looking at it.

"What is he like?"

Tanong ko, taka niya akong tinignan.

"He doesn't talk much, so I don't really know. He is the guide of theians who's lost their path. "

Leonard answered.

"Do you know that my mother and all the women in their family actually has an ability even though they are not a human? there is even someone who could see the future which is not possible for a theian."

I said, nanlaki ang mata niya doon.

"That's not possible for a human. That world may be the mirror image of mytheia but  there is not any ounce of mana on it."

He said.

"Then is it possible for a god to have children with a human and they could inherit his power? you said that the god of wisdom is exiled in earth."

I said connecting all the dots, that the god of wisdom might be the reason why my mom's family had an ability. That his power could be strong enough to continue being enherited for generations. 

And that's why I feel something whenever I see his statue or read something about that god. 

"But the two great gods took his power from him and made him a human to live a new life. Yes technically he could have children since he became a human."

Naguguluhang saad nito.

"Then he is not our ancestor?"

I asked, umiling siya saakin.

"Theians can't have children or if they can, humans won't inherit their power. So it could be that god. Nawala ang kapangyarihan niya, ngunit hindi imposibleng mapasa ito sakaniyang mga anak."

Paliwanag niya.

"Then why is it only women?"

I asked as he took another corn from my bag.

"Their dna is more compatible to theians or any being from Mytheia then human male. So if ever there will be a miracle where the two beings will have children, women is more likely to inherit the power."

He shrugged napasimangot ako doon.

"Eh bakit ako noon? hindi ko naman namana ang kapangyarihan ni papa."

Irap ko.

"Because of the fruit your mother ate for you two to live. Hindi pa handa ang katawan mo dahil kalahating tao ka, para magkaroon ng malakas na kapangyarihan, it wil also be toxic to you, so you didn't inherit your father's power at birth. Instead just like your mother's family, you inherited an ability from your ancestor."

Paliwanag niya, napatango tango ako doon. 

Nang matapos ang break ay bumalik na ako sa klase. Agad akong naupo sa bakanteng upuan.

"They say that our profesor won't be around and we'll have a new one?"

I heard.

"Yes, they say she got so injured from the leak raid that she had to take a break for months! But one of the members from that group will be our professor."

Patuloy na pag uusap ng nasa harapan ko.

"Really?! Oh my, aren't they the rank 1?

They squealed, natigilan ako doon. Our professor who got injured is from Draco's group and one of that member will be our temporary teacher while she's taking a break?

Natahimik ang lahat nang bumukas ang pintuan kasabay ng pagpasok ng aming guro. That silver hair and his cold gaze that took our breath away.

"Good afternoon."

His cold baritone voice filled the once loud room that is now so silent from shock, seeing the most dangerous man of the kingdom as our new professor.

"Ubfortunately your professor met an unlucky circumstance that made her unable to work. So as you all know, I'll be your temporary professor."

He said coldly as he gazes at everyone.

Bahagyang tumambol ang puso ko nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin na nagpakunot noo sakaniya, tila ba may napansing kakaiba saakin saka nag iwas ng tingin.

Napabuga ako ng marahas na hangin at mariing napapikit.

'Shit, looks like, finding the core will be harder, with this man around.'

A/n: Inaatake ng writer's block habang sinusulat itong chapter na to so pagpasensyahan niyo na po hehe.. :)))