Chapter 16: Acting A Fool

A tall man with fair skin and gray eyes stood there at the podium. He didn't look old but his black hair had silver streaks. His presence seemed to command authority.

Dammit!

I screamed inside my thoughts. I feel the rage inside me that I've been trying to calm since the storm started. Sick in my stomach is a proper way to feel disgusted right now. I really don't understand everything.

Hindi ako nakikinig sa bawat detalyeng sinasabi ng mga panauhin sa gitna. Yung utak ko ay masyadong occupied na hindi ko napansin natapos na pala ang assembly at kanya-kanya na silang nag si alisan. Hindi pa sana ako tatayo kung hindi lng ako tinapik ni Florence.

Sumenyas lng ako na mauuna na muna sila. Mga ala una na ng hapon nag simula ang assembly at natapos mga bandang alas sais. May nagperform katulad sa team nila Harry na para silang nagsasayaw sa pamamagitan ng pag basketball. May iba na gumamit ng ability o mahika nila. Masaya naman, may mga kaunting paanunsyo at iba pa. Kaso, hindi nakatuon ang atensyon ko dito kanina.

Binilinan nila ako na alas syete ng gabi ang call time para sa hapunan sa cafeteria hall. Bukas naman daw ng bente quatro oras ang mga stalls and shops sa ibang bahagi ng campus. Yung parang mini community centre nila na may mga mall, cafes, market etc. exclusively for staffs and students ng institution nito. Mayaman nga talaga ang paaralan sapagkat nakagawa nila na magpatayo ng mga libangan para hindi na lumabas ang mga estudyante para sa kanilang kaligtasan.

Kaso nga lang may curfew bandang alas onse ng gabi ang dormitoryo at sa campus. No students should allowed to be seen roaming around this time or else detention. I read it in the handbook.

Napadpad ang mga paa ko sa rooftop ng cafeteria hall. Sumakay ako sa pamamagitan ng elevator at ipinasasalamat ko na wala masyadong tao. Nasa pangatlong bahagi lng ang taas ng cafeteria hall. Ma accomodate talaga ang lahat. Yung kanina sa lunch ay nasa palapag na bahagi ng building ito. Ang laki at para sa pagkainan lng talaga.

Tumunog ang elevator at lumabas na ako. Namangha ako sa ganda ng tanawin dito. Over view looking na makikita ang buong campus. Ma-aliwalas at madaming mga palamuti katulad ng mga ilaw at jazz music. Parang nasa normal na mundo lng ako at nakaka-nostalgic ang ambiance. The interior designs mixed with wood and nature.

Napansin ko walang masyadong tao at iilan lng ang nandito. Umupo ako sa dulo malapit sa grills kung saan mas tanaw ang tanawin. The seats were comfortable either parang gusto ko na lng matulog. Minutes later nilapitan ako ng waiter nila. Mamukhaan mo ito dahil sa uniporme na suot.

"Good evening ma'am, can we take your order?" he said politely.

Naiilang ako dahil hindi ako sanay. Parang kasing edad ko lng din to. Sasabihin ko na sana kung ano ang best seller nila ng muntik kong makalimutan wala pala akong pera!

"S-sir, teka lng. I forgot my wallet." taranta kong sabi at tatayo na sana nung pinigilan niya ako. Tumawa siya ng mahina na ikana-nuot ng noo ko.

"Miss, mawalang-galang pero hindi niyo na po kailangan mag bayad." sabi niya ng mahinahon. "Let me guess, are you a freshmen or transferee?"

"Transferee." sagot ko ng tipid.

Napa 'ohh' na lng siya. "I see, as you can see. Every student here earns merits. Meaning, kapag mataas ang grades mo mas madami kang ma e-earn na reward. Your merits serves as your allowance when it change to a bill. When you enrolled here in this academy kapalit ng tuition ay regalo ng mga administration ang merit system para pagbutihin ng mga estudyante ang pag aaral nila." I nod as response.

"Ahh, pero hindi ba nakaka-pressure nun? They have to worked hard and study para maka earn sila ng points. What if they got low points that means wala rin silang pera?" I ask confusedly.

"Yes but it doesn't mean they can't live to survive. The institution provide monthly groceries and necessities for every student to survive a month expenses." namilog ang mata ko sa nalaman na ikinatawa niya lamang. "Now tell me, sino ibang school ang gagawa nito? Wala. Kaya dito napasok ang independent budgeting. Nasa studyante na yun kung paano nito e bu-budget kung wais o abusado man."

Namahanga naman ako sa aking mga nalaman. Talaga naman pala kahit sa ibang paraan pinatutunan ng institution na 'to ang pagiging responsable. Hindi ko kasi to na intindihan sa handbook kaya pasalamat ko na inexplain nito ng maayos.

"Ohh okay, thank you for informing me. I've learned a lot." I smiled genuinely. "But, how do I know how much is my merit?"

Inilabas niya ang parang glass na screen. Kung titignan mo ito parang futuristic at nasa makabagong teknolihiya. "This is a scanner. Ito ang ginagamit para malaman ang merit points sa pamamagitan ng pag scan sa badge mo." tumingin naman siya sa badge ko na ikinabigla niya.

"Bakit?" tanong ko.

"Are you part of the special class?" he asked shocked. Kumunot ang noo ko at hesitant na tumango.

Iniscan niya ang pin ko at tumunog ang scanner na umilaw ng gold na lighting sa gilid. Nabigla naman siya sa kanyang nakita kaya muntik mahulog ito.

"Bakit? Anong problema?" yumuko siya bigla sa harap na ikinagulat ko at tumingin naman ang ibang staffs at estudyante sa gawi namin.

"Oy, kuya, anong ginagawa mo? Tumayo po kayo ang daming nakatingin oh." nahihiya kong paumanhin sa iba.

Tumayo naman siya pero nakayuko pa rin. "Ma'am, I apologized for my behavior earlier. Don't worry about your bill, sagot na nito po namin. We'll serve the best dish we have. I'll be right back." pipigilan ko na sana siya kaya lang ay dali-dali nitong tumalikod.

Ang weird. Baka zero balance ako?

Bulong ko sa aking sarili. Napansin ko naman na sumusulyap ang ibang staffs sa gawi ko at umiiwas. Anong problema ng mga ito? Kung zero balance nga ako, aba't magbabayad din naman ako. Ilista na lng nila na may utang ako at bayaran ko na lng pag nakita ko na si Hermano o kaya si Tatay Manong. Manghihingi na muna ako sakanila sapagkat wala pa akong pera.

May isang waiter rin ang naglapag ng juice sa lamesa. Nagpasalamat naman ako. Nag bow lng to at umalis ka agad. Sakto naman na ice tea ito at nauuhaw na ako.

Wala pang 15 minutes ay dumating na yung waiter kanina na may dalang tray na pagkain. Inilapag niya naman ito ng dahan-dahan sa lamesa. Pero nagulat naman ako na madami ang kanyang nilagay eh ako lng naman mag isa.

"Kuya, hindi ko po ito mauubos na ako lng mag-isa. Total kayo naman po ang nang libre samahan niyo na po ako kumain."

"Ma'am pasensya na po, bawal po kasi sa amin yan. Paumanhin po ginagawa ko lng ang trabaho ko. Pero pwede niyo naman ito ipabalot kung hindi niyo po naubos." sabi niya.

"Ahh sge po kuya, naintindihan ko pa. Salamat po." tumango lng siya at umalis na.

Nagdasal naman ako bilang pasasalamat. "Itadakimasu." mahinang bigkas ko.

Napansin ko puro paborito pala inihain nila. May empanada, chicken curry at iba pa. Nilantakan ko naman una ang kanin at chicken curry. Tahimik lng ako kumakain na may tumayo sa gilid ko.

"Pwede ba makiupo?" tinignan ko ito at nagulat ng mamukhaan kong sino ito. Hindi ako sumagot pero umupo naman ito sa bakanteng upuan na nasa harap ko.

"Morgana, apo." malumanay ng tugon ni papa. Tumingin lng ako sandali pero pinatuloy ko parin ang pag kain ng tahimik.

"Hinahanap ka ng mama at uncle mo. Kung hindi lng tumawag ang mga staffs dito na andito ka mag isa siguro pinapahanap ka na namin. Nag aalala kami sa'yo."

Tumawa ako ng payak. "Nag aalala? Pa, all of you make me act like a fool! All my entire life nabaon lng sa isang kasinungalingan. And what? You want me to understand all of these," I gestured to my surroundings. "In just a snap? Do you want me to just sit idle to go with the flow? Is that how you all want me to do?" I didn't realize I already raised my voice out of anger. Lahat ng kinikimkim kong sama ng loob ay napa labas ko.

Napansin ko wala na palang mga tao kahit ang aga pa ng oras baka pina alis nila or nag si alisan. I tried to calm down. Uminom muna ako ng tubig.

"I'm sorry, apo. I'm sorry sa lahat ng pagkukulang namin. Sugod karon mag tug-an nami og tinood sa imoha." (Simula ngayon magsasabi na kami ng totoo sa'yo.)

I'm really upset. "Abuelo, out of respect I hope you understand that it takes a lot of time to process all of this. No quiero sonar grosero, especialmente frente a la comida y contigo." (I don't want to sound rude, especially around food and with you.)

"Bueno, al menos comprendo por qué has estado tan distante." (Well, at least I understand why you've been so distant.) Tumango lng ako bilang responde.

"Solo termina tu comida, ¿de acuerdo? We'll wait for you downstairs." (Just finish your food up, okay?) Sabi niya habang tumayo at ginulo ang buhok ko ng mahina.

"Sí abuelo." (Yes, grandpa)

I sigh when he walk away. I lost my appetite in continuing eating so I called the staff para mabaon ko ang natira para hindi masayang. Nagpasalamat naman ako at bumaba na.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ༻✦༺ ｡☬————☬｡ ༻✦༺ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Third Person's POV

Before the student assembly, the big doors of the Guild Headquarters opened to their own meeting of the Royal Council, the highest order of rulers in HIRAWEI.

The Guild Headquarters or GHQ inside the Amrywiaeth: School of Supernatural & Elemental Abilities or ASSEA is an extension specifically if the meetings will be held in the institution. This serves as secluded and secured meeting room away from everyone that only part of the guild can know.

It was considered sanctuary for one of the top-ranking individuals. The members of the Royal Council are known for their characteristics as born in royal blood— hence as the rulers in their realm.

Connecting of the GHQ there's also called Board of Directors consist with the Headmaster/Owner of the institution, Faculty representative, Staff representative, Students representative and the Royal Council. GHQ was build in order for the peace and harmony inside and outside of the institution, to maintain a secured and balanced environment.

That is why we enter the existence of the Nobilissimus Association or the NA special class. As part of the class and as high ranking students they are sent to different field of missions to protect the HIRAWEI and the academy itself.

"It's chaos out there! And you don't have plan to tell us Frederick that they already infiltrate the academy?" a women in white formal wear burst out her angel wings out of nervousness, the queen from the Kingdom of Selenials. Trying to calm down as soon she realized she loses her patience.

They're faces are drawn with anger, confused, and losing temper. Afraid that their world will collapse in the hands of the enemy that been sending chaos lately.

"Let's all settled and calm down first before we settled the matter." with high authority, the Headmaster Frederick Proteus spoke.

Nagsi-upuan naman ang lahat sa mahabang lamesa na pang opisina.

"We come a long way here, Frederick. Wala tayong oras na dapat sayangin pagkat buhay ng mamayan ng mundo  natin ang madadamay." the captain of Renoig og Reef wearing his combat uniform in his human form interrupt.

The captains of Renoig realm doesn't like to called their country as kingdoms. Even though the rulers have pure royal blood, they strictly want to reconnect to nature as their primary resources and as their grown culture. The Renoig of Reef are the regions most known with the most population of Centaurs and Fawn lives.

"BVH. DV XZMG XLÍGÍLO RÚ LÉI NRMWH RQ RM XSZLH GLL." the queen of the Kingdom of Luxtrous lit her hand with light to stop everyone in fighting.

Pronounciation: Beveh. Dev ekzemeg xelegelo ruh ley neremeh reh rem xesezeleh gelel
Translation: Yes. We can't speak if our minds is in chaos too.

[HIRAWEIAN ALPHABET WILL BE DISCUSSED HOW TO WRITE AND PRONOUNCE IN ASSEA HANDBOOK CHAPTER. ALSO, THERE WILL BE A CHAPTER WHICH THIS WILL BE THOUGHT.]

As expected of her. Being the balance and maintaining harmony of both worlds, the mortal and immortals. The Moonfolks people from their kingdom serves as guardians. They're the ones who protect the existence of HIRAWEI for some certain reasons.

And we all know what chaos could bring when both worlds collided.

"What happened inside the arena? How could you let this happened?" in his serious tone the king from the Kingdom of Lishox said calmly.

"It's outside the matter. It's within the family clan itself. Sa susunod ay hindi ko na iyon hahayaan mangyari pang muli." sagot ni Frederick Proteus— ang headmaster ng ASSEA.

"Don't you think it's connected with the rebels? Impossible walang nag utos sakanila para kunin at patayin si Morgana?" they all went silent. "If it's your family clan mess, then how they know to enter the portal of HIRAWEI? There must be a spy somewhere lurking and waiting." the captain from the Renoig of Rrnigu began. He straightened and look them in the eye.

Everyone in the room suddenly went kenopsia. They all know, that wizards has the ability to see a bit of future. Their instincts are somewhat true that sometimes their words are bound to make happen.

"The incidents of murdered victims grew day by day. Somewhere out there isn't safe and we need to stop this, no matter what. Mas lalo na alam nila nasa atin si HIRAWEI kukunin at gagamitin nila ito para mag patuloy sa kanilang kasakiman." the queen from the Kingdom of Xoyel momentarily stunned at this.

"We have a week to stay here, my dear brother. As everyone agreed and your order to lay low for our security. If we die out there the rebels will just celebrate their victory and we can't protect our people. Hindi kami takot sa kahit na sino. All of the realms are in high security mode kaya wala ka dapat aalahanin." the present king from the Kingdom of Raskovux said with determination.

"For the information, we're not hiding. We take an oath to protect our realm and its people and we're taking actions to settled this at once. Hindi ko na gusto mangyari pang muli ang madugong nakaraan."

Their murmurs echoed in the entire room.

"Let's go, everyone's waiting." Frederick said, while standing up.

Despite being busy and highly respected, the bond they have serves as inspiration to every people in every realm. Unlike in the stories that kingdoms fought and never been friends, war and greed everywhere, it is nice to know that they're truly united.

From friends who fought together of the cold and bloody first Hiraweian War 100 years ago, they swear to make justice and harmony for HIRAWEI.