The sky was starting to gloom when I reached the balcony of the Arcane tower. Carwell, who was looking like someone who eats hatred every minute, stared blanky at me. There was Genesis, too, who approach me with a wide smile. Estelle, Rhysan and the others were focused on reading their papers containing all the lists of clues or something that might help them solve the indicident that happened yesterday.

I couldn't refrain myself from yawning. Kailan pa ba sila matatapos? Ano ba kasing naisip ni Boris at ginawa niya akong leader ng mga 'to? Dagdag lamang sila sa iisipin ko.

Snow stood up, wearing her usual maldita look. Naglakad siya papalapit sa'kin at biglang inihagis ang bitbit niyang notebook. "Why don't you help us instead of yawning? You're the leader so act like one!"

"Snow, stop that," pagsingit ni Genesis. He looked at me worriedly but I couldn't care less.

Third, who was sitting behind him, stood up. He held Snow's arm and whispered, "Come on, tapusin muna natin 'to. It's not the right time to fuss, Snow."

I rolled my eyes. These people are complete cringe.

"Ang unfair, e! Siya ang leader tapos nakatunganga lang siya? Anong klase 'yan!?" said Snow.

Napaismid na lamang ako. I have no intention of solving this, honestly. The harm was done, so what's the point? Besides, it's not like it was my problem.

I stood up. Sabay naman silang nag-angat ng tingin. "I'll be back. Gotta go and see Boris." Then, I strode off, not wasting a second for their response.

I walked through the familiar path to the office. As usual, students were glaring at me, even worse now. Perhaps because of the news that their favorite student council lost his position as an Arcane leader, and now, they're throwing all their dramas on me.

How pathetic.

I twisted the knob as I reached Boris' office. Mabilis akong pumasok nang hindi kumakatok and luckily, wala na akong aabutan na nagtutukaan. Boris was on his seat, hands on his temple while slightly massaging it. He looked up when he noticed me.

"Ara," he stood up, "what brings you here?"

Umupo muna ako sa bakanteng upuan. I crossed my legs before answering, "To tell you that I don't want to be the leader."

He grunted, there was a slight chuckle after it. "That's the perfect punishment for you," he said.

Napataas ang kilay ko. "So, you did this because you knew I'd hate it?"

He flicked a thumbs-up. "Clever girl. Remember the rules you broke? The incident on the cafeteria with Ms Ross, the midnight strolling, the misbehavior yesterday," he paused to grin, "you deserve that."

"Bullshit," I muttered. Mas lalo lamang siyang napangisi. Umirap ako.

"So, 'yan lang ang pinunta mo dito?"

"Not really," I replied. Yes, it wasn't my whole intention. "About the king, what is he like?"

Hindi ko alam kung anong nakain ko at bigla na lamang iyong lumabas sa aking bibig. Boris did not seemed to be surprise, though. Sa halip ay napangiti pa siya.

"I knew you would ask that," he said. "The king is exceptionally brilliant. He's so much like Caelum. They're family, after all."

"Only that the king knows how to smile." A fake one though.

"Ah, I see. Nagkakilala na pala kayo ng hari," he said. Lumingon siya sa'kin at tila kumislap pa ang mga mata. "It's really nice to hear you ask about this. Kahit papaano ay may pakialam ka na sa iba."

And it was my time to grunt. Pakialam? Kailan pa? If only he knew the truth, he wouldn't be this stupid.

Hindi na ako sumagot at sumandal na lang sa sandalan ng upuan. There was a minute of silence but it was shattered when the door sprung open and burst out a girl in her lavender pajama.

"Headmaster Boris!" I flinched at Shaye's high pitch voice. "I heard about what happened. Have you seen— Ara, you're here!" She rushed towards me and clung on my neck. "Nag-alala ako ng sobra!" she sniffed.

Slowly, I pulled myself out of her embrace. "Pull yourself together, Shaye."

"What happened?" She rounded at Boris. Umupo siya sa tabi ko. "Headmaster?"

To my annoyance, Boris smirked. Mukhang may naisip na naman siyang kalokohan.

"Since you're here, I might insist you join the Arcane on their investigation, Ms Defen," he said. Napairap na lamang ako.

"Investigation?" Shaye looked puzzled. "You mean, you haven't found out who's behind this all?"

Boris' face hardened. He looked away. "Sa kasamaang palad, gano'n na nga."

Mabilis na tumayo si Shaye. "I'll help!"

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, of course, I do!" aniya at nilingon ako. "I'm not a Scout for nothing, Ara — and perhaps a year from now, I'll be an Ace, too." Muli siyang tumingin kay Boris suot ang determinado niyang mukha.

I stood up next to Shaye, walked to Boris, before speaking, "I'll take Shaye. Might as well train her."

Boris looked shocked, but Shaye leaped and hugged me again. Napaismid na lang ako. Ang babaw ng kaligayan ng babaeng 'to.

"I'll be your apprentice? Totoo?" hindi makapaniwala niyang turan. "Headmaster, we need your permission."

Umiling si Boris bago ako binigyan ng makahulugang ngiti. "It's good to see you have a friend, Ara," she turned to Shaye, "and yes, Ms Defen. You can."

Shaye seemed to take it so serious. She jumped on her feet and squeezed me in between her arms. Hindi na maipinta ang mukha ko sa ginawa niya at mabilis akong umatras. "Stop that."

"I'm just happy!" Binigyan niya ako ng malawak na ngiti na halos kita na ang kanyang gilagid. "Thank you headmaster," aniya.

Boris smiled and went back on his seat but before he could fix himself, the door burst open. It revealed Third, fixing his disheveled hair and panting. "Headmaster!"

Wala sa oras na napatayo si Boris. "What's the hurry, Mr Maume?"

"We found out something about yesterday — Dygaians — the barrier —"

"The barrier?" asked Boris. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang pagtiim bagang niya. He massaged his temple. "What about the barrier?"

"Barrier? This place?" pagsingit ko.

"We found out the West Forest sort of died—"

"Sort of died!?"

Napaismid ako sa biglaang pagsigaw ni Boris. "Pwede bang tumahimik ka muna? How do you think Third can explain if you keep on shouting?"

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga at marahang tumango.

I felt someone held my hand. Napalingon ako rito at napakunot ang noo. Binigyan ko ng nagtatanong na tingin si Shaye ngunit ngumiti lamang siya.

"Anong mayro'n sa West Forest?" I asked.

"It's where the Barrier Seeds were planted to protect the Academy," Shaye suddenly spoke. Tumango naman si Third sa paliwanag niya.

"Then we go and plant more Seeds."

"It's not that simple, Ara," said Boris. "There's only one place where you can find Seeds."

"It's far, far away from here," said Third, "and dangerous."

Napangisi ako. It's funny how an idea of danger tickles my spirit. "Where?"

Shaye's grip tightened. "Actyle Ruins."

"WE NEED to separate when we get there — greater chances of finding it before someone attacks us."

"I'll pack our things."

All the Arcanes nodded at Zale's instructions, while I'm just staring blankly at them, sitting on the single couch. They turned their head on me, wearing a questioning-look. Tinaasan ko sila ng kilay. "What?"

"Are you just gonna sit there? Hindi ka ba tutulong?" ani Snow at inirapan ako.

Hindi ako sumagot at inilihis ang atensyon sa may bintana. Dapit-hapon na. Kahit hindi man namin gustong umalis ng patapos na ang araw, kailangan pa rin. It's a matter of time, as Boris said. I haven't really heard of Actyle Ruins before but whatever, alam ko naman na ngayon.

"Useless leader."

My ears perked. Muli akong napalingon kay Snow na matalim na nakatitig sa'kin. Useless leader, my ass. Hindi ko naman 'to hiniling.

"Hey..." Nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Genesis. He moved towards me and squatted on the bare floor. "How's my girl?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Tigil-tigilan mo 'ko, Genesis," banta ko.

Napangisi lamang siya sa sagot ko. "You don't know Actyle Ruins, do you?"

"Mukha bang alam ko?"

Napaismid siya. "It's near your island," aniya.

Nakuha nito ang atensyon ko kaya'y mabilis akong bumaling sa kanya. "What do you mean?"

"Forthill and Actyle are neighbouring islands," he said.

Tumango na lamang ako sa tinuran niya at hindi na nagtanong pa. How come I haven't heard of that place?

One by one, the Arcanes went to their rooms. Gano'n din ang ginawa ko. After packing my things, tahimik akong lumabas ng dormitoryo at bumaba. Ayaw kong mag-aksaya ng oras para hintayin sila.

"Ang bilis mo talaga."

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses at nakita si Shaye na lakad-takbong humahabol sa akin. Hinihingal niyang sinapo ang dibdib nang makasabay sa hakbang ko.

"'Yan lang dala mo?" aniya at mapanuri akong tinignan.

I nodded. Maliit na backpack lang ang dala ko na naglalaman ng mga mahahalagang bagay lamang. "Bringing a lot of things when you're on a mission would be a burden."

Tumango lamang siya at ngumiti.

Nang tuluyan na kaming nakababa, bumungad sa akin ang matiwasay na school grounds, dagdag mo pa ang pulidong pagkakaayos ng mga halaman. Sa may kalayuan naman, sa gilid ng higanteng gate, ay kumakaway sa amin si Boris na may kasamang isang lalaki na mukhang propesor din 'ata.

"Nasaan na ang iba?" tanong ni Boris nang makalapit kami sa kanila. Nakangiti lamang ang lalaki sa tabi niya.

"They'll be here in a minute, headmaster," said Shaye.

Boris nodded.

"Oh, by the way, Ara," he glanced sideways and grinned, "this is Professor Quil, the head of Cubs."

Walang emosyon ko lamang na tinitigan ang Professor Quil kuno. He has this blonde hair na abot hanggang tainga. Medyo hindi rin siya katangkaran pero bakas ang otoridad sa mukha.

"Hello, Arcane leader," he said.

Lihim akong napairap at pekeng ngumiti. Natawa naman ng bahagya si Shaye na tahimik lang sa tabi ko.

Minutes had passed at bumaba na rin ang iba pang Arcane. Pinakahuli si Jiro na mukhang ayaw naman talagang sumama. Nakabusangot pa ito habang nakakapit sa damit ni Third. Panghuling dumating si Carwell na walang emosyon ang mukha. Ngumiti naman si Genesis sa'kin na ikinairap ko.

"Everyone is here," panimula ni Boris. He rounded on Shaye. "This'll be your first mission  as Ms. Belacour's apprentice, Ms. Defen."

"Yes, headmaster," sagot naman nito at malawak na ngumiti. "Gagalingan ko," pahabol niya pa.

Nilibot ni Boris ang kanyang paningin at isa-isa kaming tinignan. Pagkatapos ay muli siyang lumingon kay Quil at tinanguan ito. Sinuklian naman siya nito ng tipid na ngiti. He went back on me and gave a piece of leather with markings of lines and shapes. Itinapat niya ang hintuturo sa bandang kaliwa nito. "This is the safer route to the end of the forest, tanging lugar kung saan pwede kayong gumamit ng portal."

"Why can't we use one from here?" I asked.

"You'll know when you get there."

Tumango na lamang ako at inabot kay Genesis ang mapa. Tinaasan pa ako nito ng kilay kaya'y inirapan ko siya. "Huwag kang maarte."

"Okay. Everyone, good luck!" sabay na bigkas nina Boris at Quil, at sabay ring umalis sa harapan namin.

Ngayon ay kaming sampu na lamang ang nakatayo sa harap ng higanteng gate. Hindi maipinta ang mukha ko habang nakatitig sa aking mga kasama. Masyado kaming marami para sa misyong ito.

"Some of you should be left here, in case may umatake na naman or in case we'll need a back up," malamig kong saad.

"It's clear that Headmaster Boris wants all of us to go. Halata namang pinagpipilitan niyang tayong lahat ang umalis," sambit ni Jiro. "Let's just trust him."

"Well, I don't trust him," sagot ko.

"I'll stay. You can go and send me a signal if you need a back up." Napalingon kaming lahat kay Zale. He smiled, "Tama si Ara."

Natahimik naman si Jiro sa narinig at napairap ako. Ilang segundo muna silang nagtitigan bago humiwalay ang iba. Tinaasan ko ng kilay sina Caelum, Rhysan, Third, Snow, at Shaye nang dali-dali silang lumabas sa gate. Hindi man lang lumingon sa iba.

Gano'n ba sila ka excited sa misyong 'to?

Natawa ng bahagya si Zale. "So, Genesis, Estelle, Jiro, and me, will be your back up." Kalmado niyang kinuha ang mapa mula sa kamay ni Genesis at ibinalik sa 'kin. "Mag-ingat kayo."

Irap lamang ang isinukli ko bago tuluyang lumabas. I handed the map to Rhysan. "Keep it." Tumango lamang siya at nagsimula ng maglakad.

Kasabay ko si Shaye sa hulihan at nangunguna naman si Carwell na halatang galit pa rin sa mundo.

Halos kalahating oras na paglalakad ang lumipas ay inilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. Habang naglalakad ay pansin kong padilim nang padilim ang kalangitan, gano'n din ang pagdami ng mga puno na nadadaanan namin.

Mukhang maggagabi na talaga.

Hindi ko na inalintana ang paghinto-hinto ni Shaye, pati na ang nakakarinding boses ni Snow na sana raw ay nagpa-iwan na lang siya. Sino ba kasing pumilit sa kanya na sumama?

"Kaya pa, guys?" biglaang tanong ni Rhysan.

"Hmm," tanging sagot ni Third na sinundan ng sarkastikong tawa ni Snow.

Naramdaman kong may humila sa laylayan ng aking damit kaya'y lumingon ako rito at hinarap ang nakabusangot na mukha ni Shaye. "Can we rest muna?" nag-aalangan niyang tanong.

"It says here in the map na may ilog malapit dito. Pwede tayong magpahinga roon."

Napasuntok sa hangin si Third nang marinig ang turan ni Rhysan. "Buti naman!"

Muling namayani ang katahimikan at ilang minuto lamang ay narinig na namin ang pagragasa ng tubig mula sa sinabing ilog. Dali-daling tumakbo sina Shaye at Third dito at sumalampak sa ilalim ng matayog na kahoy.

"Tubig..." kunwaring naghihingalong sambit ni Third.

"Bobo ka ba? Higupin mo 'yang ilog," pambabara naman ni Snow at inirapan ito.

Tahimik kong ibinababa ang bag na dala ko at umupo rin sa may kalayuan mula sa kanila, ngunit napakunot ang noo ko no'ng mapagtantong sumunod pala sa akin si Carwell. Walang emosyon siyang umupo isang metro lamang ang layo sa tabi ko at isinandal ang ulo sa natumbang kahoy.

Napailing na lamang ako. Hindi ko na dapat 'yan pinapansin.

Kinuha ko sa bag ko ang isang bote ng tubig na itinago ko kanina at mabilisan itong nilunok. 

"Ang arte."

Napahinto ako, ibinaba ang bote, at napataas ang kilay. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Carwell. "Problema mo?"

"Masaya ka ba?" Sinalubong niya ang tingin ko gamit ang malalamig niyang mga mata "Leader?"

"Hindi," malamya kong sagot. "Kasi wala naman akong pakialam." Kasalanan ko bang lumuwag ang turnilyo sa utak ni Boris?

"I'm mad at you—"

Napangisi ako sa tinuran niya. "My pleasure."

"—and I'll make sure you pay for it."

This time, hindi ko na napigilan at malakas akong napatawa. Napalingon pa sa amin ang ibang Arcane ngunit hindi ko na 'yun pinansin.

"Oh, scary..." natatawang sagot ko.

Hindi siya sumagot at pumikit kaya'y tumahimik na ako. Ibabalik ko sa bag ang bote ng tubig at tumayo. Pinagpagan ko muna ang sarili bago naglakad papunta sa kinaroroonan ni Shaye.

Binigyan niya ako ng malisyosang tingin. "First time kong nakita kang tumawa ng gano'n."

"And?" walang emosyon kong tanong at tumabi sa kanya.

"Nakakapanibago lang na mukhang nagkakasundo kayo ni Caelum..."

Napaismid ako. Mukha ba kaming nagkakasundo? Sa yabang ba naman ng lalaking 'yun.

Kung alam mo lang kung ano ang sinabi ng pinsan mo, Shaye.