"Sir, the Lady is asking for your presence." saad ng isang tagapagsilbi habang ang kaniyang ulo ay bahagyang nakayuko.

Barron closed the book on his lap and stood up. His eyes sharpened, "So she has finish it already.." he said to himself then glanced at the other Hevrions in the room. Medyo kakaunti lamang sila doon dahil ang ibang hindi nagtagumpay sa pagkuha ng ibang libro ay kasalukuyang nasa underground dungeon at patuloy na pinaparusahan ng walang pahinga.

Lahat ay tumingin rito at katulad ng madalas, they're slightly intimidated just by his mere presence. Barron spoke, "I'll take my leave." saad nito at lumabas na ng silid.

The blond one with droopy eyes yawned, "He's really intimidating. As expected from my great great great grandfather."

"I cannot believe that he died at a young age. Though he was able to pass on his genes before his death." saad ng isang babae habang umiinom ito ng wine mula sa isang kopita. Tumingin naman ito sa isang lalaking tahimik lamang sa gilid, "Aren't you happy Grandfather? You met your own parent." she then chuckled, "We can't express our own emotions though. What a pity."

Natahimik ang kwarto pagkatapos ng usapan na iyon, kung usapan mang matatawag. They all have connections because of their bloodline and family tree but none of them has a bond to one another. Such a fragile thing didn't exist in their so-called family.

Pinaglaruan ng babae ang alak na nasa kaniyang kopita, "So we still haven't met the last two huh. I wonder what kind of people they are," she smirked, "Though I'm pretty sure that they're both like us as well."

She sadly smiled and stared at the red wine. This blood is a curse.

"You called for me?" Barron asked as he stand beside Xhen who's also facing Shaera.

Shaera looked down at them from the throne. Her leg is on top of the other and her sharp red eyes are staring down at them. Her cheek is resting on her knuckles.

Barron slightly squinted his eyes. Her presence just became bigger and more superior. Ilang linggo nitong ikinulong ang sarili sa isang kwarto upang gawin ang isang ritwal. Ngayon lamang ito lumabas at pansin agad ng dalawa ang malaking pagbabago sa presensya nito.

"The others kept on failing me and I expect that the both of you wouldn't do the same," lalong tumalim at lumamig ang tingin ng babae sa kanila, "Return with the last books without fail or I'll punish you even after death."

Barron turned his back and in an instant, he disappeared. Gano'n din ang nangyari kay Xhen. Shaera clicked her tongue and she clenched her teeth as her hand clench as well. "One more failure and I'll surely bury all of you worthless scums underground."

Shaera grabbed the wineglass that's on the tray that the maid is holding beside her. But because of her irritation, the glass broke in her hand. Nataranta naman ang tagapagsilbi at mabilis itong nilinis. Shaera gritted her teeth, showing how annoyed she is. "I am surrounded by imbeciles!"

The maids were startled when the windows broke just from her yell. Nagkaroon rin ng ilang mga bitak-bitak sa pader at may ilang mga bagay ang bigla na lamang nasira.

--

"Pinakialaman niya rin ang barrier?" tanong ni Alice habang sila'y kumakain sa iisang lamesa ng ilang mga guro.

Fobia raised a brow as she put the cup down, "He can do that? Isn't Shaera the one who's in control of that thing?"

"Mukhang hindi napansin ni Shaera. That Alexander guy is really skilled," saad ni Ermo at muling sumubo ng kanin. "He's also that kid's father right? It really runs in the blood."

Nanatili lamang na tahimik si Sinner habang kumakain. Alice smiled, "The students also love him. He has good teaching skills which is quite expected."

Sinner played with his food, "He's annoyingly unpredictable as well, just like his brat," he clicked his tongue, "Why won't he just unlock all these devices? Is he helping or not?"

Corum awkwardly chuckled, "Gano'n talaga 'yon. Minsan ay binabatay niya kay Zai ang mga desisyon na ginagawa niya."

Fobia smirked, "Weak spot spotted. If he does anything wrong, all we have to do is use his daughter against him then it's gonna be fine."

Corum sighed then he grinned, "Drop that idea. Zai is skilled enough not to fall in someone's hands."

Fobia rolled her eyes, "She's just a brat."

Corum shook his head as he chuckles, "You have no idea what they can do. With their kind, even a 9-year old kid is lethal. What more with grown-ups?"

Nagtaka naman sila sa sinabi nito. Ngunit hindi na ito muling nagsalita at tumalon na lamang pababa ng upuan. He fixed his scarf with his paw and walked away, "I'll head back. Afternoon classes are starting soon."

Night came and Alexander is just standing on one of the school building's rooftop. His lab coat and his hair is dancing along with the cold wind as his hands rest inside his pockets.

Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa baba. The night is quiet like always. Mayroong mga nagpapatrol sa mga hallways at mga nagkekwentuhang mga nagbabantay.

Alexander lifted his gaze and looked at the village on the other side. The academy is standing proud on a higher ground and that's why the village can be seen from the roofs. Walang masyadong ilaw na makikita sa bayan. Wala ring mga tao dahil sa takot na sila'y mahuli ng mga nagpapatrol rin doon. Alexander heard that they are forced to work in the daylight by a certain scientist. Some are even taken to his/her lab for some experiments. Nakakapagpahinga lamang ang mga ito sa gabi at sila'y muling magtatrabaho pagdating ng alas singko ng umaga. Kapag sila ay hindi sumusunod o tuluyan ng nanghihina at bumabagsak, sila'y pinaparusahan at pinipilit.

Ilang linggo na ang lumipas ngunit hindi pa rin dumadating ang dalaga. He's certain that she can handle herself but he can't help but to worry. This is a different world that she didn't grew up in. There are many kinds of people and creatures. She'll surely face troubles.

The side of his lips raised. Worry? That wasn't once existed in their family. Maski ang kaniyang ama ay hindi nagkaroon ng katiting na pag-aalala sa kaniya because that's what they are. Emotions are nonexistent. But Zai seems different. She's capable of showing some small emotions and yet sometimes she's not. She's unstable if someone would ask him.

Wala rin sa plano niyang mapalapit rito. All he was suppose to do is raise the next generation and then let her be on her own but something grew between them. It's a bond that Alexander wanted to throw away at first but he ended up loving and protecting that bond with his life. It would be a disgrace in their bloodline but Alexander doesn't care. He has learn to love his own daughter unlike the previous generations.

"Ano ba! Ang ingay niyo!" sigaw ni Zera kina Axen at Ace na naglolokohan habang sila'y papasok sa tarangkahan ng kanilang dormitoryo. Ngunit imbis na manahimik ay nagpatuloy lamang ang dalawa sa paghaharutan. Nakisama na rin dito si Jebal. Hindi naman ito pinapansin nina Layn, Kleiv, at Vyann na diretso lamang ang tingin. Christa is chuckling as she watch them have fun.

Sa harutan ng tatlo ay nadapa ang mga ito sa iilan na hagdan at natulak pabukas ang pinto ng dormitoryo. They laughed even though they fell on the floor. Sina Zera na nadamay sa pagbagsak ng mga ito ay napadaing dahil sa sakit.

"So you have the time to act so carefree," their eyes widen when they heard a very familiar cold voice. They heard her scoff, "How enviable."

Mabilis nilang inangat ang kanilang tingin at lalong nanlaki ang kanilang mga mata noong makita ang pamilyar na babae na nakaupo sa single seater couch. Her leg is on top of the other as she rest her back on the backrest majestically. There's a small smirk on her lips and they could feel how intimidating she has become. Mas nakakasindak na ang presensya nito kaysa noon. Her eyes became sharper and colder. They can feel their inferiority in front of her. As if they're facing a more superior being.

But she wasn't alone. Nakaupo sa sopa ang dalawang batang lalaki at kasama nito ang isang binata. Isang balbas saradong lalaki ang nakatayo sa gilid ni Zai. Mukhang ito ang pinakamatanda sa kanilang grupo. Mayroon namang lalaki na nakasuot ng isang letterman jacket na nakahiga sa isa pang sopa at ang mga paa nito ay nakapatong sa hita ng isang babae na diretso lamang ang likod na nakaupo at nililinis ang isang dagger.

Jebal's eyes widen when he saw the familiar face of his brother that is sitting beside the children. Ang unang nakabawi sa pagkagulat ay si Layn. Napuno ng kagalakan ang mukha nito at siya'y tumayo. "Zai--!"

Akmang lalapit na siya sa dalaga ngunit nagulat na lamang siya noong may tumalon sa kanya. "Layn!" Trois shouted his name.

Layn's eyes widen with happiness, "Trois!"

Sila lamang ang nagpuna ng katahimikan sa loob ng silid. Zera and the others began to stand up as they look at Zai formally when they noticed that she's not here for a friendly reunion. Christa averted her gaze when he saw Zai's very sharp eyes.

Zai's serious expression remained, "Where's Wein?"

"Zai, how did you crossed the barrier that is covering the whole kingdom?" Zera asked. Ignoring Zai's question that made the girl make an annoyed expression.

"I'm asking you a question." Zai said as she squint her eyes. Their eyes widen when they felt how much she's intimidating them. Her mere presence is already bone-chilling but the pressure she's giving off can actually force them to drop on their knees.

The man who's laying on the sofa lazily talked, "I'll just answer her if I were you. She's really not in the good mood right now." he slightly removed his arm from covering his eyes then his scary yellow eyes stared at them. Christa flinched because of the fear she felt with his gaze. Even him has an unbelievable huge presence.

Shane stood up and smiled at them, "I'll borrow the kitchen, okay?" kaswal na saad nito na tila ba hindi nito nararamdaman ang tensyon na pumapalibot sa buong silid.

The side of Claysen's lips raised, "I don't know if he's just used to it or his completely dense."

Lalong tumalim ang mga mata ni Zai, "I'll ask again. Where's Wein?"

"What a nostalgic voice," Wein walked in as he loosen up his tie. "I just came back from doing some sh*tty paperwork and this is what greeted me? How stressful." saad nito at pormal na tumingin kay Zai.

Zai smirk, "I assume that you know what I came here for."

Wein showed an annoyed expression as he lift his hand. A book appeared, hovering over his fingers. Mabilis na nanlaki ang mga mata nina Zera sa nakita, "You have it all along?!"

Bumagsak ang libro sa sahig at hindi ito binigyan ng tingin ni Wein. Wein's ability is to store things in another dimension of his own and he can also summon those things any time he wants. Shaera wasn't able to sense the book because of that.

Tumayo naman ang isang bata na may itim na buhok at pulang mga mata. Nakapamulsa itong naglakad patungo sa libro at kaswal lamang na pinulot ito. Wein squinted his eyes when the boy touched it with his bare hands. Inilagay naman ni Claysen ang libro sa ibabaw ng maliit na lamesa sa harap ni Zai at siya'y muling umupo.

Zai looked at Wein's eyes, "We'll begin planning for the preparations. We'll send you some letters and I expect that you'll give us replies if needed." Zai squinted her eyes, "It's time to stop playing around. If you want to be freed from this hellhole, you better cooperate."

Lahat ay tumitig sa dalaga at sa mga kasama nito. They can feel their superiority. As if they're standing in front of a respectable group of higher officials. And they can't believe that Zai is in the center of it, being surrounded by amazing people. They could feel they are not doing anything half-ass. And Trois' artificial leg is the proof of it. It dawned on them. Winning a war requires a lot of sacrifices and they need to take it seriously or they won't survive for one minute.

Lumabas mula sa kusina si Shane at may dala-dala na itong plato na puno ng hiniwang mansanas. Lumapit ito kay Zai at inilapag nito ang plato sa harapan ng dalaga. Bonzo grabbed one piece and ate it.

Zai then smirked, "It seems that you acquired a pretty good ally while I'm gone," she tilted her head to the side as she continue to smile devilishly, "My father is here, isn't he?"

The moment she said those words, a gust of wind was felt inside the living room. Zai's eyes slowly widen when he saw a familiar man stand before her. He's wearing a lab coat and his hands are in its pockets. He's standing with great posture. Standing majestically and with dignity. His appearance hasn't change at all.

Ero and the others stared at Zai. They cannot believe that they're seeing so many emotions in her face right at this moment. There's a hint of slight shock, longing and a slight pain.

Alexander showed a small smile, "You've grown."

Zai closed her eyes and slightly parted her lips to breathe out. Pagbukas ng kaniyang mga mata ay bumalik na ang kaniyang madalas na ekspresyon. She stood up, "Dad."

For some reason, all those who heard her say that word felt a tingling sensation inside their stomachs. They couldn't believe that it really came from the girl.

Zai stared directly at Alexander's eyes, "You're not obligated to help."

Hindi naman nagbago ang ekspresyon ng lalaki, "I never said I'm helping."

Zai slowly blinked and then she stared down at the book, "Is that so?" she grabbed the book and she turned her back. Tumigil lamang siya noong maalala ang isang bagay, "Zen is fine.."

Alexander nodded, "I see.."

Zai pursed her lips as her back is still facing him. "Let's go." she whispered. Sa isang iglap ay nawala ang mga ito.

Wein looked at Alexander who remained standing on his spot, "Should we have left both of you alone?"

Hindi naman ito nilingon ng lalaki ngunit ito'y sumagot. "It's fine. I would've pushed her away if she did come to me."

Layn's hug on his teddy bear got tighter, "Why? You're her father, right? Even Zai deserves to be spoiled sometimes."

Alexander weakly smiled, "I'm already dead. She knows that more than anyone," he then breathed out as he look up, "And.. someone has already filled up that vacant space I left."