I heard Johannes clear his throat. Binigyan niya ako ng tingin na nagsasabing, 'Dude, you better settle this little love triangle drama soon! Malapit nang magsimula ang wanding rites ng freshies!' or at least that's how I interpreted it.

Minsan nakakalimutan kong kasama ko nga palang pumasok si Johnannes sa Nightspell, and we've been inseparable since first year. But this isn't the time to reminisce, not when Master Zephir started walking towards the circular platform to start the ceremony.

He's right.

Hindi ko na kailangang sumulyap sa gilid ko malamang malapit nang maging permanente ang simangot sa mga labi ni Vela. She glared at the girl hugging me like she wanted to rip her off me and send her flying to the next planet.

I smirked at her odd expression.

'Your jealousy's a little too intense, don't you think, lambkin?'

Sighing, I gently pried Geniana's arms off me and gave her an apologetic smile. Bukod sa ayoko nang tumagal ang unnecessary drama na ito, I don't want to be the cause of a witch's unplanned visit to the infirmary.

"Sorry, Nian. I've been a bit busy yesterday with homework." From the corner of my eye, I can see the succubus still looking displeased with how close Geniana is. Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at ngumiti sa kausap ko, "I'll make it up to you. Why don't we grab a cup of pixie tea tomorrow?"

Upon mentioning her favorite drink, Geniana's eyes lit up. She brushed her hazel locks behind her ear, not bothering to hide her blush.

"OH, MERLIN! Alam mo talaga kung anong paborito ko. Yes! Yes! Yes, I do! I'd love toooo!"

Kamuntikan na akong mawalan ng hangin nang yakapin niya ulit ako.

Hinayaan ko lang si Geniana, knowing all too well how clingy she can be.

This time, it was Vela who cleared her throat. A sharp glare that I don't even want to attempt to interpret. Her long fingernails drumming on the stone bench, as if becoming more impatient. I rolled my eyes and gently pushed the witch aside.

"Malapit nang magsimula ang wanding rites, you better get back to your seat." I smiled, silently hoping she got the message.

Pero nagulat na lang ako nang binalingan niya ang pwesto kung nasaan si Vela. Shit. Hindi nga pala niya ito nakikita dahil sa Invisibility paint!

"Wala namang nakaupo sa tabi mo, 'di ba? I'll just sit here beside you!"

Vela looked absolutely feral.

Oh goddesses of spells, help me.

"Okay, tabi na tayo--!"

"NO!"

I suddenly attracted the attention of half of my batchmates. Napalingon sila sa'kin na para bang nasisiraan na ako ng bait. Some professors glared at me, seeing it as a form of disrespect for the ceremony. Great, now I'm the center of attention.

Huminga ako nang malalim at sinubukang ngumiti sa kanila na para bang wala akong katabing succubus na mukhang anumang oras ay mage-eskandalo na rito dahil kay Geniana.

Fortunately, I don't need any magic to get out of this one.

"No, because the ceremony is about to start soon," binigyan ko ng isang mahiyaing ngiti ang witch na tahimik na hinihintay ang paliwanag ko. "I'm afraid I'll be too distracted if you sit beside me, Nian. Baka sa'yo lang ako tumitig buong seremonya."

Geniana blushed and started fidgeting.

"O-Oh! If that's the case, I-I'll just sit with my friends."

I gave her my full attention.

"See you tomorrow then?"

Her eyes sparkled.

"S-Sure!"

I couldn't help the victorious smirk gracing my lips when the witch rushed away, still red in the face. Sa gilid ko, napasipol si Johannes na ngumangata na pala ng popcorn, para bang nanonood lang ng isang telenovela. Tsk.

"Damn, bro. She's still crazy for you even after the breakup! Alam mo mas epektibo pa yata ang charms mo kaysa sa anumang love potion na pinag-aralan natin sa potions class." Natawa si Johannes at inalok ako ng popcorn bago dinagdag, "akala ko talaga lalapitan na talaga tayo ni Sir Hamilton kanina. Geez, you know how traumatize I still am from the last detention!"

He didn't need to remind me.

I was there.

Maya-maya pa, kapansin-pansing natahimik na ang lahat ng wizards at witches ng Nightspell. It was imperceptible by ordinary human senses, but the light of the supermoon brought a fresh flow of energy in the air. A silver cloak that covered the land. It was electric, the kind of magic that charged wands and precious stones.

Bumaling ako sa unahan kung saan nakatayo si Master Zephir. His robes billowed behind him, as the gifting circle glowed under the feet of the new batch of witches and wizards.

"This evening, we greet our new generation of students... May your years in Nightspell uncover the potential in your blood and provide a path to rediscover yourselves as bearers of magic."

Master Zephir started chanting a spell in Latin.

Lalong lumiwanag ang gifting circle, shades of blue and silver light danced around the freshmen.

Ilang rows ang layo namin mula sa entablado, pero nanindig pa rin ang bahibo ko sa lakas ng mahika ng ritwal. Maging si Johannes ay apektado, tuluyan nang kinalimutan ang popcorn.

"Boring!"

Napasimangot ako nang marinig ko ang kumento ng succubus sa tabi ko. I looked around, making sure nobody heard her. Thankfully, everyone else was too enthralled with the wanding rites to even notice her disembodied voice.

I leaned closer and whispered, "Well, too bad because this lasts for another hour, lambkin."

Vela raised an eyebrow, red lips tugged into a frown.

"Seryoso ka ba? Ugh! Darling, you should at least give me something to keep me from dying of boredom!"

"Hindi ko na problema yun." I deadpanned.

Her eyes suddenly lit up with mischief.

"Hmm. Actually, 'di naman ako choosy. I know the perfect 'thing' to keep me occupied..."

The succubus inched her fingers to my thigh. Soon, I felt her hand travel higher and higher until---

I grabbed her wrist, unamused with her attempt.

"You really can't behave, can you?"

She purred. "Then why don't you teach me how to behave?"

Ilang sandali pa, lalo niyang idinikit ang katawan niya sa'kin. Dahil sa limitadong espasyo, hindi ako makausog papalayo nang hindi makukuha ang atensyon ni Johannes at ng iba pa naming mga kaklase. Damn, she's taking advantage of this!

"Clever little vixen."

She smirked playfully and warmly breathed down my neck. I admit, she was too close to my liking.

"My wizard seems to be underestimating me," her red lips ghosted my skin. Teasing, testing. Soon, her tongue darted out of her sinful lips and licked my neck. "Don't make a succubus jealous again."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Jealous? Does this mean...

Before I could even reply, Vela's mouth assaulted my neck. Natuod ako sa kinauupuan ko. The succubus started licking and sucking a particular spot, knowing well that I can't cause another scene during the ceremony.

"Vela, stop." I growled, the chain rattled between us.

Giving one last peck, she giggled and suddenly sat properly again.

"Looks good on you handsome," Vela winked and blew me a flying kiss.

What the hell...?

Bago ko pa man ako makapagtanong, narinig kong napasinghap sa gulat si Johannes nang tumingin sa direksyon ko. Natapon pa ang popcorn sa kamay niya, but he stared at me as if my appearance was more amusing than any ceremony in Eastwood. Soon, he grinned like a mad wizard while staring at my neck.

"Kitams! Yung charms mo, tumatalab pati sa isang succubus!"

I then realized what Vela did.

I glared hard at her. Hindi ako makapaniwala! Alam ko namang agresibo at mapang-akit ang mga katulad niya, but this is just a whole new level! And to top it off, she looks proud with her little "achievement".

I tried to calm myself but...

Did she really just give me a hickey during a sacred ceremony?!

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