𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀

''There are two kinds of animals. Those that surround the land and those who can't be seen with our naked eyes.'' Professor Gyldfore adjusted his thick rounded glasses. Everyone in the class looks interested and writes down their notes while Blaze stared outside to watch other classes leaving their classrooms.

While sitting in front of the class, Caius smiled as he watch his academy best friend, Gyldfore
Saclon, teach the class. Today is Saclon's birthday and as a surprise, he invited his best friend to witness how to teach. They both wanted to be a professor, however, Caius' late father ran out of money. Sa huli'y naisip na lang ni Caius na mag-aral ng medisina.

''Prof! How is that possible? Paanong may mga hayop na hindi natin nakikita?'' The class's running rank 1 raised her hand. She is no other than Khelsie. Kapwang napangiti sila Caius at
Gyldfore dahil sa tanong ng estudyante.

''That's a good question.'' Binitawan ng maestro ang aklat upang lumutang ito paikot sa klase. The moment their professor did, they prepared themselves because they know what will happen next.

''Sus. Daming ebas,'' naiinip na bulong ni Blaze habang nakapatong ang kaniyang siko sa mesa.

He rolls his eyes because he wanted the class to end. Kanina pa siya hindi mapakali. Kung puwede lang umalis sa klase kahit nagtuturo ang maestro ay kanina niya pa ginawa.

"Thank you for recognizing my question. I just want to clarify something since I read a lot of debates about whether these animals are imaginary or real." Khelsie added that she wasn't satisfied with her first question. The truth is she wanted to test whether there were professors who were really invested in this topic.

Alam niya kasing bihira lang ang mga maestro na aralin ang ganitong bagay. Blaze can't help blubbering beside her. He wanted to cover his seatmate's mouth. Sigurado siyang madami nanamang tanong ang katabi. The class will end 15 minutes later but looks like they will extend again because his seatmate loves to throw questions.

"These animals are true. No, they weren't animals. In ancient times, they were sentries." Sumilay ang malawak na ngiti sa mga labi ng maestro. Saglit itong nagnakaw ng tingin mula sa kaibigang si Caius. He gave the professor a thumbs up.

Professor Gyldfore snapped her fingers. Sunod na lumutang sa direksyon niya ang transparent glass. He grab a feather pen and wrote something on the glass board. He only wrote one word yet the class seems eager to learn more.

"What can you read on the glass?" Sumilay ang malawak na ngisi sa mga labi ng maestro. And everyone raised their hand except for one person, Blaze.

"What are sentries?" The professor paused to let his students think. "In ancient times, sentries are spirit animals who guard different parts of the world. There were water sentries, land sentries, and air sentries. The most common known sentry is the land sentry. Ayon sa mga haka-haka ay ang mga itsura ng mga ito'y katulad sa mga hayop na alam natin."

Professor's feather pen started floating on the air. Gumalaw ito na para bang may ginuguhit sa ere. The tip of the feather's pen lits numerous vivid colors. The pen drew a huge deer with unusual horns. Tila naiwan ang makulay na guhit ng usa sa ere't halos ay napamangha. The professor smiled because of his students' reactions.

"The sketch that you can see is an example of a sentry. It looks like a deer, however it's not a deer that we usually know." Nakangiting tugon ng maestro.

Tumango naman ang kaniyang mga estudyante't hangang-hanga sa imahe sa ere.
Is there a chance that they will encourage sentries? Yeah, it has.

Taliwas sa akala ng iba na kathang-isip lang ito ng mga iskolar noong unang panahon. One of Professor Gyldfore's goal is to make students realize the truth about sentries. The class ended with his whole discussion about these.

"Thank you for lending me your ears, class. I hope you take down important details and see you next meeting." Ngiting tugon ng maestro. Nagsitayuan naman ang kaniyang mga estudyante't kanya-kaniyang lumapit sa kanilang mga kaibigan. Some of them are also thinking where to eat lunch.

"How are you?" Bungad ng maestro sa kaibigan. Caius smiled because he's proud of his friend. The students greet him goodbye mistaking him as a professor too. Habang abalang nag-aalisan ang mga estudyante'y napako ang mga mata ni Caius sa isang binatilyo.

He found himself observing Blaze from a far.

"That one is hard headed." Natatawang saad ni maestro nang mapansin kung saan nakatingin ang kaibigan. Isang pilit na ngiti naman ang tugon ni Caius sa maestro.

"I assume you're right," he paused. Saglit itong tumalikod upang ayusin ang dala-dalang gamit. He used his brand new belt-pouch gifted by Brio.

"Yeah. Nakita mo namang barumbado ito klase." Dinaan na lang ng maestro sa tawa ang ugali ng kaniyang estudyante. Kahit sino'ng maestro naman ay pareho ang sasabihin. They can't deny the fact that Blaze often raised questionable questions in class.

Professor Gyldfore snapped his fingers to put off the classroom's light. His things, such as thick books, pencil cases, and papers started to float beside him. Caius looked around the classroom before they left it. In the hallway, they were greeted by the crowd of students walking around and holding their lunches.

"Oh, it's lunch time." Humarap ang maestro sa kaibigan.

"Reminds you of the old gold times?" Caius playfully said. Nagtawanan naman ang dalawa habang naglalakad. They were greeted by the looks from different students like they were judging them from giggling on the hallway.

"Yeah. Oh, how I missed my nickname." He grins at Caius.

"The hard-headed red." Caius mimicked his grin. Sabay ulit nagtawanan ang dalawa.

They began reminiscing the past. Nakangiting nilakad ng dalawa ang hallway patungo sa likod ng akademya. That's right. Caius and him attended the same highschool. Hinggil sa kaalaman ng lahat ay naging anak sa labas si Caius ng isang kilalang maestro sa kanilang akademya noon.

Tiniis niyang manirahan sa isang bahay na pakiramdam niya'y isa lamang siyang sampid. He used to cry as he sleeps on a cold floor with old cold rag as his blanket. Not until he worked hard to earn money to finance himself, moved out, and lived with his own.

Professor Gyldfore used to be hard-headed. He was called because he used to have a semi-red hair, not until he was bullied because of it. Some people believes that this hair will bring misfortune to Nevarion. Nagbago na lamang ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Caius nang ma-alala si Scarlet. She reminds him of old Gyldfore. They are both heard-headed, blunt, and will do anything they want without minding other people's opinion.

''I heard a lot in this Academy.'' Gyldfore said one statement but Caius already knew that he is trying to imply something. Isang hingang malalim niyang pinakawalan niya sa kaniyang labi't binulsa ang kaniyang mga kamay.

''You mean from my Scarlet?'' Kalmadong tugon ni Caius. The professor can't help but to laugh. The busy tudents greeted him as they walk in the hallway.

''So Scarlet is the name?'' Gyldfore commented. He paused to glance at Caius. ''She's quit popular in the faculty.''

''I apologized.'' Isang buntong hininga na lang ang nagawa ni Caius. Tanging isang halakhak naman ang tugon ni Gyldfore.

''Reminds me of the old times. I used to ditch school too. Hindi na bago sa akin ang ganyang klaseng estudyante. Ganyan din naman ako rati!'' Halakhak ng maestro. They stopped walking when a student apologized for being absent for first week. Nag-abot lamang ito ng excuse letter sa maestro.

''Students give excuse letters now?'' Caius said curiously. He eyed the maroon paper in Gyldfore.

''Come on, I know you wanna see it.'' Glydfore teased. Caius jsut rolled his eyes. He released the letter and it floated in the air. The paper looks like it was made of a fine paper. It was sealed and at the back, it has the student's full name and number printed in bold and gold letters.

''That's nice.'' Hindi maiwasang mapatango ni Caius. During theit times, there's no such thing like this exists. Napangiti na lang ang maestro nang mapansin ang kaniyang reaksyon. He knows what he is thinking too.

''One excuse letter requires a guardian's signature.'' Pagpapaliwanag ng maestro. Kumunot naman ang noo ni Caius na tila hinahanap kung saan ang pirma na sinabi nito.

''Saan? Wala yata akong makita.'' Nakakunot ang noo nitong saad.

''You can't see the signature here. It only appears when you enter the faculty room.'' Muling sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ng maestro nang makita ang pagkahanga sa mga mata ng kaibigan.

''Does one absent requires one excuse letter?'' Salubong ang mga kilay ni Caius.

''It depends on the student if she wants to be excused. . . Looks like you had a problem with your little cutie pie.'' Pagbibiro ng maestro. Sunod namang napakamot si Caius. It's been months in the Academy but Scarlet never made one excuse letter.

''She never let me sign excuse letter.'' Tila problemadong saad ni Caius.

''Let her be! Ganyan talaga ang mga kabataan ngayon, minsa'y matitigas ang mga ulo't gusto nilang sila lagi ang masusunod!'' Professor Gyldfore reacted. Naningkit naman ang mga mata ni Caius.

''That's you.'' Napailing sabi ni Caius. Sunod naman siyang inakbayan ng maestro. Ang ibang mga estudyante nama'y napatingin sa kanilang direksyon dahil panay na ang halakhak ng maestro.

''Ano ka ba naman! Parang hindi mo naman napagdaanan ang ganyan! Intindihin mo na si little cutie pie!'' He teased him.

''Her name is Scarlet, Gyldfore.'' Naningkit ang mga mata nitong tugon.

Lumiko sila't lumabas sa likod ng akademya. That's when they entered the Academy's so called Enchanted Garden. It's a spacious garden, enclosed by tall walls. Caius observed the place. There were rare herbs, fruit, and flowers grew in columns and gigantic pots. At the middle is a fountain made with the luxurious white marble designed with a lion's head.

''Amazing, isn't it?'' Gyldfore proudly said. Naglakad siya hanggang sa sila'y makarating sa gitnang bahagi ng hardin. He looked above only to see an arch trellis full of creeping ivy. There was also climbing bougainvillae.

"Looks amazing. We had a garden similar to this, right?" Caius answered. Being inside Imperial Academy really reminds him of their good old days.

Nawalan sila ng koneksyon ng ilang dekada hanggang sa mabalitaan ni Caius na hindi totoo ang tsismis na isa si Gyldfore sa nagpapakalat ng pinagbabawal na ancient magic. Gyldfore maybe known as the biggest trouble maker during their days but Caius knows that he's not that low to spread such forbidden magic.

"Every plant you can see in this garden are are created by the Bloomers.'' Ngiting sabi ni Gyldfore. Napatango naman si Caius at hangang-hanga sa bawat halaman na kaniyang nakikita sa paligid.

There's no doubt that everything in the garden are created by Bloomers. Bloomers is a house in Imperial Academy composed of students who have powers to grow such plants. It is true that there are magic items that can grow crops but it is way more different when it came from natural magic.

''By the way I'm meaning to tell you a problem. . .'' Pagsisimula ng maestro. Agad niya namang nakuha ang atensyon ni Caius. Taas kilay siya nitong tinitigan.

''Don't worry, this is not about your little cutie pie.'' Dinaan na lang sa tawa ni Gyldfore ang atensyong namumuo sa kanilang dalawa. Caius held his chest and sighs. If Scarlet did  a problem in this Academy, he don't know what to do with her anymore.

''Did I commit any mistake?'' Caius sounded like he is being impatient.

''I think you weren't aware but there are two people who listed you as their guardian.'' Nilagay ng maestro ang kamay sa mukha na para bang iniisip kung ano ang pangalan ng estudyante kaniyang nakita.

''Who is the other one? I can only recall Scarlet,'' Caius said.

''Oh, right. The other one is named Brio! I checked his papers but he hasn't taken the physical test. Would you mind telling me if he has any interest?'' Gyldfore looks very excited. Tuwing may mga estudyanteng gustong pumasok na Akademya ay sa kaniyang dumadaan ang mga papeles nito.

''Brio is a very hard working man...'' Pagsisimula ni Caius at ito'y nasundan ng isang malalim na buntong hininga. ''However he's not good at anything but using magic items.''

''Ohhh, magic items you say?'' Tumango-tango si Gyldfore. ''Perhaps I can enroll him in Charmers?''

''Charmers? But he's not good in using potions.'' Tutol na saad ni Caius. Napangiti na lang ang maestro.

''But I'm not good in reading and writing too. Not until I work hard and it made me like this, right?'' Sumilay ang isang malawak na ngiti sa mga labi ni Gyldfore. Natahimik naman si Caius.

''I hope that he's really dedicated to study here in Imperial Academy. I hope he has the patience to overcome everything...'' hindi maiwasang mapaisip ni Caius.

''He will. . . Believe him. I heard that he used to be the Prince's slave, right? Patunay din 'yon na mapasensya siya't pursigidong bata.'' Sunod na inakabayan ni Gyldfore ni Caius.

''Don't worry. Narinig ko rin kung paano siya binaba't simpleng ininsulto ng iba. You know I don't tolerate that shit, Caius. I'm down in protecting your little cutie pies.''

''Watch your mouth.'' Naningkit ang mga mata ni Caius at isang halakhak naman ang tugon ng maestro.

They bid their good byes when the bell rang. Gyldfore invited Caius to observe his afternoon class however Caius said that he needs to submit paper work in the palace. Naintindihan naman ito ng maestro at sinabing tumuloy lang uli siya sa Akademya tuwing wala siyang trabaho sa palasyo.

Caius was busy walking in the street with hands on his pocket not until he saw Thunder and Brio running into the streets. Hinarangan niya ito dahil mukhang hindi pa siya napansin ng dalawang binatilyo na halos maligo na sa pawis. Their hair was already wet too.

''What's happening here?'' Nakataaas ang isang kilay ni Caius. Nagkatinginan ang dalawang binatilyo.

''E-eh basta!'' Brio shouted. Halatang taranta ito't palinga-linga sa paligid na para bang may hinahanap.

''And you, you're Thunder, right? It's unusual to see outside during Academy hours.'' Sunod na bumaling ang ulo ni Caius sa taong kasama ni Brio.

''Why is he out the campus, Brio? Don't be a bad influence to your friend—''

''May hinahanap lang kami!'' Natatarantang sabi ni Brio. Caius stared at Thunder. Nakatulala lang ito sa mukha niya na para bang walang ekspresyon ang mukha.

''What are you looking for?'' Caius thinks that it's suspicious for them to look something in a broad daylight.

''A five-year-old girl with a red curly hair,'' Thunder finally answered back. Napatingin ito sa baba.

''Gagi ka! Ba't mo sinabi?!'' Inis na sambit ni Brio at siniko si Thunder.

''Brio?'' Tumaas lalo ang kilay ni Caius. Sunod na tumingin si Brio sa baba. They looked like children getting scolded by their father.

''I never heard and saw a child with red hair in my whole life here in Nevarion. What are you two talking about? Why are you out during Academy hours?'' Caius crossed his arms.

Saglit siyang napaisip tungkol sa bata na tinutukoy ng dalawa. Hindi niya alam kung nagrarason lang ba ang dalawa para hindi pumasok. However seeing Thunder makes him wonder if who's this child they were talking about.

Not until they heard a giggling sound near them.

''Looking for me?'' The so called child said. The two men panic when they saw her sitting on top of a tree's trunk. Totoo nga ang sinabi ng dalawang binatilyo sa itsura nito. She was wearing a black satin dress longer than her knee.

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Caius habang nakatitig dito. He felt something. Hindi niya alam kung paano niya naramdaman ito't wala naman siyang kakayahang makaramdam ng mga tao sa paligid. Caius is just a mere talented Court's Physician.

The people panic when Thunder released a dragon ice just to reach the child from the trunk. Kinalkal naman ni Brio ang dalawa niyang bag at naghanap kung ano ang maari niyang gamitin kung sakaling mahulog ang bata sa puno.

Kinapa ni Caius ang kaniyang bulsa. He wondered when he saw a tiny gold sea shell to his pocket. The moment he touched it, he knew that it was a magic time for him to see people's real energy around him.

He doesn't remember owning something like this. Not until he realized that he was with Gyldfore a while ago. Sigurado siyang palihim niya itong nilagay sa kaniyang bulsa. Naiwan siyang nakatitig sa animo'y batang nakaupo sa sanga ng puno. Thanks to Gyldfore, he knew that the child was Scarlet all along.

If only they knew who's that child they're trying to rescue. Oh, what would happen in the future if she's this manipulative?