𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀

"Kamusta? Nahanap mo na ba 'yong sinasabi mong bata?" Isang mahinang tapik sa braso ang binigay ni Ice sa kaibigan. He offered him his all-time favorite, chocolate chip cookie dough.

Kasalakuyan silang nakaupo sa canteen. The Academy's canteen is a spacious hall with high ceiling filled with floating candles above. And numerous long tables for every houses. Ice is from the House of Bravers but he almost wear a thick fur to hide his uniform.

"Hindi ko alam." Napahilamos na lang sa mukha si Blaze. Even since the child is lost, he didn't know what to do. Maghapon niya man itong isipin ay alam niyang wala ring mangyayari.

"Ano ba'ng nangyari?" Ice sounds curious.

"I saw the child drowning in some sort of river in the middle of the forest. Saved her." Blaze is serious but Ice stares at him like he was going crazy.

"Ayos lang 'yan, pare. Itulog mo na lang 'yan. Ganyan talaga ang mga nakikita ng mga kulang sa tulog!" He taps Blaze's shoulder. Napailing na lang siya dahil sa mga sinasabi ng kaibigan.

"Nagsasabi ako ng totoo! 'Wag ka na lang nga magtanong. Hayop ka!" Muling binaon ni Blaze ang mukha sa mesa.

"Maybe she was holding a magic item and didn't know what it was. Meron kasing magic item na high class!" Umupo naman si Ice sa kaniyang tabi upang damayan siya sabay silip sa meryenda nito.

"O. Bakit ito lang ang kinakain mo? Ayos ka lang?" Taas-kilay na hinawakan ni Ice ang nakapatong sa mesa ni Blaze. It's a cherry juice, known as anti-sleepy liquid in the Academy. Mabibili ito sa halagang limang pilak lamang.

"Hindi." Sinubsob ni Blaze ang mukha sa mesa.

These past weeks, he felt like he wasn't okay. Ilang linggo na ring halos hapon na umuuwi sa kanilang bahay si Thunder. Mukhang abala ito sa hindi malaman na dahilan. He often see him with unfamiliar guy.

"Gusto mo left-overs? Galing sa renewal namin kanina. Buttered shrimp at mashed potato." Ice offered him food. It was in an edible container. How is that possible? Thanks to the Academy's awesome Charmers who invented potions to make this thing possible.

"Gagawin ko sa shrimp? Alam mong allergic ako." Pagsusungit ni Blaze. Inangat niya ang ulo't tinitigan ang kaibigan. "Sa Enchanted Garden pa rin ang screening niyo ano?"

"Ba't 'di ka sumali?" Masiglang sabi ni Ice.

"Tanga ka ba? Kita mong tumatakas ako sa klase tapos papasalihin mo ako sa Imperial Scholars? Si Thunder lang ang laging nakukuha sa mga ganoon." Napailing niyang sabi. It's true. This year, Blaze ditched classes more than the number he attended.

"Thunder ba kamo? Nakita ko siya kanina pero hindi siya sumali sa renewal." Agad na tinitigan ni Blaze ang kaibigan. Nakakunot ang noo nito't parang hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. It sounds unreal that his twin didn't renewed his scholarship.

"Paano'ng hindi siya sumali sa renewal? Akala ko ba 'yon ang pinagkaka-abalahan niya? Hindi ko na nga siya matagpuan, lintik na 'yan. Bad trip." Napahilamos sa mukha si Blaze. Every semester, Imperial Scholars received incentives.

Ang perang natatanggap ni Thunder sa pagiging iskolar ang pinangbibili niya ng mga aklat at gastusin. Samantalang si Blaze naman at minsa'y nagtratrabaho tuwing gabi kung saan man siya makuha. They're currently living with their biological parents. But they want to stand with their own feet.

"May kasama kasi siyang babae. 'Yong nakita nating kahalikan niya." Ice whispered to his ear. "Alam mo ba? Sobrang lapit pa nila sa isa't-isa. I think I knew that girl. The professors said that she's hard to handle. It looks like she's your girl version!"

"Kadiri ka naman!" Halos magsitayuan lahat ng buhok ni Blaze sa katawan. He heard multiple times from Ice that his twin is hanging out with a weird guy who talks with animals in the campus and the mysterious girl he talked last week.

"Hindi ba siya 'yon?" Naningkit ang mga mata ni Ice at tinuro ang isang dalagitang nakaupo mag-isa. Nakakrus ang mga braso nito't mukhang malalim ang iniisip. Mapapansin ang isang kahon na nakapatong sa harap nito.

"Ewan." Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Blaze.

"Titigan mo kasing mabuti!" Kulang na lang ay hawakan ni Ice ang ulo nito't iharap sa direksyon ng dalagita.

Suddenly, the woman stood up. Napaiwas na lang ng tingin ang dalawa nang mapansing naglalakad sa kanilang direksyon ang dalagita.

"Huwag mo nang titigan, pare. Parang nakatitig din yata sa iyo, e." Halos pabulong na sabi ni Ice. Nakakunot naman ang noo ni Blaze.

"Sabi mo titigan ko? Kulit mo rin 'no." Inis na tugon ni Blaze. Nanatiling nakatitig si Blaze sa mesa. He acted like he was busy while in his peripheral vision, he can see the girl walking towards their direction.

He suddenly smelled a sweet scent of strawberry from the woman's odd hair. Hindi niya na mapigilan ang sariling mapalingon sa direksyon nito. She saw him standing with a blank face. However it's odd that he felt like she was smirking at him.

"Tell your great professors that I didn't steal this. Mahirap na't hanapin nila. This thing suddenly appeared." Nakatagilid ang ulo ng dalagita at walang sabing pinatong sa kanilang harap ang isang bagay. From first glance, they thought that it's a part of their creative club's props.

"Sensya na, miss. Baka sa creative club 'yan galing." Napakamot sa batok si Ice. He eyed Blaze.

"It came from the abandoned building that we cleaned. I thought we should return found items inside the Academy to the Imperial Scholars?" Nag-unat ito sa kanilang harap.

"Ha? Sa amin ba dapat?" Tinuro ni Ice ang sarili't kinalbit si Blaze. "Pre, 'di ba kayo ang tagaligpit nito? Disaster risk and Management ang pinasukan mo 'di ba?"

"You joined the Disaster and risk Management?" Scarlet scoffed. She thought someone like him will never join a club like that.

It's true that the any lost materials should be return to Imperial Scholars, but sometimes, they are handled by students who joined the Disaster risk and Management. As for now, Scarlet haven't decided what club to join.

"Bakit? May problema ba?" Tumaas ang kilay ni Blaze. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit tila nainsulto siya sa tono ng dalagita.

Out of all clubs, everyone thinks that the Magic and Research club is the hardest. Karamihan sa mga kabilang dito'y galing sa Imperial Scholars.

The Magic and Research club members are responsible for solving cases of rare magics, analyzing ancient artifacts, translating rare scriptures and many more. In other words, this club is only for high intellectuals.

''Sinabi ko bang may problema?'' Pabalang na sabi ng dalagita habang nakakrus ang mga braso nito. Blaze can't help but to raise his eye brow.

''Huwag kami ang utusan mo, Miss. May sarili rin kaming problema.'' Muling niyuko ni Blaze ang kaniyang ulo't pumikit.

''Inuutusan? Isn't it your responsibilities to keep track in this Academy? Looks like you've never read your terms and agreement before joining your clubs—''

''Ano ba'ng problema mo?'' Hindi na napigilan ni Blaze ang tumayo. Agad namang napahawak sa kaniyang braso si Ice.

''Madami akong problema. Gusto mo bigyan kita?'' Scarlet kept her arms crossed. Tinagilid pa nito ang kaniyang ulo.

''Ako na ang bahala, Miss. Dadalhin ko sa Enchanted Garden mamaya, 'Wag ka nang mag-alala.'' Ice gave her a thumbs up.

''As you should,'' matigas na saad ng dalagita.

Blaze supposed to say something. Naramdaman niya na lang ang patagong pagpisil ni Ice sa kaniyang braso. Of all people, Ice knows how thin Blaze's patience is. Sa paraan pa lang ng pagtingin nito sa dalagitang nasa harap nila'y alam niya na kung ano ang iniisip nito.

''Gagi. 'Wag mo na ngang patulan. Mukhang suplada.'' He whispered to Blaze's ear.

''Wala akong pake. Huwag niya akong utusan.''

Isang pilit na ngiti ang bungad ni Ice nang abutan sa kaniya ng dalagita ang bagay na pilit nitong inaabot sa kaniya. Nangunot nga lang ang kaniyang noo nang makita kung ano ito.

''Miss. Sigurado kang sa amin ito?'' Tinaas nito ang kaniyang hawak. It looks like an ancient tiara.

''Yeah?'' Scarlet shrugged her shoulders. Walang sabi itong umupo ilang pulgada ang layo sa kanila. Ice immediately moved further.

''Parang ngayon ko lang nakita. Baka naman sa Theater and Arts Club?'' Sunod na pinakita ni Ice ang tiara kay Blaze. ''Sa tingin mo? Totoo ba ito?''

''Aba, malay ko? Mukha ba akong maalam sa mga gamit?'' Pabalang na sagot ni Blaze. Balak niya sanang tapunan ng tingin ang dalagita ngunit nahuli niyang nakatingin ito sa kaniya. Yumuko na lang siya sa mesa.

''Pasensya na, miss.'' Napakamot sa batok si Ice. ''Hindi ba kayo 'yong nasa Enchanted Garden kanina? Baka naman nakalimutan lang sa iyo?''

''Who in the right mind would bring an old tiara in the Academy? Are you out of your mind?'' Scarlet scoffed and crossed her legs.

Sunod namang napatanga si Ice nang bigla itong kumuha sa nakapatong na fries sa mesa ni Blaze. Palihim niyang kinalbit ang nakayukong kaibigan ngunit hindi siya nito pinapansin.

''Itago ko na lang, Miss.'' Muling umurong si Ice nang mag-unat ang dalagita. Umiwas ito ng tingin dahil sa iksi ng suot nitong slit. Naiwan siyang nakatitig sa dalagita. Suddenly the image of her and Blaze's twin kissing flashed to his mind. It felt really awkward.

''Hindi ba ikaw 'yong laging kasama ng kambal nito, Miss? Ako nga pala si Ice Raiford.'' He offered his hand but the women just stared at him.

''I bet you know me. I know everyone is talking about me in the faculty.'' Naboboryong tugon ng dalagita. Nakapatong ang mga siko nito sa mahabang mesa sa kanilang harapan.

''Huy, hindi ah. Saan mo naman narinig 'yan?'' Ice tried to deny. Napatikom na lamang ang bibig niya nang humalakhak ang babae sa kanilang tabi.

She laughed like a lunatic. Pinagtingnan siya ng mga tao dahil kung tumawa siya'y animo'y may narinig siyang isang malaking kalokohan.

''Ano ba'ng nakakatawa? Ingay mo.'' Blaze blurted.

Ice's eyes widened because of nervousness. Kulang na lang ay sapakin niya ang kaibigan dahil sa tabil ng dila nito. However instead of getting insulted, Scarlet just grinned at him.

''You're all funny.'' She leaned her head. ''It might be easy to lie to another people. But when it comes to mine? I bet you can't never tell me a lie.''

Napalunok na lang si Ice. What she said was true. Ice Raiford mingles with almost everyone. Kahit siguro'y hindi mga miyembro ng Imperial Scholars ay nakakasalamuha niya. There's one time that he heard some Imperial Scholars who belong to the House of Charmers, and his own House, Bravers talking about Scarlet.

The rumors about her are true. She's fierce, blunt, stubborn, and she's not like any other typical girl that you'll meet.

''Pasensya na, Miss! Narinig ko kasi na first day pa lang ay napatawag ka na raw sa Guidance Office!'' Ice tried to laughed his nervousness. Sunod siyang umakbay kay Blaze.

''Won't deny that.'' Napailing na humakhak si Sclarlet.

''Talo mo pa nga itong kaibigan ko! Twice a month naman siyang tinatawag sa Guidance Office! Akalain mo 'yon, pare?! May mas malala pa pala sa iyo!'' Ice can't help but to shake Blaze's shoulder.

"Ano ba! Gulo mo!" Asik ni Blaze.

"Kilala mo ito, Miss? Kakambal siya ng kasama mo lagi." Ice smiled.

"Yeah. Your name is Blaze Ace Egan," diretso kong sabi.

The two went silent when Scarlet said his full name. Ice eyed Blaze. Nakataas lamang ang kilay nito habang nakatingin sa dalagita. It seems like she knows everything about them. He can't help but to get curious between her and his twin.

"Madami bang sinasabi sa iyo si Thunder?" Blaze can't help but to ask something.

"Bakit?" She grins. Sumandal siya sa upuan at hinarap ang katawan sa kanila. "Kinakabahan ka ba?" She saw panic into his eyes.

How she loves playing with people's emotions.

"Masama ba'ng magtanong?" He said. Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay at pilit na tinatago ang kaba. He wonders what his twin is saying around people he mingles with. Little did he know that Thunder doesn't open much. Well he's just paranoid. Halata namang kasing kahit sa Akademya ay hindi sila masyadong nag-uusap ng kakambal.

"Sinabi ko bang masama?" Pabalang na tugon din ng dalagita.

"Oh, teka. 'Wag kayong mag-away!" Ice finally cut them off. Napakamot siya sa batok.

"Who said we're arguing? This is how the way I talk. If you have a problem with it, better not to talk with me. Ayaw ko ring mag-aksaya ng oras." She crossed her arms.

Time flies fast that she decided to let Blaze slide what he did to her. He tried to convinced her not to enroll in Imperial Academy. Looks like Blaze doesn't remember it. And now it looks like he's concern because she's mingling with his twin brother, Thunder.

"Pagpasensya mo na 'to, Miss. Bad mood kasi!" Ice chuckled nervously.

"May kailangan ka pa ba? Kukunin na namin 'yong tiara." Blaze holds the item that she handed. Saglit siyang napatitig dito. It felt weird because the tiara is obviously old and looks heavy but it was not. Ngayon niya lang din nakita ang bagay na ito.

"Alam mo ba kung saan galing 'yan?" Ice crossed his arms trying to examine it. Blaze was frowning.

Tinaob niya rin ang tiara. He saw an ancient writing but he can't read it. No one can't read it precisely. Blaze looked up only to see Scarlet walking away from them. Nag-uunat pa ito habang naglalakad.

"Siya ba 'yon?" Bulong ni Ice sa kaniya. Binalik niya muli ang tingin sa dalagita ngunit hindi niya na ito makita. She just vanished from the crowd. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pilit niya ito hinahanap.

"Biglang nawala," komento ni Ice. "Umalis bigla eh. Paglingon ko sa kaniya naglalakad na palayo."

"Ang baho mo raw." Napangising tugon ni Blaze. May gana pa talaga itong asarin ang kaibigan. Sinapak naman siya ni Ice at bilang ganti'y pinitik niya ito sa noo nang malakas.

"Aray ko!" Hilot ni Ice ang kaniyang noo. He looks around once again. But he can't see Scarlet anywhere. Kahit hibla ng buhok nito'y hindi niya mahagilap. Napakamot na lang siya ng batok.

"Parang sungit mo sa kaniya. May problema ba?" Ice asked of concern. Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Blaze na parang may narinig itong hindi maganda.

"Ako pa talaga? Siya nga 'tong pabalang sumagot sa atin. Siya 'tong may kailangan, siya pang pilosipo." Napailing na lang si Blaze.

Ice crossed his arms. He can't disagree. Totoo nga ang naririnig niya sa iba. Scarlet isn't easy to handle. Kahit kanina'y nakaupo man ang dalagita sa tabi niya'y pakiramdaman niya'y malayo ito sa kanila. She may chuckle however he knows that it's not genuine. Her laughter means a different thing. She seems like a person that if you insult, she'll just laugh at you because your face is funnier.

"Nag-aayos sila si Enchanted Garden kanina nakita ko. Pagod din yata 'yong kambal mo. Kasama nilang nag-ayos kanina eh. Kita ko." Kulang na lang ay ipagsigawan ni Ice ang sinabi niya. Until now, he couldn't believe that he saw outsiders inside the Enchanted Garden.

Madalas kasi'y mga Imperial Scholars lamang ang pinapapasok sa loob nito. He couldn't tell what outsiders like them are doing inside the Garden, that's why he felt curious.

"Alam mo, ilang beses mo nang sinabi 'yan sa akin. Interesado ka ba sa buhay ng babaeng 'yon?" Makahulugang saad ni Ice. Pataas-baba pa ang mga kilay nito habang nakangisi.

"Wala akong paki. Gawin niya kung ano'ng gusto niyang gawin." Tinaob muli nito ang kaniyang mukha sa mesa't pumikit.

But the truth is Ice knows that if Blaze mentioned a person more than once, it means that he's bothered with the person's existence.

Sa kabilang banda naman ay nagtungo ang dalagita sa loob ng gubat. Pumikit siya't dinamhan ang malamig na simoy ng hangin.  She misses the fresh air, the sound of the chirping birds, insects, and wild animals around. Tinanggal niya ang kaniyang sapin sa paa't dinama ang magagarbong damo.

This isn't an ordinary day for her. Who would thought that a blunt and stubborn woman like her will attend a community service? Well she didn't have any choice though.

It's better to get tired cleaning an abandoned library than wasting time inside the classroom where professors teach things that aren't useful in real life.

"Is that food?"

Scarlet immediately looked at her back. It is where she heard the voice coming from. Caius confiscated her necklace but he will never take away her exceptional memory and cunning skill.

"I miss you, Chichay." Ngising tinapunan ng tingin ng dalagita ang pumalupot na ahas sa kaniyang binti.

"Look. I got my necklace back." Hinayaan niya ang katawan niyang dumulas sa makakating damo't umupo. Sinandal niya rin ang kaniyang ulo sa matayog na puno.

"Is that food?"

Scarlet scoffed when she heard what Chichay said inside her mind. Ito ang unang beses na magkikita muli sila. Ngunit ang sasalubong pala sa kaniya'y ang nagugutom na sikmura ni Chichay.

"Wala kang alam kun'di kumain." She crossed her arms. It's been months since she went in this forest.

This is the place where she lived alone. The place where she learned to do basic skills. Learned to get along with animals instead of humans not until Caius offered her to live in his house.

"You gained weight."

"I'm too busy taking care of myself to care what others think of me." Scarlet scoffed.

Sunod niyang tinapunan ng tingin ang mga lumulutang na bagay sa ere. Binuka niya ang kaniyang palad at isa-isang tiningnan ang mga papel kung saan nakalagay ang mga nakapasa sa entrance exam ng Akademya.

She doesn't know why the informations about the passers seem interesting to her. She doesn't give a care about other people's lives not until she felt like it's a privilege to hold people's private informations.

Her life in the Academy is boring. She wanted to add spice into her life. What if she applies as an Imperial Scholar?