IKATLONG PERSONA

While everyone inside the Academy is busy minding their own business, Mr. Haddleguf is chilling in his chair. Nakangiti lang siya habang nakaupo't isa-isang pinatong sa mesa ang kaniyang mga gamit. Today is a brand new day, which means that he needs to work faster than before.

His table is full of folders. Specifically, pieces of information about the Academy's enrollees and those who are on the waiting list. Seconds later, he heard a knock on his door.

"Yes?" He exclaimed. He fixes his long beard. Yesterday, he received a letter from a special person and now he can't stop his excitement.

Out of 15,300 enrollees and 9,000 on the waiting list, one person caught his attention. Mr. Haddleguf knows this person because he used to work for him. He waited for 1 minute before giving the signal for his secretary to open the room.

''You may come in,'' Mr. Haddleguf said. Nakapatong at magkadikit ang mga palad niya sa mesa habang nakangiti.

As expected, Mrs. Silver opened the door. She's the same age as Mr. Haddleguf, however, her physical appearance screams differently because she looks like in her middle 20s because of a potion. Wala namang paki sa Mr. Haddleguf sa pagbabagong anyo nito. Mrs. Silver is known for her fit appearance, long silky silver hair, and her skin as white as snow. Mr. Haddleguf couldn't care more about her replacing her physical appearance as long as she's doing her job.

''What a good day for you, Haddleguf! He is here!'' Mrs. Silver greeted him. She glances at the guy standing beside him. Nakasuot ito ng simplest kulay itim na polo. He paired it with a long cloak designed with thick red fox fur. May kalumaan na rin ang suot nitong sapatos.

''Let him in,'' Mr. Haddleguf sounds so excited. Tumango sa kaniya si Mrs. Silver at tinitigan ang binatilyong katabi niya upang pumasok sa loob.

As long as the guy stepped in, Mr. Haddleguf couldn't help but smile widely. Mahigit ilang taon na rin nang huli niya itong makita. Isa lang ito puslit noon. Isang puslit ngunit may pangarap at marunong magtrabaho para sa pinapangarap. Now, he isn't a kid anymore. Isa na itong binatilyo.

''It's nice seeing you again, Elio.'' Mr. Haddleguf stands up to give him a shake head. Ngumiti ang binatilyo sa kaniya at nakipagkamay na rin. The man he waited for years is finally here in Imperial Academy.

Sa kabilang banda nama'y hindi naalis ang pangungulit ni Brio sa dalagita. Kasalukuyan silang kumakain sa loob ng Akademya. Katatapos pa lang ng dalawang klase ngunit panay ang hikab ng dalagita.

''Wala ka talagang balak maghanda?'' Brio asked for the sixth time. Scarlet can't help but roll her eyes. Pinagkrus nito ang kaniyang mga braso habang nakasandal sa upuan habang sila'y nakaupo sa canteen.

''Hindi mo ba ako narinig? Hindi ko kailangan ng ibang tao dahil kaya kong mag-ensayo mag-isa sa gubat,'' asik nito. Napasimangot naman ang binatilyo dahil balak niya sana itong yayain na mag-ensayo kasama si Thunder.

''Sige na. Sumama ka na lang sa amin. Hindi mo ba alam na madami ang nag-eensayo sa arena?'' dagdag ni Brio habang ningunguya. Napangiwi na lang ito dahil mainit pa pala ang tinapay na kinakain niya.

''Arena?'' Tumaas ang isang kilay ng dalagita dahil ito ang unang beses niyang marinig ang lugar na ito. She isn't aware that the Academy offers an arena to train.

''Sumama ka na sa akin mamaya. Wala naman klase dahil binigyan tayo ng oras para mag-ensayo 'di ba?'' Brio said.

''If coming with you will zip your mouth.'' Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ng dalagita.

Scarlet woke up early in the morning for today's discussion. Buong akala niya'y tama na ang desisyon niyang magising ng umaga upang makinig klase. Ngunit ang magaling niyang maestra ay nagkuwento lang ng talambuhay niya sa buong durasyon niya sa klase.

Right as she thought, she should just ditch her class again and spend her time with Chichay, and her newfound pet, Pevy.

''Sinabi na ba klase niyo kung kailan kayo p'wede mag-ansayo?" Brio asked her again. She blinked as a response.

"Mukha bang may kamalay-malay ako? If I know about the arena, I would train there with my pets." Walang ganang tugon ng dalagita.

"Ha? Hindi raw p'wede magsama ng hayop," he reminded her.

"Paano ka na niyan? Baka hindi ka makalaban," she said in a malicious tone.

"Ayos lang ako. Pinayagan naman ako gumamit ng konting magic items." Isang kamot batok sa na lang ang ginawa ni Brio.

Scarlet was right. Without animals, it will be Brio's enemy advantage. Ilang beses namang nakiusap si Brio na kung p'wede'y 'wag sana maging mahigpit sa kaniya ang mga proctor sa final exam. Mr. Haddleguf promised that he will do everything to this power to accept Brio's request.

"Gusto mo ba makita 'yong arena? Tara na." Masiglang sambit ni Brio sa dalagita.

''As If I had another choice?'' sarkastikong saad ng dalagita ngunit hindi ito pinansin ng binatilyo.

Tinahak nila ang daan patungong arena. As usual, they went through the Head's office, the Public Library and many more. Tahimik lamang si Scarlet habang nakasunod sa likod ni Brio. She knows that conversing with him won't benefit her. Alam niya rin na kahit manahimik siya ay sasabat at sasabat ito hanggang magkasama silang dalawa.

''Nakipagkita ka ba kay Thunder?'' This time, the curiosity behind Brio's voice is obvious. Tumaas ang kilay ng dalagita. It is unusual for her to hear this kind of question. Bukod do'n ay nakakapagtaka rin na marinig niyang magtanong ito ng ganitong bagay.

''Why are you so interested? Can't I meet your friends?'' Nangungutya nitong saad.

''Hindi ah!'' Brio defended himself. ''Syempre, ayos lang sa akin! Friends tayong lahat?''

''Who said that I belong to your friends?'' Umiling ang dalagita.

While walking, she noticed the newly painted arched hallway. Nakatungo lamang siya sa itaas habang pinagmamasdan ang disenyo ng pader. She squinted when she noticed some gothic pattern from above. Even one ordinary man can notice that Imperial Academy's interior is odd and old at the same time.

Where did she see these symbols again? She can't remember... She can't remember since she tried the tiara that mysteriously appeared on her things.

''Where is the arena?'' Naiinip na sambit ng dalagita. They have been walking for almost 15 minutes.

''Hintay ka lang,'' he said softly and glances at her. Bakas nga ang pagkainip sa mukha ng dalagita. Kahit kailan ay hindi niya talaga kayang sabayan ang pagiging mainipin nito.

''Do you always go with the arena everytime?'' she asked him. Lumiko na sila sa kanan kung saan ang daan patungong canteen.

As expected, a lot of students are walking to the wall. Scarlet glances at them. Most of them wears green and yellow uniforms. It means that they're charmers and bloomers.

''I bet your are friends with charmers and you are on the tentative list of their house.'' Scarlet can't help but comment. Agad naman siyang tinitigan ni Brio.

''Pa'no mo nasabi?'' kuryos na saad ng binatilyo.

''Charmers are those who specialize in using potions, your ability is the nearest to their specialization. I bet that they will put you to the bloomers. You can't grow plants with your bare hands, can you?'' Pinagkrus nito ang kaniyang mga braso.

''Hindi nga,'' he said. Binalik niya na lang ang kaniyang tingin sa harapan habang sila'y naglalakad.

While walking, everyone is staring in their direction. But he knows that people aren't looking at him. Who is he for people to notice anyway? It's obvious that all of them are staring at Scarlet. He's nothing compared to her ladder. Scarlet is known not only for her attitude by also for her ability to control reptiles.

But Brio isn't like that. Without his magic items, what is he? He's just a nobody and so he thought.

''Nandito na tayo,'' he said. Huminto sila sa tapat ng isang kulay pilak na geyt. It was so high, had pointed archers, and filled with rose windows. On top of the gate is a thick golden plate curved with the words ARENA.

''Looks good,'' she approved the gate's design. Ever since she was a child, she liked things with dark and gothic designs.

''What house?''

Nagkasalubong ang mga kilay ng dalagita nang may narinig siyang boses. Ito'y matinis at mataas. She stares at Brio and saw him staring at her too. Nakagat labi ito't mukhang nagpipigil ng tawa dahil sa kaniyang reaksyon.

''Is that you?'' Lalong nagkasalubong ang mga kilay niya. Brio isn't answering her question. He is just staring at her as if she's a fool that he can mess with.

''Hindi ako 'yon,'' he said.

''How could you say? Maybe I wasn't aware that you drink a potion to make your voice to sound like some sort of scary and tiny ogre.'' She looks around trying to catch who talked but she felt like a fool. Nakalimutan niyang sila lang dalawa ang nandito't kaharap nila ang gate ng arena.

''Ogre? Hoy, chaka! Maganda kaya ang boses ko!'' Out of a sudden, a floating creature appeared from nowhere. Napaawang na lamang ang bibig ni Scarlet dahil sa itsura nito.

Tumagos ito mula sa gate at lumutang sa pinakatuktok. It is a creature with a fairy's face and pointed ears but with a lion's body, eagle's wings, and a lion's tail. Nanlisik ang mga mata nito habang nakatitig kay Scarlet ngunit tila nag-hugis puso ang mga ito nang makita si Brio.

''What on hell is that creature?'' hindi makapaniwalang sambit ni Scarlet. If this creature despises her, she despises it a million times more.

''Sino ka? Ba't ngayon lang kita nakita rito? Totoo ba 'yang buhok mo?'' Those are the words that the creature said.

''Kaibigan ko siya, Blossom.'' Brio assured her. Blossom floats to Brio's shoulder. And kisses the tip of his nose. Umasim ang mukha ni Scarlet sa sunod nitong nasaksihan.

''Don't tell me that creature needs to kiss my nose too? I would rather rot in ominous fire, goodbye.'' Akmang tatalikod na sana si Scarlet nang higitin ni Brio ang kaniyang kamay. She's really impatient. Pakiramdam niya tuloy ay dapat sinabi niya na lang lahat ng mga bagay na kailangan nilang gawin bago makapasok sa arena.

''Teka lang, grabe ka naman.'' Brio scratched his nape. ''Pasensya na hindi ko nabanggitin si Blossom sa iyo. Siya kasi ang nagbabantay sa gate ng arena. Bago ka makapasok ay kailangan mo munang magpakita sa kaniya.''

''What for? As if she'll give you the power to rule the world when you introduce yourself,'' she rolled her eyes.

Blossom floats in Scarlet's direction. Tinitigan niya ang dalagita mula ulo hanggang paa. The first thing that Blossom noticed to her is no other than her strange hair. It was the first time that she witnessed someone who had hair like hers. Other than that, Blossom felt like her enemies' energy from her.

Little did mortals know that Blossom's enemies' are reptiles, Scarlet's best friends.

''Woah! This woman's mouth is unstop—'' Bago pa matapos ni Blossom ang sasabihin niya ay agad siyang sinapak palayo ni Scarlet dahilan upang tumilapon siya sa gilid.

This creature might look odd and scary in most people's eyes. But it is just a tiny creature to Scarlet's eyes. Sa madaling salita ay para lang itong isang lamok na isang palo lang ay patay na.

"Ouch! Ang sakit!" Tila naiiyak na tugon ni Blossom. Inayos naman ni Brio ang buntot nito.

"Flareons," Scarlet said. The gate opens slowly in front of her. The truth is she realizes instantly what she needs to say when she hears Blossoms asking what house she belongs to. She just needs to state what house she belongs to so that she can enter the arena.

The gate opened and revealed the arena. Pumasok na sa loob si Scarlet. When she entered inside, she didn't expect the place to be this spacious and full of people. It is a stadium with 900 meters long stadium of porous stone.

''Cool.'' Sumilay ang ngisi sa mga labi ng dalagita. Agad namang sumunod sa kaniyang likod si Brio habang hingal na hingal. Panay kasi ang awat nito kay Blossom na 'wag na gantihan si Scarlet. Blossom is forbidden to enter the arena because she is sealed with that temporary of form. Kapag pumasok ito sa loob ay makikita ng lahat ang kaniyang tunay na anyo.

Scarlet looks around and adores the arena's beauty for a second. The tiers of stone benches were arranged around the track. It has the capacity of 55,000 seats. Sa gitnang bahagi ng arena ay makikita ang iba't-ibang estudyanteng nag-eensayo. She can see people sitting from above of those stone benches too. Karamihan sa mga ito'y mga maestro't estudyante na nanonood.

''What are those gold and silver benches?'' She pointed the benches placed at the middle.

''Those benches are for the judges and the Imperial Scholars. Pati 'yon, hindi mo alam?'' Brio said.

''Will I ask If I'm aware?'' she sarcastically said. She can't take her eyes off of those chairs.

Oh, it will be a great privilege to sit on those chairs. She wonders what it feels like to be an Imperial Scholar.

''Manood na muna tayo,'' Brio.

Umupo ito sa pinakababa. Kaharap nila ang isang maliit na babae na may suot na kulay asul na uniporme. The girl has long pink hair and wears a yellow uniform with cute lolita style. Agaw pansin din ang suot niya sa paa. She wears a pair of cute cream sandals with fluffy ball in the middle.

While her opponent wears a green cloak with thick fox's fur and boots. Mahaba naman ang kulay lila nitong buhok. She wasn't built mascular but slim. Nagmukha lang itong malaki dahil sa katapat.

''Do tiny people always fight with big ones?'' Humikab ang dalagita't sumandal sa kaniyang inuupuan. Nakalukot naman ang noo ni Brio habang nakatingin sa kanilang harapan.

''Ha? Ano'ng pinagsasabi mo?'' Bakas ang pagkalito sa boses ni Brio. Sinubukan niyang hanapin kung ano man ang tinutukoy ni Scarlet pero masyadong madami ang tao sa loob ng arena.

''There.'' Ngumuso si Scarlet upang ituro kung sino ba ang mga tinutukoy niya. Lumukot na lang ang noo ni Brio nang makita ang dalawang magkaharap. It seems like Scarlet can't take off her eyes to the two.

''Hindi mo kilala? She is the Academy's top charmer.'' Nanatili naman ang tingin ni Brio sa dalagita. This is the second week that he saw her in the arena.

''Nope. I'm interested with no one but myself," she said frankly. Isang buntong hininga na lang ay pinakawalan ni Brio.

The top charmer of Imperial Academy for two years is no other than Candy Vamiur. She came from the province of Nevarion, specifically a province called Kahzor. People here are known for making potions for agricultural benefits.

"Manood ka," Brio told her. "Minsan paiba-iba ang kalaban niya dahil siguro seryoso siya pagdating ng final exam."

"Don't tell me what to do. I'll watch If want. I won't If I don't want," matigas na saad ni Scarlet. Nanahimik siya at tinuon ang atensyon kay Candy. Her opponent is named Cassena. Scarlet liked her aura. Nakatungo lang ito't mukhang malaki ang tiwala sa sarili.

"What is she holding?" Scarlet can't help to notice what Cassena was holding. From her right hand, it looks like she's holding a wand.

"Wala 'yan." Brio waves his hand.

"What do you mean? It looks like a weapon. Isn't that a wand? I thought witches only existed in books." Tinagilid ni Scarlet ang kaniyang ulo. Brio squinted to see what she was talking about.

Suddenly, the charmer took something to her pocket. It is a yellow liquid in a small bottle. Tinungga niya ito't hinipan. What she did made her breath out fire. It's a huge fireball.

''What's that?'' Halos mapatayo na si Scarlet dahil sa kaniyang nasaksihan. She glances at Brio.

''Potion,'' he told her. Nanatiling nakataas ang kilay ng dalagita habang nakatingin sa kaniya. He was waiting for him to tell additional informations.

''That's a rare kind of potion. Mahirap gawin,'' he added. Pinagkrus na lang ng dalagita ang mga braso niya.

What she saw was a rare kind of magic potion. It was made of black rose crystal that can be found in the dangerous cave in the rural part of Nevarion.

''Do you use items like that too?'' She can't help but to question. Agad naman na umiling si Brio bilang tugon sa kaniya. Bago sila mag-ensayo sa arena ay naisipan na muna nila manood.

There were a lot of students who came from different houses inside their arena. Karamihan sa kanila'y walang hawak na sandata. The final exam is a physical combat fight with a little mix of magic. Of course, charmers are exempted because they specialize in using spells, incantations and magic potions.

''This is good. I am excited to train here.'' Isang masilay na ngiti ang ginawa ni Scarlet habang nakatingin sa paligid. Tumingala siya upang pagmasdan ang mga upuan na may bukod tanging kulay. The benches with silver colors. It was no other than Imperial Scholar's chair.

''Gusto mo ba'ng isama ang mga ahas mo?'' Saglit na tumingin sa kaniya si Brio.

''My friends? let's see.'' Halakhak niya. She wonders what people will think when she arrives in this arena with her dearest snakes.

Tahimik lang siyang nagmamasid nang isang pamilyar na tao ang nakita niyang naglalakad papunta sa kanilang direksyon. Agad na nalukot ang kaniyang noo. She looks away but this person is staring at her.

''Hoy.'' Matigas na asik ng binatilyo.

Scarlet raises her eyebrow. Nakalukot din ang noo ni Blaze habang nakatayo sa kanilang harap. He is holding a box full of papers and drinks. He's been doing this errand for one hour but his club members are busy training. As usual, he couldn't care less about the exam because he believes that he can train at home.

''Tutulong ka sa akin,'' sikmat ni Blaze. Lalong nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya nang hindi man lang tumayo si Scarlet mula sa kaniyang upuan.

''Inuutusan mo ba ako?'' matigas na sambit ng dalagita.

''Inuutusan kita dahil may karapatan ako. Tumulong ka sa akin dahil madami tayong kailangang gawin.'' He continued explaning about their club's duty but the maiden didn't care less.

Nais nitong manood sa paligid. Napunta lamang ang kaniyang atensyon sa binatilyo nang higitin nito ang kaniyang pulso. Instead of getting pissed off, the maiden laughed at him.

''Are you messing with me? How dare you touch me. So you liked touching girls without consent, huh?'' She said. Brio tried to get their attention but he was left standing in his position.

''Ang dami mong sinasabi. Tumulong ka na lang,'' sikmat nito. Scarlet raises her eyebrow because she notices that Blaze looks like the club needs to rush something important.

''What for? I thought you don't need me there in your club. You have a lot of manpower,'' sarkastikong sabi ng dalagita. Isang matalim na tingin naman ang binigay sa kaniya ng binatilyo.

''Madaming dumating na enrollee. Magtrabaho ka na lang dahil kailangan din natin ayusin 'tong arena pagkatapos.'' Brio began wiping the stone bleachers. Nanatili namang nakakrus ang mga braso ni Scarlet.

That's right, their club is the only club who do these works when there are important event or celebrations in the academy. Dahil nga sa abala ang mga kasama ni Brio ay siya lang ang naiwang gumawa ng mga kailangan nilang lakarin.

Not until Blaze remembered that Scarlet would be also part of their club.

"Manonood ka na lang ba? 'Di mo ba narinig ang sinabi ko? Abala ang akademya dahil sa mga bagong dating na mga enrollee." Blaze repeated himself.

"What is that supposed to do with—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Blaze threw the red rag to her face. Nagulantang siya nang huminto ito sa ere't kinuha ng dalagita.

"Stop throwing things to my face. I might throw worse things to yours," she said before turning around.

Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ng binatilyo. Alam niyang hindi magaling pakisamahan ang dalagita. He wanted to explain a lot of things but she won't be interested.

Little did she know that the person she was looking for was here inside the academy. This is only the beginning.

The time has come... he is coming for her.