Andy Andersone

Andrea's POV

In a battle, there's always those people who supports you and those that who just don't. Their words would often make you rethink things, and sometimes loose motivation.

"Hey, that's her right?"
"Ah! Yung kasama ng babae mula sa Academy."
"Malaki ang pag-asa nilang manalo."
"Malalakas sila. Mas maganda ang kompetisyon ngayong taon."
"Sa tingin mo sila ang mananalo?"
"Mga bata lang sila!"
"Oo nga. They rely too much sa isa't isa. Matatalo sila sa individuals!"

That's just how humans live up 'till now. If I was the real me, I doubt na makakasabi sila ng kahit isang masamang bagay laban sa akin. But it feels good to be judged by people fairly. Hindi mananalo? Ipapakain ko sa kanila ang mga sinasabi nila. I don't need people to support me. I just need them to see my strength. And if that's not enough, ipapakita ko sa kanila ang pwede kong magagawa without using half of my ability.

Nakatayo ako ngayon sa gitna ng malawak na arena. It's three times bigger than what we have back in th Academy. At dito, hindi madaling masira ang mga istraktura. In other words, we can use the whole place however we want it.

I saw Thomas at the side, his gaze landed on mine. His golden armour stands out from the rest of the Knights behind him who wore silver ones. Kulay brown ang buhok niya, he's like the older version of Thane. But there's something about him that's more attractive than his younger brother. His eyes are pure brown, round, and clearer. He's responsible, many people respect him, he's hardworking, and most of all, he is strong. He smiled then nodded at me. I looked away.

He see me as that woman's daughter and nothing more, palagi siyang nasa tabi ko simula bata pa ako, but the more we grow older, the more we drift apart. I want him to see me as a different person today. Gusto kong makita ang ngiti niya na para lang talaga sa akin, that kind of smile that tells me he's actually happy....that he actually acknowledge me.

Until he does so, I can't let this feelings get ahead of me. I touched my chest and gripped my clothes tighter. Shit, my heart's racing too fast. I need to stop it. I sighed deeply and looked ahead of me.

There, I saw my supposed opponent glaring at me. Hindi ko makikita ang mukha niya, only her eyes. Her name is Aliya Prover. Wala akong impormasyon tungkol sa kaniya, but I will expect that she's stronger than she looks. I need to be cautious with my attacks. I will make sure na mananalo ako sa laban na'to.

The host said something first as good luck to th both of us, pagtapos ng ilang minuto ay umalis nadin siya. People were cheering both of us, pero may jan din namang tumatahimik lang. May lumabas na sampung segundong countdown sa malaking screen sa itaas ng arena, and the moment that thing reach zero, magsisimula na ang laban.

Assassin, or ninjas, don't actually have that strong kind of energy tulad namin that allows us to manifest abilities or magic. Halos mga normal lang silang tao. Pero dahil may kaonti din naman silang energy sa pagmamanifest ng kapangyarihan, they are able to learn techniques and skills normal people don't.

Base on the last ranking of the Festival last year, wizards and witches remained on the first rank, second came those alchemists, then ability users, and assassins only came in last. Sa ranking ngayong taon, siguradong last ang alchemists, those who remained for battles will fight for the first three. I will make sure na ability users ang mangunguna ngayong taon. I will not lose to these half-good assassins.

The big buzzer finally rang, and before I could even step, nagulat ako nang makita ko siya sa likuran ko. It took only two seconds for her to travel such distance!

Mabilis akong umilag before she hit me with a roundhousw kick, pero nang hinarap niya na ako ay agad niya akong sinuntok sa mukha. I blocked it with both of my arms. Then she leaped backwards. Her eyes changed, she's smirking. Sa halip na mainis, napangiti nalang ako. She's fast. I was expecting this match to be easy, pero magandang balita na 'to na mukhang mag e-enjoy ako sa laban na ito.

"Woah! What a huge start! This battle is just getting started but this match is freaking intense!" Sigaw ng host na hindi ko alam kung nasan na. Due to his commentary, the people roared.

Assassins are good in surprise attacks. But that would be useless against me. I train every single day in different situations. And one of those situations are fighting enemies in different directions. I smirked. It's worth sneaking into the white room before dawn everyday.

"Mukhang sanay ka na sa pakikipaglaban." Narinig kong salita niya. Of course, I fight against different people ever since when I was a kid. "Malakas ka nga, but you need to build up your speed more. That wasn't even half of my speed." She lacks power, but she got her speed. While I lack speed, but I got power.

"And you need to build up your physical body more." I said back. Though I know that annoyed her. Heh. This will turn out a battle between speed and strength.

"Whether you die or not," she said taking out her katana behind her back. I prepared myself. "Will depend on this next attack. I'll warn you Andy Andersone, you better surrender before things get ugly." She's an assassin alright. She doesn't hesitate to kill at all.

"That if you're able kill me." She only laughed.

She bent her knees a little, tapos ay mahigpit na hinawakan ang katana niya sa likod. Her eyes were locked at mine, she really does plan to finish this in that attack. That only means hindi siya interisado sa akin. Now I am annoyed.

I bent my knees a little, preparing to counter her attack. I'm sure mas mabilis siya ngayon kaysa sa pinakita niya kanina. Not that I'm worrying about whether I'll really die or not, I'm worried she might loose confidence with that sword of hers in my next attack. I smirked again. Damn..I'm shaking in excitement.

I saw her lift her foot, then started running towards me. I lifted my other foot as well, and did the same as hers. A mere second later, her sword almost reached my neck pero pinigilan ko ito gamit ng kanan kong kamay by touching her blade. Dahil sa bilis naming dalawa, the ground around us started cracking.

Nagulat siya nang mapansin niyang hindi pa ako patay. She lifted her katana para isaksak ito sa akin straight on, but I shifted my head to the right para maiwasan ito while still remaining on my current position. I used the opportunity to kick her side as I held on to her blade.

Natilapon siya sa may pader, but she shifted her body on the air and was able to land off the ground before she hit the wall behind her. It caused the ground again to split. Hinahawakan ko parin ang katana niya. Ayon sa pagtingin niya sa akin, nagagalit siya. I showed her my sweetest smile.

"Oh? Akala ko ba mamamatay ako? Nakakatakot naman." I said sarcastically. I saw her clenched her fists in anger. I don't need Keila's ability to know kung galit ang isang tao o hindi.

"Stop. Underestimating. Me." She said in such a serious voice. Natawa ako.

"I'm not underestimating you." Ni kahit kailan hindi ko inuunderestimate ang mga kalaban ko. "I'm just confident."

Mabilis siyang tumakbo sa likuran ko, but it was still useless because I have already caught up to her speed. There's one thing I gained due to my trainings everyday. That is, I can always adapt to my opponent's movements. Sa ibang salita, kahit anong atake man ang gagawin niya o kahit ano man siya kabilis, as long as I am able to see her or ger used to it, my body would automatically adapt to my opponents movements and speed.

I blocked her fist with her katana. She quickly withdraw her hand and exchanged for a quick kick. Unfortunately for her, I turned to my side at mabilis siyang siniko sa mukha. She backed off with her mouth slightly bleeding.

"What the hell is this?! It took only a moment for everything to turn upside down! Sino kaya ang mananalo? Prover was completely shut off by Andersone!"

"Remember this assassin. Ako ang mananalo." Seryoso kong salita.

Napabuntong-hininga siya, pagtapos nun ay napatingin siya sa lupa. I can't see her eyes. Natatakpan ito ng kaonting bangs niya. When she looked up, I'm surprised she's more serious than before. I could only see her left eye, but the way she looks at me tells me na may mangyayaring hindi inaasahan. That kind of look that could instil fear in any person. I let out a breath. This is getting more interesting.

"You should just have died earlier..." even the way she speaks changed. It's deeper and more intimidating. "...than going up against the real me."

Nagsimula na siyang maglakad. Para siyang nakainom ng alak sa paglalakad niya. Like she's not serious, or not in the proper mind is the right term. Pero kahit ano mang atake ang gagawin niya kung makikita ko siya—my eyes widened nang buglang may dumaan na malakas na hangin sa kanan ko.

It took me three seconds to realise the sword I was holding ay nawala na sa kamay ko. She's no longer in front of me. Tumalikod ako and saw her there, playing with her katana. I stepped, pero napaluhod ako sa sakit. I saw blood dripping from my thigh. Malalim ang sugat. It was cut by a blade.

Impossible. I didn't even see her move. That speed, sa sobrang bilis nito ay hindi ko ito makita ng nga mata ko. Masama 'to. If she's that quick, why the hell would she slow down at the first place?! She's the one underestimating me!

"Akala ko ba...." she turned her head around and when I caught a glimpse of her eyes, I saw death. I gulped. "Mananalo ka?" What the hell Andrea. Ako? Natatakot? There's no freaking way na matatakot ako.

"I thought you were...." nilibot niya ang paningin niya.

I sat down the ground dahil sa pagod. I could hear my own heart racing in anticipation. I was able to master my summoning of weapons! I did it. I finally did it. I'm stronger than the rest of my classmates now!

But then she looked at me with those eyes. They were cold, emotionless, and in her eyes, I saw death. My legs started shaking, even my hands and my mouth quivered. Tinignan niya ako mula sa itaas. I thought if I were to master summoning my weapons before anyone else...she'd be satisfied. But her looks told me the opposite.

Kinuha niya ang isang dagger sa sahig. She lowered herself para mapantayan ang lebel ko. She pointed the dagger straight at me. Fear. Natatakot ako. I don't want to face those eyes. But I can't look away. This sensation ran down my spine. Hearing her cold and disappointed voice made me realise something...

"Supposed to be stronger?"

Huli na nang mapansin ko ang paparating na sipa niya. It hit my face and before I knew it, natama ang likod ko sa may pader causing to form cracks. I spit dahil sa impact. I didn't even see her. Hindi ko siya makita! Paano ko isasangga ang nga atake niya?!

"Argh!" I couldn't help letting out a scream of pain nang sinuntok niya na naman ako sa tiyan.

She's beating me to a pulp. I can't believe a mere assassin is capable of beating me like this. I have no choice. Ayaw kong matalo. I can't beat her like this. Hinawakan ko ang kamao niya since she's taking her time seeing my reaction. I'll just have to one by one break her bones...

Wait....I'm desperate...why am I desperate? Things around me are moving so fast. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin. My heart is pounding too fast. Fear. Natatakot ako. I can't stop shaking. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Now you're shaking....saan nanggaling ang confidence mo kanina?" She asked in a mockery tone. She improved her speed a lot. Pero may pakiramdam ako na hindi pa ganoon ang full speed niya.

We're the same age but...why do I feel a big difference between us? Why am I admitting to myself that I can't beat her if I'm not Andrea? If I'm not...being that woman's daughter? My vision suddenmy blurried. Water. Water filled my eyes. I looked down at pinipilit itong hindi tumuro.

"Hindi mo ba gagamitin ang abilty at weapons mo? Alam kong may ipaglalaban ka pa...show me your real strength." She whispered near my ear.

My real strength? Anong gusto niya? Fight her using my real ability? If I did that, it's just like admitting to her na hindi ko siya matatalo. Pero ayaw kong matalo ng ganito...I never did plan to loose in the first place. Pero may naalala ako....that memory kept haunting me forever...akala ko tumigil na ito....but when she showed me those eyes...bumalik ang takot ko. Hindi ko kaya.

Natatakot akong matakot. I act confident and strong but I know more than anyone else, na kailangan ko lang umakto ng ganoon para makalimutan kung bakit ngaba gustong kung maging malakas. I want to surpass my sister...I want to surpass, most of all, my mother. Ayaw kong nakikita ako bilang kapamilya nila, gusto ko ng sarili kong pangalan.

Pero hanggang dito pa naman hindi ko magagawa yun kung hindi ako magiging si Andrea? What's the purpose of making a name for myself then?! I'm being such a huge idiot!

The crowd around us was all silenced. Mabilsi ang mga pangyayari pero natahimik silang lahat nang napatigil kami ng ganito. Prover crouched in front of me. I'm still holding her fist. If I break her bones, wala ng atrasan 'to.

Just as I was about to do so, I saw Iyana and Keila standing before the railings above, sa gilid ng arena. Iyana's frowning and bored...darn it. I don't want her to be bored while watching my match. Does that mean I'm not even qualified to borrow a little of her attention? She's the school's rank seven. Madami na siguro ang naranasan niya, even worse than this, but I never really saw her act like me. I'm pathetic.

Then there's Keila who was crossing her arms habang nakasandal sa pader. She's looking straight into my eyes. I've always hated those eyes. The moment I saw her, I knew I just won't get along with her. Pero nakita ko ang mga mata niya nung unang beses ng masinsinan nung naglaban kaming dalawa sa Academy.

Her eyes showed kindness and intimidation. They look so reassuring, but at the same time, they can see through your fears. And now she's looking at me with those. Hindi ko mapigilang isipin na kinakaawaan niya ako ngayon, but if I think again, parang sinasabi niyang "what the hell? Hindi ba't gusto mo maging malakas?"

I don't know if they're encouraging me by being there, but it won't get through me. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin! Pero kung hindi ako pipili, matatalo ako. I held her fist tighter. I' so lost right now. A tear fell form my eye. Isa lang. Only one went through.

"Anong pinagpipilian mo? Being Andy or Andrea? Tanga ka ba? Why choose when you're both?"

My eyes widened. That voice...it went through my mind accompanied by an emotion. That emotion contained pride...and confidence. Mabilis akong napatingin kay Keila. She only smirked. Tapos ay hinila niya na si Iyana na mukhang parang matutulog na, pabalik sa loob. Damn I don't know kung paano niya nagagawa ang mga bagay-bagay nato, but I know it was her. I smiled.

Really. Tanga nga siguro ako. Why choose when I'm both huh? I owe you for this one, Keila.

I looked up at tinignan ang babae sa unahan ko. Aliya Prover. She's stronger and far more quicker than I am. Matatalo ko ba siya? I smiled again and her eyebrows sank in confusion.

Isa lang ang sagot sa tanong kong iyon.

I will win.

I held her fist tightly, then I heard bones cracking. Nagulat siya and quickly backed off. Pero bago pa man siya makalayo, mabilis akong tumayo, not minding the pain over my body, at agad na sumugod sa kaniya. Dahil sa bilis niya, hindi ko siya nakitang pumunta sa likod ko and was just about to kick me nang masalo ko na naman ang paa niya.

She pulled, pero hindi niya kaya. I held her leg so tight and broke some bones by crashing it. Nang binali ko ang mga buto niya kanina sa kamao niya, I didn't even have to use my ability. I was just so used at breaking bones na hindi ko na kailangan gamitin ang ability ko. Even when I'm breaking her leg.

Tinapon ko siya palayo but she still landed off the ground safely. Or so I thought. Napaluhod siya dahil sa broken leg niya, that must have hurt a lot.

"Show you my real strength huh? I didn't even use my ability and weapons yet. Don't make me use it." I'm planning on finishing this without using them actually.

"Sinabihan na kita. Don't underestimate me." She replied angrily.

"I told you, I'm not underestimating you." Lumakad ako papalapit sa kaniya in a slow pace.

"I'm just confident."