(photo credits to the owner)

Chapter 04
Rivendelle Academy
[ Ava Maureen ]

"WHERE ARE we going?" I asked with a hint of annoyance.

"Sa school, syempre. Haler! kanina ka pa ha," that's his answer. Maka-haler parang bakla. That's why I'm annoyed right now. Hindi niya sinasabi sa 'kin ang eksaktong lokasyon. Pero ano nga ba ang alam ko sa lugar na ito?

Nalukot ang mukha ko. "Where is it exactly?"

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Rivendelle Academy, my school." Finally! "By the way, saan ka kaya na rank mapupunta?" he suddenly asked.

"Huh? Rank? What's that? Is that a ranking for your intelligence and how rich you are?" I asked out of curiosity.  We also have ranking in my previous school. It's about how rich and smart you are and, well, I'm the highest there. I'm the Queen but they prefer to call me Goddess.

"In the intelligence, yes. Pero wapakels 'yang pera mo kung hindi ka naman marunong lumaban. You'll be on the Rank 10 SUPREMUS if you are smart, good in fighting and—" I cut him off.

"I'm good in fighting! All types of martial arts and handling different weapons! My Papa taught me how to do it!" I proudly said and smiled. This is my first time to smile since I got here.

"Really? But there's still one that you must conquer to be at the Rank SUPREMUS. You must be pow—we're here!" Hindi na niya natapos ang kaniyang sinasabi dahil nandito na nga kami.

Top 10 SUPREMUS? Hmm... I want to be on that rank!

My mouth hang open when my eyes laid at the golden gate in my front. Gold intricate design with a mixture of green vines. Kumikinang ang tarangkahan at may nakaukit sa mga letra. Letters were bended and the color was also related from the design of the huge golden gate.

RIVENDELLE ACADEMY

That's the name wielded at the top of the gate. It's literally shining! Hinila na niya ako papasok at nalaglag na naman ang panga ko sa nakita. Everywhere is magical! LITERALLY.

Nanaginip ba ako? Sinampal ko nang malakas ang pisngi ko. "Aw!" It hurts. I'm not really dreaming. Pumasok pa nga ako kanina sa isang portal, e.

I roamed around my sight. There's a galactic fountain on the middle, purple water with a gold glittery surroundings, and a magnificent statues standing above the fountain, floating. Few meters away from the fountain are formed and patterned grasses with lots of flowers—tulips, calla lilies, roses, sunflowers, and some that is unnameable. Sa malayong bahagi ng lugar, may mga gusali na parang sa sinaunang panahon pa pero may iba rin na modern. And some are the same as the buildings of Harvard University.

Everything felt surreal and breathtakingly beautiful. It's so magical! This is the most beautiful, elegant and splendid school I've ever seen. What a wonderful gift I've received today! Best birthday ever!

Hindi pa nga na-a-absorb sa 'kin ang mga nakita ko ay hinila na naman ako ni James. There are no students roaming around. Probably they are in their respective classes. "Would you believe if I'll tell you that it's my day today?" I asked him. Hila-hila parin niya ako habang ako ay panay linga sa paligid.

He turned his gaze on me and his brows met. "Birthday mo ngayon?" I nodded.

"And this is the best birthday gift for me!" I exclaimed enthusiastically.

"So," he trailed off, "birthday mo naman ngayon, pwede ka bang magsalita ng tagalog?"

I shake my head in disapproval and at the same time asks, "Why?"

"Why?" he even mimicked me! "Kasi ghorl, dudugo na ilong ko kaka-English mo. Masasabayan pa nga kita minsan. Masakit sa dila, 'no!" he whined.

He have that side? Aww, cute! What if I'll speak in Nihonggo? Nah, iba nalang pagtripan ko. Kawawa naman siya. He said his nose will bleed and why is that?

"Your nose will bleed? Why?" I worriedly asked. Napalingon siya sa 'kin tapos ay tumawa. May nakatatawa ba sa sinabi ko? Palagi nalang niya akong pinagtatawanan. We've just known each other for hours. He's feeling close! But it's okay. Magaan naman ang pakiramdam ko sa kaniya. Hindi naman siguro siya masama dahil dinala pa nga niya ako rito sa school niya.

We stopped our track in front of a big wooden double doors. "Nevermind." 'Yan nalang lagi ang sasabihin niya kapag nagtatanong ako ng mga hindi ko maintindihan. I take back the word na hindi siya masama—slight lang pala.

"Ito ang opisina ni Headmaster Kashmir, pumasok ka sa loob at kausapin mo siya. For sure alam na niya na nandito ka at may sasabihin din siya sa 'yo. Babalik na ako sa dorm ko para makapagbihis at para magamot. Ba-bye! See you when I see you!" He didn't let me talk back because he instantly left.

I heave a deep sigh and silently prayed and hope that this will not going to be tough. I opened the door and the big spacious room welcomed me. There's a long table that places horizontally and a royal blue swivel comfortable chair. In front of the table, there are 4 blue lounge chairs. May lalaking nasa middle 40 ang edad na nakaupo sa swivel chair.

Napalingon ito sa sa 'kin at binigyan ako ng isang mainit na ngiti. "I already expected that we will be having a new student of this year." How did he know? "I know what would happen in the next 3 hours. That's my ability and I am a wizard if you'll going to ask for my magic."

He cleared his throat. "I am Headmaster Kashmir Cliffton, ang ika-tatlong naging punongguro sa akademya na ito. So, any other questions, Miss Shimizuo?"

My eyes widen and astonishment filled my system upon hearing his explanation. Magic? Wizard? Ability? Is that even for real?! Nababaliw na ba talaga ako? Hindi ba talaga ako nanaginip? Pumasok ba talaga ako sa isang portal patungo sa mahiwagang lugar na ito?

Oh, my goodness gracious.

The words he said earlier is not yet absorbing in my mind pero nagsalita na naman siya. "What magic and ability you possess, anyway?" he asked while raising his left eyebrow.

"Wait... a magic?! Are you kidding me? I'm halfway through believing the things I've seen today and now, I have a freakin' magic?! Goodness gracious! I know I'm a smart person but, hey! An ability and a magic? Really?!" I hysterically pointed my self.

What was he talking about? Me having magic? Never in a single thought of my life of having a magic! Like, what the hell?! Is he out of his mind? I can't even believe the things my naked blue eyes saw earlier.

He laughed at my reaction. "Yes, an ability and a magic. I can feel the strength of a magic within you. I'm not a headmaster for nothing, you know? So, what magic you possess?"

I lightly shake my head. "You're that old to not remember that I didn't even know I have powers or magic or ability or whatever do you call that effin' sht?" I shot back.

He laugh again, amused. "Okay, do you have any accessory?" he asked as he stand in his swivel chair and move at my place.

I raised my eyebrow at him. "Why?"

"Maybe that accessory blocks your magic." I shrugged and showed my amulet at him. "Oh, so it's an amulet. Take that off when you'll start attending your classes." he instructed. He went back to his table and got something under in it. He gives me a box, envelope and a map. Kinuha ko naman ito.

"You can start attending classes tomorrow. I'll tell the professors that there will be a new student. That is the map of the whole Academy." He pointed the map. "Your pair of uniforms is in that box and other school stuffs. That envelope contains your schedules, infos, rules and regulations that you need to know here in the Academy. Now, find your dormitory." He patted my head and gestures to go out.

"Wait, no registration papers to sign up?" Umiling lang siya at inuwestra ang pintuan para palabasin na ako. I thanked him and bid my goodbye.

I was about to open the door when he suddenly calls me. I turn my gaze at him and waited him to talk. "If you already know the magic and ability you possess, tell me first. Okay?" Tumango at nakatulalang naglakad palabas.

I still couldn't believe of what I've been through this day. First, I met Ami that is now sleeping in my arms. The headmaster didn't seemed noticed her. Sumiksik kasi siya nang todo sa may kili-kili ko. Second, I met James who introduced me in this weird and magical school. Third, I witnessed how magical this school could be. Fourth, I met the Wizard Headmaster. And lastly, the headmaster just said that I possess magic and ability.

Totoo pala talaga ang magic? Pero parang tama rin naman siya. Hindi naman siguro ako mapupunta rito kung hindi ako nararapat na makadiskubre ng ganitong lugar, right? This place is more than what I expected.

Nandito na ako sa pinto na itinuro ng mapa na dorm ko raw. Binuksan ko ang berdeng pintuan gamit ang susi na kasama sa envelope na ibinigay niya. Bumungad sa 'kin ang hindi gaanong malaki na kwarto. It's not as big as my room in our house, but atleast, hindi maliit or else I'll shriek out here. I don't like less spacious room.

There is a queen-sized bed at the center and the bedside table is located at the right side of the bed. A long green couch and a pink carpeted floor. Naglalaro sa kulay pink, green at white ang kwarto ko—which was I like.

On the left side of the room, there's a pink glass door. Pumunta ako roon, and I swiped it from left to right and there, lots of clothes everywhere! This is heaven, ah! There was also a vanity table and a chair. The table itself had drawers, and the drawers contains a lot of makeup, hair ties, and other girly accessories.

Lumabas na ako sa walk-in-closet at pumunta naman sa puting pinto. The comfort room and the bath hall. It's big and spacious. It's just simple; a typical comfort room. Walang kitchen at dining space dahil sa cafeteria or sa labas ng school lang daw magd-dinner. Pero may isang maliit na glass table sa harap ng couch, a coffee table.

I laid down on the soft mattress of my bed after I finished arranging the things I brought from my house. Inihanda ko na rin ang susuotin ko para bukas.

Starting tomorrow, I'll meet new people and live a new environment. Ready yourself again, Ava. Tomorrow is your first day of this magical school.

@eggarru