Chapter 07
Ranks
[ Ava Maureen ]

"OH MY—holysht!" I shrieked.

WTH?! Is that the way how we made a potion? It's splashing everywhere! Lumayo ako sa malaking palayok—well, I don't know what is that thing but they said it's a cauldron—dahil baka matalsikan na naman ako.

"Ako na nga lang ang magmi-mix diyan. Maganda nga, ang arte naman," Vianna said as she snatched the big laddle on my hand and started stirring the mixed ingredients for the potion. Siya si Miss Abella na violet ang lipstick.

"Hmp! I didn't even know why it keeps on splashing. It might explode later!" Hindi niya ako pinansin kaya inilagay ko nalang ang ibang ingredients para sa 'healing potion' na 'to. We're instructed to make a healing potion and we can't even go to our respective dorms if hindi pa natapos ang ginagawa namin.

And to sum it all, there's still no one finished this task. So I think, we all suck at this.

Vianna, my partner, is a witch; literally. So, sanay na siyang gumawa ng potions. But she said, hindi pa raw siya nakagagawa ng ganito. Her attitude suits on her! Ang maldita, e. Hindi naman bagay sa kaniya ang lipstick niya.

She stopped mixing the potion and handed me the big laddle. Kinuha ko ito at ako na naman ang nagmi-mix. Oh well, mukhang nasasanay na ako. 2 hours na rin kaming nandito at pangatlo na namin itong attempt. Nakangangawit sa braso at kamay. It's so tiring but enjoyable as well.

"Okay, so let's try to slice our hand again." I suggested. I already have two wounds in my hand. This is my first time wounded by a knife. Yes, we used knife to wound ourselves.

Tumango siya at kapagkuwa'y hiniwa niya ang kaniyang kamay kaya ako na agad ang sumunod. Sabay naming inilagay ang potion sa mga sugat namin.

Unti-unting nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa nasaksihan. "OMG! We did it!" I jumped and jumped in my place and a triumphant smile was plastered on my face.

"Madame! We already did it!" Vianna called the professor happily. Lumabas na kami sa room kung saan ginagawa ang mga potions. As for now, kami palang ang nakacomplete ng 'Healing Potion Task'.

"Hey, Maureen, pasensya ka na kanina sa mga pinagsasabi ko, ha? Frustrated lang kasi ako dahil nga isa akong Witch, so dapat magaling kaming gumawa ng mga ganoong bagay," she apologetically said, and as I observed, it's sincere naman kaya hindi na ako nag-inarte pa.

I genuinely smiled. "Don't worry, I don't hold grudges..." I almost say something about her lips. Good thing I stopped myself.

Her face lits up. "Talaga?" I nod. "Sorry talaga, a!

"Hmm... thank you for this day!" I didn't let her answer dahil nagsimula na akong tumakbo.

SINCE I need a plan to pick on what should I wear tonight, pumasok na ako sa dorm at kinuha ang solarphone na nasa tapat lang ng bintana. Pumapasok kasi ang sinag ng araw roon kaya nakakapagcharge ako. I opened my notes and scan the OOTD section. Nang makakita ng magandang susuotin, pumunta agad ako sa walk-in-closet. Kinuha ko ang isang itim na shirt at maong ripped shorts.

It's just simple dahil sa peryahan lang naman ang punta. 4:45 PM pa lang naman so mamaya nalang ako maliligo. I decided to read the paper that the HM Kashmir gives me. Kinuha ko ito sa study table na nasa gilid dahil doon ko naman ito inilagay. Dumapa ako sa kama at nagsimula nang magbasa.

𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗬
𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺

[SUPREMUS] You have to get 61 and above points in Ranking Ceremony that happens every year for you to get in the Rank SUPREMUS.

[DELTA] You have to get 46-60 points in Ranking Ceremony that happens every year for you to get in the Rank DELTA.

[SECUNDARIUM] You have to get 21-45 points in Ranking Ceremony that happens every year for you to get in the Rank SECUNDARIUM.

[NOVUS] For those remaining students that gets 5-20 points will belong to Rank NOVUS.

There are 324 students in RA and you're one of them.

The RANKING CEREMONY will happen on the day of the Blue Moon. Blue Moon helps enhancing your magic and ability that's why we intended to do the ceremony on that day.

Kashmir Cliffton
RA's Headmaster

So, sa Blue Moon pala magaganap ang Ranking Ceremony. I heard that Blue Moon will happen next month. The paper is so cool! Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbabasa.

TOP 10 IN RANK SUPREMUS:
[this will change in the coming Ranking Ceremony]

1. —- 84 pts. Jack Harrison Amores
2. —- 82 pts. Jane Hilary Amores
3. —- 78 pts. Sofia Mistry
4. —- 75 pts. James Bradley Apartelle
5. —- 72 pts. Kendreck Hoviery
6. —- 68 pts. Andrea Villamor
7. —- 67 pts. Jenelyn Yurison
8. —- 65 pts. Zoe Madelyn Wainright
9. —- 63 pts. Ella Stone
10. —- 61 pts. Oscar Logan Beriza

5:48 P.M na pala. Gano'n ako katagal nagbasa? E, kaunti lang naman ang words na nando'n. Sa isang oras nga nakakalahati ko na 'yong librong binasa ko pero bakit dito, papel lang naman pero ang tagal kong nagbasa... humihina na ba ako sa pagbabasa? My gosh!

I stood up from lying on my bed. Kinuha ko ang damit na hinanda ko at pumunta sa banyo. After I washed and dressed myself up, pumunta ako sa vanity table at kumuha ng black hair band na nababagay sa damit ko. I put some baby powder and lip gloss. Kinuha ko ang black converse to complete my OOTD. I went to the whole body mirror and captured myself para may memory ako sa outfit na 'to. Itinago ko kaagad ang phone nang may kumatok.

"Wait!" I immediately get the black GUCCI bag that I originally owned and open the door. "Zoe?"

"Hi, Mau!" she greeted," You look stunning even in that simple outfit!"

"Thanks, you too." Zoe is wearing a red knitted sweater and black high waisted skirt paired with black converse shoes. "And we have the same shoes!" I exclaimed when I noticed it.

Her eyes glimmered in an unknown emotion. "Twinny! So now, let's go?"

"Hmm! James said they'll wait at the back of the tower near the gate." Sinarado ko ang pintuan at sumabay na sa kaniyang paglalakad. "Would you believe if I'll tell you that this is my first time going to a fiesta?"

"Talaga? Bakit?" she asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "My parents only takes me into business gatherings."

"Ah . . . oh, nandito na tay—HALA! NANDITO ANG MGAHIGH RANKER NG SUPREMUS?! Bakit hindi mo sinabi?!" Zoe shrieked at parang mababasag na ang eardrums ko!

"Hey!? Stop shouting! My eardrums! And who are you talking about?!" I shouted back.

"Sila! I can't believe that I'm hanging out with the Rank SUPREMUS now..." parang maiiyak na na siya sa paraan ng kaniyang pagkakasabi.

OA nito, SUPREMUS din naman siya, a. "Psh, what's the big deal, then?"

"Alam mo kasi, everyone in the academy, dreams to hang out with them. Even me na nasa Rank SUPREMUS din..." at diyan na siya nagdadaldal. I didn't know that she's this talkative.

"Hey, Mau!" Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses.

I waved at him. "James! Is it okay if I'm with my new friend?"

"Walang problema," sabi niya, "halika ka rito, ipakikilala kita sa mga kaibigan ko." Napalingon ako sa inihuwestra niya. There are two ladies and one guy.

"Okay?" di-siguradong saad ko.

I'm not shy, hindi lang talaga ako sanay makipag-interact sa mga tao. I sounded introvert but the truth is I'm not. Nasanay lang ako na walang lumalapit sa 'kin dahil hindi naman daw ako approachable. Well, that's what they said. Intimidating raw 'yong presence ko? Hindi rin ako nakikipag-kaibigan o kumakausap kung hindi ko naman pamilyar.

"'Asus! Huwag ka nang mahiya." Humalakhak siya. "This is Jack Harrison Amores, my bestfriend. Ako nalang ang magpakilala sa sarili niya dahil wala naman itong balak magsalita."

Tinuro niya ang lalaking walang kaemo-emosyon ang katawan. He has this chocolate brown hair and light brown scrutinizing eyes. He's just wearing a simple brown shirt with an aesthetic words printed 'dmn u' and a white knee level shorts. Believe me or not, ang GWAPO niya! He's way more hotter and gorgeous than the guys I kissed!

The girl beside Jack introduced herself at me, "Hi! I'm Jane Hilary, Jack's twin." Inilahad niya ang kanyang kanang kamay na tinanggap ko naman. Hindi sila gaanong magkamukha pero may mga features sila na magkapareha. She has this reddish brown hair color and a pair of crimson red eyes. She's so beautiful, and the red jumpsuit she's wearing really suits her because of her tall frame.

"Sofia Mistry," the girl offered her hand to me which I gladly accepted. She has her ash blue hair and sky blue irises. Maganda rin siya at mukhang mabait naman. She's wearing off-white long sleeves off shoulder and a denim fitted skirt.

"I'm Megami Maureen Shimizuo and this is my new friend right here, Zoe Madelyn Wainright," pagpapakilala ko at kay Zoe dahil mukhang nastar-struck talaga siya noong magsalita silang lahat, maliban sa hot na lalaki.

They all smiled at us. "Yeah, we already know you. Daldal nga nang daldal si James tungkol sayo, e. And Zoe, hindi ba't Top 8 ka sa Rank SUPREMUS?" Sofia suddenly asked.

"Y-Yes, the shadow girl..." She looks like she's about to shit in her skirt. Her face was hilarious. Parang 'yong mga tao na nakita ang idol nila.

"Oh, hi! Last year ka lang nasali, right? So ho—"

"Ano ba! Tama na nga 'yang daldalan. Naiinip na ang prinsipe rito, oh! Baka lumayas 'to. Tsk," pagsingit ni James. Sofia just snorted and leads the way.

"THIS IS amazing..."

Nandito na kami sa peryahan at naglalakad-lakad. Mamaya ay pupunta raw kami roon sa sentro para manood ng mga performances ng mga taga-bayan. "Ngayon ka lang nakapunta ng perya?" tanong sa 'kin ni Sofia.

Ngayon lang niya ako kinausap dahil simula nang makarating kami sa City, silang dalawa lang ni Zoe ang sige sa pagdaldal. Sumasali rin naman si Jane but she's not the same as Zoe and Sofia na kada-minuto ay kung anu-ano ang pinagsasabi. Mukhang sanay naman na sila sa madadaldal. Ako lang siguro ang hindi dahil wala naman talaga akong kaibigan na babae.

Tumango lang ako sa tanong niya since busy ako sa paglilibot ng paningin dito sa perya. There's a ferris wheel, roller coaster ride, anchors away at 'yong iba na hindi ko kilala. May mga booths din kahit saang sulok. Ganito pala ang perya, 'no?

"Tara, punta tayo sa roller coaster!" yaya ni James.

"Are you sure we will gonna ride that thing? Because base on the movies I've watched, if they ride at the roller coaster, they'll vomit," saad ko. Halata rin sa tono ng pananalita ko na hindi ko bet ang pagsakay riyan.

"Mau, it's just a movie. Let's try that! C'mon!" Hindi na kami nakaangal dahil hinila na niya kami. Napatingin ako kay Jack na nakasunod lang sa 'min nang walang kaimik-imik, nakasilid sa magkabilaang bulsa ang parehong kamay. Hindi kaya mapanis 'yang laway niya?

James just finished purchasing a ticket for the ride. Every cart has only 2 sits. Jane and Sofia, James and Zoe are ready to go. Ako nalang ang naiwan at si Jack kaya no choice ako na makisakay sa kaniya.

The car has slowly moved hanggang sa bumilis na ito. Everybody are shouting, including me. "AAAAAHHHH! JAMES, YOU PUNK! IF EVER I'M GONNA PUKE HERE OR WHEN THE CAR HAS STOP, I'LL PUNCH YOU TO DEATH!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

Jack is still wearing his poker face at wala man lang ni katiting na takot sa mukha niya. Pero nagulat ako nang magsalita siya kaya natigil ako sa pagsigaw. "Noisy," just a word. Grabehan lang? His voice is cold and deep, nakabibighani, my gosh!

Hindi ko siya pinansin at sumigaw na naman dahil nahihilo na talaga ako! This is worst than the portal! "AAAAHHHHH!" And Finally! Dali-dali akong bumaba at nagsusuka sa gilid ng ticket booth. Pagkatapos, lumapit ako kay James.

"AW! Para saan 'yon?!" Sapo-sapo niya ang kaniyang mukha at parang anytime ay dudugo na ang ilong niya.

"You jerk-as$! You really did asked? Isn't it obvious?" I folded my arms to my chest and raised my right eyebrow at him.

"I'm sorry! Hindi ko naman alam na mahihilo ka pala," he apologetically said.

"That ride is worse than the portal!" I turned my back on him dahil kami nalang pala ang nandito malapit sa ticket booth. Nagkaniya-kaniya na pala sila ng lakad. Pumunta ako sa stool ng mga accessories dahil may nakakuha ng atensyon ko.

"How much is this, Ate?" I asked the girl that I bet has the same age as uncle. I was holding a gold leaf bangle cuff bracelet.

"Regalo ko na lamang iyan sa'yo, hija . . . dahil ang iyong ganda ay natatangi," she said in a convincing tone.

I shyly laughed. "Ah, thank you. But why?"

Before I could even hear her answer, I lowered myself because the bracelet slipped out of my hand. Pero nang tumayo na ako ng maayos ay wala na ang tindahan niya, pati na rin ang babae.

Napakurap ako sa pagkabigla. Where did she go? Ba't ang bilis naman nawala no'n? 'Yong tindahan din niya! Oh, I forgot... Magic does exist here nga pala. Stupid me. I wore the bracelet I got and surprisingly, it suits me well! Para makapaglibot pa, naghanap nalang ako ng bagong stall na mapupuntahan.

May book stall ba rito? Oh, there you go! I immediately go to the small store where old books are all I could see. Cool!

Linapitan ko ito at agad na nagtanong sa tindero. "Manong, how much is this?" I asked while showing a book that has a green cover and super luma na talaga. Para bang 'pag hahawakan mo ang bawat pahina ay mapupunit.

I wonder, where did this old guy get this book?

"Iyan ay aking ibibigay na sa iyo, magandang binibini," he answered.

"What? But thi—" Puff! Hindi ko natapos ang pagsasalita ko dahil nawala ito na parang bula. What's with the disappearing act and the freebies? Nevermind, nakalibre naman ako.

@eggarru