M I L L E R

Leo and I tried to spar without using his teleportation ability.

Gamit ko ngayon ang mahabang staff. Unexpectedly, we were almost on par without his teleportation ability. Napapatalon o kaya napapayuko na lang si Leo sa tuwing mabilis kong nawawasiwas ang sandata ko para umatake sa kanya.

Staff din ang gamit ni Leo. Kagaya ko ay malayo rin ang distansya na kaya niyang abutin sa pag-atake sa akin. May mga pagkakataon na muntik na niya akong masugatan dahil nasanay ako na espada ang gamit niya na mas maikli. I guess he learned his lesson this time.

"Mabilis kang masanay, Miller," sambit niya sa akin.

Malamang ay napansin din niya ang pagbabago sa galaw ko. Panay ako atras kumpara kanina na halos ibigay ko na sa kanya ang tsansa na masugatan ako.

"Thanks," maikli ko naman na sagot. Hindi ako pwedeng ma-distract sa usapan namin.

And just when I thought about distraction, bumulusok naman sa harap ko ang talim ng staff ni Leo. Sing bilis ito ng kidlat na pinuntirya ang mukha ko mabuti na lang at mabilis ang reaction time ko at agad din na humakbang paatras. Inikot-ikot ko rin naman ang akin. Nasagi nito ang staff ni Leo bago ko ito hininto sa may paanan niya para naman sa tsansa ko na masugatan siya. But Leo is a skilled warrior anyway, so obviously, I failed to wound him.

He just blocked my staff's blade and slid his staff on mine. My staff is plain, no bumps or any bulging decorations that could stop Leo's weapon from sliding toward my hand. It swiftly slid upward as if it was slicing the air surrounding it. Sa kalagitnaan ay mabilis kong binaliktad ang staff ko para mahulog ang kay Leo. With that, he failed with his attempt.

I was about to do my turn to attack him when I saw Mateo raise his hand.

Nasa training ground din kasi si Mateo. Isa-isa niyang inaanalisa ang progress ng mga bagong alpha nila. Mukhang tapos na ata siya rito at bumalik na sa aming dalawa ni Leo.

Since I am not really officially an alpha, but only a vampirized human who has exceptional strength like an alpha, sabit lang ako sa training exercises na ito. That's how I've ever since the beginning, anyway.

Maski na nalaman ni Mateo mula kay Axel na hindi iba ang blood cells ko sa blood cells ng isang alpha ay hindi nagbago ang pagtrato sa akin ni Mateo sa training ground. He still let Leo spar with me while he's busy guiding the pure blood alpha vampires. At bumabalik lang sa aming dalawa ni Leo matapos niyang masigurado na maayos ang kalagayan ng mga alpha nila.

Anyway, once he was back, Mateo raised his hand and observed me. From top to bottom. He also stared at how I held a grip on my weapon.

Wala siyang pinapakitang kakaibang ekspresyon. He's just staring. A few seconds later, he looked at Leo then said, "Okay, enough with the combat skills. Miller seems to have excelled in combat skills. You are a vampirized but you have your fighting skills similar to an average alpha vampire. Very well."

I can't contain my happiness after hearing those words. Ito pala ang rason kung bakit niya inutusan si Leo na makipag-sparring sa akin na walang gamit na ibang vampire skills. Gusto niya pala na sukatin ang galing ko sa pantay na labanan.

I am elated from the compliment. Yet, I remained calm and simply bowed my head to show my gratitude. Pinalakpakan naman ako ni Leo bilang pagbati.

"Binabati kita, Miller," mahina niyang sambit.

Hindi pa tapos sa kanyang pagsasalita si Mateo.

Then he continued, "From what I can see, it's time for you to learn another skill."

Napataas naman ang dalawang kilay ko sa narinig kong ito.

What another skill is he talking about? Is he talking about those skills that appear like magic?

May kutob na ako kung ano ang tinutukoy ni Mateo. Sabik na rin ako na matutunan ang mga ito. But I don't want to appear too giddy like a kid excited to visit an amusement park. I just stayed still and waited for Mateo to finish his sentence.

"... It would be a shame if we wasted such talented vampirized, just because his boyfriend is too strict to allow him to explore his new abilities."

I laughed awkwardly. "Axel is just worried."

"I know, I know. That's why I asked him first before I came here. I don't want to have a troublesome fight with him... Anyway, I supposed that it's time for Miller to learn teleportation."

And that's it! Sa wakas!

Palihim kong kinuyom ang kamay ko sa saya nang marinig ko ang salitang teleportation.

"I also think that this will be a piece of cake for you since you have experienced teleportation many times. You've teleported along with Axel and Kristoff, haven't you?"

Tumango lang ako, ganun din si Mateo tapos ay sinenyasan si Leo na kunin ang staff na hawak ko sa kamay ko.

"I'll be your mentor in this. I am expecting you to learn this in three days. It doesn't have to be a flawless teleportation. It's normal to mess up for every beginner anyway."

"Uh, kailan tayo magsisimula?" I blurted out.

Hindi ko sinasadya na masabi ito ng malakas. I was intended it to be a thought. Shoot! Siguro nga ganito na lang ako kasabik na matuto mag-teleport para makalimutan kong manahimik.

"Oh, I would prefer if we start no—"

"Master!"

I am very sure that Mateo was about to say I would prefer it if we start now, but it just suddenly got cut out by someone!

Agad na naagaw ng lalaki ang atensyon naming tatlo. Lumingon kami sa kanya.

He's running out of breath towards us. Para bang may humahabol sa kanya na hindi namin nakikita. Pero kahit ganun ay hindi naman siya pawisan o madumi. He is wearing a plain white shirt and a pantalon with a black pair of sneakers.

Mukhang disente naman siya. But his appearance is not of a vampire who I would see in the Red Mansion. Wala kasi sa mga bampira rito ang nagsusuot lang ng puting t-shirt. Ako lang ata. Lahat sila ay naka-polo o kaya nakapang-mamahalin na shirts mula sa mga sikat at mamahalin na brands.

They might be warriors, but they are from a family of vampires who have lived for a hundred years. It's to be expected that they are also people who are raised with silver spoons.

"Sino siya?" palihim kong tanong kay Leo.

Nagkibit-balikat lang siya at sinabi na, "Hindi ko kilala. Pero sa nakikita ko mukhang isa siya sa mga bampira na may simpleng buhay. Karamihan sa kanila ay walang clan na kinabibilangan, pero naniniwala pa rin sa kapangyarihan ng Supreme."

"Sibilyan?"

"Parang ganun na rin."

"Pablo, what's the matter?" tanong ni Mateo sa lalaki sa sandaling nakalapit na siya sa amin.

"Paumanhin po kung naistorbo ko po kayo. Wala po kasi akong mahanap na ibang clan leader sa Red Mansion." He unexpectedly uttered in a clear voice despite the uncomfortable face he's showing.

The man named Pablo kept fidgeting his fingers. His brows are northward, quivering, that goes the same with his lips. They are carved upward yet the corners are unstable, seemingly afraid to talk.

"The clan leaders in the mansion might still have their estrus. I heard that many vampires are having their estrus this month."

"G-Ganun po ba... P-Pero Master!" Bigla na lang na hinawakan ni Pablo ang kamay ni Mateo. He cupped it with both of his hands as he begged, "Master! Tulungan niyo po sana ako!"

Hindi tumalon o umatras man lang sa gulat si Mateo. He just let the man hold his hand as he slightly knit his brows and asked him, "What can I help you with?"

Kumalma ng bahagya si Pablo. Nabawasan din ang linya sa kanyang noo.

"M-May mortal po akong kinakasama ngayon. Araw-araw po siyang umaalis sa trabaho. Matagal na po kami pero niisang beses ay hindi ko pa po siya nahalikan o ginalaw. Wala pa po siyang vampire essence sa katawan niya."

"Alam ba niya na isa kang bampira?" tanong ni Leo.

"O-Opo. Alam niya po. Naging malapit nga po kami dahil sa sekreto ko pero..."

"Pero?" I asked out of anticipation.

I find his story somewhat interesting because he has a mortal as his partner.

"Pero nung nakaraang linggo po ay hindi po siya nakauwi. Pinalipas ko po ang isang buong araw pero hindi pa rin po siya bumabalik. Nagtanong-tanong na po ako sa mga kaibigan niya at mga katrabaho pero hindi rin daw nila alam kung nasaan si Kim. Ayaw ko man na isipin pero sumagi rin po sa isipan ko na baka iniwan niya ako... Siguro nga po mas mabuti kung ganun ang nangyari."

"Then what happened?"

Seryoso kaming nakinig sa kwento ng lalaki. Wala sa aming tatlo ang nagsasalita, maliban na lang sa mga sandaling humihinto ng pagkatagal-tagal si Pablo sa sobrang kaba.

"Sinundan ko po ang amoy niya k-kahapon. Tapos dinala po ako nito sa isang warehouse. Doon po nadiskubre ko na marami po na hindi po siya nag-iisa. May mga kasama rin po siyang mga mortal... At... At nakakulong po silang lahat. May nakabantay po sa kanila na mga bampira. Inalam ko po kung kaninong warehouse 'yun at nadiskubre ko na kay Bernard po ito."

Umigting ang pandinig ko nang marinig ang kasuklam-suklam na pangalan na 'yun.

"What do you mean?" sabad ko.

"Uh-uhm..." Nataranta si Pablo kaya hindi na niya ako agad na nabigyan ng kasagutan.

Binawi naman ni Mateo ang kamay niya mula sa pagkakahawak ni Pablo bago pinaliwanag ang nais na ipahiwatig ni Pablo.

"The mortal got kidnapped by Bernard's henchmen. She's probably a vampirized now if you found her in that cage. It is not new information among the alphas. All the vampirized we found told us the same story. They were bitten or forced to drink a substance to take the vampire essence in their body, then they got locked up in a cage together with other humans."

Nakaramdam ako ng yamot sa mga bampirang gumawa nito sa nobya ni Pablo. Mas lalo lang akong nagagalit kay Bernard. Sana man lang ay nasuntok ko siya sa mukha bago siya namatay para masabi ko na may ginawa ako para maipaghinganti ang mga mortal na nagawan niya ng masama.

"Nasaan ang warehouse na tinutukoy mo?" tanong ni Leo sa kanya, bago ito tumingin kay Mateo.

Tumango lang si Mateo kay Leo. Sa palagay ko ay may misyon silang gagawin ngayon.

"N-Nasa downtown po. Katabi po ng warehouse ang isang building po. Parang maliit po na residency."

I have no idea where is that place but living in the downtown area where everyday is bustling with people, Bernard really loves to be around the mortals. At isa rin itong magandang spot para manghuli ng mga mortal.

Para lang siyang mangingisda na nasa dagat, alam niya kung saang parte ang marami siyang mahuhuli.

"Great. You don't have to worry. We'll save your beloved. Bernard is dead. The vampires you saw are his henchmen that were left to guard the remaining humans they caught to vampirized."

"T-Talaga po?"

"Yes. Do you have any other information to add up? It might help us with this rescue mission."

"Uh... Uhm. Naalala ko po na abala ang mga nakabantay kaya madalas nilang iniiwan ag pwesto nila. Susugod po sana ako pero hindi ko po kayang iwan ang ibang nakakulong at itakas lang si Kim."

It's good to hear him being considerate towards other mortals and not just to his girlfriend.

"Leo," Mateo uttered in commanding manner, "call Jack, made him accommodate Pablo's need while we raid the place. Come with me immediately after you do so. You'll come along with me."

"Opo, master." Naglaho si Leo at Pablo sa kinatatayuan nila habang pumalakpak naman si Mateo sanhi para mapunta sa kanya ang atensyon ng mga alpha na nag-eensayo.

Sumenyas siya sa mga ito na huminto. Nagsilapit ang mga ito sa kanya at agad siyang nag-anunsyo ng, "I need five alphas with me. I found another report about Ronaldo's henchmen victimizing mortals again."

Walang sumagot, hindi dahil sa natatakot sila, mukhang naghihintay sila na mamili si Mateo. Hindi rin nagtagal ay nagsimula nang magturo ng mga sasama si Mateo. In not less than a minute, five men stepped forward while everyone walked away and continued to their training.

"Go find Leo. I'll follow you in no time..." Rinig kong utos niya sa mga ito.

Humarap ulit sa akin si Mateo at muling nagsalita. "We have to postpone your teleportation training, Miller. This report can't wait any longer. We have to rescue those vampirized before they get transferred into another place." He tapped my shoulder before he turned around.

Paalis na sana siya nang hawakan ko ang balikat niya at hinarang siya.

"What are you doing?" aniya.

"I want to come with you."

"What? Of course not. I don't want Axel to blast at me by putting you in harm. You know how troublesome it is to explain things to him." I just uttered a few words and so much came out from his mouth.

I know that Axel does that to him because he wanted to protect me. But I also know that Axel does not want me to keep hiding behind his shadow and stay weak.

"It's fine. Ako na ang magpapaliwanag kay Axel. Isa pa, hindi rin ako magiging pabigat. I am good with hand-to-hand combat, right?"

Although may mga panahon pa rin na masama ang reaksyon ni Axel sa tuwing nababanggit ko ang tungkol sa pagtulong sa pagsugpo sa mga tauhan ni Ronaldo.

Nadadala pa rin naman sa usapan si Axel. Especially whenever I reminded him how much I do not want to be a burden to him.

Maybe there's a reason why I am special amongst the vampirized. There must be a reason why I am strong.

I don't know what aura I am giving off right now. Mateo just sighed as he looked at me with conflicted eyes.

Without any other choice he told me, "Alright. Alright, you're in. As long as you don't become a burden. Besides, it's a great time to see how you would do in an actual fight."

Great! I got to join them.

Dahil hindi pa ako marunong mag-teleport ay nakisabay na naman ako sa kanya. Napunta kami sa loob ng isang van. Kasama namin si Pablo at isa pang bampira na ang pangalan ay Jack.

Sinama lang pala ni Mateo si Pablo para ituro sa amin ang lugar. It's impossible to teleport to the warehouse without depleting so much energy since the downtown is really far from the Red Mansion's location. We went there by vehicle and as soon as Pablo saw the warehouse Mateo instructed Jack to leave immediately and let us handle the rescue mission.

"Accommodate Pablo. We'll sneak and save the vampirized... Let's just hope this goes smoothly."

Mateo told us that he's sure that the objective will go easy because the vampires here don't have a leader. Bernard is dead. And he can sense that the vampire guards are just small fry. Pati ako, nararamdaman ko na mga beta lang ang nandito.

Inaasahan ko na rin na magiging madali lang ito kaso... sino itong kano na mayabang na nakatayo ngayon sa labas ng isang mamahaling sasakyan?

May mga nakaalalay sa kanya na mga bampira na mukhang malalakas. They are five in total, six if we include the guy.

Nasa loob na kami ng silid na ginamit bilang kulungan ng mga biktima nila. Konti na lang at magagawa na namin ang misyon na pinunta namin dito. Yet for some reason, the newly arrived men were emitting a strong aura of an alpha.

It smells like trouble.

"... Prepare all the vampirized. Bring them to my place. It's vexing but starting today, I am the new manager of those low lives," he told the weaker vampires. And without any complaints those men hurriedly scatter to follow his orders.