Author's note: Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan as Kiyan Hayashi ❤️

  
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The day that everyone awaits has arrived. The Festival.

Humihikab ako habang papunta ng school at makikita sa paligid ang ambiance nito na excited ang lahat. Ako lang yata ang hindi.

Yung ibang estudyanteng nakakasalubong ko ay nandidiring napapatingin sa 'kin. Maybe it's because wala akong suklay? Nah, panget lang talaga ako.

Masakit pa ang katawan ko sa pinanggagawa ni Seraphina sa 'kin sa loob ng tatlong araw na training. But I'm confident na mas na ko-kontrol ko na ng maayos ang kapangyarihan ko. Maybe because we were also trained here in the academy.

"Hoy!" someone tapped my back at rinig ko pa ang mabilis niyang pag hinga. Wala talagang galang 'to.

I looked back with my brows furrowed at bumungad sa ‘kin ang mukhang matagal ko nang pinagsawaan.

"Oh?" sagot ko.

"'Di ba sabi ko sayo, hintayin mo ako sa dorm niyo dahil susunduin kita?" masungit niyang saad.

"It's not my fault that you’re a sloth."

"Who are you calling sloth?" nakabusangot niyang tanong.

Napairap na lang ako at nag umpisa muling naglakad.

"Sandali lang!" tawag niya pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

Some students were whispering as I pass them.

"Grabe ang kapal talaga ng mukha. Grrr! Di ko 'to keri!"

"Chill ka lang, girl. Baka magalit sa atin si Ren pag narinig niya tayo."

"Si Ren na nga ang kusang lumalapit sa kanya, siya pa ang may ganang mang snob. Such a bitch!"

"She.is.so.ugly. Pero kung umasta akala mo kung sino."

"If only Ren wasn't here, kanina ko pa siya kinalbo."

Pinalusot ko nalang sa kabilang tenga ang aking naririnig at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

But I suddenly stopped nang biglang nandito na siya sa harapan ko at may hawak na box.

"Hey, I prepared breakfast for the both of us. Alam ko kasing sa cafeteria ka ulit kakain kaya ipinagluto nalang kita," tila nahihiya pa niyang sabi.

Ako naman ay nagulat sa kanyang inasta. Nagluluto rin pala siya? Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita dahil naninibago pa ako sa pinapakita niya.

"Hindi mo naman siguro nilagyan ng lason 'yan 'di ba?" I asked nang nag sink-in na sa 'kin ang mga sinabi niya.

"Kahit lagyan ko 'to ng lason 'di ka pa rin naman mamamatay."

"So you're planning to kill me?"

"'Di pa ba halata?" naka ngisi niyang sagot.

"Is that a proper way to talk to your mistress?"

"Then is that a proper way to treat your familiar?"

Muli akong napairap at nauna nang maglakad. Jerk as always.

Habang papunta kami doon ay makakasalubong naman namin si Alzena. Hindi ko alam kung duling ba ang gumawa sa uniform niya or what dahil sobrang fit nito to the point na parang matatanggal na ang butones sa part ng kanyang dibdib.

Ang liit ng katawan pero ang laki ng dibdib. Mukha siyang trumpo.

Ngiting-ngiti naman siya at pakembot-kembot pa habang papalapit sa amin.

"Hi Rendeer!" bati niya sa kasama ko.

What? Rendeer?

Ito namang isa, nginitian din niya not minding my presence. So what am I here? A chair? A board? A door?

Tumigil siya sa harapan namin while purposely letting her breast out. "What's that? Para sa 'kin ba yan? Oh my! Thank you so much talaga Rendeer. You always know what I want," sabi niya at kinuha ang baunang hawak ni Paxton.

So may endearment na sila? Tatlong araw lang nagkasama may mga ganon na.

"No, it's for Shea. 'Di pa kasi kami kumakain, eh," sagot niya.

Palihim niya akong tiningnan ng masama at muling humarap kay Paxton na nakangiti.

"Oh! Sorry. Nasanay kasi ako na nililibre mo lagi ako ng snacks tsaka lunch so akala ko akin din 'yan. Hahaha!" tawa niya and returned the box to Paxton.

Nililibre pala siya ni Paxton? Kaya pala kahit lunch wala siya dahil ito pa lang babae ang kasama niya.

Muli naman siyang nginitian ni Paxton at tila nangingisay naman itong parang uod na sinabuyan ng asin.

"Mauuna muna kami."

"Okay see you later! Treat mo rin ako ha?" maarte niyang sabi at nakipag beso pa sa kasama ko. Close na agad?

"Bye Rendeer!"

Nauna na akong naglakad kahit di pa sila tapos sa pakikipag landian. Pumila ako para bibili ng sarili kong pagkain.

"'Di ba sabi ko ginawan na kita ng breakfast? Ano pang ginagawa mo dyan?" sabi niya sa likuran ko.

Hindi ko siya nilingon at nanatiling naka focus sa babaeng nagse-serve ng sopas sa counter.

"Hey," muli niyang tawag sa 'kin.

"I should be the one asking you that. What are you still doing here? Doon ka na Alzebra mo."

Maging ako nagulat sa sinabi ko. I sounded like a jealous girlfriend. Eww.

"Anong Alzebra ko dyan ang sinasabi mo? Umalis ka na dyan at kakain na tayo."

"Eat yourself," sagot ko.

"Then after I eat myself, I'll eat you," bulong niya at naramdaman kong ngumisi pa siya.

Hindi ko siya pinansin. One more costumer at ako na ang o-order.

"Isa pa, bubuhatin na kita. Come on, let's eat." his voice became serious. He sounded like—whatever.

Hinatak niya ako sa braso at nagpahatak na lang ako.

Tahimik kaming dalawa na kumakain while I'm focusing my gaze outside. Naiirita ako. Pero masarap yung niluto niya hindi ko nga lang alam kung ano 'to. Basta kinakain ko lang.

"Nagsusungit ka na naman," biglaang sabi niya. Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagkain na parang hangin lang ang kaharap ko.

"Nagseselos ka no?"

Nabilaukan naman ako sa sinabi niya. Ako? Magseselos? Nagpapatawa yata siya.

Agad niya akong binigyan ng tubig. "M-me? Jealous? I'm not. I'm just irritated," sagot ko at nilapag ang basong wala nang laman.

"Irritated in what?"

He is so insensitive.

"See for yourself," sagot ko.

Natapos kaming kumain na hindi nag-uusap. His food is delicious but I didn't enjoy it. He has time to treat other people pero ako, hindi niya magawa samantalang ako ang mistress niya. That's quite unfair.
  

--
   

Natapos ang boring na opening program at nagsimula na ring mag-open ang mga booth. I didn't know that this is also a competition. Well, good luck to our fellow competitors.

Nandito ako ngayon sa western part ng school kung saan ang mapunong bahagi. Nakaupo ako sa isang malaking sanga while relaxing my mind. Paxton is busy again for the pageant rehearsal. The duel will be 4 hours from now.

  
--Flashback--
 

"A-aray! At least learn to control yourself!" I yelled at Seraphina when I landed on the ground as she pointed her sword on me.

"Heh! Subukan mong sabihin 'yan sa kalaban mo during the duel." she smirked.

Tumayo ako and attacked her once again using my weapon accessory. The clashing of our swords excites me and wants to fight her more.

"You know how to fight like a Mistress?" she asked me as our sword clashed once again.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at patuloy ako sa pag atake. I'm trying to find an opening but I found none. Damn, she's good at this.

"It must be elegant." she thrusts her sword forward and good thing I blocked it.

"Beautiful…" she turned and jump.

"Yet terrifying." bigla siyang naglaho sa harapan ko. My instincts and reflexes are fast kaya tumalikod ako and blocked her attack bago pa niya ako tamaan. Sa likuran ko siya lumabas.

Pero bago pa siya makalapag ay naglaho na naman siya.

"Alam kong demon slayer ang akala ng lahat sayo."

She appeared behind me so I immediately turned to her direction. May pabulusok na sa 'king itim na bolang apoy.

I immediately countered it with my infernal water manipulation. Tubig siya pero itim. Pwede ka nang mamatay kahit madampian ka lang.

"And I believe you don't want to ruin that image of yours." she again attacked me with long streams of water.

"Hell fire." I cited and summoned fire from hell. Unti-unti niyang hinihigop ang tubig ni Seraphina.

"Do you know anything about a demon slayer?" She summoned lightning.

"They only have one attack but can cause severe damage to a demon."

I created a wall of soil to discharge electricity.

She extended her hands to summon air, the wind is visible as I saw it formed into needles.

"Kaya ngayon pa lang, piliin mo na ang gagamitin mong kapangyarihan."

She motioned her hand forward as the needles of wind rain towards my direction. Masusi ko itong inobserbahan at nag-isip ng pwedeng i-counter. But I'm too tired to think.
I snapped my fingers and the needles of air disappeared before it struck me.

"Lazy as always, Aly. Don't use that move there or the duel will be boring. You literally defeated your enemy in just a snap."

"I know."

-End of flashback-

Hindi ko alam pero habang inaalala ko ang pagsasanay namin ni Seraphina, kinakabahan ako. It's like something big is about to happen.

Napatingin ako sa ibaba when I heard footsteps. At first, I didn't bother to know who it was until I saw a crest pinned in his uniform. He's an Alpha.

Masusi ko siyang inobserbahan habang naupo siya sa puno kung nasaan din ako.

It's the Pro Alpha.

I immediately surrounded myself with a dark barrier para hindi ako maapektuhan ng aura niya. Kaya hindi maganda ang nararamdaman ko sa tuwing magkakalapit kami is because his light aura collides mine. My barrier is not visible to anyone. Nalaman ko lang 'to nang sinabi sa 'kin ni Seraphina.

I am darkness and the light will surely kill me.

I seated comfortably again at mukhang naramdaman niyang gumalaw ang sanga so he looked up and saw me.

"What are you doing there?" hindi pa rin nagbabago ang boses niya. His cold voice sends chills to my spine. Our eyes met and again, I saw those lifeless and cold eyes of his.

Okay Shea, nerd personality, activate.

"U-uhm nothing. Just relaxing myself for the duel later, sir."

I didn't hear him reply kaya muli akong sumandal sa puno.

Muntik na akong mahulog sa gulat nang bigla-bigla na lamang siya napunta sa harapan ko. Nakasandal ako sa puno habang nakaupo sa malaking sanga and he just appeared in front of me. Our face were inches away from each other at amoy na amoy ko pa ang mabangong hininga niya.

I remained speechless dahil hindi ko inasahang lalapit siya.

He smirked at naramdaman kong uminit bigla ang mukha ko. He jumped to another branch just above me.

My heart was racing like hell. Inayos ko ang eyeglasses ko and composed myself.

"It's surprising to see you here. Wala kasi sa itsura mo ang pag-akyat sa puno," sabi niya.

First, I forgot how to communicate properly. Second, I don't know how to deal in this situation and third, I am facing my weakness right now. Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko sa kanya.

"Likewise," tanging nasagot ko.

"You remember our deal, right?" he asked.

Right. He wants me to join them. Hindi ko alam kung anong nakita niya sa 'kin at gusto niya akong maging part ng Alpha. I didn't blow my cover either. Alam kong ako ang nag-iisang demon slayer lang dito but my strength was nothing compared to them—in this form. Pwera nalang kung may alam na siya.

"Yeah. Good luck for later," sabi ko.

"Let the match be the judge."

A moment of silence enveloped us. I started to feel uneasy because of his presence.

"Can I ask something?" sabi ko. Naramdaman kong tumingin siya sa 'kin.

"What is it?"

"What's your power and abilities?"

I didn't hear his response after a few seconds. Maybe he doesn’t want to tell—

"You'll see later."

Napatingala ako kung saan siya, and for the nth time, our eyes met at naramdaman kong humina ang barrier ko. Ganito ba talaga ang epekto ng Master sa 'kin? Ganito ba talaga ang epekto ni Kiyan sa akin?
I need to get out of here.

"R-right. Excuse me but I have to go."

I looked down at tila nahilo ako sa taas ng puno na inakyat ko. Oo nga pala, I don't know anything about trees. I just teleported to get here. I can't teleport in front of the Pro either.

"You don't know how to climb down trees, do you?"

I gulped.

"I-I can handle myself," sagot ko.

Dahan-dahan kong ibinaba ang isa kong paa sa ilalim na sanga. Ganon din ang ginawa ko sa isa. It was a success. Sinunod ko ang isa pang sanga pero halos lumabas ang kaluluwa ko sa katawan when I slipped on the branch.

You stupid, stupid, stupid, clumsy nerd!

"F*ck," I cussed habang dire-diretso ako pailalim. Paxton asan ka na ba?!

Pwede naman akong mag pahulog dahil hindi naman ako mamamatay pero malalaman ni Kiyan kung sino ako. I can use my power but I'll blow my cover.

I don't have an option!

Sh*t my secret will be—

"So I'm right. Hindi ka nga marunong bumaba."

Napamulat ako at bumungad sa 'kin ang mukha ni Kiyan. He's carrying me while we're floating. Nanlalaki ang mata ko habang nakatitig pa rin sa kanya.

"You can get down now."

Nabalik ako sa ulirat nang magsalita siya. Agad-agad naman akong bumaba mula sa pagkakabuhat niya at inayos ang uniform ko.

"T-thanks. Uhmm…" hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin ko kaya tumakbo na lang ako.

Masyado yata akong nag internalize bilang nerd kaya nadala ako sa eksena. Stupid stupid dumb clumsy Shea.

Habang tumatakbo ako ay napadaan ako sa mga nakahilerang booths dito and one booth caught my attention. Ang haba ng pila nito at di magkamayaw ang mga officer in charge sa pag-aasikaso ng mga guest. I grinned. Kahit papano nakalimutan ko ang kahihiyang ginawa ko.

"S-Shea!"

Napatingin ako sa babaeng tumawag sa 'kin. Yung class president pala. She tapped my shoulder while catching her breath from running.

"Kung pano mo nagawa ang booth na 'to, I'll leave it to you. But one thing is for sure, you gained my respect." she smiled at muling bumalik sa mga kasama niya.

Nice work, Seraphina.
              
                   
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"All students, please proceed to the Coliseum now. The duel match is about to start."

"All students, please proceed to the Coliseum now. The duel match is about to start."

Rinig ko ang dagundong at ingay ng mga tao mula sa loob ng coliseum. I'm on my way now and wearing my most fashionable clothes.

Large t-shirt na kasya na yata kay papa, pedal na stretchable, old shoes, hair tied into a messy bun, big glasses, and my nerd cosmetics.

Now, I'm ready for battle.

"Good Afternoon students of Myrrh Academy!" greeted by the emcee. Nakakabingi naman ang sigawan ng mga estudyante.

Dito ako nakaupo sa pinakataas at gilid na part at katabi ko naman si Paxton. I'm still ignoring him and he doesn't even care. I don't care either.

"Are you all excited for the match?"

"YEEEESSSS!!" responsed by the students.

“But before anything else, let me read to you the mechanics: (1) Each section in every year must have three representatives. The council will be the one to select the duelists.
(2) The raffle screen will be the one to decide who will be your opponent. And lastly;
(3) The last one standing, wins.
Our rule is simple, stay inside the platform.”

Ang coliseum kasi ay isang indoor stadium which is circular kung saan may napakalawak na platform sa gitna at dito magaganap ang match. Parang kasing laki ito ng football field.

Muli na namang dumagundong ang ingay sa buong stadium. All of them were fired up and ready to witness the match they've been waiting for.

May malaking screen ang nag flash sa pinaka center ng stadium. Yan siguro ang tinatawag na raffle screen.

“What are we waiting for? Time to choose the representatives!”

Buti na lang, bunot-bunot pala. Sa dami namin dito, I have 0.1% chance of getting chosen.

"Starting from the freshmen..."

Kahit maliit ang chance kong mapili ay pwede pa rin akong mapili. Kinakabahan ako.

"Let's start from section 2..."

May pamilyar na mukha ang nag flash sa wide screen sa gitna ng stadium.

"And for our first representative, Alzena Alors!" anunsyo ng emcee.

Nakita kong bumaba si Alzena at pumunta sa duelist section sa baba ng platform kung saan may mga officers na naka standby. Umupo siya sa bench kasama sila.

My jaw almost dropped when another image flashed into the screen. Kasabay naman noon ang sigawan ng kababaihan sa buong coliseum.

"Ohh... may gwapong duelist tayo, ah. I'm sure magiging mainit nga itong labanan. Ren Paxton Montero!"

He gave me a glance before going to the duelist section kasama si Alzena. I mentally rolled my eyes.

"And for the last representative..."

Another image flashed and I feel like everything turned into slow motion as the emcee recited the name I wasn't expecting to hear.
                      
                          
                         
                                 
                                    
                       
                                
                      
"Shea Alysia Valdemore!"

I heard laughter and insults of people around me. They even boo-ed me as I went into the duelist section. I walk with my heads down ignoring the people around.

Naabutan kong nakaangkla na ang braso ni Alzena sa braso ni Paxton. I choose to ignore them and sit near the edge.

"And that's our representative for the Freshmen, section 2. Now let's go to section 1!"

An image of a familiar girl appeared at tinawag na ng emcee ang pangalan niya.

"Eloiny Marvell!"

Bumaba siya at dumiretso sa duelist section ng section 1.

"Jonathan Russel!" a guy stood up and also went to the duelist section.

"And lastly, Cein Azura Olieta!"

Ang swerte ko talaga. I might encounter those two. Will I be able to face them once again? Especially Eloiny.

The emcee continuosly called the names of every representative hanggang natapos na. I thought that the match will about to start pero may announcement pa yata siya.

"Attention everyone! Since this is the 50th Festival of Magic, we have a special treat for you."

Muling dumagundong ang ingay sa buong coliseum. Only the duelist section ang tahimik. Pressure, determination and competition is in the air.

"Duelists, listen carefully. Whoever reaches the final round of the match gets to duel this very special and revered person."

Mukhang alam ko na 'to.

"Brace yourselves! Let me introduce to you the strongest, the hottest, the most powerful...
                                  
          
                     
                    
                   
                        
                                
                                      
                    
                      
Pro Alpha! Kiyan Hayashi!"

    
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