Nagsisigawan pa rin ang mga tao dito sa loob. Tumingin ako sa upper part ng coliseum kung saan may parang veranda at doon nakaupo ang Alpha kasama ang headmaster.

Nakatingin ako sa gitna kung saan magaganap ang labanan. Mabigat pa rin ang nararamdaman ko at hindi ko alam kung bakit.

"Let the battle begin!"

Nagsimula nang gumalaw ang raffle screen kung saan nakadisplay ang mga profile namin at kasama na ako doon.

Unang tumigil ang monitor sa senior student at ang isa nama'y sophomore. Maganda ang naging laban nila.

The senior guy can be invisible and is extremely fast which is a perfect combination. Ang isa naman ay laser beam at ice. But to think that seniors have more experience than a sophompre, nanalo nga siya.

Five more matches were called at patagal ng patagal ay pabigat ng pabigat ang nararamdaman ko. I started to feel uneasy. But why?

"Ayos ka lang?" Paxton asked in a monotone. Magkatabi kami ngayong tatlo sa bench.

"Tsk. If I know she's just scared. She wants to go home and hide under her mother's skirt," singit ni Alzena.

Tumingin ako sa direksyon nila. Makahulugan akong tiningnan ni Paxton as if he knows what I'm thinking.

"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen. Kapag may nangyari man, po-protektahan kita," bulong niya sa 'kin.

I sighed at muling ibinaling ang tingin sa naglalaban. Looks like it was finished dahil tumilapon ang babaeng sand manipulator sa labas ng platform.

Muling gumalaw ang raffle screen. This time, dalawang freshmen ang maglalaban.

Si Alzena and the other guy named Jonathan Russel. Sabay silang pumunta sa gitna and gave respect to each other.

"Well, this is exciting! Freshmen vs. Freshmen! And Jonathan Russel, right? The top 3 in the last qualifying examination?" tanong nung emcee.

So he's the top 3? Hindi halata sa mukha niya dahil mukha rin syang nerd. Malaking salamin at yung buhok ay mala-Rizal.

"Begin!"

The battle started as Alzena summoned her weapon accessory. It's a flare lancer used in executing flares. A device operated by a trigger similar to a gun.

Nilagyan niya ito ng bala at ngumiti pa before she shoots upward. It created a loud high-pitched sound na parang sasabog ang tenga naming lahat. Ang sakit sa tenga.

It's a sound flare!

Napapikit ang karamihang nanonood while covering their ears kabilang na doon ang kalaban niya. Tumabi ako kay Paxton and created a soundproof barrier para sa aming dalawa. Modified ang barrier na 'to for resisting any attacks that is related to sound or music. Mukhang sensitive siya sa sound.

Alzena then charged to attack her opponent who is still covering his ears.

"I'm so disappointed. I'm expecting more since you're the top 3 pero wala ka rin palang pagkakatulad sa kakilala ko." She looked at me before doing her final blow.

"Switch on," she casted.

Kung kanina ay high-pitched sound ang naririnig namin, ngayon ay loud and fast beat naman na ilang beses na niyang ginawa sa 'kin.

The soundwaves were almost visible at papunta na ito sa kalaban niya na ngayo'y nakapikit pa rin.

She grinned and victory was all over her face.

"Game ov-"

Napatigil siya when her opponent's eyes glowed. Even our eyes were glued in the scene.

Before the soundwaves struck into him, may nakakasilaw na liwanag ang bumalot sa kanya until it formed into wings at ginawa niya iyong shield for the attack.

"A-argh!" umiinit na naman ang dibdib ko. Kahit pala hindi ang master ang lumapit sa 'kin basta gumamit ng light-type powers naapektuhan ako.

"Shea!" Paxton called at napatayo. He was about to cast a spell on me pero pinigilan ko siya.

"Don't. The Master is near. He can sense it. I can bear the pain compared to Kiyan."

He obediently nodded and returned to his seat.

Looks like si Alzena naman ang sa defense ngayon. Panay lang siya iwas ng iwas sa mga atake ni Jonathan. There's a time na nasusugatan na siya but she continues to dodge every attack.

Naghihiyawan na naman ang mga tao dito.

Which do you think is faster, light or sound?

The battle lasted for at least 20 minutes and knowing Alzena that she can't afford to lose to anyone, she won. I can't deny the fact that I was impressed. Knowing her ability to "steal," she literally stole her opponents' power and abilities leaving it completely naked during a war. Her ability is indeed fearsome.

Same with Paxton who duel a senior whose power can pierce through anything was defeated not more than a minute. Natahimik pa nga ang karamihan sa gulat dahil sa resulta ng laban nila.

Paxton just went on the platform boredly waiting for the attack of his opponent. Tinunaw niya lang naman ang weapon accessory ng kalaban niya kung saan doon din ang source of power niya.

He returned to the duelist section na parang tumayo lang siya dun sa gitna ng ilang segundo. He didn't even get a single sweat.

Halos natawag na ang lahat maliban sa 'kin. Even Eloiny and Cein ay tapos na rin. Ako nalang ang natirang hindi pa natatawag. Maybe they won't call me.

"And for the final match for the first round..." the emcee announced at muling gumalaw ang screen.

"Ms. Shea Alysia Valdemore and Mr. Christian Clive!"

Just so I thought na hindi na ako tatawagin ay tinawag pa. Inayos ko ang aking salamin at tumayo.

"You're dead," Alzena smirked.

"Hindi mo ba alam that he became the top 1 sa panahon nila? He's a senior now and I think I should prepare your coffin."

Hindi ko na pinansin ang mga trivias ni Alzena at pumunta na sa harapan. I was expecting that my opponent is already smiling because he might have concluded that he'll win. Pero iba ang bumungad sa 'kin.

His deep piercing eyes stared at me as if he found an interesting opponent. Mukhang iba siya sa mga taong nandito na walang ginawa kundi i-boo ako. He's taking me seriously.

"Let the match begin!"
We both stood still as the emcee announced that the match had started. Unlike sa previous battle, pareho kaming tahimik, nagpapakiramdaman. We didn't remove our eye contact towards each other. Slowly observing each other's next move.

I wouldn't make a move hangga't hindi ko alam ang kapangyarihan niya. I'll decide later what power to use against him. Kung anong gagamitin ko ngayon ay ganon rin ang gagamitin ko sa next round-kung mananalo ako.

He smirked at bigla nalang siya nawala sa pwesto niya. The crowd awed as if they're insulting me.
I roamed my eyes at wala akong nakita ni anino niya. Maybe he can be invisible? Or maybe teleportation. He might also have the speed of light.

There's only one way to find out.
I closed my eyes and focused. Alam kong nandito lang siya. All of a sudden, I felt a strong energy coming from behind.

I immediately opened my eyes and dodged his attack using my enhanced agility.

"Not bad for a nerd like you," he commented.

I remained poker face as he summoned his weapon accessory. A spear.

As far as I can handle, I don't want to summon the sword of destruction. Baka may maka-recognize and everyone will find out about me. Especially Kiyan. Alam kong pamilyar siya dito. It would be stupid to attack inside the enemies' lair.

Tinira niya ang spear papunta sa 'kin with an extreme speed to the point na almost invisible na siya. However, I managed to dodge it.

I was about to land on the middle nang mapansin kong papunta na naman sa 'kin ang spear niya. It's fast!
Muli akong tumalon sa kabilang direksyon and the spear directly struck the floor causing the dust to spread all over.

"Iiwas ka na lang ba? Come on, fight!" hamon niya.

I remain calm while I observe every move he makes. He has the ability to teleport. I wonder what's his power.

Biglang lumitaw ang spear niya as I saw his fingers motioning in different angles. So he can control it too without physical contact. The spear once again headed towards me pero mukhang nababasa na niya ang bawat galaw ko so everytime I dodge it, dumarating agad siya. Panay lang ang iwas ko as Christian continuosly makes gestures to control his spear effortlessly. The crowd 'boo-ed' again for they are getting bored. Maging ang kalaban ko ay nabo-bore na rin but he's not letting his guard down.

Pumwesto ako sa likuran niya malayo sa kanya as his spear is ready to pierce me, when I suddenly attacked him from behind. I was about to give him a solid flying kick in the neck when he suddenly disappeared. Bigla niya akong sinipa sa likuran ko.
Tumilapon ako malapit na sa dulo ng platform but I manage to hold on to it. I forgot that he can teleport.

"As expected, you're not as clumsy as I think."

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo habang pinupunasan ang dugo mula sa gilid ng labi ko.

"Are you underestimating me? Why won't you summon your weapon accessory?" he's pissed.

"If I summon it now, then this match will be over," I said blankly staring at him.

"Heh." muli na naman siyang ngumiti. An amused smile.

"Then I'll make you summon it whatever it takes."

I smirked, "Try me."

Bigla siyang sumugod sa 'kin at handa na akong patumbahin. Looks like he won't hold back even I'm a girl. Malapit na siya sa 'kin when I used my agility ngunit kakalipat ko pa lang ng pwesto ay bigla ko nalang naramdaman ang kamao niya sa sikmura ko. Napabuga ako as I landed on the floor.

Damn it. How can he move so fast?

"Boring~" sabi niya habang pilit akong tumatayo. The crowd boo once again.

Nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko na gusto nang umakyat ni Paxton dito pero pinigilan siya ni Alzena. I won't blame him for worrying because he's my familiar. But my plan would be in vain if he gets in the way.






"Aly, alam mo namang kahinaan natin ang liwanag 'di ba?" Seraphina asked while I'm sharpening my sword at nagpapahinga sa lilim ng puno.

Nanatili akong tahimik habang hinihintay ko ang susunod niyang sasabihin.

"You know, darkness. They all hated and feared us pero saan nanggaling ang dalawang emosyon na 'yon? Sa atin. Hahaha! Funny right? They hate darkness, they hated us. Pero hindi ba nila naiisip kung walang kadiliman? This world is finished. How can they appreciate the stars without the night?"

"So you are saying?"

She smiled bago bumaling sa 'kin. "When you're back up there, be like a shadow. Sundan mo lang, let him do everything he wants, let him enjoy. But when time comes, the shadow becomes a part of darkness. Conquering everything until he sees nothing. And that's where the fun begins."





He's continuosly throwing punches at me and I feel any moment from now na bibigay na ako. After several attacks, tumigil siya habang humihingal. Ako naman ay nakasalampak na sa sahig. My whole body is aching.

I slowly turned my head to the duelist section at nakita kong nagpipigil na si Paxton. I communicated on him earlier through telepathy na don't interfere or we will be disqualified.

With all my strength, I managed to stand. May crack na nga ang eyeglasses ko. I used my ability to move to another place na medyo malaki ang distansya sa kanya.

I stared at him for a few seconds, "What? Susuko ka na ba? I'm still having fun." He grinned.

I thought he said 'boring' earlier?

I smirked making his brows narrowed into slits. Pinasok ko ang kamay sa bulsa ko as I snapped my fingers.

May lumabas na apoy sa harapan ko and motioned to attack him directly. Simple niya lang itong iniwasan while smirk could be drawn all over his face.

"So you're a fire special, huh?" an evil smile formed in his lips habang unti-unting may apoy rin na lumalabas sa kanyang kamay.

"Let the battle begin." he hissed habang dire-diretso akong sinugod ng lumalagablab niyang mga kamao. Nakaiwas ako pero pinalibutan niya ako ng apoy after I escaped.

He laughed insanely while looking at me inside the vortex.

"Hindi ko alam pero kakaibang adrenaline ang bumabalot sa 'kin ngayon. You're not fighting me all out but I'm having fun. Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ulit ng ganito. But too bad, mukhang matatapos na ang laro natin. Hindi ko manlang napalabas ang weapon accessory mo," sabi niya at mas pinalakas pa ang apoy na nakapalibot sa 'kin.

"And I never thought that you would be this stupid." napatigil siya sa sinabi ko.

"What?"

Mukhang ako naman ngayon ang ngingiti ng tagumpay. An evil grin formed into may lips habang walang effort akong lumabas sa apoy na ginawa niya para sa 'kin. Muli ko na namang narinig ang sigawan ng mga tao.

"P-papano..." gulat na gulat siyang nakatingin sa 'kin habang nakita niya akong walang kahit anong natamo sa apoy na ginawa niya.

"Mukhang nakalimutan mo yata kung sino ang kalaban mo," sabi ko habang nakapamulsa at kaharap siya.

He threw a ball of fire towards me but it suddenly dissolves into air before it hits me.

"I am Shea Valdemore. The Demon Slayer. Do you know what a Demon Slayer can do?" I asked while grinning.

"She has only one power that can severely damage a demon. Using my power against me is a complete stupidity."

Yes, he used my power against me. As I observed his move earlier, the way he attacks, the way he defends himself, the way his eyes stared at me, he is a Power Replicator. The power to copy other powers at will. He copies my fire manipulation. Let's just hope that it won't cause any side effects because that fire is from hell. Especially he's a light special.

"T-Then this power is useless. Just like you, y-you're useless!"

Sabi niya ng paatras ng paatras habang palapit ng palapit ako sa kanya. Oh, did I intimidate him that much?

I motioned my hands into different directions as I summoned his weapon accessory. Nanlalaki naman ang mata niyang nakatingin sa 'kin habang hawak ko ang kanyang spear.

"H-how did you-?! I'm the only one who can summon and control it!"

I put up my most evil smile and said, "Oh? But I just did."

I did some gestures at kusang lumitaw ang sandata niya at tinutok ko ito sa kanya. Ngunit muli na naman siyang ngumiti at nawala sa harapan ko.

"Now, I'll get back what's mine," sabi niya mula sa kabilang side at ginalaw-galaw ang kanyang kamay but nothing happened.

"Looks like it's not obeying its master." I grinned at him.

He glared at me, "What did you do?"

I just shrugged and motion my fingers to attack my opponent. Mabilis naman siyang umiwas. Nagsigawan naman ang mga tao maging ang emcee na kanina pa nagsasalita ng mga detalyeng nagaganap sa laban namin.

"If you have the power to replicate powers, then I have the ability to replicate abilities. Wonderful, right?"

Nanlilisik ang mata niyang nakatingin sa 'kin. I closed my eyes to concentrate where he's going next. I can feel the particles and atoms getting concentrated behind me so I motioned his spear backward and turned it rapidly.

He appeared just as I predicted at rinig ko ang daing niya nang tamaan siya ng sarili niyang sandata.

He's now on defense. Now you've been swallowed by darkness.

"You're not getting away with this!" sigaw niya.

Without a word, I motioned my fingers toward him at dire-diretsong lumusob ang spear sa kanya. He teleported but I've already estimated his certain location. Niliko ko ang spear at pagkalabas niya ay pabulusok na ito sa mukha niya.

Because of his reflexes, napaatras siya. And that's the biggest mistake he made.




He fell.




And it only means one thing.


"Christian Clive is out! Shea Alysia Vademore... wins!"



--

Palakad-lakad ako ngayon sa field kung saan naka display ang mga booth. I want to check kung ginawa nga ni Seraphina ang mga details na sinabi ko sa kanya noong isang araw. Even the president told me that it was magnificent, still I want to see it for myself.

"Shea..." someone called my name kaya napalingon ako sa likuran kung saan galing ang boses.

My thick brows furrowed as I face the person.

He was the guy who I defeated earlier. May benda ang kamay niya kung saan nasugatan siguro ng spear niya kanina.

"Christoper, right?" I asked.

"I-It's Christian not Christoper. Hehe. Where are your wounds? Bakit wala ka nang sugat?" he asked.

"They healed themselves," sagot ko.

"N-Nice. Uhm, I'm just here to tell you that it was a great match. I literally didn't see that coming," sabi niya at nginitian ako. A true genuine smile.

I just stared at him waiting if he has something else to say.

"By the way, h-here." May nilabas siyang bouquet of roses mula sa kanyang likuran.

"I'm looking forward to be your lover, Shea. You are really amazing back there."

👑👑👑