THIRD PERSON'S POV

"This is your end!" sigaw ng babae as she stabbed her sword to an emissary-class monster. The monster appears to be a giant wolf with powerful strength and speed.

Bumagsak ang halimaw sa lupa as it slowly dessipates into the air.

Finally, they had defeated one emissary class monster that appears near the gates of the Merania Kingdom.

They're a team of 6 professional warriors with a female student of Silverleaf Academy as their leader. She's the daughter of a noble, that's why she has that previlege kahit estudyante pa lamang siya.

They finally killed the emissary-class monster which took them 2 hours to defeat.

All of them are wounded at halos maubos na ang mana nila sa pakikipag laban.

"As expected from Lady Dianne! Natalo niya ang Emissary-class monster nang walang kahirap-hirap! Truly a blood of the noble warriors runs in you! Ikaw dapat ang kilalaning pinakamalakas na warrior sa buong kaharian, My Lady. Those peasants on top doesn't deserve those ranks!" Her team cheered while she stands proudly at the center of them.

They're already making quite a scene.

Dianna Grace Baroque, daughter of the noble Gian Baroque and noble lady Crissa Baroque. Their family is one of the most influential and wealthiest nobles in the world. They are a family of powerful, rich swordsmen who fought countless battles beside the royals back to ancient history. Maliban doon, successful rin ang business nila ng weapons especially swords and daggers. Those weapons made by the Baroque family are considered a luxury and of royalty.

They supply weapons directly to the palace which made them even more powerful and successful.

"Tch. They clearly haven't seen my strength! All of you are a witness here of how strong I am, right?! I am the strongest warrior here!" she yelled and the others cheered. Napapatingin na rin ang ibang tao sa kanila.

Being an only child, she has grown to be quite spoiled and narcissistic.

"Kung ikaw ang pinakamalakas na warrior dito, ibig sabihin ikaw rin ba ang pumatay sa Lord of Summons?" A commoner who happen to pass by, asked her. Kalat na rin kasi sa buong kaharian ang misteryosong pumatay kay Kargarus.

"You, peasant! Address the noble lady with respect---"

Susugurin na sana ng isang warrior ang taong 'yon when Dianna spoke.

"Yes, that's right. I'm the one who killed her."

Lahat sila napasingap sa sinabi ng babae.

"Her? But noble lady, the Lord of Summon was a man," sabi naman ng isa ring nanonood.

Pansamantalang napatigil si Dianna at napautal, "Y-You're right! Sa dami ko nang tinalong kalaban, hindi ko na sila pa maalala isa-isa. Especially the weak ones!"

The crowd cheered because of her announcement. "Because of your presence, alam naming ligtas kami sa kahit anong kapahamakan. Mabuhay ka, Lady Dianna!"

--

"Good afternoon, Sir," pagbati ni Charm nang makapasok siya sa office ni Sir Wilson.

Nakaupo ang guro sa isang malaking swivel chair na katapat ng kanyang malapad na mesa. May mahabang sofa rin sa may gilid kung saan may nakatambak na mga paper works.

Inayos ng guro ang kanyang salamin sabay ngumisi. Nanindig ang balahibo ni Charm. Pilit niyang pinipigilan ang kamay niya sa panginginig.

"Sit down, Miss Ashfield."

Umupo naman si Charm sa upuan sa tapat ng mesa ni Sir Wilson. Nanlalamig na siya at pinipigilan nang umiyak.

"Kumusta ka naman?" Malumanay na tanong ng guro.

Doon mas trumiple ang pandidiri ni Charm no'ng marinig niyang magsalita sa ganoong tono ang matanda.

"O-Okay lang po."

"Really? I've noticed that your score from the last activity is pretty low. Hindi ka manlang umabot sa passing grade," sabi nito.

"I-Isang beses lang naman po 'yon. Sa pagkakaalam ko po, mataas naman 'yong scores ko sa mga ibang activity at exams, eh."

"Hindi rin."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Charm sa sagot ng matanda. Aware siya sa mga performances niya at tinatrack niya ang mga scores nito. That's why she's confident na kayang buhatin ng mga previous grades niya ang grade niya sa latest activity.

Pinakita ni Sir Wilson lahat ng quizzes and exams ni Charm at tila gumuho ang mundo ng babae.

All her correct answers were changed to the wrong one and they gave her a failing grade.

Ngumisi si Sir Wilson. "See? I told you."

Gusto pang mag salita ni Charm ngunit tila may bumara sa lalamunan niya. She was succumbed by fear. Cold sweats travel down her face at nagsimula na siyang umiyak. She knew where this is going.

"With this kind of performance, you won't be able to graduate, Miss Ashfield. Unless..."

There it is.

Napapikit si Charm. She can't take it even just by imagining him saying it.

"Kung may project po kayong ipapagawa sa 'kin, Sir gagawin ko po. Kahit ano pong project. Gusto ko lang po grumaduate," naiiyak at nagmamakaawang sambit ni Charm.

Mas lalong ngumisi ang matanda.

"You can do your project and submit it right now."

Napakuyom si Charm ng kanyang kamao. "A-Ano pong project 'yon?"

Sumandal si Sir Wilson sa kanyang swivel chair at pinatong ang kanyang dalawang paa sa mesa. Lumapit na rin sa kanila ang secretary na nakangisi rin.

"It's very easy Miss Ashfield. Stand up and take off your clothes."

Tuluyan nang kinilabutan si Charm at mabilis na tumayo. Walang tigil ang luhang tumutulo sa kanyang mga mata.

"If that's what you want, then fail me instead!" she yelled at him at buong tapang na tiningnan ang matanda sa mata.

"Ganito ang gusto ko, lumalaban. George," tawag nito sa secretary.

In just a few seconds, naroon na ang secretary sa likuran ni Charm. He was about to knock her out nang mabilis siyang tinulak ni Charm at tumakbo patungo sa pintuan.

But it's locked.

"Ate Lex! Ate Lex, tulungan mo ako!" she cried for help pero mukhang walang nakakarinig sa kanya.

"You can cry and scream all you want but this room is tightly locked and sealed by my magic," sir Wilson laughed maniacally as George slowly approached her.

Hinarap sila ni Charm as thorned roses slowly grows from the ground.

"Oh? What can an E Student do to a noble and a professional warrior?" natatawang sambit ng guro.

"I'll die fighting rather than being raped. If I lose, I will maule my own body hanggang sa hindi niyo na 'to mapakinabangan! Mga demonyo kayo!" Charm screamed as the thorned roses swiftly attacked the two men but George managed to cut both attacks using his knife infused with fire magic.

"Wag mo nang pahirapan ang sarili mo, miss Ashfield. Wala ka nang magagawa pa. Even if you refuse my condition, I will torment your whole family at iisa-isahin ko kayong papahirapan. What can a peasant family do to a noble like me?"

It's the same everywhere. The rich and powerful always have the advantage during a crisis, and the poor and weak are always the one who end up suffering, even if they're the victim.

Charm finally lost it when she heard what he said. Nawalan na siya ng kontrol sa sarili.

"Papatayin kita!" sigaw niya.

Hindi tumigil sa pag atake si Charm until she collapsed. Ano nga naman ang laban ng isang E-class student sa isang noble at professional warrior?

Nobles are granted by magic using the blessing of a god. That's why they are born stronger than ordinary warriors and most of them don't need training to become strong.While professional warriors are strong by enhancing their magic and skills through intense training and studying.

Bumagsak si Charm sa sahig as her magic slowly disappeared. Any moment from now mawawalan na siya ng malay due to mana exhaustion. Samantalang si Sir Wilson at George ay parehong tumatawa.

"P-Please... maawa kayo."

"Don't worry, Ms. Ashfield. You will enjoy it as well." Both of them grinned as George slowly approached her.

Nanlalabo na ang paningin ni Charm. Sinubukan pa niyang bumangon pero ayaw nang gumalaw ng katawan niya.

"A-Ate Lex... I-I'm sorr---"

Before she passed out, a black figure appeared out of nowhere, holding a dagger. Hindi pa man nakapag react ang dalawang lalaki when both of their throat were slit. Blood gushed out from their neck and tainted the marble floor. Bumagsak ang dalawang lalaki.

Charm was unsure if she was dreaming or hallucinating. Until, she finally passed out.

--

ALEXANDRA'S POV

Patakbo akong naglilibot sa Merania Plaza. Ang daming tao at paninda. May mga rides rin at may iba't-ibang mga palaro at booths. Late na ako!

"Ayun! Kai!"

Nakita ko siyang nakatalikod habang nakatingin sa fountain sa pinaka gitna ng plaza. Kahit nakatalikod, nag s-stand out pa rin talaga ang presence niya. Naka maroon polo shirt at white shorts lang siya pero napapatingin na ang mga babaeng dumadaan sa kanya. Patakbo akong lumapit sa kanya at mahina siyang tinapik sa balikat.

"Sorry, I'm late. Kanina ka pa ba?" tanong ko ngunit hindi niya ako pinansin at naglakad paalis.

"Hoy!" tawag ko pero 'di niya pa rin ako pinapansin.

"Kaizen! Sorry na," muli akong lumapit sa kanya at hinila siya sa braso.

'Di ko alam kung maaawa ako o matatawa sa kanya. Nakasimangot lang siya habang nakatingin sa malayo. Halatang nag tatampo.

"Sorry na ngaaa!" Natawa ako.

"Tawa-tawa mo dyan? Sobrang isang oras na ako naghihintay!" bulyaw niya sa 'kin saka inirapan ako.

"Sorry na ngaaa! Bawi ako. Pili ka gusto mong bilhin at libre ko," I smiled.

"Talaga?" His eyes glimmered.

"Ay, joke lang pala---"

"Walang bawian! Gusto ko 'yon, tsaka ayun, at ayun pa sa katabi niya, tapos doon sa kabila may nakita akong magandang palaro, tapos doon..."

Ang dami niya pang tinuro at naluluha na ako kasi inubos niya ang baon ko!

"Napakadaya mo. Ikaw nag aya tapos ako yung nanlibre," reklamo ko.

"Aba, sino ba ang nalate? Tsaka, wala nang bawian 'di ba?" mapang-asar siyang ngumiti at pansin kong may tumitili pa sa gilid namin habang tinititigan siya.

Ikaw ba naman ngitian ng isang lalaki na pang commercial ng toothpaste ang mga ngipin, sinong 'di kikiligin 'di ba?

Inirapan ko siya at pinakita ang laman ng wallet ko. "Kita mo 'yan? Parang assassin lang 'tong laman ng wallet ko. Ang bilis mawala."

Bigla siyang tumawa at ginulo ang buhok ko. Partida kasi hanggang balikat lang niya ako.

"Akala ko ba kasama mo 'yong dalawa?" tanong niya sa 'kin.

"Saka nalang daw sila. Need daw nila maghabol ng training ngayon dahil sa lockdown at malapit na ang Inter-Academy."

"Sabagay. Tara, may stall akong nakita doon na chocolates ang papremyo," sabi niya at biglang hinila ang kamay ko.

Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Siguro dahil naexcite ako sa chocolates? Pero bakit kasi niya biglang hinawakan ang kamay ko?!

Ngayon ko lang na-appreciate ang mga pailaw sa paligid. May mga floating lanterns pa. Masaya ang ambiance ng paligid. Just this moment, it feels magical. I haven't felt this feeling for a long time.

Hila-hila pa rin ni Kaizen ang kamay ko as we stride along the crowd. It feels like slowmotion as I stared at his back and he grabs my hand.

I came back to my senses and immediately let go of his hand. Napalingon naman siya sa 'kin ng may pagtataka.

For years, never did I let my guard down. I'm always aware of what I'm doing and I always know how to control my emotion. I can even shut it off if I want to. But just this once, bakit hindi ko agad nakontrol ang ginawa ko? I even let my guard down.

"You okay?" he asked.

"U-Uhm... wala na nga akong pera tapos kung saan mo na naman ako dadalhin. Kahit pa chocolates 'yon, wala na nga akong pera," reklamo ko.

Mahina naman siyang tumawa. "Libre ko nga."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Matapos mong ubusin ang pera ko?"

"Ayaw mo? Sayang, bouquet of chocolates pa naman sana ang grand prize."

My eyes sparkled and jolted ahead of him. "Ba't di mo agad sinabi? Tara!"

--

Feel ko nasa cloud 9 ako ngayon habang hawak hawak ang malaking bouquet ng chocolates na napanalunan ni Kai. Yung laro kasi ay manghuhuli siya ng isda within 1 minute, and each fish has a corresponding points at doon naka base ang prize.

Yung abnoy, hinuli ba naman lahat ng isda sa pond. Walang tinira kahit isa. Halos mangiyak-ngiyak yung nagtitinda no'ng binigay niya sa 'min 'yong grand prize. For sure, lugi siya dun kasi isang entry lang ni Kai, grand prize agad.

I was hopping happily habang kinakain ang maliit na chocolate mula sa bouquet. Unli chocolates means unli happiness!

"Parang bata," asar niya.

Inirapan ko lang siya. Good mood ako ngayon at 'di ko muna siya papatulan. Napadaan kami sa mga booth ng mga alahas when a necklace suddenly caught my eye.

It is sparkling! And I love shiny and sparkly things!

It's a necklace na may falling star na pendant at kumikintab ito ng gold tuwing natatamaan ng ilaw. Para siyang pixie dust and it looks so magical.

Napatingin naman si Kaizen sa 'kin at nakita kong ngumiti siya from my periphery.

"Gusto mo?"

Umiling ako. "Saka na. Mukhang mahal, eh."

Ngunit nagulat ako nung tinawag niya 'yong jeweler at kumuha ng pera sa wallet niya.

"Kuripot ka lang," pang-aasar na naman niya sa 'kin at inabot sa jeweler ang pera.

Habang inaayos nila ang lagayan ng kwintas, I felt a strong presence behind me and before I realized it, someone already grabbed me from behind and brought me to a secluded and dark area in just a matter of seconds.

Who would dare---

"You reek of blood, Alexandra."

Hearing his voice sent shivers to my spine. But why is he here?

"Aoi?"
  
  
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