SAGE'S POV

Trouble found me faster than I could even settle into Ashburn.

Three days. That's all it took. Three damn days before I was dragged into the academy's main office like some delinquent.

Headmaster Salem was lounging behind his desk, looking too far too entertained for someone who was supposed to be reprimanding me.

At tuwang-tuwa pa talaga siya sa nangyaring sitwasyon ah.

"Three days, Sythria. Three days. You didn't even last a week before ending up in my office!"

I kept my face blank and stayed silent.

"You know, that is surprisingly impressive Miss Runa!"

I stared at him, unimpressed. Remind me again, paano nga naging principal ang matandang 'to?

"Since your first day—back at the Witching Palace, even—you've been caught up in one mess after another..." Headmaster Salem leaned forward, amusement still dancing in his eyes. "How does that happen to you so easily?"

"I didn't mean to." diretsong sagot ko sa kanya.

"Oh, I believe you. I really do. But you have to admit, getting this kind of reputation in such a short time? That's a rare talent!" He continued to laugh. "Most students take at least a month to summon chaos. You managed in under 72 hours. Impressive."

A bad reputation, pagtatama ko sa sinasabi niya sa isipan. I let out a sigh, forcing myself not to roll my eyes.

"Wala talaga akong balak manggulo po, Headmaster."

"Hmm? Really? But our dear Vice-Master Maura seems to think otherwise." Sinulyapan niya ang gilid ng kwarto sa kung saan nakatayo si Vice-Master Maura na may mahigpit na ekspresyon sa mukha.

"You know, you remind me of Gustavo. It's a little concerning," the Headmaster noted.

I blinked. Of all people? Siya? Talaga? And yes, it is concerning! Who would want to be compared to that idiot?

"I've noticed he's been around you recently." The Headmaster seemed to read my mind and smirked. "That kid has a habit of attracting trouble. And I'd say his impulsive tendencies are highly contagious. You haven't caught it from him, have you?"

I exhaled sharply through my nose, crossing my arms. "No." Umiling ako. "Even if it were contagious, his virus would be too scared to infect me."

Headmaster Salem threw his head back, laughing. "Pfft! Hahaha!"

"Ahem."

Naputol ang paghahalakhak niya nang biglang sumulpot si Vice-Master Maura sa tabi ng mesa. Nakatuon ang tingin niya sa akin na para bang nakagawa ako ng matinding kasalanan bago niyang binalingan si Headmaster.

"This isn't a laughing matter, Headmaster," she said, eyes flickering to me. "We need to discuss what this apprentice did during the Witching Hour. Not only did she disrespect an important tradition, but she also nearly harmed the top student in the academy. This is not a minor issue."

Sumingkit ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. A top student?

"Ah, right." Biglang sumeryoso ang mukha ng Headmaster. "You mean your niece? The gifted girl, Audra Delphine Fortuna?"

Vice-master Maura nodded.

Her niece? Well, that explains a lot. They do look alike.

"You can't deny it, Miss Runa," Vice-Master Maura said, her voice as firm as steel. "We both saw what you did."

My pulse quickened. Hindi totoo 'yon. Palihim na napakuyom ang aking mga kamay sa aking kandungan, my nails biting into my palms. I wanted to argue, but... I just swallowed hard.

I didn't do anything. I didn't mean to—I really didn't.

"I... I just discovered my familiar during the Witching Hour," I said carefully. "That's why I left."

"Ah, a familiar?" Headmaster Salem mused, tapping his fingers on the desk. "What an interesting coincidence."

I just wanted to find my familiar, and I wasn't comfortable during the ritual session, that was it. Hindi ako ang nagsimula ng gulo. They were the ones who escalated things. Paniniwalaan ba nila ako? Okay—maybe I did escalate a little. But it's not like I summoned Satan.

I bit the inside of my cheek. If I tried to explain, it would probably just make things worse.

"Alright," The headmaster exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "I've heard your concerns, Maura. But I'll leave Miss Runa with a warning—no punishment. Let's not jump to conclusions just yet."

"Headmaster, with all due respect—" Vice-master Maura started, irritation seeping into her voice.

"No need to argue, Maura," his tone remained casual, but there was a weight to it. "You know I can tell when there is more to this than what we just witnessed. I'll be having a separate conversation with your niece later."

Natigilan si Vice-master Maura at nakita kong umiigting ang panga nito.

"Sythria, if you actually read the handbook I gave you, you'd know that the Witching Hour is not just any tradition. It takes place under a full moon, exactly at 3 AM." Headmaster Salem's gaze shifted back to me.

Napasimangot ako. Naalala ko lang na hindi ko pa natapos basahin ang makapal na handbook na ibinigay sa akin. It had more information than my brain could possibly digest in three days. I'd barely gotten through the basics.

"However, this ritual isn't just about following rules," his voice softened slightly. "It's a ritual that protects us all."

Well, I hadn't thought about it like that. I instinctively looked down.

"But I understand your situation, Miss Runa," Headmaster Salem said. "Adjusting to a new place like this is quite daunting, and I don't expect you to get everything right immediately..." He leaned forward, his voice quieter, more patient. "...But I believe you have potential. And with time, you'll learn. Not just about magic, but about navigating this world."

Wala sa sarili kong hinihimas-himas ang nanginginig kong mga kamay. "You... you're n-not going to kick me out?" I asked in a low voice.

Hindi ako sigurado kung anong klase ng mundo ang pinasok ko. The thought of receiving a punishment from a place I barely knew filled me with so much... dread.

"You're a student. Not a mistake," he replied with a small smile. "You broke a rule, but I trust you've learned from this. Don't be too hard on yourself. You're here to learn, and that includes learning from your mistakes even when it feels unfair."

Relief flickered through me, but only for a second. Vice-Master Maura was still glaring at me, looking like she resisted the very idea of my presence in the room.

"Subukan mong umiwas sa gulo at huwag mong ugaliing pumunta rito," the Headmaster added. He laughed softly, trying to lighten the mood again. "We can't have Gustavo rubbing off on you too much. One troublemaker in this academy is more than enough."

"Consider this as your warning Miss Runa," mariing pagpuputol ni Vice-master Maura sa usapan. "We won't tolerate this kind of behavior again."

Napalunok ako sa panandaliang pandidilim ng kanyang paningin sa akin. "...Understood."

"Good," Headmaster Salem laced his fingers together. "Off you go to your next class, Miss Runa. And remember, every day is a chance to make better choices."

I nodded politely before turning on my heel, I could still feel their stares on my back as I walked to the door.

⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

The tension clinging to me finally started to dissolve the moment I stepped out of the office. Patuloy lang ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa matanaw ko ang malawak na hagdan pababa.

I found myself yawning again. Before I could stop it, exhaustion wrapped around me like a thick fog. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake the dizziness. How much sleep did I even get? Three hours? Two?

"It's barely morning, and you're already frowning."

That voice again.

I looked up to see Damona, arms crossed, her lips curled into a teasing pout. Suddenly, Vanya popped up beside her.

"Ihhh, bad mood ata kasi kakalabas lang niya dun!" She gestured dramatically toward the Headmaster's office. "You know, nakakahagard kaya 'pag ganyan ka—I mean, let's be real, default look mo na 'yon since day one."

Bumaling siya kay Ivory. "Don't you agree, Ivoryyy?" Vanya sang. Ivory, as usual, was more focused on her compact mirror than anything else.

"Hm." Ivory barely acknowledged her, dabbing powder on her nose.

Palihim na napakuyom ang mga kamay ko, keeping my face unreadable. "...Don't you guys have better things to do?"

"Oh, we do," another voice cut in.

Ah, ayan na naman siya.

The three girls stepped aside as Audra finally emerged from behind them.

"We're just making sure you're not causing more trouble," she said smoothly, tilting her head with a smirk.

I raised an eyebrow as our eyes met again. Something flickered in her gaze—something hard to read.

"True!" Vanya chimed in. "You've been keeping things interesting lately. Do you have plans to visit the headmaster's office again? 'Wag na kaya—try playing with my babies instead!"

Mariin akong napalunok at umiiling. "I just left," I said, tilting my head toward the office. "But funny enough," I added, my voice light but sharp, "I think the headmaster wanted to talk to you, Fortuna."

The smirks on their faces faltered. Kahit si Ivory na kanina pang hindi nakatuon ang atensyon sa amin, natigilan din siya.

Audra's brow twitched. "Just me?"

"You heard me," tipid na sagot ko na lalong nagdulot ng kunot sa kanilang noo.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" bulalas ni Vanya. "Audra's never in trouble—I mean, SHE CAN'T BE! That's like—against the natural laws of the universe! Even my peonies would riot over this!" She gasped, whipping around dramatically before pointing an accusing finger at me. "TELL ME! TELL ME! Did you sneaky-sneak something to the Headmaster, HMM?!"

"Oh please, Vanya," Audra scoffed, rolling her eyes before grabbing Vanya by the shoulder, and dragging her back. "Like I'd be worried. Maybe he just wants to discuss my latest... achievements."

Audra's voice wavered ever so slightly. Her eyes widened for a split second of hesitation before she quickly masked it with an indifferent shrug.

Hmph.

Aalis na sana ako nang biglang hinablot ni Audra ang aking braso. "Ano ba—"

"Cursed spawn." Her grip tightened. "Don't think you're off the hook just yet."

The way she looked at me... it was like someone who refused to lose.

But before she could say another word—the hall lights flared red. A strange, smoky glow trailed along the walls. I felt Audra stiffen. Her fingers twitched, and her grip on my arm loosened. For a split second, uncertainty flashed in her eyes.

"Hey Adi!"

Via's voice suddenly rang out from behind, cutting through the tension. She arrived at my side, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Tch." Audra scoffed, masking her reaction with an annoyed glare.

Pero nginisihan lang siya ni Via. "Adi... Nakikita mo naman na nagre-red na ang mga ilaw dito oh, and you know what that means."

Adi? Audra seemed to flinch at what Via called her.

Audra's eyes darted back to the glowing walls before she finally let go completely, stepping back. "Well, I have more important things to do than waste my time with you." Her voice was dismissive, but I saw it—the flicker of unease. Her hesitation.

The other girls lingered awkwardly for a moment before following her.

As they disappeared down the hall, Via turned to me, grinning. "Sila talaga," she said, shaking her head. "You actually got her with that red light."

I frowned as I started to walk away with Via following close behind. "I don't know. What was that anyway?" tanong ko.

"The wall lights," Via explained. "They signal important messages in different colors. The message gets whispered by its lights—only the intended recipients can hear it."

So it's this school's version of a public address system, but witchy-style?

"Huh. That's actually clever..." I muttered, looking away.

I'd been told that Ashburn is highly reliant on tools, inventions, and alchemy magick. Nalaman ko lamang 'to nung ini-explain sa'kin ni Geo ito noong isang araw tungkol sa kanyang locusdial—isang magickal compass na kayang mag-interpret ng spatial at magickal data. That object was just one of the many inventions in this realm.

"You know, you've got guts. I'll give you that," Via said, smirking. "Pero mag-ingat ka pa rin. I don't think I've ever seen Audra this competitive. She's not the type to let things slide."

"Halata naman."

Tama siya. Kailangan kong mag-ingat. Another trip to the office—or worse, getting expelled—was the last thing I needed. If that happened, I'd lose everything I had already started in this world. If I got kicked out, where would I even go? Back to my old life? There's no way that's going to happen. I wasn't ready for that.

I straightened up, shaking off the lingering tension. "Anyway, may pasok pa ako—"  Aalis na sana ako pero agad akong hinarangan ni Via.

"Not so fast, sister."

I sighed. "What now?"

"You've still got time before your first class ngayon, diba?" she asked, "Since I'm here, why don't you come with me? Cerise just woke up."

Bahagyang nanlaki ang aking mga mata. "She hasn't been awake since Sunday?"

Via nodded. "Yup. She's been out cold since that night."

I looked at Via, feeling a bit awkward. I barely knew Cerise, but I hadn't forgotten what happened that night—the danger she'd been caught up in. A part of me wanted to check on her, even if we weren't exactly close.

"She's our roommate too, you know," Via added, her tone becoming more persuasive. "It's best if we actually get to know each other better, right?" Muntik akong napangiwi sa sinabi niya. "...We can't be strangers forever."

I hated that she had a point. And if I went, I might learn something—something about her, and about what happened that night.

"...Alright." I exhaled, finally giving in.