SAGE'S POV

"In arcanis virimus vigemus..."

Panimula ni Professor Oliver sa subject namin na Mystic Physiology ngayong araw. Nakatayo siya sa tapat ng chalkboard at gumuhit ng isang human body frame.

He looked to be in his mid-30s, mukhang approachable naman, not all like the "terror" professors I'd heard stories about. But despite his easygoing aura, his presence held the weight of someone deeply experienced in his craft.

"Can anyone in the class tell me what that means?" he asked, letting his gaze sweep across the room.

The silence inside the lecture hall was deafening. Parang sama-samang nagpipigil ng hininga ang buong klase. The sounds of flipping pages stopped. My classmates exchanged uneasy glances.

Mismo ako napahinto rin, napaisip ng husto sa tanong ng guro.

I think I know what it means.

I remembered seeing those words on my first day here; they were engraved into the base of the statue in the Academy's main hall.

'In arcanis virimus vigemus...'

"Wala? Hindi ninyo alam?" He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That's our school motto, class. Nasa handbook niyo pa 'yan, and you'll find it engraved in almost every significant area of this academy."

He shook his head, his voice tinged with disappointment. "...But it's more than just a motto. It traces back to our origins. More importantly, it is a reminder of what keeps us alive as witches."

Bumalik siya sa pisara at gumuhit ng bilog sa may gitnang bahagi ng body frame, partikular sa may dibdib nito. Pagkatapos tinuktok niya ito gamit ang hawak niyang chalk.

Kumunot ang noo ko. How is this related to our discussion today?

I focused on the drawing, trying to connect the dots. The Professor's hint, combined with the placement of the circle, triggered something in my memory.

Could it be...?

Hesitantly, I raised my hand. Narinig ko ang ilang mahihinang pag-singhap ng mga kaklase ko na halatang nagulat dahil may naglakas-loob na sumagot.

"Yes, Miss Runa?"

Ibinaba ko ang aking kamay. "Professor... are you referring to the 'Animora'?"

I wasn't entirely sure, but a sudden impulse pushed me to ask.

"Very well." A flicker of interest crossed his face and a small grin tugged at his lips. "Hindi mo eksaktong nasabi ang kahulugan nito, pero tama ang direksyon ng iniisip mo. That is exactly what we are discussing today."

So it is. Animora. The thing that powers us.

Muling tumalikod ang guro at mas detalyado niya pang iginuhit ang mga linya sa katawan—mukha naman itong mga ugat na nagmula sa bilog na nasa gitna.

"This is, in fact, the Animora." Turo niya sa bilog. "It is the core source, the pulse of a witch's magick—your center, so to speak. Lahat ng mga kauri natin ay meron nito. At birth, it is a raw ball of power—neutral and colorless. Ngunit habang tumatanda kayo—through emotions, experiences, subconscious thoughts, and even your environment—those factors begin to shape and color it."

He paused, letting the concept sink in.

"Kaya bawat isa sa inyo, unique ang pulse niyo," he finally said.

"Uh... how are colors connected to this?" tanong ng isang kaklase ko, halatang naintriga sa paliwanag ng guro.

Napangiti si Professor Oliver. "Imagine the pulse as a blank canvas when you're born. As you live, grow, and feel—your emotions, experiences, and memories begin to 'paint' it. Each color represents different aspects of who you are and how your magick manifests. Colors reflect your essence as a witch."

Colors... huh.

If I could see mine, it would probably be black. Dark, like my soul.

"And once this pulse is activated," patuloy ng guro. Gamit ang isang chalk, diniin niya ito sa guhit bilog bago mag-trace ng linya pababa sa mga ugat. "Its power flows through you like blood coursing through your body. This heightened state is what we call 'Witching Sense'—an extension of your natural senses, an ability unique to every witch."

I quickly scribbled down the keywords.

"...This is also why witches are often hunted by Devourers," he added, his voice dropping slightly. "Because of its potency, our blood becomes highly... desirable to them."

Unti-unting nagkaroon ng ingay sa buong klase.

"Sir, our witch blood is really that potent?"

"Precisely." tumango si Professor. "Once the pulse is active, your magickal potential literally lives within your blood. Kaya't sa tuwing gumagamit kayo ng spell or channel your magick, you are drawing power from your pulse, through your veins, and out into the world."

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. Beneath my palm, I could feel my own heartbeat—silent and steady. But now, it felt more significant. Like something alive... and raging beneath my skin.

"As you may know, we have different Animora types, right? Elementum, Alkemi, Lumen, and..." The Professor's gaze drifted slowly toward me. "...Noxis."

I immediately looked away. Gaya ng inaasahan ko, I felt the heavy, uncomfortable weight of my classmates' stares.

"For example," he continued, "if a person is drawn to nature, their Animora is obviously attuned to the Elementum. But it's more than a surface-level connection. Your subconscious plays a role in how that magick manifests. That's why two witches with the same attunement might wield their power differently. Again, it is personal. It is unique."

Kaswal na sumandal ang guro sa lamesa.

"Now, if you're wondering why we have 'standardized' spells... well, those are our guides. Our ancestors—the pioneering witches—worked hard to find the common threads shared by witches of the same magick type." He looked at the class with a small smile. "But once you master your magick, you can create or modify spells of your own."

A few students murmured at this, frantically flipping through notes to keep up. I stared at the drawing on the chalkboard, but my mind was miles away.

Animora is influenced by the self...?

I caught my breath. Then that means... is it possible my nightmares have shaped my pulse? The hollow parts of me. The darkness I've never fully confronted... is that why I was identified as Noxis?

"Miss Runa's question was spot on," the Professor said, snapping me back to reality. He gestured to the circle one last time. "The phrase 'In arcanis viribus vigemus,' which means 'We thrive within the arcane forces,' reflects how our pulses connect us to magic. Your pulse beats with it—it breathes, flows, and sustains you. Without it, your magick would wither."

At that moment, a memory of Professor Rhosyn's voice flashed in my head...

'Animoras are reflections of who we are.'

'We thrive within the arcane forces, and those forces beat and flow through us...'

"...Keeping us alive in magick," I whispered to myself.

Before I could get lost in my thoughts again, a loud, jarring sound shattered the silence.

KRIIIIINGGGGGGGGG!!!

"We'll continue this discussion in our next meeting, and there will be a long quiz," Professor Oliver announced, straightening his papers. "So be ready. Class dismissed."

The room immediately erupted into chatter as students began packing their things. I finally let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Ngunit bago ko maisara ang aking libro—

"BESTIEEE!"

Napahinto ako. A voice—loud, piercing, and far too enthusiastic—tore through the room like a megaphone. A few students actually jolted in surprise. Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses, already bracing myself.

"Via." Of course.

Because of her outburst, the usual post-class hum died down. Amused, judgmental stares were aimed squarely at us. I mentally scoffed. Great. Just what I needed—another audience.

Unlike me, walang pakialam si Via sa atensyon na nakuha niya. She skipped towards me, grinning from ear to ear. Her excitement was almost too much to handle this early in the day. Behind her, walking at a much more reasonable pace, was Cerise—calm and collected, clearly used to Via's antics.

"Don't you two have class?" I asked, eyeing them warily.

Via stopped inches from me, practically bouncing. "Kanina ka pa namin hinintay!"

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata. "Oh, eh ano naman?"

"We have a one-hour gap!" she beamed, as if this was the greatest news in history. "Gumala muna tayo!"

"Gumala?" pag-uulit ko. I raised an eyebrow at tuluyan ko nang isinaloob ang mga gamit sa bag. "Saan naman?"

"She means we're going to the Amethyst Grove," Cerise answered, her tone far more measured. "Inaaya ka namin. We thought we'd show you around para makita mo rin 'yung ibang lugar sa labas ng academy."

Amethyst Grove? Is that some kind of crystal cave?

"Oo nga! So giiiiirl, lumabas-labas ka rin minsan!" Via chimed in, nudging my arm playfully.

I crossed my arms, my skepticism growing. "Ano bang meron doon?"

Cerise smiled, tucking a strand of her fuchsia hair behind her ear. "It's a marketplace near the Capital. Popular spot siya among witches. You'll find all kinds of magickal items there."

"A marketplace?"

Oh great. A crowd. I sighed. The mere thought was exhausting. Kahit na may vacant hours ako, I already had plans—like reading ahead for my next class.

"Pass. Kayo nala—"

"Sythriaaa, please?" Via whined, cutting me off. Her grin widened, playful and far too self-assured. It was as if she'd already won the battle.

"You don't want to miss out." Mahinhing natawa si Cerise, clearly amused by Via's persistence. "Trust me, it'll be worth it."

"Isn't there a better time for this?" I asked, weighing my options. Books, or their ridiculous insistence?

"Yes, but today is perfect. You won't regret it," Cerise promised.

"For real! May vacant ka din naman, diba? Let's kill some time!"

Tatanggihan ko pa sana sila, pero—

"Oops! Don't even try to lie," Via interrupted, her grin turning mischievous. "I know you're free!"

Kung alam mo pala, then why bother asking? Huminga ako ulit ng malalim at mariin silang tiningnan sa mata. Stubborn.

"Like I said, pass. I'd rather spend the hour reading for—"

"Okay, booknerd," Via groaned exaggeratedly, rolling her eyes so hard I'm surprised she didn't see her own brain. "How about this: Dadaan tayo sa pinakamagandang bookshop doon sa Amethyst Grove. Libre na namin kahit anong libro na gusto mo. Deal?"

Natigilan ako dahil sa offer niya. Did she just...?

Ugh. I hesitated, biting the inside of my cheek. A free book, huh?

"...Kung sasamahan ko kayo, is this the last time? At hindi niyo na ako guguluhin pa?"

A brief silence followed. The two witches stared at me, waiting. Via, her cheeky smile practically glowing with victory... and Cerise, clasping her hands, a soft, hopeful gaze in her eyes.

I groaned in utter defeat. "Fine."

"YEYYY!"

Via suddenly jumped, making me jolt. She let out a squeal like she'd just won the lottery. Before I could even react, she looped her arm through mine and practically dragged me out of the classroom, giving me no time to grab the rest of my things.

Meanwhile, Cerise—kind and reliable as ever—ay nakasunod sa amin, dala ang aking mga gamit.