Chapter 6

Cassy's Point of View

I WOKE up and went to our classroom early. This always happen to me whenever I get too excited. Well, what can I do? Nangangati na akong makalaban ang babaeng iyon. I wonder how did she manage to be in that section. That Lovelace I saw during the enrollment is stronger than her, but I heard that she was in the Gold-A.

"Good morning, Cassy!" masiglang bati sa akin ni Sapphire. "Good luck mamaya! May the Divine God bless you." Tinanguan ko lang siya dahilan para ngumuso siya. She sat beside me and stared at me. "Ang sungit mo talaga."

"I know."

"Yo, Cassy!" tawag ni Cristof na kakarating lang. "Do your best later."

Cristof was followed by Alleyn and Evagne. And just like what he and Sapphire did, they also wished me good lucks, making me ask my self, "Do I really need those?" I mean, I can hadle this shit out of my hand. I did not even unleash my full power during the evaluation. And when I do that, everything will be shocked.

"Cassy, I know you're strong. But please, be careful," Alleyn reminded as she held my hand.

Nabigla ako sa ginawa niya kaya mabilis kong binawi ang kamay ko. That image again. Tinanguan ko lang siya bago ibinalik ang tingin ko sa harapan dahil dumating na ang instructor namin sa Logic and Reasoning.

Cristof's Point of View

THE time alloted for our Logic and Reasoning subject passed in an instant. Ngayon ay aalis na si Cassy para pumunta ng arena. And I don't know why, but the headmaster of this academy cancelled the class of collegium students. Maybe he wants us all to witness the battle. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang headmaster. He sometimes love to see fights. Maybe, hindi lang siya sanay na nakaupo lang at pumipirma ng mga papeles? I mean, he is the strongest caster and he once fought a thousand foes and together with the other member of the Circle of Mages, he even sealed Colossus, the God of Havoc, in his kingdom, making the whole Phantasm safe from sudden dragon attacks and other dark creatures.

"Hoy, 'di ka pupunta?"

Napaigtad ako sa gulat nang biglang magsalita sa tainga ko si Evagne. Tawang-tawa siya nang makita ang reaksyon ko. Napailing na lang ako bago tumayo.

"Pupunta siyempre. I want to see the battle, too."

"Matagal-tagal na rin simulang nang huli tayong makakit ng battle sa arena, 'no?" sabat naman ni Sapphire bago pumagitna sa amin ni Evagne at inakbayan kami. "Bilisan na natin. Nauna na si Alleyn."

PAGKARATING namin sa arena ay sinalubong kami ng napakaraming estudyante. I even saw some of our instructors. Nang mapagawi ang tingin ko sa elevated stage kung saan pumipuwesto si ang headmaster, ay nakita ko ang apat pang miyembro ng Circle of Mages.

"Ang daming tao!" manghang saad ni Sapphire.

"Halata nga," segunda ni Evagne.

I scanned the whole place, trying to find Alleyn. "Nandoon si Alleyn," sambit ko kasabay ng pagturo sa first row ng arena. "She reserved seats for us." Dali-dali kaming pumunta sa kinaroroonan niya at kaagad na in-occupy ang seats.

Hinanap ng mga mata ko si Cassy. Gustong-gusto ko siyang makita bago magsimula ang laban. There's this feeling inside of me na gusto siyang makitang panatag. I somehow have a special feelings for her. As if we are connected. But I am certain that it's not love.

"Students, staffs, and visitors of Holy Grail Academy!" Natahimik ang lahat nang magsalita na ang headmaster. "Today, we will witness another battle between two strong and bold students. One from the Ruby and one from Copper."

Nagsimulang magbulungan ang mga estudyante, and I can't help but to bite my lower lip in annoyance. How dare them humiliate Cassy's strength and power? Hindi nila alam kung gaano siya kalakas.

"Ang judgemental naman nila kay fifth honor!" dismayadong sambit ni Evagne. "Pakyu sila."

"Tingnan lang natin mamaya. They'll be shocked by Cassy's strength and power. Mga hampaslupang walang utak!" segunda naman ni Sapphire at naghagikhikan sila ni Evagne.

"You, two, kindly watch your words," saway sa kanila ni Alleyn.

Napailing na lang ako dahil sobrang kulit at pilyo talaga ng dalawa. Habang kami naman ni Alleyn ang seryoso at taga-awat sa kanilang dalawa.

"Simulan na natin ang palabas!" masayang sigaw ng headmaster at naghiyawan ang mga tao sa buong arena.

Unang lumabas si Merilla dala ang kaniyang staff. Everyone cheered for her and wishing her good lucks. Taas-noo siyang naglakas sa gitna na para bang sanay na siya sa hiyawan ng mga tao.

Sunod na lumabas si Cassy, at tanging sina Sapphire at Evagne lang ang pumalakpak at humiyaw. Maybe, everyone is wondering who is she, and where on hell did she get the courage to challenge Merilla.

"She'll be a good dummy."

"She's digging her own grave."

"Mula sa Copper, ey? Ang lakas naman ng loob na maghamon sa Ruby."

"I even heard that she's from Copper-E, the Weakest Section. Ang lakas talaga ng loob."

"I hope Merilla will be easy on her."

"I do hope so. Sana ay mapigilan niya ang sarili niyang gamitin ang buong lakas niya."

Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang mga komento ng ibang nasa higher sections. Pero sa kaloob-looban ko, gustong-gusto ko silang pagsusuntukin. Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit ako naging ganito. Biglaan lang. I just felt the urge to protect Cassy with all the ways I could possibly think.

Holograms appeared everywhere, projecting the scene in the arena. Kitang-kita ko kung paano ngumisi si Cassy habang tinitingnan niya si Merilla. "I can feel the intensity of your power. I bet you're threatening me, right?" sambit nito bago unti-unting lumapit kay Merilla.

The latter just showed a wide grin and laughed at Cassy's remarks. "I am not threatening you. I am just being me. This is me. I'm strong, and if you're threatened, that's natural."

Napaismid ako sa kayabangan ni Merilla. Ganoon na rin sina Sapphire at Evagne.

"What if, sabihin kong hindi ako natatakot sa 'yo?" Cassy uttered, confidently. "What if, sabihin ko na nahihinaan pa rin ako sa kapangyarihan mo?"

Due to her remarks, napuno na naman ng bulungan ang arena. Everyone is cursing Cassy and telling her how bullshit she is for humiliating Merilla.

"Ang kapal ng mukhang sabihin 'yon, e, nanggaling lang naman sa Copper-E!" rinig kong sambit ng isang babae sa likuran namin.

"Kaya nga. Sana pakainin siya ni Merilla ng frozen fire niya!" segunda ng kasama niya.

Hindi ko na sila pinagtuunan pa ng pansin at binalikan ko na lang ng tingin ang holograms. Cassy is really something. Parang alam na alam na niyang may ibubuga siya. Maging ako, ramdam na ramdam ko ang lakas niya. And I am just wondering kung bakit sa section namin siya napunta. Is it fate?

"Wanna make a bet?" panghahamon ni Cassy na matapang namang sinang-ayunan ni Merilla. "Okay. If I'll win, you, together with your friends will be kissing my classmates' feet and say how sorry you are for bullying them."

Natawa ang lahat sa sinabi ni Cassy. No, hindi pala sa sinabi niya kundi sa kaniya mismo. Everyone thinks she's crazy, well, except for us. Somehow, napangiti ako. She may act cold, but she cares a lot. Nakikita ko iyon. She values people who stay by her side. Just like the four of us. Talking like I know her, right? Well, that's what I really feel.

"And what if I'll win?" tanong naman ni Merilla.

"You can do anything to me. You can even kill me," nakangising sambit ni Cassy. "As if naman mananalo ka," dagdag nito dahilan para magtagpo ang kilay ni Merilla sa inis. "Ngayon, payag ka ba sa pustahan?"

"Payag ako," she answered, grinning.

Merrilla raised her staff in the midair as white and red mist started coming out from the tip of it. On her feet formed a white and red luminous magical circle moving in a circular motion. Snowflakes and small fireballs started materializing around her, dancing freely in the air.

I stared at Cassy, and I was shocked to see her eyes turned dark purple, but in a matter of a second only. She smirked as purple luminous line appeared to where she stands, forming into a luminous purple magical circle. "I hate to do this, but I have to unleash my full power," she said as another magical circle formed in the sky above from where they are standing, resulting to a heavier atmosphere and making the whole place covered with purple light.

Everyone gasped as they felt the intensity of Cassy's power. Even I, myself, got goosebumps as the cold wind passed through me. I look at my friends, Evagne and Sapphire are just watching Cassy quietly, while Alleyn seems to be a bit worried. I darted my gaze to our headmaster, and I was a bit confused to see him smiling instead of worrying. Does he knows something?

"Full power my ass!" Merilla replied, rolling her eyes. "Guesss I have to unleash mine, too." Her magical circle got bigger and more luminous. Her fire and ice element started fusing, forming a frozen fire-an iceball covered with red fire. "Now taste this you-"

Nanlaki ang mata naming lahat nang biglang mawala sa kaniyang kinatatayuan si Cassy. The magical circle in the sky turned brighter. Napaawang na lang ang bibig ko nang lumitaw siya sa harap ni Merilla. On her right hand was a small purple ball surrounded with black threads of lightning.

In a span of seconds, she successfully hit Merilla's stomach with her attack. I saw horror written all over Merilla's face. She is about to cry. I am expecting a loud explosive sound to happen, just like what happened yesterday at the cafeteria, but it did not.

Merilla's expression shifted quickly. From horror, it became victorious. "Is that your attack? I didn't even feel anything! Such a weakling. Now, it's my time!"

She was about to form an attack when Cassy walked away. "Hey, where are you going? Are you scared?"

"Remember to look above you, lowly creature. I just successfully did my fatal three-second attack," she answered. "Watch out for a rain of lightning," she added, grinning.

After saying those words, a small purple magic circle appeared on Merilla's stomach, then we heard a sound of lightning threads coming from the magical circle above. And as we stared at it, we saw black threads of lightning moving along with the magical circle.

"Remember the bet," Cassy said as tremendous amount of black lightning showered upon to where Merilla is standing.

Napaawang ang bibig naming lahat nang maghalo ang tunog ng kidlat at sigaw at hiyaw ni Merilla. Kitang-kita ko kung paano gumuhit ang takot sa mata ng iilan.

"W-Who exactly is that girl?" bulong ng isa. "S-She's a monster!'

Hinarap ko ang babaeng tumawag kay Cassy ng halimaw. "Calling her monster is inappropriate. She's just Cassy Aguilar, our classmate."

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