Soulstone Academy

Chapter Ten: Elites

"Kinabahan ako sa'yo kanina, Raven! Napakasungit at strikto pa naman ni Prof Dong!"

I pursed my lips at Eva's exclamation. I didn't really feel afraid or tense when being questioned, but their reactions tells me that I should be more... nervous?

Umupo siya sa tabi ko at ipinuwesto ang bag sa hita. Tamara did the same, although she was less concerned. Kumikinang ang mata niya sa paghanga sa'kin. One look and I can already see that she's not used to being a rebel, so doing disrespectful things like this are foreign to her. Iyon nga lang, imbes na mainis o magalit, she's amazed.

"You slept in his class!" manghang sambit niya.

"Wow. Old news, Tam?" sarkastikong sagot ko.

"No one's ever slept in his class before dahil matinik siya sa mga recitations! Did you know that he called your name for five times already?" humagikhik si Tamara. "Tapos tinanguan mo lang siya after na parang magtropa kayo!"

"I don't think you should encourage such behavior." komento ni Dawn na nakatayo sa harap namin. "Your sleeping may be uncontrollable, baka pagod ka sa trainings niyo, and your refusal to answer can be understood, since you don't know the answer. But at least, you have to be respectful. Your behavior was rude."

I challenged her stare. "Are you part of some council? Bakit mo 'ko pinagsasabihan ng ganiyan?"

"Yes, I am part of the governing student group. But even if I am not, I would still scold you for lacking some manners. This is not your house, Tempest, you need to follow rules. And one of those is being respectful."

"Wala naman siyang ginawa para umakto ka ng gano'n, 'di ba?" Solana gave a slight shrug. "You can just go and apologize."

I haven't said a genuine sorry all my life.

Namataan ko ang paglabas ng iba naming kaklase. They gave me glares and judging looks, my name leaving their mouths in an ugly manner. I've heard their insults from the folks of Alora before so it wasn't new. Just the usual black sheep and wild princess of the Tempest family. The untamed girl with an unfiltered mouth who punches with rigor.

"Their judgments are expected." ani Dawn. "Not a soul in this walls have behaved as you."

"If you're so against my behavior," there was a sarcastic tone in my voice. "Bakit nandito ka pa?"

"I can be friends with you while not tolerating your bad habits. Pwede mo pa namang baguhin ang ugali mo."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. How confident, really! I've been like this for eighteen years and nobody has ever changed me. Not even my own family.

"That won't happen. I don't want to change."

Dawn smiled. "Let's see, then. Ah, by the way, our physical education subject meeting will be postponed 'til Friday. Ang alam ko ay may kinabi-busyhan si Ma'am Zara sa ngayon. Are you also our classmates for Soul Arts? Subject for three to four-thirty?"

I only gave a brief nod while Tamara answered verbally, "Yep! Alam niyo ba kung nasaan ang room na 'to? Dito kasi ang Strategical Assessment namin."

"Strategical Assessment?" kunot-noong tanong ni Solana. "Ano 'yon?"

"Baka house subject nila, bes! Hindi naman sila 'gaya natin na magical students, they're potential soldiers!" pagsagot ni Theus.

"Ang gara, Raven! Parang ang sarap at angas pakinggan!" Eva exclaimed beside me.

I smiled and was about to respond when Helios approached us. Dumako sa kaniya ang mga atensiyon namin pero mukhang hindi naman siya nabaguhan dito. Sanay na atang lagi tinitingnan.