Soulstone Academy

Chapter Sixteen: Lose

"May plano ka na ba para sa bukas, Raven?"

I stood up straight after stretching my sides. Inilagay ko ang magkabilang kamay sa bewang at nagsimula sa waist exercises, staring at Tamara who was busy with her leg warm-ups.

"I don't know. We'll know it once tomorrow comes."

The afternoon sun and our Physical Education subject caused my sweat to glisten. Sandali akong tumigil at itinali ang buhok, tipping my head back to calm my breath. Before coming here, I had to endure double of the Physical Training class because I skipped yesterday. After lunch, I ran around the field for a hundred laps while listing possible strategies for tomorrow, so here in PE, I am already a little spent.

When I opened my eyes again, letting my hair sway as I adjusted my shirt and pants, I found every eye on me.

"Grabe!" Theus exclaimed on my side, his voice filled with glee. "Ang ganda mo, Raven!"

I shot him a sweet smile. "Thanks."

Sinulyapan ko si Zara at nakitang busy pa naman siya sa pakikipag-usap kay Diana, the medical head, who stopped by kanina. She just told us to warm our bodies up and form a group of ten. Since we're already six, kami ni Tam and the four elites, we just had to look for four more. Solana dragged Kamiel Josiah, ang lagi niyang kadebate sa klase, to join us. Meanwhile, Dawn has already dragged one of the girls I saw with them back at the Rank Assessment. Her red-orange hair was eye-catching, however, my eyes had already settled on the two boys behind her.

"I have a feeling I'd get bashed after this," I announced playfully, watching as Tsukishima and Helios completed our little group. "Kasama ko ba naman halos lahat ng elites."

I wasn't overreacting when I said that. Hindi pa nga tapos, nararamdaman ko na ang mga masasamang tingin sa likod ko. If I wasn't used to it, I'd probably be bothered by now.

Nagkibit-balikat si Dawn. "Sila lagi ang grupo ko."

"Hi! You're the famous Raven, huh." the new girl beamed at me. "I'm Fei Gwynette Grimes. Isa din sa mga elites na under sa House of Golden Sun."

I accepted the hand she held out, a little confused that it was just warm. Just warm, unlike Helios' soulstone that burns through you. Baka naman weaker at different ang magic na mayroon siyaㅡ

"I am the living Phoenix Fire."

Her words were like a bomb dropped on me. The living Phoenix Fire. While I may be ignorant at most basic Hiraya things, I have read and heard about the Phoenix more than I could say 'sorry'. She appeared in the tales of the First War and supported Silas in building this country. Although, of course, I know Fei isn't exactly that firebird. Maybe a descendant of one and still held on to their magic.

The briefest spark of jealousy happened to me, but I quickly buried it with my curiosity for a living Phoenix fire not bothering me as much as the sun. Ang init nila ay dapat magkaparehos lang naman.

Binitawan niya ang kamay ko para balingan si Tamara. She shook hands with my shy friend too. Hindi ko na alam kung gustong tumawa, kiligin, o umiyak ni Tam nang makipagkamayan.

"Hi, Raven! Magkagrupo tayo!"

I gave Tsukishima a bored look. Para lang siyang si Griffin kahapon. I think I have enough brain cells naman to understand that we're groupmates. No need to slap it in my face.

"Yeah? Hindi halata."

My sarcastic statement did not even bother him. "Although, mas maganda sana kung hindi natin kasama ang anak ng araw. Mas magiging happy ako."

If Helios heard that, he didn't show any reaction. He's just sitting on the ground, flexing his wrist and clicking his neck. The white PE uniform fits him handsomely.