Ci and Rei (ON-GOING)

XIX

Vision

Dramatic gasps devoured the entirety of the room. While I stood up firmly, waiting for him who's now walking slowly towards me.

He accepted the challenge.

The upbringing palpitations got me but I still lift my chin to meet his gaze when he reached in front of me.

He didn't say a word. But he was just staring at me as if he could delve inside my soul with it. I could almost hear my heartbeat but I was invincible now. I won't back down just because of what I'm currently feeling.

"R-reina." mumbled Ms. Bella, na para bang ngayon nya lang naproseso ang sinabi ko kanina lang. "Are you sure?"

I smirked, not taking off my eyes at him. I was deeply insulted. And right now, I just wanna prove to myself that all he said about me were wrong. That I'm more to myself than how he sees me, a burden.

"I've heard no one dared to be matched with him..." binaling ko ang paningin kay Ms. Bella at Mr. Hunter, who was still in awe. "I was challenged."

"Baliw ba sya?"

"Maybe. She has no idea on what she's putting herself into."

"But I'm stoked! Ano kayang mangyayari? Ngayon lang may kumalaban sa pinakamalakas na Agora senior natin. I wouldn't wanna sympathize."

"Let's just hope she won't lose her breath."

Ang over-reacting naman ng mga to. I feel more underestimated. Sino ba ito sa akala nila? Hindi naman pwedeng gumamit ng kahit anong masteries dito eh, why are they more frightened than me?

I just want to fight him, as a humdrum. Sword to sword and see how strong he really is. And I wanted to make the most out of me. I might be feeling otherwise but I'm sure I won't regret this, whatever the consequences.

"Miss?"

Napalingon kami sa kakatayong pamilyar na lalaki. As far as I could remember, his name was Conner.

He smiled at me and I didn't know why it planted fear in me.

"This match will be fair if they'll use both their masteries, am I right?" aniyang nagpanganga sa'kin.

Wait what?!

Eh hindi ko pa nga alam kung anong mastery nitong lalaking to!

'Shit! I don't like this, Reina'

It was Khairro. Unti-unti rin tuloy akong nakaramdam ng pag-alinlangan kung tutuloy pa ba ako o hindi. Dammit! I'm sure they know better than me and probably know how bad this guy's with fighting.

But even though he has the well-built body that's just hidden on this black thin cloth, alam ko rin naman sa sarili ko na kaya kong ipaglaban ang sarili ko. I shouldn't be intimidated. I've won firmest physical fights before. It wouldn't be that hard, I guess.

I won't step back just because of something that I lack knowing, right?
Ede mas madadagdagan lang ang panliliit ko sa sarili ko kung iyon nga ang gagawin ko.

So I nodded bravely to them. "Awesome. Let's do it."

"R-rei, ano, seryoso ka ba?" pigil agad ni Eli nang maglalakad nako, namumutla na sya at parang ngayon lang din nakapagsalita. "Magpapakamatay ka ba?!"

"Besh, huwag na." pagpigil din ni Laurie. "I know why you're doing this but don't risk your life, please." she's near to crying which just made me more mad.