Olympus Academy (Published under PSICOM)

LIII | In Control

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Pagkapasok ko sa conference room, dumako kaagad ako sa Alphas na nakaupo sa pinakalikuran.

The conference room was just the same size as our classroom, at may platform din sa gitna kung saan naroon si Sir Glen, nagdi-discuss ng magiging kapalaran namin the moment the war begins.

"What did I miss?" tanong ko kay Kara na katabi ko.

"Nothing much. They just finished introducing our allies." sagot niya.

Inilibot ko ang aking paningin sa mga tao na kasama namin. I already read all their records kaya pamilyar na silang lahat sa'kin. We were surrounded by mortals and mythological creatures, all of which has a debt to pay to the Academy. I know this because in this realm, a debt to be paid is what it takes to convince others to fight for you.

Isa ito sa purpose ng missions namin. We help other creatures so that one day, they can return the favor when we ask for it. Alam nilang hindi sila makakatanggi kapag yung Academy na mismo ang nakapagsabi na kailangan nito ang tulong nila.

It's kind of selfish, really. Kailangan mo pang tulungan ang iba para masiguro mong tutulungan ka rin nila kapag nagkataon na kailangan mo ito. But that's just how the world works, I guess. You have no choice but to be selfish even when you believe there are still ways not to be.

Anytime, you can promise the world that you would be good... but the world will never promise to be good to you.

Napadako ang aking mga mata sa lalaking nakatayo sa gilid ng platform.

Humilig ako papalapit kay Kara. "Kasama siya sa pinatawag?"

"I told you, his father, Theosese, had a significant bond with the school."

"Huh." My brows met. "I thought he was just one of the staffs." The professor, with a stern look on his face, had his arms across his chest. Sa sandaling napatingin ako sa kanya, kusa kong narinig sa aking isipan ang mga sigaw niya no'ng pinagalitan niya kami dahil nalaman niyang pupunta kami sa Garden ng Hesperides.

I was trying to be understanding... but then, I remember, he made Art cry.

"My hands are itching to stab him." Pagbibigay-alam ko kay Kara na agarang napalingon sa'kin nang marinig 'yon.

"No."

Ngumuso ako. "But I'll be careful. I mean it would still hurt but only like a prick of a needle. Hehehe." Kumisap-kisap ako habang binibigyan si Kara ng nagmamakaawang tingin.

Ginantihan niya ako ng isang mariing sulyap. "Learn how to control yourself, Ria." Narinig ko ang buntong-hininga niya nang maibalik na niya ang kanyang atensyon sa gitna ng platform. "You can't just stab everyone you're not fond of."

"Well, I can-"

"But that would be attempted murder." Muli niya akong tinignan. "This is exactly why you failed our ethics class."

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. "Kara naman eh!" Luminga-linga ako. "Don't say that out loud, will you? Hindi lang tayo ang nandito!"

"Someone has proclaimed war. For the first time, the Academy is participating in such battle." Nabaling ang aking atensyon kay Sir Glen. "Fortunately, some of us are already good with danger." He glanced at our direction. "Tomorrow morning is the start of the implementation of our plans." Sinimulan na niya ang pagbabahagi ng mga detalye ng gagawin namin. The plan was simple, we just need to keep the damage on a minimum level which demands proper distribution of the allied groups. If one of us fails, then it can cause a breach.