Olympus Academy (Published under PSICOM)

LIII | In Control

"At kung mangyari nga ang hindi inaasahan?" The headmistress of the Aurai asked, after raising her hand. I forgot her name but she's the one in-charge of the Aurai who reside in the Academy and are currently working for the school.

"In that case, report to us immediately and we will dispatch some of our students to help you." sagot ni Sir Glen. "If time is of the essence, then you can just call any random students near your area and surely, they will respond."

My gaze shifted to two Beta students seated a few tables away from us. One of them, the guy with black hair and eyes, is the current president of their class, and a descendant of Hecate. They say, siya ang may kapakana ng majority of the contribution of their class. Ibig sabihin, kung ipinagsama-sama mo lahat ng missions ng Beta para kunin ang kabuuang success rate nito, siya ang nagmamay-ari ng pinakamalaking percentage.

Sa tabi niya ay isang babae na kasalukuya'y nagbabasa ng mga dokumento, ang vice-president ng class nila. I really don't know much about her except that she's a daughter of Tyche, the goddess of prosperity and fortune. She doesn't have the power to grant fortune because her presence is already one. She's literally a walking lucky charm, that's why she has to take their exams alone. Kung isasama mo kasi siya sa ibang students, lahat sa kanila'y magkakaroon ng perfect scores, doesn't matter if they studied or not. She may sound fun to be around with, pero nagdudulot din ng misfortune ang presensya niya, lalo na kapag wala siya sa usual happy-go-lucky mood niya.

I looked at the other two students sitting directly across them, the president and vice-president of the Gamma class, the class of oracles, seers and keepers. Their president, the girl wearing a pair of thin round glasses, is said to be one of the kindest. She's the chief priestess of the Anemoi, the four gods of the wind. Sa pagkakatanda ko'y isa sa abilities na ibinigay ng gods sa kanya ang bumasa ng kapalaran sa pamamagitan lang ng ihip ng hangin. Kung siya ang chief priestess ng Anemoi, katabi niya naman ang bagong chief warden, si Ice. Ice was specifically chosen by Khione, the goddess of snow. So possibly, he has the ability to summon ice and snow.

Napasimangot ako pagkatapos maalalang wala nga palang official officers ang Alpha. Hindi naman kasi kami katulad ng ibang classes na marami-rami ang mga miyembro. Out of the entire population of students in the Academy, there are only eight of us.

"Kara, do you think madadagdagan pa tayo sa class natin?" bulong ko.

"Soon we'll know."

Napatingin ako kay Cesia. Katabi niya si Art at may pinag-uusapan din ata sila.

Paano niya kaya nagawang mamuhay sa mortal realms nang gano'n katagal? With all the danger surrounding a demigod, nakapagtataka kung bakit ngayon lang siya napadpad sa Academy.

Hmm. Baka siguro gano'n nalang kagaling ang pillar niya at nagawa niyang protektahan si Cesia sa loob ng napakaraming taon.

Pillar ang tawag sa mga piling mortal na pinagkalooban ng deities ng kanilang descendants. Kaya isang malaking karangalan ang maging pillar dahil ibig sabihin nito, malaki ang tiwala ng deity sa'yo. Pero sabi nga nila, to hold the trust of a god or goddess, is to let them hold your life for you. The moment a deity entrusts you his or her child, you are expected to live the rest of your life with one purpose: protect that child with everything you have, including your own life.

As for me, my mom was my pillar. She gave birth to me, gave me a childhood, and in order for me to find out who I really am, she died. It was her death that forced me to look for my father that eventually, led me to Olympus Academy.

I didn't ask for a life like this. Sapilitang pagkabuhay 'to at ayoko ng pinipilit ako. Gusto kong mabuhay dahil may sarili akong dahilan.

Napangiti ako.

It's a good thing I have seven.

• • •

"Students are not required to go to school for a week after the celebration tonight." Narinig namin ang announcement sa speakers. "Students who will not be staying are advised to seek the comfort of other residences outside the school premises."

Malapit na kaming makarating sa dorm namin nang mapadaan kami sa isang grupo ng mga estudyante.

"So who's staying at my beach house starting tomorrow?"

"The one in Maldives or in Greece?"

"The one in Los Angeles."

"Nice! Sama ako!"

"Huhuhu..." paghihinagpis ni Art na nakarinig din sa kanila. "Gusto ko ring pumunta tayo sa isang beach house."

"When the war is over, Art." Nginitian siya ni Dio. "We'll be staying at one of mine."

"Talaga?!" Art clasped her hands in excitement. "Woah! Amazing with a-" Kasunod siyang tumama sa pinto ng dorm dahilan na mapa-"ooh" kaming lahat.

"Z-Zee..." bulong ni Art habang hinihimas-himas ang kanyang noo. Dinamdam niya ang door knob at pinihit ito. Nauna siyang pumasok nang hindi tinatanggal ang kanyang kamay mula sa noo. "M-Magbibihis na ako..."

Pumasok na rin ako sa kwarto ko para makapaghanda sa selebrasyon mamayang gabi. Isa pa naman ito sa pinakapaborito kong event ng Academy.

Aside from the program and offerings that take place at the start, there is also a ball where students can interact with one another and of course, dance. And even when there's a war coming, this night will still be ethereal...

Because tonight, the sky will be starless and only the moon will appear alongside a spectacle of light called Aurora.