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Tinanggal ni Luna ang isang kamay ni Iraia na naiwang nakahawak sa kanyang pisngi at tinalikuran itong muli.

Masama ang loob niyang tinuon ang atensyon sa platform. She never knew that being a Pharaoh means being burdened by the safety of their whole realm.

Yes, she is complaining. This isn't the life she envisioned for herself. She isn't interested in the title; all she wants is to find her family, which she has already done.

"Lithus Denver wins."

And just like that, natapos na ang duel for this month. Nginitian pa sila ni Lady Doreena na kasunod ang dalawang binata na kapwa duguan.

Isa-isa na ring nag-alisan ang mga estudyante hanggang sa silang Pharaohs na lang ang naiwan.

"Oh pixies!"

Luna's mouth dropped open when she saw Iraia stand up so quickly and clip the strap of her heels, which she hadn't realized she had removed earlier.

The rest of the Pharaohs, like her, are anticipating her next move. Her outburst of panic drew their attention.

"I forgot that Senor Grandeur asked for my presence!" Bigla na lang itong nagtatakbo nang hindi nagpapaalam sa kanila.

Nagulat na lang sila nang makarinig na tila may nahulog. Napatayo ang ilan sa kanila habang pinapanood na tumayo si Iraia at muling tumakbo.

Mukhang nawala sa isip nito na nakalutang ang kinauupuan nila kaya nalaglag ito bago pa tuluyang makababa.

"Hindi ka ba marunong mag-ingat?!" Malakas na sigaw ni Veton kay Iraia na nawala na.

"Gods." Stress nitong sabi sa sarili at tinanggal ang isang butones ng kanyang polo na tila nasasakal.

Parang tanga namang ngumisi si Luna at pumalungbaba paharap sa direksyon ng kaibigan.

"She's no longer pestering you, brother. But why do you look like hell?" Makahulugang ngisi ni Pream nang maka-dekwatro.

"He belongs there, my friend. That's why." Dagdag ni Arrow at mahinang sinuntok ang dibdib ni Veton.

Enfy's gaze met hers. Parang tanga naman niyang tinaas baba ang kilay habang pabalik balik ang tingin sa dalawa.

"Sefarina's been influencing you, doesn't she?" Tanong ni Enfys matapos ibalik kay Sefarina ang tingin.

"Of course."

"Wow, influencer ka na." Tangang niyang singit at nag-thumbs up.

"Damien."

Senor Godfrey, whose gaze had just been drawn to the direction in which Iraia had gone, looked at them.

He has a small smile on his face, which is unusual or, more accurately, does not complement his not-so-craggy face.

"Greetings, Pharaohs." Anito bago tinuon ang tingin kay Dame.

Napa-'o' ang bibig ni Luna at napatingin din tuloy sa katabi.

"The Cinco's asking for your presence. You are required to leave the academy to proceed at the Koloseyo. Don't worry, I will be escorting you."

Damien nodded his head, as if expecting Senor to call his attention.

"Great. See me in 5 minutes."

Muli sila nitong nginitian bago sila tuluyang talikuran.

"Koloseyo? Anong ginawa mo?" Gulat na bulaslas ni Veton.

"Sinong inupakan mo?" Segunda ni Pream na ikinailing niya lalo na at pumamewang pa ito sa harap ng binata.

"Shut up, you fools." Awat ni Sefarina sa dalawa at tinulak sila palayo kay Dame.