Weirdos I: The Crystal Monster

Chapter 43: Changes

Semestral breaks in Emerald are devoted for the different clubs' activities. Kaya naman hindi ako sumama kina Mama at Papa nung umuwi sila sa Bicol. Sir Franco told us that we are going to have more complex trainings in the Duellers' District.

A lot of clubs requested me to become their member after the Magical Mayem. Even Professor Ozzelus, the Spells Master, requested me to join the Spells' Society. Hindi ko lang tinanggap ang offer nila dahil sinabi sa 'min ng ilang upperclassmen namin na madugo ang 2nd sem sa Emerald. We need to make sure that we still have free time as much as possible.

I accepted the offer of Elemental Enclave, though. Kaming tatlo nina Jack at RB ang pinadalhan mismo ng sulat ng adviser at Club President ng Elemental Enclave. We thought that it'll be good for us if we join that's why we accepted their offer.

Halos araw-araw ang activities namin kaya madalas ko ring makita sina Jack at RB. Gaya nga ngayon ay magkakasama kaming nagjo-jogging sa isang field dito sa Emerald.

"Kumusta so far ang weirdness mo?" tanong ko kay Jack.

"Well, my profile has been updated already. I also took a crash course in controlling my water weirdness. I'm pretty excited for the 2nd sem," sagot niya.

Jack ranked third in the over-all ranking of all the freshmen in Emerald's ten-section freshmen Weirdo Course. RB, on the other hand, ranked first and I was able to secure the 2nd spot. Professor Evanesca told my parents about the good news. I have a feeling though that she only said that in order to ease my parents' anxiety. But I'm still pretty happy with my performance.

And there has been a few changes with Jack's appearance ever since he discovered his new weirdness. His previously all-white hair is now streaked with an aqua blue color. The coldness of his body has also lessened a bit. Dati-rati kasi eh aakalain mong frozen si Jack sa sobrang lamig ng katawan niya.

"Do you have any plans tonight?" tanong sa 'min ni Jack.

"Baka magbasa lang ako sa library. I requested a copy of our course curriculum for the 2nd sem. I'm trying to do some advanced reading," sagot ko naman.

"Seriously? Baka naman gusto mong magpahinga? Tatlong linggo nga lang ang Sem Break natin eh magbababad ka pa sa pag-aaral," sagot ni Jack.

"I have to work double-time. Alam niyo namang hindi ko pa nagagawang makontrol ang weirdness ko. I'm slowly progressing in other subjects but I'm lagging behind in our Combat Education and Elemental Weirdo Course. And besides, mahirap daw parati ang 2nd sem dito sa Emerald," sabi ko naman.

"Typical Ike," Jack said, rolling his eyes.

Liningon ko naman si RB sa tabi ko.

"Ikaw? May plano ka ba sa buhay mo ngayong bakasyon?" tanong ko sa kanya.

RB scratched his neck a bit. "Dunno. I just want to eat and sleep in our house..."

"Why don't you do something productive? Ang sarap naman ata ng buhay mo," sagot ko.

"I don't have to work too hard. Ike will always be there to take care of me so I'm not worried," sabi niya.

"Yeah, great. Blah, blah, blah," I said.

Pagkatapos naming mag-jogging ay nagpahinga na muna kami sa isang parke na malapit sa oval. It was a circular park with lamp posts and benches scattered in a circular arrangement around a fountain where a statue of a lady was standing on a pedestal at the fountain's center. The lady's left arm was raised as if to shield her face from something.

"That's The Untouchable Lady," sabi ni Jack habang kumakain kami.

"The Untouchable Lady?" tanong ko naman.