"You're a demigod, Eris..."
ERIS
The Dark Wolves were special creatures protected by magic. Their furs could harden like needles that contained poison coming from their own blood. We studied their poison for the past years and I was familiar with the antidote. Its poison was a slow acting one and would take a week to reach the heart, if not cured.
Although I had complete knowledge about the Dark Wolves, they weren't easy prey. I still remembered the first time we entered this enchanted forest, I barely escaped these Dark Wolves because of my lack of magic. I couldn't even use a broomstick to escape so I suffered from some wounds and injuries.
But it was different now. I could now cultivate magic and fight them. I just had to avoid being pricked by their furs. The nearest Dark Wolf hungrily lunged at me as I immediately protected myself using a fire encirclement. To the Dark Wolf's horror, it was almost roasted by the fire if it didn't stop itself from jumping at me. The Dark Wolf bared its sharp teeth as its saliva dripped off its mouth—certainly hungry.
Saglit akong nag-isip. Kailangan kong gamitin ang pagkakataong ito upang sanayin ang sarili na gumamit ng mahika. Dahil hindi ko maaaring ipakita sa ibang tao ang kakayahan ko, kailangan kong magsanay nang mag-isa upang maging malakas. I already tested my dark spells so I had to practice other elemental spells. I chose fire and wind this time.
I checked my books about fire and wind and I could sense the Dark Wolves' confusion. I also knew this wasn't the right time to study but I couldn't help it. I went through the list of the magic spells. I knew some basic fire and wind spells. But it was enough since fire and wind were compatible elements.
I returned the books in my storage silver bracelet and brandished my silver dagger, which I bought in the black market, glazed with poison that could paralyze enemies. At dahil hindi rin ako marunong gumamit ng mahika noon, pinayagan nila akong gumamit ng mga armas upang lumaban sa mga kompetisyon at pagsusulit na kailangan ng mahika. Dehado ako pero kailangan kong lumaban upang magtagal sa Sorciere Academy.
I chanted some incantations. Binalot ng malamig na simoy ng hangin ang katawan ko at gumaan ang bawat galaw ko. I used the wind to speed up as I directly lunged at the nearest Dark Wolf. Its bloodshot eyes glared at me with contempt. Ang matatalim nitong ngipin ay nakaabang na sa 'kin.
Fire coated my silver dagger as it slashed through—from its mouth up to the top of its head. Due to its own defense mechanism, its furs inevitably hardened like needles which almost pricked my hands but I swiftly jumped away from it—speeding to my next target.
My victim growled in pain and frustration. The poison on my dagger was dangerous especially when heated by fire, becoming more toxic. The wolf couldn't escape the poisonous gas produced from that feat. Even the poison that cut through its flesh could bring instant death because it would repel the poison from its own blood. I tried my best not to inhale the poison blending in the air. Good thing I could control the wind around me.
I released fireballs and fire spears to some packs of Dark Wolves. They growled more piercingly than I expected as if they were calling for reinforcements. Some of them had already turned to ashes. The wind spell ignited the fire spell I used to incinerate them.
Ramdam ko ang galit na namumuo sa mga Dark Wolves. Dahil dito, sabay-sabay silang sumugod sa 'kin. They bared their sharp teeth and canines, ready to rip my flesh open. I waved my hand in the air, drawing runes, tracing ancient letters as I chanted another incantation.
Wildfire spread throughout the forest, targeting the dark wolves surrounding me. But dread took over me. I abruptly sensed a strong presence rushing to the enchanted forest which the wind warned me of.
The Dark Wolves desperately dashed after me but I retreated decisively. I extinguished the fire I just summoned and ran away from the scene with the fastest speed. Maging ang mga Dark Wolves ay hindi nakahuma dahil sa pagkabigla kaya hindi sila nakahabol agad.
Even though I wore a mask, I didn't want to be caught now. Nang masiguradong hindi magtatagpo ang landas namin ng taong paparating, agad akong sumakay sa broomstick ko at lumipad patungo sa likod ng Sorciere Courtyard.
Sinigurado kong walang makakikita sa 'kin bago ko hinubad ang balat-kayo at nagmamadaling nagtungo patungo sa silid ko. Hindi naman siguro ako paghihinalaan dahil alam nilang hindi ako marunong gumamit ng mahika?
Nang pumasok ako sa silid, tulog na sina Gianna at Faena. Nagbihis at nagpalit ako ng pantulog. Humiga ako sa kama pero ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagbabasa ng mga spell books. I must still work hard even though I could control different kinds of magic and elements. Because no one could help me except myself.
~~~
Naglakad kami nina Gianna at Faena patungo sa silid-aralan. Medyo inaantok pa ako dahil halos alas-tres na ako nakatulog. I was so excited with the magic I could finally use and I couldn't help but memorize more spells than necessary.
We headed to our next class which was the 'Combat Class'. This was our very first mixed class with the Warlocks. I sighed. Unfortunately, I couldn't show off my skills in this class. So I already prepared myself for the mocking. At siguro, madadagdagan pa ang mga taong gusto akong paalisin sa academy dahil kasama na ang Warlock Division sa klaseng ito. I hoped they wouldn't be so cruel and unreasonable. Because if that happened, I would have no choice but to fight back and reveal my secrets.
"Eris, I didn't know you have some silver streaks on your hair. I just noticed now," puna ni Faena. Her brown eyes stared at me with curiosity when I whipped my head to face her. She could command forest and was wielding a green lifestone.
Kumunot-noo ako. Did I fully inherit my father's hair after he removed the seal? Dati, purple wine lang ang kulay ng buhok ko. I didn't have the time to inspect myself in the mirror so I didn't notice. I was uncertain if the silver streaks represented the magic and god blood flowing through my veins.
"Ah. Really? Hindi ko napapansin. Baka namuti lang? Anyway, hindi naman gano'n ka-big deal, 'di ba?" nag-aalangang tanong ko.
Si Gianna ay napatitig din sa buhok ko. "Hindi naman big deal. Pero bakit biglaan? Parang dati wala naman 'yan. Did you dye your hair or something?" she asked.
Ayaw kong magsinungaling sa kanila. Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Wala lang 'yan. Huwag na ninyong pansinin."
"But it's glittering under the sun," saad ni Gianna. "Looks nice. Here. Look in the mirror. And you're even more beautiful than before. Blooming?"
She made a mirror out of gold. I noticed the few streaks of silver hair on both sides. I even turned a little to check the back part and the silver streaks of my hair really glittered under the sun. She was right. It was beautiful, mesmerizing even.
"Maybe it's due to my silver lifestone. Huwag mo na lang pansinin," I said, though it was only half the truth. Hindi na sila nagkomento pa dahil natuon na ang atensyon nila sa pupuntahan namin.
We went out to the wide field where all third-year students gathered. May maliit na entablado kung saan naghihintay sina Mistress Raesha at Master Hawk. They both wielded red lifestones which represented fire. And because this was a combat lesson, I had to compete.
"Gosh! Nandito si Shad!" impit na tili ni Gianna. She even shook the sleeves of my silver robe due to her excitement. I just received my robe this morning. I stood out even though I didn't want anyone's attention—I was the only one wearing a silver robe. Ugh. Such a headache. No use hiding my lifestone under my tunic now.
Wala sa sariling napalingon ako sa direksiyon ni Shad dahil sa ginagawa ni Gianna. What's the big deal about Shad? Is it because he's a prince? Well, I'm also secretly royal blood. And, I have god blood running through my veins. Maybe that was the reason why I was not affected by his intimidating presence and status. I was kind of superior compared to him.
May mga lalaking kasama si Shad na mukhang nag-aasaran. It seemed they were also talking about the girls from the Sorciere Division. After all, this was the first time the two divisions had a class together. Pero mukhang hindi naman nakikisali si Shad sa biruan ng mga kasama niya. Tahimik lang siyang nakikinig sa usapan nila.
Naririndi ako sa mga kasama ko dahil pati si Faena ay nakisali na rin sa impit na tili ni Gianna. She just hyped the atmosphere even more.
Natigilan ako nang biglang lumingon sa direksiyon naming si Shad. Mukhang itinuro ako ng isa niyang kasama. Well, of course, my silver robe is very eye-catching. Maging ang ibang lalaki na hindi kasali sa grupo nila ay napalingon din sa direksyon ko. I noticed their curious gazes.
Oh god! I suddenly wanted to disappear. I could just imagine the disappointment they would feel and the hostile gazes when they discovered I couldn't use magic.
Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Shad. I kept my expression blank but I couldn't help the secret panic welling in my chest because I caught the attention of the whole Warlock Division. This would be a big problem. Dad! It's difficult to be lowkey now. My apologies.
Mas lalo akong niyugyog ni Gianna. "Oh my god! Si Shad! Nakatingin dito! Oh my god! Ang gwapo!"
I accidentally rolled my eyes. Then I noticed the small smile slowly forming from Shad's lips. Uh-oh! Did he misunderstand my rolling eyes? No! I'm not rolling my eyes at you! It's a misunderstanding!
Wala sa sariling nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin dahil sa hiya. Itinuon ko na lang ang pansin sa entablado kung saan nakatayo ang magtuturo sa 'min sa araw na ito. Makalipas ang ilang minuto, nagsalita na si Master Hawk.
"Magandang araw, mga Sorcieres at Warlocks. I'm Hawk from the Warlock Division and the beautiful lady next to me is Raesha from the Sorciere Division. Ito ang unang araw na magkakasama kayo sa iisang klase. Please don't make the other division uncomfortable. The goal of this mixed class is to enhance your combat skills—to further develop your skills—to adapt with group missions. Teamwork is essential to achieve victory. Sometimes, a mixed team will be needed on missions. Since you're already in third year, you can now accept missions outside this academy. You can check guilds and organizations offering individual and group missions to earn money as well," he explained.
Nice! I will check it out. I need to earn money. I already spent a lot these past days.
Nagsalita naman si Mistress Raesha. "We will teach you some advance spells and physical combat techniques. Sa ngayon, kami muna ang nandito upang ipaliwanag ang magaganap sa klaseng ito. Sa susunod na mga araw, iba-ibang Masters at Mistresses mula sa Warlock at Sorciere division ang magtuturo sa inyo. Today, we will have an individual evaluation to test your combat skills. And after that, you are free to choose your group mates for the group exams. Each group must consist of three Warlocks and two Sorcieres. You will have different groupmates for each exam. I know you think this is unfair especially when those powerful Warlocks grouped with some powerful Sorcieres but you can no longer team up with the same person after the exam. So are you excited? Ready for the individual evaluation?"
The Warlocks and Sorcieres expressed their excitement through their loud cheering.
But for me? I was not excited. Because I knew I would become a laughingstock after this evaluation. I couldn't openly use spells and magic runes. But maybe there was another way? Or maybe it was a good chance to stay out of trouble?
***