Chapter 5: Duel of the Supremes

"Even death bows down to me."

"What --- Are you threatening me!?" tanong nito habang nakakunot ang noo sa galit. Such a hot-tempered man.

Bahagya akong umatras at napangisi. "Are you threatened?"

Umayos siya ng tayo at sinamaan ako ng tingin. "Who do you think you are?"

"You already did a background check on me. Ba't mo pa tinatanong?" sambit ko na walang halong kahit anong interes ang boses.

If I knew that this is what I'll be facing, I shouldn't have wasted my time. Natutulog pa sana ako sa kwarto ko ngayon.

"Hindi mo ba alam ang salitang respeto?"

I grunt as my eyes darted at the two violet badges on his chest. Ang isa ay katulad ng badge na suot ni Genesis, kulay lila at may nakaukit na letrang 'F'. Ang pangalawa naman ay may nakaukit na salitang 'Carwell' at sa baba nito ay may nakasulat na 'Head Council'. I still don't understand why they have to wear badges every time. Was it some sort of pride?

"I honestly don't see a reason why I should respect you, Mr Carwell," I stated, following a sigh of boredom.

Binigyan ako nito ng hindi makapaniwalang tingin. "You're unbelievable."

I nodded. "That's right. Your position doesn't make you our superior. You're still a student, after all."

He took seconds staring at me, like he's examining me from the tip of my toes to every strand of my hair. Tanging titig lamang ang sinukli ko sa kanya. Kalaunan ay umiwas din siya ng tingin.

"What's your ability?" he asked. Gano'n pa rin ang boses nito, malamig at mayabang.

Inikot ko ang tingin sa paligid. I can't deny. This place is quite amazing. Dormitory pa lang 'to pero engrande na. Mataas ang kisame at malawak ang pasilyo. All made of rocks and bricks.

"Answer me, woman."

"Oh, what were you saying again?" tanong ko rito at palihim na ngumisi.

His jaw clenched as well as his fist. He narrowed his eyes, attempting to glare at me but eventually went back to normal when a silver blade swooshed just in front of us. Hell!

Dumako ang paningin ko sa dalawang babaeng nakayuko at tila nanginginig. Such a careless dimwits.

"Who did it!?" Carwell yelled. Napangiwi ako sa lakas ng boses nito. Magkasalubong ang makapal n'yang kilay at kulang nalang ay umusok ang ilong. A heavy aura enveloped him as his wrist slightly glowed.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa nakita. Was that his power? That was pretty uncommon. I'm sure I wasn't hallucinating.

"Shut up, Carwell."

Lumingon siya sa 'kin na may hindi makapaniwalang tingin. "What did you just call me?"

"Shut up, Carwell," pag-uulit ko. Tumalim ang titig niya na s'yang ibinalik ko rin.

Napaigik ako at bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata nang bigla ako nitong hinawakan sa pulsuhan. His grip was tight and it seems as though he's sucking something from deep within me. At alam kong hindi ako namamalik mata nang makita ang bahagyang pagkislap ng mata niya. I did not mean it in a figurative way, it did gleamed literally. It glowed in rusty orange. Rare.

"Get off me!" I uttered.

Marahas kong binawi ang braso ko mula sa kanya at hindi naman ako nabigo. Halos magkasalubong na ang kilay nito habang tinititigan ang kamay n'yang ginamit sa paghawak sa'kin. He kept on closing his palm and opening it again. Ano bang trip ng lalaking 'to?

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at sinalubong ang malamig kong titig.

"You're powerless," he stated like a king talking to his servant.

"What the hell are you talking about?" maang-maangan na tanong ko. Of course I know what he's taking about. But I should not spoil the fun, right?

"How come the gate accepted you? Are you a Dygaian or something?"

What the fuck is Dygaian? Geez. Nagmumukha na naman akong bobo!

"Wait..." Umangat ang sulok ng labi nito. "I'm sure you don't know what Dygaian is. After all, Forthill is a land for cowards and weaklings."

I clicked my tongue and pointed at him. "Exactly! That's why I left."

"I hate your arrogance," diretsang sagot nito.

Napataas ang kilay ko. "Who was it using his position against his fellows?"

Napatiim bagang ito. Bahagya n'yang inayos ang suot na uniporme bago ibinalik ang tingin sa 'kin.

"Under the Decree of Reasonable Dissociation on Mortis and Mages, people like you are prohibited to live with us. Alam mo bang pwede kang makulong ng dalawang taon dahil nandito ka?" maotoridad na saad nito.

Honestly, I don't give a damn about laws and prison. Mas malala d'yan ang naranasan ko.

"Should I feel flattered that you sound worried?" I placed my right palm on my chest and acted as though he just made my heart flatter.

Paulit-ulit s'yang umiling na tila hindi makapaniwala. "You're so full of yourself."

"Is that so?"

"You need to undergo a battle before calling yourself an official student. Your opponent is a surprise," aniya at sinuri ang kabuuan ko mula ulo hanggang paa. "Tignan natin kung hanggang saan ang yabang mo."

-

"Ako ang kinakabahan para sa'yo, Ara."

Pinusod ko ang buhok at matiim na tinitigan ang sarili sa salamin. Kinakabahan? There is nothing to be anxious about. I couldn't even calm the loud thudding of excitement in my chest along with the ecstatic sensation running through my veins. It's been a while since I last fought. I'm looking forward to it.

"Gosh! You don't even look anxious! I'm sure si Cae ang magiging kalaban mo. He's a devil when fighting," muling saad ng room mate kong may malaking bunganga.

Humarap ako sa kanya at tinaasan siya ng kilay. "Why do you call him Cae?"

"You're unbelievable! I'm worried about you and tatanungin mo lang ako kung bakit Cae ang tawag ko sa pinsan ko?" anito at tumayo mula sa kama ko.

So, that arrogant man is her cousin, huh? Pinsan niya naman pala pero takot na takot.

Napaismid ako at ipinilig ang ulo. "You're so loud, Shaye."

Naglakad siya papalapit at huminto sa harapan ko. She placed both of her hands on my shoulders and gave me a serious look.

"Ara, isipin mo nga ang sarili mo. What's your ability? You're from Forthill, 'diba? Caelum was trained since he was a baby. And you..." huminto siya at bahagyang lumambot ang mukha. "Don't get me wrong but I can't even feel your power."

I frowned and rolled my eyes. Tinabig ko ang mga kamay n'yang nakahawak sa braso ko. "I can handle myself."

Mabigat na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan niya at muling umupo sa kama na may hindi maipintang mukha. She keeps on tapping her feet to the floor with her arms crossed. Hah! Looks like someone has been defeated.

Muli kong tinitigan ang sarili sa salamin at lihim na napangiti. I can't wait any longer.

Lumingon ako kay Shaye na nakabusangot pa rin. "I gotta go."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at mabilis na humakbang palabas ng silid. Muli kong nadaanan ang magarbong pasilyo at mga magagarang mwebles pero wala akong panahon para pagpantasyahan ang mga iyon. Nang tuluyan na akong makalabas ng dormitory building ay dumiretso na ako sa sentro ng paaralan. The battle arena.

A heavy silence greeted me as I entered the arena. There were students dressed in girly and princely uniforms bearing a badge with distinct colors. A group of intimidating men and women sitting at the elevated circle, giving them complete access to the center. I suppose they are the professors. They, too, are wearing badges.

"At last! The new student is here!" sigaw ng isang estudyante malapit lamang sa kinaroroonan ko.

Nagsimula nang magbulung-bulongan ang lahat, kasama na do'n ang mga guro. Napalingon ako sa likuran ng mayroong kumalabog dito. Iniluwa ng higanteng pintuan ang hinihingal na si Shaye.

"Ang bilis mong nawala!" saad nito habang hinahabol ang hininga. Inikot ko na lamang ang mata ko.

My forehed creased when I sighted a group of students separated from others, and they are obviously given special treatments. Kasama sa mga estudyanteng iyon ay ang dalawang mayabang na lalaking kilala ko. Genesis was beaming at me and Carwell gave me a glare.

Akala ko ba ay siya ang magiging kalaban ko?

"Kindly proceed to the center, Ms Belacour," anunsiyo ng isang guro na nakaupo sa levated circle habang seryosong nakatitig sa'kin.

Ang hilig talagang tumitig ng mga tao dito, mapa-estudyante man o guro. Tahimik kong tinahak ang direksyon kung saan may malaking transparent na pader ang nakapalibot. An invisible barrier that can only be seen by me. Sort of.

Hindi pa man ako tuluyang nakapasok ay isang punyal ang bumulusok sa direksyon ko kasabay ng malakas na pagsinghap ng mga nanonood. The dagger was in lightning speed and I did nothing but stood still.

"What is she thinking!?"

"Bobo naman pala ang babaeng 'yan!

"Stop the headmaster, Cae! She's gonna die!"

I ignored the loud chitchats of the students surrounding me. I moved my hand swiftly in a circular motion while staring intently at the heading dagger. And it stopped. Just inches away from me.

The crowd fell silent. Even the man behind the attack.

"Nice one, Boris."

Nakaawang ang bibig niya na tila hindi makapaniwala sa ginawa ko. Gano'n ba ka big deal ang paghinto ng atake? Ignorant.

"You're a controller?" halos pabulong na tanong nito.

A smirk formed on my lips. "You'll see."

Inihanda niya ang sarili at hinigpitan ang paghawak sa dalang punyal na kapares ng ginamit niya sa atake. Walang sabi-sabing tumakbo ito papalapit sa gawi ko at nagpakawala ng malakas na sipa na s'yang mabilis kong iniwasan. He let out a frustrated sigh and I took the chance to punch him right on his abdomen. Malakas s'yang napadaing at napahawak sa sikmura.

"Oops, my bad," I mocked and gave him a tight-lip smile.

Ngumisi lamang ito kasabay ng pag-ilaw ng punyal na hawak niya. Halos mapapikit ako sa lakas nito hanggang sa humupa na ang liwanag at tumambad sa'kin ang isang makintab at kulay pilak na espada. May mga simbolong nakaukit sa hawakan nito na tila ginawa para lamang sa kamay ng may-ari.

Without any hints, Boris hastily ran towards me with his sword on the air. Buong lakas niya akong hinampas ng espada niya at mabilis ko rin itong sinangga kapantay lamang ng lakas niya. Sandaling nagtagpo ang espadang dala niya at ang punyal na hawak ko. Pinuwesto ko ang kanang paa sa likuran at buong lakas na itinulak ang magkatapat naming sandata. This made the both of us shift backwards.

The playful smirk was still in his lips while I kept my face straight.

"I wonder what your power is," nakangising sambit nito.

Now, it's my turn. Hindi ako nag-abalang sumagot at ipinikit ang mata. I did not make any movement until a sound of slashing sword headed towards me. I opened my eyes and I can see the shock in Boris' face as it glowed in metallic silver. As silver as the sword that he's holding, stopped at mid air.

Sinamantala ko na ang pagkakataon at mabilis siyang inatake. Isang malakas na daing ang pinakawalan niya nang matagumpay kong natamaan ang kanyang tagiliran. His white combat suit is now dripping with blood, restraining him from moving quicker.

I think I know what his power is.

I waited for him to make a move and he did. Tumayo siya na tila walang sugat na iniinda at ngumisi. Muli niyang iniwasiwas ang dalang espada at tanging pag-iwas lamang ang nagawa ko. Dagger versus sword, huh? I took a back flip and landed just a meter away from him. I slashed his calf without hesitation causing him to knock on the ground.

"Damn!" he cussed in the middle of trying to stand up.

"Huwag mong pilitin kung hindi mo kaya," sambit ko at tinapik ang balikat niya ngunit nagulat ako nang biglaan niya akong hinila pababa at itinapat ang espada sa aking leeg. Now, I'm lying on the ground while he's barely standing, pointing the tip of his sword on my neck.

Matagumpay na ngisi ang ibinigay nito. "Hindi pa ako natatalo ng kahit sinong babae," aniya.

Inilaro ko ang dila sa gilid ng aking pisngi at itinaas ang kaliwang kilay. "Guess this will be your first time."

I quickly moved my leg upwards and gave his groin a firm kick. Malakas na daing ang kumawala sa labi niya at nabitawan ang dalang espada habang sapo-sapo ang parteng tinamaan ko.

Nakangisi akong tumayo at pinagpagan ang sarili.

"Too bad you can't use your power," I stated, grinning at him. He stared at me, looking petrified.

One of the professors started counting, "1 2 3..." But Boris can't even make a single move. Of course, makakagalaw ka pa ba kapag tinamaan ang pinaka-iingatan mo? Not to mention the stab and cuts he got.

"The headmaster can't seem to stand up."

Samo't-saring bulungan muli ang namayani sa buong arena. Saying that I'm a freak and I should get sacked. Really, people?

"The new student defeated a Supreme. Ms Belacour, the first Supreme student!"

Biglang naging tahimik ang pagilid sa sigaw ng guro. Tila hindi makapaniwala na natalo ko ang headmaster nila. Parang ang bilis nga lang ng pangyayari, hindi man lang ako nasugatan. Boris' grunts were the only ones that can be heard. Ramdam ko ang matalim na titig ng mga estudyante, nangunguna na doon ang mayabang nilang head council. Ano bang mayro'n sa Supreme Supreme na 'yan?

Tumalikod na ako at naglakad palabas ng arena na parang walang nangyari. Inipit ko ang punyal na dala sa boots na suot ko.

"Ara!" sigaw ng isang matinis na boses. "Wait!"

Hindi ako huminto at diretso lamang ang tingin. Ilang segundo lamang ay may malamig na kamay ang humawak sa braso ko.

"Ara! Ang bilis mo namang maglakad!"

Huminto ako at tinaasan ng kilay si Shaye. "What do you need?"

"I just want to congratulate you. You defeated a Supreme!" sagot nito na may abot-taingang ngiti.

"Ano bang mayro'n sa Supreme na 'yan?" tanong ko na may malamig na boses at muling naglakad.

"It's your rank. Supreme is the highest with a silver badge. Second is the Ace with violet badge. Next is the Scout, like me, with a blue badge. Fourth rank is the Jewel, their badge is green, and last is the Cub with a yellow badge. Did you know that you're the first ever supreme student in century? Kahit ang ibang estudyante, graduate na pero hindi pa rin nag-rank up," mahabang litanya nito.

"And what would that rank benefit me?" I asked in a monotonous tone.

"Well, bigger missions, which means bigger money. And you'll live together with the Arcanes."

Kumunot ang noo ko. I always hear that Arcane stuff and I don't have one hell of an idea what it is.

"Arcane, you say?"

"Yeah, they're a group of students with the highest rank. Lahat sila rank Ace, and you are a Supreme! Kaya malamang ay kasama ka sa grupo nila," sagot nito habang papasok kami sa dormitory building ng mga babae.

Arcane, huh? Sigurado akong kayabangan lamang ang dala ng mga iyon.

"Who's the most powerful here in the academy?" muling tanong ko.

Sandaling napahinto si Shaye at tumingala na tila nag-iisip.

"In terms of power, it's Cae. In terms of mastery and skills, it's the headmaster," aniya. "Why do you ask, by the way?"

Umiling ako. "Nothing. What is Carwell's power?" I still can't forget what happened in the corridor yesterday. He's got a rare power.

"He's a Royal Mimicry holder, the last of the Carwells. He's got royal blood, that's why."

Napahinto ako sa narinig. The familiar sensation of excitement enveloped my whole being. Carwell is a royal, that means he's related to the king and so is Shaye. A secretive smirk escaped my lips.

Looks like fate is on my side, huh.