Into Virgust: The Witch

[10] Sneaky Cat

chapter ten: sneaky cat

Nixie stopped in front of the door for a while. Nakasulat dito ang salitang Auditorium. Ito ang itinuro ni Miss Haily nang magpalista siya ng pangalan para sa Wizport Tournament. Bakit nga ba siya sumali?

Ang sumagi lang sa isip niya noon ay para inisin pa lalo si Lawrence o kaya naman ay si Mosane. Tutal at kasali rin si Louise, hindi niya rin maiwasang mag-alala na baka siya ang gantihan ng kaaway na babae.

Bumuntong-hininga muna siya bago buksan ang malaking pinto.

"We are going to change our training venue to a larger place-- oh! Here she is," ani Miss Haily nang nakangiti sa kanya. "Pasensiya na at nagsimula na kami."

"It's okay, Miss." Ginantihan niya ng ngiti ang Propesor saka inilipat ang tingin sa mga kasamahan. There eyes are all in hers. Some smiled, some irritated especially Lawrence and some didn't mind.

The auditorium is large. Many chains of red chairs. Small window panes from above. Big stage that covered with red curtain. Lahat sila ay magkakahiwalay na nakaupo samantala si Miss Haily naman ay nakatayo sa harapan nila. Pinaupo siya nito kung saan niya gusto. She chose to sit beside Louise, mouth still hang open. Hindi nito alam na sasali si Nixie. "You mean this?" Tanong nito nang makaupo siya sa kanyang tabi.

"So I'm going to repeat, Nixie. Our schedule of training is every after lunch, alternately so that you can't miss your other lessons. But on Sundays, we'll do it the whole day," Miss Haily explained and Nixie just nodded.

"Moving forward. Last school year, we held our training on the castle's rooftop. And probably that's the reason why we lost the game. Sort of, we didn't practice well 'cause the smaller the space the less probability we can get home the bacon." Seryoso ang propesor sa pagbitiw ng kanyang mga salita.

Nixie moved her eyes on Louise who still looking at her with disbelief. She rolled her eyes and smirked at him making Louise startled on his seat.

"Why did you joined in?" Mahinang tanong ni Nixie. Kumunot muna ang noo ng lalaki bago ituon ang atensiyon sa nagsasalitang propesor sa harap. Ganoon din ang ginawa niya.

"No one wants to participate from our house. However, our House Adviser, Professor Swan, told us that it is required that in every house there should be two participants. And the benefit is there will be fifty points added advantage to the House Cup," pagpapaliwanag nito.

"So you did it for your house and not by your choice?"

"How about you? Did you joined in to raise our school or to raise your pride?" He caught her attention. Masama niyang tiningnan si Louise samantalang hindi ito nagpatinag. Ibinuka niya ang kanyang bibig para magsalita ngunit itinikom niya rin ito.

"You're not doing this for trouble, aren't you?" Oo. Pero hindi sa kung anong iniisip ng kanyang kaibigan.

"You need to stop this craziness, Nixie. Mayroon ka pang oras para umalis," pag-uudyok nito sa kanya pero umiling lang siya.

"Huwag mo akong utusan, Ambre," matapang niyang sabi rito. "I'm here for you. I don't trust these warlocks." Saka niya tiningnan ang lahat.

"But I didn't ask for it, Nixie!" Madiing bulong nito. With her creased forehead, she looked at him.

"Is there any problem, Shawk and Ambre?" Napansin na pala Miss Haily. Sabay silang napatingin sa propesor. Ganoon din ang ilang miyembro sa kanilang dalawa. Lawrence looked at her with disgust but Nixie just rolled her eyes on her.

"No, Miss," Louise answered immediately. Everyone on the room didn't say a thing. Pero nabasag ang katahimikan nang magsalita muli ang propesor.

"So may I ask if what do you think about the new training venue, Nixie Shawk?" Napataas siya ng kilay. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila kanina dahil sa kadaldalan nila ng kanyang katabi. She looked around and they're waiting for her answer.