Magnus Academy: The Cursed Blood Continuance

Chapter Seventy-Five

Loneliness That Has Never Been So Warm

The newly-rose sun blared along the horizon of Arizole's clear skies, birds singing their morning songs that clamoured as sweetly as the passing breeze outside the window. Light shone across the tinted glass, the warmth of it creeping against the edges of the bed that as the sun continued to rise, the streaks of sunlight continued to expand which eventually touched the skin uncovered by the girl's blanket.

Tears stained her face, her eyes twitching as though being under a discomfort she could not escape from. Her hands were clenched on each side of the bed, seemingly fighting something only she could see and with a sudden turn, she gradually opened her sight that first scanned the familiar wooden ceiling of her room. The panic she was feeling began to disperse as soon as she caught the scent of fresh air coming from the little opening on the side of her window--contradicting to the smell of blood she dreamed as though she had been bathing within it.

She clutched her chest, her eyes moistening in red as she let out a few calming breaths, wiping her tears in the process. She let her heart's erratic pounding return to normal first before getting off the bed. The wooden tiles below felt cold, and she had that sudden sense of déjà vu due to the smell of oak around. She slid the window open, fully hearing the chatters of people on the other side of her room blending with the songs coming from the birds.

Perhaps it was the scenery, or perhaps it was the familiarity of the imageries around her--but she had never felt as calm as she did now while looking at what felt as though within the scope of her memories. She strode onto the other side of the room, carefully tracing the lines on the face that was being reflected through the mirror. She was young, way younger--a face still unhindered by the burden of this decaying world.

I knew better though. I was young, yes, but I wasn't that innocent--at least never in a way people believed how I knew nothing. For beneath that innocence hid all the hatred I had for life, or perhaps it was myself who I hated the most. It's ironic though, watching myself from a different view, feeling all her sensations when I couldn't exactly be a part of whatever trance this was.

The girl eventually found herself hovering down the last step of the wooden staircase, hearing the familiar chatter of voices on the other area next to the living room. She said nothing, leaning her back behind the wall just next to the kitchen's doorway, listening to the calmness lingering in the air. She spread her hands, feeling the odd sensation of emotions that weren't quite hers. She could feel another beat going faster than the rest and like a domino, the rest followed suit—her heart racing so fast it almost felt as though she was choking.

"Gisingin mo na si Ke'ala, siya na ngayon ang magluluto ng agahan." A young man said, wiping off his sweat after putting a sack of dried woods underneath the kitchen counter.

Another girl looked over his direction, snorting before straightening from the table she was leaning from. "Buong umaga ka na naman ba sa lugar na 'yun?"

"Akala ko ba napag-usapan na natin 'to?"

She shrugged. "Right, bawal pag-usapan ang bagay na 'yan sa pamamahay na ito."

"Seryoso ako, Ka'ela."

"Hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit ganoon ka ka desperado. Alam naman nating walang magbabago sa paraan mo." She walked right in front of him, looking serious and grim. "One of them was already sighted in the Western District. Kung magpapatuloy pa 'to, hindi na ako magugulat kung may mamatay sa mga tauhan mo doon."

"I trust my judgment. They knew what they were getting into when they supported my back."

"I doubt about that." She raised her brow. "Pero kung sakaling matumba nga ang faction mo, sana lang huwag mo akong sisihin if I ever use that as an opportunity."