Pridewood: Daphne's Revenge

05

[Daphne]

Malaki ang pasasalamat ko na nakaabot ako sa pinakahuling parte ng meet. It's not that I don't expect it already but the fact that I haven't used my magic and still manage to make it this far is beyond a blessing to me.

The magic users who were not able to pass the meet are no longer inside the hall, pinapunta na sila sa bleachers together with the audience. The six of us who passed are here, standing in the center, surrounded by cheering crowds.

Hindi ko alam kung saang faction ako mapapabilang at hindi naman kaso sa akin kung saan pero nakakaramdam pa din ako ng kaba.

Inaantay na lang namin si Miss Astra para malaman namin kung alin sa mga factions ang kukuha sa amin.

Katabi ko si Alex. We are positioned horizontally, kung pang-ilan kami kanina ay ganoon pa din ang number namin. Imbes na pangalawa ako ay nasa dulo na ko ngayon, I'm now number 6.

Hindi mapakali si Alex at kanina pa palingon lingon.

"Hey! Sino ba hinahanap mo at kanina ka pa palingon lingon?" I asked. Nakakairita na kasi, sobrang likot.

"Wala naman, I'm just nervous. I lost our duel earlier, do you think may pipili sa akin?" He looked worried.

"Dummy, wala namang sinabi na kapag natalo ay hindi na makukuha. Your power is strong, sadyang matalino lang talaga ako Alex..." Ginaya ko yung tono niya tuwing may kayabangan siyang sinasabi sa akin.

His eyebrows furrowed, "Whatever, Daphne."

Minutes have passed at nakarinig na kami ng hiyawan. Miss Astra walks towards the microphone, behind her were the presidents sitting, while looking at us. Nakaramdam ako ng kaba nang magtagpo ang mata namin ni President Rill.

His intimidating aura.

Ang lakas ng magic energy niya para akong mahihigop.

"Again, I would like to congratulate the remaining six who successfully passed all three rounds..." She paused for a while. "But it still doesn't mean that you passed this year's meet. Your fate will depend on whether one or even all the presidents here want you to be part of their faction."

"Candidates are free to choose which faction they will be joining if two or more presidents raised their hand. If there is only one president who offered you a position in their group, you can decide whether you'll accept it or not."

Mas lalong lumala yung nararamdaman kong kaba. I should not worry, right? I mean, I did good kanina. There's no way I won't be accepted.

"Pero kung walang pumili sainyo, leave the hall immediately." I froze. Wala na, kinabahan na ako ng sobra. Iniisip ko pa lang na walang pipili sa akin at aalis sa hall ay isang kahihiyan na. Kahihiyan sa sarili ko and the fact that I'm the sister of a previous court head, ewan ko na lang. Mababaliw siguro ako.

"Please step forward, number 01, Zora Haven."

People are cheering Zora as she stepped forward. I'm sure that she is confident that someone would raise their hand at her. Siya ang pinakamagaling na candidate ngayong taon.

Tumahimik ang paligid at lahat kami ay nag-aabang kung sino sa mga president ang magtataas ng kamay para kay Zora.

Nanlaki ang mata ko.

Sabay sabay at walang alinlangang nagtaas ang lahat ng president ng factions.

"Sabi ko na eh!"