Arcane

Chapter 4: New Friend

My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath after the fight. Sweat dripped down my face and my muscles ached with exhaustion. I took deep, ragged breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.

"Nice moves out there," I feel like I remember him but I don't. "I'm Galen."

I was actually surprised by his sudden turn to me, but managed to offer a polite smile. "Thanks. I'm Ember."

He was sitting in front of me but shifted his seat all the way just to face me.

Galen nodded. "You have a lot of potential, Ember. I could tell from the way you moved out there."

Huh? I literally messed up! The flames are everywhere! Mabuti na nga lang talaga at may invisible barrier ang malaking ring na 'yon. Proteksyon 'yon sa mga nanonood na kaklase para hindi sila madamay sa sparring.

"Really? I didn't think I did that well."

Galen gave me a small smile. "It's not about winning or losing. It's about learning and growing. And I can see that you have a hunger for knowledge and improvement."

I felt a sense of warmth at his words, and a growing sense of admiration for this serious, yet kind-hearted guy. He's right! 'Yon talaga ang rason kung bakit ako nandito. "Thank you, Galen. That means a lot."

I suddenly remember him. He's with Brooke! He belongs to that Pentarchy that rules this academy! Kasing sikat niya rin 'yata si Brooke.

Galen gave me a small nod. "Don't mention it, Ember. We're all here to help each other grow and reach our potential. May potensyal ka..."

I felt a sense of comfort in his presence, and a growing sense of excitement for what the future held at the Academy. Totoo kaya ang sinabi niya?

"Tignan mo si Ember, kinakausap si Galen! Ang kapal ng mukha!" dinig kong bulong ng isa kong kaklase. Hindi ko napigilan ang sariling mapalingon sa kanila kahit ayoko.

"Tiningnan pa tayo, oh! Nagyayabang na 'yan kasi nagawang makipag-usap ni Galen sa kanya!"

"Parang si Galen yata ang lumapit sa kan'ya, be," sagot ng kakwentuhan.

The two girls are sitting in the corner. Their heads close together as they whispered to each other. They both had long, flowing hair that cascaded down their backs in perfect curls. Their faces were made up with heavy makeup, and they wore jewelries that looked expensive and stylish. They glanced around nervously, as if afraid of being caught in the act of gossiping.

May mga pinagkwentuhan silang hindi ko na maintindihan kaya ibinalik ko na lang ang tingin ko sa mga nag-i-sparring.

"Ang mga estudyante rito, talaga bang masasama ang ugali?" rinig kong bulong ng katabi kong si Ashborne. Hindi ko alam ang first name niya.

Napatingin ako sa kanya at napansin kong napalingon din siya sa akin kaya naman nginitian niya ako. Muling lumabas ang sungki ng ngipin niya. Napatitig ako doon at napansin na 'yon yata ang nagdadala ng buong pagkatao niya.

"Are you talking to me?" I asked.

"Naririnig ko ang mga babae doon, nagbubulungan... Pinag-uusapan ka... Ako at ang iba pa rito."

"Hindi ko rin alam... Bago lang ako rito."

Ang kaninang ngiti ay napalitan ng kunot-noo niya. "Parang nakita na talaga kita, e."