✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[12] Vela

Sa pogi ni Merlin, hindi na ako nagtataka na pati ang kamalasan ay may crush na sa kanya.

From behind him, I watched another professor eye him with accusation. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya ako nakikita. With all the magic and murder that happened, wala na akong balak gatungan ang gulo ng gabing ito.

I can imagine Merlin thinking the same, so I wasn't surprised when he responded calmly, "Nothing that should be of concern... I was wandering the hallways out of boredom, Sir Hamilton."

Napangiti ako. The day Merlin wanders around a place "out of boredom" is the day I stop craving for sex. Sa sandaling panahon ng pagkakakilala ko sa kanya, malakas ang kutob kong siya ang tipo ng mortal na palaging may hidden agenda at palaging may ginagawa.

He's not the kind to leisurely spend his time doing nothing.

'Quite admirable and sexy.'

Pero dahil mukhang may galit sa kanya ang mundo ngayon, hindi nakaligtas sa matatalas na mga mata ng striktong wizard ang leeg ni Merlin. To my surprise, the man who looked like he was in his mid-forties, walking around with an old fashioned cane, laughed. The sound filled the hallway with merriment.

"Messing around, eh? Sa susunod na pupuslit kayo ni Ms. Geniana, make sure to leave no trace behind, son."

Napanganga ako sa sinabi nito.

'WOW, AH? AKO ANG MAY GAWA NIYAN! ARGH!'

I bit my lip down until the metallic taste of blood poured out. I am beyond insulted! Hoy, hindi ko nilagyan ng hickey si Merlin para lang ma-credit sa mangkukulam na 'yon! Justice! I demand justice.

Base sa kanyang reaksyon, maging si Merlin ay halatang hindi inaasahan ang assumption ni Sir Hamilton. But instead of denying his claims, natameme na lang ako nang nakitawa rin ang wizard in training na ito.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

I scowled at these nutheads. May nakakatawa ba?

"Hahaha! You got me... Pasensya ka na, sir. I promise it won't happen again," Merlin smoothly answered, touching the spot on his neck.

But Sir Hamilton just tapped his shoulder and smiled.

"Hindi pa kayo nakaka-graduate, pero mukhang nagiging mapusok na ang nobya mo," he teased. "If I were you, I'd tie the knots after your completion rites. Same as what I did with my beloved wife decades ago. Bihira lang mahanap ng isang babaeng mamahalin ka nang totoo... Especially with how patient Ms. Geniana was waiting for you to reciprocate her feelings since you were freshmen."

Merlin just smiled, no matter how awkward this damn situation is.

Pero hindi ko maipagkakailang I've been taking mental notes. So, one-sided lang ang affection ng witch na 'yon? Mula noong freshies pa sila? Hmm...

"Bumalik ka na muna sa dining hall. Makakahabol ka pa sa announcement ng headmaster."

Nang makaalis na si Sir Hamilton, Merlin heaved a sigh and started walking down the hallway back to the dining hall. As if nothing happened, he was back to his nonchalant and masked self.

"We should head back before he discovers Professor Greco's dead body."

I silently followed him and smiled, noticing how he didn't even make an effort to hide the hickey anymore.

*

The atmosphere inside the dining hall felt different. It couldn't have been an hour since we left earlier, but it suddenly felt suffocating to be here. Sumulyap ako kay Merlin na tahimik lang na naupo sa dulong upuan, malayo sa iba pang mga estudyanteng kumakain ng dessert at nagkukwentuhan.

I don't know if it was just my instincts or I'm just being paranoid, but I felt the need to be guarded.

'Staying so long outside of Tarturus is making you vulnerable, Vela. Ano ba 'tong kontratang napasok mo?'

Speaking of the contract...

"Dahil patay na ang taong kailangan kong kuhanan ng impormasyon, does this mean you'll release me from these chains?"

Well, masama bang magbaka-sakali?

Pero para bang hindi ako narinig ng wizard in training na 'to. Nakatitig lang siya sa gelatin na hugis gnome, hindi ginagalaw ang pagkain sa harapan niya. In fact, he didn't even touched the goblet that magically refilled him with wine! He was deep in thought, and I admit that I almost felt sorry for him.

Maya-maya pa, ibang bagay naman ang tumawag sa kanyang atensyon.

The headmaster of Nightspell stood up, his voice magically amplified for all the students to hear his announcement.

Natahimik ulit ang dining hall.

"Katulad ng ating tradisyon, ngayong gabi ay pipiliin natin ang magiging recipient ng taunang Whimsical's International Wizardry and Witchcraft Scholarship para sa mga estudyanteng magsisispagtapos sa susunod na buwan..."

Everyone held their breaths as if their lives depended on this. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity, even Johannes waited for the news.

"As you all know, grades and professors' recommendation were taken into consideration this year. Undercover, I observed the nominees for an entire month and assessed their abilities. Matapos ang masinsinang pag-aaral, buong pagmamalaki kong inaanunsiyo ang pangalan ng ating bagong Iskolar ng Mahika..."

It might just be my imagination, but the headmaster turned to my wizard's direction.

Oh, well---

"Congratulations, Merlin Sylvestre Ambrosius!"

Well, this definitely called his attention. Halos mabingi ako sa ingay ng kanilang palakpakan at mga trumpetang bigla na lang sumulpot sa gilid namin. Meanwhile, Mr. Iskolar ng Mahika looked taken aback, finally breaking out of his reverie. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong magtaka o matawa.

With the talent he has, why is this even a surprise? He's even strong enough to summon a pretty succubus, jeez!

"You are the pride of Nightspell, Merlin. Make us proud..."

Nabigla na lang kami nang lumapit ang headmaster sa kinaroroonan namin. He offered Merlin a handshake. I rolled my eyes when I literally had to nudge my wizard's side since it looked like his wizard braincells were still processing everything and nothing all the once. Poor baby. Nakatulala lang kasi! Tsk.

"S-Salamat, Master Zephir."

Inaasahan ko na.

Hindi na ako nagulat sa naging achievement ni Merlin, and deep down I know he's aware of the dormant power he has in his blood. The pitch black Elvian wand is already a good indication of his magic. I'll be honest, his power and thirst for revenge intrigued me enough to make a deal with him...well, also his handsome face, but that's besides the point.

Pero ang hindi ko inaasahan?

Matapos nilang makipagkamay, aksidenteng natabig ng headmaster ang kopita ng alak sa mesa.

The wine spilled on me, and to my surprise, the alcohol was bewitched ---strong and fermented enough to counter the Invisibility paint.

Natigil ang palakpakan.

Nahinto ang mga trumpeta.

Merlin's eyes panicked upon realization...

Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi na kailangan ng amplification spell ng headmaster para marinig ang boses niya sa buong dining hall, as if every student don't already have an idea what I kind of creature I was.

"ISANG DEMONYO!"

'Succubus,' I wanted to correct him. Pero ano pang saysay nito? We're already caught.

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