✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[13] Merlin

"ISANG DEMONYO!"

'Succubus,' I wanted to correct Master Zephyr. I doubt he'll appreciate the correction, though. Not when the most powerful wizard in Eastwood at the moment is standing shellshocked at Vela's appearance.

Alam kong wala rin namang saysay ang pagtatama sa wizard lalo't nakatuon na ang atensyon ng lahat sa amin. The horrified look on their faces made me want to believe that I was cursed to carry the burden of being a misfortunate human.

"Let me explain, this isn't what you think it is..."

Lame and overused script, I know. Nagbabaka-sakali lang naman ako.

"Nakakadena ka sa isang demonyo! You bound yourself to that creature! Hindi ka dapat bigyan ng scholarship!" A witch professor shrieked from the other end of the dining hall. Kung tama ang pagkakaalala ko naging teacher ko siya sa Magical Herbology at Poisonous Fungus class last semester. Too bad, I actually liked that subject.

One smug classmate of mine got up and pointed an accusing finger at me. His blonde hair neatly slicked and swept back. Eyes glared at me.

"See?! Kaya dapat lang siyang i-disqualify, master! Sinong matinong wizard in training ang makikipagkasundo sa isang demonyo at dadalhin ito sa Nightspell? Hinahamak niya tayo!"

That earned him the sympathy of everyone. It's easy to look like the good guy when someone is seen as a villain. I sighed, unamused with his heroic declaration. "Congratulations, mukhang nagkaroon ka na ng pagkakataong isakdal ako. How does it feel to look a little less stupid for once?"

"W-What?"

"Let's not pretend you aren't secretly rejoicing at my disqualification. Alam nating dalawa na matagal mo nang hinihintay ang sandaling ito dahil hindi mo ako mataasan ng grado."

Namula siya sa galit. A few seats away from ours, I can hear Johannes faking a cough, trying so hard not to laugh at him.

"Shut up, you treacherous bastard! Akala mo lagi kung sino kang magaling! I bet you were secretly using that demon---"

"SUCCUBUS!" Vela yelled, finally showing her irritation.

"---whatever! Tsk. I bet you were using that scandalous creature to strengthen your magic! Mandaraya ka talaga!"

His name is Arthur, ang isa sa mga na-nominate rin para sa Whimsical's scholarship. Hindi ko na kailangang i-describe kung gaano kalaki ang galit ng isang 'to sa'kin, so much so that he even tried to sabotage me several times in the past. No harm done, just the usually magically dying my hair an ugly shade of green, switching my ingredients for fart spell potions, and  bewitching my robes to make it shrink. Elementary prank magic used by an immature wizard.

'Una sa lahat, I wasn't even expecting a life beyond my revenge at wala akong pakialam sa scholarship abroad.'

But I didn't bother to respond.

Sa huli, alam kong wala na akong takas. I scanned the hallway, trying to avoid Johannes panicked expression and Geniana's hurt one. In fact, I tried to avoid looking at everyone else's reaction. At this point, I'm just looking for an escape.

'Wala ito sa plano, pero wala na akong magagawa para itama ito.'

Because I don't owe them an explanation. I don't owe them an apology, either. Hindi ko sinakripisyo ang apat na taon ko sa Nightspell para lang mabuhay sa validation ng wizarding community. I entered this place with one goal in mind, and I'll leave this place achieving that.

In the end, no matter which path I choose, I'll always align my existence and my actions with hatred to this world.

"Merlin, hindi pa huli ang lahat. Allow us to break you from this demon's influence," Master Zephyr carefully told me. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala. Alam kong napansin na niya ang magical chain na nakakonekta sa amin ni Vela. It emitted a pale light, as if reminding us of our contract.

"Bakit mo 'to ginagawa?"

"Dahil naniniwala ako sa talento mo, Merlin."

He slowly approached us, his pitch black and legendary Valor wand in hand.

"Don't move. You'll be free of this she devil in a while, son."

"With all due respect, sir, hindi mo alam ang sinasabi mo."

"Merlin, you're being brainwashed! Hayaan mong solusyunan natin ito. We'll prove your innocence and you'll still receive your scholarship."

Sa tabi ko, ramdaman kong hindi kumportable si Vela sa sinabi nito. Kaya bago pa man makalapit si Master Zephyr sa succubus, I quickly casted a spell on her to shield her from the burst of magic that escaped the wizard's wand. Several gasps erupted from the crowd at the crackling noise from the clashing magic.

'Shit. Hindi magtatagal ang shield na 'to!'

I quickly scanned the place for an exit and noted how the trolls were already blocking the door. Which leaves me with no choice.

I turned to the succubus beside me.

"Whatever happens, don't feel sorry for the food, lambkin."

"Why should I? He's already talking to me."

I sighed. Seriously? "I. Am. Not. Food."

Bago pa man tuluyang masira ang shield na ginawa ko, mabilis kong hinila si Vela sa itaas ng dining table. She was too shocked to even complain when I started pulling me with her, running across the table and trampling over the dishes. Saucers and pasta started flying everywhere. Sa gulat ng mga tao, ni hindi na nga rumehistro sa kanilang nasipa ko pa ang chocolate maggots pudding sa mukha ng kalbong Potions master namin.

Natawa si Vela sa tabi ko. She hitched up her dress and kicked another plate with her stilettos, causing the sandwiches to hit someone in the face.

"Darling, you're a bad influence, you know that?"

I smiled. "The best kind."

This isn't exactly the plan, but at this point, we need to be resourceful.

"GET THEM!" Master Zephyr ordered.

Pero hindi na makahabol sa'min ang iba pang mga propesor at trolls. Gamit ang kadenang nakabigkis sa'min, panandalian kaming huminto sa pagtakbo para tisurin ang isang troll. It caused a domino effect and the others stumbled over one another, the additional weight breaking the table in half.

Nagpapanic na ang lahat. When we reached the end of the hall, I yelled, "JUMP!"

And just like that, hand-in-hand, Vela and I jumped out of the stained glass windows of the castle. Napalitan ng nakabibinging pagkabasag ng mga bintana ang gulat at sigawan sa dining hall.

It was chaos, and yet we escaped it unscathed.

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