Wonderland Magical Academy: Touch of Fire (Cloak PopFiction)

Prologue

XYRA

I had no idea where my parents would take me. I'm Xyra Buenafuerte, nineteen years old. I'm a third year college student taking up Business Administration. My father told me that I'll be transferring to a school suitable for me. I'm puzzled with what my father meant by a 'school suitable for me'. What was that for?

We're already on our way to my new school and I don't even know its name. Why would I transfer? Hindi ako isang pasaway at bully na estudyante. Madalas ngang ako ang binubully pero hindi ako lumalaban—maliban noong isang araw.

That day, while walking along the hallway, four girls bullied me. One of these girls intentionally put her foot forward to block my way. I tripped and fell on the floor. I didn't want to fight back. I endured the pain and ignored the humiliation I felt. Pinagtawanan ako ng apat na babae at ng mga nakakita. Tatayo sana ako pero sinabunutan ako ng isa pa. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nila ito ginagawa sa 'kin. I screamed in pain. I suddenly felt a strong force coming from my body that blew the girls away. Their backs hit the wall with such force that they lost consciousness as they slid down to the floor.

Maraming estudyante ang nakakita sa ginawa ko. Maging sila ay naapektuhan ng puwersa na biglang lumabas mula sa 'kin. Halos liparin sila palayo. I noticed the fear in their eyes. I heard them whisper that I'm a demon and then they ran away. Naguluhan ako sa mga nangyari. Where did that strong force come from?

Ipinatawag ang mga magulang ko sa guidance office at ipinaliwanag ng guidance counselor na hindi na ako maaaring pumasok sa university. Natatakot ang mga estudyante at maging ang ibang guro sa 'kin. I'm not normal. I was amazed by what the guidance counselor told us. I was the one bullied in the first place. It sounded absurd.

I realized that my father stopped the car in front of a huge, high gate. I noticed the high walls, fully covered with vines. Just by looking at the gate, I felt uncomfortable. There's a long road inside the dark woods but I couldn't see its end. I almost gasped when the gate automatically opened to give way to us. My father started to drive inside the dark woods. I hoped that the road would not lead us to a creepy haunted house.

Pagkalipas ng isang oras, tumigil na ang kotse. "We're here," my father said. Nauna siyang bumaba at sumunod kami ni Mom. As my eyes wandered around the place, a big, castle-like mansion caught my attention. Glittering and colorful lights playfully covered the whole academy. My jaw almost dropped at the sight.

I read the academy's name: Wonderland Magical Academy. There are colorful butterflies and beautiful birds flying and singing everywhere. I found the whole place magical, yet I still thought the name was weird. Iniisip ko kung anong tricks at effects ang ginamit para makagawa ng sobrang gandang lugar na kagaya nito.

A man approached and guided us to the headmaster's office. Masyadong tahimik sa hallway at wala akong nakikitang estudyante na naglalakad sa corridors. Linggo, kaya naisip kong baka nagsiuwian na sila. We stopped at the end of the hallway, in front of a big, wooden double door. The man opened the door and motioned us to enter. Napansin ko ang lalaki sa loob, na hula ko ay nasa mid-forties at ka-edad ni Dad, habang kampanteng nakaupo sa swivel chair at nakangiti sa 'min.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Buenafuerte," he greeted my father. "Please, be seated," he added. He pointed to the vacant seats in front of him. We took the seats, quietly.

"Yes. It's been a long time, Mr. Williams," my father greeted back. They shook each other's hands. Halatang masaya sila sa muling pagkikita.

"Siya ba ang anak mo? Akala ko ba wala kang balak dalhin siya rito?" tanong ni Mr. Williams habang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"I thought she's ordinary but I was wrong. Nalaman ko na may power ability siya dahil sa nangyari sa university nila noong isang araw. She needs guidance from now on and I entrust her to you and the academy," my Dad said. Nalito ako sa sinabi ni Dad. Hindi ko maintindihan ang tinutukoy niya.

Napatango si Mr. Williams at bumaling sa 'kin. "I'm Robin Williams, the owner of this academy. What's your name, little miss?" he asked.

Little miss? I have a slim body and medium height. Gusto kong itaas ang kilay ko dahil sa itinawag niya sa 'kin pero hindi ko magawa. I was not gifted with that talent.

"Xyra," I answered, curtly. Naguluhan ako sa sumunod niyang tanong. Itinanong niya kung ano ang power ability ko. Power ability? We're not even living inside an anime world or a comic book for him to ask that question. I shook my head, confused. "I have no idea. Katulad ba 'yan ng power sa W.I.T.C.H. o 'yung sa peryahan lang?" I joked.

Napabuntong-hininga si Mr. Williams. "So, she still hasn't discovered her power ability. I can see that she's confused. I hope her mind can handle everything that she will discover here. Don't worry, Mr. Buenafuerte. My son will take care of her. He can train your daughter," he said, talking to my father. I frowned because he ignored me.

Ilang minuto pang nag-usap sina Dad at Mr. Williams bago kami inihatid ng isang staff patungo sa girl's dormitory. Maingay sa girl's dormitory nang pumasok kami. Napatigil ang mga babae sa kanilang ginagawa nang mapansin ako. They stared blankly at me but then ignored me afterwards. May kumakain, nagbabasa ng libro, at nanonood ng movie. Ang iba naman ay nakikinig ng musika at nakakalat sa sala – walang pakialam sa nangyayari sa paligid nila.

We entered a room that could accommodate three people. I noticed the two girls carelessly lying on their beds, without looking at me as if I never existed. I shrugged my shoulders and helped my parents move my things.

"Take care of yourself," sabi ni Mom. Ngumiti ako at tumango. "You must, too," I said, sweetly.

Ginulo ni Dad ang buhok ko kaya napasimangot ako. "Be ready. This is not a normal school," he warned me. Pilit na ngiti ang ibinigay ko kay Dad. I kissed their cheeks before they left. Napapagod na ako kaya umupo ako sa kama.

"What's your name and what year are you in?" tanong ng isang babae. Nilingon ko ang babaeng nagtanong. Napansin ko ang magandang hugis ng mukha niya, ang magagandang pares ng mga mata at ang mahaba at kulot na buhok. I answered the question and asked her in return. I even asked her what course she's taking.

"Frances Tan, a third year student, too. They're not offering any courses here. Nagtuturo lang sila ng mga subjects na itinuturo sa college. But this academy is legally registered as a normal college," Frances answered as she shrugged her shoulder, disinterestedly. Naguluhan ako sa sinabi niya. Ano ang matututunan ko rito kung ganoon?

Nilingon ko ang babaeng nakasuot ng eyeglasses at naka-pony tail nang magpakilala siya. "I'm Wanda Cole, same year. What's your power ability?" she asked.

"Anong power ability?" nalilitong tanong ko. They gave me a puzzled look. They looked at me as if I'm the most ignorant person they have ever met.

"Hindi mo alam? How come you're here?" seryosong tanong ni Wanda.

"Hindi ko rin alam," nalilitong sagot ko. Wanda and Frances shrugged their shoulders and gave me a bored look.

"I have the power to foresee the future and predict the weather but I can't guess your power ability. I'm sorry," Frances said and shut her eyes to sleep.

"I can memorize a whole book just by reading it once. It's not that amazing," Wanda said as she reached for a book to read. Hindi ko alam kung paano magre-react. Do they really possess unnatural power abilities or are they just acting for a play? I couldn't tell. They looked so serious. I couldn't just assume that they're lying. Napapagod na humiga ako sa kama. "I really can't get everything here," I whispered.

"You'll understand soon. For sure, you'll get everything tomorrow," Wanda said with a mysterious smile on her face. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. I'm hoping that my first day of school here would not be a disaster. I closed my eyes. I silently prayed that everything would turn out well tomorrow – no bullies and badass characters.