TOSSING GIFT CLUE

Chapter 1 (BLACKMOOR HOLLOW ACADEMY)

Malapad ang ngiti ng magkaibigan habang pinagmasdan nila ang gate sa school.

"So guys, are you ready?" Kd asked his friends. Some of them responded with a yes, while others seemed hesitant.

"You all need to familiarize yourselves with the school first," Akisha exclaimed.

"Akisha, are you still not convinced that the incident at this school in the past was just an accident?" Dior retorted to Akisha, sounding irritated. Akisha had been warning them about the school's safety, sensing something amiss. Ramdam nya ito at hindi rin sya naniniwala na aksidente lang ang pagkamatay sa apat na studyante noon.

Among the group of six, si Akisha ang mahilig mangkubli ng mga bagay bagay. She had great trust in her instincts. She sensed that there was something peculiar about the school but chose to remain silent.  Mailap lang sya kung magsalita at sa bawat salita nya alam nya na ito ay tama.   

Nna embraced Akisha and gently rubbed her back. "Nothing bad will happen to us. Besides, we're visiting an elegant school. Just look at it, it's like a palace. Whatever happened in the past was an accident."

"We've researched this, right? Apart from the accident we found on Google, this school is known for its elegance. We each have our own room and everything we need."

"I want to stay here and be a princess, you know," Pasabi ni Dior at naglakad na papasok sa gate.

"Hey! Let's go, I'm getting excited," Kd urged.

As they all entered the gate together - Akisha Yzabelle Accardi, Kd Justine Gallardo, Dior Hainlley Armani, Cydrake Laurent Agosti, Nna Lucciana Gidarri, and Troi Mendez - their admiration for the school grew as they approached it closely. The school boasted a striking clock tower and a complex made of white stone and red bricks. The expansive windows left them in awe, unable to believe that a school like Blackmoor Hollow Academy could resemble a palace.

"Gosh," was all they could utter, captivated by the grandeur before them. Excitement bubbled within them as they anticipated exploring the interior of the school. Upon entering, they were greeted by a sight of breathtaking beauty that left them gasping in amazement. The sheer magnificence of the surroundings overwhelmed their senses, unsure of where to proceed to find the principal's office.

"Newbies?"

Their attention was drawn to an elderly man standing at the side of the staircase. The old man exuded sophistication and elegance in his black coat with tails, a hallmark of formal butler attire. Paired with black striped trousers, a white shirt with a wing collar peeking out from beneath the coat, and a silver and black tie, his attire unmistakably marked him as a butler. As he began to walk towards them, they couldn't help but be in awe and show him respect.

"Ah...yes, we are newbies. Um, sir, could you please show us the way to the principal's office? It seems like we might get lost in this vast school," Dior hesitantly addressed the elderly man.

"Follow me." His voice carried a hint of age but also exuded authority and command.

Nang marating na nila ang Principal's office ay isang katok palang bumukas na agad ang pinto. Isang magandang pasilyo ang nasa harapan nila ngayon. Simple but elegant, halata sa mga gamit na  mamahalin ang mga ito.

"Welcome newbies, how may I help you?"

Their attention immediately turned to the speaker, a man whom Dior guessed to be only 30 years old. Handsome and dressed impeccably, he exuded authority befitting a principal.

"Let's start by introducing yourselves, your titles, family businesses, and the reasons for choosing to be here," the man instructed, bowing slightly.

"Good morning, sir. I am Akisha Yzabelle, known as the princess of the Yzabelle family. My father is a businessman, and we own the Toscana Hotel in the Philippines, California, and Italy."

"I'm Kd Justine Zed, the sole heir of Alfonso Zed. We have our reasons for not disclosing our titles, even though you are aware of them."

Kd's father was renowned as a billionaire not only in the Philippines but also internationally. Regardless of the legality of his ventures, money was the driving force behind his actions.

"Dior Hainlley, no fancy titles here, but my father owns a restaurant that sustains us."

"Cydrake Laurent, hailing from Greece, I am an independent individual with my own business. I chose to be here in the Philippines, and that's all you need to know."

"Nna Lucciana Gidarri, a mix of Filipino and British heritage, representing our family company."

"Aquilex Troi Mendez, a proud Filipino, following in my father's footsteps as a businessman."

After their introductions, the man bowed once more and handed each of them a piece of paper. Written on the paper were the names of their teachers and the room assignments, leaving them puzzled as to why only four teachers were present in the school. The room names were also indicated on the paper.

"Excuse me, sir? May I ask a question?" Nna inquired.

"Of course, Miss Nna."

"Why are there only 12 teachers here? Aren't there many of us in this school? Why is that?"

The man smiled before turning to address their concerns. As the atmosphere in the room grew darker and heavier, a sense of foreboding settled over them. It took a few tense moments before the man spoke again.

"All students here in Blackmoor Hollow Academy got a title and came from a rich family. Some of the students na pinaaral dito ay nakakabayad lang and..." Pahinto nitong sabi at tiningnan sila isa-isa. And that part give them creep. "Ang iba ay napaparaal dito kasi kailangan bigyan ng leksyon. You see..  is not just a school. Honestly speaking, we only have one main rule here."

"Ehh? Why just one rule? Wait, are you really teaching here? Or is this some kind of joke? Because if that's the case, I'm out of here." Dior exclaimed, already heading towards the exit.

"Trust. That's the only rule we had."

They looked at each other in surprise. Just that? Really? The simplicity of it brought smiles to their faces.

"That's easy, right guys?" Kd asked, and they all nodded in agreement.

The man smiled at them. "By the way, sorry for my bluntness. I'm Dr. Lorenz Zemuor Basaglia, the principal of this school. In addition, I'm the owner, a doctor, and the principal here. It's a pleasure to meet you all, and once again, welcome to Blackmoor Hollow Academy."

As the revelation of Dr. Lorenz's multiple roles sank in, a sense of intrigue and anticipation filled the room. The simplicity of the rule and the enigmatic nature of the principal left them with a mix of curiosity and excitement for what lay ahead at Blackmoor Hollow Academy.

"May I have your papers and requirements?" The principal requested, as they each handed over their documents, placing them on the table. The principal took a few moments to scan through their papers and observe them intently.

As the room brimmed with excitement, the principal proceeded to enlighten them about the school. "The main rule serves as your compass, guiding you to trust wisely in this extraordinary academy. Here, elegance isn't just a facade but a way of life. This academy is not your typical institution offering basic courses. As you can see, elegance permeates this establishment. Here is the list of courses you will be undertaking," he explained, distributing papers detailing the array of courses available.

"In our curriculum, we provide a comprehensive set of tools, materials, and resources for each course. Among the courses listed are Business Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Masters in Business Administration and Management, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Finance, International Business, and Accounting. Additionally, we offer courses in Law, Architecture and Construction Management, Engineering, Fashion and Interior Designing, Humanities, Law & Social Science."

The newbies listened attentively, their smiles reflecting their interest in the diverse course offerings.

"Furthermore, there are two special subjects all students must attend - Royal Etiquettes and Bravura. These subjects will instill strict behavioral guidelines, from attire to communication. Bravura, the most challenging subject, focuses on honing your skills, uncovering hidden talents, and fostering personal growth. Tomorrow, a teacher will guide you through exploring the school. Here are the keys to your rooms. Sir Alfredo will assist you in settling into your accommodations," the principal concluded, handing each of them a key with a unique keychain. The keychains bore different colors and letters, allowing them to select the key corresponding to the initial of their name.

"One more thing, wear your uniform from the closet in your room. You may now proceed."

As the newbies prepared to explore their new environment, a sense of mystery and intrigue lingered in the air, hinting at the adventures and challenges that awaited them within the walls of the prestigious academy.