OTTILIE VIRSES POV
Monday na!
Maaga talaga akong gumising para maaga akong makarating sa school. After getting dressed, I slung my backpack over my shoulders and checked if my DSLR camera was safely inside. Mahirap na gamit ko pa naman to pang kalap ng evidence.
Once everything was ready, I rushed downstairs.
When I reached the living room, nagulat ako ng makitang prenteng-prente na nakaupo si Plutus sa couch, habang umiinom ng kape.
Saglit kong tinapunan ito ng tingin bago kinuba ang payong ko sa ilalim ng center table.
"Papasok na ko, ikaw na muna bahala sa bahay," tawag ko dito.
I saw Plutus raise his eyebrow. "You're not going to eat first?" he asked.
"Hindi ako marunong magluto," nagmamadaling sagot ko sabay tingin sa orasan. "Sa cafeteria na lang ako kakain."
His brows furrowed, and before I could protest, Plutus stood up.
"Wait here," he ordered, heading into the kitchen.
Ano na naman kaya trip sa buhay ng asungot na 'yon?
Muli na naman akong napatingin sa orasan... Naku naman, pag ako talaga na-late, yari siya sakin.
A few minutes later, Plutus returned holding a sandwich wrapped in tissue.
He shoved it into my hands.
"Eat that on the way," he said like it wasn't open for discussion.
Napakurap-kurap ako, ano nakain nito at bumait ata? Pero wala na akong oras para tanungin siya, male-late na talaga ako.
I was about to open the door when Plutus called out again.
"Ano na naman?" I snapped, glaring at him. "If I'm late to my first class, I'll bite your ear off."
Plutus crossed his arms and looked at me smugly.
"At least comb that rat's nest you call hair," he said. "You look like an evil witch."
I hissed at him, "Leave my hair alone, you neat freak!"
Aga-aga nangba-badtrip na naman ang asungot na 'to.
Kakasabi ko lang na bumaiy na siya, prank lang pala 'yon!
Sa sobrang inis ko, pabagsak kong isinara ang pintuan saka nagmamadaling umalis.
Pag talagang hindi ko naabutan ang bus ngayon, kakagatin ko na talaga tenga niya.
Mabuti na lang tamang-tama lang ang dating ko sa school.
Tahimik kong binaybay ang hallway na puno ng mga estudyante na busy sa kan'ya-kan'ya nilang mga group of friends.
Everyone looked so comfortable with each other, like they had already found where they belonged.
Meanwhile, I felt awkward just existing.
Their uniforms looked sharp and elegant. Black blazers, white shirts, striped ties, neat skirts, stockings, polished shoes.
Everyone looked so... elegant wearing it.
I adjusted my blazer awkwardly and kept my head down.
Nang marating ko ang classroom ko, nag-alangan ako kung papasok ba o hindi. Ito ayaw ko pag first day of class, nakakadrain ng energy.
When I stepped inside, the room was already noisy with students chatting in groups.
My stomach twisted nervously.
May nakita akong bakanteng upuan sa likuran malapit sa bintana kaya doon na ako dumiretso. It was the least crowded spot, tucked away from the noise and chatter.
I could keep my distance and just observe for now, without anyone noticing how awkward I felt.
From my seat, I could see the sports field outside where varsity students were already training. Watching them strangely helped calm me down.
Ayoko sa lahat iyong napupunta sa'kin ang lahat ng atensyon. Mas gugustuhin ko pang mag-isa, hindi pa ako mapapagod magsalita.
Ang kaso, napunta naman kay Plutus ang lahat ng ayaw ko. Ayokong-ayoko na nagsasalita pero napipilitan akong makipagsagutan sa asungot na 'yon dahil sa kaartehan niya. Panay reklamo, napaka-arte, mayabang, at neat-freak. Kulang na lang mag-apply siya bilang nanay ko dahil sa pagiging bungangero nito. Hindi ata lumilipas ang araw na hindi 'yon nagsasalita.
My thoughts stopped when the classroom door slowly opened.
A tall woman entered the room, dark hair tied into a neat bun and black robes flowing behind her. She carried several thick books before setting them down at the front.
“Good morning, class,” she said firmly. “I am Sabrina Willow, your adviser and teacher for Advanced Spellcasting.”
Nagsimulang magbulong-bulungan ang mga classmates ko. May iba na kinakabahan, may iba naman na halatang excited.
Samantalang, wala akong kaalam-alam sa mga sinasabi ng teacher. It was my first time studying witchcraft.
Mrs. Willow cleared her throat, silencing everyone.
“In this class,” she continued, “you will study advanced spells, incantations, enchantments, and practical magic. Some of what you’ll learn can be dangerous if mishandled, so I expect discipline and focus.”
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words. This was more than just learning spells, it was about control, precision, and, above all, responsibility.
I already learned that lesson the hard way.
One failed spell had somehow left me stuck with a demon prince living in my house.
Hindi na talaga ako uulit.
Mrs. Willow continued calmly.
“This course will challenge you. We will study elemental magic, summoning, defensive wards, and illusion crafting. By the end of the term, each student must perform a complex spell as their final test.”
The classroom suddenly felt heavier.
May iba na excited, at may iba na kinakabahan.
Kabilang ako sa pangalawa.
Napakaswerte ni Kuya, dahil bata pa lang ito, alam na niyang gamitin ang gift niya. Dito din nag-aaral ang kuya ko at graduating na ito next year. Hindi na ako magtataka kung isang araw magtagpo ang landas naming dalawa. Sa pagkaka-alam ko, isa sa mga top students ang kuya ko at marami na itong nai-ambag sa school.
Meanwhile, I was here trying not to accidentally summon another demon.
“Let me be clear,” Mrs. Willow said sharply. “Carelessness will have consequences. But if you work hard, you’ll leave this class capable of magic beyond what you imagined.”
I could feel my heart thudding in my chest, a mix of fear and anticipation swirling inside me. Was I ready for this? Could I handle this kind of magic?
Mrs. Willow checked her watch.
“Now, open your books to page twelve. We’ll begin with the basics of energy manipulation. Practical exercises start next week.”
The sound of pages turning filled the room.
I looked down at my book and took a slow breath.
No more mistakes.
Advanced spellcasting had officially begun.
To be continued...
BINABASA MO ANG
Depression Plutus (Curse #4)
ActionOttilie Virses Lang, a half-witch, half-human, inherited a haunted house from her late father. Hoping to summon his spirit, she performed a ritual from an old book she found in the house. But things went wrong when she messed up the spell, accidenta...
