CRUX ‡ The Secret Light

Chapter 2‡ The Academy

Every step I took on the pavement, my heartbeat is getting louder and louder. So loud that it's throbbing my ears.

Kasama ko si lolo na dumating ng Nimbus Academy at ngayon ay patungo na kami sa office ng Headmaster. Dahil nga sa ang kasama ko ay ang chief ng circle ay madaming nakatingin samin, particularly to me.

I am aware that the image the students have on me is terrible. I think I heard a rumor that I froze a caster when I was at the local garden once. They seem to have this image of me as a genius, cold, uncaring and unkind person. My grandfather does give off that impression. Maybe that's why my presumed personality was like that.

Mabilis nagsisiiwas ng tingin ang mga students na nahahagip ng tingin ko. This is my first time being around so many casters my age, or at least around my generation. Sorry, grandpa and the council of the circle.

My grandfather knocked thrice on the huge wooden door. It automatically or should I say magically opened by itself. Naglakad papasok si lolo at nakasunod lang ako sa kanya.

"Chief Pallav Kentra," Sinalubong kami ng isang lalaki na may mahabang itim na buhok na nakatali at nakangiting nakipagkamay siya kay lolo. He was a bit shorter than my grandfather, and he wears a long black robe.

"Headmaster Glenn, call me as you usually do." Grandfather said as he smiles in return to the man who is the headmaster.

"Ako din, Meister. Let's seat" Sabi ng Headmaster at niyaya kaming maupo sa sofa. I sat beside grandpa and he sat across as and he smiled at me as he saw me look at him.

"Siya na po pala ang apo niyo, Meister." Bahagya akong tiningnan ni lolo at nakangiting tumango sa headmaster.

"Siya nga. Let me introduce, Margaux Eurydice Kentra." I momentarily bowed my head.

"Siya na nga ang kukumpleto sa team. Without a doubt, tayo ang mananalo sa grand tournament ngayong taon." He said and grinned to my grandfather. He must be close to my grandfather, that's surprising.

"Eury, he used to be my apprentice. Ngayon siya ang headmaster ng Nimbus Academy, Jin Glenn." Nakita ko kung paano napahawak sa ulo niya ang headmaster na parang nahiya sa pagpuri ni lolo. It is rare to hear his praises, after all.

"Meister, kung ano ako ngayon ay dahil sa pagtuturo niyo." He said and humbly bowed his head to grandpa.

"Raise your head, Jin. My granddaughter is going to be a student of the Academy now. It's not a good sight to see her headmaster bow just to anyone." Mahabang litanya ni lolo sa headmaster. As I'm watching, I can't help but picture a child getting lectured.

"Not just to anyone, Meister." Grandpa only nodded to what he said. Binaling naman ng headmaster ang tingin sakin and I calmed myself.

"I believe na napaliwanag na ni Meister ang ilan sa mga impormasyon patungkol sa academy sayo, tama?," I nodded.

"Kung ganun, wala ka ng dapat pang isipin. School already started last week, pero makakahabol ka pa naman. Specially that you're in the special class." He said and the 'special class' stuff caught my curiosity.

"The special class is just a name, it's basically the student council circle's class." He explained even when I didn't ask about it. Halata siguro sa mukha ko na curious ako.

"Apparently, I have to leave now." Tumayo si grandpa at ganun din ako.

"Ah, I forgot to tell Meister. Kailangan po ni Margaux tumuloy sa sariling dorm ng academy. It's for safety and camaraderie." Napatingin agad ako kay lolo, I didn't bring anything with me.

"I already thought ahead, your clothes are outside the door, pinadala ko kanina." Grandpa calmly patted my shoulder.

"Pasensya na Meister." Natawa na lang ang headmaster. Lolo only sighed. Nakita ko kung paano napangiwi si headmaster sa reakayon ni lolo.