Greatest Witch

Kabanata 14

Head

"I'm sorry about the sudden announcement everyone, I will make this quick. I will now step down in my position as the Head of this academy, my successor will continue my written legacy all these years. No more fancy halls and  exquisite ball. I request the attention of Miss Shereene Zenger, please come up in the stage." 

With Madam Z's announcement, everyone's attention is now on me. I look at them at the moment before I started walking towards the stage where Madam Z stands. 

"You look surprised, dear." She whispers as soon as I stand beside her. 

"Of course, Madam Z. I never thought that this is what you are planning all along..." I replied. 

"It will be all yours before anyone else, no one guarantee my safety all these centuries.." Sinabi niya iyon nang may ngiti sa labi habang ang mga mata ay nasa madla. 

"Madam Z..." Tanging lumabas sa aking bibig. Ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin? Nagtaka ako dahil doon at hindi na matanggal pa sa aking isipan. 

"From this day onward, the new head of Wizardy Academy is no other than Miss Shereene Zenger. I choose her as my successor because I see potential, courage and knowledge. Give her the amount of respect you have for me and obey every rules she established. She is the new face and era of this time, now, I will leave everything to her and you all will not experience the same tragedy you once faced with the Black Lord. That's how much I believe and trusted her." 

Parang hinaplos ang aking damdamin dahil sa mga salitang iyon... hindi ko inaasahang may ganoong pagtingin sa akin si Madam Z. 

"You may now give your own words, good luck, Shereene." She said and step down from the stage. 

Ngayon, ako na lamang ang nag-iisa sa entablado. Bakas ang gabing may liwanag ng buwan sa labas at napatingin ako doon. Ang kuwentong ginawa ng mga tao tungkol sa amin ay isang kasinungalingan. Walang katotohanan. There's no witch flying in the full moon just to covet children and make them as their meals. We celestial beings are more than that, we have the strength, power, advantages, and everything. 

We don't die unless it was bestow by fate and the heavens. 

"Said something, Zenger! Para ka namang na-pipi riyan!" One of the students from the crowd wearing its black uniform shouted. 

"Pasensya na at nawala ang atensyon ko sa inyo," I smile "It's just... the moon it's shining vividly with grace." I clear my throat to swallow the vile of nervousness and fear. 

Tonight, there's a lot of happenings in my life... the kiss... the clarity I have been dealing and looking for. It's a lot to take in. But, here I am facing the countless of students as their new Head/Mistress. 

"I never wanted anything in my life, I didn't know I will still exist since I saw my parent's death in the hand of the Black Lord because I did live but almost barely breathing. It was hard for me... all these years to be fit in society I certainly don't belong. Experience moments of wondered thoughts, seeking for vengeance, and questioning my worth of being as who I am..." I look at them, they are all paying attention on what I am saying. 

Because of that, I feel heard. 

"And as the new head, I wish nothing but fruitful years of ruling and equality. From this day forward, we all wear the same uniforms. There's no special rooms and treatment. We will unite as one, we will heal as one, and we will fight all the odds of evilness in this land as whole. I want your support and loyalty, not just for me but for yourselves because at the end of the day... we all have our self." 

The crowd clamor for cheering, relieve, happiness, surprise and able to breathe. I don't decide to rule not until I witness what it makes someone to be great while helping others. I want to be the leader they can relay, speak freely and not the dread one. 

"I will inform you with the new codes and rules, for now, I thank you all for accepting me as the new Head." I bow and all of the people inside the hall claps for me. 

The next day, hindi madali sa akin ang iwasan ang lahat nang kanilang pagbati. Sa daan, cafeteria, sa hall, sa classroom at kahit nasa labas ng akademya ay naroroon sila para batiin ako. Wala akong kundi ang ngumiti at batiin sila pabalik nang may saya sa aking kalooban. 

"Siguro inaakala mo ngayong mala-diyos ang turing nila sa'yo, Zenger."

Napatigil ako bago ko siya nilingon. Mayroon siyang hawak na papel at diretsong nakatingin sa akin. 

"Wala akong intensyon na maging ganoon, Grayeh." 

She rolls her eyes, "We are not close enough to call each other's first names." 

"I have every right to call you that, I guess." 

"See? You are already using your position. That makes you feel like a God." She said. 

"No, it's not connected to my position to call you by your name, Grayeh. I am calling you like that because you are in the campus, you are my classmate and one of Supreme students." 

She play with her tongue which I find distractive and disgusting. 

"Kahit ano pang rason ang gusto mong sabihin sa'kin ay hindi pa rin magbabago ang tingin ko sa'yo. You are still that innocent, weak and attention seeker kind of girl." 

I calm myself because I might smack her in the face. I close my eyes and breath three times. 

"I will just take it as a compliment, I'm sorry but I'm running late for the next class. See you around, Grayeh." 

I excuse myself and walk towards the garden. Napa-upo ako sa gazebo habang ang mga mata ay nasa kalangitan. 

"Do you still think that the tale of the skies exists?" 

"Enso!" 

"Sorry." He chuckles. 

Umiling ako, "No, no, I'm just occupied." 

"Make some room for me, will you?" 

Napatingin ako sa kaniya, "Huh?" Confused kong sagot. 

"It's a joke! Haha! Some dad's joke, will, I guess it's just a terrible joke." 

"Oh, no, I just don't get it. I'm kinda slow with y-you know jokes."

"You are the serious type then." He quickly replied. 

I scoff then smiles, "You got me there." 

"Glad you got that one. Yay!" He said while putting his hands in the air like a silly kid. 

"What brings you here, by the way?" 

He lick his lips before talking, "Remember the place that I wanted to show you before?" 

Place before? Ah! In the healing room, I remember. 

"Oh, that one, but we have classes--"

"Heeeh, you are the head now. No more classes for you." He replied. 

"Pero---"

"Hindi ka malalagot kay Madam Z, siya pa rin ang naka-duty ngayon kaya huwag kang mag-alala. Nagpaalam ako sa kaniya. She will leave her post next week."

"What? She's leaving? Saan siya pupunta?" 

"Hindi ka niya sinabihan tungkol doon?" Tanong niya. 

Umiling ako bilang pagsagot, hindi ko alam na may balak na umalis ang aking tiyahin. Mamaya ay kakausapin ko siya, kapag tapos nang ipakita sa akin ni Enso ang tinutukoy niyang lugar. 

"Hmm, I guess kailangan ninyong mag-usap mamaya."

"Definitely. So where's the place?" 

Itinuro niya ang puno nang malaking kahoy nang akasya natawa naman ako dahil doon. 

"It's just a tree, Enso. Why take me there?" 

"Have you seen what's inside of it?" 

I stop laughing like an idiot when I heard him talk, "There's something inside of it? What kind?" 

He looked at me and grins, "You'll find out. Come on."