Lumina Academy: Light and Shadow (Realm Series #1)

Chapter 14: Academy's Announcement

Chapter 14: Academy’s Announcement
 
Habang tumatakbo kami ay natirinig na namin ang mga sigawan ng kanilang mga nabihag. We hide again when we felt presence ngunit nagkatinginan na lamang kami ng pamilyar ang presenya na ‘yon—Alphas? While hiding from Alphas, Tati handed us something—a mask.
 
Tela ‘yon na itim at manipis—like a see through but enough to hide the half of our face—lalo na ako. Tinali ko ‘to—from my ear and I tied it in my nape. Gano’n din ang ginawa nila bago kami tumango sa isa’t isa. Lia is now invisible but she’s still sitting in my shoulder.
 
Hindi na namin ramdam kung na saan ang Alphas at wala kaming ideya kung saan sila nagtungo. May posibilidad na pareho kami ng pakay ngunit kung gano’n man, hindi na dapat kami mangialam sa kanila—we will just be going to help them when they needed.
 
“Change plans,” I told them using telepathy and they both nodded.
 
“They are here to free not just the students that were abducted but also the other residents of every kingdom that were abducted too,” Tati said before we heard shouts, cries, and pleads from distance.
 
“Tulong!”
 
“Tulungan niyo kami!”
 
“Parang awa niyo na! Pakawalan niyo kami!”
 
It breaks my heart hearing those pleads, lalo naman ng makarinig din ako ng iyak ng bata. Tila gusto kong maiyak sa awa ngunit kinontrol ko ang emosyon ko. Mayroon kaming pinasukang pinto—double door na gawa sa kahoy and this place is dark if it wasn’t just the torches.
 
Ngayon ay nakarinig na kami ng mga daing at ang kalansingan ng mga espada. Alphas are already here that’s why we hide again when we saw them fighting the rebellions and monsters. Habang pinanonood ko sila ay hindi ko mapigilang mapahanga. They don’t have just powerful guardians—they are not just powerful but also good at combat.
 
“They can handle this. We just have to wait for them outside and help them it’s needed,” I told them and if earlier we didn’t use teleportation dahil hindi naman namin alam ang lugar na ‘to—but now we already have an idea, we are free to use teleportation.
 
We teleported outside the dungeon and noticed that the rebellions still have no idea which is good. Na sa ilalim na parte rin kasi ang Alphas kaya walang nakaririnig sa kanila. Nagtago kami sa mga puno habang hinihintay ang susunod na mangyayari.
 
“Alphas have a backup,” Gen said while looking in one direction.
 
Sinundan naman namin ang kaniyang tingin at nakita ang kaniyang sinasabi. They are also wearing black and hiding in every trees’ body while waiting for the Alphas to come out. Not soon after, Alphas appeared just meters away from us at kasama na nila ang mga bihag.
 
Dahil sa paglabas nila ay naalerto ang mga kalaban at kaagad na sinugod ang mga ito. But their backup came out from their hideout and covered them while one of the princesses is opening a portal while her surroundings are busy fighting. Kaagad naman din niyang pina-pasok ang mga bihag sa portal bago ito nakisama sa pakikipag-laban.
 
We are just watching them but they know that they can’t stay longer here. They have to retreat too dahil kung hindi, mamamatay sila. “What do you think, Tati?” I asked while still watching them.
 
“Let’s go,” she said at nauna na siyang sumugod.
 
“Is she really the guardian of abilities? Parang hindi, eh,” natawa naman ako dahil sa sinabi ni Gen bago siya sumunod kay Tati bago ako napangiti dahil sa ginawa ni Gen.
 
I was about to follow them when I felt a very strong aura kaya napatingin ako sa diresyon no’n at napatitig na lamang dito. “It was the king of the rebellions,” I heard Lia said.
 
He is a handsome man yet there’s a black aura coming out from his body. He’s furious because of what the Alphas did at padami na ng padami ang mga kawal niya. Whatever the Alphas’ plan, only them who knows it. This is like suicide but yeah, all we have to do is to help them when it is needed—and they already need it.
 
Gen was helping Clara kill rebellions which made me smile while Tati is facing a lot of monsters but it’s just a piece of cake for the guardian of all abilities. They won’t know that she is the guardian of all abilities if she will only introduce herself or she won’t hide her aura.
 
“FUCKING KILL THEM!” The king of rebellions’ voice boomed before a lot of his armies attacked.
 
Kasabay naman no’n ay ang pag-summon naman ng mga guardians ng mga Alphas but I noticed that the prince of fire didn’t summon one of his guardians. Ang isa sa kanila ay inutusan ang mga kasama nilang pumasok na sa portal habang ang kanilang mga guardians na ang lumalaban.
 
“Pumunta lang yata ako dito para manuod, eh,” wika ko na ikinatawa naman ni Lia.
 
“You what, Lars? Don’t you think… magandang gamitin ang kapangyarihan ni Zephyr ngayon?” Tanong niya naikinangisi ko naman.
 
“Good idea, Lia,” I said bago tinignan ang kumpol na kalaban.
 
“Go back here…” I told Gen and Tati at kaagad naman nilang sinunod.
 
“What’s your plan?” I heard Tati ask.
 
“Just watch and learn,” it was Lia who answered her at natahimik naman sila at hinihintay ang gagawin ko.
 
Their guardians are protecting their summoners and behind them are the Alphas habang ang mga kasama nilang kawal ay mga nakapasok na sa portal at tila na lamang ang natira. Kaharap nila ang mga kalaban and because of what Lia’s idea, I borrowed Zep’s power kahit alam kong mahina pa rin ako.
 
Stubborn Lara…
 
I look at the dark sky bago may mabilis na sunod-sunod na kidlat ang bumulusok pababa kung na saan ang mga kalaban. It was a terrifying sound and a terrifying power too na kaagad namang ikinamatay ng mga kalaban. The king became more furious at ginamit naman ‘yon ng Alphas upang tumakas.
 
“Their plan was failed,” Tati said before I heard her sigh.
 
“It is good that we interfere?” Gen asked and all we have to do is to laugh bago namin napagpasyahang umalis na—leaving the king of rebellions being furious.
 
Serves him right.
 
***
 
Dalawang araw na din ang nakalilipas at napagpasyahang ganapin ang anibersaryo ng akademya sa kaarawan din ng isa sa mga prinsepe—not sure who’s that prince but yeah, the anniversary of academy will still celebrate. Nalaman nila Mimi, Nana, at nurse Mara na nagtungo kami sa Dark Valley at syempre, pinagalitan lang naman kami.
 
Ang bilis ng mga araw… minsan talaga, hindi mo na namamalayan ang mga pangyayari. Hindi ko naman ito plano—ni minsan ay hindi ko ito pinlano. Hindi pumasok sa isipan kong magtutungo kami sa lugar na ‘to but here I am… in weeks that staying here—my not so good first day up to this day… I know that it’s just the start of everything kaya kailangan kong ihanda ang sarili ko.
 
“Lars?” It was Gen who called me. Katatapos niya lang maligo habang ako naman ay naka-dapa sa kama at nakapikit.
 
Katatapos ko lang din maligo at after no’n ay ininom ko na ang gamot ko. Mayroon pa ring atake kaya ganito ang lagay ko ngayon. Magpapagaling na ako dahil na mi-miss ko na sila Zep at Fina.
 
“Hmm?”
 
Umupo naman siya sa higaan bago nagsalita. “We have to go in auditorium—it was announced earlier while you were in the bath,” she said kaya naman napamulat ang mga mata ko.
 
Lia and Tati are sleeping at wala kaming balak ni Gen na istorbohin sila. “Now?” Tanong ko bago siya nilingon na nasa kabilang bahagi ng higaan. She nodded kaya naman bumuntong-hininga ako bago umalis sa pagkakadapa. “Tungkol naman saan ang ia-anunsyo nila?” Takang tanong ko habang inaayos ko ang damit ko.
 
“Hmmm… maybe about the late celebration of the academy’s anniversary and about the upcoming ranking,” she answered kaya tumango na lang ako at lumabas ng silid.
 
I waited for her in the living room while thinking about what she said. Mimi didn’t tell me when the late celebration of the academy’s anniversary and about ranking? This is what the headmaster talking about but I have no idea kung paano ito ginaganap. All I know is that it will be going to test your strength.
 
Until Gen is done at sabay na kaming nagtungo sa kung na saan ang auditorium. I am wearing a striped pajama, oversized white shirt, and flip-flops. My hair is a bit messy and of course, I won’t forget about my eyeglasses. Habang naglalakad ay kumakain ako ng strawberry—my favorite!
 
“I should order more strawberries. Naubos mo na yung strawberries na bigay nila Tita Raine,” rinig kong wika ni Gen and I just shrug.
 
Hawak ko ang lagayan ng strawberry and not minding the stares of students. There are not yummy, unlike my strawberries. Nang makarating na kami sa auditorium ay halos lahat ng estudyante ay nandito na. They are all wearing uniforms at kami lang yata ni Gen ang naka-civilian.
 
Nakahanap naman kami ng pwesto sa taas na nasa pinakahuli. Nang papunta na kami sa uupuan namin ay nakasalubong namin ng daan ang Alphas. Pataas kami habang pababa naman sila. We stared at them but Gen suddenly pull me in left wing and good thing that there’s available seat here. But then, we felt them behind pero hindi na lamang namin sila pinansin.
 
“After this, we will buy your strawberries,” she said which made me frown.
 
“I thought you’ll just going to order?” Takang tanong ko bago sinubo ang isang piraso ng strawberry.
 
“I changed my mind,” inilingan ko na lamang siya hanggang sa dumating na ang lahat ng estudyante.
 
“Hello, students of Lumina Academy!” Napatingin kami sa harapan ng makarinig kami ng boses at naghiyawan naman lahat ng mga estudyante pero hindi kami nakisali ni Gen dahil busy akong kumakain habang si Gen naman ay walang balak.
 
It was headmaster Cadmus.
 
“As you can see, the anniversary of the academy was postponed because of what happened…” natahimik ang lahat dahil sa narinig. “But we won’t let it pass because that’s one of our special events here!” Naghiyawan na naman sila at tila alam na nila ang susunod nitong sasabihin. “We will celebrate our academy’s anniversary that will be held next week! Same-day with Prince Logan’s birthday!” He announced and the students are happy. “It will be held at Luminaria Palace and just wait for your invitations to be delivered,” I can see that the students are excited while I am feeling anxious all of sudden.
 
What’s happening?
 
“But, listen! Listen!” The students became quiet again and they turn their attention to the headmaster. “After that event, the ranking will be up next! And you all know that every ranking, every realm—the other academies are visiting our academy to watch such event!” Kung maingay na kanina ay mas naging maingay sila ngayon. “We will announce further about the ranking after we celebrate the prince’s birthday and our academy’s anniversary, so, be ready, students! Train harder! Show them what you’ve got!” That’s the last thing he said before he dismissed us.
 
“Let’s go, Lara!” Mabilis akong hinila ni Gen at sakto namang naubos ko na ang kinakain kong presa.
 
Tinapon ko ito sa basurahan bago kami nagtungo sa kung saan na si Gen lang ang nakaka-alam. “Saan tayo pupunta?” Tanong ko dito.
 
“Gusto ko sanang magtungo tayo sa central kaso nakakatamad. Tsaka, paniguradong hindi tayo papayagan kaya sa cafeteria na lang tayo bumili ng strawberries. Pwede namang mag-order pero tignan na muna natin sa cafeteria,” tumango na lamang ako at nagpahila sa kaniya.
 
We headed to cafeteria and she ask for strawberries but sadly, it is our of stock kaya naman bagsak ang balikat naming dalawa habang pauwi sa dorm namin. Mayroon pa naman kaming stock pero hindi naman na kasya sa akin ‘yon, lalo na at hindi matigil ang bibig ko kaka-kain ng strawberry.
 
Pagkadating namin sa dorm ay kaagad na bumungad sa amin si Merlia. “Lars, your Mimi was asking for your presence,” she said at nagkatinginan naman kami ni Gen.
 
Nagpaalam naman ako sa kanila bago muling lumabas. Pupuntahan ko si Mimi—she’s either in headmaster’s office or in her cabin. Lia didn’t told me where she is, she only told me that Mimi was asking for my presence. Una ko na lang puntahan ang headmaster’s office at kung wala siya do’n ay sa cabin niya.
 
May mga nakasasalubong akong mga eatudyante pero hindi ko sila pinapansin hanggang sa maubos sila. I was about to turn right when I felt a very strong aura behind me. It was familiar but I didn’t mind it. I just continued walking but I was stopped by a hand that gripped my arm.
 
I was about to move to remove this person’s hand when I heard his deep and manly voice. “Ford,” natigilan ako bago dahan-dahang tinignan ang lalaking ‘to.
 
Our eyes met and I don’t know why I felt nervous. His face is serious—voice of emotion but slightly frowning. “Y-Yes?” Dahan-dahan ko siyang tinaasan ng kilay bago tinignan ang kamay niya na nakahawak pa rin sa braso ko.
 
Binitawan naman niya ang braso ko and I slightly pout when I saw my slightly red arm. Ang selan talaga ng balat ko. Hmp! “S-Sorry…” napakurap-kurap naman ako dahil sa narinig ko mula sa kaniya.
 
I saw him looking at my arm and somehow, he looks guilty. “A-Ah, it’s okay…” I said at pasimpleng sinuway ang sarili—lalo na ang puso kong mabilis ang tibok na parang may nagtatakbuhang mga kabayo.
 
He sighs before his face is back from being cold again. “You shouldn’t have done that,” now, he looks mad and there’s a warning in his tone. Kinunotan ko naman siya ng nuo pero naalala ko naman ang nangyari no’ng nakaraan. I didn’t say anything and just looked into his blue eyes—totally drown and lost until he spoke again. “You’re not a hero,” now, he looks at me sharply before continuing. “If you wanted to get my attention—” dahil sa sinabi niya ay napataas ang kilay ko. Luh. “—you don’t have to do that—” I cut him off dahil parang feeling ko hindi ko magugustuhan ang susunod niyang sasabihin.
 
“Hoy, lalaki!” I put my hands in my waist while looking at him ridiculously. “If you are thinking that I did that just to get your attention then you are isang mahanging feelingerong froglet!” I said while I can see amusement in his eyes. “Why would I do that—”
 
“—because you like me,” mayabang niyang wika at tila sumakit naman ang ulo ko do’n. He’s now smirking at me—halatang inaasar ako at naaasar naman ako!
 
Pero sino nagsabing patatalo ako? Neknek niya!
 
I matched his smirk before I step my feet—walking towards him na ikinatigil niya. I only stopped when there’s no space between us anymore at hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ito ginagawa! Pero bahala na! Hindi ako patatalo sa kaniya, ‘no! Kung kaya niyang mang-asar, mas kaya ko rin!
 
I tiptoed and I noticed how his adam’s apple move up and down. “Or maybe…” I whispered while our lips is almost touching. Hoy, Lara! Ang landi, ha! I seductively smirk at him before continuing, “It is you who like me…” I whispered using my sweetest tone.
 
He hissed before my hand move to grab the bag of plastic containers of strawberries at inagaw ‘yon sa kaniya. Nang mapasakamay ko ‘to ay mabilis akong lumayo sa kaniya habang nakangiti ng tagumpay habang hindi naman siya makapaniwala sa nangyari na lihim kong ikinatawa.
 
“Thank you for this strawberries!” Saad ko bago iniwagayway sa harapan niya ang plastic ng strawberries bago mabilis na tumakbo patungo sa office ni headmaster.
 
Patawa-tawa ako habang tumatakbo—lalo na ng maalala ko ang itsura niya kanina pero nahiya naman ako dahil sa ginawa ko. Oh, my deities! Sa kababasa ko ng romance ay ito ang napapala ko! Hmp! But, whatever! At least naka-ganti ako sa pang-asar niya at may strawberries pa ako!
 
Alam ko namang sa akin ‘to, ‘no! Kaya nga niya ako nilapitan para ibigay sa akin pero ang dami pa niyang alam. Pwede namang i-abot na lang sa akin, eh! Ayan tuloy ang napapala niya! But after what I did, I won’t let our path cross again! Huhu! Nakakahiya!
 
Ngayon ko lang na-realize ang pinag-gagagawa ko!
 
Nang makarating na ako sa headmaster’s office at sakto namang lumabas si headmaster. I bowed my head a bit and he smiled at me charmingly. He mentioned that Mimi is inside kaya pumasok na ako sa office niya at nakita ko si Mimi na nakaupo sa sofa set habang nagkakape.
 
Nang makita niya ako ay ngumiti siya before mentioning me to sit beside her. Nilapag ko ang hawak ko sa center table bago siya narinig na nagsalita. “I have something to tell you, sweetie…” I waited for it and she holds my hand. “The palace already know that I am here and they also know that I have a daughter,” napatitig naman ako sa kanoya—lalo na ng ngumiti siya.
 
A nervous smile.
 
“Are you… okay?” I asked while looking intently at her.
 
She shook her head while still smiling at me. “I’m fine, sweetie. It’s just that… I am just nervous to see them again,” she answered honestly kaya napatango-tango ako.
 
I hug her and she hugged me back. “I’m just here, Mimi. I will support you…” pagpapagaan ko ng loob sa kaniya na ikinatawa naman niya ng mahina.
 
“I know, sweetie… I know,” we stayed like that before I sigh secretly.
 
Whatever happens, I will stay beside her. I am nervous too and I don’t know what to do if I an already facing them—Mimi’s family. This will be the first time that I will meet them and I don’t know if I am excited or what. Whatever it is, all I know is that Mimi was feeling reluctant right now.
 
***