"Zai!" Zai was surprised when she heard a man's voice. She looked at the large open door and her eyes slowly widen when she saw Yan in his uniform who is catching his breath as he look at her with a worried expression.
Binitawan niya ang matanda at tumayo ng maayos. She averted her eyes and silently laugh. Tinignan niya ang kamay niya at inilipat ang kaniyang paningin sa matandang nasa sahig at nakatulala sa kanya na tila ba nakaligtas ito sa isang malaking trahedya.
"Your visit to the door of death has been rescheduled. Aren't you glad.. Sir Arnock?" she said as if she's mocking the man's name. She turned her back and walked to the door where the general is waiting.
"Are you alrigh--"
"General, I wish to speak with you in private. This is a request from me as one of the captains of Excelium Academy. I hope that you'll grant my request." Yan was shock by how formal the girl talked to him. She didn't even glanced at him as she walk out the door. Although confused, he just followed the girl to where she is heading.
Nakatitig lamang si Yan sa likod ng dalaga. Ang suot nitong damit ay isang mahaba at puting bestida na nadungisan ng kulay pula mula sa kaniyang mga natanggap na sugat. Wala rin itong sapin sa paa habang naglalakad sa malamig na sahig.
Doon lamang napansin ng lalaki ang mga pagbabago nito mula noong pumasok ito sa academy. Medyo tumangkad ito at mas humaba pa ang itim na buhok. Nararamdaman niya rin ang isang kakaibang superyoridad na inilalabas nito. Mas naging tahimik at hindi na rin ito nagpapakita ng kahit na anong emosyon hindi tulad noong naninirahan pa ito sa kaniyang bahay. Batid niya ang abilidad ng babae, madalas niya itong marinig mula sa mga usap-usapan at sa mismong bibig ni Levine.
Ibinaba niya ang kaniyang tingin sa sahig. Tama ba ang desisyon na ipinasok niya ito sa paaralan? Naging tama ba ang mga desisyon niya para sa dalaga?
Napatingin siya muli sa kaniyang harapan noong binuksan ng dalaga ang isang pinto. She went in casually like she owned the place. He had no choice but to follow her inside. He noticed that it was a dressing room. Pumasok ang dalaga sa isang pinto at naghintay lamang siyang makalabas ito. Pagkaraan ng limang minuto, lumabas ito na iba na ang kasuotan. She was already wearing clothes that is usually worn by adventurers. On her shoulder, there is also a black cloak.
Lumapit sa kanya ang dalaga at tumigil noong dalawang metro ang kanilang layo sa isa't isa. He was uncomfortable with the girl's emotionless gaze. He don't know if the girl is happy or mad. Her stare is so plain and unreadable.
"I am grateful for the kindness that you showed me. I may not forget how I am truly indebted to you. However, I have to take my own path now, General Yan. It's been a nice short while but this is where we part ways." Yan's eyes are widen with shock as the girl walk pass him. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fist, and suddenly slammed his balled hand on the wall. Zai's eyes widen and she stopped because of the angry reaction that the general showed. She wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from a very kind hearted man.
"Don't kid with me!" she looked back and saw the general's back that is facing her. His body is shaking because of anger that she couldn't believe that she'll see in this lifetime.
"I bought you. I freed you. I took you in. I even gave you my surname! I am your father! Isn't that an enough reason for you to not walk away?!"
Zai's surprise expression calmed down and came back to the usual emotionless face. She turned her back once more. "I'll pay you back for the money that you spent on my freedom. I'll also give back the things that you have given me."
Yan turned around to face her, "That's not the point! I am your---"
"And you are not my father." Yan was suddenly frozen by her words. His hand fell on his side as he stare with wide blank eyes at the girl's back.
"My father is Alexander Hevrion. A demon who is now resting in hell." after saying those words, Zai continued to walk out the door. Yan just stared at the floor as he listen to the sound of the closing door.
Zai walked out of the council without turning her back. It was already night. Tatlong araw na ang lumipas mula noong dinala siya ng matanda sa konseho. Pagkarating ay ikinulong siya nito sa isang silid na matatagpuan sa ilalim ng pasilidad. Hindi nito tinupad ang bilin ni Levine na huwag saktan ang dalaga. She also expected it. She grinned as she cover her shoulder with the cloak.
"How was it?" napatigil sa paglalakad si Zai noong makarinig ng pamilyar na boses. From the dark, Trois came out with his usual smile on his face. Zai stared at his face, wondering why the boy is here but she eventually showed a small smile.
"It was great."
Trois chuckled and threw a bag at her. She caught it single handedly. Medyo mabigat ito ngunit madali rin namang dalhin. "Where are you going next? I'd like to come too."
Zai put the bag full of her clothes on her right shoulder and smiled. "Your name will also be on the wanted list." Zai smirked and started to walk to the forest.
Trois laughed and followed her. "Ain't that exciting?"
"Seize her! Don't let her get away! She's a criminal! Capture her at all cost!" Arnock shouted when he opened the large doors of the council. Anger is very visible on his face. Lahat ng kawal ay sumunod sa utos nito at hinabol na ang dalaga.
Trois looked back and let out a short laugh, "They're coming haha!" he excitedly announced.
Zai smirked, "Let's go."
"Yay! Catch us if you can!"
"Stop those two! Stop them!"
***
❕MUST READ
Information:
The Captains of the Academy are not just merely students. Their position is much higher than of the Student Council president.
They are the representatives of the school and they have rights to attend any political meetings that has any connection to the academy. This rule was established by Leonardo Ortron to say that the students who also fight for their country has the rights to be knowledgeable and be involve in politics.
The Captains are respected like knights. Among the students in the academy, only four of them can communicate with the higher ups like the generals, the heads of the council, and if they're fortunate they might also have the chance to meet the king. That is why many students from the academy crave for that position.
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Excelium II: Hunting Season
Fantasy[Book 2 of Excelium] There's no such thing as pure white in someone's soul. Such purity does not exist in a world full of living beings who seeks for almost everything, even a child desires plenty. Greed would grow from within even without you notic...
