Mystify Academy: Tale of the Phoenix Psychic

3: Hunting

3: Hunting

"From now on, ito na ang magiging room mo. May roommate ka na makakasama for the meantime," sabi ni Ms. Kannade habang nakangiti. Tumango ako, pilit iniintindi ang lahat ng nangyayari.

"Maybe the rules and guidelines of the Academy still feel a bit unfamiliar to you, but you'll get used to them. It's a good thing you arrived today because classes start tomorrow. For now, you need to rest and process everything. Don't worry—your roommate is reliable. You can ask her if there's anything you don't understand. So, should I leave you now?" she asked gently.

I nodded in response, and after explaining everything, she said her goodbyes. I stood in front of my temporary dorm room, hesitating for a moment before reaching for the doorknob. Just as I was about to open it, the door swung open on its own, revealing a girl with short hair and a blue headband.

"Hi! Ikaw ba ang bagong roommate ko?" tanong niya nang masigla, ang laki ng ngiti niya na parang mahahawa ako. Tumango lang ako nang mahina, hawak-hawak ang backpack ko sa dibdib. I don't remember Aunt Faye packing my things before we left since it was unexpected, but somehow, the Headmistress already had my bag. Has this all been planned?

"Oh, pasok ka na! Huwag kang mahiya!" Before I could react, she grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.

She even took the liberty of dragging my luggage in. I noticed that Aunt Faye had already prepared for my arrival. The room had my belongings neatly arranged, as if I had been expected. Aunt Faye had mentioned preparing everything before leaving, but the questions still lingered in my mind.

"Nakausap ko na si Headmistress," biglang sabi ng roommate ko habang tinutulak niya ang maleta ko sa gilid. "Sinabi niya na ikaw daw ang pansamantala kong roommate habang wala pa akong team. Pero don't worry, madali lang mag-adjust dito."

I looked around the room. It was simple but cozy—far better than I expected for something temporary. There were two large beds in the center, each with its own bedside table and lampshade. On one side of the room was a full-length mirror, and beside it, a large LED TV. The plain beige wallpaper gave the room a calm, neutral vibe.

"This is your bed," sabi niya, tinuturo ang kama malapit sa bintana. "Ako naman dito sa kabila. Ayoko kasi ng malapit sa bintana."

Nilapag ko ang backpack ko sa kama at umupo, ramdam pa rin ang bigat ng mga nangyari ngayong araw.

"Ano 'yang nasa mukha mo?" tanong ko, napansin ang white sheet mask na nakatakip sa mukha niya.

"Oh, this? Beauty routine ko lang 'to. Sorry, nagulat ba kita?" Tumawa siya habang tinatanggal ang mask. "Maghihilamos lang ako saglit." Dumiretso siya sa banyo, iniwan akong mag-isa sa kwarto.

I turned toward the window and looked outside. From here, I could see the Ghoul Guards patrolling the grounds, their imposing figures moving with precision. A wave of uncertainty washed over me. Aunt Faye had always been my guide, my anchor. Without her, I felt adrift.

"Maliligo ka ba?" Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see her, now with her hair tied up, her face clear and glowing.

"Ah, oo," sagot ko, sabay kuha ng damit mula sa maleta.

"By the way, I'm Sharamina, pero Shara na lang tawag mo sakin." Inabot niya ang kamay niya at halos abot tenga ang ngiti niya sa akin na para bang matagal na kaming magkakilala.

"Selene," sabi ko, sabay abot sa kamay niya.

"Ang ganda ng name mo, Selene," sincere niyang sabi ng banggitin niya ang pangalan ko.