A Battle To Win

Chapter 1

Tangahaling tapat, kasalukuyan kaming nagttraining para sa papalapit na kompetisyon ng bawat class.

"Giena," napatingin ako sa tumawag.

"Jess," nginitian ko ang kaibigan ko habang nagpupunas ng pawis. Naka uniform pa siya at halatang galing pa sa klase. Each class has different schedules.

Lumapit siya sa akin na may bahagyang pag-aalala sa mukha. My eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

"The councils are looking for you! What did you do?" Though she looks mad, her voice was filled with concern.

Mas lalo akong naguluhan. "Ha?" I have no idea.

She pulled my arm and dragged me with her. Tahimik nalang akong sumabay habang iniisip ang maaaring dahilan.

We soon faced two big double doors. Napadiin ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Jess sa kamay ko kaya napangiwi ako.

"Chill. You're gonna break my arm," I hissed. She glared at me.

"This is no time for jokes. I'm serious, Giena."

Ngumuso nalang ako. Not long after, the doors slowly opened. Bright lights welcomed us as we entered the council room.

I can feel everyone's stares. Only then did I realize how serious this situation is. Biglang kumalabog ang dibdib ko.

"Giena Leronzo, please come forward." One of the councilors said.

I gulped and obeyed quietly.

Pumunta ako sa gitna ng pabilog na silid.

Around me sits all the elders-the councilors. The six main pillars of the school. They have the highest authority in the Eastern lands. One wrong move can either lead you to be exiled- or killed.

"We've heard about your achievements and we are greatly pleased, Ms Leronzo." A woman spoke.

I looked down and grabbed the hem of my shirt. Naramdaman ko ang malamig na pawis na bumabalot sa buo kong katawan. What do they want from me?

"You're from Second Class right? A classroom filled with students who has abilities related in deceiving one's mind and vision."

Tumango ako.

"What's your ability?" Napatingin ako sa nagtanong.

Elder Muel, the head elder.

"I can enter a person's mind and manipulate their thoughts." I said in a soft voice.

Silence followed afterwards. Mas lalo akong kinabahan. Did I say something wrong? Why are they so quiet?

Palihim kong tinignan si Jess sa gilid ng mata ko. She looked at me with great concern.

"So you're one of them," natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Elder Muel.

Them?

Magtatanong na sana ako ng bigla siyang nagsalita. "I see, you're still clueless." Nahalata niya siguro ang pagtataka sa mukha ko.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

What is he talking about?

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Elder Muel stood up and raised his hand in the air. Using his ability to control light, the surroundings shifted. Creating an illusion with the reflection coming from the window in the roof.

He created the Symbol of light. Ginagawa nila ito pag may gusto silang i-utos na hindi pwedeng baliwalain. It's the sacred order.

Whoever dares, meets death.

"Giena, we'll send you along with the Firts Class to the North." Nanlaki ang mata ko.

All orders has a reason, especially important ones that needs the use of the Symbol of light. I knew I shouldn't but I couldn't help but ask.

"Why?"

Tinignan niya ako ng mariin. I clenched my fists from nervousness but kept my gaze at him.

"The Night Academy needs the strongest students from us. The Ferral shadow monsters had started attacking the West. The Central Lands will soon be in danger."

"Elder Muel, I understand that this is a crucial situation. But the Northern—"

"This isn't the time for some petty fights!"

Natahimik ang isang elder ng sumigaw si Elder Muel. All of us in the room froze.

For Elder Muel to be at edge like this, it really must be a critical situation.

The Ferral shadow monsters has no mercy. They will attack without second thoughts. That's because they were made like that.

Hindi ko alam ang istorya sa likod ng mga halimaw na iyon, pero ang alam ko ay gawa ito ng former evil Empress.

We've encountered a few Ferral shadow monsters before, but they were all just rogues.

Elder Muel is talking about a pack right now. One Ferral Shadow Monster requires 5 great magicians to the least, what more of a pack.

Parang binubuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig pag iniisip ko iyon.

"We need to cooperate if we don't want to be overpowered by these creatures. Even if we're enemies."