Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 73

"Nangyari talaga 'yon?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Asta habang nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin kay Shane.

"Oo nga! Paulit-ulit?" sagot ng binata habang inaasikaso nito ang mga dala-dala niyang herbs and other medicinal plants.

"Sayang! Bakit kasi ang tagal kong magising?!" saad ng dalaga at bumuntong hininga.

Naging seryoso naman ang ekspresyon ni Shane at inilagay niya ang isang garapon sa kaniyang bag. "Pero nagsisinungaling lang ang taong 'yon," nagtataka namang tumingin si Asta sa likod ng binata. Shane continued putting all the jars in his bag, "Sa katotohanan ay galit ang taong 'yon kay Zai."

Asta's expression became serious when she heard what Shane is saying. How come he knew something like that? As far as she knows, Frēo is a very skilled warrior and hiding his presence and aura is part of his repertoire. Only Zai can feel something like that. "How do you say so?"

Shane shrugged his shoulders, "Ewan ko. I just know."

Asta's eyes squinted at the young boy's back.

"Those three, they're utterly useless right now but after 8 or 9 years.. you'll be thankful to me that I let them lived."

Asta removed herself from leaning against the wall, "Yayayain ko muna si Bonzo makipag-sparring. You're fine here?"

"Mm-hm. Kailangan kong tumulong rin kay Ero-tanda," tumango naman si Asta at lumabas na ng silid. Ngunit hindi pa siya nakakalayo ay sumilip ang binata sa pinto, "Lagot kayo kay tanda kapag nagkaroon na naman kayo ng mga malalalang sugat! Iba ang sparring sa patayan, okay?! Hoy! Nakikinig ka ba?!"

Asta's eyes remained looking forward as her mind wanders off. Specifically to what the girl said before. Alam ni Asta na may galing ang dalaga sa pagtingin sa mga kakayahan ng mga tao but the way she said those words, she's beginning to have doubts. This is the first time she became suspicious of what she said back then. Hindi niya ito masyadong binigyang pansin noon dahil sa kaniyang pag-aakala ay mga simpleng salita lamang ang mga ito. But now, those words are beginning to bug her.

"No," mabilis na tutol ni Claysen habang kaniyang iniiling ang kaniyang ulo sa dalaga. While Zai is just staring at him with her usual emotionless gaze. "You want me to release my power here? No way."

"It's fine. I'll handle it if things gets out of hand."

Claysen frowned, "Handle? How?"

Zai tilted her head to the side as she pull out her sword from its sheath, "I'll kill you."

Lahat ay natahimik dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. Sinbad sighed as he watch from the side. Maski ang ibang mga nanonood ay halos hindi nakahinga dahil sa katapatan nito sa kaniyang mga salita.

Zai, Claysen, and Rui are standing in the middle of the vacant lot where they were last night. Bigla na lamang silang pinasama dito ng dalaga at inayang makipaglaban sa kaniya gamit ang kanilang mga abilidad. They could understand if she's just going to teach them how to enhance their control but the girl just invited them because she was bored. It's written all over her face.

Rui looked at Claysen, katabi niya lamang ang kaedad na lalaki. "You're scared?"

Nagsalubong naman ang mga kilay ng lalaki sa pang-uuyam ni Rui sa kaniya. He frowned at the silver eyed boy, "I'm not scared. I'm concerned."

"Isn't that the same?"

Hinarap naman na ni Claysen si Rui, "You're really persistently getting onto my nerves, spiderboy." he said as he sarcastically smirk. Showing his irritation.

Rui tilted his head and showed a sarcastic kind smile, "I am? That's great."

Claysen glared at him, "You--"