CHASING DREAMS

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The stars shine the most when darkness is all over the space, occupying the sky above. Those tiny gleaming dots make the sky a wholesome piece of art. A gasp escapes my mouth as a kiss of cold hits my skin, causing my eyes to shift away from the breathtaking sky scenery. Sa halip, itinuloy ko na lamang ang paglalakad sa mala-asukal na lupa dahil sa pagiging maputi nito at ang nakaka-satisfy na tunog kapag ito ay naaapakan. Snow, my snow.

"Cerys."

My eyes, again, shift from my sentimental appreciation of things when I heard a deep voice calling my name. It's a voice of a man required to be listened once it speaks: my father's voice.

Muli akong sumulyap sa paligid. Nasa labas ako ngayon ng aming palasyo. I can only see this place for a week now. I will be detached from this place once I receive my high school diploma and the recommendation book. I'd be leaving my wealth and such for the sake of my dreams.

For one last time, I let a sigh out of my breath. It will be alright. Hindi ko alam ang buhay sa Central pero sigurado akong katulad ito ng aming siyudad: tahimik.

Agad na akong humarap sa aking ama dahil baka ito ay naiinip na. Nagtama ang aming mga mata. We both have a pair of crystal blue eyes, well, genetics.

Hindi na ito muling umimik bago nagtungo sa isang may kahabaang kulay itim na sasakyan na sinundan ko lamang. Nang makapasok na ako sa loob nito sa tulong ng isang naka-unipormeng lalaki nang pagbuksan ako nito ng pinto ay umandar na ang sasakyan.

The car starts to run; departing from the castle and going into the place where I spent most of my years studying.

Thirteen years.

It took us only fifteen minutes to arrive at the said place. The giant silver wall that's covered with snow welcomes us as it splits into two revealing the skyscraping sharply pointed buildings of the school. It's beautiful how these buildings are heavily covered with snow yet it still screams "elegance."

The car stops in front of a building that has a big clock on its upper part between the conical shape of the roof and a long balcony. Hinintay ko munang pagbuksan muli ako nang aming tauhan bago ako dahan-dahang lumabas sa sasakyan only to be welcomed by another nostalgic feeling.

North Private Academy.

That's the name of the school where I spent thirteen years of studying. Five years old lang ako noong unang pasok ko dito. All the things that I am able to know now are partly taught by this school. Ha! I arrived as a naïve girl and I will leave as an astounding student.

Yeah, right. The glow up.

I silently smile at the thought. I have been waiting for this day to come. Magsisimula sa araw na 'to ang aking tunay na kalbaryo. I just need to get the recommendation book.

"That Falstof is a good kid but I expect you to be better, Cerys," Dad utters tartly.

"I know, father. I assure you that I am the top student," I respond, quickly picking up to what he was trying to say.

My Dad is one of the rulers of our land, North Fornacis. Ang aming angkan ay isa sa mga pinakamalalakas na pamilya hindi lamang sa aming lugar kundi sa buong bansa ng Fornax. Alam kong isang malaking kahihiyan kung hindi ko makukuha ang titulo na "top student" o ang pinakamagaling na estudyante sa North Private Academy dahil galing ako sa McIntyre, isama na rin ang Scharvin na mula sa aking ina na isa ring malakas na pamilya. This man right here, my father Cleo McIntyre, will never attend a ceremony with me again if I fail him right here, right now.

Hindi ulit pinansin ni Dad ang aking sagot and it's not like I am expecting a response. Sanay na ako, he won't bat an eye unless you have done something spectacular or in a worst case scenario, something shameful.

Naglakad na lamang muli kami ng tahimik sa reception hall. Elegance is all over the place. From the classic walls carved and painted in white; the unseemingly nice, molded glass furniture, to the large chandeliers hanging from a reasonable height in the ceilings. North Private Academy is just as beautiful as a palace.

As we reach the crowd, all eyes are automatically moved to me and my Dad, the two McIntyres, as if we are magnets.

Well, we are magnets... magnets of attention.

I mentally roll my eyes at the thought of a lame joke. Ngumiti lang ako sa mga mukhang may mga pagkamangha. Even though our city is known as the city of nobles, hindi pa rin maiwasan ng mga tao ang mamangha sa kapwa nila mayaman dahil ang apilyedo na aming dala-dala ay isa sa mga pinakamakapangyarihan sa buong bansa. We are the McIntyres.

Hinanap ng paningin ko ang mga estudyante at nang tumigil ang mga mata ko sa mga naka-kapang mga tao ay napangiti ako. Students are wearing white fur capes under their royal blue gowns and suits as a sign that these students are graduating today. Ngumiti muli ako nang mahagilap ng mga mata ko ang isang tao sa gitna ng mga nakaputing kapa na mga estudyante.

Nagpaalam na ako sa aking ama at dumiretso sa taong nakatingin din sa akin. Our eyes didn't leave each other even after I arrived in front of him.

Bago pa man may makapagsalita sa amin ay may isang babae ang lumapit sa akin with her smile wide, almost reaching her eyes.

"Congratulations, Cerys," the woman says as she circles her arms which hold a white fur cape before the fabric sits on my shoulders.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "Thank you, Miss Young," I reply as I help my teacher fix the fur cape that signifies that I am also graduating todayꟷ that I am finally graduating today.

She pats my shoulders before she walks away as the program starts in a few minutes.

I sense eyes looking from my periphery kaya naman mabilis akong humarap muli kay Lennon. He smiled as he glances at the fur cape wrapping my body. I give a smile in return before walking to our respective seats. We did not have time to talk because the ceremony is already starting but I know that with that exchange of smiles, we are silently praising each other like an unspoken "congratulations."

Ilang talumpati ang ipinamalas ng mga estudyante ng North Private Academy nang magsimula na ang programa. We talked about our journey throughout our stay here at the school. Nabigyan na din kami ng certificate of recognition and I am grateful that I got the "top student". It's not like I am not expecting it but I am still happy, at least I did not fail my father. I tried to make a proud look at my father but he showed an uninterested face. Still not enough, huh.

Ibinaling ko na lamang ang tingin ko sa aking bestfriend and of course, he is also a top student but rather he's entitled as the "Second Honors." Lennon and I, despite being rivals, are also the best of friends since the day we can remember. Another smile of congratulations was exchanged when our eyes met.

"Lastly, before we dismiss our North Private Academy completers, as our students depart from our institution, they must have set higher goals for the future especially the goal of becoming the professionals we are today. Pro- holders, the ones working for Fornax or Neoses, the ones integrating peace in the whole world of Orbis Exim, no matter what path they choose they have to undergo training grounds."

I subtly nod especially at the mention of Neoses/Neosꟷ the profession in which I would definitely get someday.

"And as a part of the educational system of Fornax, we are glad to announce that several students from our academy have been scouted by the four prestigious universities including the Fornax Proficient School. May we now call our outstanding graduates who will receive recommendation books from different training schools?"

As the emcee pronounces, a few graduates stand up from their seats including me. Finally, the time that I have always been waiting has come: the giving of recommendation books for the enrolment at Fornax Proficient School; the school where I'll get closer to my dreams.

I wait in line of about ten people and as the speakers reverberate inside the hall, applauses from the crowd will also resonate. I couldn't care less about my surroundings now that I am two people away from receiving the recommendation book. I saw Lennon leaving the stage with his books and probably with Proficient School's, but I quickly look up in front again when I saw that the person before me has stepped forward to receive his book.

I let out a sigh. Butterflies are partying inside my stomach and I can feel my insides cooling up like it's going to a freeze state. I am so excited, oh my God.

"The next student to receive the recommendation book is no other than the top student of North Private Academy, Cerys McIntyre. She will receive all recommendations books including the Fornax Proficient School's recommendation book," masaya ang pakakabigkas ng emcee at sinuklian naman ito ng nakakabinging palakpak mula sa audience.

As I walk my way to a smiling woman holding the anticipated coffee-brown book, I couldn't help but to grin at it too. Heto na. A glowing book was given to me by the Headmistress of North Private Academy, Helena Falstof as I reaches her side. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. Finally.

"Congratulations on your graduation, Cerys Lucien Almira Devereaux Scharvin McIntyre. As a top student, you are being recommended to go to the Fornax Proficient School," nakangiting sabi ni Headmistress Helena.

"Thank you very much, Headmistress Helena Lusiana Andrea Tatiana Ishikawa Falstof," I respond with an eye-reaching smile as the hold of the book has been passed to me. Phew, that was a long name, I'm glad I've memorized it.

I turn around to face a number of white fur-caped youth as non-stop cheers of recognition is given to me after gaining a recommendation book for the most prestigious school of Fornax.

Heto na. I have finally graduated from high school. Ilang taon din akong naghintay para sa araw na 'to. This very own day when I'd get my recommendation book for the Fornax Proficient Schoolꟷ the school of dreams. It is the school of excellence and power; the school in which only a few can go.

Nang makababa na ako ay dumiretso ako sa hiwalay na silid mula sa reception hall. We can finally interact with our fellow graduates because the giving of recommendation books is the last part of the ceremony.

"Congratulations, Cerys." Finally, the unspoken word has been said. Umikot ako upang salubungin ang isang blonde na lalaki. His eyes are also the same as mine, striking crystal blue eyes, his have a paler pantone though.

"Lennon," I curve a smile before I went off hugging my bestfriend.

Lennon Austin Karl Hirose Ishikawa Falstof or Lennon Falstof, my bestfriend in this whole life time, is finally together with me celebrating our graduation from high school.

"I'm kind of jealous that you were able to say my Mom's full name. If it's me she'll kill me, I don't know why though," he pouts as we back away from the hug.

I only chuckle in response. Headmistress Helena Falstof is this guy's mother. My Dad has acknowledged Lennon because not only does he have rare abilities but his family is powerful too. The Falstof clan is among this country's distinguished families too but not in the top four though, where the McIntyre is counted as one.

Makapangyarihan ang pamilya ni Lennon. We have the same rank in this society tooꟷ Evgenis.

Fornax is a country with a social pyramid. The government is designed as oligarchical one. Evgenis, Metrios, Chamil and Foch are the social ranks in this pyramid. The length or number of your name describes what social rank you are in.

Evgenis is the highest social rank having a total of six names (4 first names, 1 middle name, 1 last name). I belong to this rank. We are at the top of the pyramid; the rulers of this country. Evgenis families invest in all sorts of businesses including transactions outside Fornax. We are literally the most powerfuls clans in Fornax: the richest and also skilled individuals because we can have multiple abilities but the stake is there are only a few of usꟷ only one-sixteenth of the total population of Fornax.

Next to Evgenis is the Metrios rank. Metrioses have a total of five names (3 first names, 1 middle name, 1 last name). These people are also nobles, wealthy people. They also exceed similarly to Evgenises especially if they are trained. Metrios families are close to Evgenises. It is the only rank most Evgenis clans can acknowledge. Sila lamang ang kayang makipag-usap o kayang makisalamuha sa mga Evgenis dahil masyadong mataas ang ranggo ng mga katulad namin para malapitan iba pang mga ranggo.

Ang pangatlong rank ay tinatawag na Chamil. Chamil is named to people having four names (2 first names, 1 middle name, 1 last name.) They are the commoners. The people who can be concluded as ordinaries and their abilities are also of that.

Ang huling rank ay ang Foch. The Foches have only two names (1 first name, 1 last name.) These people are at the lowest part of the pyramid. They are unprivileged and they almost possess no magical powers. Most are called peasants and probably most Foches work under the three higher ranks in order to survive. That's just how cruel this caste system is.

Sa ganitong okasyon, kailangang banggitin ang buong pangalan ng tao dahil dito mai-identify kung ano ang rank nito sa society. I don't know why we have to but it is the law. And our city, North Fornacis is the city of Evgenis and Metrios. We are the royal city.

Alam kong napakalaki ng posibilidad na puro Evgenis o Metrios lang sa Fornax Proficient School dahil pili lamang ang nakakapasok dito na ibig sabihin lamang ay mga malalakas rin ang pupunta sa paaralang iyon na siyang nagpapa-excite pa sa akin lalo. I want powerful people to fight. This school has pampered me; everyone was afraid to fight against me. If there is someone who can fight against me in this school, that's only Lennon... oh, my cousin too.

A sigh escape my lips when I felt a heavy hand wrapping around my shoulder. In my periphery, a grinning man leveled his slightly taller built to level mine. Isa rin itong blonde, katulad ko at ni Lennon. Well, we are in the city where there is only snow. It is really common to be a blonde or albino.

"Hey, cuz! Can you believe? I actually got a recommendation book for Fornax Proficient School!" he exclaims excitedly, almost deafening my poor ears.

Malcolm Watchtel. He's a Metrios but since her mother is my mom's sister, he has an Evgenis blood running down his veins. He is biologically half Metrios half Evgenis but technically considered as Metrios. Ngunit kahit ito ay ikinokonsidera na Metrios, ang kaniyang ability ay katapat ng isang pure Evgenis. He has the Scharvin blood. Scharvin are just as powerful as McIntyres or maybe they are even more powerful.

Tinanggal ko ang pagkaka-akbay niya sa akin at saka itinaas ang isang kilay. "Duh, of course. You are a Scharvin. You should trust yourself more, Malcolm."

"Well," he scratches the back of his neck. "By the way, bakit ang sungit mo pa rin sa akin? Graduate na tayo, Cerys. You're still a cold lady... only with Lennon does she becomes soft." Napataas ang isang kilay ko nang marinig ko ang mahinang pagbulong nito sa huling pangungusap.

"Excuse me?" is all I can say before I tap the floor with my right stiletto heel, turning a small area of the floor into hard crystal white ice gluing Malcolm's feet as it hugs around his shoes.

"Ouch, what the hell, Cerys?" pagpapanic ni Malcolm nang mapagtanto niya ito.

I smirk. "It's your fault. Dad is here but you're still playing around. Destroy it yourself."

"Hey, are you serious? Oh my God, sorry! Lennon, help!" He almost sounds like a toddler going into tantrums or an old lady panicking from nothing. Haha.

Narining ko ang pagtawa din ni Lennon at akala ko hindi niya tutulungan ang lalaki ngunit sa isang iglap lang ay naging tubig ang yelong nakapalibot kay Malcolm nang hawakan niya ito. I roll my eyes as I realize that Lennon can manipulate almost everything.

"Don't be too hard, Cerys, he's just joking," he chuckles in amusement, probably because I got pissed over something so trivial.

Again, I sigh. No, he's not.

xxx

A week later.

"Cuz!"

"Hello," I greet as soon as I arrive at the lobby.

Napatingin ako sa dalawang lalaki na nasa harapan ko. Malcolm is wearing his typical gray pullover jacket with a headphone clinging on his neck. Lennon is wearing a long black coat, a common attire of a North Fornacian but it still looks exceptional to him. Wow.

"Ready?" Lennon has a smirk on his face right now, as if he is teasing me.

I roll my eyes. It's probably my attire that he's giving that smug face to. Alam kong masyadong engrande ang suot ko para sa entrance exam. I am wearing a long-sleeve white dress with knee-length black boots. Of course, it is flashy but it has a purpose, tch.

"Yeah." Still, I reply with a smirk.

It's time. It's finally the time to chase my dreams. I hope there are people worthy enough to fight for or to fight againstꟷ I will not grow up if challenges won't keep coming on my way. I will become a Neos and for that to happen, I will go to you, Fornax Proficient School.

Once again, I take a look at the beautiful white display in front of me where snow is dancing in the air, sparkling and cooling the tension of people in this place full of power-hungry individuals.

Good bye, North Fornacis.

I am sad to leave my city but when the thought of going closer to my dream of becoming a Neos enters my mind, my lips can't help but to form a smile.

We're coming, Fornax Proficient School.

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