THE OPENING OF THE GATES

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"We're here," mabilis naman akong napatingin kay Lennon nang magsalita ito.

Agad kong ibinaling ang atensyon sa bintana. A giant golden gate splits into two as the car proceeds. Nagulat ako nang makita ang mga naka-kapang mga tao na masayang iwinawagayway ang iba't ibang klase ng flags. Girls are wearing green tops and skirts underneath a black wool navy hooded capes na hanggang beywang lamang ang haba, and boots that are just below the kneecaps. Samantalang ang mga lalaki naman ay nakasuot ng puting polo under green coats and black pants, mayroon din silang kapa na katulad sa mga babae ngunit ito ay mas mahaba.

I subtly raise an eyebrow when I noticed a difference among their uniforms. Some have silver, yellow, red, green, or gold colors in there clothes' lining and there's a significant difference in the emblems patched around their capes like silver eagle or a golden lion.

Hindi ko na lang binigyang pansin ang pagkakaiba-iba nito, basta ang alam ko ay sila ang mga estudyante ng paaralan na 'to. They are here to welcome newbies, huh.

"Sila lang ang mga estudyante dito?" pagtataka ni Malcolm. Napaisip din ako.

Nadaanan na namin ang nakahilerang mga estudyante na nasa isang daan lamang ang bilang. Sa tingin ko ay hindi lang sila ang mga estudyante dito. Sa tingin ko lang.

Tumingin na muli ako sa bintana at ngayon ko lang napagtanto na nakatayo pala ang paaralan na 'to sa may kataasan na lugar. We are currently on a bridge that is a few feet away from the brooks.

It took us another few minutes bago ko nasilayan ang malalaking pader. At the tip of the bridge is a giant brown ceramics wall at sa gitna nito ay may malaking nagkukulay gintong gate.

The gate is widely riven into two, letting the comers see what is inside the open hall. Several people are entering the open gate; cars keep on coming and stopping in front of it.

"This is it," mahinang pagpapa-alala ko sa sarili ko.

So, ang unang gate pala na nadaan namin kanina ay literal na entrance lamang at ang open gate na ito ay ang dapat naming pasukin upang pormal na makapag-enrol sa paaralan na 'to.

After a long eight hours of riding in the streets, we are finally arriving at Fornax Proficient School. Huminto na ang aming sasakyan sa harap ng gate kasabay ng iba pang mga sasakyan nang sumulyap ako sa magkabilang bintana ng sasakyan.

Nahagip ng paningin ko si Malcolm. He's not wearing a pullover anymore but a long black coat just like Lennon's. Tch, is that a fashion signature of a North Fornacian? Hindi ko naman sila masisisi though, dahil pati ako ay nakasuot ng nakakaagaw ng pansin na klase ng damit: a long-sleeve white cocktail dress partnered with a pair of knee-length black boots. Uh, North Fornacians are nobles; we are classy, that is.

"Let's aim for the top!" I put a lopsided smile as I hear my cousin's enthusiastic remark.

"That goes without saying." I deadpan. That's common sense, we are here to aim for the top.

As the driver pulls the sliding door open, mabilis akong bumaba at saka inilibot ang paningin sa paligid. The atmosphere here is different from North Fornacis. Tension is all over the place as I watch people walking briskly with their hands trembling as they hold their bags and suitcases. May napansin pa ako na nakatayo lamang at nakatulala sa sahig na para bang ayaw na niyang tumuloy sa loob ng open hall. May mga ilan naman na ngiting-ngiti na halos tratuhin na ang kanilang mga maleta na shopping carts lang sa mall dahil sa bilis nilang maglakad patungo sa gate. At may ilan din na nagyayakapan at nag-iiyakan with their families.

Napansin ko naman na may nakatingin sa akin kaya humarap na ako muli sa dalawang lalaki. Just like what I expected, they are wearing their long black coats. I hold myself back from grinning at the sight. We look really different from everyone. Anyone can tell that we are nobles with the aura and attire surrounding us three.

"Let's go," instead of praising my gorgeous men, I turn my backt them and starts walking towards the entrance.

Before we can enter the open hall, mayroong area kung saan ginagawa ang pagko-kompirma kung ang mga papasok sa paaralan nga ba ay tunay na mga graduate sa high school. This school holds the same tight security just like any other school. Only high school graduates can be admitted in this school.

A counter waits in the outermost part of the hall. A person before me puts his luggage at a cart and somehow a technology seals it then stamps a card that's probably the luggage owner's name.

The same thing happens to my luggage when I put mine in the cart. At least, I am sure that my luggage is safe. Thanks, Proficient School. I silently snort at the thought of conversing with the school in my head. You're crazy, Cerys.

Napatingin naman ako sa aking unahan nang makita ang isa pang counter. This time, hindi carts ang naghihintay sa akin kundi isang matanda na namumuti na ang buhok.

"Your records?" The old woman pipes with a raised eyebrow.

Hindi ko inaasahan ang masungit nitong pakikitungo pero hindi ko na lamang pinansin at saka siya sinagot. "Uhmm, I've got a recommendation bookꟷ"

"Where?" She cuts off, which really sounds rude.

Even though I am getting irritated by her tone, mabilis ko pa ring binigay sa kaniya ang recommendation book na inilabas ko kanina mula sa aking bag bago ilagay sa luggage counter.

"Hmm North Fornacis," tumango-tango ito. Napataas naman ang kilay ko nang hawakan ako nito sa pulsuhan at nang idinampi niya ang kaniyang kamay dito ay napagtanto ko na ang kaniyang trabaho. Blank ink taints my skin and letters arrange on its own to form a word "recommended."

This old woman has the ability to imprint thoughts to reality, also called as imprinting ability.

Ngumiti ako nang tipid sa kaniya bago umalis sa counter at bumungad na nga sa akin ang isang malawak na silid. It doesn't have roofs covering the place, making the daylight enters and random sunlight strikes in different parts of the hall. Walls enclosed the place with an exception in front that has four huge doors attached and a small balcony above these doors. People fill the spacious ground, scattered and some are in their own world or praying to the gods.

"A little too wide for an entrance hall," Lennon's voice snap me out of elaborating the place.

"You say. It's basically the same size of a football field. It's not an ordinary entrance hall," I scoff while shaking my head. Obviously, this is a gathering place.

"I know right," Lennon sighs in defeat.

"By the way, where's Malcolm?" I ask when I noticed that my cousin is not here, bugging me of some nonsensical things.

"Are you looking for me?" Napaatras naman ako nang makita ko si Malcolm na mukhang matutumba na dahil iba't ibang klase ng gadgets na hawak niya.

"What are you doing?" My brows furrow in confusion, wondering why the hell does Malcolm needs to create technology beforehand when he can do it later in the run.

"It's better to create it beforehand so that I don't have to rush things, cuz," he deadpans without even making an eye contact with me. He looks like he's having fun with his ability so much that it feels like he's already planning a setup in the exam later which is... not good.

Hinayaan ko na lang siya sa sarili niyang mundo at ibinaling na lang muli sa unahan ang atensyon bago ko simulang maglakad patungo sa gitna. Naramdaman ko ang pagsunod ng dalawang lalaki sa akin at ang mga mata rin na sumunod sa amin.

I knew that we will get attention especially since we are wearing clothes that are not so much for combat; these clothes are commonly seen in boutiques or on runway fashion shows. And I bet some of them know that we are not some commoners; that we are of the nobility breed.

"I heard elites come to this school and it's really true. Look at that girl, she is a DEFINITELY a princess."

"Bakit may mga models na gustong pumasok sa Proficient School? Duh, this is not a celebrity school."

"Look! They are probably Evgenises! OMG I want to befriend that girl!"

"Their aura is something. They must be strong."

Of course, murmurs also surround us. We have not done anything yet but we are surely getting a lot of attention. And hell yeah, we will show you that we are indeed Evgenisesꟷ not models nor celebrities but as strong competitors.

"Maligayang pagdating, enrollees!"

I halt when a voice echoes in the four walls of the hall, loud and lively. The two guys besides me stop on their track too to look for the owner of the voice.

Our eyes dart at the small balcony in front as we finally find the owner of the voice. It's a man in his 30s with a long red hair; he is wearing a brown cloak and a pair of brown boots. He's like a knight.

The redhead man clears his throat before he speaks up again. "I am Theodore Delfin Andres Clannad Edevane or just Theodore Edevane. I will be your guide todayꟷ oh, not really. I'm just going to say some things. It's up to you on how you'll make it out alive anyway."

I can't help myself from smirking. Really.

"This event is your entrance examination which means not being able to pass will fail to study here at Fornax Proficient School. This exam will exhaust you so to those who are not willing to give up their full strength, go home!" Pagalit ang pagkakasabi ni Sir Edevane sa huling pangungusap.

"In order to pass the exam, you have three things to consider." My hands twitch when Sir Edevane mentions the there are three things we need to consider.

"First, gain point as much as you can through fighting some villains our school has prepared, they can kill. Second, be fast. Do not play around in the field, there is a time limit of only THREE hours. The first one to accomplish the exam will be the top scorer and he/she will be the house representative of the First Year Scholars. Scholars are the most skilled students in Fornax Proficient School. So think about it, there are so many advantages of a house representative," Theodore Edevane pauses with a grin on his face.

Scholars. The class of most skilled students, huh.

Without noticing, a smirk shapes in my lips. I will definitely finish first and get that title.

"And third, pass the written examination."

Everyone is dumbfounded at the last thing Theodore Edevane announces. Do people really think there won't be a written examination? Seriously? In this powerhouse school?

Napansin ko naman ang paggalaw ng adam's apple ni Lennon, it's his tic when he gets nervous. My brows furrow in confusion.

"Lennon? Don't tell me you did not review?" I prattle.

"No, I did. I'm just kinda anxious in Science?" he snorts, scratching the back of his neck. Nagbigay ako ng poker face. This guy, science is his field. Is he kidding me?

"Whatever, I'm gonna be the house representative," I claim.

"I'll be a hindrance then because it's me who will become the top scorer," and I know he'll deny.

My eyes find its way to meet his before a smile made its way to my lips. Lennon is my bestfriend but he is also my lifetime rival. I would like to battle with him, always. This is going to be exciting.

"Now, enrollees, as you can see, there are four doors," Napataas naman ang kilay ko nang sabihin ito ni Theodore Edevane. It's the four huge doors below the balcony where he is standing on.

"These doors have different locations: a forest like the East Fornacis, an island like the West Fornacis, a snow-covered place like the North Fornacis and a modern city like the South Fornacis. So basically, behind these doors are like the places where you lived in," Theodore Edevane pauses.

Uh-oh. So I have the chance to reunite with my city and it will definitely be the best path pero syempre hindi hahayaan ng paaralan na 'to na pumili kami ng sariling lokasyon dahil it's a "play safe" trash strategy. I'm sure of that.

And that confirms my statement when Theodore Edevane explains further. "But you will not know which door is the forest or island or your desired location. Deductive skills, x-rays or any cheating abilities won't help you know what waits for you in the other side too. You just have to bet on luck."

Napatingin ako kay Lennon at kay Malcolm at mukhang naintindihan naman nila.

"Let's part ways to see who's going to be the top scorer," I grin.

"Deal, let's meet in the Scholars House," Lennon smiles back.

"Malcolm?" Napatingin kami kay Malcolm na titig na titig sa mga pintuan. Mukhang wala siyang balak sumama sa kahit sino sa amin. Tch, his sadistic nature is starting to show up.

"Okay, enrollees go to your chosen doors," nanlaki ang mata ko kasi wala pa akong napipili.

The doors are all the same, walang bahid ng pagkakaiba.

Nakita kong nagsipuntahan na ang mga tao sa iba't ibang pintuan, halos magkakapantay pantay lamang ang bilang ng mga tao sa iba't ibang pinto. Napansin kong wala na din si Malcolm sa tabi ko then I saw him in front of the third door from the left.

"Cerys, I'm going," Lennon kisses me on the forehead like what he always does kaya naman hindi na ako nagulat.

He walks to the first door in the left.

"Bahala na, I'll survive in any location. I have to," matigas na sabi ko sa aking sarili at dumiretso sa pinakaunang pinto sa kanan.

'This is it, Cerys. This entrance examination will be the first step of your training. Get that title.'

"Now, enrollees, the exam starts... NOW!"

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