INTO THE LION'S DEN

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"Woah, cuz! Looks like you were in a pinch just now," Malcolm snorts upon seeing me coming from the stairs.

"Hmp, I slept late that's why," I deadpan subtly rooling my eyes at his words.

Nailang naman ako nang mapansing nakatingin silang lahat sa akin. Is it really obvious that I rushed coming in the dining room? Or do I look weird because I am wearing a white two-piece dress with ankle-length boots and holding a glittering-in-crystals cape? Parang ganito din naman ang suot ko noong entrance exam but this time around I have a cape and err I'm wearing a skin revealing dress because it's a crop top. Maybe I overdid it?

"Are you going to a party, cuz?" sabi na nga ba at itatanong ulit iyan ni Malcolm kaya naman sinamaan ko siya ng tingin kaya mabilis nitong itinikom ang bibig.

"Wow, Cerys! You really look like a Princess!" papuri naman ni Poppy na kasalukuyang ngumunguya.

Napatingin ako sa tatlong upuan na walang tao. Umupo ako sa isa sa mga ito.

"You sure put up a good dress but it's too revealing," nagulat naman ako sa biglang pagsalita ni Lennon nang makaupo ako sa tabi niya. "I want to cover it. Just wear that cape already," his voice sounds serious.

"After I eat," I reply back. I feel him staring at me which made me uncomfortable.

"Then wear this," napahinto ako nang may naramdaman akong tela na pumatong sa balikat ko. And as I look at it, a coat lies already on my shoulders. Napatingin ako sa kaniya na kumakain habang seryoso pa rin ang mukha. Pinigilan kong mapangiti. He looks furious and I find it cute.

"Oh...my..." awtomatiko akong napatingin kay Poppy na mabilis na itinikom ang bibig. Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin dahil hindi ko gusto ang ngiti niya.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa loob ng silid. Nagtama pa ang mga mata namin ni Primrose pero mabilis rin itong tumingin sa pagkain na parang wala lang. I don't if I should address it as her being rude to the leader but whatever.

"By the way, where are the two remaining members? Not here yet?" tanong ko naman nang mapansin kong walang tao sa dalawa pang upuan sa tabi ko.

"Loey already left. May pupuntahan daw siya eh," Poppy answered. Loey?

"Loey?"

"Yeah, Loey Sullivan the other top scorer," napatango naman ako sa sagot ni Poppy. So Loey Sullivan pala ang pangalan nung isa pang top scorer. I haven't heard his surname before.

"Then where's Nero McNamara?" taas kilay kong tanong.

"Are you looking for me?" napatingala naman ako nang marinig ko ang boses niya sa itaas ko. He is standing right before my seat.

"Absolutely, house representative. We're leaving in a few minutes. You shan't be late, right, house representative?" diniinan ko ang salitang house representative dahil parang nakalimutan niya na house rep din siya.

"Right. But I'll have my breakfast first," he smirks bago ito umupo sa tabi ko.

"Uhmm house rep Nero, it's already 6:50, though," parang natatakot si Poppy sa paraan ng kaniyang pagtatanong. Napatingin si Nero McNamara sa kaniya.

"Hmm? I can go there in time. If you want to go now, just go. I can handle myself," he shrugs bago ito kumuha ng pagkain.

Napatingin naman ako sa orasan at mukhang ilang minuto na nga lang. Naalala ko ang sinabi ni Poppy, she said it's pretty far. Napabuntong hininga ako bago tumayo.

He can handle himself. He's a top scorer after all.

"Scholars, we gotta go. You heard him, he can handle himself. We only have eight minutes left before 7, let's go," nagsitayuan na sila. Ibinigay ko na kay Lennon ang coat niya at saka isinuot ang kapa ko.

"Oh, that's pretty daring dress. Are you going to a party?" Nero McNamara comments that made my eyes throw daggers at him.

"Shut upꟷ"

"Cerys, let's go," Lennon cut me off kaya naman lumingon ako at nakita kong may hawak na syang baril. Gun is his weapon; it's not lethal naman pero masakit pa rin matamaan nun. We are told that we can bring our weapons dahil mukhang sparring day ang araw na 'to. I'm excited to whom I'd be fighting against.

"Cerys, you should skate. We only have seven minutes left. The others went first already," sabi nito. Napansin ko ngang wala na sila. Bakit ba iniiwan nila ako lagi?

"Okay," my tongue clicks as I tap the floor turning it into an icy surface that only fits me. My heels turn into ice skates. As Lennon starts running, I've also started skating. I can't help but to shake my head when I noticed his speed; it's terrifyingly fast. His physics manipulation is really something. Napangisi ako. His acceleration is amazing but I won't lose.

"Lennon, do you know where the site is?" I ask as I try to outspeed him but we were like going back and forth. Damn. He is just running and I am skating that if we compare, his speed is faster than mine lalo na kung kinalaban niya ako sa skating. It is somehow annoying.

"Yeah, Max Berne said it's at Staige Hall in the House of the Prides building," napataas naman ang kilay ko sa sagot niya. House of the Prides?

"Max Berne said that it's a building where only Scholars from all levels can go."

Napatango ako. Then do the other houses have also their own buildings?

Napansin kong napapatingin sa amin ang ibang mga estudyante na nadaanan namin. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangisi sa mga mukha ng mga ito na may pagkamangha.

"This is actually fun," I commented as I skate faster than earlier. Naramdaman ko ang pagbilis din ni Lennon. Tch.

"Yeah," he smirks back. I grit my teeth when he passed through me. Uunahan ko na sana siya nang may mapansin akong pigura ng tao na tumatalon from building to building. I must say he's fast.

Nagulat ako nang bigla itong tumingin sa direksyon ko. Nagtangis ang mga bagang ko nang mapagtanto ko kung sino ang mabilis na lalaking iyon.

Nero McNamara.

I can't help but to wonder how did he caught up when he's still eating when we left. Damn, he's faster than me and Lenon?! Is that a joke?

Tch. Maybe he is a superspeed user.

"Cerys, you're slow!" rinig kong sigaw ni Lennon na ilang metro na ang layo sa akin. Ugh. I got distracted by that guy.

Mabilis ulit akong nagskate para maabutan si Lennon and of course, I caught up.

Hindi ko naman maiwasang tumingin sa lalaking iyon dahil may napansin akong kakaiba sa speed niya. I don't know if it's just because he's so fast or talagang may kasamang liwanag talaga ang bawat galaw niya. It's like the light is embracing him.

"Oops, stop right there," nagulat na lang ako nang hawakan ni Lennon ang kamay ko kaya napatigil na ako sa pagi-skate. My ice skates have turned back to ordinary heels na rin.

Nakita ko naman ang iba na mukhang hindi naman napagod. Napataas pa ang kilay ko nang makita ko si Malcolm na bumaba mula sa isang sasakyan na mukhang supercar/sports car.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako nang mapagtanto ko kung bakit iniwan nila kami kanina. Kaya pala ang bilis nilang nakarating at hindi sila napagod dahil iniangkas na lang ni Malcolm ang tatlong babae with his technology creation ability. Sigh. My cassanova cousin strikes.

"Hi, cuz! Lennon!" Bungad ng pinsan ko sa amin na may malaking ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

"Man, I never thought I'd be summoning Georghini here at Proficient School but it was a hella fun ride," he adds with his eyebrows going up and down.

"Let's hurry, we only have a minute left," sabi ko kaya naman tumakbo na kami. Pinauna ko si Lennon dahil wala akong idea kung saan ito.

Nagtangis na naman ang bagang ko nang makita ko kung sino ang nakatayo di kalayuan. He is already there.

"Hey guys, you're late," Nero McNamara sneers bago buksan ang malaking pinto nang makarating na kami sa harapan niya.

"House rep Nero... since when did you get here?" mahinang sabi ni Poppy na hindi na namin napagtuunan ng pansin nang makita namin kung sino ang nakaabang sa amin.

"Welcome, First Year Scholars. You are just on time so I have no one to expel," Max Berne greets us with such a lazy aura.

Napatingin naman ako sa kabuuan ng Staige Hall. Wala itong mga dekorasyon sa pader pero kapansin-pansin ang pagiging detalyado ng mga nakaukit sa mga pader at poste sa gilid. Isang malawak na espasyo lang ang nasa gitna at sa gilid ng silid ay mga nakahilerang upuan. Mataas ang kisame na siguro pwede nang i-kompara sa isang hindi kalakihang concert hall. The air doesn't feel heavy but still tensioned, the combat aura is amazing. So, is this where we'll have our first class?

"Good morning, Scholars. I shall introduce myself to you again," Sir Max Berne clears his throat. Seryoso naman akong tumingin sa kaniya.

"I am Maximus Leon Jon Venilde Berne, your first teacher in physical education. In this class, slacking off is not allowed. Well, if you have time to slack off," napansin ko ang pagtaas ng kaniyang labi nang kaunti. Umayos ako nang tindig sa kaniyang sinabi. Mukhang first period pa lang ay mapapagod na kami. Well, I expect no less from Proficient School.

"The Fornax Proficient School is NOT like your previous schools kung saan kailangan ng valid reason bago kayo ma-expel. In here, when I think you failed me, I will mark it fail and you will get out of my class," medyo napataas ko naman ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya.

I hope they ain't nuts who just want to expel students that they don't get along with though. That would be unprofessional.

"But don't worry, I'm not a freak to do that to kids that I don't like," napabuntong hininga ako sa sinabi niya. At least.

"As long as you meet my standards, there's nothing to worry. And since Scholars naman kayo, I'm not expecting failure at all," napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil sa pagkabigla nang tumingin siya sa direksyon ko.

"Okay, that's enough discussion. Let's discuss your first activity," he smokes his cigarette before continuing what he is saying that only made me sigh.

"Since I'm your first class, I'll go easy on you. Your first activity is duel," pagpapatuloy niya. "Just like the basics in high school, my class will often have duel activities. It is because I will be your examiner in terms of ability and strength as a special human (special ability user)."

"Hmm," napatango tango ako at napapangisi. So interesting. Duel activities are actually boring pero hindi ito kasing-komplikado sa ibang type ng training.

"The rules are simple. One, you shall not kill. I am certain that killing your comrade is the same as betrayal BUT you can fight with the intent to kill," napatayo naman ako ng maayos. With intent to kill, huh.

"Two, be alert. Just like what I've said you will fight with the intent to kill which means there will be actions that are fatal. I don't want dumb kids in this house," napansin ko naman ang pagreact ng ibang myembro. Gusto kong ngumisi dahil sa sinabi nito dahil parang na-offend ang iba.

"And three, follow the most important rule: show me everything you've achieved in high school! This is not just a duel, this is also a test. If you do not exert effort then do not expect a high grade," mas malakas ang pagkakasabi nito sa pangatlong rule. I never held back in fights so that rule is only natural to me.

"I have already arranged the pairings. Since this is your first day, sa palagay ko naman ay wala pang nagsasabihan ng mga abilidad kaya ang maglalaban ay ang mga hindi magkakakilala. I am anticipating good fights, Scholars," seryosong sabi ni Sir Max na ikinalingon ko naman sa mga myembro.

If I were to choose my opponent, of course it will be McNamara. How the hell are we on the same level?

"Now let's start the activity with Lennon Falstof and," napatingin naman ako kay Lennon na nasa tabi ko ngayon. Napatingin naman siya sa akin pabalik.

"First one to go," I tease. He just returns a smirk before going to the spacious area.

"ꟷPrimrose Hale."

Napasinghap ako nang mistulang umihip ang hangin nang dumaan sa gilid ko ang redhead girl na si Primrose Hale. The way the atmosphere heated up when she passed beyond me, she is radiating such a very aggressive aura.

Pinagmasdan ko naman ang kasuotan niya nang nasa gitna na rin ito kung nasaan si Lennon. She's wearing a strap-top revealing a bird tattoo in her left shoulder; I think it's a phoenix, and leather jeans with leather boots that has several weapons such as daggers. She braided her golden red hair into one and I notice her eyes in their fiery red color, hmm contacts huh. Napansin ko rin ang bow and arrows sa likod niya. Judging her attire, she must be a huntress. But seriously, she's intense.

Seryoso akong napatingin sa kanila ni Lennon. If I am not mistaken, Primrose Hale is a Chamil. I wonder what will be the outcome of this pair. Lennon is almost invulnerable, what can you do, Primrose Hale?

Umakyat na kami papunta sa pangalawang palapag kung saan may mga nakahilerang mga upuan upang mas makita namin ang laban ng mga myembro.

"Oh God, I hope you're not my opponent, Cerys!" napatingin naman ako kay Poppy nang bigla itong magsalita.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya ng tipid. Nahagilap naman ng mata ko ang isa pang babae na mukhang pupunta rin sa isang party katulad ko dahil sa suot nitong dress na may napakadaming ribbon.

"Hey, Sabina, who do you think will be your opponent?" masayang tanong ni Malcolm na ikinataas ng isang kilay ko naman. Huh? Close sila ni Malcolm?

"Hmm, I'm not really thinking about that. Anyone is fine, I guess. If I win, then be it but if I lose, then I'll reflect from it," she flashes a feminine smile. I subtly snort when I saw Malcolm's mouth parted. Looks like my cousin found his ideal girl. Mukha ring mabait yung Sabina.

"I see, then I want to fight you," kumindat ito kaya naman napailing na lang ako. Mukhang napansin ako nung Sabina sa reaksyon ko at nagulat ako nang mabilis itong umiwas ng tingin.

"But I don't think I can fight against your cousin," she nervously laughs which made me sigh. Why are they so scared of me?

"Ah, well, cuz is REALLY scary. Sad to say but I think only Lennon can fight against her in our generation," sinamaan ko naman ng tingin si Malcolm nang tumingin ito sa akin. Kailangan talagang idiin na nakakatakot ako. C'mon, I just don't like holding back!

"Okay, Scholars. This is a ten-minute duel but when things get settled down in less than the allotted time, I'll consider it. Falstof, Hale, start!"

Agad ko namang ibinaling ang atensyon ko sa ibaba kung nasaan magkaharap ngayon si Lennon at si Primrose.

Let's see how it goes, Lennon.

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