OBJECT MANIPULATORS

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CERYS' POV

"A battle between two Metriosses. Sounds interesting," napatingin naman ako kay Nero McNamara nang magsalita ito pero binawi ko din ang aking tingin nang makita kong tumayo na ang dalawang Metrios na nasa tabi ko.

"Waaaa! I'm not ready!" nanlulumong sabi ni Poppy nang makatayo na siya.

Napataas naman ang kilay ko nang mapansin ko ang kasuotan niya. She's wearing leather gloves, leather jacket and leather jeans. Is this girl a leather enthusiast? I tilted my head when I noticed something under her jacket. There are shining shimmering glassesꟷno, those are mirrors in her shirt.

Napatango tango na lang ako dahil parang alam ko na ang purpose nun.

"Hmmp, whatever. It's my turn to shine now!" nabigla ako sa pagbabago ng attitude niya. Parang kanina na lang ay nanlulumo siya pero ngayon ay mukhang gustong gusto niya ng sumabak. I knew it.

Nahagip naman ang mata ko si Sabina. If I'm not mistaken, her surname is Standifel. I've heard of it before. I think the Standifel family is one of those Metrios families that are recognized by the Evgenissesꟷin other words they are on par with the Evgenisses. No doubt, she's in this house. I'm looking forward to this girl who acts all feminine.

Napansin ko din ang kaniyang kasuotan. She's tying her ombre hair with a black ribbon? And oh, what an elegant dress. She's wearing an haute dress with many ribbons. It's like a dress made of ribbons. Napansin ko din na nakawhite stackings ito at nakasuot ng ballet shoes? She resembles a doll.

Napailing ako sa aking isipan, they are such open books! How can these two expose their specialties?

Napataas naman ang isa kong kilay nang tumalon si Poppy patungong ground floor since nasa pangalawang palapag kami. She's really fired up, huh. Bumaba na rin ang mahinhin na si Sabina. Napansin ko ang mala-anghel na aura nito. Napangisi naman ako nang makita ko si Malcolm na nakasunod ang tingin kay Sabina.

"Hey, Malcolm. How come you're friends with that Barbie?" I sneer at Malcolm who clicks his tongue after.

"She's friendly and so am I," he grins while shaking his head. My eyes roll at his answer, well.

"Tell me about her then," seryoso kong saad naman habang nakatingin na sa entablado kung saan magkaharap na si Poppy at Sabina.

"Hmm? You're surprisingly interested in her, cousin. "Are you jealous? About her beauty that might attract Leꟷ"

"Don't even try joking to me with something like that. I'll freaking freeze you to death," with that being said, I throw him some dagger looks. I can't fathom his jokes about me being jealous over such nonsense. Malcolm stiffened after.

"Sure, I-I won't," Malcolm's stuttering words probably he's scared for his life.

I smirk when I succeeded scaring him. I actually don't understand why Malcolm is scared of me when we literally grew up together. "Now, tell me."

Gusto kong malaman ang background nito dahil ngayon ko lang napagtuunan ng pansin si Sabina Standifel sapagkat hindi naman kami nagkaroon ng matinong pagpapakilala, sa tingin ko ay kahit papaano'y dapat may malaman ako sa kaniya. It's part of the house representative's duty to know every member.

"Hmm... her name is Sabina Stadifel. Alam mo naman siguro na Metrios siya diba, cuz?" tumango naman ako habang tahimik na nakikinig kay Malcolm.

"She's from East Fornacis and the top student of East Private Academy. She said it is just luck because the former top student who is an Evgenis got suspended. When I asked her what her ability is, she did not give me a decent answer," he sighs. Napakunot noo naman ako.

If Sabina is also from East Fornacis, how come Poppy and her doesn't seem to know each other?

"Hmm? How come those two didn't know each other? Poppy is also from the East she said," Tanong ko kay Malcolm dahil sa tingin ko may sagot naman siya diyan. Mukhang ang dami na niyang alam kay Sabina.

"Ah, Sabina told me that she studied in the town. Maybe Poppy is from a different school," Malcolm says with a grin. What is that for?

"And Poppy said that she know Sabina because that beautiful miss is the top student in the town. Poppy said that she's curious about that girl," napataas naman ang kilay ko sa dugtong nito. Ang daming alam ng lalaking 'to ah. Close din sila ni Poppy!? The 'friendly guy'he is, huh.

"But guess what, Poppy is also second in the entrance exam just like me. Isn't she interesting?" He grins and so did I.

Napatingin ako sa may harapan kung saan nakatayo na ang dalawang maglalaban.

"What can you do, Metrios ladies?" I smile in excitement. You better prove that Metrios are next to Evgenis, girls.

xxx

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Standifel, Forster, start!"

As soon as Max Berne signaled, Sabina releases two ribbons from her back. Poppy is fast enough to dodge ngunit sinundan pa rin ito ng mga ribbon ni Sabina. Unlike the first duel, this pair is aggressive from the very start.

"Totoo ngang aggressive ka, Sabina. I heard you replaced Alexis Johnford after he got suspended. That means you're strong enough to become the top student right?" nakangiting tanong ni Poppy.

Sabina was in a shock state for a second.

'How did she know that Prince Alexis got suspended?'

"Ah, you must be wondering how did I know he got suspended, right?" Poppy sprints towards Sabina who is open at the moment.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sabina nang makitang nasa harap na niya si Poppy. Mabilis itong naglabas ng mga ribbon upang hulihin si Poppy ngunit nagulat ito nang may mga pira-pirasong salamin ang humiwa sa kaniyang mga ribbon.

"Woah! Is that Poppy's ability?" namamanghang komento ni Malcolm nang makita ang mga ribbon na napunit ng mga salamin.

"It's because I know someone from the Johnford!" Poppy cheerfully exclaims as she releases a group of shards towards Sabina.

Sabina's lips form a thin line. She cannot believe someone would leak about the young master's situation. To her, it's unforgivable.

The House of the Johnford is one of the wealthiest families in East Fornacis. Sabina Stadifel is from the branch family called the Stadifel family who supports and protects the main family or the Johnford Family who are Evgenisses. She is the cousin of the heir of Johnford House namely Alexis Arthur Jonathan Elric Standifel Johnford. It may ruin the heir's image and it will also ruin her image if people find out that the heir got suspended since what everybody knew is that she beat him. And if that's the case, her opponent must have been underestimating her. She hates that.

"Shut your mouth. Please, don't ever talk about that with other people," Sabina flashes an angelic smile ngunit halata ang pagbabago nang tono nito.

The shards are near her face already but she hasn't blocked it yet. Napataas naman ang kilay ni Poppy.

"Did I say something wrong?" Poppy asks herself.

"Huh? Sabina?" nanlaki ang mga mata ni Malcolm dahil parang walang balak i-block ni Sabina ang mga shard.

"Release!" ani Sabina na ikinatigil ng lahat. Ang mga ribbon sa harap na parte ng kaniyang damit ay nagsitayuan. They block the shards which made it bounce back to Poppy.

"Ah!" Poppy screamed as the shards hit her skin. Sunod naman na umatake sa kaniya ay ang madaming ribbon na parang mga ahas na pumulupot sa kaniya.

Napangiwi ito dahil sa natamo niyang mga galos mula sa mga shard.

'Hays. My shards are really sharp, eh? It should not be me to get hit by it. Tsk. As expected from the Johnford Family. Miss Sabina Standifel from the town is strong!'

Napangiti nang malapad si Poppy habang nakatingin kay Sabina na ikinatigil naman ng dalaga. Poppy Forster loves fighting strong opponents and she loves seeing them taste defeat before her.

"It's over," sabi naman ni Sabina nang magglow na ang mga mata niya.

Poppy panics when she feels like her consciousness is starting to fade away as if her energy is being suck.

'Oh no, no, no. What's this ability? I can't feel myself! Hey, Missy! What did you do to me?!'

Poppy was panicking in her mind but she's not even moving an inch in her outer appearance. Her eyes look dead.

Napataas ang kilay ni Cerys sa nakita. Napansin niya kasi ang biglang pagtahimik ni Poppy.

"Huh? What happened to Poppy?" Malcolm is also confused.

"Sabina has gotten control of her mind," nagitla ang magpinsan nang may magsalita. It's Loey Sullivan.

"Huh?" tanong ni Malcolm.

Loey gulps dahil hindi na naman niya inaasahan na sasagot siya sa ibang tao. "I-I mean, I think she is a mind controller," he mutters.

Napansin naman niya ang tingin ni Cerys na tila ba hinuhusgahan nito ang kaniyang pagkatao kaya napalunok siya.

"You're really keen, Loey," komplimento ng dalaga kay Loey.

Loey's face heated up as he did not expect an Evgenis to address him. "T-Thanks."

Tutok na tutok sila sa laban ng dalawang Metrios dahil pareho silang object manipulator.

"It's over," Sabina sighs dahil akala niya ay tapos na ang laban kaya naman tumalikod na siya at magsasalita na sana nang bigla nakarinig ito ng pagbagsak ng isang salamin.

Before she can even turn around, she felt sharp shards cutting through her flesh in every part of her exposed skin. She can't even wince at the surprise attack of Poppy. All she can do is just to kneel down the floor.

"No, it's not over, Sa-bi-na. We're just getting started," nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sabina dahil nasa harapan na niya si Poppy. Magtatanong pa lang ito kung paano siya nakawala sa mind control pero nakita niya ang duguang kamay ng dalaga.

'She hurt herself to get out?'

"Now, it's my turn. Laro muna tayo," Poppy giggles na ikinalito naman ni Sabina.

Sabina is getting pissed by the girl's outgoing attitude. Hindi na siya natutuwa dahil parang hindi sineseryoso ni Poppy ang kinalang laban. Nagpakawala siya ng mas maraming ribbons na mas matulis at mas mabilis patungo sa kinaroroonan ni Poppy.

Poppy is still giggling as she dodges and escapes the chase of Sabina's dancing ribbons. No ordinary person would have been able to escape the tremendous number of moving ribbons but Poppy Forster easily dodges every fabric.

"Uh... that curly girl is really creepy," komento ni Max Berne habang nanonood ng laban. Nagsisigarilyo pa rin ito habang pinapanood ang laban ng dalawang Metrios.

"Ugh! I'm sick of this! Fight me seriously, lady!" Sabina has snapped. She's getting pissed off by Poppy's annoying laughter.

Nagulat ang mga manonood dahil sa pagbabago ng attitude ni Sabina. Dahil ang akala nila ay mahinhing dalaga talaga si Sabina. Hindi nila inaasahan na nagbabago din pala ito kapag nakikipaglaban.

'Woah, that voice just now. It sounded like cuz.' nanlulumong komento ni Malcolm sa isipan nito habang pinapanood si Sabina na pinakawalan na lahat ng ribbon niya pero namangha naman ang binata nang halos sakupin ng mga ribbon ang buong stage kaya hindi na nila makita ang nangyayari sa loob.

"Hmp, inis ka na niyan? Okay. Let's be serious now," Poppy's smile vanishes. She levels her two arms so that her body can form a T, and then mirrors appeared in every part of the stage where they have been fighting at. It is overwhelming as if she has covered the whole stage with mirrors in every corner.

"Woah! She made a mirror cube where she trapped Sabina! Poppy has the upper hand!" manghang sabi ni Malcolm.

Sabina steps back as she looks at the numerous clones of Poppy in the mirrors. Lahat ng mirrors ay naroroon si Poppy kaya naman hindi maiwasang malito si Sabina kung nasaan ang totoong Poppy.

'Huh? What's this? I can't concentrate if there are these overwhelming Poppys in my eyes! Where is the real her?! No, don't panic, Sab. Calm down. You can defeat this number. You're next to Young Master Alexis, you know,' Sabina comforts herself mentally. Hindi man halata pero medyo may takot si Sabina sa mga salamin kaya naman pilit nitong pinapakalma ang sarili.

"Should I do it now?" Sabina asks herself. She's planning to reveal one of her techniques now.

Napasinghap naman siya nang mapansin ang mga shards na papunta sa likod niya. She dodged it pero may shards naman na umaatake mula sa unahan ngayon hanggang sa hindi na nito makayanan pang umiwas sa mga bubog nang lahat ng clones ni Poppy ay pinuntirya ang dalaga ng mga shard.

Napagtanto ni Sabina na dahil nakakulong siya sa mala-mirror na cube na ito ay nagagawa ni Poppy lahat ng atake. She cannot catch the real Poppy unless she breaks free from it.

"Kailangan ko na ngang gawin," malumanay nitong sabi nang kumalma na siya bago pumikit. She tiptoes and poses her hands resembling a ballerina's form.

"Hmm? What are you doing, Sabina?" All of the Poppys asks in chorus when Sabina poses like a ballerina.

"Woah! Don't tell me she's not joking when she said her ability is ballet dancing!?" napatayo pa si Malcolm dahil sa pagkabigla.

Napakunot noo naman si Cerys. "Huh? Ballet dancing?"

"I thought she was just kidding when she told me her ability is ballet dancing but it really looks like it. Damn, she looks so beautiful," Malcolm's eyes are twinkling. Napatawa na lang ng mahina si Cerys.

"She's hot," nagtaas naman ng kilay si Cerys dahil sa biglang pagsasalita ni Nero na nanonood pala ng laban.

'Looks like Malcolm is not the only one who is a flirt.' Cerys thought as she subtly glances at Nero na nagtaas naman ng kilay sa kaniya nang mahuli nitong nakatingin ang babae sa kaniya kaya binigyan na lang ni Cerys ng matalim na tingin ang lalaki.

Nagulat naman silang lahat nang magsimulang gumalaw si Sabina. Together with her two ribbons in both hands, she dances in complete fluid flow creating a wind force surrounding her body.

"W-what's that?" Sabay-sabay na sabi ng lahat ng Poppy na nasa salamin dahil unti-unti silang nababasag.

Ang technique na iyon ni Sabina ay tinatawag nitong Dancing Silks dahil sa pamamagitan ng pagsasayaw ay nagiging destructive ang ability niya since her ribbons absorbed natural energy that becomes offensive as the ribbons move. This technique is like a weapon for the air element users dahil ang atake nito ay through wind force.

Hindi makakilos si Poppy dahil sa malakas na hangin na nagagawa ng sayaw ni Sabina. All of the mirrors are shattering. The real Poppy needs to move to another mirror before she shatters dahil ibig sabihin nito ay maaari siyang mamatay sa loob ng salamin.

"Shit," Poppy curses before she decided to get out of the mirror.

"Finally, you've come out," natigilan naman ito dahil sa biglang pagtigil ng pagsasayaw ni Sabina.

"Yes! Now that you are serious enough, it's time to end this game! You know I like strong opponents and you look good, Miss Ballerina! Now, my turn!" mabilis ang pagkakasabi ni Poppy dito at nakita na lang ng lahat na itinaas ni Poppy ang kaniyang kamay dahilan ng pag-appear ng limang salamin sa paligid ng malaking ilaw sa gitna ng stage.

Nagulat si Sabina nang biglang tumutok sa kaniya ang isang salamin and then light emmited from it. Mabilis na pinangsangga ni Sabina ang kaniyang dalawang malalaking ribbons. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang unti unti umiitim ang kaniyang mga ribbon.

"T-that light can burn?" gulat na tanong niya.

'Then I shall destroy those mirrors. A dance, once again,' Sabina thought.

"Huh? Sasayaw ka ulit, Sab? Hmp, do as you like," Poppy suddenly vanishes from Sabina's sight pero hindi na lang niya pinansin ang babae. She went in a ballet pose again and she moves her hands with ribbons. This time the ribbons are moving faster.

"Man, she's really beautiful," Malcolm can't help but to say it again as he watches the graceful dancing of the girl who looks like she's responding to the way the ribbons are swaying. His eyes can't leave the ballerina.

"Where's Poppy?" tanong naman ni Cerys at hindi pinansin si Malcolm na nagfafanboy over Sabina.

"Heh, she's on the move," sagot naman ni Nero sa kaniya. Papansinin niya sana ang lalaki pero napako ang tingin niya sa ginagawa ni Poppy.

"She's placing mirrors in every fluorescent light?!" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Cerys.

"Sorry, ballerina Sabina, I know you're really strong. And a top student in town but I am not second in the entrance exam for nothing. I'll show you now what I'm really capable of, okay? Tee-hee,"

Poppy's wide smile would have made every person love her but it is not necessary when she is saying that while provoking her opponent. That's completely creepy, Poppy. Cerys sighs as she badly want to tell Poppy that she's not turning out sweet at the moment.

Kinumpas ni Poppy ang kaniyang kamay making all the mirrors that are facing the light to release blasts towards Sabina who is gracefully dancing in the middle to break the mirrors. Sabina's eyes widens in horror as she looked at the tremendous amount of light blasts going to her.

"Is she going to kill her opponent?!" napatayo na si Cerys na kanina pa nangangamba kay Poppy dahil sa nasaksihan.

Hindi nito inaasahan na gagawa ng napakadelikadong atake si Poppy. Masyadong malaki ang light blast na papunta kay Sabina. Ramdam nito ang puwersa ng parating na atake; ito ay maaaring ikamatay ni Sabina.

"Poppy! Are you going to kill her?!" malakas na sigaw ni Malcolm. Mukhang anumang oras ay bababa na ang binata dahil mukhang matatamaan na si Sabina.

"Don't worry, she's going to survive," Loey remarks out of nowhere kaya naman kumalma si Malcolm.

Sabina heaves a sigh. "Ribbon Art: Dancing Blacks Silks!" her black ponytail unties by itself while her body makes a 360 degree turn to protect herself from getting hit by the light blasts.

"Ah!" narinig nila ang sigaw ni Sabina na nasa loob ng black ribbon siyang pumuprotekta dito mula sa light blasts.

Napatigil naman ang mga manonood dahil sa pag-aalala na baka hindi makasurvive si Sabina mula sa dahil sa sobrang laki nang pagsabog na umabog na rin ang mga tumalisik na shards sa second floor. Mabuti na lang at mabilis si Cerys upang protektahan sila sa posibleng pagtama ng mga bubog sa kanila.

"That curly girl is dangerous," napabuntong hininga na lang si Max Berne dahil kahit ito ay nangangamba na na baka may mapatay nga sa laban na 'to.

I knew it. She's brutal. She's dangerous. Komento ni Cerys sa kaniyang isipan habang pinagmamasdan si Poppy na ngiting-ngiti habang nagpapakawala pa rin ng shards papunta sa direksyon ni Sabina na nasa loob pa rin ng ribbon.

Poppy Forster loves fighting strong opponents and when she sees an opening, she will do everything she got just like firing at Sabina at once kahit alam niya na nakamamatay talaga ang light blast na yun. It is no doubt that she has the sadistic nature.

"Here I come, Sabina!" Nagulat naman si Sabina dahil sa mabilis na pagsugod sa kaniya ni Poppy. They fought in a hand-to-hand combat. And sometimes Sabina sneaks an attack with ribbons, so does Poppy.

Poppy always surprises her opponent. In the middle of the battle, she made another mirror cube surrounding the two of them fighting and then suddenly the Poppy in front of Sabina shatters.

"Hahahaha! This is so fun, Sabina!" nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sabina dahil nasa loob na naman si Poppy ng mirror cube. This time ay isang Poppy lang ang nakikita niya pero ito ay tumatakbo sa loob ng mirror.

Sabina grits her teeth in annoyance before she released the main ribbon in her back. The big ribbon splits into numerous ones like a reproduction. The ribbons sharpen as if they are not made by fabric.

"Chase her!" The ribbons quickly swarm towards the mirrors as Sabina commands them.

The audience is left in awe as they witness the swift formation of the ribbons. They can barely see the stage again as it is being dominated by shining ribbons.

"Shit," Poppy curses between her smiles when a ribbon found her. She's now hiding in one of the broken mirrors.

Lumabas siya sa salamin at pinaubaya na nito ang action sa mga shard sa kaniyang damit.

The shards emitted another light blast that made the ribbon scrawl back to Sabina's dress.

"Woah, that's an amazing move, Forster," nakangiting sabi ni Sabina kaya napatingin sa kaniya si Poppy na nanlaki ang mga mata nang mapagtanto ang kaniyang ginawa. She's too late to avoid the mind controller.

'Shit! Not again!'

Unlike earlier that she can still think, this time her name was completely shut down by Sabina's mind controlling ability. She's in a memory manipulation.

Nakita niya ang kaniyang thirteen year old na sarili na nasa gubat at may kasamang isang babae. It's her cousin. Tumatakbo sila sa gitna ng kagubatan upang takasan ang isang lobo. Nahagip ang kaniyang pinsan na ikinahinto nito sa pagtakbo. Lumapit siya sa lobo at sinaksak ito ng mga shard ngunit nagkamali siya ng tama. Ang tinamaan ay ang kaniyang pinsan.

Napaatras siya. 'No, no, no.'

Napatilt ang ulo ni Cerys nang makitang napaluhod si Poppy. 'It looks like she really fell in the trap or does she?' taas kilay na tanong nito habang nakatingin lang sa dalawang babae sa stage.

"Huh?" Napatingin naman siya kay Malcolm na nakatingin sa kabilang dulo ng stage and there, another Poppy inside the mirror is kneeling down. Like she's imitating the action of the Poppy in front of Sabina.

"So the one in front of that mind controller is a reflection," mahinang sabi naman ni Max Berne sa sarili. Napangisi ito nang mapagtanto ang ginawa ni Poppy Forster. 'That curly girl is really interesting, though, she's dangerous.'

Napaatras si Sabina nang unti-unting tumayo ang Poppy na nasa harapan niya. The clone smiled at her at mabilis na sinugod ang dalaga. Kasabay nito ay ang pagsugod rin ng totoong Poppy na nanggaling sa kabilang dulo papunta sa likod ng dalaga habang nakasakay sa lumilipad na mirror.

Hindi makapaniwala si Sabina sa kaniyang nakita. It was a clone?! Her eyes widen in horror. To think that she was fooled, Poppy's acting got her.

"I have no choice then," ani Sabina na sumeryoso na muli at saka nito pinulot ang black ponytail niya na nasa sahig. Ito ang ginamit niya kanina sa Dancing Black Silks.

"Ribbon Art: Iron Silks!"

Napaatras ang totoong Poppy samantalang nabasag kaagad ang Poppy the clone nang madaanan ito ng black ribbon ni Sabina.

"You've revealed your last card huh? Sige, ako din!" Itinaas ni Poppy ang kaniyang kamay na may salamin na naging dahilan ng pagtama nito sa flourescent light sa dingding at ito ay nagbounce back making it emit serious blast that no one or anything will ever get to escape. It is more hot and wider in range type of blast that is even crazier than earlier and if the usual blast were in white color, this time it is rainbow.

"Prism Mirror: Rainbow Blast!" As Poppy shouted the name of her technique, the light illuminated the entire hall. That everyone in the area can't stay still in their sits.

Gulat na gulat ang mga manonood pati na si Max Berne dahil hindi na alam ng mga ito kung makakasurvive ba si Sabina sa pagsabog na iyon. Sabina's ribbon ponytail covered Sabina upang maprotektahan sa nakakamatay na rainbow blast. Pagkatapos nang pagsabog ay naging visible na muli ang paligid at napatayo pa ang mga manonood sa nangyari.

"What the hell is with that explosion? Sabina! Are you okay!?" Alalang-alala na tanong ni Malcolm.

"It's over," may pagkamangha sa boses ni Cerys.

Nakahandusay ngayon si Sabina na may galos sa katawan. Habang hingal na hingal naman si Poppy na dahan dahang ibinababa ng kaniyang mirror.

Napatingin si Poppy kay Sabina.

"Oh my God, is she dead? Huhuhu I'm sorry, Sabina! You provoked me. It's because you said you're throwing your last card and I also want to show you my last card but maybe I went overboard. I'm sorry!" Parang ibang Poppy na ngayon ang lumalapit kay Sabina dahil nagbalik na ang usual self nito na jolly at palakaibigan.

Lumapit ito kay Sabina na akala niya ay wala ng malay ngunit napatigil ito nang may ribbon pang humawak sa paa niya.

"It's not over yet?!" Gulat na tanong ni Cerys.

"Stop right there, twenty minutes have passed," nagpunta sa stage si Max Berne upang awatin na ang dalawang dalaga dahil naghahanda na naman ng shards si Poppy kahit kitang-kita naman na hindi na makakalaban pa si Sabina.

Itinayo ni Max Berne si Sabina na nanghihina na.

"That was a great fight, kids. I expect no less from the Metriosses. But Poppy Forster, can you hold back for a little? You almost killed her," matalim na tingin ang ibinigay ni Max Berne kay Poppy na ikinangiwi naman ng dalaga.

"Sorry, Sir! I won't do it again!" tumungo ito upang humingi ng tawad.

"But still, you've done well. Now, introduce yourselves."

Napatingin si Poppy sa audience na sina Cerys, Malcolm, Loey at Nero.

"I am Poppy Letricia Allison Salvatore Forster, eighteen years old! A proud Metrios from East Fornacis! I am a mirror manipulator! Let's all be friends! And also, don't worry! I won't fight recklessly like that again!" Naiiyak nitong sabi. She's so happy because she finally realized that she belong to this house, knowing that she defeated the top student from their city.

Napatingin naman silang lahat kay Sabina na kahit nanghihina na ay pumunta pa rin sa harapan.

"I am Sabina Prima Vivienne Kellan Standifel, also from East Fornacis. A mind controller and ribbon manipulator. I will take this test as a lesson and reflect from it," mahinhin nitong sabi at ngumiti kay Poppy na ngumiti din sa kaniya.

"Let's become stronger together!" Poppy exults. Tumango si Sabina.

Itinuro sila ni Max Berne na dahilan rin nang paglaho nila nang nangyari kina Lennon.

"Oh, that's a fast recovery!" sigaw ni Malcolm para marinig ng mga pumapasok.

It's Lennon and Primrose. Mukhang okay na ang dalawang unang naglaban kanina.

Nang makaupo na sila ay humarap na si Max Berne sa kanila na may seryosong mukha.

"That's fast," salubong ni Cerys kay Lennon nang makaupo na ito sa tabi niya.

"Well, I didn't really get injured," sabi ni Lennon at tinry na itago ang kamay nitong may bandage na nakapulupot. Napansin ito ni Cerys kaya naman hinawakan niya ang kamay ng binata.

"Then what about this?" Cerys raises an eyebrow habang ine-examine ang kamay ni Lennon na may bandage.

"Uh, it got a bit burned because I touched the Phoenix's foot. But it's not bad; it'll go back to normal in a few hours. That's what the nurse said," paliwanag ni Lennon na mukhang hindi pinaniwalaan ni Cerys dahil sa tingin nito sa binata. "I assure you that it's fine," he chuckles.

Nabitawan naman agad ni Cerys ang kamay ni Lennon dahil sa biglang pagsasalita ni Max Berne na ikinatigil rin ng mundo niya.

"Next pair is a battle between the representatives," seryosong anunsyo nito.

"Cerys McIntyre and Nero McNamara, get on the stage, now."

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