"I LOVE YOU LEIV!"
Halos manlaki ang mata ko sa gulat nang sumigaw si Gab.
"WAAAAAAHH!"
"KYAAAAAHH"
"ANG GWAPOOOOO!"
"I KENNAT! NAPAPALIGIRAN TAYO NG NAGAGUWAPUHANG LALAKI! KYAAAAHH!"
Napatakip ako nang tenga nang si Cane na ang sumigaw. Hawak hawak niya pa ang canned coffee. Hindi ko alam pang ilan niya na 'yan. Napakaingay pa rin talaga ng babaeng 'to.
May admin na nagpunta rito kanina at ipinatawag si Master kaya heto, malayang nagagawa ng mga rankmates ko ang mga gusto nila. At syempre, isa na doon ang pagdikit kay Leiv na nasa tabi ni Kalli, sa pangunguna nina Cane at Gab.
"Leiv... Silven? Parang narinig ko na yata 'yun, di ko lang maalala. By the way, I'm Kalli."
"I'm Bryson, bro."
"Howard, and my sister Xien."
"Shiro... Welcome to the family."
"Thank you." nagkamayan ang mga lalaki at nagngitian sa isa't isa. Hanggang sa bigla na lamang hablutin ni Gab ang kamay ni Leiv.
"Hi Leiv! Gab is the name. Single..." Inagaw ni Cane ang kamay ni Leiv mula kay Gab.
"Cane. Single, ready to minggle!" What the hell? "At eto nga pala si Mizuumi... The Rank 1 in Lignesium."
Nagulat pa yata siya nang makita ako. Ngumiti ito ng nakakaloko.
"Mizuumi... The Rank 1 huh." saad niya.
"And you're Leiv? A new recruit..."
"Teka... Magkakilala kayo?" takang tanong ni Cane.
"We've already met..."
"Just an hour ago..."
Nagsukatan kami ng tingin, habang palipat lipat naman ng tingin si Cane sa amin. I don't like him, but I don't hate him also. It's just that... Ugh! Basta 'yun!
"Guys! Lahat daw punta sa stadium! Ms. Oria is waiting for the practicum." anunsyo ni Nami na nasa pintuan.
"Aye Sir!"
Agad kong tinalikuran si Leiv at lumabas. Sumunod naman sa akin sina Cane at Gab.
"What was that? May nangyari ba sa inyo?" tanong ni Gab.
"Wala." sagot ko na lang. I don't really wanna talk about it. Hahaba lang ang usapan, nakakatamad magkwento.
***
We're now in stadium. The usual open field, tamang tama lang para sa 1v1 practicum. In case na may mag all-out, they can freely use their powers.
Nasa kanan ko si Cane, inom inom ang isang canned coffee, habang katabi si Gab at sa kaliwa ko naman si Nami, katabi si Blaire.
"So kahapon... Anim ang nakapag-practicum, right? Wala bang magvo-volunteer sa inyong mauna? May napili na ba kayong opponents or magtatawag ako?" tanong ni Ms. Oria.
"Tawag na lang po siguro."
"Oo nga po Ms. Oria."
The intense match so far ay 'yung mga nagpracticum kahapon. Blaire vs. Bryson—Blaire won, Howard vs. Shiro—Shiro won at Nami vs. Gab—si Nami ang nanalo.
"Okay... Then, I'll call Cane Weitz and Kalli Dyer." anunsyo ni Ms. Oria.
"Hala! Patay na." komento ni Gab.
"Bakit si Kalli pa? Kamalas malasan naman oh..." usal naman ni Cane, nagkamot batok.
"Kaya mo 'yan Cane! Mahina lang 'yan." mahinang sabi ni Nami.
"Talunin mo 'yang peste na 'yan. Durugin mo! Go Cane!" sabi naman ni Blaire.
"There's no way na matatalo ko si Kalli. He's born Mythical Glory, samantalang ako, kakaangat ko lang ng rank." she said at dahan dahang tumayo.
"Matatalo mo siya..." usal ko. Agad na napalingon siya sa'kin. "Kung gugustuhin mo. Everyone has their weaknesses... You just have to find it out yourself." I added.
"Sus! Ang dami mo pang sinabi. Pwede naman goodluck na lang." she said. Tumalikod siya ng nakangiti.
They both went to the center, readying themselves for a match. Ms. Oria gave them instructions and explained all the mechanics.
"Go Cane! Hit him with your best shot!" Xien cheered.
The match started. Kalli did the first move by creating a lightning bow and arrow.
Dalawang beses na nagbitaw ng atake si Kalli, but Cane was able to dodge it.
The next thing that happened is that may nakita na lang kaming lumitaw na isang babaeng may hawak na payong. Sobrang puti niya at kulay red na buhok na ang haba ay hanggang tuhod. Suot niya'y longsleeves fitted, kulay pula at palda na above the knee.
"Cane never failed to surprise me... She always have her ace card." komento ni Gab na naaa tabi ko na ngayon.
"A hero card..."
Every day, lumalakas si Cane. She trained so much more than anyone else here. She always have this mindset I don't deserve to be called Bryson's sister 'cause I'm weak. Like that... Pero hindi niya alam, she's now stronger. She improved a lot. Kung dati ay sandaling oras niya lamang nagagamit ang hero niya, now she can use it longer. Kahit gaano pa kalakas na atake ang pinapakawalan niya. Pero depende pa rin siguro sa hero niya.
"Omo! I'm being summoned! Ibig sabihin ba nito, I'm going to fight? Huh, Cane?? Waaaah! I smell an intense magic... It's coming from you." nagsimula siyang maghysterical, tila naaexcite. Her eyes were lightened up when she saw Kalli in front of her. "Siya ba makakalaban ko Cane? Ikaw ba makakalaban ko, ha? Maglalaban ba tayo? Waaah! You're strong, I can sense it. I can't wait!"
"Coffee monster, featuring battle monster." rinig kong sabi ni Dwayne. Nasa tabi na siya ngayon ni Gab.
"What do you mean? Battle monster?"
"By the way, my idea ka ba kung sino ang hero na nilabas ni Cane?" tanong din ni Gab.
"Her name is Funox, isa sa pinakamalakas sa 9 Hero Cards ni Cane. She's a magic addict who loves fighting with strong people. She never lost in her history." he explained.
"Wow. Akala ko si Vale na ang pinakamalakas, pero ang malaman na may mas lalakas pa pala sa hero niya... Just wow." namamanghang komento ni Gab.
We focused again on the match.
"Cane... I won't hold back. I'm gonna go all out. You ready?" nakangiting saad ni Funox.
"Ano pa bang bago? You always overdo things... Besides, I'm always ready . That's why I summoned you..." It seems like Cane knew this hero very well. They're both smiling like crazy.
"Sorry... But, I won't hold back too." sabi naman ni Kalli. Muli, nagpaulan ito ng mga pana sa kinaroroonan nina Cane. But, none of it hit them.
"What the hell?"
All was in state of shocked habang si Ms. Oria ay seryoso lang na nanonood. Maging ako ay nagulat din. Funox just spinned her umbrella at ang daan daang panang pinakawalan ni Kalli, naglaho. Just like that... Then she spinned it again to a different direction at bumalik kay Kalli ang kanyang mga pana. Pero naiwasan naman iyon ni Kalli by creating a huge wall.
The moment his wall disappeared, agad na umatake si Funox. Sobrang bilis niya. In just a blink of an eye, nasa harapan na siya ni Kalli, suot suot pa rin ang ngiti. Kalli's eyes widened dahil maski siya ay nagulat. Funox threw a hard punch making him flew away.
"Eh? 'Yun lang? I thought you're strong..." she said childishly.
"Gad! She's insane!"
"W-what an intense magic. Scary..."
"She really is Bryson's sister. Ang lakas nila pareho!"
Iba iba ang naririnig kong mga komento galing sa mga rankmates ko. Ang sarap sa ears.
"G-grabe... Ang lakas." namamangha namang usal namab ng katabi ko.
"If I were to rank Funox to all 9 heroes... I think she's the 3rd, and Vale would be the 4th." saad naman ni Dwayne. Nilingon ko siya. Gulat ding lumingon si Gab sa kanya.
"S-seryoso??? So ibig sabihin may mas lalakas pang dalawa sa kanila? What the hell Cane? Ano pa bang tinatago mo sa amin?"
Back it again on the match... Nakabangon naman agad si Kalli.
"Thank goodness, you're alive! I thought you died na e." bakas ang pag aalala.
"As if... I can't die here."
"Oh?" she mocked. "Then... Shall we continue?" Bumalik ang ngiti niyang mapang asar.
Mabilis ang nga kilos nila, hindi ko halos masundan. Kalli was throwing punches and kicks habang wala namang ginawa kundi umilag. Parang wala lang sa kanya ang mga iyon. Nang gumamit si Kalli ng Lightning Sword, Funox used her umbrella as shield. Akala ko ay mababali iyon, pero hindi.
Nagulat na lang ako nang naging katana bigla ang payong niya.
"Wow..."
We're like watching a real match. Cane and Kalli are being too serious on this.
"Is that all you've got, hmmm?" nagawa pang mang asar ni Funox. Ngumiti pabalik si Kalli.
"I'll be honest... You're strong. But, I'm not gonna lose." he said
"Oh, really? Let's see."
One swing of their swords, pareho silang tumilapon.
"Hey Cane... You wanna try the new spell? I've learned this from Lola." parang batang tanong ni Funox kay Cane.
"New spell? Meron ka?"
"Oo naman no. So, is it a yes or yes?"
"As if may choice ako."
Funox held Cane's hands. And in just one swift, nag ilaw sila bigla, nakakasilaw.
"Ano 'yun?"
We all looked away.
Nang mawala na ang nakakabulag na ilaw, ibinalik namin ang tingin namin sa kanila.
"Nawala si Funox?" Napansin nga namin na nawala si Funox.
"W-what's this magic I feel?" I heard Blaire muttered.
I can feel it too. I've never felt this magic before...
"I think Cane and Funox became one..." Dwayne concluded. Pagkasabi niya non ay napatingin kami kay Cane.
Her appearance changed, yes. She's very different now. Her eyes becomes more furious. Ang suot ni Funox ay suot niya na rin, nag iba nga lang ang kulay at style. It's Cane's magic, na naramdaman namin.
"Damn! Nagkaka goosebumps ako sa intense ng pangyayari. 'Yung kahapon, sobra na eh, tapos ngayon... Sobra sobra pa. Josko!"
I never thought that Cane would be this serious of defeating Kalli. She's giving her all!
"Spirit Link? Hmmm..." ani Kalli. "Would you mind if I'll use my all too, Ms. Oria?" tanong nito. Nagkibit balikat lamang siya, as if she's saying yes.
Napansin naming pumikit si Kalli, tila nagko-concentrate. What's he doing?
"Don't tell me... Hoy! Kallimot!" nagpapanic na sigaw ni Blaire. "Is he serious on using that?"
"Why?" I curiously asked.
"He's been training that since after the Rank Game... It's called Lightning Dragon Form. After he mastered it, Lighning God Form na ang tine-train niya. And damn! I don't want to see what's going to happen next..." paliwanag ni Blaire, nagpapanic na.
Another strong magic enveloped the whole stadium.
Pagkabalik namin ng tingin kay Kalli, his figure changed. His body is covered with lightning, from top to bottom. His eyes turned like a dragon's. And this strong magic I felt right now...
"IS THIS FÙCKING SERIOUS? Nakakaloka kayo!" Gab shouted in frustration.
"Just 5 seconds... Let's end this." said Kalli with confidence.
"5 seconds... I'll end this." sabi naman ni Cane.
Everyone are holding their breaths, scared of what's going to happen next on this match. Kahit naman ako... But I'm readying my self if anything happens.
Sabay na sinugod nila ang isa't isa. Sa sobrang bilis ay isang linya lang ang nakita namin. Hindi na namin alam ang nangyari when they were covered with smoke. Basta ang alam ko lang, one magic disappeared at ang isa ay ramdam pa rin namin.
"Kalli Dyer wins." Ms. Oria declared. Agad na nagtungo kami sa kung nasaan sila.
Malayo pa lang ay nakikita ko ng nakatayo si Kalli.
What happened to Cane?
Dali dali ko siyang hinanap. Hindi rin nagtagal ay nawala na ang usok at nakita ko rin siya, nakaupo at tila pagod na pagod. Nasa tabi niya si Funox na nakahiga, tulala sa kawalan. Dinulugan namin sila.
"You okay?" I asked. She nodded.
"I think I can't hold that spell for a long period of time... I'm so drained. You battle freak!" asik niya kay Funox.
"I...lost. For...the...firs time." tanging usal lang nito.
Ibinalik na niya sa card si Funox. Ako naman ay ginamit ang healing magic para kay Cane.
"That was a nice game, Cane. That was one great magic. Thank you for not holding back." sabi ni Kalli and patted her head. Bumalik na ulit siya sa normal.
"Sa susunod, hindi na ako magpapatalo."
"Naku Kalli! Hindi talaga tatantanan kung may nangyari kay Cane!" sigaw ni Blaire.
Napansin kong matagal bago ko naheal si Cane. My healing magic became weaker since then, at hindi ko alam bakit. I have to know why. I have a bad feeling about this.
Nagsibalikan na sa normal ang lahat, umupo na ulit kami sa mga pwesto namin kanina.
"I see that all of you improved a lot... You became stronger. Specially, you Cane. Mula pa nung Warrior rank ka pa lang." saad ni Ms. Oria. "Next students. Mizuumi Morgan and..."
"WAAAAH! AYAN NA!"
"PUCHA WAG SANA AKO!"
"Surrender na lang agad, kapag tayo ang natawag."
"Hahahaha! Dude, the comments." natutuwang sabi ni Cane.
"Leiv...Silven? Oh, the new recruit. Mizuumi Morgan vs. Leiv Silven. Come in front." sabi ni Ms. Oria.
"OMG! SI LEIV!"
"I felt bad for Leiv... Goodluck na lang sa kanya."
"Kaya nga noh? Kung ako sa kanya, susurrender na ako. Ang malas niya."
"Pero ano bang magic ni Leiv?"
"Who knows? Kakapasok niya lang kanina diba..."
I was thinking about that too. Bakit wala akong nararamdaman na magic sa kanya?
"You can now start..." Ms. Oria declared.
"Hoy Mizuumi! Wag kang papatay ha! Maawa ka... Minsan lang ang gwapo sa mundo." rinig kong sigaw ni Cane. I rolled my eyes.
"Easyhan mo lang Mizuumi! Huwag mo masyadong galingan ha!" sigaw rin ni Gab.
"You can come at me anytime..." sabi ng lalaki sa harapan ko.
"You don't have to tell me. I'm gonna end this as soon as possible..."
Without any signals, I burts out my magic... The dark magic.
Sobrang init ng nararamdaman ko. I feel like I'm gonna explode. I think I can do anything in this form... Pansin ko ang nagliliparang mga bagay sa paligid dahil sa ginawa ko. There's this black cloak that covered my whole body.
"Mizuumi! WHAT THE HELL?"
"You're not gonna kill him, aren't you?"
"Mizuumi! Calm down!"
I glanced at them. They're all frightened and nervous of what I'm about to do.
"Ready?" I asked him.
He smiled. "Come."
"As you wish..."
I went to him. It's like, I teleported right in front of him. I was about to punch him... Pero isang hindi inaasahan ang nangyari.
Sa isang iglap ay nawala ang kapangyarihan ko. Bahagya akong nagulat, and he saw it.
"What happened?"
"I think he stopped Mizuumi..."
"Really?"
"What's with that sword na hawak ni Leiv?"
Ngayon ko lang din napansin... He's holding a sword, na kanina wala naman. Just how did he do that? And what is this sword? How did it stopped me?
"I lost." sabi ko at nagkibit balikat.
"HUH????" reaksyon nilang lahat. Kumunot naman ang noo ni Leiv.
"I lost Ms. Oria. Leiv won." sabi ko. But Ms. Oria was still frozen. Agad rin naman siyang nabalik sa wisyo.
"Huh? Ah, oo. Leiv won." aniya at may isinulat sa records. "What is that sword, by the way?" tanong niya kay Leiv.
"This is an anti-magic sword. It cancels and absorbs any magic spells..."