Empathy

In our hilarious class with Sir Jielo, I got to know another spell and it was now written on my wand. On the VR of my wand obviously. He tasked us to give it a try when we saw a rat and yep! He allowed us to go out in class to search for rats and turned it into a hilarious Michael Jackson Zombie and that's the reason why we are now in the Supreme Student's office.

Ipinatawag lang naman ang section namin. We figured out how to turn rats into hilarious zombies but we don't have any idea how to revise it. Hindi naman kasi 'yun tinuro ni sir. Our section has a total of 15 students and we are inside the office while Sir Jielo and the other supreme students are revising our spell. LoL.

"Keith, bakit hindi mo tinuro sakin yung revision ng spell? Hindi ba Supreme student ka? Dapat alam mo ang mga revisyon ng spells." Our female classmate stated. Inilabas nung Keith ang wand niya atsaka ito itinutok sa pisngi nung babae. "Pinapagalitan mo ba ako?" He asked while gritting his teeth.

He looks like a wolf in that state.

"Hindi naman po. Nagtataka lang po ako." Napabuntong hininga naman si Victor kaya sa kanya na naman napunta ang atensyon nung Keith. "Why are you sighing? Do you want me to turn you into a rat?!" May pagbabanta sa tono nito. Napatin ako kay Victor na kinakabahan din pero hindi 'yun nakikita sa mukha niya.

I am an empath, I can feel other people's feelings by looking into their eyes, and right now, all of us are terrified of the student in front of us. "That's against the rule, Keith." The other guy played. I heard heavy breathing from Victor when this guy named Keith turned around para tingnan kung sino yung nagsalita.

"Is he normally like that?" I whispered. "Yes." Sagot naman ni Walter. "High School palang kami ganyan na s'ya. Hindi naman talaga siya magaling, pasalamat lang siya at kasali sa council ang tatay niya kaya niya nakuha ang pwesto sa supreme student." I clenched my fist. Kaya naman pala.

"No one should question why I choose to keep the revision alone! Mga losers." I was about to step in when Victor intentionally held my hand and shook his head. I just want to teach this young man a lesson. He's 19 years old for God's sake at ganyan pa siya mag isip? What is he even? Grade schooler?

"Oh... Mabuti naman at tahimik kayo." A male stated as he stepped inside the office. Tiningnan kami ng masama ni Keith, so I also gave him the same look. Anong akala niya sa akin? bastang-basta niyang maapi? Hindi nga ako na-aapi sa Blanche, dito pa kaya?

"Yes, Mr. Keith?"

"I just wanna ask if I and my friends can go already. Late na kami sa susunod na klase." I was about to step in the middle of conversation again nang pigilan na naman ako ni, Victor. What the hell is his problem?

"Why are you only excusing yourself, Mr. Keith? How about the others?" Tanong ng lalaki. I nodded. He has a point and that is what I am going to step in kung hindi lang ako pinigilan ni Victor. "I don't know them and I don't give a fuck about them."

"As if we give a fuck about you too! Ang lakas ng loob mo, e kaya ka lang naman naging Supreme Student, dahil 'yan sa tatay mo." When Victor loosens the grip of my coat, napaayos na lang ako sa sarili ko. I need to maintain my posture, first day of class ko pa lang dito sa Parallel World, Rogue College, ayokong mapasabak sa gulo agad agad.

I manage to maintain my peace before, I think I can manage it now also.

"fermez cette bouche pour la fermer!"

Without a waste of time, the girl immediately shut up. I guess he just used a shut up spell. So that is how he plays fair game huh? "MR. ARSON! You know magic is not prohibited outside the school classroom. Not even in the Supreme Office." I swallowed the lump on my throat.

Right. 'Yon din ang sabi sa akin ni Principal King. I wonder if pareho lang ba sila ng skills are as good like he said earlier, kambal sila. Also, they like prohibiting magic outside the school campus or inside the classroom. But, a thought crossed my mind. What if it's an emergency? we're still not allowed to use our magic?

"Makarating ito kay daddy!" He threw deadly glares at all of us before he left the office. "make this spell disappear, for this girl thought a share" I don't have any idea where they get those spells. Sa pagkakatanda ko naman ay walang ganong spells sa wand ko. Is that spell for Supreme Students only?

"Shit!" I heard the girl cussed after the male revised the spell. "Hindi talaga siya natuto." Bulong nito sa hangin atsaka nag martsa paalis. Sumunod naman sa kanya ang iba naming kaklase, Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo nila Walter atsaka sumama na 'din sa kanila but someone stopped us.

"Mr. Rough," Napalingon kaming tatlo atsaka tumungo ulit sa loob. Alam kong si Victor lang ang tinawag pero nakakawalang gana naman siguro kung aalis nalang kaming basta ni Walter at iwan siya dito. "Yes, Mr. Mal?"

I crossed my arms, leaning my back on the wall. "About, The Golden Scheme that you are searching for. I guess this can help." A curiosity was drawn on my face when the guy named Mal handed a paper to Victor. Golden Scheme? I never heard about that.

"And yes you are right....Mr. Jamora, kindly close the door." Tumayo ako ng tuwid atsaka tinulungan si Walter na isara ang pinto. The guy named Mal, pulls out the curtains and again, amazement is drawn on my face when a video flashes there. Why am I keep getting surprised by their small acts? This is a magic school. Come on, Hazel. Don't be dumb.

Kung sa mortal na mundo ay meron silang monitor para sa CCTV, ibahin mo dito sa Parallel World, Rogue College. From the white curtain, the lights inside the office turned dim and a video flashed in the curtain. It's like a time machine but in a recorded playlist. Lumapit ako kay Victor and unlike me, He just stared into the curtain, holding a paper, and looked not-surprised at all.

"As you can see, A veiled man got inside the Ancestry Palace just like what you had stated last month. And you are also right when you said that he is the one who stole the Golden Scheme." Napatingin ako kay Mal atsaka ibinalik ang tingin ko sa kurtina.

A young man in a black veil was looking around, I couldn't clearly see his face and I had no idea what he looked like. I swallowed the lump on my throat when the guy is lockpicking, turning around para makita kung may naka huli ba sa kanya. When he finally took what he wanted, just like Mr. Jielo earlier, he vanished.

What the hell?

"Who do you think that is?" Two claps from the guy named Mal and the lights go back to normal and the curtains slide back on the corner. Napakamot si Victor sa batok niya atsaka bumuntong hininga. Well, if they are going to ask me for my observation regarding the video. I can't say anything, cause once and foremost. I am just a mere transferee. Why the heck would I figure out who the hell that guy is?

"I don't have any idea for now." Sagot ni Victor atsaka minasahe ang batok niya. "Wala ba tayong magagawa tungkol dun? Saan galing yung footage na yun?" Walter step in.

"From Atonish."

"Who is Atonish?"

"The door holder." Siguro kung iniisip nilang creepy ang Rolex ko, Mas creepy itong door holder na'to. What kind of door holder this thing is? "Ahhhhhh!!" I cringe my cheek when Rolex began screaming and my pearl bracelet turns white.

"Danger," I whispered. Before Rolex spoke up, I turned her into a silent mode. A creak was clearly heard as the door started to open. I turned around and almost stepped out of the office and ran away when a hairy man, tall and masculine step inside the office.

"My dear, Keith told me that you are scolding him." Keith? So he is the father of Keith? and scolding? Mal isn't scolding him. He is just talking about the rules. That's overreacting though. "Good afternoon, Mr. Arson. And no, I am not scolding your son. I am sorry for behaving that way, that your son misinterprets it." What the hell? Why is he even sorry?

"Let's go." Hinawakan ako ni Walter at sa kabilang kamay naman niya si Victor. I felt suffocated inside when that man showed up. Who is he and why did my dear Rolex scream? My pearls turned white. Is he a... danger?

***

"Hoy! Hindi mo pa ginagalaw ang pagkain mo." I nudge on Victor. He looks like he's thinking deeply that he can't even eat. "Okay ka lang?" Dagdag na tanong ni Walter. Right, is he okay? I haven't seen him this serious. What's bothering you, Victor?

"Huh? Yes! I'm fine! My iniisip lang." Nakangiting sambit nito atsaka nagsimulang kumain. Ang ulam namin ay monggo, I don't like it at first but the taste gets better while I am eating. "What's bothering you?" I asked while I am drinking my water.

"Wala naman." Nagvibrate si Rolex kaya napangisi ako at ipinakita ang relo ko sa kanya. "Rolex told me you are lying. What's bothering you ba kasi?" Walter was about to lay his finger on my watch but I hurriedly tapped his hand and sticks my tongue out.

"Tungkol ba sa footage?" Walter asked.

"So you are telling us that your watch can sense if someone is lying? Aside from sensing the danger?" I shrugged my shoulder at hindi sila sinagot, but they both laugh and grab my wrist, hindi naman sumigaw si Rolex, because I muted her. Kung hindi ko lang me-nute si Rolex ay baka nagsisigaw na ito at humihingi ng tulong.

"Pwede mo din ba kaming gawan ng ganito? Napakacool ng relo mo!" Walter exclaimed. I hurriedly cover his mouth and gave him a sign to lower down his voice. "Gawan mo din kami." Victor whispered. "Well, I can do it if you will tell us what's bothering you. You look so filled up." Umupo si Victor ng maayos atsaka inilabas ang papel na binigay ni Mal sa kanya.

He gave it a blow and the folded paper opens itself. "I think, Someone from here has something to do with the Golden Scheme." He opens up habang tinitingnan ang papel.

"Wait up... Is this a map?" I asked curiously. Napatingin sila sa direksyon ko atsaka sabay na tumango. "Obviously, bakit?" Kinapa ko ang coat ko atsaka inilabas ang map na nilagay sa tabi ng wand ko.

"I had one too. Principal King gave this to me earlier. He said to help me locate the places that I wanted to visit on the campus."

"Can I have a look?" Tumango ako atsaka binigay sa kanya ang mapa. Good thing most of the students go back to their classes already. "Anong oras na?" I asked. Tumingin si Walter sa relo niya atsaka ngumiti.

"12pm." 12 pm?

"12pm? eh diba 1pm ang next class natin? Halika na baka malate pa tayo!" I was about to stand again when he grabs me and pull me back to my chair. "Bakit?" Tumingin ako sa relo ko and my eyes widened when it's already 1pm.

"Walter! 1pm na sa relos ko! Malalate tayong tatlo." In the meantime, nagkatitigan na naman silang dalawa ni Victor at tumawa ng malakas. Why? Why are they laughing at? who are they laughing to?

"Iba ang time difference dito atsaka sa Earth, Hazel. Sa relo mo ay 1pm na pero sa akin at sa relo ng school, 12pm pa. The time of earth revolves around 24 hours. Parallel World is different, Our world revolves to 26 hours." Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako o maguguluhan sa explenasyon ni Walter.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Earth time ends at 12pm right?" I nodded in confusion. Yes? So what if the time of the earth ends at 12? "Parallel World ends at 13pm." I frowned trying to process what he just had said. "So we had one hour left before our class starts?" I asked confusedly and they both nodded.

"Give me your watch." Ibinigay ko naman iyon kay Walter. He fishes out his wand and pointed the tip at my watch. When his magic touches my Rolex, parang nareset ito. How did I know? Sumigaw ng malakas si Rolex. "WHAT THE FUCK!?" yep! My watch just cussed.

Victor and Walter start laughing after hearing my watch cussed. Well, I know they are amused. It's not made of magic but a program. "Rolex never failed to amaze me." Napanguso nalang ako sa komento nila atsaka hininaan ang volume ni Rolex. "How dare you call me, Rolex. I don't even know you!" Ito na naman po siya. Bakit ko ba kasi prinogram 'to ng ganito.

"Wait- did your watch just want to have a proper conversation with us?" I rolled my eyes in a different direction. Seriously. "She always does. When someone calls her name without a formal introduction." And what I mean by introduction is, introducing themselves and their skills on my Rolex.

"Hey, you! I know your names, Victor Magtanggol and Walter Got-No-Jams." I slapped my forehead. Here she goes again,

"Rolex, stop it! You got their names wrong."

"Fine, Bitch."

After the boy's stupid conversation with my cursing machine, Rolex. Mas gusto pa nilang magkaroon ng sarili nilang mga relo and surprise surprise, meron na silang naisip na mga pangalan. Victor would like to name his watch, 'Magtanggol' he doesn't have any idea what that means earlier, then I need to explain it to him. And with Walter, he would love to name his watch, 'No-Jams'

Stupid names from stupid, Rolex.

After our sorcery class, we headed to my locker. I am still with Victor and Walter, they are talking about things that happened last month, that again I can't relate myself to. I tried to fit in with their conversation, but I feel left out. They look so serious.

"Maybe it's Sir. Jielo?" I asked out of the blue, making sure to tune down my voice when I asked about it. I know, I know it's wrong to accuse someone, but, what I just saw in the footage and the vanishing spell that Sir. Jielo did earlier makes me doubt him.

"I don't think so. The male in the footage is young and skinny. Sir. Jielo is manly and tall." Walter has a point.

"Then who?"

"Mr. Arson." Mr. Arson? Keith's father? "Ewan ko sa inyo" I just simply shrugged my shoulders and headed to my locker. I opened the door of my locker and grabbed my luggage and bag. I need to be careful though because my wand is inside, even though it was made of metal, I still need to be careful.

"Tulungan na kita" I smiled.

"Thanks. Pwede niyo ba akong ihatid sa dorm?" Nagkatinginan naman sila atsaka tumango. "Okay," Si Victor ulit ang nagdala sa bag ko at si Walter naman sa maleta ko. Unlike earlier, nakasabit na sa braso ang bag ko. Siguro ay natuto na ito na huwag gamitin ang magic niya pag wala sa classroom.

"Nakita mo ba yung wand niya kanina? Maybe that helps to figure out kung sino talaga s'ya." Walter opened up. Kanina? Oh! he meant the footage? I have a retentive memory so I can remember the whole video earlier. "He's not holding any wand," I said, poking the silent bubble.

"Are you sure?" Tanong ni Victor atsaka nilingunan ako ng tingin. "I have a retentive memory, I can remember what happened, what I saw, what I watch. Blanche even used me as their human CCTV."

The two chuckled and moved beside me. Okay, what the hell? "hehehehehe" Kinurot ko ang beywang ni Walter. That giggle doesn't sound good at all. "Oww! Magkaibigan naman tayo 'diba?" I rolled my eyes. "If you are just going to use me and my retentive memory mabuti pa wag na lang tayong maging magkaibigan. And besides, I am used to be alone."

Walter laughed and shook his head. "Wala akong sinabi na ganun ah!" Wala daw'ng sinabi eh parang ganun naman ang pinapahiwatig. "Whatever, Walter Jamora."

"So tell me, What is that Golden Scheme?"

"It is an Ancient Necklace that has special features." ang cool naman pala ng necklace na 'yun. If I would be that thief, I wouldn't give it back. I wonder what's the special feature of that necklace. "It was well made by Joy Ancient, for her son Axl Ancient. Joy used all her powers just to accomplish the necklace, even if it cost her life. And, she successfully did."

"But, after a month of sacrificing the necklace, her own son poisoned her to death. Nobody knows the reason why." What a tragic story. She almost prospects her life for that necklace for her son! But then her son is the one who chooses to end her life. "Axl Ancient is a brown wizard, like me. He is good at manipulating everyone. Just like me." Victor continued.

"Asan na siya ngayon?"

"Nardith or probably dead." I frowned at Walter's answer. "Nardith?" I questioned back. "The prison on Parallel World. If you think Earth prison is worse than the worst prison, you are wrong. In Nardith, even a simple crime like stealing, talking back, or cheating on exams can sentence you to death." My jaw literally drops to the ground.

"You must be kidding me" What kind of prison is that? Stealing, talking back, and cheating on exams can be sentenced to death? What the hell. "That's against human rights!"

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Victor and laughs, why are they laughing at me? I am serious here. "Hazel, we are not humans. You might conclude it that way because of our physical features but we are not like you, we are pure-blooded wizards, witches if that's what they claimed us to be." Walter has a point. Why am I talking about human rights though? I am not on earth anymore.

"Right."

When we reached the second floor of the east wing, ibinaba na nila yung mga gamit ko. "Boys! no boys are allowed here!" I lure my eyes around when someone speaks and step back when a queen of hearts starts talking. Magkasing Tangkad kami and take note! She's a card!

"Chill, Queen! Hinatid lang namin si Hazel." Tiningnan ng masama nung Queen of hearts sina Victor atsaka naglalakad papasok sa loob ng silid. "See you tomorrow, Hazel!" They bided their goodbye so I did the same.

"Come come, dear!" Hinawakan ko na ang bag ko atsaka hinila ang maleta ko. I just followed the card kung saan niya ako dadalhin. Ang daming kwarto, I must say. Napakalaki ng dorm na ito. "Here's your room." She grabs my hand and places the key there before she walked away.

I just opened the door and to my surprise, this room is bigger than my previous room on Earth. Queen sized bed, A chandelier above, A comfortable room, and even a sofa set. Wow.

After taking a bath and fixing my things, kinuha ko ang libro ko na andun ang spells para kay Rolex. I had mentioned to the boys that I am going to assemble their own Rolex. I looked for a hard thing in my room and I saw two rocks on my bedside. I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath.

"With these two rocks, I hereby say, Make this useful, a watch is okay."

I pointed the tip of my wand in the rocks and I smiled when the rocks turned into a watch. Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko sa bag atsaka sinimulang eprogram si Magtanggol at No-Jams