Parallel World: Rogue College

***

"Are you sure about this decision?" Aunt Jane asked me. I turned my head on her while binding my things.

"I needed to. And even if I declined their offer, they would still waste their time and bother me about it," I answered attentively. I really have no time to talk to her but the sincerity in her voice makes me open up.

"Makakaya mo ba?" she asked once again.

I stared into the wall blankly. The answer to that question is, I don't know. I don't even have any idea why I accepted this offer in the first place. Siguro ay naiinis lang ako sa prof at principal ko kasi parati nila akong kinukulit tungkol dito.

I darted at Aunt Jane and forced a smile. I guess, she scrutinized what that smile means so she stopped asking me again.

"Oh, ito.Baka makalimutan mo." Kinuha ko ang wand ko galing sa kamay niya at saka ito hinawakan nang mahigpit. On the handle, there's my name carved on it.

My wand is unique, it was made of metal and the moment I lay my fingers there, it automatically turns into a normal stick. Only on my fingers.

"Mag-ingat ka." As I turned my back to Aunt, I placed my luggage on the trunk of my car and rushed in Aunt's direction to give her a tight hug.

"For 13 years, ngayon mo lang ulit ako nayakap nang ganito kahigpit."Nakangiting sambit nito. I smiled.

"Mami-miss ko po kayo," I whispered in a low tone.

I know I grew up emotionless, cold, distant,and boring. But I still have empathy with the people around me. I can feel it when they cared for me or when they wanted to help me with the things I'm struggling with. I cared for the people around me more than I cared for myself.

"Sige na!At baka maiwan ka pa ng tren. Nadala mo ba yung spell book mo?" I smiled and nodded.

"Uuwi po ako, if I have some time. Just make sure to keep my room occupied."

Malambing namang napatawa si Aunt sa sinabi ko saka tumango nang maraming beses. "Sige."

I rushed back on my luggage to get my newly invented time-turner necklace. I wasted my daybworking for this. Just for a simple appreciation for Aunt's sacrifices for me.

"Ano ito?" she asked as soon as she received the necklace.

"That's a time turner necklace. It can rewind the event that happened 24 hours ago. You can use that every day, Aunt, if you wanted to," I discussed with a soft smile on my lips.

"Gano'n ba?Ito ba 'yong pinaglaanan mo ng oras kahapon?" The necklace fits her neck perfectly though I intentionally make the lace long.

"Yep! Don't worry, meron din akong isa." I was fishing out my time turner necklace when I heard my watch screaming loudly. "1 hour before the train goo!" I slapped my forehead.

"Shut up, Rolex." Pinatay ko ang relo ko saka niyakap si Aunt.

"Sige na. Mag-ingat ka ro'n, ha? Sagrado ang Parallel World lalong lalo na ang Rogue. 'Wag kang magtitiwala sa kung sinu-sino roon." I nodded.

She's been repeating that three times now and I can't help but smile. Her voice is soothing, the main reason why I chose to stay in her place rather than staying with my other relatives.

At the age of 6, my parents died due to a car accident. I was with them, and luckily, the impact of the accident didn't trigger me.

"Mauna na po ako, Aunt." I paved my way towards my car, hopping inside as I started driving towards my old school.

Sabi ni Principal Spencer, ihahatid niya ako sa entrance ng Parallel World, Rogue College. Gumawa ako ng pamatayng oras na research about the school. And surprise, wala akong nahanap, maliban sa mga direksyon.

Sabi ni Aunt, dapat daw ay gumamit ako ng spell para makita ang hinahanap kong impormasyon tungkol sa Parallel World, Rogue College pero ang isang bilin ni Principal Spencer sa akin at sa iba pang Computer Science Wizard sa Blanche, College of Computer Science Wizards ay huwag gumamit ng magic outside the school.

7 years narin akong nag-aaral sa Blanche University at wala rin akong balak na hindi sundin ang mga utos nila. It was quite stressing'cause my hands are itching to use my wand to make things easy and better outside the school, but Rolex—my watch—would warn me not to. I had left with no choice.

Natatawa nga ako tuwing pinagsasabihan pa ako nitong wrist watch ko. I mean, I had a lot of fun making and programming my watch for 3 years! Sabi nga ni Aunt ay ito pa ang nagiging alarm clock niya tuwing umaga. Ikaniya, mas malakas pa raw ang sigaw ni Rolexkaysa sa alarm clock niya.

Habang nagmamaneho, napahawak ako sa kwintas na suot ko. The time turner necklace, nang maalala ko na naman si Aunt. Walong oras akong nawawala sa bahay kapag may klase ako sa Blanche, College of Computer Science Wizards at parati kong nakikita ang lungkot sa mga mata niya tuwing nagpapaalam ako. Paano na kaya ngayon na tatlong taon ko siyang hindi makikita?

A thought crossed my mind again. Kaya ko ba pinag-abalahan ang time turner necklace paratuwing nami-miss ako ni Auntie ay kaya niyang i-rewind ang pangyayari at mayakap ako nang mahigpit? I smiled at that thought.

I had become soft to someone when I am away. Maybe it's true that you'll only remember the importance of someone when they are gone or they are far from you. Siguro ganito talaga kapag napalapit ka na sa isang tao.

Nang makarating ako sa Blanche, College of Computer Science Wizards, I unbuckled my seatbelt and hid my wand inside my coat before I stepped out. Pagtitinginan kaagad ako ng mga estudyante sa Blanche in my sudden entrance even though they already know everything.

Yes, 7 years akong nag-aaral sa Blanche. From high school to senior high, and now in my first-year college. But, I am not a social butterfly.

Unlike other students, I studied here with no friends at all. No friends, no problems. That's what always crosseson my mind when someone tackled friendship. These wizards around me are pure-blooded one. They can be witches but they chose to use their magic on Computer. I don't know why either.

While me? I am just a mere mortal. I asked that one time with Aunt if I am also a pure-blooded wizard but she keeps on denying that I'm not. Maybe that's why I distancemyself from Aunt for how many years. I can't accept the fact that I am a pure blooded mortal and had the guts to study in an extraordinary school.

Regarding the wand, Aunt said thatwhen I turned 10 years old, I can have the wand that my dadhad invented for me. See what I am pointing out? I am a pure blooded mortal but I had a metal wand that turns into a normal stick every time I lay my fingers there. I know there's something off with that and somehow, I wanted to figure it out.

"Hazel." I bowed my head to Headmistress, Pearl. "Come in~" I flashed a smile after she said that softly.

I followed her towards the office and layed my eyes on the Headmistress when she started discussing about Parallel World, Rogue College.

"I know, Principal Spencer. Alam kong hindi niya pagsisisihan na ikaw ang kinuha niya para sa Parallel World, Rogue College," she stated cheerfully.

Kinuha? I wonder if that's the right term. Because first of all, most of the council and even the Headmistress herself keep on barking at me about the Parallel World, Rogue College. So honestly speaking, this decision didn't only rely on Principal Spencer only.It's all of them.

"You have a retentive memory, tapos ang dami mo pang nagagawa. Naka-imbento ka ng mga bagay na hindi kaya ng isang pure blooded wizards. For a pure blooded mortal, napahanga mo kami nang husto, Hazel." Humarap ito sa akin na s'ya namang ikinagulat ko.

"For a good luck dahil alam kong for sure ay babawalan na kami ni Principal Spencer na nakikipag-usap sa'yo ay mas maganda kung ngayon ko ito ibibigay sa'yo." I frowned at that statement.

"Pagbabawalan kayo?Bakit po?" I asked like a confused kid lost in the middle of the woods.

"Syempre, para makapag-focus ka." She grabbed my wrist and we both cringe our cheeks kasi biglang sumigaw nang malakas si Rolex.

"Can you turn this thing into a silent mode or lessen the volume? I can feel my eardrums broke." Napatawa na lang ako nang mahina sa sinabi ni Ma'am.

"Rolex can sense danger ahead of me. That's why I maintained the volume high. But don't worry po. Nabigla lang si Rolex nang hilahin niyo ang kamay ko," I answered.

"Gano'n ba?Baka pwedeng gawan mo rin ako ng ganito?" natatawang sabi niMa'am. I just shrugged 'cause why not?

Inilabas ni Ma'am ang wand niyang may pear sa dulo at saka nagsimulang magcast ng spells niya."donne une perle à cette fille, car cela deviendra sa protection!"

Ipinikit ni Headmistress ang mga mata niya habang sinasabi ang kaniyang spells. I haven't studied spells for pearls yet and I had no plan to do so. I am a Computer Science Wizard and why the hell would I study a pearl spell?

"donne une perle à cette fille, car cela deviendra sa protection!"

And after 10 seconds of whispering, I can visualize the pearl that was wrapped around my other wrist.

I smiled. "Ang ganda po," I complimented. Well, the pearls are color pink. Nang bitawan na ni Ma'am ang kamay ko, napahawak ako sa bracelet at saka ngumiti.

"Like your noisy, Rolex—"

"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!" sigaw na naman ni Rolex.

"She doesn't like to get called out noisy, Headmistress." Napatawa si Headmistress at saka tumango.

"Okay, okay.Like the QUIET Rolex, that bracelet can sense danger, too. It will turn into pure white when someone is planning to attack you. In case you'llbe needing that than QUIET Rolex."

"Miss Gamalo." Huminga ako nang malalim nang tawagin na ako ni Principal Spencer.

"Mauna na po ako, Headmistress. Salamat po rito." Ngumiti naman si Headmistress before we parted our ways. I headed to the open office and bowed to Principal Spencer.

"I've been waiting. Nasa labas ka lang pala," natatawang sabi niya. Napangiti naman ako saka umupo sa couch na nasa harapan ng mesa niya.

To be here was my second time, the first one was last week. When I finally said "yes" to their offer.

"Here's your train ticket, your coat. But you can still wear the coat you are wearing right now." I nodded at him.

"And your wand." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang naglabas siya ng isang wand saka ito inilagay sa mesa.

Good thing I hid my wand inside my coat, baka kunin pa ito ni Principal Spencer knowing that they already provide a new wand for me. Kinuha ko ang wand and unlike mine, It was made of a stick. One thing I can say. I don't like it.

I am not even amused. "That wand is required in Parallel World, Rogue College. All the spells that you wanted to learn are provided there already, just pull this out." Tumayo si Principal Spencer at saka kinuha ang wand ko. I stood up, too, to watch it. I saw my name carved there, too.

I was surprised when Principal Spencer pulled something from the wand and a list of spells flashed out there.

I take back what I had said. I am amused.

"Would you like to give it a try?"Napatingin ako kay Principal at saka tumango.

Binigay niya sa'kin ang wand and I hurriedly gave it a try. I pulled out the edge where my name was carved. And like earlier, aVR of spells was flashed there.

"Conceptuelle!"

I was surprised when light beams around the office and after seconds. I pressed my lips together to surpass my laughter. Napahawak si Principal Spencer sa temples niya. His office just turned into an ancient room. I bit my lower lip and placed back my carved name again to hide the list of spells.

"Sorry po," I apologized.

"du ridicule au normal!"

Light beamed around the office again and I smiled when everything went back to normal.

"Anong oras na ba?" Principal Spencer asked.

I cringed at my cheeks. "10AM, 10AM, 10AM!" Napatakip si Principal Spencer sa kaniyang tainga dahil sa sigaw ni Rolex.

"Sige na, makakaalis ka na." I smiledwhile Principal Spencer was busy checking his ears. Probably checking kung buhay pa ba ang eardrums niya.

Kinuha ko ang train ticket pati na ang coat at saka nag-bow bago ako umalis sa office niya.

I darted an eye to my new wand and heaved a sigh. Kung ito ay required sa Parallel World, Rogue College, then what am I gonna do with my wand? Maybe it's better if I'll just keep it. Gagawa na lang ako ng box para mapaglagyan niyon.

I rushed into my car. 11AM ang biyahe ko. Ayoko naman ma-late doon.

"Miss Gamalo." Napatigil ako nang tawagin ulit ako ni Principal Spencer. "I forgot to mention this."

May ibinigay siya sa'kin na isang libro. "Ano po ito?"

"You can't take a normal train." I smiled and nodded my head. I was about to get inside my car pero pinigilan ulit ako ni Principal Spencer. He shook his wand on the nearest wall beside him and a portal appears there.

"'Yang portal na iyan ay papunta sa parking lot ng isang bayan sa Parallel World. Hide your car properly. All the spells were written in the notebook I provided. Different from the spells from Parallel World, Rogue College."

"Salamat po." I smiled at saka sumakay na sa kotse ko.

Akala ko ay ihahatid niya ako sa entrance ng school but this is okay. He did nothing though.

Nagmaneho na ako papasok sa portal. I was surprised when I arrived in an abandoned house. Akala ko ba sa isang bayan? I shook my head and stepped out. Nakita ko ang dahan-dahang pagsara ng portal. I hurriedly grab the notebook that Principal Spencer provided and took out my old wand.

"Invisible, cacher cette chose sera sage."

I smiled when my car became invisible. Not bad.

Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko sa trunk na hindi pa nagiging invisible at saka binasa nang maigi ang pangalan ng bahay."Jamora Residence..." I read aloud so I can't forget it.

Somehow, my retentive memory can save me in this though. Hindi ako maliligaw.

Hininaan ko ang volume ni Rolex at mabuti naman at hindi ito sumigaw. I dragged my luggage on my way out of the abandoned house at saka hinanap ang direksyon papunta saistasyon ng tren. When I arrived, marami akong nakitang mga students, in the same state as mine. Ibinigay ko ang ticket sa isang lalaki at saka niya ako iginaya paloob.

"Weird," I whispered to myself. This train looks like a hotel. Ang akala kong normal na tren ay mali pala. It has a second floor.

"A student from Blanche!" sigaw ng lalaking binigyan ko ng ticket.

"Dito, ditooo!" I lure my eyes around dahil sa sigaw na narinig ko and dragged my luggage towards there.

I darted an eye to Rolex and the pearl. Mukhang hindi naman sila mapanganib.

"Ako nga pala si Walter Jamora!Hiii!"

Jamora?

"Hi, I'm Hazel Gamalo."

"Itong kasama ko, Si Victor Rough." I layed my eyes to the guy whose reading a book beside him.

"Hello," 'yan na lang ang nasabi koat saka kinuha ang maleta ko para mailagay sa lalagyan nito.

"Tulungan na kita!" Hindi na ako maka-hindi dahil tinulungan na niya ako.

"Salamat."

"Girl of few words ka ba?" Sa pagkakaalam ko ay hindi pa kami ganoon ka close para magtanong siya ng mga bagay about me.

"Hindi naman," I replied and sat on the couch opposite to theirs. I really have no time to talk. Iniisip ko na ang dami kong gagawing pagre-review at pag-adjust sa school na 'to.

"Curious na curious ako sa Blanche. Sabi nila, magagaling daw ang mga students doon. Tama ba, Victor?" tanong nitong si Walter sa katabi niya. Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya at saka ngumiti nang tipid.

"Yes," he answered before flipping another page of the book he's reading.

"Your surname is Jamora, right?"

"Ako?Oo!"

"Sa'yo yung abandoned na bahay few meters away from the station?" tanong ko. Well I wanted to make sure kasi iniwan koroon ang kotse ko.

"Ay, oo! Akin yun!" I breathed heavily. Mabuti naman kung ganoon. "Bakit?" dagdag na tanong nito.

"I left my car there. Hindi ko kasi alam kung saan ko itatago or ilalagay. Okay lang ba?" I bit my lower lip while I am waiting for his response. Nagkatinginan sila ni Victor at saka ito tumango.

"Oo naman!" A smile curved upon my lips.

"Thank you."

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A/N: This is a work of fiction. Everything that was written here was purely fictional. If you think that this story reminds you of a movie, that is because I was inspired by them. Thank you so much and enjoy reading!!