Continuous Revelation

"Hazel! Kanina ka pa hinahanap ni Ms. Pearl." Bungad kaagad ni Oishi sa akin. Nakipag-apir pa siya kay Victor at Walter bago lumapit sa akin at pinukupot ang braso niya sa braso ko. "Bakit daw?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

It's been one month since we trespassed the Ancient Palace, everything goes back to normal but we still need to be extra careful. According to Principal King in his announcement last week. He'll be teaching us literally how to get rid temporarily of the spirits. Yes, that's still the term he used instead of "Manyeo" Maybe because it's so scary to digest. Spirit of the witch. Isn't it creepy?

Regarding the photo of Winston Hideux. I still can't see traces of his face in the photo even his eyebrows, forehead, or chin. Like the head part of the photo just wiped out. The hole in his head in the photo, caught by the fire, I guess? and what only left is his body.

Pero kahit ito lang ang meron ako. Nangangati pa rin ang kamay at isip ko na gumawa ng paraan para makita kung sino ba talaga siya. Kung ano ang mukha niya.

Headmistress Pearl. She's been staying here in Parallel World for a month.

Sinusuyo siya ni Principal King na umuwi muna kasi ayaw niyang malagay sa panganib ang kakambal niya pero ayaw pa ring umalis ni Headmistress. May gusto pa daw siyang sabihin sa akin na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa niya nasasabi.

I headed to the east wing while the boy's headed to the south wing. Sinamahan din ako ni Oishi sa hallway papunta sa office ni Principal King. "Bakit daw ako hinahanap?" I asked once again pero nagkibit balikat lang si Oishi habang kumakain ng maja. "Hindi ko din alam kasiii, insaan!" Nagdadabog na sabi nito atsaka ngumuso.

I just simply roll my eyes and place my hands inside my pocket. "Oo nga pala! Nabanggit ko kay Lolo na dito tayo nag-aaral dalawa." I tilt my head to him and beam a smile.

"Ganon ba?"

"Oo! Tapos sabi niya! kung may free time ka daw, baka gusto mong bumisita." Pinagkross ko ang dalawang braso ko atsaka naghummed. "Siguro sa susunod na lang. Papalapit na rin ang SSEG kaya magiging busy ako." Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Oishi at dahan-dahang napayuko.

"But you can invite them here in Trana. Plano ko rin naman dalhin si Aunt Jane dito." Bumalik ang malawak na ngiti sa labi ni Oishi atsaka tumango ng mabilisan. Napangiti nalang din ako at inakbayan siya atsaka kami sabay na naglakad papunta sa office ni Principal King.

SSEG. Second Sem Exam and Grades. It's December and here in Rogue College, December is the second sem, maybe because next month is Trana. Trana month is an available month for students. I haven't learned about this forum yet but part of me said that the next enrollment for Second Year college will be around January or March.

Weird too cause we'll be taking our Second Sem when we haven't taken an exam for the First Sem. Well, I don't have any problem with this though. What matters to me is to graduate from college and to look for a job where they qualify my skills.

Kung, okay lang din naman kay Aunt Jane, Ihahanap ko siya ng bahay sa Homan at dito na lang kami titira. If there'll be no qualified job for me in Blanche, then I'll stay here.

I smiled when the smiling face of the Headmistress greeted me. "Good morning po. Bakit niyo po ako ipinatawag?" I asked confusedly.

Iginaya niya ako sa loob ng opisina at muntik nang mapa-atras nang makita ko si Principal Spencer sa loob at may hawak hawak na Libro. Beside him was Principal King crossing his arms while staring in an empty space in the bookshelves.

Oh no. Did he already figure out that I stole the book? "Manyeo." I turn my head to Principal Spencer. "Manyeo is the name of the spirits roaming in Parallel World and those are not our experiment. " He added. Even if it's hard, I play to act surprised and frown.

"What are they?" I asked confusedly. "And why are they roaming here?" I added. Nagkatinginan si Principal King, Principal Spencer at Headmistress Pearl. "Hindi namin alam. Tinapos na sila ni Winter at Snow Tale. Only a powerful person can bring them back to life again."

"And what makes me include here?" Hinawakan ni headmistress and kamay ko at tiningnan ng mabuti ang pearl na nasa kamay ko.

"Do you trust us?" She asked. Napatingin ako sa gawi nilang tatlo atsaka dahan-dahang tumango. "Masaya ako na nagtitiwala ka sa amin, Hazel." Lumapit na din si Principal Spencer at Principal King sa akin at hinawakan ang mga braso ko atsaka pumikit.

"cette perle, rendez-la puissante" I literally swallowed the lump in my throat when Principal Spencer started murmuring.

"cette perle, rendez-la puissante" Bulong ni Principal King habang tinututok ang tip ng wand niya sa kamay ko. I groaned when his wand creates a bright light not directly to my pearl but directly towards me.

"cette perle, rendez-la puissante" I heard Headmistress Pearl whisper while she's holding my wrist.

Napaluhod ako sa Lupa, when their spells start to overpower me.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na, Hindi mapa-ungol dahil sa sakit ng kuryenteng ginagawa nila. Principal Spencer and Headmistress Pearl's spells are direct to my pearl but Principal King's spell is for me.

The pleasure of pain takes 20 minutes until it's over. Headmistress asked me how I was feeling and frankly speaking, I didn't feel good at all. My body is numb and my pearl's electricity is running inside me. I can't feel my hands either but I replied. "I'm good" to the Headmistress.

Principal King gave me a glass of water and allowed me to take a rest while they were discussing something. They move a bit far from me, but their conversation, I overhears it in my ears. "We need to come with her..." Principal Spencer said.

"You know we can't. It's too dangerous." Sagot naman ni Principal King.

"Then who would?" Headmistress asked.

"We can't trust anyone for now. The Manyeo are getting stronger and they can possess weak students. The spell I taught to the students is for temporary purposes only. We're not yet sure if that spell can secure their safety." I tilt my head to Principal King.

"How about, Victor Rough, and Walter Jamora. We all know they are good students and we can rely up on them" Principal Spencer suggested. "No. Not them."

Sabay na napatingin si Principal Spencer at Principal King kay Headmistress na nakakunot noo. "The students need them here. King said that the spell he taught is not reliable so we need them to stay here for the students." The twins nodded.

"I'll come with her..." They turned their heads to me so I blink my eyes and take a drink from the glass. "I'll come with her and protect her at all costs."

After their conversation. Headmistress came to me and crouched on the floor, she held my hands and took a deep breath. This feels heavy. Headmistress has been a good friend of mine in Blanche and hearing their conversation, I am afraid we can't make it out alive.

What are we gonna do anyways?

"I want you to study all the spells that were written in the spellbook that Principal Spencer gave to you." I nodded my head. "I want you to practice in two weeks." She added before she beams a smile. "I want you to be clever! Hazel Gamalo."

"Headmistress. Ano pong ibig n'yong sabihin? Ano po ba ang nangyayari?" I tried to digest everything but I can't understand what's happening.

"We are tasked to put an end to the Manyeo."

"WHAT? we? Without Victor and Walter?" Headmistress nodded her head and smiled faintly. No. I can't do it alone!

--

When I arrive at the dorm, humiga ako sa kama at ipinikit ang mga mata ko. Hindi pa din nadidigest ng utak ko ang nangyari kanina sa office. Kailangan ko pang mag-sinungaling kay Ms. Rhea para makalabas sa classroom at bumalik sa dorm. Tinanong ako nila Victor at Walter kung ayos lang ba ako pero tuwing tumitingin ako sa kanilang dalawa ay hindi ko mapigilang hindi malungkot.

It feels heavy that I can't bring up what happened earlier.

I take my composure when I arrive at my room and look for my baggage to take the spellbook that Principal Spencer gave to me. "Invisible, cacher cette chose sera sage" I whispered to make my old wand appear in my eyes. When I saw my wand, I heaved a sigh.

I remember Oishi's wand and the meaning of A Mharu. I shrug off my thoughts for now and focus on practicing the spells. I float the spellbook in the air to focus more while I am turning everything in my room bright and can produce light.

If the destiny of this Manyeo battle relies on my hand then I need to make sure that I won't go wrong. The said battle will be in the second week of December. Today is Monday, and I had 7 days of practice.

I am in the middle of the practice when I saw Axl's Journal opened on its own and letters are literally flying above the empty page. Napatigil ako sa ginagawa ko at kinuha ang spellbook na nakalutang sa ere, at hinawakan ito ng mahigpit.

Kahit naguguluhan, nilapitan ko ang journal ni Axl at binasa ang mga salitang bumubuo dito.

"Dear Journal,

The Prosecutor, Mr. Arson.

He is a good friend of my father, Mr. Arson works as a prosecutor in Nardith. He works with the judge and I see him often especially when they put my dad on trial. I got inspired to do better in school because of him. He looks so clever, intelligent, in the state that he is on my dad's side the entire trial until they lose because of the power and wealth of my Lolo's parents.

Until they executed my dad for murder and he is sentenced to death. It broke me apart and Mr. Arson is there to comfort me! Hehehe

But Everything changes. He is the one who forces the judge to accuse me of poisoning my own mother. My desire to be like him in the future is torn apart. The man I used to look up to, now brings me down and points fingers at me. Accused me of something I didn't do.

I hope he'll be a good man one day and be a man of justice like what he was before."

My jaw literally dropped after I read the entry. So this is why Mr. Arson had that chilling aura like Victor when I passed by him and it is because he is a man of justice. But why did he quit the job? Why did he turn the table when he knows the truth that Axl Ancient is not a murderer?

Damn. Another entry, Another headache.

I stare at the entry good for 10 minutes until the inks slowly disappear from the page. I'm not surprised by that anymore. A lot of entries are unbelting almost every day and those are just normal ones. He wrote that he is happy today because of this and that.

But this entry... This entry is depressing.

Imagine, you look up to a specific person, you like them and you want to be like them in the future, and then the day comes that they are the one who brings you down. Imagine how dark that is.

But still, Victor and Walter stay true to his side. For as long as there's one person believing you and believes in you, you know it's worth fighting for. But sadly, Axl still ended up with what they planned to do. I feel like what happened before was a frame-up.

"But everything changes," I sigh when I remember that line from the entry. That's just so deep.

I checked the time and was about to go out to grab my lunch when bunches of letters started to float in the air again above the blank page. "What's happening again?" I whispered to myself.

Umupo ako sa kama at sinabayan ng tingin ang mga letra na bumuo ng pangalawang entry ngayong araw. My jaw dropped when I read the title.

"Dear Journal,

Emerita's Secret, " Napatakip ako sa bibig ko at umupo ng maayos sa kama. I need to remember this entry. Like I need so much!

Naalala ko kasi 'yong pag-uusap ni Uncle Rico, Victor at Walter sa farm. Could this be the answer?

"I was surprised to know that our new friend is the adopted daughter of Winston Hideux. I haven't heard that Brother Winston had an adopted daughter hehehe but I am happy that she joined our circle of friends. I figured out that Dalton likes her, who wouldn't? She looks like a doll! She has a nice body, she is happy go lucky, she likes books and so much like brother Winston!

One time, I, Victor, and Walter were playing in the school and then Emerita rushed to brother Winston who's hiding in the corner, and then I found out that Emerita is the one who encourages a hunter to kill Victor's father! It's a piece of news but I keep quiet! Then a month later, they accused me of poisoning my mother :( I cried and cried and begged them to do an investigation but they didn't listen :(

Mr. Arson is with them. Brother King and Brother Spencer are on my side the entire trial... I am sad.

And I heard from Victor and Walter that Emerita went missing... my heart shut in pieces when I heard in Victor's mouth that his beloved father was killed by a hunter. I want to tell him the truth that it was Emerita's fault~ but I am scared~ That's all for today, Journal"

I wiped the tears after reading the entry. Hindi ko alam na ganito pala kalala ang ginawa ni Emerita sa kanila. Kaya naman pala walang gana si Victor at Walter na hanapin si Emerita, pero ang ipinagtataka ko lang ay kung alam ba ni Victor na si Emerita ang dahilan sa nangyari sa tatay niya kasi nong nakausap ko siya tungkol sa tatay niya, nanggagalaiti siya sa galit.

Napabuntong hininga ako at napahilamos sa mukha. Hindi ko inakala na ganito kadilim, ka misteryoso ang nangyari sa Rogue College at Parallel World dati. All of these important details are making me dizzy. Sa sobrang dami ng iniisip ko ay hindi ko na alam kung alin doon ang uunahin ko. Nakakapanlumo. Nakakapagod.

I need them.

I need to release all of these thoughts inside my head or else, I'll pop!

But, there's a but. This is not the time for it yet. Not now then when? Damn this. "Calm down, Hazel. You can take care of this, just think of it as your unfinished quizzes and the deadline is a month ahead of you. Put allowance in your head for these thoughts. Take it slow, Hazel. You can do it. " I whispered to myself and took a deep breath.

I opened my eyes and smiled before I took the spellbook and floated it in the air. I start mumbling the spell, spinning my wand in the air as I watch the smoke that it produces. "Hakyeonique" I whispered and focused on the spell.

I got distracted once again when I smelled the ink. Could this be?

Napatigil na naman ako sa pag-pa-practice at ibinaba ang spellbook pati ang wand ko. Dumiretso ako sa kama and squints my eyes when letters start to appear in the journal. Wow. Another entry.

I took the journal from my bed as I headed to the balcony and sat on the edge. I swallowed the lump on my throat when I read the title.

"Dear Journal,

The Good and Bad Man,

Kingston Ancient, Spencer King Ancient. They are twins, I can't believe it when my mom used to tell me a story that brother Spencer and brother King are so close that even Lola can't separate the two! Lola used to play with me when mommy was not around, he introduced me to the family and then called me their heir. I am feeling kilig though I don't know what heir is!

And then, brother Winston starts to hate me. I don't know which part, is it because I became close to Lola? Is it because my father killed Lolo? But Lola said that what happened was an accident. She said that my dad's intention is to take me away from brother Winston and brother Spencer but Lolo refuses! I don't know what happened before because I was just a kid.

But then, when the Prosecutor asked the judge to sentence my dad to death, my mom cried. I hugged my mom then my dad went to me and whispered in my ears, He told me to take care of my mom and put her away from the Bad Man. But, who is the Bad Man?" I frowned when the page flipped on its own.

Bunches of letters start to float again in the air and since it took a while to finish. Tumingala na muna ako sa langit at tiningnan ang mga ibon na naghahabulan. The Good and Bad Man. Sigurado ako na ang Bad Man ay si, Winston. Matagal na.

I turn my head down and read the continuation.

"My dad said that I should stay away from them too. I asked him who the Bad Man was but the giants took him away from me, away from us. I can't do anything at that time. When I went home, Lola approached us and gave me and my mom a hug. She also can't believe what happened. According to her, She said that she talked to Lolo's parents to stop the accused but they didn't listen.

And then, one day, I realized what my dad meant. Brother King is more powerful than brother Spencer and then I figure out that brother Spencer is the one who forced Ins. Jielo to revise the history of our book in exchange for letting him work with Hideux.

I can't forget that day when I heard that revelation and I will make sure to write it here."

I groaned when my chest started to ache. Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa journal at ipinikit ang mga mata ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari kasi kusa nalang sumikip ang dibdib ko at nahihirapan akong huminga. Mabuti nalang at may kumatok sa pinto kaya doon napunta ang atensyon ko kasabay din non ang pagluwag ng pakiramdam ko.

Tumingin ako sa likod ng east wing and squint my eyes when I saw a dark shadow turning its head to me. "Hazel Gamalo?" Napa-ayos ako ng upo dahil muntik na akong mahulog sa gulat nang may tumawag sa pangalan ko.

Umalis na ako sa pagkaka-upo sa balcony at itinago ang journal sa ilalim ng unan ko bago ako pumunta sa pintuan at buksan ito. "Queen of Hearts. Bakit po?" Tumingin siya sa loob ng kwarto ko at nakakunot noo. "Kanina pa kita tinatawag." I smiled.

"Pinapabigay sayo." I frowned when she gave me a small box and followed by a big box. Tinulungan niya din ako na ipasok ang box sa loob ng kwarto ko at inilagay 'yon sa mesa. "Salamat po. Sino po nagpapabigay nito?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti.

"Hindi ko alam, ija. Pero 'yang malaking box, bigay yan ni Victor, Walter at isang bata. Hindi ka daw kasi nila nakita sa cafeteria kaya nag take-out sila ng pagkain para sa iyo." I smiled softly and nodded my head. "Salamat po ulit." Tumango si Queen of Hearts atsaka naglakad palabas sa kwarto ko. Inantay kong isara niya ang pinto bago ako naglakad sa kama at nilagay ang box doon.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago ko binuksan ang box and I frowned when I saw a folded paper. No, it didn't look like a paper at all. It looks Ancient--

Napangiti ako ng malapad at kinuha ang mapa na nasa box atsaka ito binuksan. Hindi ko mae-explain ang saya ko ngayon. Nang makuha kasi 'to ng nanay ni Victor ay nawalan na ako ng pag-asa na mareresulba namin ang kaso ng Golden Scheme.

Kung kanina lang ay naiinis ako kasi nawalan na ako ng gana, ngayon naman ay namomotivate akong tapusin ang laban ng Manyeo para makapag focus sa Golden Scheme.

It reminds me of something too. The continuous bomb-dropping revelations of Axl Ancient Journal. I smiled and giggled softly. The connection is starting to build up, with the help of Axl's Journal. Maybe I am able to figure out who the thief is.

It can't be anybody else. Maybe the thief is familiar with the Ancient Palace. I know it has to do with it.

But, I am still not confident with these. There are still some puzzles that I need to solve. Why am I talking about puzzles all of a sudden? I am thankful that the map is with me again and Axl's Journal continues spilling the tea!

I was about to close the box again when I saw a small piece of paper there. Kinuha ko 'yon at binasa ang nakasulat dito. Napangiti ako nang mabasa ko ang pangalan at ang sender nito.

To. Hazel Gamalo

From: Mighty Rough

Hi dear~ I didn't bid a proper goodbye the last time you went here hehehe. I just want to say that I am so thankful when you make my son live his life to the fullest again. It's been a while since I saw him care for someone else aside from Walter. You know my son, he is intimidating and manipulative when it comes to things. But, anyway. I want to say thank you for bringing the dead heart of my son, beating again.

I will have an eye on you and call me if you need help. Attached in this box is the map that I take from Victor and Walter's room. I'll be giving them to you because I know you'll need them someday~

I smiled. How blessed Victor is to have a kind mother like her.