3rd Chapter

Classes resume again after the short break. Umalis ako sa library at bumalik sa room.

Sa pag-upo ko sa aking desk, kinilig ako ng sobra. Ang bango-bango kasi ni Veronica.

Blessing talaga para sa akin na siya ang nakatabi ko.

Tinitigan ko lang siya nang napakatagal. Kitang-kita sa kaniyang ekspresyon ang pagkainis pero sinubukan niyang hindi ako pansinin. Kahit na nahihirapan siya ay nagawa niyang hindi ako pansinin.

Ang cute.

Maya-maya pa ay dumating na ang teacher. Magsisimula na ang history class.

"Good morning." Pagbati ni teacher Medizi.

"Good morning ma'am." Bumati pabalik sa kaniya ang mga kaklase ko. Tumayo din sila at nag-bow sa kaniya habang ako naman ay nanatili sa upuan ko pinagmasdan ang pagtayo at pag-bow ni Veronica.

Mas lalong nagkalakat ang bangong dala nito sa aking paligid.

Oh my goodness! I really love everything about her more and more.

"Veronica my love, ang bango bango mo!!" Pagpuri ko kay Veronica.

Napahawak ito sa magkabila niyang balikat. "That's disgusting, commoner." Sabi naman nito agad sa akin.

"Hindi mo din ako natiis at kinausap mo ako. Mahal na mahal talaga kita-" Akmang susunggaban ko siya ng yakap nang biglang lumipad at tumama sa ulo ko ang libro na ibinato ni ma'am Medizi.

Tumilapon ako papunta sa dulo ng classroom. Dumikit pa ang buong katawan ko sa buong pader bago ako mahulog sa sahig.

"Miss Chariz. Harassment is a crime. Stop being a creep!" Pag-saway nito sa akin.

I clicked my tongue.

"Okay!" Malamig na boses na sabi ko.

Nagmadali akong bumalik sa aking desk.

Sa pag-upo ko, tumawa bigla si Veronica.

"You deserved that commoner. Stop being a weirdo for goodness sake!" Natutuwa na sabi nito sa akin.

Nagtawanan din ang mga kaklase namin dahil sa nangyari sa akin.

"Miss Chariz, a lot of students are complaining about your behavior towards miss Veronica. I think we need to talk about this after class. I need you to come to the principal's office." Sabi naman ni Miss Medizi sa akin.

"Okay!" Muli akong sumang-ayon sa sinabi niya.

Gusto kitang paslangin!

Naging tahimik ako buong klase dahil sa nangyari. Kinutuban kasi ako at kinabahan na baka ilipat ako ng section.

Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kung ilayo ako kay Veronica!

I'm going to die. No, I don't want to be separated from my beloved.

*****

Nagtungo ako sa principal's office.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali sa aking kutob na naramdaman. Inilipat nga ako ng section.

Sa pagsabi ng principal na bukas na bukas ay kailangan ko nang pumasok sa ibang section, kaagad akong tumayo at sinuntok ang pinto na nasira ko.

Nagalit ito sa akin. Sinigawan ako na suspendido ako ng isang buwan!!

Tumingin ako ng masama sa principal.

"Kung pipigilan mo akong pumasok sa campus, papatayin kita!" Pagbabanta ko.

Nagalit si Miss Medizi sa sinabi ko. Sinubukan niya ulit akong atakihin subalit pinigilan siya ng principal.

"Wise decision principal! I could have killed a teacher now." Sabi ko bago tuluyang nilisan ang principal's office.

*****

Mainit ang aking ulo, naka-upo ako sa tuktok ng isang gusali dito sa Academy.

Hindi ako nagulat sa pagdating rito ni Yold.

"Cha, I'm here to report something very important."

"Make it quick. Mainit ang ulo ko!"

He took a deep breath and composed himself. "Something very complicated is going on within the Menil Government."

I clicked my tongue. "What trouble is being made in that shitty government?"

"Cha, sedition..."

I glared at Yold. "What did you say?" Hindi ko napigilan ang pag-bulusok ng aking aura.

Kaagad akong nag-teleport kasama si Yold papunta sa isang kagubatan dito sa Menil Empire.

"Na-nakakatakot..." Rinig ko na bulong ni Yold. Kaagad kong pinigilan ang sarile ko at pinakalma ang aking aura.

"Who's responsible?" Seryoso kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Sampu sa dalawamput-isang Council Members ang may pakana...sinusubukan nilang hatiin ang Menil Empire. Hindi lang iyon Cha, dalawang araw na ang nakakalipas, biglang dinapuan ng malalang karamdaman ang hari. Nagresulta ito ng matinding depresyon para sa Crown Prince na siyang nagkukulong sa kaniyang kwarto. Sinasamantala ng sampung council members na mga ito ang pagkakataon."

"Para saan, bakit nila ito ginagawa? Para wakasan ang pagiging isang monarkiya ng Menil? Para sila ang maluklok sa posisyon?" Umiling si Yold.

"They're colluding with the North Empire-"

"Those trouble making idiots again."

"They're planning to cause a civil war and use that opportunity to invade the Menil Empire."

"Do they want the smoke that bad?" Nanggigigil ako sa nalaman ko. "I've instructed Tyfana to destroy cities in Furnoidland. I'm actually trying to give you a mission also of doing the same on Elvina. These two countries are getting on my nerves. If the North Empire is planning an invasion, we must act soon. We must liberate our region and show our absolute power and dominance!" Anunsyo ko kay Yold.

The Physical Deity of the North Empire, kailangan mo talagang maturuan ng leksyon para magtanda ka...

Kalaunan, bigla na lamang akong naluha.

Sa mga nangyayari, mawawalan ako ng panahon sa paglalambing.

"Yold...hindi ko na makikita ng madalas si Veronica? Yold." Angal ko nang mangiyak-ngiyak.

Yold panicked and scratched his shiny head. "Umm-Cha...Cha-huwag kang mag-alala. May-may naisip akong paraan. Kailangan mo nang ituon ang atensyon mo sa pagiging pinuno ng Lovain. Kailangan mo ng umalis sa Academy."

"Paano si Veronica ko?" I said faking a puppy's eyes.

"You could use this method." Lumapit si Yold sa akin at bumulong.

Sumigla agad ang ekspresyon ko nang marinig ko ang kabuuan ng kaniyang ideya.

"Oo nga 'no?" Sumangayon na sabi ko. "Let's do that!"

"You won't have to worry about not seeing her when that's done."

"Yeah!" Sabi ko saka tumawa ng malakas. "Well then. Yold, let's proceed with the revolution. I'm assigning you as a personal body guard of not only Veronica but of everyone in the academy. Hindi lamang mga taga Menil ang nag-aaral sa Menil. Kailangan silang ma-proteksyonan dahil malaki ang posibilidad na aatakihin sila ng North Empire. Posibleng sila pa ang unahin ng mga ito dahil sila ang potensyal na mga pag-asa sa hinaharap ng bansang ito."

Lumuhod agad si Yold matapos marinig ang sinabi ko.

"Makaka-asa ka, Cha."

"Write my letter of dropping out of the academy for me. I'm going back to Lovain to do serious business." Just thinking about being the personal leader now gives me enough exhaustion. "I'm really a bad Deity for not doing my duties very well..." Bulong ko sa hangin.

"Pardon my rudeness my liege, but you're not a bad Deity. You are indeed a very noble and honorable Deity. You act like a normal person, you live like a normal person, being a Deity doesn't get too much inside your head and you're treating your people like your reliable subordinates and not slaves or subjects of your own possession." Pagpuri ni Yold sa akin.

"Salamat sa pagpapataas ng aking inspirasyon..." Walang gana na sabi ko. "Yold...do not hold back!" Paalala ko sa kaniya.

Nag-teleport ako patungo sa Lovain Region.

Dumiretso ako sa Lovainian Hall.

Sinalubong ako agad ng mga tauhan kong naramdaman ang aking presenya.

"Greetings president Zeil." Binati ko si President Zeil, ang siyang katiwala ko sa pamumuno sa Lovain Region.

"Pasensya na my liege, hindi ka namin nahandaan ng isang magarbong pag-bati. Biglaan ang iyong pagdating." Sabi naman nito agad sa akin.

"Nah. That's a waste of the time. How was the preparation going?" Seryoso kong tanong sa kaniya.

Napalunok siya at nagbuga ng kaniyang hininga.

"The military is ready. Anytime you want my liege, the revolution will commence!" Kampante nitong anunsyo.

Napangiti ako sa narinig ko.

"Then, let's declare our independence!" Anunsyo ko naman sa kaniya.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mata pati na ang kaniyang mga kasama sa aking sinabi. Nabalot ng saya ang paligid.

"Finally...finally my liege, it's the time to show your power and influence-" Mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ni Zeil. "Anytime you are ready my liege." Sumaludo ito sa akin. Pati ang kaniyang mga kasama ay sumaludo at tinawag akong 'my liege'.

It's about time.

*****

Third Person Point of View

Isang maulan na umaga sa Menil Empire.

Everyone is doing their daily routines. Merchants coming in and out, students going to the academy, the soldiers patrolling, the nobles manage their businesses and citizens doing their best at everything to survive, not knowing it is the day that will leave a painful mark to the history of Menil Empire.

Nakuha ang atensyon ng lahat sa pagtunog ng isang napakalakas pag-tambol. Mayroon pa ngan mga mamamayan ang tuluyang nabingi dahil dito.

Apat na beses na pagtambol ang dumagundong sa kabuuan ng Menil Empire. Ilang saglit lamang ang lumipas, lahat ng mga gusali ay bigla na lamang nabalutan ng mana, ang mana na bumalot sa bawat gusali ay nagtipon at umakyat patungo sa itaas ilang metro lamang ang layo sa bawat tuktok ng mga gusali.

Pumabilog ang mga mana, sumabog ang mga ito ng mahina at na siyang nagbigay ng malawak na pag-usok sa paligid ng pagsabog. Sa pagihip ng hangin, tumambad sa mga mamamayan ang mga parihabang 'Telecast Magic'. Ipinapalibas nito ang isang lugar sa Menil Empire na misteryo para sa mga mamamayan nito, ang Lovain Region.

Sa ipinapalabas na kaganapan sa Lovain Region, maraming may hawak na baril na mga sundalo ang nagmamartsa. Ang ilan sa mga ito ay may hawak na mga tambol na kanilang itinatambol habang iba naman ay may mga hawak na mga trumpeta na kaniyang hinihipan para tumunog.

Umalingawngaw sa mga nababalot ng pagtataka at nakakaramdam na ng takot na mga mamamayan ng Menil ang pag-awit na ginagawa ng mga sundalong nagmamartsa.

['To the Glory of our Motherland'

Remove the obstacle, move forward, secure the victory!

Oh Lovain, with endless glory, forever we'll keep you holy!

Steel in our hearts, fire in our souls, we march to conquer, claim our goals!

Through the mountains, across the plains, we fight for freedom, break the chains!

With banners high, and swords held tight, we stand united, day and night!

Remove the obstacle, move forward, secure the victory!

Oh Lovain, with endless glory, forever we'll keep you holy!

Steel in our hearts, fire in our souls, we march to conquer, claim our goals!

Fear not the shadows, nor the night, for Lovain's light will guide us right!

With every step, our strength grows strong, our victory will soon belong!

Remove the obstacle, move forward, secure the victory!

Oh Lovain, with endless glory, forever we'll keep you holy!

Steel in our hearts, fire in our souls, we march to conquer, claim our goals!

For Lovain! For freedom! For victory!]

The focus of the telecast went to the platform where the soldiers went and stand still. A figure emerged in the stage, a female wearing a black mask that has feathers of a bird attached on each near of the eye area of the mask.

Nang masilayan ng mga sundalo ang pigura ay sumigaw ang mga ito.

"Lovain Supremacy!"

Itinaas ng mga ito ang hawak nilang mga baril.

Sampung beses sumigaw ang mga sundalo bago nagsimulang magsalita ang babaeng nasa stage.

"Today is the official start of the history of Lovain. When I was expanding my empire during the second continental war, I promised my friends who are very diligent, brave, loyal and powerful wizards that I will free this land for their future generations. Thus, I named this land area that I've compiled into a single autonomous territory as Lovain Region. Later on, as new and new kings ascend to the throne of the Menil Empire, the treaty I've signed with my friends was not honored and this foolish kings plundered and abused Lovain Region. Much to my patience and understanding as they are my descendants and own blood, I've given them their free will to decide one they when will they free Lovain Region. However, as day passes by, two hundred years ago...a foolish royal family member in the name of Lucas Menil, assassinated his brother and declared himself the new king of the empire. He colluded with that evil nation of Lyndon that despicable two faced double egde sword of a nation of mentally unstable elves. Twelve Demigods casted a spell called 'Whispering Angel' on me. This became successful due to them getting me caught of guard by successful manipulating my emotions. However I came back and made my way back to the royal family. I didn't participated in the third continental war against Geramana Empire. I honored the temporary alliance the countries made to defeat a common enemy. I even put myself to sleep 70 years ago and came back 20 years ago. In that short period of time of sleeping, I've put so much hope to Menil Government to free Lovain but it didn't happen again. I spent 20 years of my time since I wake up in making this region stable even though it is being plundered half of its resources out of them. Menil Empire's Council Members should be put down! They are our enemy! They are the virus that corrupt and destroy everything! Lovain! Today, we will stand together. Together we are a nation. Together we are free. Together we will have forever liberty. Lovain Region is no more. Raise your hearts, honor the nation. Salute the symbol of our existence. Raise the flag, to the glorious sovereign nation of the Lovain Confederation!"

The woman, with the very confidence she has, gives her strong speech.

The soldiers sang their military chant again. Afterwards, more musical instruments were played by the other staff present in the area. The citizens watching from their sits stood up. Everyone started singin the national anthem of the nation which was just declare as independent.

['Lovain Our First Love'

From darkness we rose, a nation reborn,

Where chains were once forged, now freedom is sworn.

Lovain, Lovain, our hearts beat as one,

For justice and peace, beneath the rising sun.

With our hands outstretched, we build a brighter day,

Where every voice echoes, and every soul has sway.

Lovain, Lovain, our hearts beat as one,

For justice and peace, beneath the rising sun.

Lovain, our home, our hope, our pride,

Where freedom's flame burns, forever wide.

For you we'll live and die.]

After a song sang with strong emotions. The Menil Empire citizens watching through the Telecast Magic felt mixed emotions. Some are angered, some felt crying while some felt fear. Not only that, the first ruler of their nation, the one Lovain Menil who they respects the most is declaring herself as the leader of a Region that will become their enemy.

An abused nation declaring its independence in the very face of the Empire.

After the people from Lovain calm down, the leader who introduced herself to everyone as the very first founder of the Menil Empire, spoke again.

"I am Lynjove Menil! The reincarnation of Lovain Menil the first ruler and only Royal Queen of the Menil Empire! Today, I am your first ruler of the Lovain Confederation! Today, I and the united Lovainians declare war against the Council Members of the Menil Empire! Anyone who tries to step their foot in our nation is going to stop breathing! Your blood will flow to the ground, your homes and your glory will be stain and destroyed! If you wanted to avoid this conflict, send us an official letter statement of acknowledgement of our independence. Signed it. You only have a day! If you cannot comply, let's see how this will turn out. I love to see your military might be demolished!"

The soldiers after hearing their leader's announcement, shouted again 'Lovain Supremacy!'

The war is on. It can be stopped if the Menil Empire will comply with the simple demand of the Lovain Confederation.

However, easy as it seems to be, Menil will not play it cool and complyant. Especially towards a region they deemed weak and have oppressed for so many years.

As the Magic Telecast ended. An uproar started in the whole of the nation. Merchants started going out of Menil. Citizens who have bunkers started confining themselves. Nobles started assembling their private soldiers. Even the whole Government was shaken and started an emergency meeting with all of its members where tension became so high because of the absence of the three most important members, the Archduke, the King and the crown prince.

Inside a room that has a big round table and seats, there, sitting and discussing their current situation. The Council Members, the Prime Minister and the Dukes of Menil Empire are together with the most heated meeting to ever happen in their history.

21 Council Members, 13 Dukes in which one of them is the elected Prime Minister and 4 of them are Duke Knights.

Prime Minister Gavi Ostrizeveign smashed his clenched fist on the table. He is furious to the point that his eyebrows almost collide with one another.

"P*tangina ng mga taga Lovain na mga 'yan! Ang lakas pa talaga ng loob na mag-deklara ng kanilang kalayaan at ng digmaan sa ating imperyo!" Sigaw nito tsaka malakas na pinaggitgit ang kaniyang mga ngipin sa inis.

Nag-taas ng kamay ang isang Duke Knight na si National General Suvemps, siyang pinuno ng buong militar ng Menil Empire bago ito nagsalita. "It was indeed anger fishing our government. However, it is undeniable that they won't do such actions like this if they are not capable of really challenging the 4th strongest nation in this region." Pagbigay nito ng kaniyang opinyon. "Nakakabahala ang makita ang daan-daang nagmamartsang sundalo na lahat may hawak-hawak na baril. Kung mayroon silang ganoong karaming gun wizards talagang magkakaroon sila ng mataas na kompiyansa sa kanilang sarile."

Umigham naman ang isang Council Member bago ito magsalita. "Sa 'Gun Magic' nga ba talaga gawa ang hawak nilang mga baril?" Tanong nito sa kaniyang mga kasama. "Gaano kalakas ang mga ito? Gaano nila katagal mapapanatiling aktibo ang kanilang ginagamit na spell sa pagpapalabas ng baril?"

Natahimik saglit ang silid.

Kalaunan, nagsalita ang isa pang Council Member na si Petrunov. "Makakaya ba nilang labanan tayo gamit lamang ang baril? Mayroon tayong mga Battle Blimps. Bombahan nalang natin sila at pasukuin. Kung hindi sila susuko, huwag natin silang tigilan na bombahan sa loob ng isang linggo-" Hindi natapos ang paghahayag nito ng kaniyang saloobin nang siya ay harangan ng isa pang Council Member.

"Maganda ang naisip mong ideya pero labag sa batas ng L.A.C (League of Allied Countries). Nakakalimutan mo na ba ang nakasulat sa batas ng organisasyon? League Absolute Article 10; All member countries are not allowed to use Battle Blimps or Attack Hot-air Balloons to bombard enemy rebels. Bombardment can cause misfire and potential targeting of innocent civilians. Subjugation of rebels should not be through traumatizing fear but with better understanding and judgment." Pagpaalala nito sa isa sa mga importanteng batas ng alyansa na kinabibilangan ng Menil Empire, ang League of Allied Countries.

Ang mga bansang bumubuo nito ay ang; Lizardia, Dwarfa, Elvina, Furnoidland, Dukedom of Magantano, Dukedom of Kiriba, Dukedom of Felisha, Empire at Thunderry. Sampung mga bansa na magka-alyado sa kanilang ekonomiya at militar.

Sumabat sa usapan ang isa pang Duke Knight na si Willie, gaya ni General Suvemps ay nagtaas muna ito ng kaniyang kamay. "Kaya namang humiwalay ng Menil Empire sa organisasyon at bumuo ng sarile natin. Katunayan, nalilimitahan ang ating mga aktibidad dahil sa LAC sa totoo lamang. Bombahin natin ang Lovain, sa ganitong paraan tayo mananalo ng mabilis sa kanila at magbibigay sa kanila ng panghabang buhay na takot at pagsisisi. Mapapa-amo sila ng tuluyan. Mas lalong mapapasa-atin ang lugar ng tuluyan kapag napaslang natin ang huwad na nagpapanggap bilang ang dakilang mahal na reyna Lovain Menil."

"Kailangan nating humingi ng permiso mula sa tatlo nating nakakataas!" Pagsingit ng maiksing opinyon ng isang Council Member na si Merkov.

"Counsil Member Merkov, they are not available. The Archduke even said to me that I am assigned to handle the situation