Living and Death

Today is Saturday, One day before the Life Vs Death competition starts. Rick, Walter, and I spent our time in Victor's office. His office is wider than the SS boring office and we can freely exchange our opinions. Victor's other members are not here though but they said that they are already finalizing the security of the students.

According to them, 5 students stand at the barrier at the entrance of the field, the other 5 students are on the exit and the rest are the ones who'll watch the competition. Their plan is well done though, They are active like SS officers. Makes me wonder if they are ex-SS officers that got recruited for the Brown Wand group.

Well, that group rank as Echelon. They had the privileged to change their group if they wanted too thus they are already in the second-highest group. The Supreme Students. "Are we almost done?" Nababagot na tanong ni Walter. We spent almost 4 and a half hours here. Me either, I am bored.

I was just staring into the ceiling. It's Rick and Victor who discuss a lot about the competition. This competition is held every 17th of September to 23rd. A one-week competition for each group excluding our group and Victor's group. "Leader!" I shifted my gaze to the door when someone paved its way inside.

Umupo ako ng maayos sa couch atsaka sinabayan ng tingin ang isang lalaking bago lang dumating. "Warren. What took you here?" Victor asked. He composes himself before he rises and my eyes literally widened when he guided the male to the vacant place on the couch. Which is beside me.

"May itatanong lang sana." I darted to Walter and he just laughs and proceeds on playing puzzles on the floor. I heard the murmured earlier tho and now he's playing puzzle on the floor. "What is it?" Victor asked.

I was about to stand so I won't cause a distraction to their discussion but Victor held my hand and told me that it's okay to listen to their conversation. I can't do anything so I just obey him and stay still. Well, there's nothing wrong to listen though, and besides, I am part of this discussion.

"Gusto kong lumipat ng pwesto." The male stated in a serious tone. "Where to?"

"To this one. I'll be busy next week and I might not do well to keep the file secured. I am bothered with something." I heard his statement and it snapped at me. I am also busy next week. And so bothered about the male that I see every time I close my eyes to rest.

A big inconvenience to me. "Are you sure?" The male named Warren nodded. "Alright. I'll hand you these papers. You can approach Principal King Ancient for his signature." He nodded. He openly accepts those folders. He bid his goodbye to us and my eyes literally followed the male's silhouette as the door bangs to close.

"Who is that male?" A smile was drawn on my colleagues. No, let me rephrase that. A taunting smile appeared on their lips. "Warren Kun, The Fame Holder of Brown Wand group. You can acknowledge it as an assistant." My lips turned into 'o'. "Oh! Why fame holder?" I asked once again.

Walter whose serious debunking the puzzle let out a hard laugh. "Can't you see, Hazel? He is cute and charming, he is even tall!" I squint my eyes. Cute and Charming? Nah. Rick holds that title for me. Rick is cute and charming. No explanation needed. "You like him?"

"What!? Me? Why not-" We burst out into laughter. Seriously, when will he take something seriously? "Okay, let's troll around sooner. We need to focus on this. It's already Saturday and the start of the competition is on Monday." Rick stated. We simultaneously nodded our heads.

Inilabas ni Victor ang kanyang mapa ng field atsaka ito inilatag sa harapan namin. We formed a circle while we are discussing the platform for the Competition. "Lahat ng myembro ng Brown Wand group ay nandito. The participants are in the center." Ika ni Walter itinuturo ang mga pwesto sa Mapa.

I had nothing to do so I place a pebble on the areas that he marked. They stared in my place so I just smile awkwardly. They don't need to mind me though. I had nothing to do so I guess marking the areas is fine. Not a big deal at all.

"The contestants will take their entrance here." Rick's. I nodded and place another pebble on the entrance that he pointed to. And again they gave me a blank stared. I ended up pouting my lips. What's wrong again? I am doing my best to help.

Bumuntong hininga nalang ako atsaka tumayo para mag-ayos nalang ng magiging snack nila. If they don't want my help there, well then, this kind of responsibility will help "Kailangan ba talaga na ipaglaban natin ang Red at Pink?" I heard Walter's voice echoed the office. Only the pouring sound of the juice that I am busy making only makes noises.

"Why not?" Victor countered.

"Isn't it too much? Reds are newbies and Pink.... they are just like, Hazel. They might be new students or exchange like her. But their magics are still more influential and they are experienced than Red." Rick said. Napalingon ako sa kanila. They are still talking thoughtfully and I place the glass of juices on the serving plate.

Maybe, I should serve this later.

"Yep. I am a hundred percent sure that Red can handle Pinks. Nothing can change my mind." He said. The two throws a sigh so I smiled. So all this time, He thought that mortals are powerful and experts just like pure blooded wizards? Cute.

Yes, cute. Why? Because he is assured that mortals can be experts and experienced like them. After a minute of silence, they start discussing again. They talk about the panelist and most of the panels are from the other school. I wonder how did they force them to become a panel for a bloody party.

"Hazel?" I snap back to my senses when someone called me out. "Yes?" I beam a soft smile. "What do you think about Mr. Arson as one of the panelists?" Rick asked me. I ended up crossing my arms on my chest and shrugged.

"Why not." What a stupid answer. They are asking my opinion, I know that. But, I can't voice out my opinion though and tell them that I don't want him as one of the panelists just because Rolex senses him as danger. I can't yet. Aside from Walter and Victor. No one should know that we had a technology that can sense danger ahead of us.

They might take my precious Rolex and my pearl.

"That's all?" They asked. I nodded my head hesitantly and smiled. "I guess? Bago lang naman ako dito at Hindi ko pa masyadong kilala si Mr. Arson. If he is one of the panelists last year, then why not. Anyways, have some drink. You guys have been discussing for a couple of hours already." Kinuha ko na ang service plate atsaka lumapit sa kanila.

They gave me a smile and a thank you. I replied with a smile and just watching them focusing on the upcoming competition makes me smile. Especially Walter and Victor. It's new to me that they are not messing around. They took this competition seriously (as it should be)

--

I took a quick glance at my Rolex and puckered my lips. I've been serving them the same flavor of juice but I can't hear their complaints about it. They appreciated my simple effort. Ayaw ata nila na sumali pa ako sa usapan which is fine for me. I am a SS officer, Rick is the President, Walter is the Secretary, Victor is the President of his group and I am just a mere treasurer.

Nonsense position.

Warren got back from the office and he greeted me with a smile. I did the same. Dumiretso siya kay Victor atsaka inilapag sa tagiliran nito ang makapal na folder. "Done. Can I go ahead now?" Victor nodded and Warren politely bows his head to everyone including me before he exited the room.

I turn my body in the boy's direction again when I heard a creaking noise from the door. "Anyway, I forgot to ask." Lumapit ulit si Warren kay Victor atsaka inilagay ang kanyang dalawang sa beywang. "I read the last paper. I am the last contestant?" I frowned my brows.

Last contestant?

Tumingala si Victor sa Kanya atsaka ngumiti. He stood up from sitting on the floor and headed to his bookshelves. I and Warren followed him with our eyes while Walter and Rick are discussing the plans for pursuing the panelist.

Pft. I thought they already pursue the named panelist. False alarm.

Lumapit si Victor kay Warren atsaka tumango bago ibinigay kay Warren ang isang maliit na notebook. Same size as the book that Rick gave me. "Yes so brace yourself." Warren frowned deeply.

"But why me? Why not you?"

"Me? They'll be intimidated by me. And also you are a skillful wizard, I know either you win or lose you won't lose your life and if you win on the other hand. Of course, you'll have your price" He smiled and didn't have a second thought to get the notebook and headed out once again.

Ayon din naman pala. Madali kausap. I took a quick glance again at my Rolex and it's already 3 pm in the afternoon. Likewise nag-uusap pa din sila. I excused myself to them and stepped out also. I had nothing to do there and since We are excused from our classes, maybe it's better to have a self-tour.

Una akong naglakad papunta sa malaking filed na nasa harap ng classroom. I forgot to mention na dalawa ang field dito sa Parallel World, Rogue College. The main field is on the other side of the school while the field where I am is a free field.

This field is where students with their 'partners' boyfriend and girlfriend' spend their time mostly. Sounds sweet right? The school is on a W form. The main building is in the center of the W. That's where our dorm is. On the east wing are the girl's dormitory and on the south wing is the boy's dormitory.

On the back of the school building, it's where the field is. Beside the field are the forest and a few walking distances you'll reach the Covered court on the left side. On the right side is where the cafeteria is located. I know it's wide but I like it like that.

"Tapos na ba ang meeting niyo?" I was startled when someone approached me. "Ms. Fiona. Good afternoon, po." I bow my head politely before I beam a smile. "Good afternoon, Ms. Gamalo. I just wanted to tell you something." She held my hand and pull me to the big tree that was on the free field.

"Do you miss the mortal world?" The smiles dissolve from my lips because of his question. I swallowed the lump on my throat and nodded my head slowly. "I do."

"Do you wish to come back?" She asked before I finished my sentence. "If only..." I replied and smiles once again. Well, I really do miss my world. Especially Aunt Jane. Tomorrow September 16 is my parent's death anniversary.

I was disturbed by the happening in Parallel World, Rogue College that I just realize their death anniversary now. "I read your profile. And I talked to Principal King about the death anniversary of your parents tomorrow. He said he's fine when you went to the mortal world for one day." I blink my eyes multiple times.

"No kidding?" Well, I gotta make sure!

"Yes."

"Can we come too?" I lure my eyes around and I smiled when I saw Victor and Walter eavesdropping on the other side of the tree. "Kelan pa kayo nandito?" Nakataas na kilay na tanong ko. They shrugged and smile brightly.

"Ms. Fiona, can we come too? We promise to behave ourselves."

"Well... If Ms. Gamalo will say yes--" Before she finished her response I yell my answer. "Yes!! I will bring them with me!" Hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko na hindi mapahiyaw sa saya. Victor and Walter even gave me a tight hug.

"Finally! We gotta explore the mortal world! I can't wait for tomorrow!" Walter said. "Mr. Rough, you know what spell to use to open the portal." Victor nodded. Umalis na si Ms. Fiona at heto parin kaming tatlo, nagyayakapan at naghihiyawan sa saya.

--

"How about this one?" I whined when I heard another group discussion around me. I began to open my eyes and I smiled when Walter, Victor, and Rick were still on the floor and they are having a small meeting with the other Brown Wand Group members. 21 students in total are here in the office.

"You're awake." Nakangiting bati ni Victor. He gave me a glass of juice before he goes back to his place. I take a sip and listen to their discussion. Ang akala ko ay tapos ay tapos na sila sa kanilang plano pero malit pala ako. Victor's members are here and now anticipating for the competition.

Which is unusual to my sight. Hindi kasi ako sanay na maraming tao sa isang office. Nabobother ako. Warren the last contender sit beside me while he's listening attentively and even spoke opinions for the assignation of the members and how they'll secure the main field.

They tackled a lot of things that ended up with humorous topics. I can't help but laugh at their jokes. I think I can jam with these people around me. I take back what I had said, I like them now. Ano ba naman kasi ang maririnig mo sa isang anti-social Hindi ba? of course ma-awkward sa maraming tao lalo na't hindi sanay makighalubilo.

Time check. It's already 5 pm and some of the members bid goodbye to their leader. They include us so I smiled and told them to be careful on their way to their dorms in which they said that I am a concerned SS officer.

"Hazel. We need your Computer knowledge." Napatayo ako sa inuupuan ko atsaka tumabi sa kanilang tatlo. "What can I help?"

"Rick can magic a Computer set up in my office. I wanted you to make a layout for our competition make it presentable. I am gonna send you the photos of the contestants and you can plaster their appearance on the layout too." I nodded my head.

Within a minute a computer set appeared beside the bookshelves of Victor and I yawned first before I opened the computer and pouts when I recognize that it has no signal. "No internet connection," I commented.

"Leave it to me." I turn my face to Walter and frowned. What is he going to do now?

"What you gonna do?"

"Duh, bro. I'll look for a signal. Basta pagpatak ng 7 pm. Dapat tapos na yan." He was about to head out when I stopped him. "Can't you guys just magic a signal for this computer only? Ugh, whatever. I can do this." They look at each other before frowning. I guess they have forgotten that I am a Computer Science Wizard.