There is nothing more peaceful than eating breakfast at the early morning, where students are still rushing inside the Awanggan, their eyes widening once set on me... because I was wearing all black.

"Kaya naman pala may mga estudyanteng natatakot na pumasok dito."

Nilingon ko ang natatawang si Eva dahil sa sinabi niya. Her hair was fixed in a braid, decorated with white flower things and leaves that looked to be Tamara's work. One hint is that she's still trying to make it prettier, and because the neatness clearly opposes Eva's whole personality. She rolled in the fucking pig pen once to connect more with the animals.

"It's not my fault they are intimidated by a color. I could wear black the whole week but they won't be harmed if I don't want to."

"Alam mo naman ang mga estudyante dito, Raven. Soulbearers hold the Hiraya rules to their very core, and because you're breaking their beliefs, it's an uncomfortable surprise."

Tamara nodded. Magkasama sila at nakaupo siya sa harap ko. "Kahit nga ako'y medyo hindi pa komportable, Raven. As the Academy's protectors, we were taught from early age to strictly apply the forbidden rules."

"So kapag ba nasusugatan kayo, sinasamaan niyo ng tingin ang sugat?" natatawa kong tanong. "Or maybe you guys faint when you see blood? When nighttime comes, do everyone in here-" nilakasan ko talaga ang boses. "-gets nightmares? Gets killed?"

All I received was glares from the students who tolerated my presence. Iling naman ang isinagot ng dalawang kaibigan ko.

"I guess another factor as to why their fear increased is your performance yesterday. Sobrang lakas at talino mo sa laban, Raven, na minsan natuturingan kang halimaw."

I pursed my lips at Eva's statement, thinking it over. Kung academics ang pag-uusapan, masasabi ko na average lang ako. Wala naman kasi akong extraordinary remarks sa mga general subjects. Pero pagdating sa laban... parang ang normal-normal lang.

Every hit, every attack, every calculations that I make in the middle of a fight... they enter my head naturally. Kung sana gano'n rin sa Mathematics, pero hindi. Kaya naman itong si Dong ay gumawa pa ng special proposal para sa'kin.

He only took my dark outfit on one glance and didn't comment on it anymore. Akala ko ay sasabihin niya rin sa'king dumiretso na lang ako sa detention room, kagaya ng ibang guro na nadaanan ko, pero wala siyang karea-reaksiyon.

Nang bumukas ang pinto ng office niya at pumasok doon si Helios, I eventually understood his intentions.

"Please don't tell me tutor ko siya." kaagad kong saad bago pa nakaupo ang lalaki.

The room was blazing hot. Dahil sarado siya't hindi ata pamilyar si Dong sa tinatawag na bintana ay mas lalong nagiging mainit ang kwarto. And with Helios sitting in front of me, the heat was putting me in a slight daze.

Hanggang sa bigla niyang hawakan ang kamay ko.

The way the heat disappeared made me flinch, glancing at him wide-eyed. Ngayong hindi na ako naiinitan, halata naman na siya ang nagiginawan. His sleeve was rolled to his elbow so I could see how his hair rose from the chilling air, although hindi namin nararamdaman ni Dong ang lamig ng kwarto.

The teacher adjusted his glasses before speaking, "Tutor nga, Miss Tempest. Alam kong isa ka sa mga nakababatang kapatid ni Miss Ellis Vanescha, at sinabi niya rin sa'kin na kailangan kitang tulungan sa subject na 'to dahil dito ka mahina. She has expectations of you."

I fought the urge to scoff. Almost everyone naman ata may expectations sa'kin. Iyong mga tao na maging mabait ako, ang pamilya ko na maging responsable at maipagyayabang ako, at ang mga estudyante dito na umayon ako sa gusto nila.

They're always free to criticize meㅡ from my clothes, hair, way of speaking and stuffㅡ tapos ako? If I ever criticize them, I'd be the monster of this generation.

Kaya kung masama lang rin lagi tingin nila sa'kin, e'di sumama lang loob nila diyan. It's not my problem anymore naman.

"However, I noticed that you and Helios share a... special bond," sabay sulyap niya sa magkahawak naming kamay. "So I was thinking na baka magamit niyo ito for your own advantage. You can learn from a friend and he can... sort his own issues. This tutoring session will benefit the both of you."

Helios doesn't seem like he's willing to refuse o disagree. I bet he's ready to nod at any given time. Kaya ako na lang ang nagchallenge sa kalbong teacher namin.

"Pero what if I don't want to learn math, Dong?"

"If you don't learn math or at least have passing scores in my subject, Miss Tempest, then you won't be able to graduate in the promised three years. Either you accept my proposal or work hard yourself."

Eto naman si Dong, hindi mabiro. Bibigyan pa ako ng trabahong hindi ko gusto.

I grinned, snaking my hand upwards so I could link arms with Helios. "Okay, Dong! Expect a perfect score for me sa next quiz natin."

"Kahit hindi na perfect, Raven. Huwag lang zero."

Ngumuso ako sa seryosong itsura niya. Hindi naman ako seryoso do'n sa perfect. Duh.

"Pero ba't 'di mo tinatanong si Helios, Dong? You don't care about his thoughts?"

"It's Professor Dong and..." he shrugged, slumping down his seat. "I don't think I need to ask the one who proposed that deal to me. Sige na. Makakalabas na kayo at marami pa akong gagawin."

"Okay." I flashed the tired-looking man a smile before dragging Helios outside. Nagpatinaod lang ang lalaki na walang sinasabi. "Are you pipi na ba? You're not talking."

"Kanina?"

"Hindi. Ngayon," I rolled my eyes, muttering a 'duh'. "Siyempre kanina. When we were inside, para kang poste na nakatayo lang sa tabi ko."

The corner of his lips quirked upwards for a small smile. "There's no need for me to talk since it's your decision."

"Oh, e ba't nando'n ka?"

"So you will know who the tutor is."

Malapit na akong umirap sa mga sagot niya nang maalala ang sinabi ni Dong kanina. "Ah, right. I heard you're the one who told Dong pa to teach me, ha?"

"I heard it too."

Inosente lang ba ang pagkapilosopo ng isang 'to? I want to punch him for the responses but I realized that perhaps, it sounded normal for him.

Ayoko naman siyang bugbugin para doon kaya inilapit ko na lang ang sarili para makita ulit ang namumula niyang mukha. I don't know why but teasing Helios is really fun... and interesting. He gives me the reactions I want to see, especially for dominant-looking men like him.

I guess... I just want these stone-cold men to fall down on their knees in front of me.

"So... you offered yourself to teach me? Are you concerned about my grades or are you doing this to get close to me?"

The way his eyes slightly widened made me smirk a little. His adams apple bobbed and I traced the movement with my eyes, fascinated.

"I told you my reason before."

"Sorry, makakalimutin ako. Sabihin mo ulit." I dared him.

"Maybe you'll remember it someday." But the damned man tucked his tail and walked away.

Binawi niya ang kamay mula sa pagkakalingkis ko at talagang iniwan ako sa hallway. Some students who were watching our small drama gave me funny looks. Sinamaan ko sila ng tingin dahil baka wala na sila matang itutukso mamaya kapag tinusok ko ng lapis.

I flipped my hair, in a manner that would take their attentions and piss them off, before strutting to follow the fucking piece of son. I braved the heat, ignoring the disgusted face that Beatrix made when I passed her by. Hindi naman siya makasugod dahil kasalukuyan pang may cast ang kamay. So I shot her a smirk, twirled in my black outfit, before slipping my hand into Helios.

Maybe it was part of my show of arrogance or I wanted to claim something.

The man stiffened, his lips slowly parting when I appeared in front of him. Napalitan din ang gulat ng lamig nang higpitan ko ang pagkakahawak sa kamay niya.

Whatever this weird magic that happens when our skin touches, or this strange dynamic where I could feel his heat and he could feel my usual coldness, I didn't really care anymore. I like it when I touch him. It brings a different kind of comfort for me.

"Who told you to just leave girls alone, hm? I thought you were a good puppy, Heli."

He glared. "I am not a puppy."

"Sure," ngumisi ako. "But it's either you tell me why right now or you exempt me from my hideous clothes my whole stay here."

"Okay."

Ako ang nagulat para sa'ming dalawa. "O-Okay?"

"You can wear whatever color you like."

Eh?

Gano'n lang kadali 'yon? Ano ba ang rason at ayaw niya sabihin? He's even willing to make an exemption rule just so I could let it go!

"I won't be in detention?" he nodded. "Wait, seriously? Like... hahayaan mo kong magsuot lang ng black at red dito sa holy halls ninyo?"

"Yes, Raven. In exchange..."

Alright. Why do I have a bad feeling about that na?

He flipped our hands, regaining control over the hold. His grip wasn't tight but it screamed authority at my very bones. His other hand tipped my chin upwards, as if making our difference in height a point, and his serious face almost switched our dynamics.

Inilapit niya ang mukha ngunit hindi rin ako nagpatinag. I kept my head high, my stance straight, and my eyes fierce as I watched him. I am not backing down from whatever fight this is.

"You have to spend your time with me."

Helios' husky voice courted my ears, and a slow sensual smirk appeared in my face. Bahagya kong itinaas ang sarili kaya nagkalapit ang mukha namin at ini-angat ang kamay para guluhin ang buhok niya.

If he thought his red ears went unnoticed, he sure is wrong.

"Of course... puppy."

Isang tikhim ang narinig namin sa gilid kaya agad kaming umayos ng tayo.

"What are you two doing?"

Masama ang tingin sa'kin ni Andreas nang sulyapan ko. His sour mood has even increased. While he looked at me with disapproval, he regarded Helios with such great distaste that it reminded me of Tsukishima's hatred for the sun.

Siguro famous lang ang Helios na 'to sa mga babae.

"Why, Andreas? You jealous?" natawa ako nang mas lalong nalukot sa inis ang mukha niya. I glanced at Helios, "Let's have that tutor session some other time. I have prior engagements."

Wala naman actually, but I just want to victoriously pass by Andreas. Nakita ko rin si Theus na nakaupo sa hardin sa labas kaya siya ang agad kong nilapitan. I stayed in the stone path because I want every student in the vicinity to hear that Raven has arrived.

Bago pa ako makalapit ay lumingon na si Theus sa'kin. He was sitting alone in the stone bench that surrounded an angel fountain. The sounds of water should be calming but it only added a melodramatic effect on his downing moment. The energetic chubby boy I knew was replaced by this weakly-smiling man that I hate to look at.

Not that I hate seeing weakness in people. I hate the fact that I have to see them weakened or at some point in their life they have to feel like the world gave up on them. And that I can't do anything to lift their spirits up so I'm left to watch sadness replace the happy smiles in their places.

It reminds me of the vibrant five-year old Raven who lost her flicker of joy years later after realizing she was of no importance.

I hated how that sunshine became a rebel.

"Still bothered by your soulstone?" I asked, sitting beside him.

Isang malungkot na ngiti ang ibinigay niya sa'kin. "I asked Kiernan about it pero sabi niya wala naman daw mali sa unang tingin. My soulstone is alright and working, but I just can't use it. He said he'll investigate further into it daw dahil mukhang tinap-out lang nila ang control ko sa soulstone."

"Uh-huh."

"Ikaw, Raven? I know I shouldn't be asking the Selected this, pero kung okay sa'yo, have you ever felt like you couldn't use your soulstone?"

I tried for years but I'm always left disappointed. Until I eventually realized na... what should I even try to work out when I don't have it in the first place?

I was about to answer when lightning flashed in the sky, hitting the grassy ground in front of us.

Theus cried out in pain, ducking his head and closing his eyes. Ang mga malalapit naman na estudyante ay nagtatakbuhan sa kung saan-saan. The single attack threw the whole campus on chaos.

Nahagip ng mata ko si Helios at Andreas na nakatingin sa kung saan tumama ang kidlat. I wanted to ask them some question but I also didn't want to leave Theus here alone. In the face of souls and magic, I don't think I can really fight.

Helios found me and he was about to step outside when another spark of lightning hit the wall above. Napatayo ako sa gulat at dalawang magkasabay na kidlat ang bumaba mula sa langit. However, unlike their short show of magic a while ago, the lightning was now continuous trapping us in the stone bench that we're on.

The electric currents produced by the lightning acted as the wall between me and the people outside. At mula doon ay lumabas ang isang babae. Her eyes were all white but I can still feel that she's staring straight at me. The ends of her hair were rising as if reacting to the lightning all around. The soulstone in her heart glowed in blue, with an electrical discharge surrounding it.

"This is a warning, Raia Venetia."

"Warning...?"

"If you continue to ignore our call, we will not stop in attacking this school... and your friends."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Call? What are you even saying? I've never met you before-"

She took a step forward, making me bite my tongue. I'm trapped in this electric field. At dahil wala akong soulstone, mas malala ang epekto ng mahika niya sa'kin. I don't think I can just punch them with bare hands, 'di ba?

"Listen to our call, Raven. This is the only way that we can reach you. We need-" biglang nanlaki ang mata niya. "Fuck! Ang bilis naman nila!"

I felt confused about her sudden panic but I was more concerned about my friend. Kaya bago makaalis ay tinanong ko kung may kinalaman siya sa kalagayan ni Theus.

"He's dangerous. He might... warn that old man." nakangising sagot niya.

A hand appeared from within the lightning wall and she accepted it with a smile. Naging manipis ang mga kuryenteng nakapalibot sa'min. A force field started closing above the academy sucking the rest of the lightning up and throwing them outside. Ang natira na lang sa courtyard ay mga small lightning bolts na hindi nadala kanina.

When I returned my attention to the school, there were already ten teachers surrounding us with their soulstones glowing. Nakatutok ang kamay nila sa itaas kaya siguro nirestore nila ang barrier na muling nasira sa pagdating no'ng babae.

"Raven, are you alright?!"

I made an 'okay' sign at Solana's question. Paham was among the teachers who came. Dumiretso siya sa'kin habang inalalayan naman ni Dawn si Theus na nawalan ng malay. Her hand that was placed on his neck were glowing in a light blue hue, the soul energy bringing the boy back to consciousness.

Mukhang present din dito ang mga Elites, kasama ang teachers.

"Anong nangyari, Miss Tempest?" tanong ni Paham nang magkaharap kami.

"Kumidlat."

"Ibig niyang sabihin ay kung may nangyari ba habang nasa loob ka ng electric field na 'yon?"

I gave the lady beside Paham a once-over. She looks like in her forties with a tight pencil skirt and neat uniform shirt. She reminds me of a strict teacher who wouldn't accept a paper kung mali ang paglagay ng comma, or a teacher who is actually a control freak. A kind of mentor I don't like.

Mukhang hindi niya din naman ako gusto sa masamang tingin na ipinukol niya sa'kin.

"Specify the question next time din. Parang kasalanan ko pang sumagot ako sa tanong niyo."

Her offended gasp was too loud. "How dareㅡ"

"Anyway," hindi ko siya pinatapos. "There was a woman who appeared. Tapos dalawa ata sila kasi may tumulong sa kaniyang makaalis. Nag-usap lang naman kami sa loob."

"A woman?"

"Yes, babae. Long hair, has boobs and-"

"Hindi ko hinihingi 'yan, Miss Tempest!" she hurriedly shut me up. "Ano ang pinag-usapan niyo?"

"Ehh." I grimaced. "I don't even understand what it was about. Huwag ko daw i-ignore mga tawag nila. Which is funny because there are no telephones in the houses."

"Ano ang sagot mo?" mahinahong tanong ni Paham.

"Wala. Hindi ko naintindihan, eh."

The teachers and some elites who heard my answers gave me disapproving looks. May narinig pa akong bumuntong-hininga na parang ako na ang taong nakakapagod kausapin. Fake news nga lang iyan because I am a joy at conversations.

"Kung gano'n, hindi ka nakipag-usap sa kaniya?"

"I did. I asked her kung involve ba siya sa pagka-malfunction ng soulstone ni Theus. 'Pag tatanungin niyo anong sagot niya? Well it's... dangerous daw at baka isumbong sa old man." I pursed my lips and stared at Paham. "Ikaw siguro 'yon 'no? Since you're a man and you're really old."

My disapproval rating in the school skyrocketed at that. Halos ipagulong-gulong na ako ng babaeng katabi ni Paham sa sama ng tingin sa'kin. The teachers who already hated me for wearing their oh-so-evil-black is quietly murdering me in their minds.

But the man I offended only barked a loud laugh.

"Salamat sa pagbabahagi mo ng impormasyon, Raven. Makakatulong ito sa imbestigasyon namin sa kasalukuyang nangyayari sa eskwelahan at sa kaibigan mo."

I waved my hand dismissively. "There's no need, Paham. Hindi naman mahirap sabihin ang totoo."

"But some people would withhold information, Raven. Either for their peace of mind or safety. Lalo na't may ibang tini-threaten." ani Kiernan na lumapit din sa amin.

Threats? I like that. Besides from saying it myself, I love hearing threats thrown at me. Siguro dahil ang saya makitang pumapangit ang mukha nila sa galit at nauuna nilang magamit ang bibig kaysa utak... so they make threats that they can't fulfill at the end of the day.

Babantaan nila akong mag-ingat pero sila naman ang bugbog-sarado sa'kin. Pfft.

"Well," nginitian ko sila. "I do love the taste of danger."

Sinulyapan ko muna si Theus bago tuluyang nilisan ang lugar.