Have I ever told anyone how I hate math?

Sobrang ayaw ko sa kaniya. Mas pipiliin ko pang magbasa ng libro na lang kaysa intindihin ang subject. I mean why should I care about x and y, right? Hindi naman siguro ako magca-calculate ng slope while punching someone.

So here I am, staring and justifying the zero I got in a 30 points quiz.

I would just like to raise the fact that there are only six problems, pero dahil five points ang bawat number at ayaw ni Dong i-check ang given, wala akong score. Hindi naman kasi ako nagsolve.

"Tempest!" my beautiful name travelled the walls again. "Last time, tinulugan mo ang subject ko. Ngayon naman sa weekly quiz natin, zero ka?! Do you even want to learn?!"

"Hindi."

My honest answer almost caused his bald head to erupt. Lumaki ang butas ng ilong niya bago siya sumigaw ng pagkalakas-lakas.

"LABAS!"

I raised both my hands, admitting my defeat. "Okay."

Narinig ko pa ang pagreklamo niya na ako na daw ang pinakapasaway niyang estudyante at wala pang tao na nakakapainit ng ulo niya maliban sa'kin. Beatrix shot me a smirk at that, as if naman mao-offend ako. Hindi ba siya informed na I bring out the worst in people, not their best?

For the second time that week, I found myself sitting in the hallways while the Mathematics class went on. At least, I could boast that I didn't sleep na ngayon. Ano naman ang gagawin ko kung sadyang bobo lang talaga ako sa Math?

Isang notebook muli ang inilahad sa'kin. I didn't have to look up to see that it was sun boy, giving his notes like they were nothing to him. I wonder if he's subtly showing me how intelligent he is that he doesn't need notes anymore.

Itinaas ko ang tingin sa kaniya. He blinked, pushing the notebook closer to my face.

"Hoy," mataray kong tawag. "Special student ka ba at parang may free pass ka lang? Ba't nakalabas ka agad?"

"I had a perfect score so I could leave early." nilapit niya ulit sa'kin ang notebook kaya wala akong choice kun'di kunin 'yon.

"Ano bang nasa loob nito? Bakit puro shapes?" nagtatakang tanong ko nang buksan iyon.

What the fuck are these arrows? At bakit may mga numerical equation na nakalagay sa tabi nila? Ano bang topic namin sa Mathematics ngayon?

"You didn't read the previous notes I gave you?"

Iniwas ko ang tingin. "Naging busy ako nitong mga araw..." sa pagpapainit ng ulo ng mga tao dito.

He stared at me for a long while. "Hmm." he hummed, nodding. "Study that. It will be the topic for our next quiz."

I watched as Helios left to sit away from me. Talagang tinantya niya pa ang distansya naming dalawa bago umupo. Naging interesado ako nang isuot niya ang kaniyang salamin, opening a book and starting to read it.

Unconsciously, I found myself walking towards him. He stiffened, his hand pausing on a page, when I sat on his right. Mas nakakapaso ang init na mayro'n siya ngayon, na halos manghina ako nang makatabi siya. He probably noticed how my eyes went unfocused at the sudden dizziness in my head, because he tried to inch away. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya pata pigilan siya sa pag-alis, at napakunot ang noo ko nang biglang mawala ang init no'n.

Helios, however, looked uncomfortable at our close proximity. "You can't sit that close, Raven. You can't stand the heat, right? I'm sorry, I don't know what happened, but I am certain I have my soulstone under control. I don't know how you can still feel the heatㅡ"

"Okay na." putol ko sa kaniya. "This is ironic. Ang init kapag malapit ka lang, pero nawawala na kapag nahahawakan kita?"

"Your hands... are very cold."

I watched him closely. Mukhang nabo-bother nga siya sa hawak ko sa kaniya. His brows were furrowed and he was breathing from his mouth.

I love bringing trouble, but never when it comes to the people who matters. Helios looked interesting and fun to play with, and he was never cruel to me, so I would hate to see him troubled with my own selfishness. Kaya naman binawi ko na lang ang kamay.

He caught it immediately, though.

"Baka maging ice ka na at the end of this conversation, Heli. Are you sure?"

Tumango siya. "I can counter the cold."

"Okay."

He returned his attention on the book. I glanced at the room and found Dong on the middle of discussing the answers to my classmates. Tamara, from inside, caught my eyes. Naningkit ang mata niya sa'min ni Helios, pero agad din iyong napalitan ng ngisi at kindat niya.

Students burst out of the classroom, having their subjects ended. Napuno ng kuwentuhan at tawanan ang dating tahimik na hallway. Some eyes strayed towards us, but when they recognized the rebel and the sun, they took the opposite direction. Napangiti ako sa paraan ng paglalakad nila ng mabilis as if may virus kaming dalawa ni Helios.

Speaking of the guy, his hold on my wrist shifted when he flipped the pages. Sumandal siya sa pillar na katabi at itinaas ang binabasang libro, while our hands, since he was holding my wrist, rested atop his thigh. I watched the difference in our hand sizes, frowning at how large and almost calloused his palm is compared to mine. Even the book looked small in his hold and that's just unfair.

Noticing my stare, he dragged his gaze towards me. "Do you want to read?"

I ignored his question. Hindi ko alam kung dapat na ba akong magsuot ng placard na nagsasabing 'I don't read books, don't make me read one!' dahil halos lahat ng nakakabangga ko ay inaaya ako sa hobby na 'yan.

"You look even gwapo with the glasses."

Napangisi ako nang makita ang epekto ng compliment ko kay Helios. It's so interesting to see a stoic man widen his eyes and glance away, as if embarrassment was eating him inside. I've never seen anyone with the same reactions as him. AA sometimes looks shy but there's that fighter within his soul that clashes with me.

Whenever they face me, men always try to assert their dominance. Kahit na gaano pa sila kaliit sa presensiya o height man sa harap ko, they would always try to be a level above mine. Or announce that a woman like me could never make them bow.

Of course, at the end, they have no choice but to accept defeat.

Inayos ni Helios ang salamin, pushing it up and clearing his throat. "Why did you want to sit near me? Do you have any questions?"

"Not really. Like I said, you just really look good with the glasses. Napalapit tuloy ako."

Nilabanan ko ang tumatagal niyang titig. When I tilted my head and raised a brow, he nodded.

"Thank you," he said with a hoarse voice.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kaniya. Nang bumalik sa pagbabasa ay halatang medyo hindi siya makafocus. I ignored him, feeling happy at the disappearance of the suffocating heat.

It didn't take long for Dong to finish his class. Nang makalabas ay sinamaan niya pa ako ng tingin at lumapit, siguro para sumermon. Agad din siyang huminto nang makita ang katabi kong nagbabasa pa rin. Kumunot ang noo niya at tila may magandang ideya siyang naisip dahil ngumiti siya sa'kin bago umalis. Weird.

Tamara and Eva were the first to approach me. Ngunit hindi agad nila napansin ang katabi dahil abala sila sa pag-aaway tungkol sa isang... formula. My mind just completely shut their conversation out when I heard the word x and y.

It was Dawn who pointed it out.

"Why are the two of you holding hands?"

The boy beside me stiffened, his hands positively going cold. Lalo na nang laglag-pangang bumaling sa'min sina Solana, Tamara at Eva. Theus just made a silent gasping sound, covering his mouth with both hands. He sounded like a dying fish.

"It's holding wrist," I corrected showing Helios' hand around my small wrist. "I just found a cheat code against his irritating presence."

"Irritating?" Solana asked, trying to stop herself from laughing.

I guess calling the sun of bastards an irritation is another criminal move.

"Ibig mo bang sabihin ang parati mong nirereklamo na init ni Helios, Raven?" I nodded at Tamara's question. "Pero... alam mo, hindi ko pa 'yon nararamdaman. He's just intimidating and his presence screams authority, but it's not to the point I can feel his soulstone."

I almost laughed at how Tamara said that whole thing as if the subject wasn't sitting beside me, listening. Matagal nang nakababa ang libro niya at tahimik niya lang kaming pinagmamasdan.

"He has the best control over a soulstone, which is difficult since his magic is too powerful. Maybe Raven just has a soulstone like ours, students from the House of Ocean Moon are usually the first to feel the sun's heat." Dawn explained.

"Oo nga, 'no? Ako kasi, if ever na macategorized ako sa six magical houses, I'd be in the House of Psyche, I guess."

Theus bumped Tamara. "Tayo pala ang partners! Pero true ka diyan, girl! Never kong nararamdaman ang mga sinabi nila!"

Yeah... but the thing is, I don't have any soulstone.

If this was any tales of old, like the miracles of Hiraya, I would be some special girl who actually has her soulstone functioning, unaware. Ang problema nga lang, soulstones comes with items. I've been living in this world for eighteen years and I had no item of importance.

I was as empty as my soulstone. My life as dark as its color.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila at binawi ang kamay. Walang pag-aalinlangan akong tumayo nang tila napaso ang katawan ko sa sobrang lapit ni Helios.

"Saan ulit tayo pupunta? Library?"

Dawn gave me a critical stare before nodding, "PE starts tomorrow, so we'll stay at the library again." sinulyapan niya ang taong nasa likod. "Do you want to join us?"

"No. I have things to do."

Helios offered the short answer before nodding at us and leaving. His every stride made other students' glance, their eyes following his every movements. I found their adoration for his serious and unapproachable look. Alam niyo bang parang timid puppy lang 'yan 'pag kaharap na ako?

I followed them into the library, slumping as the Sylphins quickly brought the books for the Elites and their friends. Poor winged creatures who had to be servants. Magpasalamat kayo sa'kin at hindi ko dinagdagan ang dadalhin niyong libro. My reluctance to books sure has its advantages to other people.

Iginala ko ang tingin sa paligid pagkatapos kong magdrawing sa notebook na binigay ni Helios. I did read the notes... in the first page. Sobrang technical kasi ng terms at hirap maintindihan kaya mabilis akong naggive-up. Mathematics is not worth giving my head migraines.

My gaze happened on that aisle where I met Tsukishima for the first time. Naningkit ang mata ko nang makita ang aninong pigura doon. It stopped, the shadowing figure of a body turning to face me, and stared.

Itinaas ko ang pen at kinakagat-kagat ang end no'n. I waited until the figure stopped staring and went toward the restricted area. Tumigil ulit ito at sumulyap sa'kin.

I smirked. Nope.

The figure disappeared into the door, with me still seated. Hindi ko alam kung may nagpa-prank sa'kin, but I wouldn't let them take the victory over my decisions. Hindi ako madaling mauto.

When I turned to look at my group of friends, someone shrieked.

There was a loud slam on the windows that made everyone in the table jump. Some had even stood up, gathering their things. Napatili si Eva at Solana nang makita ang sunod-sunod na pagbagsak ng ibon sa naglalakihang bintana. Blood painted the glass surface, the beak of the birds breaking upon contact. The dead bodies slid down, making a horrifying scene for everyone who just witnessed a mass murder.

Tamara was trembling beside me, breaths leaving leaving her in a shaky exhale. Eva's soulstone was glowing at the sight of the dead animals in front of us. Different soulstones have activated at the clear panic that washed over the students, na kahit ang langit sa labas ay dumidilim na sa magkahalong takot at galit sa mata ni Solana.

The loud clicking of heels distracted their minds. Lumapit ako sa bintana kung saan patuloy pa rin ang paghulog at pagbagsak ng mga namamatay na ibon. I couldn't even count how many are there already. The grounds below are already filled with the bodies, but they still kept on falling from the sky.

"Raven..." nanginginig ang boses ni Theus. "Anong gagawin mo?"

Nilingon ko ang mga namumutlang estudyante. They watched me like I was scarier than the slaughtered birds.

"To cover the view, of course."

Hinanap ko ang mga kurtina para sana manually na i-close ito, but then a student pointed out that it has a switch daw. I almost shouted at them because they're not moving to help, just instructing where the switch was placed. Before the curtains have drawn to a close, I caught sight of Paham entering the grounds with Andreas and Kiernan flanking his side.

I ignored them kasi wala na akong pakialam pa sa mga ibon na 'yon. Although, Eva's pale appearance was quickly replaced by her harsh exit. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kahirap ang emosyong dumadaan sa kaniya ngayon. The last time I saw her so angry was when Theron accidentally shot a chicken. It was both pitiable and laughable to watch my little brother suffer in the middle of a chicken pen, lost and confused. Until the chickens attacked him.

When I sat back at our table, I yawned. Sumasakit pa rin ang ulo ko dahil sa nangyayari mula kanina. I'm also very tired because I didn't sleep much.

"Woah, Raven. Hanggang saan ba 'yang pagiging unbothered mo?"

"Hm?" I asked, sluggishly. "What do you mean? I didn't have much sleep last night, if that's what you're asking." iginala ko ang tingin sa mesa namin na kulang na ng dalawang tao. "Saan na pala si Dawn?"

Amidst the pale-faced Theus and trembling Tamara, Solana could still offer an awkward laugh. "Parang wala lang nangyaring rain of dead birds kanina sa reaction mo, Raven. Dawn is inspecting the situation outside, by the way, she's in charge of the possible threats in the Academy."

I frowned. "Akala ko ba wala kayong in-charge in-charge?"

"We don't. We just take responsibility of certain tasks para mas organized."

Theus nodded, agreeing with Solana. "Usually, ako ang nasa trouble-trouble sa school dahil sa soulstone ko. Pero mabilis akong matakot! Kagaya kanina! I can't handle seeing dead birds like that outside."

Oh, he's too cute when complaining with those fat cheeks! I'm tempted to lean over and pinch it.

"Are those birds considered a threat, though?"

My curiosity heightened when Tamara snapped her attention to me, surprised. "Raven, dito ka ba talaga naninirahan?"

That statement somehow made me pout.

"Are you insulting me?"

"Hindi, I mean, kasiㅡ" Tamara laughed. "How come you don't know these things? Everyone are taught about the country's culture and beliefs."

Iniwas ko ang tingin at inayos ang upo. "Yeah. I didn't have those lessons, though, so..." nagkibit-balikat ako.

Dad didn't send us to any of the school in town and hired tutors. Ayaw niya kasi kaming makihalubilo rin sa mga people of low status. I was the child who was practically caged in her home ㅡ also receiving no tutor because Dad did not trust any of them. Baka daw bigla na lang nitong ipagsabi sa iba na wala akong soulstone.

I wasn't taught. My parents did not have enough time, with both of them getting busy with my older sisters. The family shame just had to blend in the background and bring trouble to get a little bit of attention.

Realization flashed in Tamara's eyes and guilt covered her entire face. Napakagat siya ng labi. "Raven... I-I'm so sorry, hindi ko intensiyon na saktan ka. I was really just surprised that you didn'tㅡ"

I made a nonchalant smile, cutting her off. "It's alright. You didn't know. Besides, I'm already past that topic."

Kaya nga, hello kayo sa Rebel Raven, 'di ba?

"Sa Hiraya, kung saan malaya dapat ang paglipad ng ibon, ay babala ito na may mangyayaring masama. It can either be a change or start of something worse, or death."

"What if those were just an illusion?" Tamara proposed at Solana's answer.

"If that was an illusion, that means either the magic barrier around the school was temporarily destroyed or someone from the Academy is behind this." Solana answered with a click of her tongue. "Either way, it's not a good news."

They began discussing other possibilities, while I sat in the middle of it, unconcerned and bored. Wala naman akong alam sa soulstone system, sa ranks at functions ng Academy, gano'n din sa protective barriers around Ukiyo.

Dawn arrived later on, telling us that only the Strategic Assessment subject will meet with the students. Ang ibang klase ay hindi magmi-meet because the teachers had something important to discuss ㅡ which might be the birds.

Nang makarating kami sa silid ng huling subject namin sa araw na 'yon ay nakita ko si Andreas sa harap. I raised my brow at him. Akala ko parte siya ng meeting na 'yon pero mukhang nakaset ang priorities ng lalaking 'to.

I smiled at Azriel who was sitting at the back, flanked by both Giovanni and Griffin. I took the seat in front of him, listening as the rest of the class discussed the earlier event. Kahit sa hallway ay naririnig ko din ng terror at takot 'daw' nila sa nangyari kanina. Ilang soulbearer nga din daw ang kailangang dalhin sa clinic dahil sa sobrang pagkagulat.

Poor them naman.

"Good afternoon, everyone. We're starting early since Kiernan won't be meeting you." Andreas started. Oo nga naman, he took thirty minutes of Kiernan's time. "I'll be your instructor for Strategical Assessment, and I will also take over your Physical Training next week."

Baka naman siya din ang teacher namin for Leadership & Management, which happens every Wednesday. Iyon nga lang hindi nagpakita ang instructor namin kahapon.

"We'll just have a short class because of what happened earlier. Quick introduction and an explanation for your house game this Saturday. So before we start on this, do you have any questions? Regarding the Obstacle War or the groupings I told you to make?"

Napasulyap sa'kin si Tamara sa usapang groupings. Oo nga pala, hindi pa ako nakakausap sa iba.

A hand shot up and everyone looked at Beatrix. "Sir! Ano po ba ang nangyari kanina? Ano po ang ibig sabihin ng mga ibon na 'yon?"

I rolled my eyes. Hindi naman 'yan part ng sinabi ni Andreas na dapat itanong.

"Oo nga po, Sir, may alam po ba kayo do'n?"

"Is the Academy in danger?"

"Ukiyo hasn't been attacked for the past century! This has always been a safe place for soulbearers. Kaya bakit po iyon nangyari kanina?"

"Are we safe pa rin po ba?"

"Did you catch the culprit po?"

"'Yong obstacle war na mangyayari sa sabado, will it be a practical demonstration for this Strategy subject?"

I smiled at how unique my questions was from the rest. Of course, hindi ako magpapatalo kapag tungkol na sa pabidahan ang usapan. So I beamed at how Beatrix' face crumpled in annoyance or how someone muttered how I'm such a pabida under their breaths.

"Thank you for asking a question related to our subject, Raven." mas lalong lumaki ang ngisi ko dahil kumunot rin ang noo ni Dustine nang ako lang ang sagutin. "Tama ka. I won't be judging your battle in the Obstacle War from the victors and losers, but at how you employ strategies in your fighting. In the discussion of warfare, military strategy and tactics are essential. The right planning, coordination and the general direction of the military's operations is vital to meet our objectives. Without it, you cannot ensure a victory. Without it, you cannot take the king. From this brief introduction, what can you say about the relationship of war and strategies?"

"It can... help you win the war?"

"It can make you prepare for the war."

"You use it to win the war."

Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti nang marinig ang sagot na 'yon kay Tamara. The first two answers were correct as well, but I find the third one to be the most fitting. You can use the tactics which the enemy will know for long, but it's the strategy to mold this tactics according to the current conditions that makes you a victor.

Andreas gave a satisfied nod. "Strategy is the art of generals, as in what we do in aspect to warfare. We look at the big picture of war, from the employment of tactics or dealing with economics and diplomacy. Now tactics is also integrated in war, and these are the management of..."

Tumahimik ang buong klase nang gamitin ni Andreas ang borrowed thirty minutes niya to discuss strategy and warfare. I observed some of them to be closely related with Sun Tzu's Art of War, the only book I read with interest when I was twelve.

The class ended with a concluding thought in my mind. Tactics and strategy both matter, but it's strategy that matters more. For strategy without tactics is the slowesy route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. Or as Sun Tzu put it.

"In the upcoming Obstacle War, I want to see what tactics and strategies you'll use. You can learn from the previous wars that are written down or create your own. Victory or not, I will grade your performance based on how you employ the strategies in the game. That's for this subject. I will make another list of points for your physical skills." Andreas announced after filling the only blank space in the board. He clapped his hands together, turning to face us. "So? Can I hear and see your groupings?"

Sinara ni Tamara ang notebook at lumapit sa'kin. "May grupo na ba tayo, Raven?"

Sasagot na sana ako nang tumayo si Dustine. The whole room turned silent as she spoke, "We already have our group of five people. Ako, si Beatrix, Dayang, Damon, and Giovanni."

Even as the students in the room held their mouths, I could still feel their disbelief. It was such a brave move to take the strong students into her group, with the exception of Beatrix, of course.

Kaya siguro galit din sa'kin 'tong si Beatrix. If I didn't take her spot as the fourth-ranked student, they would be the Top Five group.

Giovanni tapped my shoulder. "Sorry, may nakauna nang mang-imbita sa'kin."

I stared at him straight in the eyes. "I never considered you a member."

He flinched, blinking as he awkwardly retracted his hand back. Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti at kamot ang ulong lumapit tumayo. The five standing students made the whole class shuddered in fear.

"Parang ang daya naman nito. May makakatalo pa ba sa kanila?" mahinang reklamo ni Tamara.

I only pursed my lips, watching as the rest of the groupings presented themselves. Hanggang sa natira ay kami nina Tamara, Azriel, Griffin, and Matteo.

"So... kayong lima ba ang grupo?"

I stood up confidently, smiling at Andreas. "Before this, no. But right now, yes we are."

Tamara and Azriel quietly stood up, while Griffin had the most enthusiastic reaction. "Yes! Kagrupo ko si Raven!"

Si Matteo na walang magawa ay napatayo na rin. Nakasimangot pa ang supladong mukha nito, siguro dahil kasama niya ako.

"Are you contented with your groupings?"

Tumango kami kay Andreas. Beatrix gave a loud scoff, smirking at me. "A bunch of left-behinds forming a group together. Talaga ngang bagay sa'yo, Raven. Ni hindi ko kayo titingnan o hahanapin, because you're not worthy of a fight."

She said that, glancing at Tamara and Griffin. Of course, unlike her group that is filled with superpowers, I have three people who had the weakest fight at the first matches.

My grin widened. "Talaga? Beatrix, do you know the saying... If you know the enemy and yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer defeat."

I said that, staring straight at her, as if I was uttering a curse about to befall on them.