Itinali ko ang buhok habang hinihintay na makuha ang mabigat na katawan ni Matteo mula sa stage. Small strands of my hair that couldn't be tied up hang loosely on the sides of my face.

Lumabas ang lalaki na sunod sa'kin. May mga babaeng kinilig dahil sa gwapo at nakangisi niyang mukha na mas dine-depina ng kaniyang magulong buhok. Hinubad niya ang jacket na suot, showing his strong and muscled arms. He's fit, although hindi siya gano'n kalaki at muscled. Tama lang ang proportion ng katawan sa kaniyang mukha.

He jumped up swiftly in the ring, throwing me a cool wink. "Hindi ko inasahan na magiging magkalaban tayo. I thought I'll take revenge for your loss, but this meeting is okay too."

"Anong meeting?"

Hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngisi niya. "How I met your mother na story sa anak natin."

Ilang segundo ko siyang tinitigan bago nauwi sa tawa. He looked surprised so I waved my hand dismissively. "That's cool. But I don't think it's realistic."

He shrugged, diverting his attention to the bleachers. Tumikhim ang announcer bago nagsalita, "Raven Tempest on the left facing Griffin Devon Solis on the right with seven years of training. Begin the match!"

Hindi na naghintay pa si Griffin at sumugod na sa'kin. Pinaulanan niya ako ng mga suntok na agad ko namang iniwasan. A particular straight to the stomach made me step to the side to avoid it, raising my right arm to elbow him on his back. Napasinghap siya dahil sa lakas ng ginawa kong atake.

Ngunit agad din siyang nakabawi. Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at balak na paikotin ito, but I scratched my long, manicured nails in his arm. Inalis niya agad ang kamay na parang nasunog at sinamaan ako ng tingin.

"Madaya." akusa niya.

I smiled. "Not my problem you don't have long nails."

Griffin threw another punch which made me crouch down and land a left knee on his stomach. Bago niya pa ako mahawakan ay umikot ako sa likod niya. I sliced my hand on the back of his neck, hitting a nerve and freezing him. Shifting my weight, hinawakan ko ang likod ng shirt niya at ibinalibag. He dropped on the ground with a loud thud and I gave his head a final kick to ensure that he's out of commission.

"G-Griffin is down! Raven wins her second match!"

Nagsigawan naman ang mga estudyanteng walang ginawa kung hindi manood. Isa sa mga pinakalakas na hiyaw ang mga lalaki. Mabuti na lang at may mahabang cycling short ako underneath the dress dahil baka sila pa ang mabugbog ko imbes na kalaban. Tiningnan ko ang sarili at pinagpagan ang damit na nagkaroon ng kaunting dust. I prioritized my dodging earlier and gave critical hits because I didn't want my dress to be dirtied. Ayokong lumabas dito na parang pulubi, ano.

My next opponent was a man with light brown hair. Unlike Griffin who looked like the typical bad boy and Matteo the musclehead, he was decent-looking. His sleeves were rolled to his elbow and he had a sharp look in his eyes. Mukhang kagaya niya si Andreas na matalinong makisig kung titingnan.

"Raven Tempest on the left facing Kaizen Nakamura on the right with seven years and two months of training. Begin the match!"

I knew that he wasn't the type to attack first. Lalo na't tinitigan niya lang ako na parang inaaral. So since I was bored enough, I took the bait and attacked him.

It was clear that he was waiting for me. Kaagad na gumalaw ang kanang kamay niya nang makitang plano ko siyang tuhurin sa tiyan. But that was a feint. When he thrusted his hand to stop my attack, I was already behind him. Nanlalaki ang mata niyang napalingon pero nasipa ko na siya palayo.

Pinaulanan ko siya ng mga sipa ko na dinepensahan niya gamit ang mga braso. He got hold of my ankle, twisting me around, but I used my free feet to kick his face. Kaagad kong tinukod ang kamay sa sahig at eleganteng nagback-flip para ayusin ang tayo. He rubbed his face that was hit by my stiletto, a cut forming on his cheek.

"I didn't know weapons were permitted in this match." aniya sabay tingin kay Andreas na nagkibit-balikat.

I chuckled. Tama nga naman siya. The stilettos I'm wearing is more than enough weapon.

Sa pagkakataong ito ay siya na ang sumugod sa'kin. He made continuous attacks, a mixture of punches and kicks, that had me stepping back. Isang suntok sa gilid ang hindi ko nakita at napasinghap ako nang matamaan niya ako sa tiyan. He looked up, victorious.

But I wasn't happy.

I grabbed his collar, pulling his face close to mine. I parted my lips, stealing his attention downward. At sa sandaling natulala siya sa mukha ko ay itinaas ko ang kamao para sa isang malakas na suntok, na sinundan ng pagtuhod sa kaniyang mukha at tatlong sunod-sunod na jab sa kaniyang tiyan. Then with a spin, that had my dress swaying, I landed an uppercut that completely ended him.

I gave a slow exhale, calming myself down. Sinulyapan ko ang parteng natamaan niya kanina at naginhawa nang makitang hindi ito marumi. This is why I really hate wearing cream or light-colored dress. Ayoko pa namang narurumihan sila.

"What a cruel trick." komento ni Andreas sa tabi.

I threw him a smirk. I'd do anything to survive this round. At hindi ko naman kasalanan kung mabilis na makuha ang atensiyon nila.

"I did kiss him. Using my fist." sagot ko na inilingan niya.

I raised a brow when my next opponent was a female. Kagaya ni Tamara ay nakasuot siya ng nararapat na damit para sa laban. She looked a bit strict with her red hair tied in a bun and sharp, almond eyes. Para siyang instructor ko sa martial arts na handa akong ibalibag sa oras na may masabi akong mali.

Tiningnan niya si Andreas at tinanguan ito bago ako pinagningkitan ng mata. Wow, scary.

"Raven Tempest on the left facing Beatrix Flores on the right with seven years and eight months of training. Begin the match!"

Beatrix was swift and agile. Nagulat na lang ako nang makita ko siya sa harap at humahanda para sa isang suntok. If I was a second too late in reacting, I would have received the punch and the incoming kick in my stomach. Mabuti na lang at agad akong nakaatras at ginamit ang kaliwang kamay para itulak palayo ang kaniyang paa.

She was like a beast uncaged. Her movements are too fast and unpredictable. Kaya naman hinayaan ko ang sarili na umiwas na lang at binasa ang mga atake niya. She was able to hit my thigh, stomach and chest. And her fierce expression never twitched at every attack.

I calculated her movements and attacks, and a particular strike at my chest made me catch her wrist. I pulled her towards me, landing a powerful punch on her lower stomach. Napasinghap siya sa sakit at umiwas ako na matalsikan ng laway niya. She glared at me beneath her lashes as she was thrown back. Sinagot ko lang ng inosenteng ngiti ang galit niya.

"You confident bitch." she hissed.

At that point I knew I had to defeat her. Anyone who calls me a bitch should be punched in the face.

Sa isang iglap ay nasa likod ko na siya at hinila ang buhok ko. I muttered a soft curse. I elbowed her right on the face and she let go, rubbing her nose. At hindi na ako naghintay pa bago sinipa ang gilid ng ulo niya.

She fell down, unmoving. Alam kong maghihintay muna ng limang segundo si Andreas bago simulan ang pagbilang. Ngunit hindi pa man nakakatatlong segundo at tumatakbo na ulit papunta sa'kin si Beatrix.

A wide smile appeared on my face. She's amazing!

The tip of her boots kicked my chin upwards, the rays of the sun hitting my face. Alam kong may susunod pa siyang atake pagkatapos no'n dahil iyon din ang gagawin ko if I was in her shoes. Kaya agad kong ibinalik sa kaniya ang aking atensiyon, na siyang nagpagulat sa kaniya, at pinaikot ko siya saka sinakal gamit ang braso. She started landing elbow strikes and kicks on my stomach and back as she struggled from my hold.

"Let me the fuck go." singhal niya.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay kahit na hindi niya kita 'yon. "What a foul mouth. Pero hindi kita pwedeng bitawan hangga't hindi ka natatalo."

Her attacks made me step back, my stiletto ringing high and clear in the still audience. Mas nairita ang kaniyang mukha dahil do'n.

"Wearing heels in a match." kahit na nahihirapang huminga ay nakaya niya pang magsalita. "You lack respect."

"Hindi lang nakapagpalit ng damit, 'di na agad rumerespeto?" natatawang sagot ko.

Umismid siya. Her next elbowed attack was punctuated with a jump, making me lose balance and causing the both of us to fall. Nakadagan ang buong timbang niya sa'kin at napakabigat niya. Heavens! I'm just thankful that she's not as big as Matteo or I would instantly be crushed.

She continued struggling in my hold pero hinigpitan ko lang ang pagkakasakal sa kaniya. I restricted her movements by hugging both my feet in her thighs. Napakasakit ng elbow niya na nakatukod sa may dibdib ko pero hindi ko muna iyon pinansin. When her breathing slowed down and her aggressive taps on my arm weakened, dahan-dahan kong niluwagan ang kamay.

Andreas counted to ten to ensure that she's down. Then he motioned for me to get up which made the audience cheer again.

"Raven wins her fourth match and is the first female Selected to continue this long!"

Hinarap ko si Andreas na manghang nakatitig lang sa'kin. I paid no attention to the students screaming my name. "Andreas."

"That's Sir Andreas for you." he corrected with an amused brow.

Hindi ko siya pinansin. "Madumi ba ang likod ko?"

Kasalanan 'to ni Beatrix. Ingat na ingat ako mula kanina sa damit ko tapos ipapatumba niya lang kaming dalawa? Siya kaya ang palabahin ko sa damit kong 'to.

"N-Not really." matagal bago siya makasagot. "Is that important right now?"

I turned to him with a scandalous face. Talaga bang dapat na itanong 'yan? Of course, nothing is more important than the state of my dress right now. Hinayaan ko na nga na magkaroon ng kaunting dumi ang nails ko, pati ba naman ang dress?

Nang dumating ang sunod kong kalaban ay panandaliang nawala ang mga problema ko. Nakatitig lang ako sa lalaking naglalakad papunta sa ring. He looks dangerous.

Nakasuot siya ng facemask kaya natatakpan ang mouth at nose niya, but his intense green eyes were enough to deliver a threat. Ang bawat hakbang niya ay tahimik at hindi arogante, pero hindi ako tanga para malamang dumadagdag lang ito sa mapanganib niyang aura. His jet-black hair was tousled. Hindi kagaya ng pinuwersang messy hair ni Griffin, ngunit parang natural na buhok niya na talaga ito. And when he got closer, I caught a glimpse of scarred hands and that's enough to conclude that this is a hard fight.

Hindi siya basta-basta lang.

"Raven Tempest on the left facing Azriel Alderidge on the right with eight years and four months of training. Begin the ma- Oh, is Raven finally stepping out of her heels?"

Sinundan ako ng kanilang mga nagtatanong na tingin. Lumapit ako kay Andreas na nakakunot ang noo at yumuko para hubarin ang stilettos.

I turned and said to no one in particular, "Let me take off my heels, alright?"

Walang sinabi si Azriel pero nagsimula na naman ang bulong-bulongan sa audience. My bare feet stepped on the cold stone. Binura ko sa isipan ang katotohanang marumi ang stage na 'to. Talagang magdudugo mamaya ang paa ko sa paglinis.

"O-Okay! Mukhang ready na si Raven kaya simulan na natin muli ang match!"

Dahil nakatutok ang mga susunod na estudyante sa monitor ay alam na nila ang way ko sa pakikipaglaban. I got that from the way Azriel's eyes narrowed as I waited for him to attack. Ayokong gamitin sa kaniya ang nakakamatay kong sipa o ang feint na ginamit ko kanina. May nagwa-warning sa loob ng ulo ko na mapapahamak ako do'n.

I gasped in surprise when he was instantly in front of me. Ni hindi ko man lang siya nakitang gumalaw!

He laid his palm flat on my stomach and with one push, I was almost thrown out of the ring. Hindi pa ako nakaka-recover sa pagkagulat nang nagpakita siya sa harap ko at sinuntok ako sa mukha. I spit out the metal tang in my mouth. Fucking hell, ang lakas niya.

Mabuti na lang at nakadepensa ako sa susunod niyang suntok. I raised my arm to block his attack and aimed a straight, pero naunahan niya ako't sinipa palayo sa tiyan. Napakabilis niya na ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay umilag at tumakbo sa mga atake niya. Shit! Dehado ako sa lagay na 'to!

Nahuli niya ako gamit ang likuran ng dress at hinila papunta sa kaniya. I crashed against his chest with a grunt and his hands snaked around my body, trapping me to him. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin kahit alam kong 'di niya nakikita.

"Sorry."

I had a feeling that a critical attack would follow that apology kaya inunahan ko na siya. Bigla ko siyang hinead-butt nang patalikod kaya nabitawan niya ako. I hurriedly fixed my dress that moved slightly upwards. Hinarap ko siya at nakitang hinihimas na ang namumulang noo.

"Sorry." paggaya ko sa sinabi niya kanina.

Hindi siya sumagot pero may halong amusement na ang kaniyang pagtitig. I puffed my cheeks before slowly exhaling through my mouth. I clicked my neck and stretched my arms. Kaya nga ako naghubad ng heels dahil alam kong mahirap siyang kalaban. I should be careful and sharp.

Kagaya ko ay mukhang naging mas maingat siya. Ngunit pabor sa'kin ang gano'n. He was still as swift as ever, but his careful and calculated attacks now made me hit him at times. Nang paulanan niya ako ng suntok ay agad akong yumuko at pinatid siya. He tried to stop himself from falling pero dinaganan ko siya para mahulog kaming dalawa sa lupa. I was straddling his stomach with my hands on his throat, my thumb circling around the vital point in his neck.

Something cold crawled up the skin of my thigh, stealing my attention. May mga anino na gumagapang mula sa katawan ni Azriel papunta sa paa ko at unti-unting humihigpit ang kapit nito sa balat ko. He's using his ability! And for some reason, it's one of the forbidden magic.

Tiningnan ko siyang pinanonood ang expresiyon ko. His eyes lost its previous amusement.

"Huh. What a pervert." komento ko.

Nanlaki ang mata niya at sa unang pagkakataon ay nagkaroon ng emosyon ang expressionless niyang mukha. Although I can only see his eyes dahil sa facemask na 'yan. I named the emotions in his face as embarrassment, lalo na nang bigla niyang ibahin ang posisyon namin kaya nasa taas siya. His shadows bounded my feet together, erasing my worry of being peeked under. Well, hindi naman talaga ako masyadong nagaalala dahil may suot ako na mahabang cycling shorts sa loob.

His eyes held so much intensity as they stared at mine. Tumawa ako at agad-agad ang naging reaksiyon niya. Iniwas ko ang ulo para masuntok niya ang sahig na nasa gilid ko. The floor cracked.

"Wow. Are you planning to crush my face?" tanong ko.

Hindi ko na siya pinasagot pa. Sa konting segundo na pinag-isipan niya ang isasagot ay muli kong iniba ang posisyon namin. At dahil hindi malakas ang aninong bumabalot sa paa ko sa panahong 'yon, minabuti ko na rin na tumayo at lumayo sa kaniya. But suddenly, the shadows gripped my legs tighter, and I couldn't move from my spot.

His ability is such a pain. Tirik na tirik ang araw pero napakalakas pa rin ng anino niya?

Azriel didn't let me breath for a second because the next thing I knew, he was raining me with attacks. Ngunit determinado ako. Kahit na hindi makagalaw dahil sa mga anino, nakaya ko pa ring iwasan ang mga atake niya. I bended backwards at the upcoming uppercut that quickly changed into an elbow attack. Itinukod ko ang kaliwang kamay sa sahig na nasa likod at hinuli ang kamay niyang paparating. Then with all my strength, I twisted his arm and flipped him backwards. Years of training has made me flexible for this, pero heavens, ang sakit pa rin sa likod!

Sinagot ko ang bawat atake niya kahit na nakaestatwa pa rin sa kinatatayuan. If I can't move my lower body, then I'm flexible enough to manipulate my upper body to avoid and make attacks.

"Hindi ba boring para sa'yo ang tumayo lang ako dito at aatakehin mo? Mas maganda ang laban kung dalawa tayo na pwedeng magpalabas ng sama ng loob." I shared my thoughts after pushing him away with a punch.

Ilang segundo niya akong tinitigan. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang minuto na kami dito, o kung naorasan na nga ba kami. No one stopped the match. Tutok na tutok pa rin ang mga manonood sa'ming dalawa.

He gave a brief nod before releasing me. Ganito ba talaga siya katahimik? Parang ako lang ang nagsasalita sa laban namin. I can't say he's mute that's why he's wearing a mask because he said a word kanina. Mahiyain siguro.

Napangiti ako at ininat ang likod. Ah, finally free from those shadow chains. Buti na lang rin pala at hinubad ko ang stilettos. My feet would be screaming from pain after my exhibition kanina kung nakaheels pa rin ako.

Lumakbay ang anino sa pagitan namin at nang magkatinginan kaming dalawa ay naging hudyat 'yon para sa susunod naming laban.

Ginawa ko nga ang sinabi ko sa kaniya. Pinalabas ko lahat ng sama ng loob sa laban na 'yon. My fist was already aching from being used too much and my feet was screaming from tiredness. Pero hindi ko 'yon pinansin dahil dalawang araw na rin akong hindi nakakapag-away. Pagkatapos kong bugbugin ang bastos na lalaking 'yon ay pinagbawalan muna ako ni Conrad sa training room.

Our battle was intense and we both enjoyed it. Nakikita ko ang amusement at excitement sa mga mata niya at gano'n rin siya sa malawak na ngiti sa labi ko. Hindi na maayos ang pagkakatali ko sa buhok dahil sa ilang ulit na itong nahatak at natamaan. At nang paulanan ko siya ng isang sipa, dalawang straight sa tiyan at isang malakas na suntok sa mukha ay napaatras siya.

Then, he tore the mask off his face and licked the blood on his lips. Nagkaroon na pala ng maliit na sugat dito.

"Hm." I raised a brow, smirking. "Why hide that beautiful face?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot at sumugod na sa pag-atake. Napatawa ako bago salubungin ng sipa ang paparating niyang kamao. Ilang beses ulit kaming nagpalitan ng atake bago ako napaatras ng kaniyang palad.

"Heh. Would you tell me the reason if I beat you in this match?"

Mahina siyang tumango kaya lumawak ang ngisi ko. I can see the surprise in his face when I disappeared at his sudden attack. Pero umikot lamang ako sa gilid niya at ipinulupot ang paa sa kaniyang tiyan. Nakasakay ako sa kaniyang likod at alam kong pamilyar ang ginawa ko sa kaniya. But I wouldn't let him trap me on the ground dahil wala akong laban sa lakas niya. So I made a sharp chop on the back of his neck.

When the nerve was hit, agad siyang natumba, wala nang malay. Nakangiti akong tumayo sa likod niya.

"I'm looking forward to hearing your reason!" masaya kong saad kahit na hindi niya naririnig.