Nasa harap lang ng training hall ang bathroom. Walang masyadong tao dahil busy ang lahat sa panonood o nasa kani-kanilang house na. I stayed in front of the mirror for a few minutes, fixing my hair and washing my face. Inayos ko ang white thigh socks na suot at medyo niluwagan ang necktie dahil nasasakal ako.

If Andreas was counting the time, I'd let him believe I use bathroom breaks for an hour. Purely because of my kaartehan.

The lights inside the bathroom flickered, making me flinch. Ilang segundong nagpatay-sindi ang ilaw bago tuluyang dumilim ang paligid. The darkness, the familiar coldness it brought, creeped from my toes to my mind, bringing a terrifying headache. The whispers of nothingness courted my ears, singing a mellow tune of pure terror.

Napaupo ako sa sahig na hawak-hawak ang ulo. I could hear the faucet opening and closing, the toilets flushing as if someone was using them, and the door outside being forced open. Dapat mas naririnig ko ang sigaw ng pangalan sa labas, pero mas maingay ang mga bulong sa tainga ko.

"Raia, my child... Have you finally come to me?"

"Raia, we have waited... We have waited for you..."

"You are the void, as much as it is you. You are ours, and finally, you will reig-"

Everything halted when the door bursted open and the lights came back on. Hingal-hingal akong nakatingin sa may sink. I have no idea just what happened. The darkness have always comforted me, the cold air it brings was natural in my skin, but a while ago, it feels suffocating.

"What the fuck are you doing on the floor?"

I heard Beatrix' annoying voice before the bathroom was closed again. Tinapunan niya ako ng masamang tingin bago pinagmasdan ang sarili sa salamin.

What was that? Panaginip? Did I just daydream or am I slowly losing my mind?

"That bestfriend of yours is a pain in the ass."

Bestfriend?

I took a deep breath, standing up to fix myself. Beatrix shot me a strange glance, eyes scanning my body suspiciously. Hinayaan ko siya dahil may nakita na akong pangkontra.

Forgetting the earlier experience, I let a smirk play on my lips. "What? You lost against the person you're calling weak?"

Irritation flashed in her eyes. "Tsamba lang 'yon. I didn't get to eat anything so I wasn't in my best."

"Sure, kumbinsihin mo lang sarili mo." I flipped some of my hair back, letting a few rest in my left shoulder. "Napaka-iyakin mo pa naman."

"Don't go all tough on me, Raven. I wasn't the one in the floor with a terrified expression a while ago." she laughed.

"Terrified but can still stand strong. What about you? Losing a battle and taking it bitterly in here. Should I stay here and give you some tissues when you cry inside the cubicle?"

Nagpalitan kami ng masasamang tingin, with her own glare positively loathing. The staredown broke apart when the door opened again, revealing a concerned Dustine whose eyes sharpened when it landed on me.

"Raven." bati niya. "I didn't know you were here."

"Now you do." nakangiti kong sagot. "But, don't mind me. I was just leaving."

"I hope you're not bringing trouble again." she muttered before I could pass her.

"Oh, don't worry, Dustine. I don't bring trouble, unless it starts itself," sinulyapan ko si Beatrix na nakatitig lang sa kaniyang repleksiyon. "And if you don't want your bestfriend to cry, then I don't want to hear insulting comments about mine."

Iniwan ko sila doon na masama ang loob.

Nang makabalik ako sa training hall ay ang last pair na ng mga average ang naglalaban. I saw Tamara resting in one of the benches, a towel wrapped around her neck as she gulped down water. Lalapitan ko na sana siya kung hindi ko lang napansin ang pagtaas ni Andreas ng kilay sa'kin. Suplado!

"Ba't ang tagal mo namang maghugas ng kamay, Raven?" Giovanni immediately asked when I sat down. "Pumuslit ka sa Awanggan para kumain 'no?"

"I am not like you, Giovanni. Nasiraan lang ng ilaw sa loob."

"Nasiraan?" sabay na tanong nilang dalawa ni Damon.

Umirap ako sa pagkakunot ng noo nila. "Oo, nasiraan. Broken. Black-out. Pero agad din namang bumalik so no problem... Bakit parang nakakita naman kayo ng multo? What's wrong?"

Damon's face was oddly serious. "It's nothing. Huwag ka na lang ulit pumasok do'n."

I was very curious and confused at their reactions, but I have always known that curiosities normally courts danger, so I dropped the topic. Hindi na rin naman talaga ako babalik doon, even for investigation. I don't want that to happen to me again.

"Okay." simpleng sagot ko. "Whatever," saka binalingan si Azriel. "I found Beatrix in the restroom, AA. Mukhang natalo siya ni Tamara."

Isang tipid na ngiti ang isinagot niya. "Yes. Tamara was able to beat her. She was more cool-headed this round so she was able to use her soulstone well."

Napangiti ako doon. That's good. That means she won against her fears.

Habang pinapanood ang nasa arena ay hindi ko mapigilang maalala ang nangyari kanina.

Waited? Waited for me? Wala akong natandaan na iniwan para maghintay sila sa'kin. At sino naman ang tumawag sa'kin na 'my child'? As far as I know, my parents doesn't have any magic like that. Sa sobrang pangamba ko kanina, hindi ko na naintindihan ang iba pa nilang sinabi.

Marahas akong bumuntong-hininga. Nastress na ako sa nangyari kanina at baka mga siraulong multo lang 'yong nagpaparinig. Actually, if it's not harming me one bit, hindi ko naman kailangang malaman 'yon 'di ba? Imposible rin naman na bumalik pa ako do'n dahil hindi ako tanga para ipahamak pa ang sarili ko... so, I think this problem is just solved.

"Are you really alright?" mahinang tanong ni Azriel.

Seryoso ko siyang hinarap. "Do I look ugly?"

He gave a firm shake of his head.

"As long as I'm pretty, I wouldn't be not alright, AA." I smiled.

Nang bumaba si Matteo ay inikot ko ang tingin sa paligid. There's even lesser students now at marami sa kanila ang kabilang sa House of Blades. I guess the other houses' curfews has started. Umalis na din sina Eva at tanging sina Tsukishima, Helios at Dawn na lang ang nakaupo sa mga elites. There's also another girl who I have never seen before, even though her bright and attractive red-orange hair is too eye-catching.

Without any word, I stood up from my seat. I preferred to lean on the railings. Mas malapit ako sa match ng seventeen students, ten who won the last round and the seven who got the high scores. When Tamara entered my line of sight, I made a small wave. Nginitian niya ako bago umepal sa tabi niya si Griffin na nagniningning ang mata.

"Why are you here?"

I glanced at the female who decided to stand next to me. I don't know her but she's from my house. Her gray eyes were shining in delight. From the moment I saw the glowing orange bracelet in her wrist, I knew I hated her. A soulbearer.

"Why do you need to know?"

She chuckled and the sound irritated my ears. "You're as brazen as they say, Miss Tempest. What is a hurricane like you doing in our beautiful lands?"

Sa gitna ay pinagpair na ang mga susunod na lalaban. Matteo and a familiar man are currently fighting and Griffin is next with Tamara as his opponent. I don't know what to feel about the two of them matching up, but at least it wasn't Matteo so I'm glad. Para kasing handa na siyang isuntok ang galit sa'kin sa kaibigan ko. Sayang naman ang pretty at soft features ni Tam kung gano'n.

"I just like ruining anything that's beautiful, Miss." ngumiti ako. "When the beauty remains after destruction, that's when you know it's worth it."

"What a twisted mind. I guess that's why Beatrix doesn't like you." nagkibit-balikat siya. "Dustine... also have some doubts. A rare sight for a soft-hearted girl like her."

"I don't really care what you guys think so I would appreciate it if you stop whatever it is you're doing. If you're threatening me right now, wala akong pake. If you want to invite me into your pretty, litle group, wala akong interes. If you think this conversation we're having is interesting, find another person to meddle." I gave her my most unimpressed look. "Becuase I promise you, I am so damn booored right now."

Tumawa lang siya sa'kin. Buti na lang at dumating ang number one hater ko kaya pumunta siya do'n. Umirap ako nang lakihan ako ni Beatrix ng mata niya. If she wants to threaten me, she used the wrong actions. Nakikita ko lang kung gaano kalaki ang butas ng ilong niya, hindi ang natatakot sa kaniya talaga. She's like a bull seeing red whenever she sees me-

Wait. That's a good idea, Raven. Wear red just for that young lady para tuluyan siyang mabaliw sa galit sa'yo.

Matteo successfully showed off his skill. He was truly an exceptional fighter, although of course, mas magaling ako sa kaniya. Griffin and Tamara was next and their battle... was a bit anticlimactic. Siguro napagod na rin si Tamara sa pagpapakitang gilas niya mula kanina. Hindi ko pa alam kung nakakain ba siya to replenish her energy. Nevertheless, it wasn't an easy fight. When Tamara said she'll do anything to win, she did.

She held on like a beast. Kahit na paniguradong umiiba na ang paningin niya at hindi na maayos ang pagtayo, she still fought. Kahit noong nasprain niya ang ankle ay nagpatuloy pa rin siya, hanggang sa kahit si Griffin ay napagod na rin sa persistence at will niya.

Lumapit sa kaniya ang binata at may ibinulong dito. His next punch in her stomach was lighter than his other attacks but she instantly fainted. Agad namang dumalo ang nakabantay na mga medic to help her off the stage. Her face was a little swollen but not that wounded, dahil most of the hits were in her stomach, legs, or back.

Natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili na nakaupo sa tabi ng natutulog na Tamara. The matches to find out the true rankings between the last surviving students continued. Hindi na rin naman ako naganahan na panuorin sila dahil medyo mahina na ang bawat laban nila. Dala na rin siguro ng exhaustion at gutom. Andreas is a fucking demon for letting us in here without a spoon of food. Sana matapilok siya on the way to his room.

"Raven. Is she still not awake?"

I turned to my left at the sound of Azriel's voice. Umiling ako. "Why?"

"The ranks are being announced."

"I-aanounce lang naman pala. No need to move. I'll just tell her what rank she is tomorrow morning."

I could feel Azriel's hesitation to leave so I raised a brow at him, wondering why I need to leave Tamara's side when it's just a mere rank announcement. Wala naman akong pakialam kung anong ranggo ako basta pasok ako sa sampung malalakas.

Then Andreas' voice resonated in the air. "I'll be announcing the names and ranks of each students. If your name is called, come up here in the stage dahil may ibibigay ako sa inyo."

"If that's pasa sa mukha, please lang, pwedeng skip?"

My comment seemed to be hilarious because it got a lot of chuckles and Andreas' glare. Ano bang mayro'n sa lalaking ito at ang suplado lagi?

"I'm calling the top ten students up here in the stage. Van Doren, Hawthorne, Lernier, Tempest, Marillamano, Alderidge, Falcon, De Angelo, Miyano, and Kim."

Tinaas ko ang kamay. "Pass ulit. My friend isn't-"

"Raven..."

I glanced at Tamara when she called my name roughly. I was about to grab her water bottle when Griffin took it away from my hands.

"Pumunta ka na do'n. Ako na bahala sa kaibigan mo." nakangiting sabi niya.

I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously, but before I could go and warn him, Azriel has already dragged me up the stage where a grinning Giovanni pulled me between him and Dayang. Napahalukipkip ako dahil sa presensiya nilang dalawa.

"Nagkita ulit tayo, binibini." pagpapadugo ni Dayang sa ilong ko kahit 'di niya sinuntok. "Talagang napakaganda mo kahit sa ganitong oras ng gabi."

"Of course. My beauty is even more incomparable at night."

I said that so loudly and with pride that Giovanni chuckled, Dustine sighed, and Andreas fixed me with a glare. May pinalabas siyang sampung golden cards at doon natuon ang atensiyon ko sa sunod na minuto. I have always loved cards! Not in gambling, please, I don't know how to bet for heaven's sake. Pero dahil cards consists money and I can shop! I'll take any amount as long as makakabili ako ng magagandang things or fabrics to use.

"This will be your student card. It will contain the money given by your parents and your allowance from the Academy. Wala naman kayong gagastusin dito sa loob ng SSA, but if you ever pay a visit to Ukiyo, then you have money to spend. Please keep in mind that each of your transactions are reflected into our systems so we know what you are purchasing."

Bumili kaya ako ng napakaraming heels para sumakit ang mata ni Andreas sa purchase history ko.

"Alright, now." lumapit siya kay Damon. "Damon Levan Van Doren, your House General and the head of House of Blades." Hushed whispers and quiet cheers grew loudly in the air as the students present take in his dark and handsome looks and persona. Nakapamulsa lang si Damon at mukhang walang balak na i-entertain ang mga fans niya "Because you're the top student in this house, you will automatically be a part of the elites."

Then, I felt that burning heat again.

Hindi na ako lumingon pa para makonpirma ngang si Helios ang dumaan sa likod ko. Narinig ko na lang na binigyan ni Andreas si Damon ng kapa nilang kakaiba, sa sobrang unique ay natatakam akong sunugin 'yon. I guess that's why they stayed here until the end. The elites have a job to do.

Kung gano'n nga, mas malaki pala ang chance kong maskip ang Selection Ball na 'yon.

"Dustine Hawthorne, the Lieutenant General and the vice head of the House of Blades. You will also be the second elite student from our house." at muli namang nabigyan ang babae ng kakaibang kapa.

I could see Beatrix standing and waving loudly. She looks so proud it makes me nauseated. Kulang na lang ipagsigawan niyang long lost mother siya nitong kaibigang kinababaliwan niya.

"Next, Giovanni Lernier, also the Lieutenant General of your house." ibinigay niya ang card at sunod na tinitigan ako. "Raia Venetia Tempest is the major general," he handed me the card with a badge na agad kong sinuri. "along with Dayang Marillamano."

"Wait, Andreas." hindi ko pinansin ang pagtutol ng iba sa tawag ko at hinatak ang lalaki pabalik. I have much more important questions, like the card that's in my hand now. "How much is in this?"

"Seryoso?" blanko niyang tanong. "Mamaya ko na sasagutin, tatapusin ko lang 'to."

"Sabihin mo na kasi ilan pera na nandito."

Andreas inhaled a long breath, as if trying to calm himself. "Alright, everyone. We've given you allowance depending on your rank. Five hundred thousand pesos is given to the top student who-"

"Five hundred thousand? Wait, kung pababa ang pera dahil depende nga sa rank, mga two hundred thousand lang ang pera ko? That's too liit!" I panicked.

"Your allowance varies on your rank so if you want a higher-"

"Pero, still, two hundred thousand pesos won't be enough for me! I need to shop well!"

"Two hundred thousand pesos is a lot, Raven." kunot-noong tugon ni Giovanni. "Marami ka nang mabibili niyan at may sukli pa."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Whatever you're buying, they must be easily destroyed. Mumurahin."

Sa halip na mainsulto, ngumisi lang siya.

"Raven, you have two hundred fifty thousand pesos so don't worry-"

"Fifty thousand pesos does not make a difference, Andreas."

"Raven, don't make a scene for money, please." pagpipigil ni Dustine sa'kin. "That might be a small amount for you but for the others here, malaking pera na siya. Marami ka nang magagastos diyan. Saka hindi naman tayo makakapaggasta talaga ngayong busy tayo sa school. We can eat the food for free and the resources are readily available too. Don't be so selfish and think that's small because it isn't."

"E small siya para sa'kin. Was I asking about the others? I was talking about myself the whole time-"

"Just shut up." putol niya. "You're ruining the rankings."

"Bakit ko naman maru-ruin e nakatayo ako sa tamang puwesto."

Hindi niya iyon pinansin. "And respect Andreas."

I stopped myself from chuckling. I knew someone would be aggravated.

I raised a brow at that, slowly loosening my hold from the poor teacher that they assumed I'm bullying. "You're disrespected, huh, Andreas? I didn't know asking questions and reacting to it is a felony now. My bad, will you strip me off this damn position then? Parang hindi naman bagay sa tulad ko ang tumungtong sa stage na 'to."

"Two hundred fifty thousand pesos will be enough, Raven. Hindi ka naman gastosera." aniya na parang hindi lang narinig ang away kanina. He moved on to Azriel, unbothered at everything. "Azriel Alderidge is your brigadier general..."

Nagpatuloy ang pagbibigay niya ng ranks na nakatingin lang ako sa mga kuko. Giovanni joined me for a few seconds, knocking the nails and chuckling to himself. Nababaliw na ata 'to at siya na lang nagpapasaya sa sarili niya.

Dayang would make conversations from time to time, at sasagutin ko naman siya ng pabalang, deretsahan o ng simpleng 'okay'. Tatawa siya ng pagkalakas-lakas kaya mapapatitig naman ang lahat sa'kin na para bang may pinatay akong hayop sa harap nila at kinain 'yon.

I could feel the #HateRaven meter going upwards and more people aboarded the #OustRaven train. Pero hindi ko pinansin ang ongoing campaign nila to send the most hated and nefarious glare dahil nagpatuloy ako sa pagpapaingay ng takong sa entablado.

"Raven." nilingon ko si Andreas nang tawagin niya pangalan ko. "Are you alright?"

I tilted my head, frowning. "Bakit naman hindi?" his gaze fell to my card and I couldn't help the chuckle that left my mouth. "Don't be so serious, Andreas. Of course, it's alright. I was just pissing everyone off."

He thought over what I said for a bit before sighing like I was the world's biggest problem. Hinayaan niya na akong umupo sa isa sa mga bench. I kept in mind the female glares that were sent my way. Kapag nakita ko sila sa ring, maaalala ko ang pag-irap nila ngayon sa'kin at ibabalik ko 'yon ng buong-buo.

Iniwan na ako ni Tamara sa bench dahil tinawag na sila sa stage. Azriel went to the water station to refill his drink. Ewan ko ba sa lalaking 'yon at parang 'di mabubuhay kapag 'di nakainom ng tubig every hour.

I actually don't care if I have just fifty thousand in my card. I just love burning Dad's money because he gets angry and I get the attention. Ginawa ko rin 'yon para malaman ang reaction nila and I was very, very interested about Dustine's outburst.

Sinulyapan ko siya na kausap sina Beatrix at Damon sa taas. A small smirk played on my lips as I remembered what she said a while ago. She's someone respectful and stuff, basta ang mga typical good girls na main character ng bawat libro. The girl who gets the heart of everyone because of her beauty, skills, and background.

Kaya nagulat ako na tinawag niya ring 'Andreas' lang ang instructor namin. She's not like me who's disrespectful and follows rules.

I whistled as I remembered something fun. Beatrix once berated me for calling a teacher by her first name pero parang support na support naman siya sa ginagawa ni Dustine 'no? Andreas is a teacher too. Napaka-hypocrite nga naman.

"Yo."

I raised my eyes to Tsukishima when I heard his voice. He had a playful smile on his lips when he sat beside me, and I could feel some stares burn my back. I would've get closer just to get the girls irritated, but damn it if Andreas, Damon, and Helios' eyes weren't menacing enough to make me behave.

"Both of us are going to die at their stares," natatawang saad niya. "Oo nga pala. Did you know that elites get one million pesos as their allowance?"

'Yabang. I scoffed at the grin in his face. "Okay."

"And we have a different room, just for our own entertainment. Iba sa houses na dormitory namin, okay?"

"Okay."

"You can also do anything without anyone always on your tails. You'll be damn popular and you can have your own library servant."

I stared at my nails, wondering when I should paint them again. "Okay."

"Oh, come on, Raven!" he made a pouting noise that I wanted to punch. "Ayusin mo naman ang mga sagot mo!"

"E pakialam ko naman ba kasi kung magkano nakukuha mong allowance at sa kwarto niyo. I have money. I have a bed to sleep. And I don't read books so," I waved my hand off. "Shoo, go away."

Hinawakan niya ang dibdib. "You are hurting my feelings."

"You are hurting my eyes."

Quickly, a smirk formed. "That would be Helios. He ruins everyone in his sight. Kung hindi ka man maiinis sa itsura niya, sa init naman."

"Okay. Umalis ka na."

"Akala ko kung anong kasweetan pinag-uusapan niyo pero tinataboy mo pala, Raven." I raised my eyes at Tamara who suddenly appeared. Itinaas niya ang dalawang kamay na parang sumusuko. "Oh, bago ka magalit sa pag-interrupt ko, nautusan ako ni Sir Andreas na puntahan ka. He's going to give the last rankings and we can go back to the dorm."

Tsukishima tore his gaze off me, dragging it towards the ring and upwards. His eyes take on a sharp edge, narrowing into dislike.

"Your uncle and brother is damn pissing me off." he muttered under his breath.

Napamaang ako sa sinabi niya. Brother? Uncle? "Ha?"

My question was like a bucket of water dropping on him. Nanlaki ang mata niya at iniwas ang tingin.

"Huwag mo na lang intindihin."

Before I could ask anything else, he already stood up, leaving me with additional questions in mind.