Renz waits for me outside Bituin's room. It's now late in the afternoon and I feel prepared for what's coming. For the next few days from when I've met the Rajah face to face, my workload has doubled. Rosa also prevents Renz from talking to me alone and I haven't been back to our home since then. And now, I just stay with Bituin and help her around.

To explain my scarcity, Rosa told me to say that I am too busy because of the Mainlanders. When Renz and I talk for over five minutes, Rosa interrupts and directs me to do things that are not important. All I can do is tell Renz that I need to talk to Aian, I just hope that it will warn him of my actual situation here.

"Hi babe, I missed you," Renz greets.

I smile at him and give him a peck on his cheek. "We've been too busy," I say.

I shift my attention to my right and see Rosa, talking to Bituin. But I know why she's here. Yesterday, she warns me not to tell anyone about me when I take our third and final challenge. It's also from Rosa that I learned that the third challenge will be an examination. So for an entire week, Rosa did not give me tasks and instead I stay at Bituin to study.

"Did you tell Aian?" I ask.

Renz scowls. "Well, you'll see him today, so you can talk to him."

I stop myself from frowning. Damn. So, Aian doesn't know. I look behind me and bow at both Bituin and Rosa. Then I walk with Renz to the meeting room where the examination will be held.

Inside, there are already six people. Aian, Jade, Migo, Isagani, and two Babaylans. Renz and I take the seats at the back.

"Are you prepared for this?" I ask Renz.

"Don't worry, I studied like what you've told me."

I breathe a sigh of relief. I just hope that he really studied alone at our home. I hope he didn't get distracted. I know that this challenge is important for our survival. I look at the other three. They are the smartest in our university, so if Renz and I don't put in the extra hard work, we wouldn't be able to defeat their scores.

Isagani distributes the pen and paper. I stare at it, since Hiraya does not have the technology to create these, does it mean that this comes from the Mainland?

The paper looks old. It's different from the ones that are used in the books that Isagani sent me. It's a little rough compared to what I am used to. It's like an early form of paper the first time paper is invented and while most people are still using bamboo, silk, or wood.

The pen in particular makes me feel like I am in the early century, 6th century maybe? Or is it 7th? To say the least, it's an old-looking quill pen, complete with goose feather and a durable but flexible tip. I feel like a calligraphy hobbyist who'd like to create some expressive and decorative writings.

"You can now start," Isagani announces and I browse through all the questions.

It's mostly identification and brief explanations. No multiple choices like in college. The questions are mostly about the basic living in Hiraya, the names, the systems, the laws, and sometimes, there are basic questions about the Mainland.

The time passes by and in two hours, Isagani announces the end and takes the papers from us. The five of us stand up and leave the room while the Babaylan reviews our papers and deliberate over them.

Outside we stay quiet. I reach for Renz's and hold his hand. I know it's selfish, but I wish that neither of us takes the lowest score. An hour after, Isagani comes out.

He clears his throat and says, "All five of you pass the examination. The five of you are now officially Hirayans."

I take a sigh of relief and hug Renz. "Told you I'll study," he says.

Then Isagani and the two Babaylan leave.

"Migo, are you okay?" I hear Aian ask.

I turn to the voice. I need to talk to Aian before Rosa comes. But suddenly, Migo falls over.

"Migo, hey!" Jade calls.

I move closer to them. Migo's grabbing Jade's wrist, "My sister. I want to see my sister," he murmurs. "Let's return home."

"Aian, call for a Babaylan!" Jade orders.

I run to Aian and then, "Aian, I need to talk to you!"

"Later," he says and runs away.

My attention goes back to Jade and Migo. Should I warn her? Migo is distressed over something. He's hyperventilating, but Jade can't do anything but assure him.

Suddenly, Migo falls unconscious and his hold on Jade loosens. Jade's a picture of worry as she holds Migo in her arms. She gently taps Migo's cheeks, but he's not responding. The look on Jade's face makes me move towards her.

"Allow me," I say.

I check Migo's airway and pulse. He's breathing although it's slow. He's also not injured. So I carefully roll him towards me and onto his side. I bend his top leg so that both his hip and knee are at right angles. Gently, I tilt his head back to keep his airway open. I hope his breathing or pulse doesn't stop because I am not good at CPR.

Before waking up here, my parents are doctors. I catch one or two from their profession. And to rebel, I choose journalism instead. They are so proud of being doctors, that they have forgotten that it's their family they need to take care of first.

"You need to keep him warm," I say.

I look around and go back to the examination room. We keep spare curtains in each room so it's easier to replace them. I take all I can and cover Migo with it.

"It's still best if a professional can take a look at him," I add.

I look at Jade, she's looking at me with hope, or is that gratefulness? I am about to stand up when she reaches for my hand and says, "Thank you, Cielo."

I am taken aback. I thought I am her enemy? So why is she thanking me as if it's her life that I saved? Is Migo that important to her? More than Renz is? I look at Renz and as I expect, he's hurt at the way Jade reacts and worries over Migo. I thought that it's Migo who is protective of her, but now, I see that it is the other way around.

I take Renz's hand and pull him away from the scene. We encounter Aian with the Babaylan but he's too worried that he didn't even notice me.