“Young Master, the lady of Lamarca has come to visit you.”

In an unpleasant manner, the man in the shower heard the word.

“Annoying.”

He does not pay attention. The servants organized his personalized garments which were exclusively laid out for him on the bed.

The two maids were unable to prevent themselves from blushing and swallowing because of the enormous pressure of their young lord.

“Tch. Annoying.” It prompted him of the little lady of the Lamarca Clan again. If she's like any other young lady and did not belong to the Four Great Clans, he would not think twice about banishing her elsewhere where he would never look again. He went to his office and took note of the report his assistants had brought with them.

“Young Master, we have received a note from your Grand Martial Master.”

“Talk.” He commanded by leaning over the sofa and browsing through the reports prepared by his men. It had to do with behind the scenes and leaders’ movements.

“On his 55th birthday, he wants you to leave.”

“Hmm. Right. I must.” He exhaled in surrender. If he didn’t show up, he sure as hell would stalk him for a long time. He was respectful of his master, but not of his followers. His birthday is next week, and he has to go to Martial Society.

//Tap. Tap. Tap//

He tapped his slender finger elegantly.

“A perfect gift. Hmm... How about the head of his enemy? Does he have any enemies now?”

Agad tumalina ng sagot ang right hand man nito.

“His guests would be horrified. I’m afraid the Great Master would appreciate it, but can't help but be overwhelmed.”

Change your mind, young Master tahimik na taimtim ng kaliwang kamay nito na si Ralph.

“Hmm..”

Napahinto ito sa pag iisip nang may mabasang interesante sa report. Napangisi siya sa nabasa.

“Zayron Callum’s girl, huh? Is this reliable?”

“Yes, Young Master. It was said that he was searching for a lady he met last month till now.”

“He’s crazy.”

“...”

“Being smitten by a woman.”

//Flips//

“The old fogges of many clans are targeting this Master R, huh? They want to hunt him down. And that Tempest?”

//Flips//

“Yes, young Master. Apparently the Evander Clan and the other middle clans do not support the thought of hunting the savior of their childs.”

//Flips//

“The missing daughter of the Lamarca Clan Head.”

Matapos mabasa lahat ng reports ay nawala lahat ng parang bula ang emosyon nito at delikadong ngumisi.

“How fun.”

“Young master, young lady Amelia—”

“Give Gillion a call, tell him to pick up his sister. I don’t have time to entertain her.”

“As you command, young Master.”

--

Meanwhile...

⫷ THIRD PERSON VIEWPOINT ⫸

(A/N: Italic words are flashbacks.)

“What motivates you to learn?”

“To be a slacker in the future.”

“A slacker, huh? Why learn if you can just do it?”

“Not everything goes what exactly we want, Master. Life is hard. Life is unpredictable.”

“Understable.”

“Right?”

“....”

Nginitian ni Ophelia ang seryosong mukha ng kanyang Master na di niya mabasa ang iniisip. Binaba niya ang mga mata sa nanginginig niyang kamay hawak ang wooden sword.

Seryosong inobserbahan ng Great Master na si Allforone ang mag iisang linggo na niyang disciple. His new pupil is flawless in many senses, except its tardiness.

He had to force her senses to focus.

Her skill to learn is monstrous. Once he taught one thing, she learns many points. He merely showed a movement once and she can perform that action many times. Her reaction speed, reflex, and growth are out of the ordinary. It was like he’s teaching an expert in war who had decades of experience. Like it was born in a warring era, where it’s normal to survive on a battleground.

He trained her in the way of the sword, his martial arts and everything. She’s like a sponge that can swallow any knowledge.

Her talents are overwhelming, but her body can’t keep up, especially with her stamina.

She’s lazy, but once he advises her to sprint a hundred miles, she’ll run. With no objections, she’ll swing her weapons. She’ll stand still even in the worst conditions and climate. She’ll do everything, even if she could hit her limits. She’ll only stop once it’s her turn to fall asleep.

Is it the rational approach to train her? He had this throbbing feeling that he had to something; he had to save her.

But why? And how?

That disturbing uncertainty. He found out why in the forthcoming days.

She’s violent once madness is devouring her mind.

Once, a hundred of assassins are infiltrating. She leaves elsewhere to hunt hen for their supper. Later, she discovered their shelter was blazing and watched the hundreds of assassins are carrying the recognizable clothes.

She slaughtered all of them. No one can flee. She tracked them down and drove them into the flames that were burning their home.

When he witnessed that scene. He had this thought.

She’s like someone who failed her everything.

That midnight, after so many ages, he purchased an exquisite dinner for his student. He didn’t foresee…

“AAAH!! AAAAH!! Die. Die.”

She’s howling like a wounded beast. She forgot her reasons. Not only that, but she attacked him. She didn’t recognize her Master.

And that night, he realized his disciple was hiding her strength. What surprised him was the Martial arts and swordsmanship that she’s performing was so advance.

The things that hadn’t taught her yet were unfolding in his very eyes.

“….”

He wants to hug the little girl in front of him.

He let her attack him with all her mights until her very last strength. Until the very end of her madness, she didn’t recognize her Master.

   
His new pupil is hiding many riddles and mysteries.

“What did you experience from, to be like this?” He asked his unconscious pupil. His disciple, who didn’t let go of her sword with her bleeding palms.

⫷ OPHELIA  VIEWPOINT ⫸

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon sa papag na hinihigaan ko nang magising mula sa isang bangungot.

“.....” Naramdaman ko ang pamamasa ng pisngi ko dahil sa di ko namalayang tubig sa mga mata ko.

“Ah, how annoying.”

Umahon ako sa papag at tumayo. Lumabas ako sa silid ko na mag iisang buwan ko ng tinutuluyan kasama ang Master ko na nasa kabilang kwarto.

Paglabas ko ay napakadilim ng buong paligid, sa palagay ko ay madaling araw palang.

Natigilan ako nang makita ang likod ng Master ko na nakatingin sa malayo at unti unting lumingon sa akin.

“...” Seryosong nakatitig ito sa akin.

“Master.”

“What’s bothering you?” seryosong tanong nito na kinabigla ko.

“I’m sorry, Master.” Nakayukong sambit ko, marahil dahil sa isang alaala na bumalik bilang bangungot sa akin, naalala ko kung paano nila ako protektahan gamit ang mga katawan nila.

Kasama roon ang...

“Your senior brothers and sisters will be here today.”

Agad na napaangat ako ng tingin sa Master ko na salubong ang kilay na nakatingin sa madilim na langit.

“Oh..” kurap na sambit ko.

I will...meet them alive.

Tulalang tumingin ako sa kawalan at napabuntong hininga. Mukhang nabalitaan na ng mga ito na may panibago na silang junior sister.

“How are they, Master?”

“Ethan is your first senior brother, he’s a good child. Rodney is your second senior brother, he’s crazy for battles. If he challenges you to a duel, let Ethan deal with him. Jeff is your third senior brother, he’s a silent child but unpredictable, but he’s nice. Last is your senior sister Gina. She has a blunt temper.”

“Do you think they are strong enough to handle me, Master?”

“They can’t handle you.”

Napangiti ako sa sagot nito at nilingon ito mula sa pagkakatulala ko. .

“Don’t dampen their wills too much. Get along with them.”

Sa pamamalagi ko sa poder nito ay may mga bagay na natuklasan ako tungkol sa sarili ko.

“Thank you, Master.” Pagputol ko sa katahimikan.

My previous life was hunting me. I didn't realize that my former life was going to reveal itself and control me.

My Master helped me deal with and control my emotions. I never expected him to lead me to extraordinary martial arts, sword and dagger fights. Even though he taught me what he taught in my previous life, he didn't concentrate on it.

He laid out another way for me to fight.

The one he taught me in the past was destructive, quick and merciless, not only against the opponents, but also against the one who carried out the movements.

Now he’s teaching me a move that was executing calmness, silence, but unforgiving strike to the opponents.

As expected of my Master.

“Silly girl.” Sambit nito nang makita akong nakangiti na parang ewan sa paningin niya.

“Hehe!”

“Go rest.”

“Can’t sleep. Can I sleep on your shoulder, Master?”

“....” walang salitang umupo ito upuang gawa sa kahoy na kinangiti ko at pinatong ang ulo sa balikat nito.

Nang gabing iyon kahit na ilang oras lang ay naging isa sa pinakapayapang tulog ko mula ng bumalik ako.

Naalimpungatan ako sa bulungan na naririnig ko.

“How pretty. She’s our new junior sister?”

“This is the first time I saw our Master so kind!”

“Quiet.”

Unti unti kong dinilat ang mga mata ko at nang makita ko ang mga magkakadikit na mukha na bumungad saken ay pumikit muli ako.

“Pfft.”

“She’s awake.”

Naramdaman kong tatayo na ang Master ko kaya wala akong nagawa kundi gumising na. Tch.

“Whoa..” sambit ko habang isa isang tiningnan ang mga mukhang matagal kong hindi nakita.

“Greet your seniors.” Rinig kong buntong hininga ni Master, at doon lang ako natauhan na di pa ako kilala ng mga ito.

“Ahem! I’m your new sister ‘Ophelia’, but please don’t call me by my true name. I’m hiding. Call me Fifth for the time being!”

“From whom?” – Gina

“From the Lamarca Clan.”

Napangisi ako nang makita ang gulat nilang reaksyon.

“You! You are the long lost daughter of the Lamarca Clan?”

“Are you...serious?”

Sinilip ko ang Master ko na kunot noong nakatingin sa akin.

“It’s a secret for the time being. Uuwi ako sa oras na matapos ko na ang kailangan ko gawin.” Sambit ko sa mga ito.

Yeah, hindi lang ang Master ko ang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito. May inaabangan akong auction event at pagkatapos event na ‘yon. Kailangan ko ng umalis.

Para magtungo sa lugar na ‘yon, habang wala pang nakakadiskubre.

Seryosong nilingon ko ang mountain range na natatanaw ko sa kalayuan.

One of the materials that I need is there for my weapons. Ang unang nakatuklas noon ay si Nataska Elizota that bitch.

That obsessed woman, who irritates me all the time. She’s an insane lady who wants to marry one of them.

Dahil sa natuklasan niyang rare materials, magiging mas lalong maimpluwensya sila at gagamitin niya ang materials na ‘yon para magkaroon ng marriage alliance sa isa sa mga lalakeng Heir ng Callum, Night at Evander.

Hindi kasama sa target niya ang pamilya namin dahil nang dahil sa pagbabalik ko, nawala sa bisa ang pagiging sunod na lider ng pinsan kong si Gillion.

I became the Heiress.

But in this life...

“Ophelia?” untag nila na nagpabalik saken sa reyalidad.

“Huh?”

“Rodney!” saway nila kaya nilingon at tinaasan ko ng kilay ang batang masama ang tingin sa akin na ‘to.

“I’m just asking! Is she strong!”

Nginisihan ko ito at walang pasabi na hinila ang kwelyo nito at hinagis sa malayo.

“You!” Nanlalaki ang mga matang sigaw nito.

“Sa oras na matalo kita, simula ngayon tatawagin mo akong senior sister!”

“How dare--!”

Mabilis na sinugod ko ito at nakipagpalitan ng atake.

“Not enough.”

“AAAAH!!”

“Use your brain.”  Sambit ko at pinatama sa ulo nito ang handle ng hawak kong wooden sword.

Hindi kami hinahayaan ni Master na humawak ng totoong espada sa oras na nananatili kami sa teritoryo nito.

Masama ang tingin ni Rodney dahil sa natanggap na bukol. Pfft. This hot headed fellow. Dahil wala akong panahon sa mga petty tricks nila ay mas mabuting itatag ko na sa lalong madaling panahon ang herarkiya naming lima.

I’m sorry, Master.

“How boring. Bakit hindi na lang kayo magsabay-sabay?”

“Don’t be so full of yourself, junior sister.” Rinig kong hindi kasiyahan na sambit ni Gina. Matanda ito sa akin ng isang taon. I can sense her warriness.

“Well, I don’t have a choice.” Seryosong sambit ko na kinataka nila.

“Explain.” Kalmado at seryosong sambit ni Master na tahimik na umu-obserba sa amin. I understand him, he knows his disciples well. Sa oras na magpakita ito ng pabor sa akin ay magkakaroon ng internal conflicts sa samahan ng mga disciples niya.

“They are testing me in return I shall test them too. Whoever wins will have the final say.”

“Your second disciple will try his best to spar with me, your fourth disciple will instigate your third disciple to have a conflict with me, she knew that the fourth disciple has a crush on her. What’s more, behind your back they will provoked me and once I retaliates they will make me the bad person. Do you know Master who’s the worse? It’s the first disciple. He watched only as they attacked and schemed against me because of their hidden jealousy. So Master, I will do this once and for all. I know you love your disciples, but you can’t help it that I’m your favorite. Even if you hide it. And because I’m a busy person, don’t have time to deal with them, I shall beat the hell out of them. This is my justification. So allow me, Master to beat them to avoid future troubles. It’s annoying.”

Nakita ko ang panlalaki ng mga ito sa sinambit ko na hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. Nginisihan ko ang mga ito. Gotcha.

Sinalubong ko ang ng tingin ang walang emosyon na first disciple ni Master.

“Am I right, Ethan?” Matalas na tingin ko dito.

“You will do nothing until you have accidentally placed me in danger.” You know how much our Master, values us, his disciples. The biggest fear you have is his disappointment.”

Nilingon ko naman ang second disciple na nanlalaki ang mga mata na nakatingin sa akin, nasa lupa ito dahil sa sipang natanggap nito sa akin.

“Even if your second disciple is simplistic and only likes to fight, he has no ill intentions. He’s just being him. Dumb.”

Hindi ko pinansin tangkang protesta nito sa sinabi ko at sunod na nilingon ang third disciple nito.

“ Your third disciple is easily manipulated. He's got an akward personality and an introvert. In his eyes, the fourth disciple is the only girl who understands him. But he is mistaken. He's gonna figure it out when it's too late.”

Muli, hindi ko pinansin ang tangkang pagbukas ng salita dito at tiningnan ang fourth disciple.

“Am I right, Gina? You’ll do that, right?”

NABALOT ng matinding katahimikan ang gitna ng kagubatan kung nasaan kami. Nakita ko ang pagbukas-sarado ng mga bibig nila na gustong magsalita ngunit hindi mahanap ang mga boses.

Marahil ay dahil na rin sa nararamdaman nilang pressure mula sa Master namin na halatang... galit.

“Don’t be too mad, Master. At least they are loyal to you. They cherish you.. “ that they are willing to die with you.

“Don’t take it seriously, guys. I’m just kidding!” I smiled in a playful manner.

But they didn’t smile or laugh.

Oh-oh? Are they shaken?

“Master? Don’t take it serio—”

“Then prove it. That you’re the best.” Nilingon ko si Ethan na burado na ang gentleman-smiley-look niya.

“F—First Senior Brother?” Utal na tawag ng mga ito.

Walang emosyong tiningnan ko ang nagdidilim na kalangitan, kumikidlat ang kalangitan. Malakas ang hampas ng hangin na tila ba isang ilusyon lang ang maaraw na panahon kanina lang.

TO BE CONTINUED...

That's my Ophelia 👆

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