MARINA COPELAND'S POV
When she said she is a Regalia, she meant it.
“Sutton.” Sir Collin called after a few seconds. Her dogs started barking — I mean, cheering for her. Sir Collin spoke again as Julianna went to her place. “Please select your opponent.”
As Julianna smirked wider, the three of us looked at Freesia and Lia. We all know whom she will call. “Regalia.” Then everyone stared at Ahrina, including Sir Collin, who looked worried. “I want to fight with Regalia.”
Freesia gapped her mouth and was about to speak, but Ahrina went first, with a smirk too. “Sure, Sutton. I will fight against you.” Everyone cheered in excitement but not us six as well as Sir Collin.
Is she out of her mind?
Ahrina removed her cape and handed it to Freesia. She smiled to us three, a smile of reassurance, and turned to Sir Collin, who remained quiet. She nodded to it, and Sir Collin just sighed and nodded. As Ahrina stood across Julianna, her smirk caused me to horripilate and be nervous a bit.
“You may both start,” Sir Collin stated and moved aside again.
I bit my thumb, still nervous. There is something. There is definitely something in these sh*ts. I almost jumped when Freesia's freezing hands touched my warm arm. She did the same to Lia, who chose to gasp than scream. Lia's palms are sweating.
“Damn, why am I feeling nervous?” Same question, Blake, same question.
Julianna contracted her arms a little bit, and fireballs appeared on both her palms. “I will turn you into ashes, Regalia.” The floor cracked temporarily, and the magma appeared, slowly arising. “I will melt even your ashes.”
My heart started pumping erratically as Ahrina smirked broader and more confident. “My bad, you can't do it to me.” Her smirk vanished in a split second then. Even though she was not making any movements, small light orbs appeared and floated around her. Julianna tsked, making the magma become a lava. “Remember what I have told you? I am someone you didn't expect.”
Everyone became dead silent as something grew on Ahrina's back. I could hear almost everyone's heartbeats, most especially Freesia's and Lia's. Promise, words can't describe our surprise in this one.
Ahrina used her ability to manifest wings, and nothing is an issue there. But the problem is that pair of wings is the first time we all saw it.
It was pitch black. It was also more prominent than the hereditary wings, given that ability-induced wings sizes and color ranges are very different from this. Julianna froze, and her eyes were like balls. The lava from underneath the floor stopped flowing. Ahrina smirked, looking amused yet feeling very strange for us all.
She rolled her sleeves. “So, let's start?” Ahrina floated into the air using her wings. Automatically, light orbs started moving towards Julianna. Julianna moved her hands and used the lava as the barrier, causing the light orbs to evaporate like water.
Wait. Water?
“You're brave, Ahrina,” Julianna stated. “My turn.” Then she created lots of fireballs and motioned her hands, causing those fireballs to attack Ahrina.
But what happened surprised us. Ahrina's wings enveloped her, and as the fireballs touched it, they became a ball of ice and fell onto the floor, shattered. Julianna became more startled yet mad. Ahrina pushed the bitch button on Julianna, so for sure, this would be such a mess.
Julianna created more and more fireballs and lava is also starting to flood the floor where they are. She created a large fireball with molten rocks and lava inside and threw it at Ahrina. I literally stopped breathing when it hit Ahrina. She fell on the floor filled with lava that turned freaking dry ice. Her wings were burned, and her forehead and lips are both bleeding. Obviously, everyone didn't expect what Julianna stated.
“What now, Regalia? Showing off your useless wings then that's it?”
However, Julianna was again wrong. Ahrina's wings, after some of their parts burnt out, regenerated and became a vibrant pitch black again. As she stood up and lifted her head, fear started crawling on my body. Her stares at Julianna were frightening. Like she is mentally killing her.
Then she smirked as she wiped the blood on her lips. “What now, Sutton? Showing off your useless geothermal whatever then that's it?” Uh oh, this is bad. No. This is the worst.
The real fight started. Julianna unleashed all her anger and envy by making lots of fireballs, fire showers, and manipulating the magma, lava, and molten rocks. As for her defense, she made a lava barrier. Ahrina, meanwhile, used her wings for defense and used light magic.
Fire and light have no match against each other, honestly. It is both an elemental and heat conductor. They can't be used for the opposition but rather, a collaboration. But now, I think, the fire will be stronger. Ahrina can be beaten, considering her lack of experience and lessons.
Speaking of lessons, I turned to Crimson since he was the one assigned to teach Ahrina. I was surprised to see his reaction. His face is completely puzzled yet his eyes are coated in suspicion. Yes, I can really say that Crimson is suspecting.
We know that Ahrina is the Mystic Princess but there are others. He has a different personality. And yes, I’m sure there is. No one, definitely even in history, can block the abilities of others that may affect himself. As in nothing. But in recent days, not even one can read Ahrina's mind. No one can predict what she will do, too. The sorceress who spoke to her, I found out that she received a telepathic message saying that she would tell Ahrina what she knew. Too careless, she did tell Ahrina.
“Crimson…” I uttered.
He turned to me and took a deep inhale. He just nodded and returned his sight to Ahrina. “I'm okay.” He slightly bit his lower lip and mumbled a curse. “The fuck, Torren. What the hell are you doing?”
I returned my attention to Julianna and Ahrina. They are still both fighting badly. They both have their bruises, and some blood is dripping onto the floor, but they totally don't care about it. Ahrina's wings continued regenerating whenever Julianna's fireballs burned them.
Ahrina attacked Julianna using a light beam so the latter hit the wall, burned a part of the uniform, and almost vomited blood. Ahrina didn't stop there. He even made light orbs and at the same time, you left Julianna. Unfortunately, Julianna recovered that fast and quickly rebuilt the barrier. Some light orbs succeeded in attacking Julianna while others vaporized. While Julianna is distracted, Ahrina took the opportunity and quickly flew towards her and touched the left sleeve of her uniform so they were both on top.
But then again, Julianna's hands flamed and held Ahrina's wings to burn it out. I shut my eyes as our best friend wailed in pain again. Freesia started shaking.
Then we heard a loud bang. Ahrina's body fell to the floor. She started coughing blood while Julianna's in a corner, seems like she was being thrown away. There I saw Sir Collin's angry face. It's the first time actually. He is usually quiet, tolerating every pain and bruise of his students. But I agree. Julianna's going overboard. She's abusing her power.
Julianna created flame orbs and smirked. Those countless orbs ascended to the ceiling. Freesia whispered, hinting at a scary feeling. “Please stop…”
Since Ahrina remained immobile, Julianna cracked the floor around her, and lava appeared in a snap. Ahrina started moving and tried to stand up but flame orbs from above started showering.
“Stop!” Simultaneously with Sir Collin's shout was a darkness beam from Crimson. That beam turned into a dome that protected Ahrina.
Those flame orbs were enveloped by ice and turned into shards after being electrified.
Faster than anyone else, Crimson went to Ahrina and that's when the barrier broke into pieces. Ahrina's wings that didn't regenerate fully concealed slowly after Crimson touched something near her throat. Then the whole Chamber went back to before. Yon nga lang, all of the glasses broke.
Sir Collin went to Ahrina to check on her. “Her pulse is slow, bring her to the hospital.”
“Yes Sir,” Crimson responded and carried Ahrina. When he started walking towards the door, we all saw Ahrina's true state. Worse than her first fight with Julianna. He also had open wounds and was very pale.
Thoreau and Blake touched Crimson's shoulder and they teleported. It's faster than running. Ahrina needs immediate aid.
Some students rushed to create another glass wall because everything was shattered. Now, our attention is on Julianna. Her fists are clenching, and her teeth are gritting too. She was also very red to the point that fire was coming out of her hand.
“Ms. Julianna Sutton, the Schiz Academy will execute a disciplinary meeting regarding your violations by tomorrow. As for now, you will have your Magic and Ability Nullification for the second time. Please proceed—”
Sir Collin's explanation was cut when Julianna's hands were both covered in flame as she stood up angrily. “Why is it me always? There's nothing wrong with what I did! This really should be training, isn't it? Bruises and drops of blood are part of this!”
“You had gone overboard, Ms. Sutton!” Sir Collin thundered. “You took this training as an opportunity to kill Ahrina!”
Oh my goodness. Schiz Academy will be in mess. Sir Collin isn't the type of teacher who always shows his emotions. But once he showed it, it is doom's day. It was a year before he woke up. So no one dared to make him angry. After three years, he’s mad again.
“Everyone, go back to your respective dormitories now!”
The students left even faster at four o'clock. The three of us Sir Collin and Julianna were the only ones left. Think about it, a Julianna Sutton was left by her bitches.
“This may look like a biased one, Ms. Sutton, but it isn't. In case you forgot, you also did the same thing last year. The only difference is, that since you messed with Ahrina, you have to deal with the Aurora and Schiz Academy. Ahrina is more powerful than the Royal Family so take care of your actions,” Sir Collin more likely warned Julianna and started walking away.
Freesia shook her head to Julianna in disapproval. “I will never let this one slip, Sutton. You almost killed our Tantan. And I'll make sure you will pay thrice than what you did. Just wait.”
“You're pathetic, Julianna.” Her bloodshot eyes glared at me. “Really pathetic.”
Freesia and I left the Chamber. Yet, we stopped when we realized that Lia didn't follow us.
“What do you mean?” That was Julianna's voice, asking Lia.
“Only selected individuals knew about this but Julianna, I am asking you a favor. Stop your mania. Ahrina's real identity and powers remained a mystery to all of us. But this is all I can say, Julianna. Ahrina depends on whether Dreich will take over us forever or not. That's all, Julianna. I hope you live in peace.”
Freesia and I looked at each other. When I felt that Lia is coming nearer by nearer, I instantly threw away my earrings so we can have an alibi. We both started a random conversation.
“F*ck that earring, Marina!" Freesia shouted which echoed in the hallway. “Where is it?”
“Have I found it yet, huh? Don't look for it if you don't want to!”
Then, Lia entered the picture. “Oh, what happened to you witches?”
I acted like I'm almost crying and pointed to my left ear. “My earrings!”
“What the f*ck? Your earrings are so small!” Then she joined us in searching too.
I went to where I threw it. “Found it! Goodness!”
“F*ck you, Copeland. Come on! Let's visit Ahrina first.”
And so that is what we did. We entered the Academy hospital and looked for Ahrina. Oh, what a deja vu. This is exactly the set-up when we first brought Ahrina here.
Case with others. There is something fishy.
Crimson was holding Ahrina's hand so tight. The three of us just smiled. In fairness to this man, he flirts when no one is around.
Freesia cleared her throat. The idiot, on the other hand, quickly let go of the witch's hand and faced us as if nothing had happened. “Are you already here for long?”
“Of course not. Probably like ten minutes or so,” Lia teased. “Frankly, do you like Ahrina?”
Crimson should answer but there is an unwanted child from the other door. “What else do you think, witch?” Blake asked. We really left this shade of red here so Tantan and he could have bonding time but Thoreau saw—”
Thoreau cut Blake. Something is really suspicious. “When I saw you girls entering the room, Blake and I rushed here. It's not obvious because we rested outside for a while.” Then he offered us chairs. “Sit down.”
“Thank you,” I stated and sat on one of the chairs.
When we all sat down, instead of Ahrina, we looked at Crimson. “What?”
Freesia answered bitchily. “You're not answering Lia's question yet.”
Crimson didn't answer and remained silent. So we just stared at him with smirks plastered on our lips. Until he gave up. “Fine! I like Ahrina!”
Wow. That was a good blow. “Since?” Blake mocked.
He immediately averted his eyes and blushed. So gay, Torren. “Since childhood days.”
“That’s it!” Thoreau and Blake both exclaimed and even rose from their seats. “You're really Pula's child!” They stated simultaneously again.
Crimson just tsked and left the room. We all smiled. The two men, followed the gay while we were here looking at Ahrina. “Hey, witch, wake up. You already have two suitors.”
Lia laughed. “Hey, girl wake up! Your hair is even longer than Samara's!”
Oh, goodness, Ahrina, what will your life be like now?
AHRINA TANTIANA REGALIA'S POV
The lights were off so the white ceiling was a bit grayish. Based on the scent of the room, I can confirm that I'm at the Academy hospital. Yes, hospital. Not infirmary, not clinic. Hospital.
I looked around first and no one is here. But I almost jumped down when I saw Crimson sleeping while sitting.
I don't know what kind of virus entered my system. I just felt sorry for him. So, I patted his arm and he woke up. “Hey…”
He scratched his eyes first and stretched his arms a little bit. Cute. “You're awake. I'll call a hospital nurse. Wait for me here.”
I smiled and nodded. “Sure. Thank you.”
He smiled genuinely as he gripped the doorknob. “Always.” And he went out.
Okay, what was that?
Later on, he arrived along with a nurse. Ul*lens just stood to one side while the nurse was checking on me. “You have fully recovered, Lady Ahrina. You will be discharged hours from now.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
The nurse nodded to both of us and left. Crimson sat again on his chair. “How are you feeling?”
“I'm okay. My back's aching but it's bearable.”
Ul*lens nodded. “Are you sure? Why didn't you tell the nurse earlier?”
“If I told the nurse, I won't be discharged early. I don't want to stay here too.” He just nodded. “Why are you here, by the way? You're not obliged to stay here.”
Ul*lens smiled shyly and looked away. “I...just want to.” I slit my eyes at him. “What?”
“I feel something in you. What is it huh?”
“Just sleep again.”
“Ul*lens, tell me.”
“Just sleep, b*tch.”
“Crimson.”
“Stop calling me Ul*lens. If you don't want to sleep, then let me sleep.” Then he laid down beside me and covered his body using the same blanket. “Good night.”
There is something really wrong with this person. Did this chimpanzee has a crush on me? Lol, I don’t want to assume. Maybe later I'll just get hurt more.
I don't want to sleep next to someone. Even Mommy I don't want next door. I want my bed on my own. I don't want anyone to share. So, how can I do this? This monkey is already asleep.
Aish, how is this?
I got startled and almost jumped out of the bed when I heard something hit the window. The moon is shining, as usual, so bright so I immediately saw a bird there. That bird continued hitting the window using its beak so I stood up and pulled back the curtain.
“Your Majesty wants to talk to you.” That was in my mind. Yes. That bird told me that through telepathy. We are literally talking mentally.
“Can you tell him not tonight? I have a peer here!” The raven nodded a bit and flew away.
I went back to bed and just laid down because I was starting to get sleepy. I moved away from Crimson and I might not be able to control myself.
Well! Oh my gosh, I can't really control myself.
I must say, he's cute. Yes, Crimson has a prominent jaw but it's not like the other guys around. Anyway, I prefer cute than muscular guys. For me, being cute is equal to being sexy.
And Crimson's features are my ideals.
His almond eyes, long eyelashes, not-so-thick eyebrows, pointed nose, and f*cking pink kissable lips. He was also tall, has jet black hair, and his veiny huge hands. His face is really very lethal. There's one thing I'm not ideal for but hell, I love it. It is his wooden brown eyes. I don't care what color is a guy's pupils, but Crimson's eye color is so f*cking beautiful.
I totally can't restrain myself so I combed her hair. All of a sudden, he smiled. “A-Are you still awake?”
“Nope.” He's awake!
“I-I thought you were asleep…” F*ck that stuttering, Ahrina!
He opened his eyes and placed his hand on my back to pull me closer to him. Oh shit, that's why I don't have someone to share the same bed with me. “I was asleep, but I felt someone staring intently at me. I was asleep but I felt your soft hands brushing my hair. I was asleep but my heart beats like there was no tomorrow. I was asleep but you're still awake. So tell me, my baby girl, how can I sleep again?”
M-My baby g-girl? Oh, what the f*ck is going on?
“H-Hey! A-Are you on drugs!”
Crimson laughed. F*ck, that's soothing. Wait, what? “You're blushing, my baby girl. Now I see that you have a crush on me.”
“I-In your dreams! Just sleep again!”
My eyes widened and my breath even stopped when he placed his face near me to the point that our nose tips touched each other. And sh*t, my heart started racing so fast. “Can you brush my hair again so I can sleep, my baby girl?”
Out of my own self, I nodded. “O-Okay.”
“Thank you, my baby girl. Good night and sweet dreams.” Then he closed his eyes.
Okay, Ahrina, clear yourself. Can I breathe now?
Totally insane, I did what he wanted. No, it's just a good feeling.
And I woke up once again but this time, because of the noise around. Okay, why is the room so noisy?
“Crimson, kiss Ahrina, so she can wake up now.” Get the sh*t out here, Blake. “Isn't that what the prince did to Sleeping Beauty? So hurry up, kiss her!”
“F*ck you!” I shouted so loudly that they all silenced me. I immediately got up and raised my middle finger to Blake. “Hey, motherf*cker, go back to Hesperia!”
Here we all had breakfast. Since none of them wanted to buy breakfast, we just asked a butler of mine to buy for us.
While eating fried chicken, Marina suddenly cried out. “Okay! I can't!” What the h*ll is this witch saying? “Hey, Ahrina!” Oh, why? Are you in debt? “Do you have a crush on Crimson?”
Wait, what? Of course. Does anyone want to bark in opposition?
“Are you nuts? Why would I have feelings for that monkey? Even if Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Blaise Pascal, or William Shakespeare rose from death, I will never like him.”
And they all started mocking Crimson. They mocked him, saying that I didn’t reciprocate his feelings. Haha! They just thought.
A nurse came in and checked me again just like early in the morning. Then I was told that I could go in again. However, when I stood up, I immediately fell. I just noticed that my foot is numbing.
The question is, was I too busy earlier with being flirty so I didn’t feel it?
Blake burst into laughter when we got out of my room. “You don’t have the right to laugh your *ss off.” They laughed too. “Do you want us to change the situation?”
“It's not like that, Tantan—”
“Get out of my sight if you don't want me to make your ribs a baby back ribs meal and make your blood shower.”
“Too much brutality, Regalia,” Lia mocked. “But, in fairness, I like that.”
Blake turned to Crimson who is behind me. “Oh, how are you there, Torren? What's the feeling of pushing an Ahrina Tantiana Regalia in a wheelchair?”
“Obviously, horrible.”
Son of sh*t made of Blake's liver and Thoreau's blood. It was horrible as if I wasn't guarded all night and even hugged early in the morning. I'll feed him his brain.
Arriving in the hallway of the Academy, a group of butlers immediately greeted us. Like what the fudge, I'm not totally disabled. My feet are really numb. “Lady Ahrina, Headmistress Mildred is telling you to just be there in her office to take care of you.”
“Eh?” They all nodded and at the same time. “All right.”
My breath hitched as Crimson jokingly pushed me forward. I almost fell to the floor! “F*ck you Torren!” But he only smiled, preventing himself to burst into laughter. “Son of tofu, do you have PMS noww?”
“Just go, Regalia.”
“Obviously, Torren! I'll feed you your brain!” I turned to the butlers. “Let's go?”
Crimson snickered, “I didn't know that you still respect others, b*tch.”
“Shut the f*ck up.”
We have arrived at Aunt Calla's office. There is a CR here and a small room so Tita Calla was the only one who assisted me. When I was taking a bath, it was a bit difficult since I had to sit down but when I was getting dressed, it was a bit easy because Aunt Calla was already supporting me.
I sat down in the wheelchair again after Aunt Calla dried my hair. “There will be a disciplinary meeting later by 1 in the afternoon. If you want to attend, you can come. We don't require you to go.”
“I want to attend, Aunt Calla.”
She smiled and nodded. “All right. I will excuse you to your teachers later.”
“Thank you.”
She patted my head and looked at the four butlers. “Please bring her to her room.”
They all bowed. “We will, Headmistress.” One went behind me, one took my bag, while the other two opened the door.
Shems, I don't want to come in looking like this.
Not far from the office, I saw Crimson leaning on the wall. He turned to us as he saw me. “I'll bring her to her room instead. We have the same class this morning.”
The butlers turned to me, obviously getting my response. “Yes, I have the same class to attend as Crimson.”
The butler who is holding my bag bowed. “If Lady Ahrina said so, then we must follow it.” He gave me my bag carefully, still bowing. They all stepped back and bowed before walking back to Aunt Calla's office.
Crimson snickered. “How does it feel?”
“It's still a bit weird. I'm not used to having butlers or assistants.”
He gripped the handle on my back and started pushing the wheelchair carefully. "You'll get used to it. By the way, are you going to attend class?”
I shook my head. “I don't want to attend with this state.”
“Then if that's the case, where shall we go?”
Crimson assisted me in sitting down on the grass. We are now in a part of the Academy quite close to the entrance of South Woods. This is probably the quietest part of the Academy.
“I brought you here because I have something to tell you.”
“You have a crush on me?” I smiled faintly and looked away. “Just a joke.”
“Yes, I have a crush on you.” Haha! I knew it! “But it's not just that.” I looked at him, and that's when I realized that he was staring at me.
“I like you, Ahrina. I like you badly. Ever since we were kids, I like you. When you and Tita Amber left, I still like you. Everything about you, I like it all. That's why when I saw you fell on the floor yesterday badly injured, I feel like my heart's burning in rage. I don't want you to be in a bad situation, Ahrina, because you're my baby girl.”