The bell rang, signaling that it was time for sleep. But no matter how hard I try on myself, I can’t do it. So I opened the door and sat down on the balcony. The moon is still the same, nothing has changed. Very bright and round circle.
I just kept staring at the moon. Even if it's yawning, it doesn't even make you feel. It's like I'm not really sleepy.
“Crimson, are you still awake?” I don't really have anything to talk about here. I became an instant loner.
To my surprise, he responded. “Yes, baby girl. You’re still up. Can't sleep?”
“Hm-hm. You? Why aren't you sleeping yet?”
“Can't sleep too. I miss you.”
A smile appeared on my lips. “I miss you too. You miss me like that so you can't sleep?”
“Hoho, what if I ask you the same question, baby? As if you don't miss me.”
“Not really. You, I'll miss you? Ha! Keep dreaming.”
“Ouch. You’re hurting my feelings...for you.”
“What are your moves? Stay away, Crimson. I know you're dead set on me.”
“Well, you know. Come here, I'm really going to kill you.”
“LOL! Kill using love?”
“You're the one who's dead to me, baby girl.”
I chuckled. “Says the man who keeps calling me baby girl even though I'm not his.”
“Why aren't you sleeping yet?” Speedy!
"LOL. What’s with the sudden change topic?”
“Whatever. Just answer my question.”
“I don't know. I can't sleep too. Maybe because this place is new for me? I can't explain. All I know is I’m having a hard time sleeping.”
“Then what are you doing right now?”
“Staring at the beautiful moon.”
“Me too.” Oh wow, in fairness. I don't know if he's just pretending or if he's really looking at the moon. “I miss you.”
“You keep on telling me that. I know.”
“Because I really miss you.” Because I really miss you...
“We'll meet too, Crimson. I'll be with you too. Just…endure it for now.” The question is, when will we be together? In the finals, there is no certainty that everything will be according to my plan.
“I want to hug you. I really want to hug you again.” I just keep on smiling. I wasn’t expecting what he would say but I’ll admit, I was thrilled. You know? Butterflies. “Hey, are you still there?”
“H-Huh? Ah, yes, I'm still here. I'm not leaving. I'm not leaving you.”
I laughed quietly. If he can flatter me, I can too. I'm an NBSB but I know how to make a guy gush. “Hey, Crimson, are you still breathing? Breathe first. Maybe because you're so nervous, you can't breathe. Inhale, exhale.”
“O-Overconfident! Tsk.” Just deny it, still stuttering. Perceptible, Crimson, perceptible. “Just sleep!”
That shook him! I'm really good at making boys gush! “All right. Sleep as well, Crimson. Good night. Sweet dreams.” I love you — kidding! He must say that first before me! Ahrina doesn't make first moves, considering that I'm a Regalia.
“Good night too, Ahrina. Sweet dreams.” No “I love you”? “I miss you.” Well, that's fine…for now.
I went inside and lay down on the bed. As I stared at the ceiling, I suddenly thought of something. I'm not a Regalia because I'm the son of Headmaster Hades. Does he have a last name?
“Gromantia.”
“Wait who are you?”
“The black cat.”
“Ah okay, thanks! You can sleep now, cutie-cutie cat.”
I mean, Gromantia is my last name? Sounds cheap and ugly. Regalia is way better than Gromantia. Tss, Ahrina Tantiana Gromantia? Yuck! So disgusting! Just kill me!
I'll just go to sleep. I still have a long day tomorrow. Well, good luck to me.
*****
I kept waking up when I heard an ear-deafening sound echoing outside. They can sound the alarm but it's not so surprising. My soul will be separated.
I just stood up out of my bed and took a morning bath. Since only pre-competition preparations will be done now, I just wear casual wear. A white long sleeve shirt, black wide-leg pants, and black sneaks.
I left the room after tidying up and walked downstairs. I just followed where the people were going and arrived at the hostel cafeteria to eat breakfast. Unlike at the Academy, you can order your food but you don't have to pay because everything is paid for. As in all just for this competition.
As I ate, I noticed someone at the other table looking at me and then laughing. Wait, are they teasing me?
“She’s the new competitor, isn't she?”
“Ah yes, a wind mage from Schiz Academy.”
“Gosh, she just used her mother to become the talk of the town.”
“She’s not that beautiful.”
Gosh, girl! If I'm not beautiful, what are you? Fire caterpillar? As good as I am, you just insult me. By the time you found out who I am and my role in this world, you will kneel before me and apologize.
Yes, you are beautiful like me, but your character’s quite nasty. Are you relatives with Julianna? You have the same habits.
After eating, I got up and put the ones I used on the counter. I threw a glance at the four women and spoke telepathically. “I'm a newcomer, but you don't know me and you don't know anything about me. Well, except I'm a Royalty, a successor, a Regalia, I'm beautiful, and I have a boyfriend who's also a Royalty, a successor, and a Torren.”
As I faced them from afar, I flashed a smirk and walked away. “If you're called gorgeous, then the beauty standards of this world are low. One more thing, you four all look like a burnt caterpillar fresh from hell.”
Told ya, people, don't mess with me. You don't know me. You don't have any idea what kind of life I am living.
In another room, we were sent for physical examinations. Let's just see if our bodies can handle the competition by the simplest means — we will be beaten. Well, not literally beat up. Just a bit.
When I got to that room, I just sat in the corner again and stared. The ones that are completely useless today are pretty useless.
“Attention, representatives,” Mr. Nicolson announced, and we all diverted our attention at him. “We will all now proceed to the Svien Arena. Kindly follow all the facilitators.”
I was still in the back and I just followed them all. A road was made from here to the Arena so that we would not have to go through the main gate. Pwede na. Besides, we don't want you to go backstage.
Arriving at the Arena, I was a bit amazed at the size. It looks like it's even bigger than the Philippine Arena.
When we were all in the middle, Mr. Nicolson announced again. “Here we will have a mock competition.” What? “Each facilitator will show you which door to come out of and everything that will happen in the battle that will begin tomorrow. The opponents in the mock competition will be the ones who will compete in the real battle in the elimination rounds.”
Are they really serious? Are they so thirsty to see blood? Yes, I don’t know all the representatives here. But if you look at their looks, I know they will take this fight seriously. It’s not just a mock competition for them.
I don’t care if one will address me as judgemental, but that's what I see in them. Low-class arrogant students who know nothing but to challenge and fight.
We were positioned on the side near the bleachers and first called the first two to face off tomorrow. I didn't pay attention to their names and where they came from because I didn't care about that. All I need to know is what they are and what their ability is.
A warlock who has telekinesis as the ability while his male opponent is also a fire mage and has thermal resistance ability. I can't bet they'll fight.
In the end, the warlock won after moving all the fireballs to that fire mage when he saw that his foot was burnt in the fire.
After a few hours of standing, my last name was called. “Regalia and Coleman.” I went to the center. That sorceress did the same. “Ahrina Tantiana Regalia, representative of Schiz Academy, Kingdom of Demetria. A wind mage and her ability is…ability mimicry.”
Everyone made a fuss again after hearing about my ability. Okay, I know.
“Sesaria Coleman, representative of the University of Enchantrie, Kingdom of Enchantrie. One of the top sorceresses and her ability is invisibility.” I don't know why but I smiled after hearing her ability.
Invisibility, huh?
“Fight.”
She drew a smirk and, indeed, became invisible while I remained standing. Underestimating me, she ran to me like an angry bull with her wooden staff. Before the tip could touch me, I immediately teleported to the place where she is standing earlier. Everyone went silent by that.
“Y-You...can see me?”
“I have eyes, dimwit.”
Because of that, I got even more bored. She used her staff to jump and was about to stab me using her staff-turned-sword, but I teleported again.
He just kept on attacking while I was just avoiding avoidance. I just want to see him disgusted. Because tomorrow, make sure this one sheds tears.
“Hey Regalia, fight back!” shouted one of the representatives.
“Yes, indeed! Fight not just to avoid avoidance!”
“What are you doing, Regalia? Are you scared?”
I smiled even more. “You want to fight me?”
My opponent was approaching me so I positioned my palm and she stopped. She showed herself to us from invisibility at the same time as the growth of the silence throughout the arena. With my other hand, I pushed her hard towards the bleachers. As she gasped for breath, her nose began to bleed.
I pushed the orb in my left hand in her direction and her body absorbed it. “I don't want to give you back half of your life in case I feel sorry for you because you might back out. Unfortunately, I have nothing to fight against tomorrow.” I chuckled as she darted me a glare. “Is that one of the top students of the University of Enchantrie? Mediocre.”
I just turned around and was about to return to my seat when I felt him behind me. I immediately confronted him and a tornado pushed him away again.
If she is arrogant, then I am way more arrogant. And I have a lot to brag about to her.
These days are so unproductive. After mock competitions, we had lunch and other tests were executed. That's all!
I dropped my body on the bed after cleaning the body and stared.
“You still awake, baby girl?”
I was a bit startled when I heard Crimson's voice but then, I answered him afterward. “Yes! Yes, I'm still awake.”
“Tell us your room number.”
My eyes widened. What the. Room number! “Hey! You guys are here?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Room 194. Teleport here, I'll block the magic ward.” I stood out from my bed and raised both of my hands to create a hole in the ward protecting us all. “It's okay now.” As I felt humans behind me, I closed the hole I made and touched the wall to create a ward blocking the sound waves. I smiled at them. “I miss you all!”
“We miss you too, Ahrina!” Freesia exclaimed. “How are you here? Are you they bullying you?”
I laughed. “Actually, I'm a loner here.” They were a bit surprised by that. “No one is paying attention to me here. There is, just to insult me. But it's okay. That's inevitable.”
“Huh? Is that okay with you? Duh, you should be punching them!” Marina defended. “Like duh, you are Ahrina Tantiana Regalia! A f*cking Regalia then they’ll just insult you?”
“That's it. I'm a Regalia so they were saying that I'm just using Mom to be famous.”
“But you know they are wrong,” Crimson stated, smiling at me. “You know you are more than their opinions and backlashes.”
I nodded. “Yup. That's why I don't hit them anymore. I won't go down to their mentality level just to hit the immature. I am more than what they expect. If they don't see that, then it's not my fault already. It's not my fault. That's their mindset. What I can only do is slap them that I'm not just a Regalia. That I am a Regalia and a Schiz.”
Blake started clapping slowly, followed by Thoreau, Marina, Freesia, Lia, and Crimson. I just rolled my eyes at them. It was as if they were watching a theater play and they bet too much on the show so this is how they reacted. “Okay, kiddos, stop being kids. Promise, you look like crazy pigs.”
“What the f*ck,” Blake uttered. “We're really happy with your speech, and then you're going to tell us with a mad look? The man next to you,” he pointed at Crimson at the same time, "he’s the crazy here! He was smiling to his ears earlier.”
“What are you, Blake. Of course, Crimson missed me so that's it.” They shouted and laughed. “I'll bet Julianna's life, she's willing to come here what?”
Lia laughed. “Oh what else are we doing? Take Julianna and trade her for Ahrina!” Did I mention, that Crimson really can't stand me? “How did you know, huh, woman?”
I jokingly flipped my hair and smirked. “Of course, that's obvious! Crimson can't stand my beauty.”
There was a minute of silence with them and suddenly they stood up. “Come on guys, it's late at night.” I laughed at Freesia. “Let's teleport again. Bye-bye, Ahrina. Nice seeing you.”
“Are y’all serious?" They laughed and sat down again. “I thought you were f*cking serious!”
“Do you want?” Blake asked. “Just tell us. We’re approachable, by the way.”
“Of course not! If you could join me here, I would have asked you.”
“And that's why we are here,” Thoreau stated and smiled. “That is our real intention.”
My eyes widened at them. “You will sleep here?” When they all nodded, I feel like I became the happiest person in the world.
We had already laid the bed on the floor because we could not fit in my bed and lay side by side. I was in the middle and Crimson and Freesia were on either side of me.
As we all silently stared at the ceiling, Marina spoke. “Are you okay, Ahrina?”
“Of course.”
“Can you do it tomorrow?” Lia asked next.
“Of course.”
“Are you really going to fight?” Thoreau queried.
“Of course.”
“Can you just withdraw?” And by that, I could no longer answer. “Ahrina, this competition doesn't care about the essence of life. What they need here is to see how you compete with everyone else and how you will strive for your goal.”
“What is life if you can't walk the path?” I inquired back. “Is it still life if I stay where I stand? Life is an endless battle, Crimson, that's why naturally we have to compete and strive for all of us to survive. Life is like a video without a stop button. It just has the pause button if you want to take a rest and play button if you're ready to walk the rough path again.”
“This situation is different, Ahrina,” Crimson argued. “Yes, life is a battle. But life doesn't ask for another life to take in order for you to win. Unlike in this competition. You must choose between you will kill or you will be killed. Decision plays a big role in this kind of scenario, Ahrina.”
I took a deep inhale. “And I have decided to continue in this competition.” I smiled and looked at each of them. “Don't be scared. I have wings that are regenerating, and this pair of wings will fly me up to success. Just...trust me. I never break promises I made. That's cowardice.”
Thoreau spoke, “That's good. Promises are meant to happen, not to be broken. Only those who are weak, and dumbass break their promise.”
Lia chuckled. “That was a strong blow, Thoreau. Keep doing that.” We all chuckled.
“Wait, won't they catch us?”
“Nope,” I answered Marina. “Of course, at 6 AM, don't be surprised if you suddenly hear a noise outside that is very loud.”
“Why? What's up?”
I turned at Freesia. “Alarm. Everyone should be awake that time.” And they all sighed, uttering curses under their breath. “Yeah, I know, it's stressful to hear. But I tell you, it's really surprising. It separates the soul. But it's like drinking a cup of black coffee.”
Lia raised her hand. “I don't drink coffee.”
I stretched my arms over Freesia's head and hit Lia's, making them all laugh. “I used black coffee as a metaphor. You might forget our comprehension,” She just glared at me and rolled her eyes. “This witch, she’s even rolled her eyes! I'll pull out your eyeballs!”
“As if you can, huh?”
She’s even challenging me! “Are you posing a threat to me, Edwards?”
Lia smirked and threw a rebuttal. “Isn't it obvious yet? You’re might forget our comprehension," she even mimicked my voice.
But before I could pull her throat out of her, Freesia and I pulled her down, causing me to bump on the floor so I just pulled him out. “Fight at the Academy, don't come here bw*sit. Just in case we're caught—“
“No one gets caught if no one will let himself caught up,” I defend.
“Right, right,” Blake agreed to me, causing Marina to stand up and point at him. “Oh, what is it this time?”
“You want me to hit you?”
Blake just laughed. “Woah, baby, calm down, can't you?" We laughed at Marina's bull-like appearance with smoke coming out of its nose. “Ahrina is really right. We won't be seen if we remained hidden and silent here.”
“So, you want to concede?”
We laughed again as Blake messed up his hair. “Okay fine, I’ll let you talk like that, I'm getting drowsy.”
As a result, the two quarreled and ended up in a physical argument. Someone touched me while watching the fight between the two. “Isn’t there any popcorn yet, Ahrina?” Freesia asked.
I snapped my hands and a huge bowl of cheese popcorns appeared. So while the two were still arguing, the five of us were just here as if watching a movie while lying down.
Then I saw popcorn in front of me held by Crimson so that's what I ate. He sighed when I also bit his finger. “I'm sorry, I mean.” I rolled my eyes at him and continued munching popcorns. Well, at least, he shot me!
“Your saliva stinks. Did you even brush your teeth?”
When I confronted him, the madman just smiled. “Are you nuts?” They all laughed again.
“The two are going to fight oh! Following the footsteps of Blake and Marina,” Lia mocked. “You, Thoreau, and Freesia, have you no intention of quarreling?”
“What about you? Any plans on getting yourself a boyfriend?"
Lia was surprised by my sudden question while they were all still laughing. I wouldn’t be surprised if my room would smell like a dumpsite while we slept. “Why are you mad at me? Go and argue with Crimson!”
“I will not argue with a d*mb dog.” Crimson is now their target.
To my surprise, Crimson made me face him and held my chin with a smirk plastered on his twin lips. “If a dog is your basis for being cute, I'll accept it. I'll just be an a**hole to you.” W-What the?
“Crimson is now a grown-up!” yelled Thoreau and Blake.
“Ahrina is now a woman!” Freesia, Marina, and Lia shouted.
I just rolled my eyes at Crimson and pushed him softly. “Be angry with what you're saying. I'm so nice, I'm going to shoot you? Ha! Excuse me, you don't even know how to flirt!” Crimson was surprised by what I said as they shouted again. “You're really cute Crimson, but you're a little inexperienced in love.” Then I winked at him.
I was about to lie down when Blake suddenly shouted. “Crimson, lie down, something’s standing!”
I threw a pillow at Blake and he just laughed. “A**hole! Let's all go to sleep! I have to wake up early tomorrow.”
About an hour ago, I was just stunned by the ceiling. I was surprised when suddenly someone took my hand… and it was Crimson. “Penny for your thoughts?”
“Can't help but wonder.”
“Go on, I'm listening.” Then he squeezed my hand a bit, assuring me that everything was fine.
“What might happen after this? What would happen if I survived and won this competition? Can I still live the life I want? And what if I die? What will happen to me after I die? What will happen to all of you after I die? What if Dreich really won the Enchanted War this time?”
I faced him as I felt him move and he's now staring at me. “I understand all of those questions in your mind, baby girl, but don't you trust your fate? Don't you trust your ability, your magic, and yourself?”
“I trust...”
“Those 'what if's' and 'buts' are a nature to all of us and are inescapable unless you fight over it.” He smiled at me. “Trust yourself, baby, and you will know the answers. You are more than what we are thinking of what you are capable of. You know yourself more than anyone of us. Just trust, okay?”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”
He glanced at my forehead and planted a kiss. “Go to sleep. Good night, baby girl. Sweet dreams.”