Soulstone Academy

Chapter Twelve: Idiot

Did I just prevent myself from bringing trouble before I even could?

Just for a mere please? Really, Raven? Huminto ako sa paglalakad at problemadong napatingala. Sa sobrang inis ko sa sarili ay ipinikit ko na lang ang mga mata. I can break the rules without sweat, but I don't like breaking promises to myself.

Bumuga ako ng marahas na hangin, once again berating myself for having a weak judgment. Truthfully, I blame the heat. Sigurado akong may hypnotizing effect 'yon at nainfluence no'n ang mga decisions ko sa buhay.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at a curious Giovanni.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

I silently wondered about our difference in height. He was almost as tall as Helios, because he can still look down at me even though he's standing right behind. Our recent matches flashed on my mind and I had half-control to stop myself from punching him.

"What are you doing?" asik ko. "Do you just come up behind every girl like some creep?"

The corner of his lips curved up in a smirk. "It bothered me. Bigla ka lang tumigil 'tas tumingala."

I guess, from someone else's perspective, that must be strange. Pero bakit ba nila pinapasok ang sarili sa mga business ko? Can't the students here just let me have my emotional breakdown in peace?

I lifted one brow at him as a response. Inayos ko ang tayo at aalis na sana nang maalala ko na hindi ko memorized ang school kaya hindi ko alam kung saan banda ang training hall. Nilingon ko si Giovanni na naghihintay lang sa likod.

"Saan magaganap ang Rank Assessment?"

He looked amused as he said, "Follow me."

The training hall was a bit far from the detention room. Ilang liko pa ang ginawa namin dahil sa malaking kastilyo. Thankfully though, it's situated in the ground floor so we don't have to take any stairs.

The lights quietly flickered when we pass them sometimes. At bukod sa mga paintings na akala mo'y pinapanood kami, the student's eyes also followed our every movement. Kahit ang mga sumasabay sa'min patungo sa training hall ay napapalingon.

Inunahan ko na si Giovanni papasok to avoid any chismis. But alas, the guy had to follow me so closely, and with his large build and the clicking of my heels, we loudly announced our presence in the room. Tuloy ay kahit ang mga estudyanteng nakaupo sa other side ng arena ay napapatingin sa banda namin.

Tamara waved at me so I didn't have a hard time finding them. She was already wearing our Type A fighting uniform, iyong parang bodysuit, and the rest of the participants for tonight's battle were also prepared in their fighting gear. Tinapunan ko ng masamang tingin si Giovanni sa likod nang sumunod pa rin siya. Kibit-balikat lang ang sinagot niya at pumwesto sa upuan na nasa likod, while I sat in between Tamara and Azriel.

"Ba't kayo magkasama?" bungad ni Tamara.

"He found me in the hallway and I needed directions." sagot ko. "How are you? Still feeling nervous about today's battle?"

Marahas siyang bumuntong-hininga. She attempted to make a smile that resulted in a grimace. "Kung matalo, e'di matalo..."

"Pero gawin mo ang lahat para manalo. What- Did AA not give you a talk?"

I glanced at the silent guy who was clearly listening to us. He blinked when I gave him attention, looking curious and lost like a newborn puppy.

"Talk?" tanong niya.

"Alam mo, for motivation and such."

"I... Should I? How?"

"Hindi, okay lang, Az!" pagpigil ni Tamara at mahina akong hinampas sa braso. "Sinabihan naman niya akong good luck at huwag magpa-intimidate sa mga kalaban ko."