DEMIGODS: The Empyrean's Sanctity

Chapter 7: Mundane

『SKYLER』

The mystery I untangled yesterday kept me up all night that my eyes couldn't stay open. The gossiping and squealing around sounded like a melodious hymn to me, caressing me to sleep. Yet, I knew this excitement among the four corners of the room only meant that he was back.

But...

Who the hell will rise after three years?

What is that 'half' that had been planted?

And why are they going to fetch Tito Glifford?

Naiinis na ako dahil sa sakit sa ulo ng palaisipan na ito. Ang tanging naintindihan ko lamang ay ang pagiging right-hand man ni Tito Glifford kay Dad noong panahon na kinikilala pang prinsipe ang tatay ko.

"Good Morning, class." Agad akong napabusangot nang marinig ko ang pagbati ni Mr. Panther.

Saglit akong humikab at nagmulat ng mga mata. Napangisi na lamang ako dahil sa lalaking katabi ni Mr. Panther sa unahan.

The warm smiles of our classmates welcomed him. His pale gold eyes glimmered in the presence of the sunlight rays coming from the window; as he brushed his auburn hair, a grin suddenly appeared across his face.

His eyes roamed around until they landed at Sapphire, making his grin grew wider. But it immediately disappeared when he saw me sitting next to her with a languid expression displayed on my face.

Tumikhim siya't pilit na ngumiti. "I'm back! Mr. Panther's favorite student is back!" Tumawa si Mr. Panther maging ang iba naming mga kaklase.

Bukod kay Phoenix, ang pangit na ito ang isa sa happy pill ng section na 'to.

Parang tanga siyang yumuko't nagsalita. "Xian Xander-p'wede niyo na ulit akong landiin kaso taken na ang puso ng isang-"

Wala sa sarili kong hinablot ang binabasang libro ni Sapphire at pinaltok iyon kay Xian. Nang matamaan siya sa kanyang ulo'y pinanliitan niya ako ng mga mata't inis na nagmartsa patungo aking puwesto.

"Putangina mo, Sky!"

"Language, Xian," Mr. Panther reminded.

He turned to Mr. Panther with his puppy eyes. "Mr. Panther, inaaway ako ni Sky. Inggit kasi mas habulin ako kaysa sa kanya."

"Why do I even have to witness this?" I heard Sapphire whispered. I don't know if it's about what happened to her book, or Xian is just embarrassing to watch right now.

I squinted my eyes suspiciously looked at Sapphire. And before I could utter a single word, Sue's loud voice echoed in the room.

"Xian, maupo ka na! Nakakahiya kang panoorin, putcha!"

Biglang lumingon si Xian kay Sue, umaktong parang nasaktan kaya't hinawakan ang kanyang dibdib dahilan upang matawa ang iba. Matapos ang kanyang pangit na pag-arte, tumungo na siya sa bakanteng silya sa aking harapan.

"Lockser."

"Xander... Ford."

"Dude, eww."

I chuckled and let him be. Xian Xander has been my best friend for almost three years; aside from the Primus Section, he's the one who helped me cope with everything that happened. Maybe it was destiny because on the day we lost Ice, he lost his parents.

Yet, I know it was just some coincidence because Xian is a human living in Cavinti, Laguna.

I languidly looked at Xian, who drifted his attention to Sapphire as if he was the most beautiful woman in the universe. And before could even utter a word, Mr. Panther spoke.

"I have a special announcement to make, but I will say it here. Students aside from the Elites, please head to the Biology Lab."

Halos lahat ng estudyante sa classroom ay umalis para tumungo sa Biology Lab. At kaming mga may special seal, mga demigods ay nanatili sa loob. May pinindot na isanv button si Mr. Panther sa ilalim ng kanyang lamesa dahilan upang magkaroon ng panibagong layer ng mga pader ang silid.

"Three years ago, one of the most devastating events in our life happened. The scar left by the Titans remained within us; some are still traumatized, some are still moving, and most of you lost those who you love."

I bitterly smiled when I saw some demigods glancing in my direction.

Aicelyn Hailey Lean, the princess of the Cerulean Kingdom, was once considered a traitor in order to live as Reina Smith. But not a single demigod from the Demigods Academy thought of her as a piece of bad luck for claiming the Great Prophecy.

Instead, after knowing her secret and the reason why she was treated as a traitor in the beginning-demigods began to admire her. She was loved. Even after she disappeared, all the demigods used her as their strength; they didn't want her sacrifice to be put in vain. So, most of us strive to move on without erasing her in our memories-she's the loveliest scar that everyone has.

"Anong mayroon, Mr. Panther? Bakit niyo inuungkat ang bagay na 'yan?" Tanong ni Jule, isa sa mga kaklase namin.

Tipid na ngumiti si Mr. Panther sa kanya't nagsalita, "Handa nang magpaalam sa inyo ang mga centaurs at mga satyrs.'

"Tangina! Mamamatay na ba kayo?" Pagulat na tanong ni Phoenix dahil upang pagpapaltukin siya ng mga papel ng mga malapit sa kanya.

"Ikaw na lang kaya ang patayin ko, Phoenix?" Mr. Panther smiled, making all of us laugh aside from Phoenix. "As you all know Achaea, Belster and Cerxes are now fixed. But in order to finish the Demigods Academy, Jackson's group is in need of manpower. So, our kind, we'll head back first. Aside from that, the mist in this world is not thick enough to cover our disguises for a long."

Nang matapos siya sa kanyang announcement, mabilis niyang tinanggal ang pangalawang layer ng pader dahilan upang sumunod na kami sa mga tao na nasa Biology Lab. Mabilis naming nakita si Xian na kumakaway sa puwestong pinili niya para sa aming grupo. Nang maupo ako sa tabi niya ay agad niya akong nilingon.

"May new kid pala?" Tanong ni Xian habang pilit na sumisilip sa direksyon ni Sapphire.

Aizen nodded. "Late kang pumasok kaya hindi mo agad nalaman."

"I think... I think I already saw her somewhere." Xian looked at the ceiling as if it would help him remember where she saw her.

"Be our guest, Xian," Aizelle mumbled.

"Oh! She looks like Sky's beautiful girlfriend, the woman who died three years ago!"

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