A Thousand-Year Old Prophecy

52: Homecoming

Gaya ng sabi ni Jin, when Khalil and Adam came back, they were just given a short time to prep up.

After non ay lumarga na sila pabalik sa Central Cloud.

Their little mischiefs brought them to one of towns of Central City.

Of course, that City was too big.

Kaya napakarami ring town sa kanila na nagkakaroon ng Festival almost every month.

Anyway, hindi naman sila masyadong malayo mula sa Central Cloud School kaya naman ang travel nila pabalik ay aabutin lang ng ilang oras.

They might be back in campus around midnight which was more convenient for Nyssa as she didn't want to face their batchmates yet.

She still had shivers tuwing maaalala ang mga nangyari last year.

While they were traveling, Adam gave them their acquired gears. Habang si Khalil naman ang nagdala ng iba pang mga napamili nila.

Sometimes, Nyssa still felt at awe at this man's strength.

In fact, hindi siya nito hinahayaang magdala ng kahit na ano. Despite carrying that much load, he still wouldn't let her carry anything.

"A lady is a lady. Hindi sa inaunderestimate kita. I am just following what my mother taught me to do." That's what Khalil told her.

Dahil doon, hindi na niya ito kinontra pa. Well, we all have different values, right?

***

After several hours..

"Home sweet home..." Khalil said.

Nyssa just groaned and she got laughed out by Jin.

"Come on. It won't be as bad as last year."

"How would you even know that?"

"We have Adam, remember?"

Right! Adam was still part of council. In fact, amongst his batchmates, isa siya sa mga nagpaiwan sa campus. Mainly because his main purpose of even attending this school was to accompany Jin.

During the fourth year kasi, pwede na nilang gawin ang mga gusto nilang gawin.

Though, they still needed to report to the school from time to time. But virtual reporting was already accepted.

Isa pa, they could even go into different places now. Even outside Central City.

And that was their goal.

They actually already had a plan for the upcoming year.

But they needed to pass the year-end exam for third years.

"No need to fuss about the tests. You can accomplish it even with closed eyes." Adam said.

It was not a compliment.

It was really his way of saying kung gaano kadali yung year-end test.

However, Nyssa was still worried because among the five of them, her skill was still at the bottom despite her breakthroughs.

She wasn't despairing about that anymore though.

After all, her previous life's knowledge was vast and she could definitely use them now on her whims.

The thought somehow boosted her confidence.

Right! Kahit papano naman, she was no longer the weakling she used to be.

With that, she followed the lads in front of her and they entered Central Cloud School.

***

"You seem to be in pretty good shape." Andy said as he checked Nyssa's overall condition.

It was one of the requirement after a student came back from outside the campus missions. And Nyssa was the last to be checked among the five of them since she was of a fairer sex.

"Sure, I do."

Napailing na lang si Andy. Meanwhile, Nyssa looked around the Infirmary.

It was still the same but the vibe was already different. Like it was missing something.

"Yep. It wasn't the same anymore without Brock and Raqie. Even Naomi and Drax were missed."

"Tch... Who told you I am thinking of them?"

Andy just chuckled before writing down something on his clipboard.

Gaya ni Adam, he was left out by his batchmates.

But unlike the latter who wasn't even sad about that fact, Nyssa knew that Andy felt otherwise.

Afterall, Brock, Raqie and he were always the trio of their batch. She even heard na mula noong first year nila, silang tatlo na ang magkakasama.

Naomi and Drax, however, were his assistants for two years. Kaya naman ramdam na ramdam din ang pagkawala nila.

Well, he already dedicated his life in this field so he really had to have some regrets in his life.

"I will drop by often." Hindi alam ni Nyssa kung bakit niya biglang nasabi iyon.

Mukha namang nagulat si Andy dahil sa sinabi niya. Then a smile appeared on his lips bago nito ipinatong sa ulo niya yung clipboard na hawak nito.

"Nope. I don't need you to do that. I need you to be always in perfect condition." Sabay nagpatuloy na ito sa ginagawa niya.

Nyssa felt offended though.

"That's not what I meant."

Andy faced her again with his smile. "I know, kiddo. But you really don't have to think about me at all. I am secured here in Central Cloud. However, the outside world is full of dangers and wonders. You will be surely occupied. Lalong lalo ka na."

Hindi na sumagot si Nyssa but she touched her nose indicating her deep thoughts.

Well, didn't she already know about that?

After all, she was a treasure hunter in her old life. The best one pa nga eh.

"Here's your recommendation. Pass it to Zaki."

As soon as Andy said that name, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

Hindi na naman pinansin pa iyon ni Nyssa. She took the paper from Andy's hand saka bumaba sa kama.

"You have to understand him, Ana. After all, you broke off the engagement between the two of you."

"He didn't have to be a jerk though."

"Jealousy is the hardest feeling to control. Isa pa, he was really sorry about what had happened last year. You know that even though I don't mention it."

Nyssa just sighed.

"He is trying his hardest, Ana. At least, forgive him."

"I'll see if he is worthy first.

"Anyway, I am going now, Andy. Don't miss me too much."

Andy whispered something to himself pero hindi na tinanong pa ni Nyssa kung anong sinabi nito. Instead, she started walking out of the Infirmary.

However, when she was already at the door, Andy called her out again.

"Ana..."

"Hmmn?"

"Please manage to stay alive for quite longer, okay?"

This time, a huge smile appeared on Nyssa's face. "I will do my best. That's if the year-end test won't kill me first."

***