Zodiante: All of the Stars

Chapter 15: Becoming Close

"Aliah!" I called upon the girl with the yellow hair. She happily went my way.  "Thank goodness, you came."

"Of course, anything for you my dear friend. So what do you need?" She casually said and sat beside me.

After Jyshyr said all those heart crushing facts of this world, it never left my mind. It ticked me off to my sleep, that's why I'm here asking for Aliah's help. She's the only one who could possibly aid me in this dilemma. I was overthinking that Aliah would never come since we were never that close, that was the only entity I'd thought of waiting in the canteen.

Headmaster Burdues really made things easier for me, my burden has lessened. Making a speech isn't that hard, it's actually better than fighting for supremacy.

"I'm sorry for arriving late Headmaster Burdues."

"It's fine, take a sit Miss. Tualla."

I sat on the long black coach near his table, my eyes scanned his luxurious possession. Are they sure that this ain't a five star hotel room? From the interior design to the entities, they are all costly.  I shouldn't bother the school's rich and what matters is why I was called here. Maybe I did something wrong, did I?

"Are you much aware of the ranking Ms. Tualla?"

"Yes Headmaster Burdues, I'm actually stressed out. I'm just an insect compared to the other Zodiantes that I might encounter. I can't summon Virgo and I don't even know how to use magic."

"I know and understand your struggles Miss. Tualla, that's why I called you here. Since you possess no magic, you shall be exempted from the school's ranking." I almost screamed for joy hearing Headmaster Burdues, good thing I restrained myself. "But you won't be exempted in the Zodiantes ranking. It's something that all Astrals wish to see in their lifetime. I, myself don't want you to go in battle knowing the consequences but my authority in that matter can't help you."

The smile I retained didn't fade, I know that I have something to thank for, "It's fine Headmaster Burdues, there are things in life you just can't escape."

"Good." Headmaster Burdues understood my reflection well. "You should also prepare a speech, you shall be introduced as the bearer of Virgo as well as their representative. Every Astral shall witness and know the 12 Zodiantes."

Now, the pressure has gotten to me. I don't want to be the center of attention. Undoubtedly many will question why I was chosen. What if the Virgos don't like me like in my class?

"I w-will."

"You may go to your class."

I lifelessly fled Headmaster Burdues's office as I have a new problem to face. A speech in front of hundreds of Astrals? That's easy! I really want to scream all my anxiety out, being in this situation is draining. I really want to scream but I don't have the strength to.

"Hey Jamnia? What were you gonna say to me?" A distinct voice brought back my senses. I breathe heavily, pulling myself together, it's not the time to space out.

"I don't know if it's okay with you since we've only known each other lately." I shyly let out as it was too big of a favor to ask. Aliah silently waited for my terms. "Can you teach me magic?"

"Me?" She asked in wonder, I smile at her sweetly. "I know that I'm strong and stuff but you've asked the wrong person Jamnia."

"Please, train me my dear friend!" I begged, holding both her hand as I was teary. She looked at me like I sounded plastic. "I still want to live Aliah, I can handle the humiliation but not the beating."

"Are you talking about sa ranking?" She asked for me to nod, her expression change drastically. Her eyes glimmered affirming that something interesting has arisen. "Of course I'll help you Jamnia, I thought you wanted to learn magic just to bully some b***h off."

"Do I look like the person who does that?" I sarcastically asked.

"Slight."

"Thank you so much! I'll treat you soon, uhhmmm, sooner than you'd expect."

"You betterrr, it's hard to find a brilliant mind like me."

"What you said."

"Wait, hasn't Clim been training you? He's better than me." My eyes rolled hearing his cursed name if only you knew the horrors that man brought to me.

"I'm team Austin remember?"

"Definitely, welcome to the group Jamnia! Having you our team has more numbers than them, let's show those hypocrites that we're stronger." Aliah's joyous tone reverberated in the cafeteria's premises, good thing few students are around. It past seven, it's likely that most are in their rooms.

"Yeah, let's show them whose boss!" I replied enthusiastically just going with the flow, I've never done such embarrassing stuff before.

Our happy conversation lasted longer than I expected, we acted accordingly before heading to our dormitory. She might be that first real friend in the Zodiantes and I'm delighted with that.

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"Perfect timing, Ms. Tualla go to your group." Miss Catherine vocalized making me halt, I was just about to enter the room.

The group is already split into two groups as Miss Catherine stated, I fixed myself before heading to Aliah's location. All of us are standing, we have six members per group. A vacant space in which Miss Catherine stood, it's the only thing that separates the two groups.

"Today's activity will be a challenge to all of you. Teamwork is needed, cooperation with each other is the key to winning. We'll be playing the game, charades."

"Charades? Are you serious Miss?" Gizelle asked, her gray curly hair never cease to amaze me.

"Yes, I am. Don't worry, it's not just the typical one." She said as smiled meaningfully at all of us. "Your opponents will be the ones to choose your topic as well as those who partake. Instead of simple words, I will be giving questions and your teammates will have to find the answer. The first group to finish shall win, using magic is allowed."

"We're not kids Miss, how is this gonna help us in battle?" Clim implored.

"Communication is one of the keys to a successful relationship, that same thing is needed in the battlefield. If you can't do a simple task like this then failing will be an option for you."

"It's not in my vocabulary, Miss."

"Good, shall we start the game?" Miss Catherine's eyebrow raised glancing at each of us. "Since Team Clim won last time they'll have the opportunity to choose first, pick three members from Austin's group and pair them."

Clim picked Aliah, Gizelle, and Austin as I, Krezza, and Jasper will be the next pair. Oh yeah, Gizelle is in our group, Aliah's mood hasn't been well since Gizelle's around. Gizelle did nothing look down on us with her clown face full of makeup.

"Now Austin you pick." Austin picked Jared, Alora, and Roje for pairing, that leaves Clim, Lincoln at Myles. "Since Team Clim has the opportunity earlier, Team Austin will pick who to go first."

"I, Aliah, and Gizelle will go first, Clim, Lincoln and Myles will be our adversaries."

"Leaders come forth and pick your topics." The two went to talk to Miss Catherine about the rules then came back to their respective groups. "I'll be giving these questions after you pick who's who okay?"

"Gather 'round everyone."

As one word came out of Austin's mouth, we were like disciples following him. Seriousness was what I felt upon hearing Austin, losing is not an option for us. We formulated a plan, most took attention but Gizelle is just a rebel.

We bid them good luck as the first team starts to play. At first, hearing and seeing their every move seems too funny but you can't hear but random silly words coming out from their mouths. I know some of us wanted to laugh but couldn't. As time goes by I saw smiles in the faces of my classmates, joy was seen. I don't know how I was easily infected by it, I laughed so hard even when it's not the ideal thing to do. Both leaders were trying so hard to interpret stuff that lead them to do unappropriated stuff, still, the two members couldn't understand it. Their guesses were too far. Well, this maybe is the first and last time that we will have smiles on our faces in this section.

I couldn't help but cheer for my team, happy moments like this seldom happen. I rIally don't care who's gonna win, I've gotta cherish this moment.

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