The Unwanted Fate

Chapter One

Itaas ko ang aking dalawang paa sa upuang nasa harap ko at ipinagpatuloy ang pagsipsip ng kape.

Ha.

This is what life is.

Simple. Tahimik. At kuntento.

I just turned eighteen, and wala pa akong plano sa buhay. Basta ang alam ko lang, gusto ko lang dito manirahan sa Avelin—a small town located near the border of the Valedrian Kingdom.

Kung tutuusin, simple lang naman intindihin ang mundong ginagalawan namin.

Our nation is called Elaria.

Isang malawak na nasyon na nahahati sa limang pangunahing kaharian—Aurelia, Valedria, Eldoria, Dravenn, at Lunaria.

Magkakaiba ang kultura, pamumuhay, at tradisyon ng bawat kaharian. Pero may isang bagay na pare-parehong bahagi ng buhay ng mga tao rito.

Elaris.

Ang Elaris ang pinagmumulan ng kapangyarihang mayroon ang bawat Elarian—ang tawag sa lahat ng taong nakatira sa Elaria.

Pero kadalasan, ang tawag sa isang tao ay nakadepende rin sa kung saang kaharian siya nagmula.

Aurelian.

Valedrian.

Eldorian.

Dravennian.

At Lunarian.

There are five recognized types of Elaris, each commonly associated with a particular kingdom.

The way an Elarian expresses or uses their Elaris is called a manifestation.

Solari.

Solari is commonly associated with light and restoration. Its three recognized manifestations are Lux, the creation and manipulation of light; Vita, which focuses on healing wounds and restoring the body; and Radiance, which allows an Elarian to purify or cleanse harmful magical energy.

Sagea.

Sagea is associated with knowledge, perception, and the mind. Its recognized manifestations are Cognia, the ability to instinctively understand information, structures, languages, spells, strategies, and even unfamiliar abilities; Memoria, which involves recalling, preserving, manipulating, or sharing memories; and Perceptia, which heightens an Elarian's perception and allows them to detect details, patterns, changes, and hidden information.

Sylvara.

Sylvara is closely connected to nature and magical creatures. Its manifestations include Verdance, the control and manipulation of plants and vegetation; Beastlink, the ability to communicate and form connections with animals and magical beasts; and Enchantment, which allows an Elarian to influence or empower nature, objects, or magical creatures through Elaris.

Ignara.

Ignara is associated with strength and combat. Its manifestations are Ignis, the creation and manipulation of fire; Fortis, which enhances physical strength, endurance, speed, and durability; and Ember, which allows an Elarian to channel Elaris into combat techniques or physical attacks, enhancing their body or weapons with destructive heat and energy.

And finally, Noctis.

Noctis is associated with shadows, illusions, and dreams. Its manifestations are Umbrage, the manipulation and shaping of shadows; Mirage, the creation of illusions that can affect sight and potentially other senses; and Somnia, which allows an Elarian to influence or enter dreams.

Those are the five recognized types and their known manifestations.

Of course, Elaris isn't that simple.

Not everyone has the same amount of Elaris, and having a certain manifestation doesn't automatically mean someone is powerful. How much Elaris a person possesses, how well they can control it, and how much experience they have all affect how strong their manifestation can become.

At least, that's what I learned from the little Elaris education we had here in Avelin.

Here in the kingdom of Valedria is where the Sagea type is most commonly found, mainly because of its vast collection of libraries and its reputation as a kingdom of scholars. Most people here study Elaris, especially in the capital.

But here in Avelin, things are different.

Since we're far from the capital, we live a simple life.

Malayo sa bustling cities at sa kung anu-anong gulo na madalas kong naririnig mula sa family and friends who have already visited the capital or traveled to other kingdoms. Although, news, rumors, and gossip still travel fast here in Avelin. Halos magkakakilala kaming lahat dito, at magkakapamilya na rin ang turingan namin sa isa't isa.

We are also far from most conflicts, unlike in the capital where you'll always hear about disagreements, political issues, or some random scandal.

Puro problema ang nababasa ko noon sa Daily Herald, ang sikat na publication na naglalabas ng balita tungkol sa Elaria—not just in Valedria, but also in Aurelia, Eldoria, Dravenn, and Lunaria.

Because of that, I developed this prejudice that wherever there are more people, there are always more problems. Lalo na kapag nasa itaas ka.

Everyone is watching.

Everyone has something to say.

Most of the news I used to read were updates about the royals, scandals involving major or minor officials, and whatever nonsense was happening among the people in power.

Which was honestly exhausting.

I wanted peace and quiet. And so, two years ago, I stopped reading the news altogether.

Of course, hindi ko rin naman maiiwasang makarinig ng mga balita kapag pinag-uusapan iyon ng mga taga-Avelin.

But I simply stopped paying attention.

"Aba! Sarap naman ng kape natin diyan, Lenrae."

I rolled my eyes as soon as I heard my brother's voice. Marahas akong tumingin sa likod ko at nakita ko si Alarkin na nakaupo sa sofa.

Dalawang taon siyang mas bata sa akin, pero kung umasta, parang kaedad ko lang. Dalawa lang kaming magkapatid, pero kapag mamomroblema sina Mama at Papa dahil sa amin, akala mo apat ang anak nila.

Madalas kasi kaming magsagutan dahil magkaiba kami ng ugali.

Kung siya, madaldal.

Ako naman, hindi.

Mas gusto kong tahimik.

Mas kaunti ang salita, mas kaunti ang problema.

"Kakauwi mo lang. Huwag mo akong simulang pestehin," sabi ko bago ko siya inirapan.

"Grabe ka naman sa'kin," sabi niya, kunwari nasaktan. "Saan pala sina Mama at Papa?"

"Valedria Capital."

"Kanina pa?"

"Umaga."

"Sabay ka ba kumain?"

"Oo."

Tumayo siya at pumunta sa kusina nang hindi na ako kinulit.

At least, marunong din siyang sumuko minsan.

I continued sipping my coffee until he came back with a plate in his hand.

"So, saan ka mag-aaral ng advanced Elaris?" tanong niya habang umuupo sa tabi ko. "Basic lang naman ang natapos mo dito sa Avelin."

Ang sarap ng simoy ng hangin dito sa labas, pero mukhang plano talaga akong istorbohin ng kapatid ko ngayong araw.

"Hindi na ako mag-a-advanced Elaris."

Napatingin siya sa akin.

"Alam mo 'yan."

"Pero—"

"Okay na ako sa basic."

Tumahimik siya sandali.

"Mabubuhay naman ako dito sa Avelin kahit iyon lang."

Napailing na lang siya at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkain.

Being taught the basics—reading, writing, history, mathematics, and introductory Elaris—is enough for me.

As long as I have enough knowledge to get by, I don't really care about anything else.

Unlike me, my brother actually enjoyed studying outside Avelin. He liked the bigger libraries in the capital of Valedria, the advanced Elaris lessons, and apparently, having a bigger playground for whatever he wanted to do.

It was strongly supported by our parents.

While me?

Simula pa noon, sinabi ko na talagang hanggang basic education lang ako.

May pagtutol man sa pamilya ko noon, wala rin silang nagawa.

At my age, I was already supposed to be starting the beginner level of advanced Elaris in most academies.

But I didn't care.

I had already made up my mind.

"Ay oo nga pala, may narinig ako."

Muling nagsalita ang kapatid ko, pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

"This might actually concern you, though."

Tumingin lang ako sa kanya.

He shrugged.

"I heard that the Valedrian Council is planning to pass a resolution requiring all Valedrian graduates of basic Elaris to enroll in advanced studies, which, of course, includes you."

Napamura ako.

"What? Sino namang nakaisip ng kalokohan na 'yan?"

"You might want to ask your friend, Calian."

"Hindi ko 'yon kaibigan."

Calian was the son of Avelin's representative in the capital, who was also part of the minor council. He liked me and always found ways to disturb my peace—which was exactly why I hated him.

Okay lang naman sana kung simpleng paghanga lang.

Pero papansin!

And I had heard that he wanted to continue his studies in the capital of Valedria.

Well, he was just once a classmate. Nothing more.

Though, I still don't understand what made him like me.

Parang gumising na lang siya isang araw tapos nag-confess sa harap ng buong klase. Everyone knew that I hated attention. Yet he still decided to do it in front of everyone.

It was humiliating. Dahil sa inis ko, sinampal ko siya at iniwan. Simula noon, umiwas na ako sa kahit anong kaklase namin. Ayoko nang tinatanong at lalo na ayokong kailangang magpaliwanag.

"I heard it was Calian's father who submitted the resolution to the Valedrian Council," Alarkin continued. "According to rumors, Calian was the one who suggested it to his father."

Napabuntong-hininga ako sa narinig. Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan na wala akong planong mag-advanced Elaris o umalis ng Avelin. Kabilang na roon si Calian.

Calian had always been annoyingly persistent when it came to me.

He kept appearing wherever I was—except in our house. Thus, I started secluding myself, and here I thought he had finally stopped pursuing me. Apparently, I was wrong.

Hindi ako sigurado, pero baka gusto niya ulit akong maging kaklase.

"Has the resolution been approved?"

"It was actually denied."

Ngumisi ang kapatid ko.

"Sad to say."

Sinapak ko na lang siya sa braso sa sobrang inis, pero nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag.

"Bwisit ka. Hanggang kailan ka dito?"

Tawa-tawa siyang tumayo bago ginulo ang buhok ko.

"Balik na ako bukas. May tournament kaming pinaghahandaan."

Inis kong tinampal ang kamay niya.

Hindi yata mabubuo ang araw niya kapag hindi niya ako naiinis.

Tiningnan ko ang kape ko.

Nawalan na ako ng gana.