THE MASTERS

Dragon XXVII

Headmaster Furukawa's POV

The sun's out but I'm still preoccupied about what happened last night. I felt a strong magical force last night and I don't know where it exactly came from but I'm sure na dito lang iyon sa Academy dahil masyado iyong malakas. I got goosebumps again all over my body that almost made me run out of breath just by remembering the feeling last night.

I looked at someone who's standing beside my office's window. He's looking from a far and frequently checking his wristwatch.

"Did you found out where it came from?" I asked him while pertaining about what happened last night.

Umiling siya and answered. "Not yet Headmaster."

I sighed and placed my hand just below my chin. "I'm assuming that it reached the Queen."

"Of course it is Headmaster. It's too strong for her not to notice and feel it." Sagot nito at napatingin na naman sa relo niya. Is he waiting for something or someone?

I decided to ignore his weird actions and tried to divert my attention to the papers who are patiently waiting for my attention right on my desk. Hours had passed, the door suddenly swung open that surprised me a bit.

"Dad—I mean Headmaster! I got a message from the Queen and it says that the Queen will be here today to discuss about the incident last night. She also wants to meet the Masters!" Andrew said. He's my son and I'm not letting him call me Dad when we're working. That's what you called working etiquettes I guess.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you'll knock first before entering someone's room or office? You're not a kid anymore, you should put that in your damn head." I seriously said that made him gulped.

He rubs his nape and gave me an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry po." Sagot nito bago nag-bow at mabilis na lumabas ng office ko.

I heard the man beside the window laugh. "That kid of yours will never change." He said that I somehow agreed.

Someone knocked on the door properly kaya pinapasok ko na ito kaagad.

"Good morning, Headmaster. I am here to inform you that we captured a Darknian who's roaming around the Academy's premises. Nasa dungeon na po siya ngayon." Mr. Shi immediately reported. He's one of the guy's I'm with when we went to Cupid University to fetch the Masters.

"Did you found out something?" Tanong ko dito but he shook his head.

"We don't know sir, he's not responding to our questions." Sagot niya that made me nod.

I stand up and fix my coat. The guy beside the window walked towards me but I signaled him to stop.

"I'll accompany you." Kunot-noong salita niya.

"No, I'll be back after a minute. Just go and fetch the Masters before the Queen arrives." Sagot ko na ikina-tango niya na lamang. Nang makalabas na ako sa office ko ay nagpalinga-linga pa muna ako. Hmm, I think the queen will be late.

I started to walk where the dungeon is. My Academy has its own dungeon for this kind of incident. Masyadong malayo ang Palace para doon pa dalhin ang mga nahuhuli namin para ikulong so we made a dungeon cell here. I made sure that it is near my office para madali kong malalaman if ever na may mahuli nga just like this and madali ko na lang mapupuntahan.

I stopped 5 meters away from the dungeon's closed huge double door and immediately summoned my wand. "Aperta Ianua!" I chanted a spell.

The huge door creaked open na ikina-atras ko pa to avoid getting hit by it. I waited for about ten seconds to finally enter the dungeon. A dark hallway welcomes me and I slightly cough because of the dust. Hindi ba ito nililinisan ng mga cleaners?!

Kunot-noong napatingin ako sa right side ko when I heard a low groan. There, I saw a man who's sleeping peacefully while leaning on the table.

Hinampas ko nang malakas ang lamesa that made the man got up in surprise and grab the stick that was used for holding the criminal. Itinutok niya sa akin ang stick. "Sino ka?!" Sigaw nito sa akin and was about to attack me when I steal the stick from him at hinampas ito sa ulo niya. "Aray ko puta!" Daing nito at sinamaan ako ng tingin. His eyes grew wide when he saw my annoyed face and familiarity plastered on his face. "H-headmaster! Hala takte! Sorry po! Sorry po! Hindi ko po kayo nakilala kaagad! Sorry po talaga!"

"Who told you to sleep while on your duty?" Striktong tanong ko dito. He gulped and scratch the back of his head.

"Sorry po talaga Headmaster. Hindi ko na po kasi kinaya ang antok, shift ko po talaga dapat sa umaga pero hindi po dumating ang kapalitan ko kahapon kaya no choice po ako kun'di ang magbantay magdamag." Sagot nito.

I sighed and gave back his stick. "Next time don't sleep like that. Report a penalty for your workmate later. He's not responsible for his work." Salita ko na mabilis na ikina-tango niya.

"Nandito po ba kayo para tingnan ang Darknian na nahuli po namin kagabi?" Tanong nito sa akin na ikinatango ko naman kaagad. "Sige po, sumunod po kayo sa akin." Sagot niya at inayos pa muna ang sarili bago iginaya ako papunta sa cell ng Darkniang iyon.

While we're walking, tinitingnan ko ang mga nadadaanan naming mga cell na may mga nakakulong. Hindi lang naman Darknian ang nakakulong dito, even some wild and dangerous animals are here and some Whitenian bandits who were caught stealing inside the Academy.

They are giving me glares that I gladly gave back to them. Sila pa talaga ang may ganang magalit sa akin where in fact I should be the one.

"Nandito na po tayo, Headmaster." Salita ni——what's his name?

"Your name?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

He smiled at me before answering. "Ako po si Carlos Magan."

"Magan? By any chance, do you know someone named Margaret Magan?" I once again asked. He immediately nodded his head.

"Yes po, opo! Pinsan ko po siya at sa katunayan pa nga po ay siya po ang nagpapasok sa akin dito sa Academy!" He happily said that made me nod.

Margaret Magan is my long-time secretary. She's the same age as my son and I think they're classmates before. "Buksan mo na." Turan ko na kaagad naman niyang sinunod.

The door creaked open at madilim sa loob. May kinapa siya sa gilid and I heard a clicking sound and after that, the room filled with light. "Sasama po ako sa loob Headmaster ah." Salita ni Carlos kaya tumango na lamang ako at sumunod na rin sa kaniya papasok.

Tumambad sa akin ang magulong cell, halatang nanlaban ang Darknian but there's grills that dividing us from the Darknian. "Bakit may ganito pa dito? There's a nullifying magic in every cell kaya hindi makakagamit ng charm ang Darknian." Tanong ko. That magic is from the Queen. She put this as her gift to the Academy.

"Medyo may kalakasan po kasi ang isang iyan kaya no choice po kami kun'di ang lagyan nang harang. Muntik na rin po kasi niyan mapatay ang isang knight kagabi." Sagot niya. Hmm, feisty.

I faced the Darknians back and cleared my throat to get his attention. "Don't be rude Darknian, face me right now," I said. My brows met when the Darknian remained still at hindi man lang gumalaw. "Don't make me repeat myself here Darknian. I'm not on good terms with patience." Dagdag ko pa.

"What the heck is wrong with this guy?" Inis na baling na tanong ko kay Carlos when the Darknian didn't respond.

"Napagod na ho yata kakawala dito kanina, Headmaster." Kibit-balikat na sagot naman ni Carlos at bahagyang lumapit sa grills para silipin rin ang Darknian.

"Again, don't make me repeat myself Darknian if you still want to live. Answer my questions! Did Draco bring you here to spy on us? Anong mga nalalaman mo? Magsalita ka!" Inis na sambit ko and I irritatingly brushed my hair up. "You're pissing me off," I added and immediately grab the stick away from Carlos and reach him with it.

I stiffened when his body broke down and landed on the cold floor. My eyes widened when I saw his face, it was pale, his eyes are wide open while his mouth is gaped open too. Pain is visible in his eyes, but why is he like that? He was like......dead.

"A-anong nangyari sa kaniya?!" Tarantang sigaw ni Carlos kaya napa-atras ako ng kaunti. I saw him reached for something and I heard a clicking sound again before the alarm filled the Dungeon. Seconds passed and a group of Knights appeared right on the door and some of them went in and gave me a salute before opening the grills. Sinipat-sipat nila ang katawan ng Darknians at napatingin sa akin.

"He's....dead." Sambit niya. Even though may hint na ako ay nagulat pa rin ako sa sinabi niya. My fist formed a ball and my anger starting to arise.

"He's dead?! What the heck happened here? Bakit hindi ninyo siya chineck? And who the hell did this?!" Galit na sigaw ko at nahampas ang grills sa tapat ko.

"I'm sorry. We should've guard him since last night." Sagot ng Knight but I just gave him a glare. "We will bring his body to Dr. Cruz to run an autopsy. We'll inform you when the results are out, Headmaster." Dagdag ng Knight.

I remain silent at naglakad na lamang palabas ng cell and ng Dungeon. What did the heck happen to that Darknian? Kung hindi ko pa siya sinungkit ay hindi ko–namin malalaman na he's already dead?! This is bullshit! I have so many questions for that Darknian but damn it. They need to investigate this incident. This is the first time that it happened here in my Academy. I feel something's off here.

Because of so many questions in my head, I didn't know that I'm already right beside my office's door and the Masters is already in my front. They all bowed at me and I did the same that made them creased their forehead but didn't question it either.

"Good morning po, Headmaster. Pinatawag ninyo raw po kami sabi n'ong lalaki?" Tanong ng pinaka-maliit sa kanila which is the Earth Dragon Master—Cristina Graspela.

"Yes, come inside." Sabi ko at nauna nang pumasok sa office ko. Nadatnan namin sa loob si Margaret who's busy cleaning my desk while the man I left here earlier is quietly sitting on a single sofa.

"Headmaster, what happened?" Tanong nito kaagad sa akin as soon as he saw me and immediately got up.

"Later." Sagot ko dito at tumingin sa Masters na nakatayo lang sa likod ko. "What are you all waiting for? Please sit down." Sabi ko sa kanila, kamot-ulong tumango naman sila at tiningnan ko naman si Margaret na nakatayo na sa gilid ng table ko. "Give them drinks and so I." Utos ko sa kaniya, she silently nodded and move.

"Ano pong gagawin namin dito?" Tanong ng lalaki na matangkad, he's the Master of Wind Dragon—Jerald Graspela is the name.

"Someone wants to see you, so kindly wait for her. Though she's a little bit late." I answered at sakto naman na dumating na rin si Margaret dala ang mga inumin.

MASTER Cristina's POV

We thanked Headmaster's Secretary when she handed us our juices. Nang tikman ko iyon ay napangiti kaagad ako. Fresh juice pala ito, akala ko instant lang. I saw Ate Catherine nod her head while grinning. She loves to drink freshly squeezed juice, she doesn't like instant juice, 'yong nasa pack ah? Hindi raw kasi healthy 'yon kasi may chemicals na raw na hinahalo. Health-conscious ang babaita.

"Who do you think we're waiting here?" Tanong niya after niyang ilapag ang iniinom niya sa center table.

"Aba malay namin, bakit kami tinatanong mo?" Kaagad na sagot ni Kuya na 'agad ko namang ikinatingin ulit kay Ate Catherine.

She crossed her arms and raised her brows. "I'm not asking directly of who is who, I was asking 'who do you think...' that means I want you to guess. Please pay attention to the words, okay?" Salita ni Ate Catherine na ikina-ngisi ko.

Kuya gulped at napalagok sa iniinom niya while avoiding Ate Catherine's gaze. I wanted to laugh kaya lang baka ako naman ang pagdiskitahan ng siraulong 'to. Kapag si Ate Catherine ang nakakasagutan niya ay palagi siyang talo pero kapag ako, geez daig pa ang babae kung maka-kuda. Tinalo pa ako, walanya.

"Please be patient dear Masters. Paparating na rin sila." Salita ni Ms. Secretary na nakatayo lang malapit sa amin.

"Sino nga po ba kasi ang hinihintay namin dito? We still have classes pa po." Sagot ko na sa kaniya.

She smiled and nodded her head. "We know, but it is more important than your class right now. Please be patient——"

*Knock! Knock! Knock!*

We all looked at the closed door nang agawin niyon ang atensyon namin. "Looks like they're here Headmaster." Sambit ni Ms. Secretary. Narinig naming tumikhim si Headmaster at naglakad papalapit sa amin.

"Please gather around Masters." Salita ni Headmaster pagkalapit sa amin at sinenyasan niya ang lalaking kanina pa nakatayo sa gilid ng floor-to-ceiling na bintana dito sa office ni Headmaster.

Tumango ito at kaagad na naglakad papalapit sa pintuan. Nagsitayuan na rin kami nila Kuya at nag-abang sa kung sino man ang papasok dito. Tumingin pa muna sa amin iyong lalaki na siya ring nagsundo sa amin kanina sa classroom namin. Nawala nga lang siya bigla kanina, iyon pala ay narito na. Nang-iiwan din ang isang ito e.

The guy pulled the door open and my brows met when we saw a bunch of knights who were lined up outside the office. They were wearing those shiny armors just like the one who we've met when the Darknians lounge at us in the human world. Nagsikilusan ang iba sa kanila and they made a way for someone? We heard the sound of footsteps and sa tingin ko ay 'galing iyon sa isang takong. A lady? We're waiting for a woman?

My mouth gape open when I saw a woman, gracefully walking towards us. She's smiling that's why her pearl white teeth greeted us in advance. She's wearing a long dress that is colored white and gold. She's also wearing a tiara-like headdress while her golden hair tied in a messy bun. Ang tangkad rin niya na almost ka-level na n'ong lalaking nagsundo sa amin. Ang amo rin ng mukha niya at nakaka-tomboy mang sabihin pero ang ganda-ganda-ganda niya!

Hindi nalalayo ang ganda niya kay Eartha na nito lang rin namin napag-alaman na isa pa lang God and Goddess ang nagbigay sa amin ng mga Dragon Eggs. She has this un-earthy beauty. Deym! Sana all po!

"Welcome Queen Frina, we are happy that you finally visit our Academy again." Biglang salita ni Headmaster at yumuko sa harap ng babae matapos nitong tumigil sa mismong harapan namin.

The woman again smiled brighter at tinanguan si Headmaster. "Of course, Headmaster Furukawa. I'm glad that I finally got the time to visit your Academy." Sagot nito. Her voice sound so serene, ang malumanay nito at parang ang kinakausap ay bata.

"Please take a sit, your Majesty." Magalang na salita ni Headmaster at iginaya ito sa head chair na ngayon ko lang napansin na ang garbo pala ng design.

"Your Majesty? Bakit? Anong mayroon?" Takang bulong ni Kuya na nasa tabi ko. Pansin kong napunta sa amin ang atensyon ng babae kaya tinunggo ko ang tagiliran ni Kuya at sinenyasan siyang manahimik.

"Sila na ba iyon?" Tanong nito na halatang kami ang tinutukoy. Ganado namang tumango-tango si Headmaster at sinenyasan kami na nagpakunot lang ng mga noo namin.

"Masters, please pay respect to our Queen." Sambit ni Headmaster na siyang tuluyang ikina-gulat ko. So I heard it right?! Queen nga talaga ang babaeng nasa harapan namin ngayon?! Oh shet na malagket.

"Greetings to you, your Majesty." Kaagad na sambit ni Ate Catherine at nangunang yumuko sa amin, kaagad rin naman kaming gumaya nina Kuya. Taena. First time kong may maka-harap na Royal at Reyna pa ha!

"Hello, I am Frina Howlett the Queen of Whitenians." Pakilala nito kaya napangiti naman ako. Pati pangalan ay ang ganda rin. "But, I thought they were five? Where's the other one?"

Nagkatinginan kaming apat and yep, Rose Ann's not with us. Nasa dorm house siya at hanggang ngayon ay tulog na tulog pa rin yata. She looked okay naman, mukhang na-drain yata ang energy niya dahil sa nangyari kagabi. "She's resting at our Dorm House po. Nahulog po kasi sa stairs after maglikot ng mga Dragons po namin. Actually nasira pa nga po nila 'yong mini garden namin. Hehehe." Palusot ko.

"Oh, I see. Maayos naman na siya, 'di ba?" Tanong ni Queen Frina. Tumango na lang kaming apat bilang sagot. "By the way, can I ask for your names? We're talking now here for a while but I don't know your names yet." Natatawang dugtong nito na ikina-kamot ko sa ulo ko. How embarrassing!

"Oh yes, I am Catherine Graspela the Master of Water Dragon and the Eldest among the group." Pangunguna ni Ate Catherine.

"I am Rommel Graspela, the Master of Fire Dragon and the youngest brother of Ate Catherine." Formal na pakilala ni Rommel.

"Greetings again your Majesty. I'm Jerald Graspela, the Master of Wind Dragon." Salita naman ni Kuya habang ngiting-ngiti.

"Hello po, I'm Cristina Graspela, Earth Dragon Master and the youngest among the group. Bunsong kapatid rin po ni Kuya Jerald." Pakilala ko rin naman at bahagyang yumuko ulit for formality.

"You really all did come from one clan huh. How about the other one? What's his/her name?" Tanong ulit ni Queen Frina.

"She's she po. Her name is Rose Ann Graspela." Kaagad na sagot ni Ate Catherine.

"And what's her Dragon?" Aniya ni Queen Frina. Nagkatinginan kaming apat dahil sa tanong muli ng Reyna.

"Uhmm, your Majesty. She doesn't have a Dragon as far as I know." Sabat naman ni Headmaster at tinanguan kami.

"What? Paano nangyaring wala siyang Dragon? Bakit siya naging Master kung wala pala siyang Dragon?" Takang tanong ni Queen Frina.

Queen, kami rin naman ho nagtataka kung bakit naging Master siya kahit wala naman siyang Dragon na required para maging Master ka.

Lahat kami ay napatingin kay Ate Catherine when she cleared her throat at sinenyasan kami. I silently shake my head. Sorry, hindi ko rin alam ang isasagot ko.