THE MASTERS

Dragon XXIII

MASTER Rommel's POV

"HEY HEY HEY!!! WAKEY WAKEY PEOPLE! WE'RE GETTING LATE FOR DAMNS SAKE!"

I groaned in frustration because of the loud voice coming outside my room. I even hear someone's banging my door like f**k. Inis akong napatingin sa bedside table only to see my alarm clock who was about to ring.

"Damn it. It's not even that late." I murmured before going out of my bed. I do jumping jacks five times to ease my sleepy brain. I messed my hair before grabbing my towel and enter my bathroom.

I took a shower and some stuffs before wearing my uniform that's hanging outside my closet. I forgot to place it inside since I'm too sleepy to did it last night. I put on the white long sleeve after the pants and look at myself in the mirror while fixing my gold necktie. I sighed when I didn't even tie it nicely, it looks more like a knot. I give-up fixing it and just let it on loose.

I fix my hair to its usual style and put some cream on my face that was given by Ate. She said it can make my face glow naturally and I agree because it's somewhat effective. Jerald's always messing with me by using such cream, is that even right to assume that someone's gay just because he's taking care of his face? Damn asshole. I just bite and lick my lips and it automatically reddened. I sprayed my perfume that was gifted by Papa. I wear my wristwatch that was given by Mama. It's just a simple black wristwatch but I doubt that it doesn't cost much.

I put on my shoes and grab my uniform's coat after and pick up the small box where the pin-badge is. I took a quick glance in the mirror before going out of my room. Just as I opened my room, the white door suddenly opens and there, Rose Ann come out wearing her uniform. She looks grumpy and just ignored my presence at naglakad na paalis.

I just raised my brows before following her after I closed my door. I almost forgot to pick up my bag kaya mabilis akong bumalik at kinuha ito. Naabutan ko sa dining area ang apat na kumakain na ng breakfast. They are all in uniforms and they look like street children on how quickly they eat their foods. I sat down on my chair and just nodded at them as a greet before sipping my prepared brown coffee.

It's 7:45 in the morning and I think it's exactly 8 o'clock to start our first subject. We have 15 minutes left kaya I also took ten big bites before finishing my food and went to the sink to take a brush. Our Dragons are busy eating their food while taking glances at us and it seems like they understand that we're in a rush. I pat my Dragons head that made his brows raised. I also raised mine before rolling my eyes and walk outside the kitchen.

"Stop there kiddo." I heard Ate halted me so I faced her. She looks disappointed while looking at me. I creased my forehead when she walked closer to me. I was about to take a step backward when she pulled the necktie which almost made me choke.

"Damn—" I whispered and gave her a glare.

"Until now you still don't know how to tie your necktie? What are you, a kid?" Taas kilay na tanong niya sa akin.

"I know how, it's just that....it's kinda hard." I looked away when I heard Jerald laugh who's busy styling his hair.

"Ogag! Hindi ka lang talaga marunong!" Pang-aasar nito kaya I pick up the throw pillow on the couch and throw it directly on his head that messed his hair. "Hoy amputek! Ang buhok koooo."

"Where's your pin?" Tanong ni Ate nang mapansing hindi ko pa ito suot. Kinuha ko ang box sa bulsa ng pants ko and handed it to her.

She immediately opens it at kaagad na inilagay sa right side ng coat ko. "Wear it na. Aalis na tayo." Sabi ni Ate nang maikabit na niya ang pin sa coat ko. I nodded at isinuot na iyon. I kick Jerald's butt away from the mirror and fix my coat there.

"Tara na." Rinig kong aya ni Rose Ann na nasa main door na at bagot na nakatingin sa aming apat. We bid goodbyes first to our Dragons before leaving our dorm house.

Ate swiped her ID to open the marble door. It immediately opens kaya nagsilabasan na kami. "Palagi nal ang ba tayong late every first day of school?" Kumento ni Rose Ann while playing with her ID.

"Tayo na yata ang mga leader ng late." Naiiling namang sagot ni Cristina while leading us towards our room. We are all in the same class, age doesn't matter where or what grade are you in the normal school you went on.

While we're walking, only the sounds of our footsteps echoing around the hallways. Wala nang kahit na anong student sa hallway kaya we still don't know how to interact with them. Like I care?

"Here we are!" Cristina happily said and stopped right in front of the wooden door.

"Hmm, Alpha Charm-1S. Ito na nga." Sang-ayon naman ni Ate while looking at our schedule. She's the one who's holding our class schedule since sa box niya galing ang paper.

"Buksan mo na." Pasikong utos sa akin ni Jerald.

I raised my right brow at him. "Why would I? You, do it."

"No way! Si Cristina na lang!" Turo naman nito sa kapatid.

Umiling-iling naman kaagad ito at itinuro si Ate. "Si Ate Catherine na lang since siya ang nasa harapan."

"What?! Noo—"

*knock! knock! knock!*

We all looked at Rose Ann who's giving us a lazy face. "Mga putol ba 'yang mga kamay ninyo at kahit ang pagkatok ay nagtuturuan pa kayo?" The four of us fell silent because of her remarks. Napatikhim na lang ako at medyo niluwagan ang neck tie ko.

We all looked at the door when it creaks open. A woman greeted us with a better height than Cristina's. Nakakunot ang noo niya while looking at us. "How may I help you ladies and gentleman?"

"Uhmm...we're in this class po." Kaagad na sagot ni Ate and showed her our schedule. The woman took a glance of it and her eyes grew big. Napatingin siya sa aming lima isa-isa and she landed her eyes on our right side chest.

"Oh my oh my!" She amusingly murmured and bigla na lang yumuko sa harapan namin. Nagkatinginan kaming lima and exchange a confused look. "Greetings to you our dear Masters! It's good to finally meet you, come... come in please!"

Okay? How did she know that we are the Masters when we didn't even introduce ourselves yet? She makes her way and gestured us to enter the classroom. Kaagad naman kaming pumasok and my eyes welcomed a cream-colored four-cornered room. In front where the professor's table sitting and there's a whiteboard behind it.

I heard murmurs around the corner when we finally entered the classroom. I look up to see the elevated seats. There, I saw our co-students with the same uniforms while whispering to their seatmates. They are giving us a knowing look and confusion about how this woman treated us.

"Alpa Charm-1S! Please welcome The Masters." Ngiting-ngiti na sambit ng babae. I saw how our classmates got surprised by this woman's words. Napakunot ang noo ko nang they acted like they are finding something on our uniforms.

One by one, they all stood up and bow at us. "Welcome, Masters." They synchronizing said. I got goosebumps because of what they did and looked at my companions who are feeling the same way. Just what the heck? Why are they treating us this way?!

The five of us went speechless because of surprise. Hindi pa rin sila uma-ayos nang tayo kaya napatingin kami sa babae. She just gestured her head and smiled at us.

"Uhmm....thank you?" Naiilang na sagot ni Ate. Just then, our classmates stand straight and some of them gave us a smile, while the others still look surprised. Oh well, they are not alone.

"May we know the names of the Masters? And of who is who? And what is what?" Tanong ng babae. Wala sa sariling napatango ang mga kasama ko. The f? Naintindihan nila 'yon?!

"Hello, I am Catherine Graspela, nine-teen years of age. And uhh....Master of Water Dragon." Alangang pakilala ni Ate. I heard a woah from the students. Ahh, I get it now.

"Hey yow, I'm Jerald Graspela, eight-teen years old. Master of Wind Dragon." Jerald said while brushing his styled hair.

"Hi guy's! I'm Cristina Graspela, seven-teen years old and the Master of Earth Dragon!" Cristina happily said.

I cleared my throat before speaking.

"I am Rommel Graspela, eight-teen years old. Master of Fire Dragon." I formally said.

"And I am Rose Ann Graspela. Seven-teen. Master of unknown." May pagkibit-balikat na pakilala ni Rose Ann na ikinatingin naming lahat sa kaniya. She creased her forehead. "What? Don't ask me why, itanong ninyo na lang 'yan sa Diyosa." She snorted. Bitter.

"Uhmm. Thank you Masters. I am Maricel Olvez, your homeroom professor. We're glad to meet you all here, you may sit down." Singit niyong babae na siyang Professor pala. They said thank you before climbing up the stairs at naghanap ng available na seats and I'm just following them.

The front and middle part are full kaya dumiretso na kami sa pinaka-itaas where there's a row who's still available. Nasa gitna ang stairs kaya agaw pansin kaming lima na naglalakad paitaas. Luckily, each side is a five seater kaya hindi na kami naghiwa-hiwalay pa. Our arrangement looks like this.

*window* Rose Ann—Ate—Cristina—Me—Jerald

*stairs*

Vacant—vacant—vacant—vacant—vacant *wall*

Rose Ann smirked at me when she got the one I like to sit on. After we sat down peacefully tumikhim na si Professor Olves to catch our attention.

"Like what I said earlier since this is our first meeting because I wasn't here when the classes starts. I will discuss the rules and regulations of our classroom and the Dranair's." She said and began to discuss.

Our morning classes ended peacefully but a little irritating because every Professor who entered our classroom always wants us to introduced in front like damn! Hindi ba sila nagsasawa? Kasi kami sawang-sawa na! I know these four feels the same but we can't refuse to them dahil baka masabihan pa kaming walang manners like f**k.

"Let's take our lunch sa cafeteria. It's too tiring if we go back to our Dorm. Masyadong malayo." Suggestion ni Jerald while fixing his hair using his fingers.

"Indeed. Tara na!" Sang-ayon naman ng kapatid niya at tumayo na and so are we. Cristina lead us to the cafeteria but we stopped when someone blocked our way.

"Bakit?" Nakangiting tanong ni Cristina to the guy who blocked our way.

"Pupunta po ba kayo sa cafeteria?" Nahihiyang tanong nito sa amin. I raised my eyebrows of what he asked. Isn't it obvious?

"Ahh yes, why po?" Tanong naman ni Ate sa kaniya.

"That's not the way of our cafeteria po kasi, nandito po sa kabila." Sagot niya and pointed at the different hallway where some of our classmates walking towards there.

"Seryoso ka? We tour around here kahapon and based on the map that was given to us ay itong direction na ito ang papunta sa cafeteria." Still smiling, Cristina said.

"Nagkamali po yata ng bigay si Ms. Anastasia sa inyo ng map. That cafeteria you went on is only for lower sections. We have our own cafeteria po." Nayuyukong sagot ng lalaki.

"Oh wow. Ayos ah, ano 'to special treatment pa rin?" Jerald laughingly said while tapping my shoulder.

"Lead us the way." Walang ngiti na kausap ko sa lalaki. He automatically nods his head and gestured us to follow him.

"Ang bossy mo na naman." Rose Ann commented.

"I'm hungry." Taas-kilay na sagot ko sa kaniya, she just shakes her head before walking beside me.

We stop when we reached the same door as the other cafeteria. The difference is that there's a big letter Alpha on it. "Ito na ba iyon?" Excited na tanong ni Cristina.

"Ahh yes po. Pasok na po kayo." Nangingiting sagot ng lalaki. My brows met when I saw his trembling hands that he hide behind him.

"Thank you." Ate Catherine smiled at him that made the guy blushed. Seriously?

Since I'm at the center, I push the door for it to open. As soon as I opened it I saw something darted towards us. I was glued to my tracks but someone cussed and suddenly someone pushed me to the side. Tumama pa ako kay Ate kaya I manage not to trip over with the help of her. When I look at my back, there I saw Rose Ann holding my back while looking at the opened door.

"OMG!!!"

"Sino natamaan?!"

"Ano 'yong mga baguhan ba?"

"Oii! Loko talaga kayo!"

"Yay! Nakailag!"

"Weh? Sigurado kayo?"

"Wala pang nakakailag sa pa-welcome ko ah!"

I irritatedly looked at the group of students who were laughing at us. They are wearing the same uniforms like us. What the f**k? Are they tripping on us?! I gave the guy who lead us the way here a glare. Just as I thought, something's off with his shaking hands. Damn. Why did I even trust this guy? He got scared and ran inside and disappeared from my sight.

"Hoooy! Ano na naman 'yan ha?! Nangti-trip na naman ba kayo?!" Napalingon ang mga tangina sa likuran nila when a female voice echoed. We heard footsteps that made the students divided into two. There, a girl walks in with cross arms.

"Sino na naman itong napagtripan—"

"Ronalyn?" Takang sambit ni Cristina while looking at the girl. I saw how the girl's reaction turned into surprise.

"Cristina? Oh! Rose Ann, Rommel, Jerald, and Ate Catherine? What the heck are you all doing here?!" Gulat na tanong nito sa amin. "Don't tell me sila ang pinag-tripan ninyong mga ulupong kayo?!" Sigaw niya sa mga students who are curiously looking at us.

"Why? Is there a problem with that?" Asked by a girl who looked like a clown because of make-up. Is that allowed here? Damn gross.

"They're my cousins! Idiot. I told you to not lay your fingers on my wing. Aren't I?" Taas-kilay na singhal nito sa babae.

"W-what? Hindi naman namin alam! Malay ba namin!" The guy at the back defensively uttered.

"What-watin ko mukha mo. Get out of my sight, you dimwits!" Iritang sigaw nito sa mga kaharap. They immediately obeyed her and went to their tables. "Kayo, sundan ninyo ako." Salita naman nito sa amin.

MASTER Cristina's POV

Nakaupo na kami ngayon sa isang pabilog na lamesa dito sa cafeteria that is really exclusive for Alpha Class. I can't help but feel uneasy because of the gaze of the students around us. Siguro hindi pa rin sila maka-get over sa nangyari kanina. I almost jumped on my seat when a loud thud echoed and it comes from our table. I saw Ronalyn glaring at the students and they somehow mind their own businesses. I sighed in satisfaction.

"So... since when pa kayo dito? Ngayon ko lang kayo nakita dito." Taas kilay na tanong niya sa amin.

"Actually three days na kami nandito and now lang kami pumasok sa klase." Sagot ko sa kaniya.

"Really? Sinundo rin ba kayo sa Cupid University? But parang ang late naman yata." Tanong niya sa amin.

Ate Catherine shrugged kasi hindi rin naman talaga namin alam kung bakit late na. Uhh well, medyo may hint lang pala. "Late din kasi nila kaming nahanap." Sagot ko na lang since walang balak mag-salita ang mga kasama ko.

She eyed us intently and when her eyes landed on our badge, her eyes grew big. Just like our Professor and classmates' reaction.

"What the pusa?! Totoo ba itong nakikita ko?!" She exclaimed.

"Bakit? What's wrong with this badge ba? You all have the same reaction everytime you see this thing." Curious na tanong ni Ate Catherine.

Nanlalaki pa rin ang mata ni Ronalyn nang isa-isa niya kaming tiningnan. "Holy s**t. Umamin nga kayo sa akin! Ano... kayo ba ang Masters?!" Halos pa-sigaw na tanong niya, caught some of the student's attention.

"Kami nga. So what?" Sagot ni Kuya while giving her a curious look too.

Ronalyn covered her mouth to prevent her mouth from shouting.

"Damn....bakit hindi ninyo sinabi sa akin kaagad? You made me look so stupid! Kung hindi ko pa nakita 'yang badge na iyan ay hindi ko pa malalaman!" Malakas na sabi niya.

"Tone down your voice idiot. Ang OA-OA mo." Iritang turan sa kaniya ni Rose Ann. Napatikom naman kaagad ng bibig si Ronalyn.

"Ano ngang mayroon dito sa badge na ito ha?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Uhh that badge is the identification of the Dragon Masters. That badge was made by the Queen for them to be known as the Dragonania's new protector." Dagling sagot nito sa akin with now a calm voice.

"I see, that explains why." Tatango-tangong sagot ni Ate Catherine.

"Sorry ha kung nag-over react ako. I'm just too surprised to finally meet the Masters who happened to be my cousins! Kung saan-saan pa kami naghanap sa mga Masters pero nandoon lang pala kayo sa Cupid University in the human world. How stupid of us nga naman." Naiiling na paliwanag niya.

"Bakit ba parang big deal na big deal sa inyo ang mahanap ang Masters-Masters na iyan?" Kunot noong tanong ni Rose Ann.

"Hmm kasi we believe that the Dragon Masters will lead us to victory against the Darknians. They are the Master of the Dragons who hold the main elements of the world. Alam naman siguro ninyo ang gulo sa pagitan ng dalawang lahi, 'di ba? At isa pa, It's been a century na naghintay ang mga Whitenians para sa comeback ng mga Dragons after mamatay ng Legendary Dragon sa kamay ng King of Darknians." Paliwanag ni Ronalyn.

"Legendary Dragon? Ano naman 'yon?" Tanong ni Kuya.

"Well, malalaman naman ninyo 'yan sa history subject ninyo. Doon na lang ninyo alamin hahaha. Kumain na lang tayo, mga pinsan kong Dragon Master!" Sagot nito at kaagad na sumenyas sa mga mga servers.

The Alpha's cafeteria and the other one look the same. Kaya lang dito ay mas maraming servers since sila na mismo ang naglalagay ng mga pagkain sa tables namin. It looks like a fancy restaurant with a fantasy-themed. Halatang mamahalin ang mga foods pero thank goodness na lang dahil libre ito. Hindi kami mamumulubi.

While we're eating ay nagkakamustahan lang kami like a typical cousins used to do kapag hindi nagkita nang matagal. She went to Cupid just like us but 3 years ago ay nag-transfer siya sa ibang school na which is dito pala. She voluntarily transferred there as soon as nalaman niyang may charm siya after ng isang incident na hindi na niya sinabi sa amin. Iyon lang rin pala ang hinihintay ng Papa niya para muling bumalik sa Dragonania kasama ang family niya.

"Ahh so second year ka pa lang dito kasi nag-stay ka pa muna ng one year sa Dragonania. So nandoon pala sila Tito sa Dragonania, maganda ba doon?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. She nodded while munching her food.

"Oo naman yes! Magandang-maganda sa Dragonania, hindi polluted katulad ng sa human world. It looks like a paradise and almost peaceful dahil panira ang mga Darknians." Sagot naman niya after.

"Pansin ko lang, you look respected here. By any chance, do you have a position here in Dranair Academy?" Tanong naman ni Ate Catherine while drinking her grape juice.

"Oh yes hindi ko pa pala nasasabi sa inyo hahaha. Okay, I'll introduce myself like kunwari first time pa lang nating magkita. Hahahaha." Tatawa-tawang sagot nito na ikinatawa ko rin. Why? I love laughing kaya!

"Hello dear Masters. I am Ronalyn Carrascal, an Alpha Charm-2S student and the President of Student State. Nice to meet you." Formal na pakilala nito with matching gesture pa. Napa-ohh naman kaming tatlo except sa dalawang nakikinig lang while enjoying their food.

"Abaaa, may pa-president-president ka nang nalalaman ah! Parang sa Cupid ay ayaw na ayaw mong nanonominate as a Class President." Kumento ko sa kaniya.

"Hindi pa ba halata? She wants to be the President of all the students, not just in their class." Natatawang gatong naman ni Ate Catherine na tinawanan lang ni Ronalyn.

"At least may back-up na tayo ngayon kapag may umulit na namang ganoong pangyayari katulad kanina." Sambit ni Kuya after he burped. Inis ko namang tinapik ang braso niya kasi ang disgusting kaya!

"Hahaha trueee! I'll back you up guy's kaya don't you worry na." Agree naman kaagad ni Ronalyn after she finished her food.

We all finished our food at nagpapatunaw na lang habang panay pa rin ang pag-uusap.

"There are three class here. First is the Alpha, second the Beta, and third are the Gamma. We had four before and that is the Omega but since no one matches its standard that is higher than Alpha ay inalis na lang. The sections are called Alpha Charm 1-4S, Beta Charm 1-4A, and Gamma Charm 1-4B.

As you can see, we are separated from the other class kasi dati laging nagkakaroon ng World War sa cafeteria kapag nagsasama-sama ang lahat ng class. Nagpapagalingan kaya ayon, nainis si Headmaster at inihiwalay ang class natin na siyang laging pasimuno. Geez, mga self-proclaim matataas din kasi mga students sa class natin porke't nasa Alpha Class." Kuwento niya.

Napatingin siya sa wrist watch niyang pink at kaagad na napatayo.

"I have to go na pala! Mag-start na klase ko, bye for now!" Paalam niya at mabilis na tumakbo palabas ng cafeteria. Nakita ko ring nagsisunuran na sa kaniya ang iba at tanging kami na lang na first year Alpha ang nandito.

"Nice."