GA - CHapter 10: Welcome To The Academy

Grimrose Academy

MAS NAKITA ko nang maigi ang Grimrose Academy mula sa labas. Mukha siyang lumang victorian castle na sobrang laki. I think kasing lawak ito ng isang soccer field. There are vines in the wall, cracks, and faded paint. I can tell that it’s been here for centuries. It doesn’t look like a school at all— more like a castle.

The academy was a little different now than the last time I was here. May mga Angeals na nakabantay sa labas at loob. Parang every hall may naka-destino na mag bantay. Chineck pa nga ‘yung laman ng bags namin.

Then we went through a series of hallways bago kami nakarating sa dorm. This place is huge. Another place that would take time for me to memorize.

“Alright this is it. We have many vacant rooms kaya pwede kayong mamili. Pwede kayong solo sa isang room, pwede rin naman kayong roommates,” sabi ni Nelo.

Nakangiti akong bumaling kay Tam. “Tam, tara! Roommates tayo. What do you think?” 

There were times that I dreamed of this before. Being in a dorm and be bestfriends with my roommate. With Tam… tingin ko magkakatotoo.

“A-Are you sure? I’m… I’m…” Hawak niya ang kanang braso niya. Hindi siya makatingin sakin pero bahagyang namumula ang mga pisngi niya.

“Yep, sure ako! Pero okay lang din kung gusto mo mag solo,” sabi ko. Pero deep inside medyo nalungkot ako. Gusto ko kasi sana talaga siyang maging roommate.

“G-Gusto ko roommates tayo. It’s just that… I’m… weird.”

Hinawakan ko ang mga kamay niya at iniangat hanggang sa dibdib ko. Nginitian ko siya nang napakalaki. “E di perfect pala. Parehas tayong weird. So… roommates and weird friends?”

Tumango siya at ngumiti. We giggled as we went inside. Tumambad sa amin ang isang studio type na kwarto. As usual, victorian din ang theme katulad ng buong Academy. May dalawang double size bed sa magkabilang gilid. May dalawang magkatabi na malaking wardrobe sa gitna.

“Balikan ko kayo dito after 15 minutes for your first class,” sabi ni Nelo.

“Thank you, senpai Nelo!” Sagot ko.

“Senpai?” tanong ni Nelo. Napangiti siya. “You really are something, Shana. I’ll see you guys later.”

Sinara ni Nelo ang pinto. Nang maiwan kami ni Tam, para bang mas naging komportable siya.

“Race you to the bed!” sabi pa niya. Parang bata na nakikipag unahan sakin.

Syempre sinabayan ko siya. We were giggling again and being playful. Naunahan niya ko sa kama. Humiga siya doon at feel na feel pa ang lambot.

“Tam’s territory claimed!” sabi niya ng nakangiti. She’s moving her arms and legs as if making a snow angel.

“Ah ganon?” Kumuha ako ng unan. “I challenged your claim… to a pillow fight.”

Bumangon siya at kumuha din ng unan. “Bring it on!”

Pabiro kaming naghampasan ng unan. Tumatawa na parang kinikiliti kung saan-saan. Tumitili pa.

“You’re so weird, Shana.”

“We’re both weird.”

After a while, bagsak kami sa kama. Hindi dahil napagod kami sa ginawa namin kundi dahil hiningal kami sa kakatawa.

I’m so happy I met Tam. I’m so happy right now.

Humarap ako kay Tam habang nakahiga kami. “Tam… alam mo. Dream ko ‘to noon pa. Yung magkaroon ng roommate tapos magiging kaibigan ko. May kapatid naman ako kaso 5 years old pa lang siya kaya iba ‘yung playtime namin. Ikaw ba? Do you have siblings?”

Umiling siya. Napansin kong nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. “Kami na lang ng lola ko sa buhay. Siya ang nagpalaki sakin mula pa noong baby ako. Wala na kasi ang parents ko.”

Nalungkot din ako para sa kanya. Kahit buhay pa ang Mama ko— I can’t deny the fact that Papa is gone. Kaya nakaka-relate ako kay Tam. 

“I’m sorry, Tam. Don’t worry. I am your newly added family. It sounds crazy dahil kanina lang tayo nagkakilala. Pero magaan talaga ang loob ko sayo. Will you accept me?”

Tumango siya at ngumiti. This time hinawakan niya na rin ang kamay ko.

“Ofcourse,” she whispered.

May napansin akong maliit na bulaklak sa may kamay niya na parang doon ito nakatanim. It was a chamomile flower.

“Wow! Saan galing ‘yang flower?” I asked. Amazed.

Binunot niya ito at binigay sakin. “I’m a white witch.”

“Whoa! Really?” 

Bumangon ako. Sumunod siya. 

“Ang galing!” Sabik kong sabi. “Ako… I’m… Di ko pa alam kung ano ako. Ang sabi nila I’m Aether-blessed pero kakaiba daw?” I shrugged.

“Anyway, please show me more,” sabi ko pa.

Pinakitaan ako ni Tam ng mga kaya niyang gawin. Aside from healing someone she can freely control plants and even create them. Ang galing! Parang galing sa loob ng katawan niya ‘yong mga halaman. Sinubukan niya akong turuan kung paano palabasin ang powers ko pero wala talaga.






AFTER THIRTY minutes, may kumatok sa kwarto namin. Akala ko si Nelo pero na-surprise ako na si Ate Kat ang sumundo sa ‘min.

“Hi, Ate Kat!” Bati ko.

“Hello, Shana. Sorry I’m late. Nelo was supposed to pick you up. Pero sabi niya may gagawin daw siya. Tara?”

Tam was hiding behind me kaya pinakilala ko na rin siya kay ate Kat.

“Ate Kat, si Tam nga pala. Siya ang roommate and friend ko. Tam, meet ate Kat.”

“Hello po,” nahihiyang bati ni Tam.

“Hi, Tam. Nice to finally meet you,” sagot ni ate Kat. “This is perfect. Susunduin ko rin talaga siya. Buti naging roommates kayo. Tara.”

Sinundan namin si ate Kat.

“Both of you were assigned to a newly created section. It’s a special one. I’ll be in there too— part ako ng section,” sabi ni ate Kat habang naglalakad kami.

Napangiti ako. Excited to see our classmates. More importantly, I’m happy dahil classmate ko si Ate Kat at Tam. Nilingon ko si Tam na kasabay ko maglakad.

“Classmate tayo, friend. Lucky!”

Tumango si Tam. Nakangiti siya pero nahihiya. Tahimik at mahiyaan talaga siya kapag may ibang tao bukod sa ‘kin.

“While we’re on our way. Let me tell you more about the academy,” sabi ni ate Kat.

Finally! A proper tour—sort of. Wala ‘to noong unang beses akong nandito. Siguro dahil di pa naman ako noon nag e-enroll.

“The academy was built by the founder of the Angeals— Sir Arthur di Angelo, a proud member of the Order of the First Light, around the year 1837.”

Wow! Tagal na pala ng lugar na ‘to. Kaya naman pala old victorian ang itsura. 

“The whole academy has four floors,” sabi ni ate Kat habang tuloy-tuloy kami sa paglalakad sa hallway.

Apat? Eh parang kahit isa pa lang, kaya na akong lunukin buong-buo. Or maybe maliit lang talaga ako.

“It may not look that big from the inside, but once you get the full view… it’ll make sense,” she added, glancing back with a smile.

“Wait, so this castle is four floors of what? Secret halls and cursed basements?” biro ko.

“Secret? A few. Cursed? Hopefully not.”

Napatawa siya ng konte, pero kita ko sa mata niya— she's not entirely joking.

“Grimrose Academy is divided into four wings,” patuloy ni ate Kat. Mala-instructor ang tono niya. “North Wing is where we keep the sacred archives, relic vaults, and ceremonial chambers—including the Feather of the First Light. Only high-ranking members of the Order can enter without escort.”

Okay. So, basically: forbidden zone. Got it.

“Nandito tayo ngayon sa East Wing. It houses the dormitories, lounges, mess halls, and common rooms.”

Tumingin ako kay Tam. I mouthed the words ‘Laters’ and slowly spun my finger— gesturing that we have to tour around later.

“The South Wing is our training area. Gymnasium, combat halls, magic chambers, target ranges, and dueling floors,” Ate Kat continued.

“Dueling?” pag-ulit ko.

“Yes. Pwede kayong magsubukan ng lakas dito. May events din tayo for dueling. You’ll understand more soon.”

Napalunok ako. 

I can’t imagine myself fighting. I haven’t been in a fight since… forever. I used to be in an archery club and Papa used to teach me some self defense. But that’s it. Sana lang kapag may maghamon sa ‘kin makipag duel, ay ‘yong ready na ko at alam ko na kung paano gamitin ang powers ko.

“The West Wing is for theory—history of the realms, weapon mastery, Grimborn studies, and strategic training. Basically, nandoon ang mga classrooms. Grimborns also take classes there. That’s where we are going.”

Napatigil ako. “Wait—Grimborns? Like… Vampires? Werewolves? Nandito sila?”

Kinilabutan ako. Naalala ko bigla si Trish. I know that’s a Demon and it’s a different case. Are they sure I’m safe here?

Ate Kat nodded. “Yes. The academy isn’t just for Aether-Blessed. Sir Arthur founded the academy not just to teach Aether-blessed individuals on how to fight Demons and Grimborns but also to co-exist with them— for peace.The Angeals requires Grimborn leaders around the city to send their newbies here.”

“So… dito rin sila nag-aaral?” I asked.

“Yes. Para matutong mamuhay nang palihim sa mundo ng mga tao. To control themselves. To learn about who, and what they are. Coexistence is part of our mission.”

“Pero, ate Kat. Hindi ba delikado 'yan? I mean they are newbies. So maybe some of them haven’t controlled their hunger to humans? If I’m not mistaken. Theory ko lang base sa pop cultures na nabasa at napanood ko. I mean they could, you know— like the vampires or the werewolves, baka habang tulog kami they will hunt us?”

“You’re right. That’s possible. That’s why they can’t go to the other wings. Sa Westwing lang sila pwede unless directed by the Dean. They are closely supervised too. If they try, they're dead— literally. There’s a veil that protects everyone here in the academy. If a Grimborn attempts to kill someone— the castle will stop it from happening. Only Grimborns who have sworn fealty to the order can go around— like me and my brothers. And also those who were given special access— like Tam and your classmates.”

Okay. That assures a lot. Buti na lang.

“And they don’t live here. You can sleep soundly every night. Pagkatapos ng klase bumabalik na sila sa kani-kanilang mga teritoryo sa city,” dagdag pa ni ate Kat.

Wait! Classmates namin? Ibig sabihin Grimborns ang mga magiging classmate ko? Anyway, there’s a question that needs answering that has been bugging me since I came here.

“Ate Kat, itong academy ba nasa loob pa rin ng Grimrose City? Or are we somewhere too far? Like ibang bansa? Or other… realm? Naisip ko lang kasi, kailangan gumamit ng magic para makapunta dito.”

“Good question, Shana. Technically, the academy is somewhere inside the woods of Grimrose City. But its exact location is mysteriously unknown. Through the Feather of the First Light and some spells, nobody can see this place no matter how hard they try. The only way is through the Aelythian statues. That’s why you are safe here.”

That was really awesome. Naalala ko ‘yong kwento ng lola ko tungkol sa maalamat na city na invisible daw. Hindi kaya ito ‘yon?

“We also have an outdoor courtyard here somewhere in the middle of the castle. That’s where all students gather for fresh air, and anything you want to do,” Ate Kat added.

Ano kaya itsura ng courtyard? Kailangan talaga namin ni Tam libutin ang buong academy pag may chance na kami.

“By the way bago ko makalimutan,” sabi ni ate Kat. Bigla siyang huminto at humarap sakin, hawak niya ang phone niya. “I’ve sent you your schedule dito sa academy at sa Rose University. They are now perfectly aligned. You still need to attend your human classes like everyone else. This is our way to keep the academy a secret. And some of us need to learn something and earn money in the real world. We’re not being paid to be an Angeal— it’s a responsibility.”

That makes sense. Kaya pala pumapasok pa sa school ang mga Franco. At si kuya Dante naman working pa rin as a policeman. Si Papa ganon din siguro noon.

“But don’t worry. For now, online classes lang muna ang mga klase mo sa Rose U. It’s until you learn how to use your Aether and protect yourself,” dagdag pa ni Ate Kat.

Ilang saglit pa, malapit na raw kami sa classroom sabi ni ate Kat nang biglang nagpaalam si Tam na mag C-CR muna.

“Mauna na kayo. Susunod ako. CR lang,” sabi ni Tam.

“Hintayin kita gusto mo?” Alok ko.

Umiling si Tam.

“Okay. Kita nalang tayo sa classroom,” sabi ko.

“Tam, our classroom is just right after this corner. Okay?” sabi naman ni ate Kat.

Tumango naman si Tam. “Thank you po.”

Nagpatuloy kami ni ate Kat sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa classroom.

Heto na. A special section, a school built like a fortress, and classmates who might not all be human. I’m excited but… what did I just walk into?

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