Chapter Two: The Beginning (2)

“Magandang Umaga!" greeted the receptionist.

I was amazed and a little bit stunned. This store was using the ancient language. Hundreds of years ago it was the language that was used in the world but as time passed, the language continually changes and evolves. As a respond to the receptionist Johann nodded to her. I continued to look around, in awe of what I was transpiring before my eyes. Such beautiful dresses! Fabulous designs! But my sightseeing was abruptly interrupted when the lady receptionist gasped.

“Captain! I didn't know you were supposed to visit today!" 

“Is Griselda here?" asked Johann totally ignoring the receptionist’s antics. I bumped him to get his attention which I didn't fail to do. He looked at me and mouthed what. 

"You're so rude!" I whispered. 

He just shrugged and asked the receptionist to call the woman named Griselda. After a while she came back together with a middle aged woman. She has a measuring tape in her shoulders and was wearing glasses. Her eyes were glinting with dusts sparkles as it touches the light. 

“Captain!” She said as she hugged Johann. Captain? Why do they keep calling him that? 

“And who is this young wizling here?" Upon finishing her question she gasped as if realizing something. 

“Is she your girl Captain?" she said. I quickly waved my hand and shook my head. 

“No, I'm his friend ma'am" I denied. She laughed and flicked her hands 

“No need to be shy dear," she added, ignoring my words of denial. I think I'm becoming a tomato. 

"She needs a uniform for the academy" Johann suddenly said. He seems unaffected by the conversation. In fact his face remained impassive, which made me wonder. These past few months that I have known him he always has a smile on his face. Well not always but, never mind. I'm just not used to this face. Whenever he goes to meet me at the temple the atmosphere around him was always the playful and happy one. Never did I saw that gloomy face after our first meeting. 

The tailor Griselda began taking my measurements as Johann sat on the couch making himself at home as he watches me. I mouthed him something that made him laugh. Señorito!

"You’re so sweet," Griselda said giggling as she measured my waistline. I blushed again. This is so embarrassing. Before I could defend myself again, or should I say deny, the wind chimes clanged, sign that a new customer arrived.

"Good morning everyone!" the customer shouted. He sashayed as he entered the store. He was about to shout something again when he was put to a halt with the sight of Johann.

“Captain!" he shouted wide eyed. 

“Nandito ka Lang pala!" he said as he pointed his finger at Johann. He was accusing him of being gone for so long only to find him dawdling in the shop.

"We have another work Captain" 

 “I know I'll go back later." Johannes said looking very bored. And work? I thought he was still a student at the Gaearandys Academe of White Mahò. 

"And what are you doing in our humble sho--" he hasn't finished his sentence when he saw me. At first his eyes was filled with confusion then suddenly it was replaced with taunt. 

"Holy Molly! Is this what I think this is?" he shouted looking at Johann. Johann stood up and motioned the guy to go away. But the guy suddenly ran to my direction. 

"William James Locke milady" he said as he held my hand and bowed. I awkwardly smiled. 

"Listarte Moria Graciana" I said as courtesy.

"Moria? And a Graciana? I knew it! You are milady," he said as if he just thought of a bright idea. Johann then stationed himself between us and pushed William gently.

"Griselda we’re going now just deliver the uniform tomorrow at the address I gave you" he said and slowly pulled me out of the store.

"Wait captain" I said. Johann halted at his tracks and faced me.

“It’s my rank in the team”

“What team?”

“In the Academe, there is a group of mahò users, called the Aces. They are students who go to missions assigned by the Academe. And unfortunately, I am the captain of the squad. That kid Nathaniel just finds many ways to annoy me.” He said murmuring his last sentence.  I rose by left brow when he said unfortunately. What’s so unfortunate about being a captain?

"And what are these missions?" This is the first time I've heard of this. For the past few months I've realized I don't even know much about him. 

"Monster hunts." He just said.

 I think I have a faint clue of what these missions are. I often hear the monks talking about the elite squad taking care of the monsters overstepping the boundaries in The Crooked Forest. Although I know Johannes is strong I didn’t thought he was at the level of fighting monster at bay. The Crooked Forest is found in Einsmyr adjacent to The Pinwood, which was the main source of food in the kingdom. For that reason, the royal family assigned the Academe which was nurturing mahò users to subjugate the monsters in The Crooked Forest so the wizlings could hunt for food peacefully. Due to the location the monks would also often go to keep the monsters at bay in The Crooked Forest. According to the Abbess, the chief monk which was Monk Amon, the monster attacks in the nearby villages were having accrual.

"Isn't that dangerous?" I said quite shocked and worried. Johann smiled and ruffled my hair. 

"I'm strong Moria, don't worry," he said, appeasing my ceaseless worries.

"Now, I should get you home so you could rest. I cannot see you tomorrow because of another mission but I will fetch you in the day of entrance exam." I felt a bit sad about not seeing him for days. But I smiled anyway to assure him it was okay. It would be troublesome if he got distracted in the middle of his mission.

"Okay, I'll wait for you." I said, ending our conversation before my worries grow even bigger. 

"But before we go home I have a gift." He got something out if his pocket. It was a small blue box. I opened it and saw a blue ribbon. I looked at him when I realized what that is. 

"Is this an enchanted ribbon?" Enchanted ribbon is a type of accessory that veils true appearance. Depending on the purpose of making this, any wizling would be able to veil any physical appearance. With enough talent in alchemy, the enchanted ribbon will not fail on its purpose. The enchanted ribbon that Johann gave me will make my hair color look like the hair color of the creator of this ribbon. My appearance has always made problems for me and I was advised by the monks to hide my hair color. Having hair as white as snow that could only be a characteristic found in gods and goddesses, eyes in the shade of green and blue, milky white skin and cheeks giving an impression of blooming roses is enough to make every wizling in Llfhame turn their heads. I remember that one time I walked in a shop unknowingly; the store owner suddenly exclaimed and bowed before me while shouting that the goddess is back. That memory gave me a scare and when I told the monks about it they didn’t even bothered to suppress their cachinnation. They laughed till their sides hurt and from then on I always cast a veiling spell on myself which was inconvenient because the effect wears down every hour. But with this enchanted ribbon I could conceal my white hair easily. I always wanted one like this. The veiling spell was, well, hassle. But I couldn't produce one. I think I fail in alchemy in every way. Sigh. When I ask Monk Amon about it, she just shrugged saying she’s not the right teacher for alchemy. I remember vividly my frustrations back then, the book was saying it was a beginner brewing in alchemy but it was so hard for me and I eventually gave up.

“You, did you made this?” I looked up at Johann’s face and ask with smile. I was so happy with the gift I received.

“Yeah, always wear it especially when you enter the Academe.” Johann’s voice was laced with worry so I smiled even brighter. He looked away and cleared his throat. I took a peek at his face while leaning down, taunting him to show his face.

“You’re a worrywart. But rest assured ill always wear this of course. Thank you my dear Johann,” I said as I pushed my face closer to his. Johann snickered and gently pushed my face using his palm that covered my whole face.

“Stop coaxing me, if you lose that I’m never making you one again,” he said threatening.

“Aye Captain!” I shouted giggling.

The sun was about to set when Johann and I returned to the Willow. The monks were already preparing for the evening purification rituals and Monk Amon looked at us with an ambiguous look on her eyes. I widen my own eyes in response and she chuckled.

“What?” She asked innocently.

“You’re looking at me as if I did something wrong!” I accused her but she just laughed again.

“That’s a nice clip.” She remarked. I replied thanks and decided to just enter the temple. I ushered Johann to come inside but he told me to go in first saying he has some business with Monk Amon. 

Before I stepped in the half open door, I leered back at the people talking far behind me. Monk Amon’s face turned sour as Johannes started discussing their business. I only heard one single sentence before they moved farther away and I closed the door completely.

“This isn’t a negotiable matter Johann, Lista is not yet ready!”

***

As Lista began to enter the temple Johann, without wasting time started to discuss what he came here for. The matters with Supremacy affairs have long become a burden to him after all his only goal was to protect Moria from all harm. And if any of the plans bring danger to Moria’s existence he would not hesitate to eliminate the source.

“The Seven Tables are starting to move. The royal family ordered the seers for a proper interpretation of the prophecy this time. Nathaniel asked if he should proceed as planned or if we should reveal Moria’s identity.” The young man’s face was laced with annoyance as he spoke. He was doubtful about everything from the beginning. If he had a choice he would probably want to protect Moria on the sidelines alone to make sure no betrayals would happen but he can’t.  He doesn’t know where the enemies are so his only choice was to cooperate with the Supremacy.

“This isn’t a negotiable matter Johann, Lista is not yet ready!” Monk Amon exclaimed. It was a relief that the abbess was fond of Moria; hence Johann was sure he could trust the monk who raised Lista. The monk has proven from all the years they’ve spent that she truly cares for Lista’s well -being. Even to the point of training the girl and giving her the monk’s surname.

“I know that’s what I told him but he was so concerned about the increasing attacks. I myself don’t want to risk Lista’s safety that’s why we need an alternative. His Majesty King Torrifhame is pressuring the seers. The council is getting troublesome too.” Johann said impatiently.

“Just proceed as planned, and tell them about the new discovery in the Crooked Forest. That should be enough to keep them busy for a while.” The monk calmly added. With that Johann nodded and bid his farewell. 

“Just tell Lista I have an urgent matter to attend to,” with that the young man fled his broom and disappeared into thin air leaving only the sound of the cicadas in the calm moonlit evening.