The shock took a moment to wear off. She knew by now that Michelle’s doubt would increase if she realized she’d been shifted into the other class. Hail’s, Briane’s, Jane’s, and Reigna’s perception might waver one bit because they were sure all of them would remain a Skipper.
What you’ve been would always be… at least that’s how they saw it.
But there’s no point pondering about it now. After all, the main point of her being there was for the headmaster’s head, and she just has to deal with their doubts as she went. If ever they pose a threat to her plans, they must be moved out of the way.
“SWEETIE, LOOK!”
Z hurriedly stuff the box and the letter out of sight as Briane barged in, bringing with him a letter quite alike with hers. Unlike the Noble’s, the Skipper’s head used a scented parchment for the student’s letter of qualification. It’s embellished with golden crowns and an eye that featured a shadow’s figure than an iris.
“I’m a Skipper!”Z woke up three days after she’d been unconscious. The first thing she noticed was the flat ceiling of her bed. From its corners twirled white linen cloths that flow seamlessly down the ground.Grabbing one of her pillows, she turned and embraced it with a loud sigh.Her room was as big as three apartments combined, enclosed by marble walls that were creatively glued with minuscule diamonds. Due to its glimmering nature, the room was only illuminated by the pea-size flame of three candles standing on a candelabra in the corner. The strange combination of orange and yellow lights was enough to emphasize the glint of the diamonds.Supposedly, these diamonds were to form into a feature quite alike with the princess, but something happened along the way, so it then formed into a galaxy, with the diamond as the stars.From the left wing of the room stood a concave window. It’s embedded with a shadow’s physique that covered up its entirety,
Z was standing in front of the full-length mirror, wearing a magnificent pleated skirt embroidered with red threads in the corner. It was paired with long dress trousers, a sleeveless shirt with a collar underneath it. In her left wrist rested a crimson vest and a black tie, completing the Noble’s prescribed uniform.“Not bad.”Brushing the ash-gray strands of her hair, she looked around, making sure it was deserted and that the other Skipper’s weren’t looking. In the opposite room, Reigna was busy rummaging the box given to them, while in the room beside Z, Hail was reading on his bed, still not wearing a uniform.Assured she’d never be seen, she stared at her hair, the crystals of her orbs dilating. Her heart was drumming loudly as she willed each strand to overlap the other until she was able to braid it.When she’s already satisfied with the way she looked, she wore the vests but was never aware of how she’d wear the tie. She’d never use
Z screamed when cold water splashed through her body. It was penetrating through her flesh, making her teeth chattered.As she opened her eyes, she made out a blurred outline of a bulky man who’s holding a bucket. She breathed heavily. Closing her eyes yet again, she allowed the dusty and wooden smell to overcome her system. She’s not even caring much about the roughness of the ground as long as she could steer again to a serene slumber.Whatever happened yesterday took a toll on her strength that even after some hours of sleep, she’s still conscious of the soreness and throbbing of her muscles.“Rule number one: Nobles don’t sleep like a lazy brat!”Just after a deep, growling voice spoke, a spark shot from Z’s feet, all the way to her head, making her sit straight, catching her breath, so as the other forty-four Nobles. Just like her, they were all wet, no scratch whatsoever but exhaustingly soaked.“Rule number two: If you’re
For a single week, Z’s life changed drastically. Apparently, a Noble wasn’t a class she could just pass by with; her teachers made sure of that.It was, perhaps, due to what she went through that her system learned to redeem consciousness even before Mister Porche could beat her to it. She got her share of praise from the other teachers she kept forgetting the names but never did she hear it from him. Waking up early didn’t only except her from the punishment, she’s also able to witness what happened to those who slept through their alarm.As early as five in the morning, their Quarter would be filled with the Shadowest’s screams as Mister Porche, with the help of other staff, would splash water after water to those who were still asleep.Somehow, her stay there was bearable; though no one tried to befriend her, she’d been used to such treatment to ever wonder why. She did notice something from the class. For one, they like hovering around, gossip
Z was falling…Falling…Falling…… falling in the depth of nothingness, her screams unheard over the pressure of her fall. She wanted so much to hold on to something, to stop the wind howling in her ears; however, she ended up wishing for death when darkness dominated her vision.And then, her back hit something hard.She gasped as she sat upright, catching her breath, as though she just swam underneath a deep ocean. It was hard for her not to notice the soft fabric of the hospital dress she’s wearing, as it was soaked with sweat. Her body’s still releasing more juices, though. It’s made it complicated to say she’s not bathing.Until she wiped the sweat on her forehead did she realize the wires glued in there. Brows furrowing, she looked around and was highly interested in the beeping sound; it came from a monitor sitting on a high chair, a line moving up and down from there. Beside it was a study table wi
On the last night of June, Z was sitting in the far corner of the Noble's Quarter's second floor. Her ash gray hair was disheveled, her hands pulling its strand every now and then. Lines were creasing her forehead as she stared down at the pile of parchment messily placed on the study table.Yawning, she rubbed her stinging eyes and cursed her teachers for giving too many tasks. Apparently, her one-week rest did not guarantee a sound preceding days, because the moment she’s been back, she was asked about her health.Knowing full well Granny’s capability, she told everyone who cared to ask that she’s perfectly fine, which she regretted afterward. The teachers thought it unwise to have a Noble left behind, so she’d been given the tasks she’s unable to accomplish while fighting death's rotting hand.She glared at Mr. Porche's back-to-back essay, as though by doing so, it’d finish itself. It’s about the importance of training. It’s been over an hour,
“Times up!” said Mr. Porche, his eyes intent on his sliver stopwatch, his jaw locked. Z couldn’t blame him for being frustrated, because even if she’s paying lesser attention, she’d notice the lameness of the first ten Nobles.The try-out was simple. All of them were given ten minutes to capture the flag that was positioned fifty meters from them. Of course, it was heavily guarded by a teacher Mr. Porche assigned. To be given points, they would have to run back with the flag without being caught by the assigned teacher, and also, they mustn’t exceed the given time. However, the first ten Nobles ran out of breath even before they could reach the flag.Well, in all honesty, Z didn’t believe that thirteen-year-old Shadowests were up to the challenge, but their adviser was determined to give everyone a chance.“Next!”Z didn’t know whether she’s imagining it or not, but she heard desperation locked in the stillness of his voice. She looked
“This is the second time she collapsed, correct?” said Hail absently, his arms crossed.Granny sighed, scanning her notes. “You appear to be right. The last time she lost consciousness, her brain locked itself to prevent any damage. Right now, however, her heart protected itself. Any more collapse and she’ll actually die.”Though her voice broke, she tried to ignore it by writing more data in her notes.“How does it work? This Shraine, I mean.”It took her a whole minute of silence, translating some of her ideas into words, before looking up. “It is the body’s defense mechanism. Once a Wielder release some of her energy, the system moves in itself to protect what must be protected, which is why whenever there’s an overlap or draining of energy, the mind and the heart itself creates a wall to turn down any possible deterioration. But even this so-called protective system also requires energy.”“So does this mean, Blame’s just weak? Or this has some