24 Chapter 22: Physical Abilities (1/2)

| 4 YEARS LATER |

”Yo, Glow! Wait up!” I heard Ana's voice.

A tap from behind me and behold that cheeky girl appeared.

”Ana! What took you so long?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

I only hoped she wasn't foolishly stalking some good looking kid somewhere.

”Urgh, don't even mention it. As usual it's that witch.” Her eyebrows formed a frown.

I couldn't help but titter a little, ”Come on, that stupid secretary isn't all that scary, you know?”

”Ha! To you, may be. You're the expert.” Analise suspiciously stared at me, surveying me head to toe, ”How do you hide so fast anyway? In fact, where do you hide? It's almost as though you vanish the moment that witch enters the room!”

Even though she was dum- I mean, slightly more slow witted than most people, her intuition was spot on!

Over the course of the past four years, tricking Analise was easier than everyone else, but if her suspicion rose even a bit, then she was like the shadow of Sherlock Holmes.

Not to mention how her mouth ran faster than a horse. There was no way I would expose about the secret passageways to her of all people... The whole school will be in danger!

”I'm lucky, that's all. Besides everyone knows she is out to get me. I get help from others from time to time as well.”

”And who might these 'others' be? I, for, one have never seen these people you speak of.” Lucy attacked from the other side.

”Perfect,” I thought to myself. ”I dodge one bullet and out comes the other.”

If Analise was the shadow, then Lucy was Sherlock in disguise. What a combo!

”Actually you have seen them, but you've never paid any attention to them.” I pretended to avoid the main topic, ”Besides, we all know that if someone as smart as you cannot find me, then Jo Lin will never be able to catch me!”

”Hmm~”

I hated that sound Lucy made. I was well aware what that tone of voice indicated. A knife to my throat, to be exact.

”Hahaha! So true!” Analise agreed with me, laughing heartily, not even understanding the hardships bubbling within me.

My stomach growled loudly in all this tension and from the way people around me snickered, I was sure everyone heard. I shrunk in embarrassment, not knowing what to cover... my face or my stomach.

As far as my two smartass friends were concerned, well, they laughed loudly along with the crowd.

”It is lunch break, of course I'm hungry... you girls are so cruel!” I muttered, feeling ashamed and fleeing towards the cafeteria ('lunch area' as they call it in this world).

__________

___

”Hello, Miss Adel, how are you?” I greeted Ms. Adel with a broad smile.

”Gloria! What a pleasant surprise! I see you're skipping class as usual.” Miss Adel greeted me the usual way.

It's not like she's ever reprimanded me for not going, but I can't help feeling guilty every time she said that. Somehow, the more I compared her to my grumpy mom back home, the less they seemed alike.

”I can't help it. Your Secretary has too much time on her hands to stalk me.” I winked at her, stating my recent problems.

”I understand what you are implying... let's see what I can do.” Miss Adel winked back with a slight nod.

”You know me so well, Miss Adel!”

It's so strange that even in the past 3 and a half years, we're still not friends. Don't get me wrong, I get that we are casual around each other and are not exactly on the same level as acquaintances anymore, but it's not like we're chummy with each other either. I, for one, have never really asked Principal Adel regarding her personal life... ever.

In a sense, she already knew a lot about me, no doubt. I respect her and I'd love to get to know her better. But, I also want to keep being distant like so, a little while longer...

”Should I tell her I saw the Secretary wandering around in one of the secret passages?” I thought at the back of mind, sighing heavily, ”Nah, may be later. So long as I'm not caught, it doesn't really matter, I suppose.”

Ms. Adel cleared her desk that was filled with paperworks. I helped her out a little, but she was persistent that I don't move while she handles her own junk.

Well, thanks to her habit of doing her own work, even the Secretary dares not disturb her without reason.

”Speaking of which, since the kitchen is empty right now, and you have a basket full of snacks (again),” principal Adel's eyes were twinkling, ”would you be a dear and brew some of your exquisite tea, like last time?”

”What,” I whined, complaining as usual, ”Now??”

”Please sweetheart... my mind has been aching since morning...”

She was acting, yet again.

”Sure... and I wonder who it was, the one laughing hysterically at 9 am during the morning assembly today when the Secretary sat on a whoopee cushion (my doing) and embarrassed herself.”

”Bu-but Miss Adel! It's just 2 pm!” I insisted.

”Precisely why you'd better go sooner than later.” She was quite demanding, ”The cooks will be back after an hour or so. They will be preparing for a few things today.”

We had a brief staring competition.

”Fine!” I agreed with a huge pouty face.

”I can't just refuse her now. She will definitely trick me into brewing some for her later on, anyway!” I lamented on past experiences.

...

After having tea, I packed up everything and promised to go back and do the afternoon classes. While it was true that I had no intention of skipping, however, while going through the secret passages... I noticed a black figure lingering nearby.

By instinct, I hid behind the bushes as soon as I got outside. A moment too late and I would've been caught...!

”Good thing I've never stopped practicing my reflexes...” I sighed with relief, ”but who-”

The answer presented itself as the person turned around. I flinched, almost revealing myself, but quickly withdrew.

The Secretary... of course.

”She's so close...” I thought nervously, ”don't tell me she knows about this passage too.”

However, contrary to my beliefs, she turned around and was just taking the left turn.

I had two options. One, leave the suspicious secretary wearing a brown robe in the middle of day, alone. Or Two, follow her to fulfill my curiosity.

I chose the latter option. So I followed her.

Every step of the way, I had to be careful. There was no time to clear my thoughts or turn around and walk away.

The trees and bushes were getting thicker and thicker. Thank God, I was small in size and flexible enough. Otherwise things would've gotten a lot worse.

She stopped in front of a dirty wall covered by mud and vines. If I didn't see so for myself, I would have never believed that Jo Lin would transverse through it.

”My mind is blown.” I mumbled to myself and about five seconds later, went through the vines myself.

Honestly it would be much more easier if I had the cloak with me, but I never expected an outcome like this to happen.

Seriously, living in peace has numbed my survival instincts.

Usually the secret passages I've seen so far have all been quite lit up. Yet this one was as dark as charcoal. I couldn't use something to brighten up the place because Jo Lin would notice me. Besides, the ground was slippery and wet.

It was a pain in the ass. I truly regretted not choosing the first option.

The moment I relaxed my muscles a little bit, something creaked... like a door, and bright light beamed into the passageway. I hid in the shadows, panting and fixing my breath.

”I've never heard a passage door sounding so... creepy. Is it rusty?” I thought to myself, trying to take short breaths, ”More importantly...”

I turned, poking my head out, ”she didn't notice my presence, right?”

The Secretary walked in silence, out of the passage and into the light. My eyes were still hazy.

In light steps, I followed the Secretary. However, I didn't go over to the other side. I remained by the door, hiding stealthily. (A/N: Idiot MC.)

Before I saw anything else, the door creaked shut. Darkness was everywhere, once again.

Then it happened again. My eyes felt bright and burning. In a few moments, I could see the cave (?) clearly. This was the second time I've felt this sensation ever since that incident back at the dorm room three and a half years ago.

It was strange and nostalgic, but my eyes felt hot. It was slightly painful, but anything was worth it rather than being stuck here.

”There should be a way to open the door.” I muttered, quite desperately, ”Miss Adel told me before that there's always a switch. So...”

And there it was!

The only problem was 'if' the door would make a loud noise again. In case someone heard it from the otherside, in worst case scenario if that someone just happened to be the secretary... I'd be f**ked up. (A/N: As much as you hate reading '*' I hate writing '*' every time. But, I don't want to be reported, so I'm playing it safe.)

”But what choice do I have?”

”Here goes nothing!” I prepared for the worst as the door opened.

It creaked, yes. I jumped and hid behind the third bookshelf to my right.

The bad news was that Jo Lin heard the squeaky sound and came rushing towards the door. The good news was that she arrived after I jumped, so I'm safe.

I peered towards her direction and used the books as a shield.

She was confused and silent for a while. Then she looked left and right cautiously. I tried to stay as still as possible. If I so much as flinched, she might notice me.

The library in M.T.S is the Continent's fifth most largest Library.

It's divided by two sections. The Regular Section used by Years 1 to 3, and the Upper Section used by Years 4 to 7 (and teachers). The Regular Section is actually allowed to be open to the whole school, but specifically meant for the juniors who were restricted from using the Upper section.

Why am I babbling all this? Well, right now, I'm in that very Regular section of M.T.S's library.

”Its weird...” I began thinking deeply while also warily observing the Secretary, ”why would she come here through a secret passage like that? If anything, with the power and access she has, even if she were to waltz in the Library at midnight, only a fool would stop her.”

”Excuse me.” A light tap on my shoulder.

”Yaah!” I screeched and stopped short.

It was someone, seemingly older than me in age, but a junior.

”Oh no.” I flinched to turn and see.

Jo Lin had definitely heard my scream. She was coming this way...!

”$%#%#$#@#$!”

I was freaked out of my wits.

”Did she recognize my voice? Should I get rid of the witness?” I panicked, silently.

”Ah,” the boy in front of me looked past me and had a small smile on his face. ”I got you, please climb into that box over there.” He pointed.

”???” I stared at him confused, but didn't have the time to argue.

I climbed into the carton and he closed the lid above. I felt some weight on top of me. Possibly books?

”You there!” I heard the Secretary's voice.

”Yes Ma'am?” The boy responded, his voice sounded calm, not scared in the least.

”Were you the one making noises in the library just now?” Jo Lin's voice was strict and I'm 90% sure she had some suspicion combined in her tone as well.

”Noise? No ma'am,” the boy acted surprised, I think, ”I am here with my classmates on a group project assigned by Mr. Frost. They're in table 35, over there. I apologize if they made a mistake somehow...”

”Hmm,” the Secretary's voice sounded displeased, ”Mr. Frost, is it? I'll be sure to check.”

”Ah... yes.” The boy replied.

”What is your name?” The Secretary asked.

”Brian Aqua Fedel, ma'am.” The boy introduced himself.

”It seems you at least have manners, so I will let it go. For now.” Jo Lin's voice sounded even more unsatisfied.

”But if I find out you were lying to me just now, then mark my words, boy.” Her voice turned scarier, ”Your days in M.T.S will officially end.”

”...”

Silence followed after that.

”How much longer must I be stuck here?” I thought, agonizing in pain. ”I'm a ten year old girl for Pete's sake!”

After a few minutes passed by, the lid opened and I was pulled up. My muscles felt numb. Thank goodness two girls held me from both sides and helped me out...

”Th-thank you.” I was short of breath, after trying to control it for so long.

”Kyaa~!”

The two girls helping me squealed and I felt the sensation of that in full impact.

”I cannot believe that SENIOR Gloria is thanking us...!” Another boy beside Brian exclaimed, elevated.

”... I see.” I faked a smile and tried to collect myself.

”Excuse me,” I got their attention, but the embarrassment was eating me up inside, ”it might seem presumptuous of me, but I just want to ask you guys... are you by chance, my fans... or something?”

”YES!!” they all replied in unison, loud and clear.

”No wonder they helped me without any reason...” I thought to myself, ”so that's why.”

”I hope you guys won't tell anyone about this little event with Miss Secretary, okay?” I suggested with a smirk plastered on my face. I had to act confidently so they wouldn't ask me silly unwanted questions.

”If you do, then I'll be in big trouble. In exchange though, how about I help you guys with your homeworks for today? I don't like being indebted to others, you see.”

___________

___

”No Alison, you made an error in that spell.” I pointed out to her, ”Please go through it once more. See, you've written 'eceta', whereas it should be 'ecera'.”

”Ah. Silly me, thanks!” Alison blushed, full of joy.

”Looks like having your idol for a tutor isn't as helpful as I thought.” I felt somewhat guilty, with just the thought of it, ”But I'm glad these kids are attentive and hardworking!”

I was relieved. They saved me and they promised not to speak a word of that incident as long as I helped them study.

But I wonder why I keep feeling that I've forgotten something rather important...

”Why is magic important?” Brian asked a question from the text book.

”To morph, to mend, for chaos and for growth.” I replied, exactly matching my answer to the book.

”Yeah, but I can't write that. I have to explain this in my own words...” he sulked.

”Haha,” I snickered, ”that's 'cuz you need to understand the importance of magic and the weigh it carries.”

”That's true,” Alison nodded.

”Oh! Oh! I know!” Maqila raised her hands up high, expecting to be praised.

Her voice was quite loud.

”Shh...!” I exclaimed, ”Turn your voice down.”

”Ye-yeah, sorry.” Maqila whispered, ”I know the answer. In my opinion, magic is something which is only possible by the use of mana. Mana is used in everything everyday, so it's as important as breathing.”

”Your answer is strange.” Orion was quick to point out, ”It doesn't make sense.”

”You have another opinion, smarty-pants?” Maqila raised her voice again.

This time Brian and Alison shushed her.