CHAPTER IX

The Other Half

Claude said that I’m not allowed to remove it on my hand. How could I remove it even though I want to I’m not allowed?

I’m not used to having some ornaments dangling from my hand. Sometimes it’s itchy. Maybe this fake? Bought just somewhere and Claude just gave it to me to have rashes.

“Don’t waste your time, you can’t remove it.” Sade took my hand and watched the bracelet carefully.

“Who’s that from Ceny, are you hiding something from me?” Clover is really a nuisance. She’s even eating my chocolates. She said that she doesn’t want to eat breakfast because she’s on diet, who is she kidding?

“And why are you here in my room this early?”

We don’t have cla.s.s today because all the preceptor has a Foundation meeting.

“And who is this?” Sade has a little boy with her and all he did is to examine my room. Has only been inside a room of other people?

“His name is Sugar,” Sade said.

“You should have told me if you’re going to make a baby club here, I should have come with you. Clover said jokingly. I just glared at her.

“Too ordinary.” The kid Sugar suddenly said. I don’t like the contour of the tongue of this kid.

“You kid, why are you here?” I pointed him.

“Why should you care? Eh, it’s what I want.” Stop me from pinching the side of this kid.

“Ceny he’s so cute. Kyaaa.” Clover went to Sugar and pinched his two cheeks.

“Stay away from me you woman!” Struggled Sugar. I just touch my head.

“He followed me over here. He said that he is bored.” Now Sade is looking at my sketch pad. Maybe Sugar is Sade’s cla.s.smate and decided to have a field trip in my room.

“Get out, shoo! I’m going to change and I’m have something to do.” Driving them away.

“What a bad girl! I said I miss you because I was sick for days, you didn’t even visit me!” Clover pouted.

“Quiet! I will pull your lips.” Clover hurriedly went out while holding her lips.

“I have work to do so I will leave you here, and Sugar you are going with me.” Sade went out first.

Sugar followed but he said something that surprised me. It’s only weak but I’m sure at what I heard.

“Your bracelet is pretty.”

—

—

—

I decided to meet the Headmaster today.

I wasn’t able to go yesterday because of Claude. Why am I being called?

“Cenedy!”

Rhoanne called me not far from me. She’s with Claude, Aiden, and Victoria.

Should I go? But I decided to avoid them.

I didn’t notice that they are already near.

“Why are you s.p.a.cing out?” Aiden said while holding my hand.

“He’s right, you didn’t greet us back, what happened to you?” Rhoanne asked with deep concern in her eyes.

“Guys it’s her concern. It’s up to her if she doesn’t want to tell.”

This is the first time I heard Victoria. She has short hair, I mean the same length as mine. She also has a fair skin and her presence is intimidating. Like you are talking to a queen.

Claude was just on the side and wasn’t talking. His eye bags are also gone. His face is brighter compared yesterday.

“My apologies. I’m Victoria Sein Grawn.” She extended her hand to me. She’s the one who controls the element of Lant or Earth.

“Ah… h.e.l.lo, I’m Cenedy Aceil Holsden.” I gladly accepted her hands.

“Where are you going Ceny?” Ask Rhoanne.

“I’m heading to headmaster office. Because I haven’t gone there yesterday.” Scratching my head. It’s embarra.s.sing, maybe the reason I was called might be because I’ve done something wrong.

“Hold up guys. WE have important things to do than to hang out with her. Let’s just let her go.” I sense venom in her voice. Is Victoria mad at me?

“Yeah, that’s okay. It’s better if I will go alone. It’s embarra.s.sing, I might have done something wrong, and you might hear it.”

“Guys, let’s go!” Victoria went ahead.

“Is it okay Cenedy?” Aiden asked looking in my eyes. I just give him a simple nod.

“We’ll go ahead Ceny. I also apologized for Vicky, she’s just like that.” Rhoanne explained. I guess I should not judge Victoria easily.

Then Rhoanne walks away. LEaving Claude.

He did not say anything, instead, he held my left hand. I flinch, what is he doing?… And raised the sleeve of my clothes.

The bracelet is there.

“Good.” That’s what he only said and walk away.

That’s it? He just looked if I had removed it or not? I just learned only now that Claude is weird.

—

—

—

Tok…

tok…

tok…

(sound of knocking)

No one answered so I just entered.

So this is the headmaster’s office. The room is just simple but the room is very s.p.a.cious.

There’s not that many things inside. A big table at the middle end of it and at the back is a large window that reach the ceiling. Opposite of it are books that are placed in a long bookshelves. The room is very cozy because of the brown, yellow, and gold motif.

“Hi Cenedy.”

“Sugar?” He came from the other door of the room. Why is that kid here? Is he lost?

“Why are you here?” Maybe he’s a relative of the headmaster or whatsoever.

“I’m here coz I like this place.” He eyes looked around. “Have you heard about The Tale of the First Mistress?” He asked.

First Mistress… If I’m not mistaken that’s the name of the painting in the library. Where I saw the weird book. The book that has no content.

“Do you know that the First Mistress is our source of power?”

Yeah power, but I don’t have one. I did not voice out because I noticed that he is being serious in his story telling.

Such a kid but acts like he is older than me. Oh well, I’m used to Sade that’s why I’m not that shocked at Sugar’s behavior.

“She balances everything. If she disappear, every Sceillian will also gone. In short he is the most important person in the world.” Sugar explained.

If it’s so. the Sceillian has a source. Why did I not know it? Is it because I’m not listening to the Sceillian history. Am I that bitter because I don’t have a Sceill?

“You seem amazed, aren’t you listening to your history?” He asked.

“Uh… no? Why bother if I don’t have an ounce of what you called power? You can’t blame me though.” I said as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

“But you’re a Sceillian you should have know that.” He said sarcastically.

“Yeah, pops.” I just rolled my eyes.

“But here’s a thing, it wasn’t in any book. The First Mistress is dying.”

My mouth hang open. I feel like the burdens is on my shoulder. But why am I feeling like this? It’s not like I really did care of all this s.h.i.+t. I mean I don’t have a Sceill so why do I feel this way?

“And what will happen?” I asked carelessly. I don’t have know what to ask but that.

“Honestly, I don’t know.” He said wearily.

“And why are you telling me this?” I asked with my raised brow.

“So you would know.” His tone slightly increased.

“Why do you want me to know?” I eyed him suspiciously.

“Because honestly. I just thought you are the Mistress’s other half.“

CHAPTER X

The Mistress

“The what?” This is completely ridiculous. I mean does he have to crack a silly joke in the middle of his story?

“I just hope I’m wrong, Cenedy.” He has a confused face and I’m sure it’s the same with me.

“Just who really are you?” Please, he is just a kid. I understand. After I met Sade, I’m not surprised at Sugar’s behavior. But everything about him is perfectly odd.

“I’m the Headmaster.”

“Excuse me?” Wait, did I hear it right or are my ears just playing tricks on me?

“When did you get deaf Cenedy?” He said while walking to the Headmaster’s table.

“But you’re just a child.” I really don’t understand. Our Headmaster is just a mere child?

“My apologies.” He snaps his right thumb and a green smoke slowly covered him. Then suddenly a man with a 6 feet height is now in front of me.

Blond hair, high cheekbones. Long nose and blue eyes. Everything about him screams foreigner. I mean a Greek G.o.d.

I thought the Headmaster of our school is old like Dumbledore.

“Done checking me out?” He smirked.

“But why?”

“I’m more comfortable if I’m a kid. I mean less power comes out of me.” I asked again. Because I really hate the topic about Sceill. Not that I’m jealous, but why waste time if I don’t have one?

“So what are you saying that I’m the Mistress other half?” I asked. I mean is this a joke time? Because seriously it’s not funny.

“I have to test my hypothesis. But I bet that you are. She had an eye on you the moment you stepped in this academy.” He sounds sure.

“I know that you’re just mistaken. You are just wasting your time to a Scape like me.” I want to go out of this room. It’s suffocating me.

” No Cenedy. I’m almost sure of it.”

“There’s the word ‘almost’, please, my mind been full of questions since last week.” I sound annoyed but he hasn’t given up.

“I wanted to tell you for a long time but this is the right time.” He stands up from sitting and pulled my arm.

“Right time? How come this is the right time? I was flooded with questions lately, and I bet this is the worst timing that you told me.” I almost shouted. I know my boundaries. He seems young but I know that he is the Headmaster that they all respected.

“Because of that book… The Book of the First Mistress finally showed itself to you.”

With that I faced him. “What do you mean?” I asked confusedly.

“The mysterious book you found in the library. Do you know that only a few can read it and to think that book has mind on its own.”

I am full of rage now. Everything seems a mess. Me? A Scape? How come?

I’m really annoyed now. They want me to this mess that in the first place I have nothing to do with it?

“Cut the c.r.a.p now. Please, you know, you’re just confused. I won’t believe even a tiny bit of what you said. So what if the book showed itself to me? It doesn’t a.s.sure you that it’s really me. You said that there’s a few.”

I nearly stormed out of the room when he said something that made me stopped.

“And what about those dreams that you have when you were young? I can explain all of those.”

I clutch the doork.n.o.b tightly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

CHAPTER XI

The Master’s Guardian

Ever since I was a child I don’t have any dream but to leave in the eyes of the Sceillians and live in peace like the simple people.

But like a birthmark or a scar, it’s impossible.

My parents are good enough to take care of a Scape like me. They are the reason why I lasted in the Academy.

*****

The surrounding is beautiful. Full of purple flowers around. My Favorite flower.

I can live here like forever. I can sense eternal happiness around here. I don’t want to leave here.

Just a few steps and I saw a girl not that far.

She is sitting on a tree. Because I didn’t see any people so I approach her.

“Cenedy.”

She has a very long hair. Her hair is white and there’s yellow in her eyes.

Only one thing in my mind… 

She’s so beautiful.

*****

“You don’t have to do this.” A voice said. That voice is familiar.

“I need to, this is the only thing I could do.” Answered by another voice. I’m sure I know who owns that voice…

Because it’s mine.

*****

“Cenedy,” The woman touched my two cheeks.

She smiled, I also smiled. She’s like an angel that I’ve read in books. Her face is so gentle.

Her white hair covered the other part of her ace.

“Do you know me?”

*****

“Stay here in your room! Don’t go out, understand!”

“Opo¹.”

“There a lot of people outside, the moment you’ll peek, you’ll see the consequences!”

“Opo.”

“You’re really useless!”

…

I don’t want to go back to this times…

Please help me.

Help…

Help…

—

—

“Help!”

“Cenedy!”

I woke up from my dream. A dream that even me is perplexed.

Claude’s face greeted me.

“C…Cl…Claude?” I looked immediately at the surrounding. This is really my room. But why is Claude here?

“You’re having a nightmare.” He said in a serious manner. I checked my bedside clock and it’s still 2:30am. It’s dawn.

“Why are you here?” I asked. Why is here in my room at this hour?

Instead of answering, he just stared at me silently. I also stared at his gray eyes.

“Tell me what did you talk about with the headmaster?”

“Are you here to ask me that?” Did he come here just to ask me that? Did he hear something while I’m sleeping?

What if he heard something?

“Uh…a…please tell me, I need to know.” I saw concern in his eyes or maybe it’s just my imagination.

Should I tell him? I know since yesterday, they are wondering about who I am, if they know about the headmaster and I are talking about. The questions will start. And that’s what I hate the most.

“Nothing.” I just acted plainly.

“Don’t lie. I sensed it.” His two brows met.

“Why should I tell you?” What is he, FC (feeling close)? Wow, such a person!

“d.a.m.n it Aceil, just say it!” He looks mad. Wait, why is he mad.

“Don’t raise your voice on me!” My voice also raised. What does he care about me?

“S…sorry.” Okay? That’s beyond my expectation. Claude is apologizing to me?

To think that he is a top MAje? Apologizing to a person like me? What’s his problem?

“Now, will you please tell me what you have talked about?” He said in a controlled tone.

“Look Claude. It’s nothing. It’s just a sort of misunderstanding.” I finally said it. I’m right, they are just mistaken. Mistaken me as the other half of the Mistress?

“I can feel your fear since yesterday. That’s why it’s best if you’ll tell me.” He is controlling his anger. In Claude’s nature, I know that he is not used that what he wanted was not being followed.

“Please Claude… And by the way, why do you care? What right do you have to meddle?” My voice raised. What right does he have to meddle with my affair?

“We are friends right?” He said in a high tone. He’s also mad.

“Bulls.h.i.+t! Do you think that I would buy that stupid c.r.a.p of yours? What do you think of me? Stupid?!”

I completely shouted. I don’t want the kind of people who suddenly ask me things that are obviously I don’t want to talk about because in the end I will the one getting hurt.

“Language! I don’t want to hear any of those coming out from you. I saw you going out yesterday. And I’m worried Aceil!” He also shouting.

I don’t really understand the att.i.tude of the Majes! Is this how they look at me? Weak? I’ve been dealing my own s.h.i.+t ever since and as far as I know, I’ve been okay with it.

“I don’t know you, I know you’re not that kind of person Claude. Don’t you understand that I don’t want to tell you? Are you really that stupid to not understand!”

After all these years, I only feel this mad now. In a way, I’m happy because I’m normal.

“Do you think I will leave here not knowing the reason for your conversation?” He held my arm.

“Please Claude, I’m so fed up with you… all of you Majes. The moment I met you, everything is messed up!”

I nearly cry. It’s the truth, the moment I met them there has been a lot of questions that’s been bugging me.

I’m thankful that my room is soundproof. If not, the whole universe would hear our shouts.

Claude suddenly went silently on my last statement… I suddenly feel guilty.

“Claude…I’m sorry, I…”

“It’s okay Aceil. You are right… but I have something I want to tell you…”

He stands up. His back is facing me.

“I’m really worried about you… Rhoanne treated you as a real friend, even Aiden, so don’t doubt us. We found a friend not because of our status but because of who we really are. And we are thankful for that.”

He continued. “Since yesterday… ah no, since the moment we met. I’ve been looking at you from afar. During the night I guarded you until you fall asleep… It’s because… I’m your Guardian… and you are my MAster Cenedy Aceil Holsden.”

With that, he suddenly disappears like a bubble.

1. Opo – Polite form of saying ‘yes’.