The Scepter of Marahuyo

Chapter 032

I instinctively close my eyes when I see the gunong on my right. Instead of sharp pain, Senyor Pablo hits me with his fist.

“Dead,” he says. I look at the gunong that should have pierced my right side. Instead, it’s on the ground, dropped by Senyor Pablo. “If that's actual combat, an old man has already killed you.”

“You’re good,” I praise.

“No, you’re just bad.” 

I wince with his honesty. He reaches down to his other gunong and hands it to me. “I’m not sure what the Academy was teaching you in combat, but you are mediocre. You’re not gonna win the Scepter selection with that, unless you’re very lucky.” 

In my previous timeline, I did become fortunate.

“You’re small, so train with two gunongs instead. You should learn from Master Deborah.”

I frown. 

“She’s the smallest warrior amongst the participants and yet, she won the Sword selection.”

I study Senyor Pablo’s built. Even as an old man, one can see that he’s got a good body during his younger years. He’s still around 5’5 in height; No bulge around the stomach; And a sturdy chest. Aaron might have inherited his built from him. 

“Do it like this,” the old man starts and swishes the two gunongs. “Repeat this a million times until Friday night.”

I nod and do as I am told.

“Also, like what I’ve always told you. Don’t get yourself injured during your training with Deborah.”

I look at him, confused. 

“No, I’m not mimicking my grandson. The selection runs continuously for days. If you get injured at the start or at the middle, that will put you in a disadvantageous situation.”

I nod again. The last time, the selection went on for a week. Since they tested us as if we were applying for the Quill position, no one got injured among the Scepter selection participants.

“I will also have sessions with Nico,” I supply.

“Nico? Ah! That young kid.”

He’s not that young, I think. Nico is over six feet and huge. If someone looks like a kid, I better fit that description, but only of height and stature.

“What are you gonna do with him? Hopefully, not something perverted?”

“Ugh,” I groan. Thankfully, Aaron did not inherit this side of him. But since Master Orson acts like this, maybe Senyor Pablo got it from him instead? “We’re gonna do combat every month, to test my progress, I think.”

“Oh. That’s good. If he joined the Selection, Deborah might have a rival then.”

“He’s that good?” I ask.

“Yes. Smart too. But Deborah is more cunning. He’s more straightforward, that’s why he didn’t take part.”

“How did you know that?”

“Deborah. That’s why she got him as her assistant. She says, ‘His talents will be wasted if I don’t make use of it.’”

I nod. I didn’t know that these three had such a connection that they would discuss these things.

“But I’d say you better prepare. When will be the start?” he asks.

“Next weekend,” I answer and look at my two injured hands. I just hope that by Saturday, they are all healed.

***********************

“Why do you want to talk to him?” Ethan asks me one morning while we are taking a refresher class about the history of Quads. As always, the usual gang, Cara, Aicelle and Al, are with us.

“I’d like to ask for any updates about their investigation on Master Orson’s death,” I whisper and peek at the teacher talking about the process of selection for each Quad.

“You do know that Axel is some kind of a superstar? You can’t talk to him that easily. Also, he’s a busy man.”

“But I hear he’s planning to take you in as a protege.”

Ethan takes a deep sigh. In my previous timeline, there is a rumour that Axel is interested in him for winning the popularity contest and being the best mage in Marahuyo. However, it never happened. I never asked why before because I was afraid of knowing, scared that the reason would only rub me of my mediocrity. I was also afraid to hate Ethan. I have always desired Axel’s acknowledgement. I still want it now, but not as much as before.

“Holly, that’s not true. It’s true that Axel called for me, but because of Master Orson’s death, not to take me in as an apprentice.”

“He’s not an Axel fan,” Aicelle whispers beside me. “Ethan doesn’t like him.”

I look at Ethan. I didn’t know he disliked anyone. He’s charming and kind to everyone. It’s the reason for his popularity. 

“Why would I like the guy? He’s only a Sword for a few years,” Ethan justifies. “Besides, he’s from another nation.”

I remember now. He’s the only one who says that he was expecting Axel to retire as Sword after only a few years. 

“He’s just jealous,” Al says. “Master Axel is a genius warrior. He became a Sword when he just became eighteen years old.”

“A Scepter and Sword focuses on different unique skills.”

“They’re similar in the case of physical prowess. Besides, your ability can be easily mistaken as that of a warrior rather than a mage.”

“Mine is powerful.”

“Only because you’re blessed by an anito. If not, warriors can easily surpass you.”

“That’s enough,” I scold Al who just shrugs his shoulders. Then I shift my attention to Ethan. “That’s why you need to connect me to him, before he retires as Sword.”

“Axel will retire? I knew it!”

I click my tongue for my mistake. “I mean retire as Sword on the investigation.” I correct myself.

Ethan frowns but continues. “I told you. I only met him once. Ask Master Suvayan instead. He’ll not throw you away as you are Master Orson’s foster daughter.”

“I’m not--”

“His daughter. We’ve heard that a million times already. No one believes you.”

Al snorts. “She’s just saying that so she’ll get away from Master Orson’s fame.”

Scathing, I know. But I am already used to Al’s personality. I am even starting to think that it's beneficial for us. For our years of friendship, he’s always been a voice of reason, albeit saying it negatively.

“That’s only because she’s not fond of fame, unlike Ethan,” Aicelle supports.

“But she’s so hung up with Axel, the epitome of Fame,” Ethan says.

“Even I can’t help Axel’s charms, right Aicelle?”

Aicelle smiles. “Who wouldn’t be? He’s a total hunk! Very smart and handsome!”

“And that rugged look! Any girl would fall for him.”

“And that shoulder length hair tied at the back? Fits his style so well,” Aicelle says and bites her lower lip to make a point. 

“Someone’s getting thirsty for a man,” Al sneers.

“Hey! That’s vicious! Aicelle’s right. No one can fight off that charm! And to think that Holly studied under him for a while.”

“And abandoned later,” Al adds.

I swallow and notice when Aicelle hits Al’s head with her book. Al grumbles but doesn’t fight back. He knows why Aicelle hit him. I’ve always been insecure when Axel gave up the responsibility of training me. I don’t blame him though. When he met and saved me, he was just a teenager, even younger than we currently are.

“Cara, are you aware that I am here?” Ethan changes the subject.

Cara winds her arm around his. “Of course, my love for you is different.”

I snort and nudge Aicelle beside me. “Since when have they been like this?” I ask.

“Since the popularity contest,” she answers.

”And you only got yourself to blame,” Ethan says. “If not for you, I wouldn’t know that Cara lusts after me this much.”

“Hey!” Cara complains and hits his chest. “Don’t listen to him. We haven’t done it.”

Now, that’s surprising.

“Holly doesn’t believe you guys,” Al laughs, as if voicing my opinion.

“Nevermind that,” Cara says. “What was the name of that guy with you again?”

“Aaron?” I ask.

“He’s cute, but not your usual type.”

“Girls are weird,” Al shrugs his shoulders. “What’s wrong with the Aaron guy? It’s obvious he’s smitten with Holly. If it’s me, I would always choose him over Master Axel.”

“Why would you even know he’s smitten with her?” Aicelle asks.

“I saw him at the festival. Seen him sometimes, Monday morning or Friday afternoon, and the way he looks at Holly is the same as how Cara looks at Ethan.”

“Oh, so that’s how much Cara desires me,” Ethan says and wiggles his brows. 

“Just shut up, Al, okay? If you don’t, students will feast on you while you’re fixed like an art on Academy walls,” Cara warns, and we all know that it’s not a threat.

To be continued...