AQR1: A Peerless Genius from Two Cities [COMPLETED]

13: White Mask 1*

That night, pinaiwan ni Emy sila Lia at Veronica sa kwarto niya. Hindi na rin na naman nagtanong pa sila Grace at Anika at agad ding pumunta na sa quarters nila.

Dinalhan naman siya ni Lia ang tsaa at cookies gaya ng dati.

"How are your task for today?" Tanong niya sa dalawa.

Si Lia ang unang sumagot since naiwan lang naman siya kanina sa residence at nagsanay kasama ng Army ni Francis.

"The training they have given me for the day is intense. But I managed to learn all the lessons."

"Good. I have great expectations from you. I will need you to get stronger for the future."

Hindi man gaanong maintindihan ni Lia kung bakit palaging parang may pinaghahandaan ang miss niya, hindi na lang siya nagtanong pa.

"How about you, Veronica?"

"Gaya po ng sabi niyo, I continued observing that person you asked me to follow. It is still the usual routine for the day."

Napatango lang si Emy at pinag-isipan kung sino sa kanilang dalawa ang pagbibigyan ng trabahong iniisip niya.

Maya maya lang ay nagsalita na ulit siya.

"Veronica, follow that person as usual. Report to me if there's any changes in her routine. Also, drop by at Purple's Boutique to know kung may balita na ba doon sa pinapahanap ko sa kanila."

"I understand, Miss."

"Lia, I need you to provide me a black cloth, the kind that covers everything except my eyes, poisoned blades and some types of distractors for enemies. I need you to collect it as soon as possible."

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Bakas ang pagkagulat sa mukha ng isa't isa. Hindi na tuloy nakapagpigil si Veronica na magtanong.

"Miss, are you going in dangerous mission?"

"Miss, let me do it instead. We can't afford it if something will happen to you." Sabi naman ni Lia.

Nginitian niya lang ang dalawa bago itinuon ang tingin niya sa chess board sa harapan niya.

"I am sorry but this one can only be done by me. In order for the game to make some progress, a queen has to move a step. You don't have to worry though. I will make sure to come back in one piece."

"Miss..." Kokontra pa sana si Lia pero inunahan na niya ito.

"You are both dismissed now. I expect news from you one of these days."

Walang nagawa ang dalawa kundi ang lumabas na ng kwarto niya. Though, it was pretty obvious from their expressions how much they don't like the idea of their Miss doing missions by herself.

***

Two days passed by quickly at pasukan na ulit ng mga estudyante ng Grey Academy.

Hanggang ngayon ay usap usapan pa rin ng ilang estudyante ang tungkol sa pag-atake ng Black Council noong nakaraang araw.

Napailing na lang si Emy.

The Black Council must be feeling very accomplished right now. After all, that was their goal by attacking. They wanted to spread scare and make sure everyone would remember their presence. The more people were frightened by them, the more they had them on their necks.

Anyway, dahil pasukan na ay hindi na nakapasok sa loob ng campus sila Grace at Anika. But it was not like mag-isa lang siya sa pagpunta niya sa klase niya. Franco insisted na ihatid siya.

"I'll pick you up at lunch."

"Franco..."

"Don't complain." Tapos ay ipinatong pa nito ang isang kamay sa ulo niya.