Ever since I tied the black silk cloth around eyes, I haven't had any unexpected ash turning episodes nor have I experienced any headaches or eye pains. It is as if I am normal now except for looking weird. Every time I sit on the patio, passerby stares mostly out of curiosity. I can't blame them, it's not often that you see a blindfolded man sitting creepily outside and reading a book.
Some overly curious neighbors even dropped by the house to ask my dad and aunt to ask about it. Aunt Lei and Dad would just reply each time with " He developed an extreme sensitivity to light and the cause is still unknown ". And the neighbors would look at me with pity not knowing that I can see them well and sometimes I would just burst out laughing.
One day after one of the neighbor's visit he called me to the living room along with Aunt Lei.
" You will have to move to a different school starting this fall. I have already mailed the necessary transfer documents and requests. Earlier today I have received a letter from the admissions team regarding your acceptance."
I remember the conversation Aunt Lei and Dad about sending me off somewhere, so this is what they meant by this.
"This is where your mom finished her studies, and your Aunt Lei too but after the incident there 20 years ago your mom and Aunt would not want you to step foot on that school. But we all know you need to go there now, you need to" He looked far away and was lost in deep thoughts when my Aunt broke the silence.
"We won't be able to go with you and I think all of this is unfair to you specially since your dad never asked if you would want to go. That place spells danger and surviving the school would not be an easy feat. If you don't want to go, just say so. And your dad should honor whatever it is you have decided.
" My dad was about to reply his protest but changed his mind at the last minute and just kept quiet.
"I'll be fine. I knew school and a new town is probably what I need now. But aunt, you went to school there, then you should give me a rundown of what the school there looks like." I spoke.
"The city itself is beautiful. It's like a one of those myths, I'd say it is a cross between the Incan City of Gold and Atlantis. It's different. It's where being superhumans are normal and the school you'll be sent to will teach you how to use it. But there, danger and deaths lurk, and there will be people who would want your powers for themselves." Her looks become distant like she was remembering a very unpleasant past.
My dad stood up and handed me an envelope with a seal that reads.
Exalted Academy of Ventrecia
Royal City
Royal City I haven't heard of such a place in the news, and Ventrecia I was told my mom and aunt went there but they did not talk about it much until just recently. I felt I needed to do some research, so I got up and search the web for anything that would give me additional information about the school and the city. I can't find anything even conversations in the web that mentions the place it is as if some magic would automatically erase any data related to it.
I remember the locked book in my mom's book maybe if I managed to open it then I'll find some information about the place. I hurriedly run upstairs and headed back to try all the key pick locking techniques I can find on the web. I have been there for several hours and I was so invested with what I was doing that I did not notice that my dad is standing behind me looking over my shoulder.
"What the hell are you doing" then his eyes saw the book I was trying to open on the table and his eyes widen in recognition. I was waiting for him to say something but again he was tight-lipped as ever.
"You recognize that don't you, that's from mom. Can you try to act as a dad and help me out here? That book has knowledge that I feel I need to know" I said irritably.
He tore his eyes away from the book to look at me and said, "Secrets have their way of revealing themselves in the most appropriate time. That's what your mom always said... Besides if that book's secret is truly for you, you will need to prove yourself worthy of that secret... I have to get some fresh air" and he went out of the door so fast that I didn't even gotten the time to question him about it.
I went over my mom's portrait and looked at her. She is beautiful with her vivid blue eyes and dark hair, but people says that I look more like my father. I have my father's sharp cheekbones, light gray eyes, and beautifully sculpted nose. "Mom why doesn't anyone tell me anything. Even you. You gave me a glimpsed of a different world back at the hospital, but you did not leave enough information for me to start with. I am totally at lost where to start. But whatever it takes I will find out everything and Ventrecia would be the perfect place to start."
Fall came, it was time to leave for the Royal City where the school. I was told that the school has already arranged for our means of transportation. The Royal City based on my aunt story is halfway across the globe and is located in an uncharted island. There are other means of going in and out of the city but for newcomers like we have to travel using the Queen Ship. Dad and Aunt Lei went with me to the port to make sure I boarded the correct ship. Queen Ship looks is a fusion of medieval and modern style and how such amazing ship architecture becomes functional is beyond me.
" Be safe and don't always keep you blindfold on. Don't be an airhead and always keep your temper on check. We both know that messes up a lot of things. Did you bring all that you need?" Aunt Lei asked.
I looked at my luggage to make sure my mom's wooden box is there. I nod to Aunt Lei and look at my dad to say my farewells too. His face is a mixture of worry, regret, and resignation. He taps me on my shoulder and said " Don't forget to use your brains. Learn and discover as much as you could. Keep safe and write to as fast if you feel something is really off".
My father's parting words is his most heartwarming message in my 18 years of existence, so I hugged him and showed my boarding pass to the pirate looking man in white. He looked for my name in the manifesto and gave me a room key. "You'll be sharing the room with others of your age. Your school guide will be housed in the adjacent room.
" ** The room has two double decked bunkers. One bunker is already occupied by a girl who was reading a book and at the lower deck is occupied by a boy who shows a striking resemblance to the girl. The boy is tinkering with what looks like sa mini car. The upper deck of the other bed is also occupied by a boy whose bed is full of candies, chocolates, and gummies. In truth they are no longer boys and girls, they are around the same age as I am.
I said hi but no one even bothered to look at me. I sat on my bed and pretended to look at my stuff to cut the awkwardness when someone entered and shouted. "
"Ray dude!! The ants would probably crawl up to your ears later when you are sleeping and drink your blood with all those sweets you are eating!! I am sure all the mosquitoes in your house are now dead with complications from diabetes!!"
"Shut up moron" said the person he called Ray while throwing three candies in succession toward the noisy guy who managed to dodge all of them but hit the guy on the other bed! "Ouch!!" he said.
"Ooops sorry Ivo!!! What do you think you guys are doing? You are tinkering stuffs again and Yva there is deep in her books!! Don't you have any other meaningful things to do!! No wonder no one would even dare to date the two of you! Total nerds!! said Mr. Noisy guy as he absentmindedly sat down beside me. I looked at Ivo and saw him raised his hand and mini pointed icicles started shooting out from toward our directions. I immediately ducked to avoid the hit and Mr. Noisy guy fended off all the icicles and laugh.
"Ooops you should really say sorry to this guy Ivo!! You almost killed a blind man!!
" I raised my head and look at him. " I am not blind " I said. "What's with the blindfold getup!! Is that a hip thing from where you are from?" he said laughing. " Just kidding, I know who you are you are the transferee. Your name is Zaid, right? I am Raze and that guy who tried to kill you is Ivo and he sister Yva!! The hungry man on your upper bed is Ray! Welcome to the club, I officially designate myself as your newbie guide. I'll tour you around, everywhere. I sleep in the opposite room, but they used to be my roommates during travels before you took my damn spot!! He said grinning "So that thing in your eye you can't take that off?" I shook my head.
Ivo butted in and said " Zaid is it? Don't let him take that off and sorry about almost hitting you earlier. A few more days of travel and you would definitely feel the urge to knock that pink haired asshole sitting beside you!!
"We heard a loud siren sound and felt the ship floor moves which signals we are already leaving.
"Oh, I have to go, I'll be back later!! I still have to tell you stories about our school!!" Raze said before he left.
True enough Raze toured me and told me stories which is a lot more than I hoped the entire days travel to Ventrecia.
To be continued...