X-Loves: From Another World
Chapter 17: Unexpected

Solaris has risen from the eastern horizon. The public is prepared to do their daily activities as usual. Merchants began their buying and selling activities in the city shops, and the Layang drivers prepared their vehicles to transport passengers from one island to another.

Things are not much different also happening at Jailolo National Magic Academy. The students were already in their classes early this morning, waiting for the teacher to teach them new knowledge. In Ha's class, a long blonde girl named Anna Sahilatua was seen talking to her boyfriend, Licia Salampessy. There was nothing special they talked about, other than the things that were commonly discussed in school.

“Hey, Anna, have you been working on your PR?” ask Licia.

“Dong already. It's all complete,” replied Anna.

“Hehe... Can you see for example dong? A little doang really, I have forgotten yesterday hehe..” said Licia while she was heartbroken.

“Well, didn't I invite you to do group work with Santika? Yesterday it was while doing this task too,”

“Ih... Anna is stingy..“ Licia immediately pouted to hear it.

“Well, how am I anyway?” anna was confused.

Anna and Licia, as time went on, their relationship was like a love hate relationship. Sometimes they fuss about things, but on the other hand they are actually friends with each other. Things are common between the two girls.

Meanwhile ‘partnernya’ Dwi Septianto was sitting in the back while writing something. He paid no heed to the quarrel between Anna and his best friend, as well as others around him.

“Hei, Dwi. What are you doing again?” ask a student.

“Nothing else, just nulis doang,” replied Dwi.

It seems that he is writing a number of sentences in the letters Rejang, the letters used by the majority in this Alternative Nusantara. He seems to be quite happy to write and study the script.

Shortly after, a teacher entered the room holding a number of books. Her name is Ms. Martha, she is a magic teacher who replaced Mr. Rudy during his service to Borneo.

The students who saw him enter the classroom immediately sat in an orderly manner. And just after Ms. Martha put her books on the table, she announced a thing to the disciples.

“Good morning, students. Before I continue the material yesterday, I want to announce something first. This is related to the National Magic Adu Tournament that will be held in the near future,”

“What? National Magic Scene Tournament?”

The disciples wondered about it, not least Anna who seemed foreign to the term. Martha continued her explanation.

“Accurate once. The National Witchcraft Tournament will be held soon, and this year Jailolo is hosting it. Students from various magic academies across the archipelago will gather and compete at Dukono Arena this month,”

The National Magic Adu Tournament, from its name is actually enough to describe what will be competed in the event. Witches from all over the archipelago will gather and compete for the title of champion. And since this year Jailolo is hosting it, it is certain that the Jailolo National Magic Academy will send its talented witches to take part in the championship.

“Tournament that brings together talented witches from all over the archipelago huh? Looks interesting,” Anna said.

“Pastile. The magicians from all over Nusantara will gather here. They must not be random people. Their fight must be epic,” override Licia.

Almost all students seemed enthusiastic about the tournament, not least Anna. In his heart he was very excited to see how the top tier magicians of the Archipelago fought each other. This was a happiness for the blonde girl. Moreover, he was more happy to learn witchcraft in this alternate world.

Amidst that slight commotion, Ms. Martha continued her explanation.

“Alright, students, I continue the explanation first. Since the tournament will be held here, Jailolo National Magic Academy has the opportunity to send its 6 best magicians to take part in this tournament,”

The students were talking again about who would participate in the tournament. But most of them had already predicted that it was the witches from the senior class who would follow the championship. Moreover, they were supported by magic abilities that were much higher than the juniors.

“Ah, at most only doang seniors who participate in this tournament,”

A student chirped said like that, but Ma'am Martha heard it and denied her words.

“Not like that, Abdul,”

“Eh..”

Ms. Martha is seen taking out a piece of paper tucked from her book.

“Because of the decision of the committee, this academy will include only junior students for this year. This was at once to measure their fighting abilities. And there happened to be 2 students of this class who were appointed by the principal to participate in this tournament,”

Hearing that made the disciples wonder, who would take part in the prestigious tournament. Some students seem quite doubtful his name is referred to as a participant, but there are also some students who confidently believe that he will be the chosen one.

“I'm sure. I've been training hard enough for a few months. I'm ready to be a fighter,”

“Ah... definitely not me anyway, my magic ability is still lacking,”

“Who is it?”

Not much different, Licia is also curious about who will be called by name as a tournament participant later. He wondered to Anna.

“Eh, Anna. Who will be the next tournament participant?”

“Come, for sure he is a great magic fighter,” Anna replied casually.

Meanwhile, Dwi seemed unconcerned about the announcement. Sometimes he was seen writing on a piece of paper on his desk. He seemed to be more happy to write with the new characters he learned compared to the prestigious tournament.

Shortly after, Ms. Martha read a paper she held. It was the name of the student who would be attending that tournament from this Ha class.

“Good. The two students from our class who were appointed to participate in the magic tournament were Anna Sahilatua and Dwi Septianto,”

“Eh...??”

“EHHH...??”

Unexpectedly before, Anna and Dwi's names entered as participants in the prestigious magic tournament. Suddenly it made them shocked, especially Anna who seemed to not believe and immediately moved from her seat.

“Iya, Anna. You and Dwi were selected as participants of this tournament,”

“But, why me, ma'am? I am still a beginner in magic. I also still have a lot to practice,” said Anna.

The blonde haired girl still could not believe what she heard, but Ms. Martha explained it straight back.

“Begini, Anna. You and Dwi have a very high value in the subject of witchcraft. It is enough to indicate that you are able to become a participant in this magic tournament. Moreover, I often see you practice magic even on Saturday and Sunday right?” obviously Ms. Martha.

“…”

Anna was silent to hear it. Since knowing what magic is, he was very interested in science that only exists in this alternate world. As a person who has a high curiosity, he is very passionate in learning the science every day. In addition, another reason he studied magic is who knows there is a spell that can restore himself to the real world.

“Alright, then it has been decided that Anna Sahilatua and Dwi Septianto will be the participants of this year's magic tournament. Practice hard so that you can win the title. All right, we proceed to our material yesterday,”

Anna sat back down and the teaching and learning activities returned to how they were. About 2 hours of lessons passed and Ms. Martha gave them a task.

“Alright, students. Do the work I give you before next week. Good day,”

Right after Ms. Martha left the room, the disciples immediately swarmed Anna and Dwi. They seem surprised and curious about their magic abilities so that they can be selected as participants of the magic tournament. No exception Licia who felt admiration for Anna.

“Whoa, so cool, Anna. You can be a magic tournament player. Your magic ability should be thumbs up,” said Licia.

“Eh, t-wait a minute. I'm still learning. I don't know much about magic, let alone tournaments,” Anna replied in stammering.

Yet as if not caring too much about it or perhaps the atmosphere was too noisy, the disciples, especially the female disciples continued to wonder at him. This made Anna confused to answer.

Meanwhile, Dwi was also mobbed by other disciples, though not as much as Anna. Some of them gave her compliments.

“Wah, how great you are, Dwi. What is the secret to being able to join the tournament?” ask a student.

“Hmm. Maybe I'm just a lucky capital. You guys should be better than me,”

Dwi answered him while ‘low’, then coldly took his bag and walked out of class, not caring too much for the friends who swarmed him. Anna who saw him immediately rushed to Dwi.

“Hei, Dwi,”

“What's up, Anna?”

“You were also selected as a participant, right? Whaddya think? What should we do now?” asked Anna confused.

“Yes, just follow the teacher. What else do you want?” replied Dwi with ease.

“Ah... You always just like that, How about our goals in the future?”

Hearing what he said, Dwi immediately approached the blonde-haired girl. He put his face close to Anna's ear. Her warm breath was so felt in her ears, making Anna slightly shudder. His face was also slightly reddened as the short-haired man was very close to him, only a few centimeters away from his cheek.

“Eh, what's up? Dwi?” anna asked in surprise.

Dwi whispered something to him.

“Follow the flow. We do what the teacher says. Later if there is a chance, then we move,”

“Chance? What kind of opportunity? When did it come?” ask Anna in a soft voice.

The girl seemed confused by what Dwi said. The short-haired man slightly sighed, then resumed his words.

“Huff. We have to remember what we agreed from the beginning. Let no one know our true identity, understand?”

“…”

 Anna answered nothing. He still seems confused

with what he has to do.

“Do not worry. I won't stay silent either. I'm gonna figure out a way to get us out of this shit as soon as possible. But for now we have to behave like different people first here,” continued Dwi.

“Hmm..”

Anna nodded. Finally, he understood a little about what Dwi said. Inevitably he also had to follow the advice of the man, moreover it was their agreement from the beginning.

Unexpectedly before, Licia suddenly cheered the two of them from the classroom door with the rest of the friends.

“Cie.. who are alone for the tournament later. Want a date, huh? Haha..”

“LICIAAA!!!”

“Hahahaha..

Anna who heard him instantly turned around and shouted at him with a reddened face. Meanwhile, Licia ran away from them while laughing out loud.

Unlike Anna, Dwi looked cold with their response. He also left that place.

“Train to make a permanent tour later. We have to keep fighting,” said Dwi while leaving him.

“Hmm...” Anna nodded again.

They have agreed to train harder for the tournament. Whatever happens, both must show their best magic skills, aside from their goal of finding a way to solve the problems in this world.