Hell University (English Translation)

Zein's POV

"GOOD morning, class," greeting of the Physics Teacher, Ms. Kath.

No one bothered to greet her. "Before anything else, I have a big announcement." excitement was visible in her eyes.

She looked happy to announce it, but I had a different feeling about what might happen.

"It's been a long time since this event happened. But now, we are happy to announce that there will be an acquaintance party."

Our class became even quieter. Ms. Kath's smile grew wider.

Acquaintance party? Shouldn't we be excited too? Why do we feel the opposite now? Is that really good news?

"Ms. Kath?" Celine stood up.

"Yes?"

"It doesn't seem like it would be good to have a party," she said politely.

"I am sorry to say this, but we can't do anything about it. Madam Violet has finalized it, and it will be on Friday at the Wide Space."

"You can do it because you have the higher positi-"

"Enough, Celine. Okay, let's start the class."

Celine did nothing but sit down. The girl next to her patted her shoulder.

Ms. Kath didn't give any other information. It seemed like they were planning something and thought we were dumb not to notice it.

I grinned. We're not the fools they thought we were! We won't fall for whatever they're planning. We'll prepare for that.

__**__

It was break time. My friends and I were in the cafeteria. HU had only one cafeteria, which was triple the size of a typical one. It was like a restaurant. Waiters went around to take orders and bills, so students didn't have to stand or line up.

"Are you feeling better, Matt?" I asked after taking a bite of my spaghetti.

I couldn't help but notice Mia, Vanessa, and Dave's teasing looks. Jerome was grinning like a fool. They knew I had a crush on Matt.

"Yeah. I'm sure there's no poison left in my body because of the chili," Matt laughed.

I laughed too, making our friends frown as they looked at us. They didn't understand what we were talking about.

"Alright guys, when can we get out of here?" Vanessa asked wryly.

"Dave and I went back to the gate we went in, but surprisingly, it was gone. There's just a very high wall there," Jerome said in confusion.

"They are planning something," Matt said out of nowhere.

"Something? What do you mean?" Dave asked.

"I don't know what it is. But I can feel it."

"I have a plan," I said.

They looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

"We didn't know anything about HU when they let us in here. We don't even know who runs it. No one wants to give us information. They're making us look like fools."

"What do you mean?" Dave asked.

"Matt's right, they're planning something, and we could be part of it. If we can't get out of here, the only thing we can do is fight. We'll kill anyone to survive. We need information."

If we don't act and just act foolish, we might not last long in this world.

"Celine, she knows something," Mia said.

She noticed that too, when Celine reacted about the acquaintance party. We just need to talk to Celine.

"How? They're avoiding us as if they're afraid of us. How can we approach them and ask them questions?" Vanessa asked.

"I'll take care of it," I said.

"What about the gangs here? What if we get caught even more, or maybe Celine will get hurt if we force her to help us?" Matt asked.

He's right. Two gangs are fighting in HU: the Black Blood Gang and the Devil God Warrior. I know they'll stop her. But how did this group even form, and what are they fighting for?

"Let's not involve the gangs. Let's not interfere with them," Dave said, terrified.

"We can understand everything better if we know the history of HU," I said.

"Why are you overreacting right now?" Mia snapped at Dave.

"N-No," Dave stammered. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt. It's right that we should focus more on the history of HU, but let's stay away from them as much as possible."

Dave had a point. I suddenly thought of Nicky. She's a BBG member. She knows something, but I know it's impossible for me to get information from her. Maybe instead of getting information, I'll end up a cold corpse. That girl is dangerous.

We exchanged ideas on how to get information that won't harm us. After eating, we didn't waste any more time. We split up and did what we agreed to do. Mia and Vanessa went to the library. Matt, Dave, and Jerome went wandering around campus looking for clues. I was the one who offered to talk to Celine.

__**__

I QUICKLY stood up from the bench and approached Celine and some of her friends when I saw them walking towards my seat. They backed away when I was in front of them.

"Wait! I won't hurt you. We need your help," I stopped them.

"D-Don't come near us, you'll get involved," said the girl with Celine.

My forehead furrowed. "We were involved as soon as we entered HU. So please, we really need your help, Celine." I almost knelt down in front of her so she could agree.

The other students also looked at us as if my conversation with them was a big deal.

"Please…"

Celine sighed before motioning for me to follow her. She walked away from her friends.

"First of all, would you trade your life for the information I'm about to tell you, Zein?" she asked seriously.

My chest tightened as I thought that the information I would get would be the only thing that would ultimately cost me in this hell. My mind tried to deny it, but do we have a choice? There wasn't, right? We'd rather know something about HU than die without a fight.

"Tell me everything you know," I replied wholeheartedly.

"You're brave, Zein, but you're just like them. You let your curiosity take you away."

I admit that curiosity was the only thing that dominated me before, but now it's different. Our lives are at stake here. I remained silent, waiting for Celine to tell me what I needed to know.

"This university used to be called 'Philippine High University' or, better known as PHU, back then," Celine began. "A famous university that only the rich could enter. Until a greedy leader took over the university, Dr. Quizon, a mad and wealthy scientist. Cunning and willing to do anything to gain wealth and power."

Celine took a deep breath and continued, "We used to be able to go in and out of campus. Until one day, everyone was surprised when the way out suddenly disappeared. The mad scientist hid the university throughout the Philippines. The university's disappearance wasn't announced on the radio, television, or newspapers. Our parents searched for us for months, but nothing. We were still here. Until they received a letter from HU with the rules to keep us alive. They tried to control our parents so that they could do nothing but follow the school's wishes. It's sad to think about it, but I am one of those students trapped in this hellish university."

I felt Celine's sadness and regret. I felt sorry for her.

"Why did he hide PHU?"

"Did you know I was just a child? I was already a student of PHU," Celine replied instead of answering my question. "After a few months, our parents could do nothing to find us, so it was like they just left us here. That's why many students rebelled, and then gangs were formed," she smiled before continuing.

"At first, we didn't know why they suddenly locked us up here. Until some students went missing. You will be amazed by Dr. Quizon's extreme intelligence. But he was consumed by his ambitions. He made all sorts of drugs and had them experiment on the students of HU. But that's not the only reason we were locked up here; the formula of the serum that Dr. Quizon created can bring the dead back to life. Many lives were lost just to perfect that serum."

I was horrified by what I found out. "A formula that can bring the dead back to life? Impossible."

"Did you hear me, Zein?! Dr. Quizon succeeded! He completed the serum formula."

"Is Dr. Quizon still in HU?"

Celine shook her head. "Dr. Quizon died before he could use the serum on himself. He had a student who knew the serum formula, but no one knew that student, so until now, no one has been able to leave HU. The authorities are looking for that student to get the formula and use it for their benefit. A huge amount of money will be obtained by anyone who knows and can make that serum," she said in fear.

"That is the secret of HU that they do not want to reveal to the public. The person who knows the formula is definitely still inside HU, Zein. That person is in danger. The authorities will soon find them, too. But I am more afraid that the formula will end up in the wrong hands."

My head ached from the information that didn't seem to want to sink into my mind.

"I'm leaving," I said.

Celine grabbed my arm and looked at me as if I were a criminal. "You know the secret of the HU. You can't ever get out now, or you'll die if you run away." she laughed like a witch.

I pushed her away.

"Zein Shion, do you know the person they're looking for? If you do, stay away from them. You'll just get involved into a deeper mess."

"Stop! I don't know them!" I ran out of the room as she continued to laugh loudly.

I was already far from Celine's dorm. Panting, I approached a tree and sat there. My body was shaking. They locked the students up here because they feared word would spread about the formula.

"You're really stubborn, aren't you?" Nicky suddenly appeared in front of me. Smirking.

"I know everything," I said.

She laughed madly. She sat down so that our faces were level. She brought her face closer to mine as if she was going to kiss me.

I looked at her, too.

"Not yet, Zein. You only know half of it, and it looks like you won't know the whole thing because you're about to die. You're now their target, so be ready."