The train continued its steady journey through the sprawling countryside, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the tracks creating a strangely soothing melody. The air inside the cabin had settled, but the tension from the earlier encounter with Ren Vangelis lingered in Artemis’s mind. She tried to shake it off, but something about him gnawed at her.


    Cyrus stretched out in his seat, yawning dramatically. “Alright, mystery and gloom aside, tell us about yourself, Artemis. What’s it like having Headmaster Blake as a dad?”


    Artemis blinked, pulled from her thoughts. “Honestly? I barely know him. I only met him recently.”


    Lydia tilted her head. “Wait—you’ve never known your own father?”


    Artemis shook her head. “My mom kept me hidden for my own safety. I guess he agreed with her. But now that I’ve awakened, there’s no hiding anymore.”


    Cyrus whistled lowly. “That’s… heavy.”


    She shrugged, attempting to downplay the weight of her words. “I guess. I’m still figuring all of this out.”


    Before they could continue, a deep, almost mechanical chime resonated throughout the train. The soft hum of the intercom followed, and a voice, calm and composed, rang through the speakers. “Attention, passengers. We will be arriving at Mt. Olympus Academy Station in twenty minutes. Please ensure your belongings are secured.”


    Excitement and nerves twisted inside Artemis’s stomach. This was it. The school where she would learn who she truly was. Where she would train to become something more than just an ordinary girl from Aurora Falls.


    As the train sped forward, Artemis noticed a shift in the energy surrounding them. A faint shimmer danced in the air outside the window, barely perceptible but undeniably present. The further they traveled, the more the world outside seemed to change. The trees grew taller, their bark shimmering faintly under the morning light. The sky had taken on an ethereal hue, as if reality itself was bending.


    Lydia caught Artemis staring. “It’s the barrier,” she explained. “They say Mt. Olympus Academy exists outside the normal world, hidden behind layers of divine magic.”


    “Like another realm?” Artemis asked, unable to tear her eyes away from the surreal transformation outside.


    “Something like that,” Cyrus chimed in. “Think of it as a pocket of reality where gods and their reincarnations can train without interference from, you know, mortals.”


    Artemis nodded slowly, taking in the magnitude of what she was about to step into. Before she could process it further, the train let out a loud hiss, slowing as the station came into view.


    The platform stretched out before them, constructed of sleek, polished stone that reflected the golden light of the setting sun. Towering marble pillars lined the edges, each engraved with ancient Greek symbols that pulsed faintly with magic. Students dressed in academy uniforms bustled about, some greeting old friends, others gawking at the grandeur of it all.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    As Artemis stepped off the train, a strange sensation washed over her. A tingling at the base of her spine, a slight chill that ran through her. She turned her head slightly, her eyes landing once again on Ren Vangelis, standing at the far end of the platform. His posture was rigid, his expression unreadable, but for a brief moment, she swore his cold eyes flickered toward her.


    Then, just as quickly, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.


    Cyrus clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Let''s go in there and kick some butts!.”


    She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Whatever awaited her beyond those towering gates, she was ready to face it.


    The students moved in groups, their conversations a mixture of excitement and hushed whispers about new classes, upcoming trials, and rumors about the instructors. The presence of magic in the air was undeniable—small flickers of light hovered near some students, artifacts hummed with unseen power, and the very air carried an energy unlike anything Artemis had ever felt before.


    “First-years, this way!” A warm, silvery voice rang out from the far end of the platform.


    A tall, slim woman stood near the entrance to the academy gates. Her black peplum outfit was fitted perfectly, exuding authority and grace. Her dark, curly hair cascaded gently around her heart-shaped face, framing her striking features. But it was her eyes—dark blue-grey, sparkling with excitement—that captured everyone’s attention. The smile she wore was welcoming and warm, easing some of the tension in the air.


    “That’s Vice Headmistress Clarke,” Lydia whispered to Artemis. “She may not be the headmaster, but she’s just as powerful in her own way.”


    Ms. Clarke stepped forward, addressing the students with poise. “Welcome to Mt. Olympus Academy,” she said, her voice carrying effortlessly over the crowd. “You have been chosen to be here because of who you are and who you are destined to become. This is not just a school—it is a sanctuary, a place where you will hone your abilities and forge bonds that will last a lifetime.”


    Her gaze swept across the students, resting briefly on Artemis. A flicker of something—recognition, perhaps—passed through her eyes before she continued. “Follow me, and I will guide you to your dormitories. Your new journey begins now.”


    Artemis fell in line with the others, following the vice headmistress through the grand entrance of the academy. As she passed under the towering archway, a strange sensation rippled through her, as if she were stepping through an invisible threshold.


    Beyond the gates, the academy’s grandeur unfolded before her eyes. Majestic marble buildings with intricate gold inlays towered above, each adorned with massive columns that gleamed in the soft twilight. The pathways were lined with lush, otherworldly flora—flowers that shimmered with their own light, trees with leaves that shifted colors with the wind. Magic wasn’t just present here; it was woven into the very foundation of the school.


    Two massive marble statues stood at the heart of the main courtyard. One depicted a woman with long, flowing hair cascading to her feet, her hands outstretched as if cradling the sky. The other was a man with soft, fluffy curls and a powerful stance, his gaze fixed on the horizon.


    Lydia, standing beside her, let out a soft breath. “They’re Gaia and Uranus,” she said, voice tinged with reverence. “The founders of Mt. Olympus Academy.”


    The names resonated with something deep within Artemis, stirring distant memories she couldn’t fully grasp. There was something familiar about them—something Artemis couldn’t place at first, until realization struck her.


    Her breath caught. She had seen them before. In her visions.


    Before she could dwell on it further, Ms. Clarke’s voice rang out once more. “Come now, first-years! We have much to see before the night is over.”


    With one last glance at the statues, Artemis turned and followed the others.