The morning unfurled in a whirlwind of lessons, each more captivating than the last. Artemis, Lydia, and Kayla navigated their classes with a mix of curiosity and mounting exhaustion. History was an immersive journey through ancient civilizations, led by the ever-animated Ms. Hatt, whose passion for the gods and their mortal connections made even the dustiest relics feel alive. Science proved to be far more intriguing than expected, intertwining biology with mythology to reveal the divine influence on nature, thanks to Mrs. Sullivan’s clever approach. Astrology, however, stole the spotlight. The darkened classroom pulsed with an ethereal glow as Ms. Aster’s celestial model illuminated the constellations, mapping out the paths of reincarnated deities. Even English, though a reprieve from the heavy subjects, was laced with mythological interpretations under the enthusiastic guidance of Mrs. Shannon.


    By the time the lunch bell rang, the trio was more than ready for a break. The dining hall buzzed with students eagerly exchanging notes on their morning experiences. Sunlight spilled through the massive windows, turning the polished floors into a golden sea of reflection. Artemis, Lydia, and Kayla claimed a table near the windows, relishing the warmth of the afternoon light.


    Just as they were settling in, Cyrus strode toward them, his usually radiant demeanor clouded with irritation. His golden curls were more tousled than usual, and his bright eyes carried a stormy glint. With an exaggerated sigh, he dropped onto the bench beside them, stabbing his fork into his meal as if it had personally offended him.


    "I swear, the universe is playing some cruel joke on me," he huffed. "My partner is an absolute nightmare."


    Lydia arched a brow. "That bad? Who’d you get?"


    Cyrus groaned dramatically, running a hand through his curls in exasperation. “Alois Carter," he grumbled. "Ares’ so-called chosen successor. And let me tell you, he lives up to every single awful expectation. He’s arrogant, brash, and walks around like he’s already leading a battalion into battle. He thinks I’m just some disposable soldier meant to follow his every command."


    Artemis frowned. "That sounds unbearable. Can’t you switch partners?"


    Cyrus shook his head, shoulders slumping in defeat. "Nope. The Oracle’s decision is final. Once you’re paired, that’s it. No take-backs, no appeals, no mercy." He groaned again, flopping back against the bench. "I was hoping for someone I could actually work with. Instead, I get stuck with a walking embodiment of brute force."


    As Cyrus vented, Lydia’s gaze drifted across the dining hall, and she stiffened. "Well, speak of the devil," she murmured.


    At a table in the far corner, Alois Carter sat alone, his presence impossible to ignore. He was lean and muscular, his physique sculpted by a life of relentless training and constant danger. His slightly tanned skin hinted at countless hours spent outdoors, a contrast to the deep crimson of his piercing eyes—eyes that were fixed on them with an enigmatic intensity.. His thick, dark copper-brown hair, always falling into his eyes in a slightly messy, layered cut, only added to his rebellious aura. The sharp angles of his face, the faint scars scattered across his face and knuckles, whispered of past battles and close calls, each one a testament to the brutal reality he thrived in.


    And right now, he was staring at them.


    His face revealed no emotion., his fork idly pushing around the food on his plate, but there was no mistaking it—he was listening. Whether out of amusement or irritation, it was impossible to tell. The weight of his gaze sent an uneasy prickle down Lydia’s spine, and she quickly looked away, nudging Cyrus.


    "You might want to lower your voice," she muttered. "I think your ‘walking embodiment of brute force’ can hear you."


    As the conversation unfolded, two more figures approached their table—Eric and Sorrel. Sorrel, ever the polite one, offered a warm smile, while Eric’s lips curled into an amused smirk, his stormy blue eyes twinkling with mischief.


    "Mind if we join you?" Sorrel asked, his voice smooth and friendly. "Figured we should get to know each other better, considering we’re all stuck working together."


    Lydia eyed Sorrel with cautious curiosity but gave a reluctant nod. "Fine."


    Eric wasted no time sliding onto the bench beside Kayla, flashing her a devil-may-care grin. "Ah, lunch with my favorite partner. What a treat."


    Kayla didn’t even spare him a glance as she calmly picked at her food. "Don’t talk to me."


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Eric placed a hand over his heart in mock devastation. "Ouch. Straight to the heart."


    Sorrel chuckled but refrained from commenting. Instead, he turned his attention to Lydia. "So, how’s your day been so far?"


    Lydia shrugged, stirring her food with little enthusiasm. "Fine."


    Sorrel tilted his head. "Did I do something to annoy you?"


    Lydia hesitated, then sighed. "No. I just… don’t know what to think of you yet."


    Sorrel’s lips quirked into a small smile. "Fair enough. Hopefully, I can prove I’m not that bad."


    Meanwhile, Artemis’s eyes scanned the dining hall, searching for a familiar face. Her gaze flitted over the tables, but there was no sign of Ren.


    "Looking for my brother?" a voice chimed in.


    Artemis turned to see Sakura approaching, her pink hair catching the light like cherry blossoms in bloom. She gracefully slid into a seat beside Sorrel, her expression kind but tinged with concern.


    Sorrel greeted her with familiarity. "Sakura! Good to see you."


    Eric raised a brow. "You two know each other?"


    Sorrel nodded. "Yeah, we grew up together. After their aunt took them in, I spent a lot of time with them."


    Lydia turned to Sakura. "Who’s your partner?"


    Sakura sighed. "The Oracle Mirror said my partner hasn’t arrived yet. So, for now, I’m temporarily paired with an upperclassman."


    Artemis frowned. "Ren’s not here?"


    Sakura shook her head. "He probably took his lunch back to his room. He does that a lot. I wish he’d interact with people more, but… he’s complicated."


    Sorrel nodded in agreement. "He’s my suitemate. Him, Eric, and I share a suite, but Ren mostly keeps to himself. I try to check on him, but he’s distant as usual."


    Artemis found herself thinking about Ren again. There was something about him—something that tugged at her curiosity. And now, she felt even more determined to figure him out.


    Before she could dwell on it further, the bell rang, signaling the start of their next class—Combat Training.


    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


    The students assembled in the grand training hall, a vast space lined with sparring rings and training dummies. At the front stood two formidable instructors—Mr. Angus and Ms. Adira.


    Mr. Angus was a mountain of a man, his muscular frame making it clear he could crush a boulder with his bare hands. His booming voice commanded immediate attention. "Alright, listen up! Combat is essential to your training. Whether you rely on magic or physical skill, you must know how to defend yourself."


    Beside him, Ms. Adira was the perfect contrast—tall, lean, and razor-sharp. Dressed in black tactical gear, her gaze was piercing, assessing each student with quiet intensity. "Before you can wield weapons, you must understand the fundamentals of combat. Watch closely."


    With a nod to Mr. Angus, she launched into a lightning-fast series of strikes, which he expertly blocked with fluid precision. Their demonstration was a dance of power and control.


    Mr. Angus clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the hall. "Alright! Everyone, get changed into your gym uniforms and be back here in five minutes!"


    The students split off into their respective locker rooms, exchanging murmurs of excitement and nervousness as they changed. The academy’s standard gym attire consisted of a fitted red t-shirt with the school emblem over the heart, black athletic shorts, and sturdy black tennis shoes. As Artemis pulled on her uniform, she caught Lydia adjusting her ponytail and Kayla tightening the straps of her shoes with a determined glint in her eye.


    Once they were dressed, they regrouped in the training hall, where the instructors waited expectantly. The students paired up with their assigned partners, anticipation buzzing in the air.


    Ms. Adira stepped forward. "We’ll begin with basic attack and defense drills. You must understand how to block and counter before you can strike effectively. Watch."


    She turned to Mr. Angus again, and the two launched into another fluid demonstration, showcasing quick parries, precise dodges, and controlled strikes. Their movements were sharp and efficient, honed from years of experience.


    "Now, pair up and practice spotting each other’s weaknesses," Ms. Adira instructed.


    Artemis turned to Ren, who stood stiffly. She noticed how, unlike the others, he hesitated.


    "You okay?" she asked.


    Ren’s eyes flickered toward her before dropping away. "I don’t want to hurt you."


    Artemis frowned but softened. "I can handle myself. It’s just practice."


    Ren exhaled, reluctant but resigned. "Alright. But don’t say I didn’t warn you."


    As they moved through the drills, Artemis quickly realized that Ren was holding back—deliberately maintaining distance, evading instead of engaging.


    Growing frustrated, she finally snapped, "Ren, I’m not fragile. Stop treating me like I’ll break."


    Ren stilled, then met her gaze fully for the first time. Something in his expression shifted.


    "Alright," he murmured. "But don’t regret it."


    The moment he truly engaged, she felt the difference. His movements were precise, honed, and dangerous. He was skilled—far more than he let on. But beneath the precision, the hesitation still lingered.


    Artemis wasn’t sure what held him back, but one thing was clear—Ren pushed people away.


    And she wasn’t about to let him push her away, too.