《DemiGod - The American Revival》 Prologue The doors of the amphitheater open for the fifth time on the same night, and the seats fill up. The stage is clear and empty, nothing like it was just a few minutes ago. The spectators have returned to the same seats they occupied the last time, putting on the iron masks they had left behind. The masks covered the faces of the audience, distorting their features and only allowing sight and breath through holes. The lights dimmed, and all small conversations ceased. After a few seconds in the darkness, the spotlights focused on the center of the stage, where a slender, dark-haired man with a robe covering his body stood. All masks gazed upon him, awaiting the council''s significant decision. A moment passed, and then the man began to announce with a powerful voice. -"Today, our gods have allowed us to endure this tragedy once again. They warn us of our mistakes and recklessness, taking four young and innocent souls from our world and sending them to the Underworld. But this should not discourage us or frighten us from continuing our ancient customs and honoring them. For this reason, the city council has decided to proceed with a fifth sacrifice." A massive outcry erupted throughout the entire amphitheater from the spectators who began whispering again among themselves, uneasy. Never before had they needed five sacrifices to find the god-sent child, and reaching the fourth sacrifice already seemed excessive. Some started shouting louder to be heard by everyone. -"This is unheard of!" -"And if the gods haven''t chosen any of these children!" -"We''ve already lost four!" -"Your fate is being pushed!" The man on the stage, however, seemed unfazed. He waited for the audience to settle, poised to speak when silence reigned in the hall once more. -"After the customary drawing, the lottery revealed that the child to be tested by the gods for the position of demigod among us is... Dave Greywood!" he announced. The man exited the stage, leaving the audience uneasy, questioning neighbors if they knew the child, who his parents were, and searching for the Greywoods among familiar faces, though they were, of course, absent. The orchestra began playing, the same concerto for the fifth time that night. Gradually, all members of the city''s highest council emerged from the dressing rooms, dressed similarly to the speaker, and finally, a cloaked man with a concealed face. He approached the table that had been moved to the stage and examined the knives displayed on it. The cloaked man was the one chosen for sacrifice once again. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. The music shifted, becoming faster and more aggressive, filling the entire hall with tension and fear. Then, the grand curtains of the stage opened. An adult woman held the hand of a six-year-old dark-haired boy, dressed only in shorts, leading him to the center of the stage. The music intensified as the cloaked man picked up two golden daggers from the table and began moving towards the stage''s center. The child burst into tears, desperately trying to free himself from the woman''s grip without success. She held the child by the shoulders and positioned him in front of the cloaked man. The entire audience was hushed, awaiting the sacrifice. The man knelt down, and without hesitation, began to cut into the small child. The music now accompanied the cries of pain and expressions of agony. After about a minute, the cloaked man and the accompanying woman stepped away, leaving behind a small lifeless body with a large pool of blood on the floor. A young woman from the council stepped forward, leaving an olive wreath a few meters in front. -"As you know, if this child finds the strength from the gods to reach the olive wreath... then he is officially chosen by the gods!" she declared. After this statement, the girl returned to her place, and the entire audience turned their attention to young Dave. He had only one thing to do to secure his life ¨C to reach for that wreath. At that moment, only the violinists could be heard playing at a fast tempo. Every time the little boy made a move closer to the wreath, a heavy sound from the piano resonated. Slowly but surely, he approached, emitting cries of pain with each movement. He got closer and closer, and the violins played faster as he exerted all his remaining strength until he finally collapsed, unable to hold the wreath in his hand. A gasp filled the air; everyone believed he had made it. The audience''s anxiety heightened with each groan, and with each groan, the crowd''s tension increased. Now, the child only needed to reach out his hand, but there were no more cries. No more strength left to shout. The next moment, the entire orchestra started playing a triumphant rhythm. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the doctors rushed onto the stage, ready to take the child. The mayor grabbed him, lifting him high in the air for everyone to see the marks on his body and the child with the olive wreath in his hand. However, before he could hold the wreath, it fell, slipping from the child''s weakened grasp. Moments later, Dave collapsed unconscious on the stretcher, with the doctors rushing to provide him with first aid. When the music ended, and the cheers subsided, the mayor stepped forward from the stage, capturing the attention of everyone. -"Citizens of the City of Ares... the gods have given us their chosen representative on Earth and accepted our sacrifice. This means that officially, the festivities for our new demigod have begun!" The crowd removed their masks, erupting into cheers and applause. Slowly, the hall emptied, and the triumphant atmosphere transitioned to the courtyard where the celebration for the new demigod, Dave Greywood, would take place. Chapter 1: In the spotlight The black jeep was waiting outside the house entrance. As almost every day, Beiskir was the driver, but today the destination was different. Once inside, I greeted him, and the jeep reversed to hit the main road, leaving behind the affluent neighborhood next to the lake. The route to the city ran along the lake shore, with worn-out houses and businesses like garages and farms on the left side of the road. After a few minutes, we were just outside the parking lot of my new school. - "Sorry, kid, but we''ll take a detour. Don''t worry; we won''t be late," Beiskir said without turning the steering wheel to enter the parking lot. - "Just like we didn''t last time, I suppose," I retorted. Beiskir was somewhat like my personal bodyguard, responsible for my schedules and transportation. He wasn''t particularly good at it, but he took on the job from the beginning and was always there for me. The detour seemed to include a stop, as Beiskir decided to turn a couple of narrow streets later at the caf¨¦ near the gas station. - "Get out; we need to talk," he said loudly so that I could hear, and I opened the car door. Entering the caf¨¦, Beiskir chose the most remote table from other customers and ordered two coffees. - "As you know, you''re not like the others. The reason you''re going to high school is to stand out, to maintain the prestige of your position, Dave," Beiskir began after taking a sip of his coffee. "So, you need to impress everyone. Make them see you as unattainable yet open and friendly. That''s why you''re going to high school¡ªto earn the respect of others." I interrupted, - "Yes, yes, your brother wanted to remind me of that once again, I presume." Beiskir''s brother, Professor Stuart, was in charge of my education. Together with a small team, they had taken on the task of perfecting my abilities. Unlike Beiskir, Professor Stuart was strict, never tolerated mistakes, and demanded excellence. He was the reason I had reached this point, knowing the material for all subjects, being comfortable in any room or conversation, and having the best athletic abilities in town. - "I know it may sound redundant, but your brother insisted on emphasizing it once more," Beiskir continued. "In class, you won''t need to pay much attention; you''ve already learned it all. But everyone expects you to excel without seeming like you''re trying too hard. Also, make everyone like you and spend time with everyone. Even the most foolish might help us in the future. Everyone should think you''re entertaining, yet, be careful not to indulge in mortals'' humiliations. That could be damaging." - "I love how your comments always contribute," I said, laughing, taking a sip of coffee. - "In any case, you got the essentials. Make yourself appear superior¡ªthat''s why you''re going to high school. Gain the respect of others. Oh, and Stuart mentioned that joining the basketball team is important. I don''t think I forgot anything." - "I think you forgot to check your watch," I said, pointing to the wall clock. Beiskir jumped up, grabbed his folding phone, and headed to the counter. Someone might be overwhelmed by these rules and expectations, but I couldn''t say the same. My entire life was devoted to becoming what I was, something beyond humans¡ªthe chosen one of the god of war, Ares, to mortals. That''s why I always had to train and be ahead of everyone. That''s why I never went to regular school, spending minimal time with friends and more with ''significant'' adults. But now, everything was about to change. Finally, my life would resemble something close to normal, and with the best conditions. I heard the car opening and got in. The interior was leather, with a small screen for the radio station. Of course, I would arrive a bit late, but it was expected. Beiskir drove as fast as he could to the high school building and stopped outside the entrance. The school looked like any building constructed almost eighty years ago. - "Well, as I said, I''m not your nanny," Beiskir remarked. - "Thank you, Beiskir," I replied. - "I''ll pick you up when you''re done." Beiskir tied his long black hair into a ponytail before starting the car and leaving. Now, I was alone. I turned and looked at the entrance. There were other students who were running late, and they quickly noticed my presence, starting to talk quietly in their groups. In the end, that was the purpose¡ªto be the subject of discussion. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! I quickly headed towards the closed gym, where the principal would give a speech before the new school year. Passing through the hallways, just before the gym entrance, I glanced at the stands, trying to spot Beith or Gerard. They were the only friends my age, and we would be in the same class. We all lived in the same neighborhood on the other side of town, across from the lake. There were a few large houses there, as it was the neighborhood of Fremont''s wealthiest citizens. Making friends was challenging when our council granted us the new house. At least their moms were very friendly and introduced us from the moment we arrived. There were other kids in the neighborhood, but when I had some free time, I always chose them. I located them somewhere up in the stands talking with a large group. I started making my way from the entrance to the stands, and gradually, everyone began to look at me. Initially, most of them didn''t realize that I was entering the space, but as I walked past the basketball court, everyone was staring and whispering. I began to climb the bleachers, and as I passed the basketball court, everyone was looking and whispering. I started going up the steps, and those sitting next to the stairs would stand up, greet me, shake hands, and introduce themselves. After a while, a teacher restored order, and I continued to climb, with my only contact with unknown classmates being a "good day" or a welcome from the older students, to which I responded as politely as possible until I reached my friends. - "It seems like you''ve started making friends early," Gerard said while offering his hand for a friendly handshake. - "For now, I just want to hang out with you guys, and I''ll find time for the others later," I whispered back. Then I turned and greeted the rest of the group. Most of the students sitting with them were familiar to me. We had met only a few times, but they had been shown to me in photos or mentioned in stories. They were all classmates, and according to Beith and Gerard, they were the group that went out whenever they went to the city center, something I had done only a few times due to my unique education. The principal appeared from the gym entrance, and everyone fell silent. When he reached the center of the court, a young teacher handed him the microphone, signaling him to begin. The principal conducted some tests on the microphone and prepared to start. - "Dear students, we welcome you to another school year," he paused briefly until the applause and cheers from the students stopped. "This year, like every year, our goal is your progress and development as students and individuals. But this year will be somewhat different, as our school welcomes a privilege it had lost in the last seven years. After the previous favorite of the gods, who graduated as an excellent student from our school, we welcome the next favorite of the city, Dave Greywood." The whole auditorium filled with cheers and applause, while those around me turned to congratulate me. - "We are very proud that the gods honor us with your presence, Mr. Greywood, and thank you very much for choosing us," said the principal, looking towards me, and I responded with a gracious gesture. In reality, all these thanks were somewhat forced. The nearest high school was in the next town, sixty kilometers away, and the reason I attended was labeled as political by Professor Stuart. But I liked that everyone was simply happy that I was there. In the whole country, religious fanaticism was enormous. In the other eleven cities, the other eleven favorites of the gods performed similarly. - "Classes begin next hour. you will receive your schedules from Mrs. Margaret at the entrance. For all other information, you will be informed in your classrooms. May the Twelve watch over you, and may Athena illuminate your studies. Good luck." After the principal finished his speech, he left the room, and everyone began to disperse. I hid among the few acquaintances I had, hoping that the entire school wouldn''t stop for some unnecessary greeting. Once we left the gymnasium, Gerard, Beith, and I turned into the opposite corridor from the entrance, as we agreed to go last to avoid the crowd. - "Finally, Dave, we did it. We''re all together in school," Beith celebrated enthusiastically. - "This means I''ll finally see you guys every day. It''s time to do big things," I replied. - "Be careful not to get too proud because of your fame and forget your old friends," Gerard mocked, while tying his long blond hair into a makeshift ponytail. I wasn''t bothered by his sarcasm. He had always been like that, always expecting the worst and always trying to see the bad side. But I understood him. He was exceptionally intelligent, and most of the time, he turned out to be right. His insults were more of a warning to us than an attempt to harm us. - "Don''t overreact, Gerard. Dave would never do that." - "Just like you were never going to cry for Clara," he replied, making both of us laugh and causing Beith to blush. After a few minutes, we also went to the entrance to get our schedules. The good news was that at least we had some hours together; the bad news was that the schedule looked enormous. - "Has anyone seen when the basketball tryouts are?" I asked. - "Tomorrow before noon. Are you going too?" Beith asked me with surprise. - "Yes, why does it seem so strange to you?" - "Since we were kids, you only watched us, you never played." I shrugged indifferently because I didn''t know what to say. I had been forbidden from the day I became the chosen one to compete with other kids in most games, with the excuse that it would be disrespectful to the gods for mortals to believe they could constantly beat someone associated with the gods. Also, I never tried to play with them because I had minimal energy left from my training and lessons. Now, however, I had to represent the school and, consequently, the city in the school basketball championship, as the chosen ones always did. After spending some time getting to know the group of kids more, it was time for the first class, which was history. By the time I entered the classroom, students of various ages were greeting me, and some suggested spending time together if I needed company Chapter 2: History Class Chapter 2: History Class The history classroom was a spacious room with large windows and decorated walls featuring various artifacts, such as an American flag from before the dispersion, an old map of the fifty states, and posters of each god. The history teacher turned out to be Mrs. Margaret from the gym, who was already seated at her desk, waiting for the room to fill. When she saw me, she greeted me kindly and let me choose where to sit. I found an empty seat near the center, leaving my bag there, while other students tried to strike up a conversation with me. In the end, I chatted with two girls sitting on my left about random topics, like my impression of the school and how good the weather was, until the class started after two minutes. - "Good morning, my children. I am Mrs. Margaret, and together we will have the history class. But first, I need to assess your level to see where we should focus, so unfortunately, you have to take a test. Black pens out, and when I give you the questions, you may begin." I looked at my pencil case, knowing well that I didn''t bring any black pens with me. After all, how could one expect a test on their first day? - "Hey, does anyone have a black pen? I forgot to bring one," I said. - "Yes, I''ll bring you one," a student from the back of the room shouted. - "Leave it, I''ll bring him one," a tall guy in front of me replied, frantically searching his pencil case. - "Mine will do." For about a minute, chaos ensued until someone found an extra black pen lying around. Eventually, a plump student with brown hair named Sophie, whom I had met earlier, came over to my desk, handed me the pen, and declared her victory to the whole class. I thanked her and waited for Mrs. Margaret to distribute the questions. Of course, after so many years with Professor Stuart, the questions seemed trivial to me. "How many years separated the beginning of the Third World War from the end of the Fourth?" Everyone should know it was twenty years. Professor Stuart would have asked me to specify that it occurred from 2034 to 2054. "To which state did our gods, the twelve Olympian gods, move after leaving Greece?" To Mount Olympus in Washington, of course. If all questions were at this level, I would have finished in ten minutes instead of twenty. In the end, Beiskir was right; I didn''t need to try at all. After a while, I stood up, leaving my answers on the desk, with the whole class looking at me in awe. Only one more girl with short black hair stood up shortly after me, leaving her answers. Most of the others needed the full hour, during which I spent my time watching two puppies playing outside the window. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. When the class finally ended, various students came to tell me that if they had known, they would have given me their pen or apologized for not helping and offered to make it up by having lunch together. I was borderline at some point, wondering if they were doing it out of fear rather than a genuine desire to have a strong connection. After almost everyone finished repeating the same things, I was fed up. I really began to wonder what they would gain if I sat with them. They all seemed so self-assured, as if after dinner and a little chat, I would grant them a position on the council or fulfill their wishes magically. In the end, the slim girl with short black hair, who had finished after me, came towards me. - "Yeah, yeah, I know. If you had a pen, you would have given it to me, and I can have lunch with you later. Okay, go now." She stayed there for a minute, looking at me almost condescendingly, fixing her brown eyes on me. - "Do you know that this pen is mine?"- "What? But Sophie gave it to me." - "Who snatched it from me," she said with irritation, looking at me again. "Are you going to give it back, or do you expect something..." - "Oh, yes, of course," I said, handing her the pen and we just stared at each other. She left the pen in her pencil case and then simply left the room. I sat there for a while. I really behaved quite stupidly. I was rude and seemed like a jerk. And she was the first girl I had met today who didn''t try to impress me or arrange to meet me. She treated me as if she didn''t care who I was for the first time. I stood up and walked out into the corridor to look for the others, regretting how foolishly I had behaved. I promised myself to treat her as kindly as possible the next time I saw her. The rest of the day passed by, engaging in conversations with various other students and going through mundane lessons until lunchtime. There, I found Gerard waiting for me at the entrance of the cafeteria. He was sitting next to the door, wearing his usual baggy clothes that concealed how muscular he actually was, along with a T-shirt featuring his favorite rock band. After he led me to the table where the rest of the group was sitting, and I managed to sit with them for a few minutes, I returned to my role as a wandering salesman. I visited most tables in the cafeteria, trying to be polite and humorous with everyone, but I couldn''t find the girl from the history class to apologize. The black jeep was in the same spot as it was in the morning, with the window open, presumably because Beiskir was smoking. - "How can you be drunk again, it''s barely five," I said to him as soon as I entered and saw him. - "Kid, you know I have talent in driving and drinking. Now, tell me how your first day was?" If Beiskir wasn''t Professor Stuart''s brother, he wouldn''t have held a job of such importance for so long. But I had to admit that we had never crashed, whether he was sober or not. After a brief conversation, we arrived on the opposite side of the lake where the house was. I got out of the car and bid him goodnight. The house was next to the lake, and at night, the lights of the entire city were visible. From the outside, it looked like a traditional, old American mansion one would find in the countryside. It was indeed massive compared to the old single-family house we lived in the suburbs. I didn''t remember it much since we left that place on the day I was chosen as the Elect, and this house had been provided by the government. After tossing my bag aside, I went to sit on the couch where the news was playing on the television. The blonde news reporter rearranged her papers, waiting for the graph to appear. << The city of Detroit today announces the plan for the demolition and reconstruction of the southern side of the city next to the river, which was irreparably damaged during the wars and the Silence. The plan is expected to take a decade and... >> I turned off the TV and stood up to find my parents in the dining room. Chapter 3: Professor Stuart I leaped out of bed and glanced at the nightstand. Beiskir''s pale face appeared on the phone. Before answering, I checked the time. It was five-thirty in the morning, two hours before my supposed waking time. This call had to be something important to be worth it. - "Yes, Beiskir, tell me what happened?" - "I''ll come to pick you up half an hour earlier, so be ready." - "Couldn''t you pick me up later at least?" - "Sorry, buddy, I should''ve told you yesterday, but I just remembered now. Go back to sleep," he said and then mumbled something to someone nearby. - "Don''t tell me you were drunk again..." Before I could finish the sentence, the phone had already hung up. I then tossed and turned in bed for a while, trying to fall back asleep, but my thoughts wouldn''t let me. I pondered the dream that Beiskir''s sudden call had interrupted. I was in the school cafeteria, alone with the girl from history class. An alarm was blaring around us, and people were running in panic. Yet, for some reason, it didn''t bother us. We just sat there, continuing our meal and talking. Suddenly, all sounds stopped. We stopped talking and looked around. But this time, it wasn''t the distant and detached gaze, as in the classroom; it was a calm and warm gaze. I observed her face ¨C her tousled black hair falling over her delicate shoulders and her features, thin and elegant, exuded a sense of perfection. I turned to her eyes. They were thin, with a faint blue color, playfully staring at me. She made a move to come closer, and then... And then it ended. The dream was over, and I had to talk to Beiskir. All this time, one thought consumed me ¨C if Beiskir hadn''t awakened me, what would I have seen? I got ready and sat in the living room to wait, watching TV. After about an hour, Beiskir called me again and told me to go outside. I grabbed my bag, locked the door, and entered the car, where Beiskir was waiting for me, wearing a black suit with his hair free and neatly styled. - "Do we have a morning reception?" - "No relation. I kept the suit from last night." - "So, tell me what we''re actually doing." - "We''ll discuss that after I grab my coffee," he said and started driving towards the neighborhood''s exit. This time, we didn''t take the road to the school but went the other way. This road circled the small Fremont lake and was more convenient if you wanted to visit a service on the city''s west side. As I stared at the road, Beiskir abruptly turned the steering wheel and entered the small airport''s entrance. - "Don''t tell me we have to leave the city," I shouted and jumped out of my seat. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! - "No, silly, just the airport''s place has better coffee." I sighed in relief and settled back. For anyone else in the city, this reaction would have been exaggerated. There were numerous times we needed to fly in the Cadillac, the city of Zeus and the capital of the Federation, with someone from the council for some sudden event. Not that I was useful in these meetings, but all the chosen ones from each city gathered more to be seen in the spotlight and calm their people than for any practical reason. Another reason we would take the plane was to attend a festival or event in another city. The car stopped outside the airport entrance, where a small cafe was located. The airport itself was a modest iron building with no distinctive architecture. It was one of the city''s early constructions after the Silence. Few people visited, as it never had more than five flights a day, and the planes that arrived could only accommodate up to twenty-five people. It primarily served businesspeople or consultants when they had business in nearby cities. After grabbing his coffee, Beiskir turned the car around, guiding us back to the city road. - "Will you finally tell me what we''re going to do?" - "A meeting with my brother at the Information Center, and then we''re off." The Information Center was near the city entrance and used by the city council for various purposes, including my education. As we entered the city, we left behind the houses near the lake and found ourselves at the commercial entrance of the city, where large stores, warehouses, small factories, and fast-food joints were located. The building itself didn''t have anything remarkable on the exterior, except for the protruding entrance supported by ancient Greek columns. Entering, we found the reception, and at the entrance, the city and God Ares'' symbol were painted. An ancient golden headband with red details. We quickly passed through the halls and various employees and stood in front of Professor Stuart''s office. - "Well... wait for me in the parking lot when you''re done," Beiskir said, avoiding a meeting with his brother. I knocked on the door and waited. After a few seconds, Professor Stuart''s assistant opened the door for me, and after entering, she closed it and left the room. It looked the same as every other time. I hadn''t visited it for almost a month before summer, as they said I needed to rest before my new start. The massive libraries were filled with books, and, of course, the office where we had classes had more books and Professor Stuart''s computer. The windows were half-closed to allow the right amount of light, and the walls and floors were spotless. - "Sit if you want, Dave," he shouted from his desk chair when he saw me standing near the door. - "Good morning, Professor Stuart. Why did we need to meet?" - "Nothing significant, just a little chat, and I''ll give you something you''ll need." - "And what is that?" - "Wait a minute," he said and started rummaging through his drawer until he found a small box. "A new phone." - "Thank you, but I already had one." - "This is the latest model you can use, and it has all your accounts on the internet set up as official." He handed me the phone, and I examined it. It was much smaller than my palm but quite thick, with the three classic buttons in the center of the screen. I opened it and checked the applications until I found RealYou, the most popular social media app. I looked at my profile. Next to my name was a golden circle with a tick in the center, indicating someone important or famous. Then I read the description that had my details ¨C name, age, origin, and profession. - "Anything worth noting since yesterday?" he asked after a while. - "Nothing significant," I replied. - "Alright then, we''ll meet once a week to discuss what''s going on so I can help you with any problems you have. But what''s crucial is that you tell me the whole truth, just as I do with you. Agreed?" - "Of course, Professor Stuart. Call me whenever you need me." We said our goodbyes, and after some advice, he let me leave. Chapter 4: Apology The bell rang while I was still in the parking lot, and I had to walk quickly to get to class. Once I entered, I was disappointed to see that the girl was not there again. I went and sat next to Beith, who was waiting for me eagerly. - "I have news for you," he whispered as soon as I sat down. - "Tell me quickly before we start." - "Clara agreed to go out with us tonight," he announced with a huge smile on his face. - "Bravo! That''s fantastic," I said, celebrating lightly until the teacher entered the class. Beith had been trying to go out with Clara almost all summer. He genuinely liked her, to the point that he had exhausted me and Gerard with his endless talk about her. The class went by quietly, and when it was over, Beith and I went to find Gerard in the room he was in. As we walked through the hallways, there was a great commotion with large groups of students gathering together. In one of these groups, I saw her, listening attentively with her friends to an older student. Should I go talk to her? And what would I say? I didn''t even know her name, and I doubted she had any intention of meeting me again. Eventually, I found the courage and told Beith to come and listen to what they were saying, so if there was a chance later, I could talk to her. We approached her group, consisting of some girls from the first year and some boys from the second, all listening to a tall girl who was probably in the third year. As soon as she noticed our presence, she immediately stopped talking to the others and turned to us. - "You''re Dave, right?" she asked, and I nodded affirmatively. "Great, come here to hear about the party," she said and invited us with a wave of her hand. - "What party are you talking about?" I asked as we took a few steps and were closer to the group. - "On Friday, we''re having a welcome party," she replied with enthusiasm and a smile. "It will take place in the afternoon at a lake near the city, and it will be announced on Friday in a post on RealYou by a third-year student. You are all invited. Oh, I forgot, the party is a secret; don''t let teachers or parents know because lake parties are not allowed for students." The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. She was about to add something else, but the bell rang, and everyone started to leave. I greeted Beith and looked for the girl. She was walking alone towards the classroom, so now would be a good opportunity to talk to her. I walked a little faster and reached her, walking beside her. She had noticed my presence but preferred not to say anything. I had to start the conversation. - "Um, sorry, can I talk to you for a moment?" I said with a great deal of awkwardness. "I''m Dave from the history class, if you remember." - "I think there''s no one here who doesn''t remember you," she replied with a little laugh. - "Yeah, you''re probably right," I said, and then I fell silent. I had no idea what to say about this, so I just stared into her blue eyes. - "Did you want to tell me something?" - "Yes, of course. I want to apologize for the way I treated you yesterday. I was frustrated with the situation, and..." - "Oh, don''t worry about it," she interrupted. "These things happen to everyone." - "Which class are you going to now?" I asked after a few awkward seconds where I probably should have said something about how badly I behaved and not just brushed it off so easily. - "History again," she answered and showed me the book she was holding in her hands. "And you, I assume the same, right?" - "Yes, the same," I replied, showing her the book I had in my hand. "If you don''t have company, we can sit together." Anxiety had taken over me, and my mind wasn''t working with my mouth. What I suggested probably sounded strange. I turned and looked at her, waiting for an answer. She was quite short, wearing short basketball shorts with a blue hoodie, and her hair was tied in a small round ponytail. - "Sure, why not. Just one thing, though," she said. - "What?" I asked casually. - "Do you have any idea what my name is?" A wave of embarrassment swept through my entire body. I couldn''t believe that anxiety had taken over me so much. I truly didn''t expect to appear so foolish and naive, spending all this time without even asking her name. - "You''re right," I replied, laughing slightly, trying to hide the embarrassment that had overcome me. "Will you tell me, or will you leave me wondering?" - "Kyanna," she answered and entered the classroom where we had first met yesterday. She approached the desks, sat next to the one I was sitting in the previous class, and looked at me. I smiled at her and sat down next to her. The class passed quite slowly and painfully, with Mrs. Margaret describing in great detail the First Separation of South America after the end of World War III. After having to say goodbye to the whole class once again, I went as quickly as I could to meet Gerard and Beith for the tryouts. They were waiting for me a few hallways away from the gym, and when we met, we went to change. Chapter 5: Everyone Has Ambitions All the players were on the court, shooting hoops when we went outside. The coach was sitting in the stands with some other senior players, observing the tryouts. We went to the basket with the balls, and each of us took one. - "Hey, Beith, start with a dunk," I whispered to him. He looked at me and smiled. Beith was tall, well-built, and could dunk quite easily. He went to the three-point line, took a few steps, jumped, and the next moment, his hand touched the rim, and the ball went in. Everyone turned and applauded. We threw more shots, and I hardly missed any, until our coach called us to the center to speak. He was just over fifty, tall with a belly, and a thick black mustache. - "Alright, kids, as you know, I''m Coach Varen, and today we have tryouts. Four of you will make it to the team based on your performance today. Warm-up and exercises will be led by our team captain, Jade." Jade came behind the coach and greeted us. He was in the second grade and overly popular. This year would be his first as the team captain because he was the best player last year, and also, his father was among the most important members of the city council. I knew him for several years because he also lived on the opposite bank from the city, in a good neighborhood. He was quite tall with mixed brown hair, but he seemed overly skinny. After warming up and shooting, he decided that the next exercise should be a one-on-one game. He paired up everyone except me. I barely rejoiced, thinking that my athleticism and accuracy had already convinced him during warm-up, but as it turned out, he had other plans. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. - "You, Dave, with me, last ones," shouted, and I followed him towards the end of the line with the pairs. Despite training with Professor Stuart, I always trained individually and had never faced another opponent, and this one was definitely not easy. - "Tell me, Dave, what do you expect from the season?" he asked while we waited in line. - "I didn''t understand what you mean." - "Everyone comes with some ambitions, and I want to see yours." - "Nothing special for this year," I replied quite indifferently and honestly. - "So, the position of the school president doesn''t interest you?" - "Probably not," I answered, confident about what he expected from the conversation. He knew I was the most popular student in the school and that if I wanted to become president, I could easily achieve it. Now, however, knowing that I don''t threaten him, he would like me to help him. - "At least you know whom you''ll support." - "I haven''t learned about the candidates yet, and¡­" Coach Varen''s whistle sounded for us this time, and after Jayne gave me a fierce look, he went to the defensive position. I waited at the three-point line to get the ball. The first to score in the two baskets won the round. Coach Varen threw me the ball, and after a brief moment of anxiety, I tried to focus. Jayne had given me some space, a perfect opportunity to take a shot from a distance. I ran as fast as I could to the open space, shot, and it went in. A celebration escaped from my mouth. Now, it was his turn for the attack. I had already given him a hard time, but as the son of such an important council member, he shouldn''t get upset with me. I let him get close to the basket with a rudimentary defense, and he scored the point. We returned to the line and waited for our turn again. - "Look, I don''t want to get involved in the school elections because I know how much opinions will influence, but I wish you good luck." - "I hope you keep your word then and don''t get involved at all," he told me with a slight annoyance but also a hint of anxiety in his voice. The rest of the practice went smoothly, and from what I could predict, both Beith and I had comfortably made it into the team. Chapter 6: Gerard Has a Premonition After the change, we went to the cafeteria for lunch, where once again, we had to move around to thank most of the groups. At some point, managing to break free, I returned to Beith and Gerard, but they weren''t alone. Clara was sitting on Beith''s shoulder, and at the table, there were three more of her friends. She had her usual blonde ponytails on my friend''s back, and then I remembered this new reality. Clara and Beith were dating. I approached the table, and everyone turned towards me. - "Hello, Dave!" Clara exclaimed happily. "Come, let me introduce you to the girls," she said and began to introduce her three friends sitting with us. After she told me the names of the first two girls, she prepared to introduce the last one. She was a brunette with delicate features and a beautiful face. - "And this is Nicole," she said with enthusiasm in her voice, pointing at her. "She''s a year older, but I think you two will get along very well. Come, sit next to her." She looked at me with her intense brown eyes and smiled. I returned the smile and sat next to her. We all chatted for a while until lunch ended, and we had to return to our classes. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. As I went to get my books, I noticed Gerard quickly coming up behind me. - "You know your class isn''t in this direction..." - "Yes, that''s why I need to tell you quickly," he interrupted and came next to me. - "What''s up?" - "Clara is taking advantage of Beith." - "Oh, don''t start with your conspiracies again," I sighed and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Why do others always have to want something from us? Think positively for once." - "And when Jade talked to you during the tryouts, did he have good intentions?" - "Not everyone is the same," I said, trying to convince myself. "Everything will be fine, and no one will take advantage of us." - "She''ll suggest a double date with Beith, you with Nicole. They want to exploit you. Listen to me and do what I did." - "Don''t do that, Gerard. Maybe everything is not as bad as you imagine. Give others a chance." - "You both are so naive. Do whatever you want," he said and left angrily towards his class. For the rest of the class, I thought about what he had said. Indeed, Nicole and Clara had a motive for me to be with one of them. But what would they achieve? Gerard''s conspiracies always claimed that the other person wanted something, but he never told us specifically. I concluded that it was foolish to think about it and that he just continued to think negatively. Indeed, during the next hour, Clara suggested that I go out with them, and I eventually accepted. We planned to go to the center for dinner that night. Not my mistake The rest of the day passed quickly, leaving only the last hour for our special lesson on faith in the Gods. As I walked towards the classroom, Kianna came up next to me and started walking alongside. - What lesson do you have now? she asked me with her usual indifferent tone. - It''s the lesson about our religion - Me too, she replied and continued walking until she finally broke the silence. Do you know who teaches the lesson? - No, I said with doubt, feeling like I should have known by the way she asked. - So, you don''t know anything about Professor Doulpen? - First time I hear about him. - Then you should know, she said, and her expression darkened. His son was next in line for the trial before you. A shiver ran through my chest. Before I could gain this privileged life, four other children had to lose it. And for a reason. That''s how fate dictated it. "That''s how fate wanted it," they had told me. And I never thought about those children. I never thought about their families. It always seemed to me that it was destined to happen. But now, I felt my body trembling. The man I would meet today had a different story for the same day. In his story, his son was lost, and another child took the place that was originally designated for him. He might hate me. Whatever problems he had in his life came from fate''s choice. His child sacrificed for my success. Or maybe he accepted it. He might have known that this was what the gods wanted to happen. Ultimately, that''s what this lesson was teaching. He had to know better than anyone why everything happened. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. - Thank you for informing me, I managed to say quietly and shortly after. She didn''t answer, and we entered the classroom together. A stout, unkempt, bald man was sitting in the chair at the front. A wave of shame washed over me. I sat next to Kianna and waited for the lesson to begin. I expected to catch a glimpse from him, but it never came. Perhaps he didn''t understand me, or maybe he was just avoiding me. I would find out when we would say our names in class. - Good morning, my name is Mr. Doulpen, and together we will delve into one of the most important lessons regarding your social and spiritual life. Before we get into more details, let''s introduce ourselves first. Start by stating your name, he said to a student at the front of the room with his low, heavy, indifferent voice. The first students began to introduce themselves, and gradually, it was my turn. Every time someone said their name, he would look at them for a moment and then make notes on his paper. - Next. - Dave Greenwood, I said with the confidence that remained in me. He lifted his gaze and looked at me fiercely. The paper started trembling in his hands, but quickly, he regained his strength. He relaxed his face and leaned on the edge of the chair. - My great honor to have the chosen one as my student, he said and let out a chuckle. I turned and looked at Kianna, who also seemed somewhat relieved. I tried to see if anyone else had noticed something. In such a case, everyone should be whispering among themselves anxiously, but everyone seemed indifferent. Perhaps the story of Professor Doulpen''s son wasn''t so well-known. Probably only Kianna knew about it, but the question was why she knew.