Coming to the academy with Sister Selene by my side, I wasn’t nervous. Not really.
I should’ve been—new place, new people, another test—but with her beside me, I felt… calm.
Her silver hair shimmered under the warm sunlight as she rolled beside me in her chair. Graceful. Composed. Unshaken. She always made me feel safe, even without saying a word.
Still, deep down… I wished Brother Thor had come too.
But I know I can’t rely on him forever.
No, Rhea. You’ve got to do this alone.
I clenched my fists as we reached the academy gate.
You’re not a baby anymore. You’re not someone who hides behind others. You’ve grown.
This time, you’ll pass the test. You’ll make them proud.
I peeked at Selene. She smiled gently at me, as if she could read my thoughts.
“Everything will be fine,” she said softly. “Just believe in yourself, okay? You’ve got this.”
“------”
Thank you, Sister Selene. I’ll do my best.
I gave her a small wave and turned away. I didn’t want her to see the way my hands were trembling.
As I walked through the enormous academy halls, my thoughts wandered—
How could Brother Thor understand me so easily? Even Mother said I had a strange curse. She tried again and again to read my lips, but she always failed. Everyone did.
Except him.
From the moment he arrived, it was like… he heard me. Even in silence.
Maybe it’s because he’s different. Because he doesn’t feel emotions.
That’s what he told me once. He couldn’t feel joy, fear, sorrow—nothing. He was like a blank space in a world full of color.
But he always cared for us. For me. For Mom. For Selene.
When I first found out his mother was killed… I cried for hours. I couldn’t imagine such pain.
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But Thor? He didn’t shed a tear. He didn’t even flinch.
He just stood there. Quiet. Still. Like nothing had happened.
How does someone live like that?
He told me he learned emotions from his master. He said he could mimic them now.
Smile. Frown. Act happy. Pretend to care.
But I know better. I know he does care—even if he doesn’t feel it the same way we do.
I want to help him, like he helped me. But he never lets me.
“Your body’s too weak,” he always says. “You’ll just get hurt.”
Even Selene’s father couldn’t handle his training.
So how strong is Brother Thor?
Stronger than Selene’s father—the strongest god of this universe?
I didn’t know. But I knew one thing:
He always protected us. Always put us first. And I…
I want to do something for him too.
Even if it’s small.
Even if he says I don’t owe him anything.
---
I reached the classroom door, my hand hovering uncertainly over the handle.
What if everyone stared at me? What if I was late again? What if the teacher got mad?
My fingers trembled.
Don’t freeze. Don’t freeze like last time.
Then a voice snapped behind me.
“Tch. If you’re not gonna open the damn door, move.”
I turned sharply.
It was her.
The girl from my last exam—Hephaestus’s daughter.
My teammate.
The one I let down.
She crossed her arms, glaring. “Ugh. You. The statue girl.”
“-------”
“Oh, don’t even start. What the hell are you saying? Still can’t understand a single thing. God, are you seriously in my class too?”
“--------”
She scoffed. “What a joke. I’m stuck with you for the whole semester?”
“--------”
“Move,” she growled. “Or I’ll burn you so bad they’ll never recognize your face.”
I flinched, backing away.
I just wanted to ask your name…
I reached for the small notepad in my bag—the one Mom gave me to talk with strangers—but there was no time. The bell was already ringing. I stepped aside quickly.
She brushed past me with a glare and sneered, “Good girl. Stay out of my way.”
---
We sat side by side in class.
Her arms crossed, eyes glaring daggers at the board.
I didn’t say anything.
She looked like she might explode the room if I breathed wrong.
“Why the hell do I have to sit next to this freak?” she muttered under her breath. “One wrong move and I’ll fry everyone here…”
The teacher entered and the exam began.
Just like Sister Selene said—it was easy. Easier than I expected. I managed a small smile. I can do this.
I glanced at her.
Her pen hovered. Her eyes darted.
She didn’t know the answers?
I wanted to help.
But if I did… I’d be expelled.
Brother Thor would never approve of cheating. Even to help someone mean.
Suddenly—
BANG!
The door burst open.
A man in a dark jacket stormed in. Not a teacher.
“Excuse me, sir—” the teacher began.
Shink!
A silver flash.
Blood sprayed across the room.
The teacher collapsed. Throat slit.
Screams echoed. Desks screeched. A girl fainted.
“AAAAAAHH!”
“EVERYONE—SHUT UP!” the man barked. “SAY ONE WORD, AND I’LL KILL YOU.”
Instant silence. The air turned cold.
He grinned. “That’s more like it.”
His voice was calm, amused. Like he was enjoying this.
“Now… all of you. Out. Move. One by one. Try anything smart, and you die slow.”
A boy whimpered, “P-please… I don’t wanna die…”
The man smirked. “I’m not gonna kill you yet. I want to savor this. Now get moving.”
Beside me, Hephaestus’s daughter stood. Her fists burned bright orange. Flames danced in her palms.
No.
I grabbed her wrist, shaking my head.
She looked down at me, confused. Angry.
I mouthed: Don’t.
We didn’t know his powers. His limits. If he was alone.
Brother Thor always said: never fight an enemy you don’t understand.
She hesitated. Then, reluctantly, the flames vanished.
For the first time, she really looked at me. Her glare softened.
We followed the others out, our steps heavy.
Please, Brother… please… help us.
I felt like crying. But I held it in.
Then—through the window—I saw him.
Cloaked in black, walking through the academy gates like a storm.
Every step silent. Powerful. Focused.
Brother Thor.
Behind him—dozens of teachers. Reinforcements.
But I only saw him.
My chest filled with hope.
Brother… please… save us.
