Kael needed to train. Fast. But he didn’t know who to ask. So, like any normal person, he went straight to the smartest person he knew.
Selene Ithaca, heir of Athena, next queen of Athenos, was seated at one of the study tables in the library, her golden whip wrapped neatly at her side. She was reading something ridiculously ancient, probably written in blood by some long-dead philosopher.
She barely looked up when Kael approached her.
He pulled up a chair, putting on his best smile. "Hey there, most beautiful woman in the world."
"No," she said instantly.
Kael blinked. "You don’t even know what I was going to ask."
She turned a page. "Whatever it is, no."
Kael leaned forward, clasping his hands. "You wound me, Selene. I came to you in my time of need."
She looked up with an unimpressed look. "Okay, what do you want?"
"Oh, great Selene, please train me," he said, with the cutest puppy eyes he could muster.
She sighed. "Kael, I can’t teach you because swordsmanship is not my specialty."
"Right?! Then who can—"
"You already know who to ask."
Kael groaned. "Don’t tell me..."
"Yup," she replied with a grin on her face.
"I don’t think he likes me very much... especially not after what happened in the morning."
She was trying so hard to hold back a laugh, clearly replaying the memory in her head.
Kael pouted. "Come on. You’re smart. You can teach me how to outthink my enemies."
"And predict all their moves."
Kael grinned. "So please help me?"
She finally looked him dead in the eyes. "No."
Kael huffed, then smirked. "Oh, Selene, did I ever tell you how beautiful you are? Your beauty puts Aphrodite and her daughter to shame."
"Oh really?" she replied, a blush forming on her face. "What else?"
Kael realized it was working, so he added, "Oh yeah, Lila Sterling’s got nothing on you. You’re like the queen, and she’s like the maid."
Selene leaned forward. "Oh? Tell me more."
Before Kael could finish, a voice behind him cut in.
Kael turned back slowly. The air in the room shifted.
Lila Sterling was staring at him from above, arms crossed, an annoyed smirk on her face. Her long golden-blonde hair shimmered under the light, her violet-pink eyes held an almost hypnotic glow, and her flawless, sun-kissed skin radiated confidence.
Kael couldn’t take his eyes off her.
He had no idea what to say. He was lost for words but did realize that Selene had played him. He turned to her. "You are an evil woman."
Selene just smiled in satisfaction.
Kael turned to Lila. "How much did you hear?"
"Not much," she replied.
Kael sighed in relief.
"So... what were you guys talking about?"
"Nothing much, just how pretty you are and stuff."
Lila grinned. "What about the part where I was a maid?"
Kael stiffened. "...Oh, well, look at the time! I gotta go. But before I leave, do you know where Orion is?"
She smirked. "Private training hall."
"Gotta go. Also, Lila, you are way prettier than Selene."
Kael shot up and ran.
"You damn brat!" Selene shouted.
Kael entered the private training hall. It was a restricted area—which, in Kael’s defense, was a really bad way to keep him out. Something about not being allowed somewhere just made him want to go even more.
He got past the barriers, ducked under a floating staircase, and casually walked through the hall like he owned the place.
And then, there he was.
The leader of the Holy Knights. The prodigy of Olympus Academy. The next king of Aetheros.
And currently? Kael’s last hope.
Orion was in the middle of an extreme training session. He was surrounded by a formation of robotic training dummies—autonomous constructs forged by divine craftsmanship. It was as if they were created by Hephaestus himself.
These dummies weren’t just stationary targets; they moved, adapted, and attacked based on the opponent’s strength.
Each dummy bore a human-like shape, glowing Olympian runes carved into their metallic forms. Some wielded swords, others spears, while a few had massive shields that could block even the strongest attacks. They changed flawlessly between offense and defense, made to counter and push the student to get stronger.
Orion moved with terrifying speed—Kael could barely keep up with his eyes.
With his blade, Orion sliced through the dummies while deflecting their multi strikes from every directions. He twisted his body as if he were floating in air, dodging and parrying like he was dancing with the wind, every movement flawless and precise.
One dummy lunged at him with a spear—Orion sidestepped at the last moment, knocked it aside with a flick of his wrist, and drove his sword through its chest. The moment it collapsed, another dummy whirled toward him with a massive shield. Orion didn’t hesitate—he struck at the exposed joints, dismantling it with ease.
Kael’s eyes were glowing.
He stood there, watching, completely mesmerized. Now he understood why Selene told him to ask Orion.
The guy wasn’t just good—he was on an entirely different level.
Kael leaned against the wall, watching for a moment.
Then, with his most charming grin, he called out—
"Hey, buddy! Wanna train me?"
Orion didn’t even hesitate.
Kael sighed, stepping closer. "Come on, Orion. Be my savior."
Orion slashed his sword through the air, finishing his form before finally turning to him.
His golden eyes narrowed. "You do realize I have no reason to help you. You’ve been nothing but a pain in my ass since we met."
Kael nodded. "Correct."
"And that you are insufferable."
Kael grinned. "Also correct."
Orion exhaled through his nose, clearly already done with him. "Leave."
Kael clutched his chest dramatically. "Why must you do this to me, Holy Knight?"
Kael blinked innocently. "Yes, my dear Orion?"
His jaw ticked. "I am going to give you a five-second head start before I throw you out the window."
Kael crossed his arms. "That’s fair."
So naturally, he melted into the shadows and sneaked into his room. Kael stared at him. Watching him sleep, then started poking his face with his finger.
That startled Orion and he work up inrage. "What... the HELL are you doing?"
Kael grinned. "Training time."
Orion stared at him, processing his life choices.
Then, very slowly, he turned and tried to go back to sleep.
Kael shook him again.
Kael poked his cheek again.
Kael poked him again.
Orions hand shot out, grabbed Kael’s wrist, and threw him out of the room.
Kael crashed into the floor, groaning. "Ow."
Orion exhaled deeply. "Leave. Me. Alone."
Later that day orion walked through the Academy courtyard, completely ignoring Kael.
So, naturally, Kael did the only logical thing he can think off.
He latched onto his leg.
Orion stopped walking.
The entire courtyard stared.
"Kael," Orion said slowly. "Let go."
Kael clung tighter. "Train me."
Kael tightened his grip. "Orion, please."
Orion started walking anyway, dragging Kael across the courtyard.
Kael yelled dramatically.
"MY ONLY FRIEND BETRAYED ME! WHY, ORION?! WHY?!"
Students stopped and started at them like they were watching a live play.
"I’LL DIE WITHOUT YOU."
"MY CHILDREN, ORION."
"YOU DON’T HAVE CHILDREN."
Kael grabbed his other leg.
Orion dragged him like a stubborn cat refusing to go to the vet.
Orion stopped walking.
The entire courtyard stared.
Kael yelled dramatically. "MY ONLY FRIEND BETRAYED ME! WHY, ORION?! WHY?!"
Orion sighed. "Fine."
Kael froze. "...What?"
"Fine. I’ll train you."
Kael grinned. "See? That wasn’t so hard."
Orion looked like he regretted everything.
Training was about to begin.
And Kael was so ready.