So far, Kael had realized a few things.
First, people didn’t really like him.
Second, the professor seemed really interested in him.
She hadn’t taken her eyes off him since she asked him to introduce himself. Her smirk was visible now, and that made Kael a bit worried. He had wanted to avoid attention, but this? This was the opposite of what he wanted.
With a flick of her finger, golden light surged through the blackboard, forming words on its own.
The Olympus Academy Ranking Trial.
"A monster hunt. This test will determine your ranks for the year," she announced.
Everything erupted into panic and murmurs. No one had expected a test out of nowhere, especially one that would define their rank for the entire year.
Professor Callista let the tension settle before continuing her lecture—but it didn’t.
Then she shouted, "Silence."
The room shook. The pressure in the air grew heavier. For a moment, the entire class struggled to breathe.
Kael’s eyes widened. The teachers here carried real power.
The shadows around him stirred uneasily, reacting as if sensing danger, moving instinctively like they were trying to protect him.
Kael whispered, "Stop it."
The class stared at the professor with a mix of fear and excitement. The students admired how powerful she was.
Then Kael realized something.
And now, he was excited.
"The trial will take place one week from today."
A murmur spread again. The students who had been sitting still started to move and talk to their neighbors—Caius, Vander, Rowan—leaning in slightly, excitement burning in their otherwise unreadable faces.
A whole week before the battle. That meant training, planning, and strategizing.
Kael muttered, "Fantastic. This will give me some time to train. At least I’ll get my ass kicked a little less."
Professor Callista raised a hand, and glowing golden letters formed on the board.
Olympus Academy Ranking Trial
Event Type: Monster Hunt
Participants: All First-Year Students
Objective: Hunt, Survive, Earn Points
-1 Point – Weak monsters (easy to kill, good for farming).
-3 Points – Moderate monsters (require combat skill).
-5 Points – Strong monsters (only for the best fighters).
-Bonus Points – Eliminating an opponent (steal their points).
-Winning Condition: Top 30 students with the highest points pass.
"You will not just be tested on combat skill," Callista continued, her sharp gaze scanning through the room, "but also on strategy, endurance, and adaptability."
Kael didn’t miss the way Callista looked completely unbothered, while Vander had the expression of someone who already had his victory speech prepared. Rowan just cracked his knuckles, clearly eager for a fight.
Then Kael noticed something.
Caius, Vander, and Rowan were staring at him.
There was something cold in their gazes—something unspoken but clear.
It sent a chill through his spine.
He knew what they were planning.
They were planning on teaming up.
Kael hesitated before raising his hand. "Just to clarify—this is a solo battle, right? No teams?"
Callista nodded. "Correct. However..." Her gaze grew sharper. "Temporary alliances are permitted. How long those alliances last, of course, is up to you."
A hushed silence followed.
Kael’s stomach twisted. "So betrayal was on the table. As well as jumping Kael."
It was a battle where students could team up, but in the end, only one winner would remain standing.
Shifting alliances. Backstabbing. Absolute chaos.
Someone exhaled sharply beside him.
He turned slightly to see Liz Castor, daughter of Apollo, pinching the bridge of her nose like she already regretted sitting near him.
Kael frowned. "But I don’t wanna get my butt kicked. Just look at how they’re looking at me. I’m just a piece of meat to them."
Liz crossed her arms, expression unreadable. "Well, sucks to be you."
Kael placed a hand over his chest, gasping. "Wow. Not even a little sympathy? Here I thought we had something special."
Liz arched a brow. "We don’t."
Kael sighed dramatically. "Ruthless."
She sighed. "You have no plan."
Kael held up a finger. "I kinda do."
Liz tilted her head slightly. "And that is?"
Kael gave her a confident smirk. "Run really, really fast."
Liz groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is going to be painful. Well, good luck."
The moment class ended, the room erupted into conversation.
Kael turned to Liz as they walked out together.
"So," he said casually, "thoughts? Concerns? Regrets?"
She shot him a flat look. "All of the above."
She glanced at him sideways. "So, what will you do now?"
Kael considered it. "Not much. Just cry in the shower alone. You?"
Liz narrowed her eyes. "Like a normal person, maybe you should train."
Kael flashed her his best grin. "That’s after I’m done crying."
She exhaled sharply. "You’re impossible."
Kael’s grin widened. "And yet, here we are."
Liz suddenly stopped walking and turned to him fully, her golden eyes burning into his.
"If you don’t learn something this week, you’re going to get flattened."
Kael’s smirk didn’t waver. "Oh, sunshine, don’t worry. I always survive alone. I’ll be okay."
Liz held his gaze for a moment longer. Kael could feel her seeing through him, past his casual grin and false confidence.
Instead, her gaze flicked across the courtyard—toward Caius and Vander, who were watching Kael like he was a minor problem that would soon be removed.
She let out a slow breath. "You need to train."
Kael hesitated before speaking, his voice quieter this time. "Why are you interested in me?"
Kael had been thinking about it all day.
Everyone ignored him. Since the moment he arrived, the students had treated him like he didn’t exist—like he was something untouchable.
But Liz was different.
She talked to him. She wanted to see how things played out for him.
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why are you so interested in me?" he asked. "Everyone ignored me, wouldn’t even come near me, but you went out of your way to talk to me. Worry about me. What are you planning?".
Liz was quite for bit like she was thinking of a answer then she tilting her head slightly. "I just find you...intriguing."
Kael clutched his chest dramatically, stumbling back as if wounded.
"You—" he gasped, voice thick with betrayal, "you don’t care about me at all! You just care for my body!"
Liz recoiled. "Ew. Not in a million years."
Kael pouted. "What do you mean, ’ew’? I’m actually pretty handsome."
Liz rolled her eyes. "You’re impossible."
Kael grinned. "Don’t worry, sunshine. I’ll be okay. Don’t you worry."
She sighed again. "You are impossible."
Then, she turned and walked off.
Kael watched her go before glancing around the academy grounds.
He had a week to train.