Athènia's POV
We go down the stairs again, heading to the Great Immortal Hall.
"So, will humans be there too?" said Garth
"Maybe." said Asher
"No. Their schedule doesn't include special elite classes, which means only supernaturals will be here. Actually, when you think about it… under which race did you guys register?" I said
"Well, no one can tell I'm a mermaid, so… vampire." said Asher
"Sorcerer." said Garth
"Elf." said Mara
We all look at her.
"What? If I had registered as a werewolf, I would've been exposed because of my ears. And besides, no one can sense my wolf. What about you, Lis?" said Mara
They all turn toward me. I sigh.
"I'm pretty sure my father registered me as a sorceress. His precious reputation would be destroyed if the world ever found out who I really am." I said
We arrive at the doors of the Great Immortal Hall and step inside. Two men are already there—one in his sixties, the other in his twenties. They turn their eyes on us.
"Where are the others?" said the man 1
"On their way." I said
"And who are you?" said the man 2
"I am Athènia Nancella Lisiane GRONDS." I said
"The Princess of Harmony? Why are you here? As far as I know, women don't possess power." said the man 1
"First of all, go ask my father why he registered me here. Second, I still carry sorcerer's blood. And third, focus on training us instead of asking stupid questions." I said
I answer in a cold, arrogant tone. The older man smiles.
"Exactly the same character as someone I admire. And the others?" said the man 1
"I am Marajana SUMMER." said Mara
"Asher SWATSON." said Asher
"And I'm Garth PETERSON." said Garth
"Pleasure to meet you, young ones. I am Manrick, and this is Kendrick." said the man 1
The older man is Manrick, the younger is Kendrick.
"Since you're the first to arrive, what do you think this class is about?" said Kendrick
"Sports." said Asher
"No." said Manrick
"I'd say it's training to teach us how to fight, build speed, sense danger, maybe obstacle courses that could kill us. Nothing normal." I said
Kendrick raises a brow at me. Looks like we have a genius in our class, grandfather.
"Even without powers, I believe you're strong, Athènia." said Manrick
I keep an impassive face.
"Thank you." I said
"Come on, kids, you should get changed." said Kendrick
"Of course, sir." I said
We head to the changing rooms. Our combat outfits are… rather sexy. Each of us changes in our own cabin, then we step out.
"We look like a team of serial killers." said Mara
For the girls, it's a black sports bra with green military-style pants and brown boots. A pain, really. Luckily, I'm well-trained—even though my father tried to forbid me from training, I always did it in secret. The boys wear black tank tops, green military pants, and brown boots too.
Asher scratches his neck.
"I don't have a good feeling about this elite class." said Asher
"It'll be intense." I said
We head out just as the others arrive, all eyes turning to us again—nothing surprising.
"You've got five minutes to change!" said Kendrick
He yells at the latecomers, who rush into the changing room. Exactly five minutes later, they're back.
"Alright. I'm Kendrick, and this is my grandfather Manrick. You're wondering what the Special Elite Class is about." said Kendrick
"Sports." said Mathieu
"No. As you may have guessed, everyone here is supernatural. This class is an advanced, high-level training. Don't expect us to go easy. But since today is the first day, you'll run this simple obstacle course." said Kendrick
Simple? By "simple," he means the deadliest obstacle course in the world. The students gasp—even the Alpha and the vampire. Except me. I've run this course five times a day. Piece of cake. MJ stands next to me, pouting.
"This will be hell." said Mara
"I expected more." I said
They all stare at me, stunned.
"Are you insane? You've definitely lost your mind." said Asher
"This is the most feared obstacle course in the world—both for humans and supernaturals. And you say you expected more? If 'more' exists, it would be worse than hell." said Garth
I shrug.
"Back home, I did this course five times a day." I said
Again, they stare at me in shock.
"Unbelievable. I couldn't even finish it once without collapsing. And you claim to do five rounds? What kind of parents would allow their daughter to attempt this?" said Asher
"Well, my father forbade me to train. But I'm me, so…" I said shruging again.
"You'll be going two by two. Friends won't be in the same group." said Kendrick
Evera eagerly raises her hand, staring at me with obvious intent. I already know what she's planning—challenge me, hoping to humiliate me.
"I'd like to go first, with the Princess of Harmony as my partner." said Evera
"But—" started Kendrick but
"Oh yes, I accept gladly. I love challenges." I say it with a smile, laced with malice—something people probably find cute.
Evera smirks.
"Even if I don't reach the end, I'll humiliate you, Princess." said Evera
She steps to the starting line. Kendrick walks over to me.
"Are you sure, Athènia? I already know you're stronger than she is." said Kendrick
"Thanks for worrying, Ken. But I'll handle it." I said
"Show us what you're made of!" said Garth
I walk forward under the stares of the students. I can hear their whispers.
—She'll lose against Evera. No girl in this university is stronger than her.
—She's just a princess living in luxury. She wouldn't even think of fighting.
"Stop underestimating Athènia . Just because she's a princess doesn't mean she's weak. And just because that plastic doll looks strong doesn't mean she's stronger than Athènia." said Mara
" In your faces, losers. You're lucky Mara intervened" said Kora
She's right. Kora was this close to coming out. I love Mara—she defends me without knowing what I'm truly capable of.
I prepare for the run.
"Get ready to lose, Princess." said Evera
"Careful, or you'll break your legs." I said
I reply, cold and arrogant. Ah, how I love this.
The whistle blows. Evera gets a head start. I follow, not even caring about her. I slip into military mode—this isn't about her, it's about the course.
—obstacle by obstacle, Athènia executes the entire deadly course with skill, speed, and precision, leaving Evera far behind. She surpasses every trap, weapon, and challenge with flawless mastery, until she reaches the final test and beats Kendrick's record.
"Wow… You've beaten my record. You're the first student in this university to ever succeed." said Kendrick
: "Apart from you, of course." I said
I tease him.
"But you still beat my time. I only managed it once." said Kendrick
"So you really were serious about doing this five times a day…" said Asher
I raise a brow.
"You've known me for a week, Asher. You should know me by now." I said
The training continues for hours. Kendrick eventually pulls me aside, suggesting combat instead—him versus me. Shirtless, thinking it might distract me. It doesn't. We spar fiercely, he corrects my techniques, and for the first time in years, I feel challenged.
After four long hours, the class ends.
"Good. We'll see each other next time. Athènia, work on the weaknesses I mentioned." said Kendrick
"Yes, sir." I said
Later, in the locker room, Mara teases me.
"Lucky girl… Training with the hot teacher while he was shirtless. All the girls were jealous it was you and not them. And Evera—she had it rough." said Mara
"Of course she did. She openly challenged us." said Kora
"By the way, which obstacle did she fail at?" I asked
Mara grins.
"She fell three times at the third one, then gave up." said Mara
I chuckle, and soon the others are laughing too, mocking her. But deep inside, I know—I must stay wary of her. If Kora loses control, Evera won't survive. Hybrid or not, my sister could kill her.
We finally leave the university, all four of us piling into my car. I start the engine and drive us back to our apartment building.