The Trial of Olympus
Professor Nyx's words lingered in the air, pressing down on the classroom like a storm about to break.
The Olympus Academy Ranking Trial.
A monster hunt.
A test that would determine our ranks for the year.
My first thought? That sounds terrible.
My second thought? I should probably start running now.
She let the weight of it settle before continuing.
"The trial will take place one week from today."
The room buzzed with whispers. Even the students who had been acting like statues before—Felix, Damien, Ajax—leaned in slightly, interested.
A whole week before the battle? That meant training, strategy, and preparation. It also meant that people like me—who had zero combat skills—were expected to fix that before the fight.
Awesome.
Professor Nyx gestured with a flick of her wrist, and golden letters formed in the air.
Olympus Academy Ranking Trial
• Event Type: Monster Hunt
• Participants: All First-Year Students
• Objective: Hunt, Survive, Earn Points
• Ranking System:
• 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 only be tested on combat skill," Nyx continued, eyes sweeping over us, "but also strategy, endurance, and adaptability."
Felix looked completely unbothered. Damien had the expression of someone already planning his victory speech. Ajax just cracked his knuckles, clearly ready to hit something.
I raised a hand. "Just to clarify—this is a solo battle, right? No teams?"
Nyx nodded. "Correct. However…" Her gaze sharpened. "Temporary alliances are permitted. How long those alliances last, of course, is up to you."
Oh.
So backstabbing was on the table.
A battle where you could team up, but only one winner would remain standing.
Betrayals, shifting alliances, absolute chaos.
And, unfortunately, I was really good at chaos.
Someone exhaled sharply next to me.
I turned slightly to see Lyra Castor, daughter of Apollo, pinching the bridge of her nose like she already regretted sitting near me.
"Don't even say anything," she muttered.
I grinned. "But I have so much to say."
She sighed. "You have zero combat skills."
"True."
"You have no plan."
"Also true."
"And you expect to survive this?"
I shrugged. "Haven't died yet."
Lyra groaned. "This is going to be painful."
After Class: The Chaos Begins
The moment class ended, the room erupted into conversation.
Felix and his crew immediately started talking strategy.
Damien leaned in, clearly interested in who would be his real competition.
Ajax? Ajax just smirked like he was already picturing his victory.
I, on the other hand, had one goal.
Find a way to survive this.
Lyra fell into step beside me as we left the room.
"So," I said casually, "thoughts? Concerns? Regrets?"
She shot me a flat look. "All of the above."
"Ah. Good to know."
"Do you even know how to fight?"
I considered that. "Not at all."
Her eyebrow twitched. "What are you good at?"
I grinned. "Nothing. Just running."
She let out a slow exhale, muttering something under her breath that I was pretty sure was an insult.
But then she turned to me fully, her golden eyes sharp.
"If you don't learn something this week, you're going to get flattened."
I waved a hand. "Eh. How bad could it be?"
Her gaze flicked toward Felix and Damien—who were both watching me like I was a minor inconvenience they'd be forced to remove.
I followed her look.
"…Okay. Fair point."
She crossed her arms. "You need to train."
"Great idea. You teaching me?"
She actually looked offended at the thought. "Absolutely not."
"Wound me, why don't you?"
"You're impossible."
"And yet, here we are."
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Find someone else. A real fighter. Because right now, you don't stand a chance."
She walked off, shaking her head.
I watched her go, then glanced around the academy grounds.
A week to train.
I needed a teacher.
And fast.