Leaving Mr. Hale's office I felt a little bit better, knowing that some of the questions about my life mights get an answers and I could also trust another person. But there is another question I need to solve now which is this Woreus shadow or a person. Did my brain really just combined real stuff because I was stressed out or is it really a part of my memory? I closed the door behind me and then slowly walked to the crossing doorway. The guardian was sitting on his high chair, not moving at all while he stared in front of him. I walked closer to the door and then took out the pass I got from Mr. Hale. The guardian didn't even look at me and he just waved his hand in the air, making the door open. I slightly bowed as a thanks to the guardian and then walked to the Aveus side. After I crossed the barrier and the second door closed behind me, I could feel the metallic circle warm up in my hand. I checked the pass and a part of it was glowing. More precisely a clock appeared in a orange-gold color, shinig and showing the time of my stay. The two hour timer turned into one hour, fifty-nine minutes and the seconds were counting down. I noted to myself how much time I can spend at Aveus and then quickly proceeded to go and find Professor Coldos.

I didn't know if his clas has already ended and if he left or stayed behind to clean his papers like the last time. But the safe option to not miss him would be to just go straight into his office. I tried to find my way to get there because it's a different direction from here than going from his classroom. I was a little bit lost but I didn't have time to go all around the school to his classroom and then walk from there. I proceeded to try and navigate myself through the hallways until I've found myself walking through an unknown corridor. It was empty and cold, not a living soul around. The walls turned into stone gray and it was pretty dark in here. The statues and gargoyles on the walls seemed like they were watching my every step, like they are moving their eyes, breathing like an actual living being. I focused on them, the silence too strong, all I could hear were those breaths. My eyes were locked on the statue made in a greek style and completely zoned out until I could feel someone touch my shoulder which surprised me and I jumped on the spot, screaming my lungs out. After I focused on my surroundings again, I saw Professor Coldos standing in front of me. He was dressed in his casual white suit trousers and light blue shirt, making him shine like a beacon in in this dark hallway. I could hear my heartbeat inside my head as I grabbed my chest, trying to calm down.

Professor Coldos: I am sorry, didn't mean to scare you.

Me: It's alright, Professor. I might have got myself lost anyway so I am lucky that you found me.

Professor Coldos: No worries. Should we go into my office now?

I nodded and then followed Professor Coldos as we left this creepy hallway to go work in his office. This time I paid closer attention to where his office is and how to get there. I certainly didn't want to get lost in that weird corridor again.

We arrived in front of the office and stopped, Professor Coldos taking keys out of his pocket and unlocks the door. He opened it, pushing the wood with his hand to the side and motioning with the same hand for me to walk in first. I entered the office, Professor Coldos followed after me and continued to walk to his desk while I remained standing on one spot. He told me to sit down and pointed his arm on the empty chair that's in front of his table. Slowly walking towards the desk, I placed my backpack on the ground and took the Ulferonn book out of it while I seated myself. I put the book on my thighs, rested my arms on top of it while hugging the old leather with my palms and fingers. I waited for Professor Coldos to set his books down and also sit down.

Professor Coldos: Did you find anything interesting in the book?

Me: I wanted to ask, if you know anything about this one person mentioned in the book. I saw his name when I did my essay for the Scriptology class.

Professor Coldos: Which one do you have in mind?

Me: Someone named Woreus.

I didn't want to reveal my dream and why I am interested in this person and luckily I didn't have to. Professor Coldos only nodded his head a few times, his fingers intertwined, elbows resting on the wood of the table and then stood up. He walked away to the right side of his office, in front of these shelves and browsed through the old books that he kept there. His figners danced on the backs of the books, tapping each one slightly until he stopped on one book and then took it out. Professor Coldos returned to his seat, placing the book on his desk and pushing it, making it slide to my side.

Professor Coldos: This is my book I published after doing a research of Viysus.

Me: A Viysus? What is that?

Professor Coldos: By what the legends say and what I could translate, it is a separate dimension where the ancient gods live.

Me: Another dimension? Ancient gods? Is it where Zeus and the other gods live?

Professor Coldos: No. Ancient gods are different from the others. They are older.

Me: What does that have to do with what I am searching for though, Professor?

Professor Coldos: Your person, Woreus, is one of thme. An ancient.

Ancient gods? This is the first time I've heard about them. I mean I've heard about Zeus, Hades even Odin or Thor in my life. We've learned something about them in out literature or history classes, but not a word about there being other types of gods called Ancient ones. Do those gods have no children? Are there no demigods that come from their line so that's why there are no legends about them?

I picked up the book from the table and started to flip through the pages. Reading the translation of some different Noion texts I search for anything about Woreus. I could read Noion without any problems so it wasn't like I needed a translated version of it but there were also notes added to some parts, explaining the text further which was useful.

I came across the same family tree that is in the Ulferonn book. It was a neatly drawn picture of an oak tree. All the names I've seen already plus some new ones that I didn't see before. Some of the spots on the tree were filled with just names, others had a little note attached to them. And some brackets were left open, filled only with a small questionmark in the middle. I pointed at the top of the tree where the name ulferonn is written and then trailed down on the page, sliding through the family tree until I've found him. Woreus. There is a note attached to his name so I check which page it is on and then flip to it. On the left side of the book was a drawn picture, a painting of what Woreus looks like. I looked at him. He has a long dark raven hair with a little thin braid under. His eyes glowed in the same emerald shade as Mr. Hale's. He even reminded me of him a little bit. His eyebrows were thin and furrowed . He had asmall lips with slight stubble around. His emerald orbs were inside almond-shaped eyes that were giving me a warm look despite his eyebrows that make him look a little bit angry and scary. The portrait was mostly of his face but you could see the top of his shoulders too. He is dressed in a black shirt and a green tie around his neck in the same color as his eyes. No matter how long I looked at him though, his face was a stranger to me. I have never seen this man in my life. Did I really just mask up stuff in my brain? But it was a little bit strange to me that there was a portrait of Woreus while there are no legends about him.

Me: Professor Coldos. How did the person who drew this picture know what Woreus looks like? Did they see him?

Professor Coldos: No. All of the portraits are done based on the descriptions we found in the texts I was able to translate.

Now it made more sense. So there is still a chance I might know him because he might look different than the picture. I focused on the text that is written on the right side of the book. At first, there was his description, like Professor Cold said. I read it and I must say that they've nailed the portrait. I continued reading about him. Some things I've already knew, for example that he is the first son of Ulferonn but in this book there is also a name of his mother – Aetha. The text describes him as a polite, charming and kind prince. Wait up. A PRINCE? Are gods some sort of a reoyal family? I had no idea about this information so I asked Professor Coldos if he knows something about it.

Me: It says here that Woreus is the first prince of Viysus. Are gods royalte? Like Zeus is the king or some sort?

Professor Coldos: The gods people would label as "greek gods" are just gods. There is some hierarchy between them but that's about it. On the other hand, the ancient gods have a royal bloodline. The Viysus was created for many ancient gods but it needed a ruler, someone to lead them. So they voted for the most fitting one.

Me: If Woreus is a first prince that makes Ulferonn a king of this Viysus, right?

Professor Coldos: Correct. With Aetha as his queen and their sons, Woreus, Kalai and Thaenviel as three princes of Viysus.

Me: Does this mean that Woreus is a crown prince too?

Professor Coldos: Apparently not.

I stare at Professor Coldos in confusion but he only takes the book from my hand, flips a few pages and then gives it back to me. His hand placed on top of the page, he points with his index finger on a section of a text. I cleared my throat and brought the book closer to my face to read it. IT was titled as "Royal family of Viysus" and explained what Professor Coldos told me before. How Ulferonn got chosen as a leader of Viysus gods, giving him the title of the king. Then it continued explaining the process of the royal system. Even though Woreus is a firstborn prince of Ulferonn, he was not chosen as a crown prince to inherit the throne. The crown is supposed to go to a god from Ulferonn's bloodline but they must have an ability to summon Ulferonn's familiar. It didn't say much about it. What type or what this familiar thing even in. Just that none of the princes were chosen to inherit the throne so far. Person that will get the crown must have the familiar but also magic. And apparently Ulferonn's powers split in his sons. Ulferonn's first son, Woreus, inherited "the wolf" meanwhiule his brother, Kalai inherited "the magic", making them not suitable for the throne. The youngest one, Thaenviel, inherited both "the wolf" and "magic" but the powers fight against each other, eliminating him from being Ulferonn's successor. Must be tough on them. Being born royalty but deemed not enough. I scoffed at the ridiculous system they have in this Viysus place and I couldn't be bothered to finish reading about it. I was going to close the book but then I caught a glimpse of a text mentioning a fourth person – a princess. It sounded interesting so I wanted to read more about her but there wasn't much.

Me: There is a mention of a princess that isn't on the family tree in the Ulferonn book. There is not much written about her in the text. Do you know anything about her?

Professor Coldos: She is a mystery even to me. There aren't many texts about her and some of them mention her only briefly. Maybe because of her origin.

Me: Her origin?

Professor Coldos: The king Ulferonn is her father but the name of her mother wasn't listed.

Me: Isn't it the Aetha queen?

Professor Coldos: It is not. I've found three different mentions of the princess but in all of them, the name of her mother was blank.

Me: That means Ulferonn must have cheated on his wife.

Professor Coldos: Most likely. I guessed so too. Maybe that's why they didn't want any mentions of her, because she was an illegitimate child. One text seemed to have the name of her mother written down but the paper was too old and damanged for me to be able to read it. The only part I got is "Ev" of her first name and "Hall" of her surname.

Me: Ev? Evie?

Professor Coldos: What is that?

Me: Uhm, nothing. I am just mumbling to myself. But isn't that strange?

Professor Coldos: What do you mean?

Me: All of the ancient gods only have one name like Ulferonn, Woreus. But this Ev person also has a surname?

Professor Coldos: Hmm. Never actually thought about it. That is actually interesting. We could try work on that if you want. I am awaiting a shipment of old books that might contain Noion text. Are you interested?

Me: I am. If I can be of any helpt to you with translating the books, I will do it.

Professor Coldos nodded and I closed the book, handing it over to him. He didn't take it and told me that I can borrow the book if I want to. The shipment wont arrive for another two days so if I wantto, I can be studying his book for more information about Woreus and his family since I was so interested in him. I thanked Professor Coldos and immediately packed the book into my backpack. As I was putting it into my bag, my hand brushed against something very warm. I ruffled through the backpack to grab that warm thing and take it out. It was the pass I got from Mr. Hale. I held it in my hand as it was getting hotter and checked the clock. The timer said I have only about fifteen minutes of the stay left. I cursed under my breath because it was my fault for getting lost in that creepy corridor and wasting time. Professor Coldos noticed me holding the pass so he told me that I can go back to my dorm now, that there isn't much anything else to do today and we have to wait for the shipment anyway. I thanked him for lending me his book again and then excused myself. I was on my way out of the office when Professor Coldos stopped me.

Professor Coldos: Do you need me to show you the way back?

Me: No, I am good, Professor. I will manage but thank you.

Professor Coldos didn't say anything else and picked a bunch of papers, reading them and then writing something down on them. Exam sheets probably?! I shrugged my shoulders, said goodbye to the Professor and then left his office.

I didn't get lost on my way this time and I swiftly crossed the barrier, walking all the way to my dorm. I went straight to my desk and took out the books from my backpack. Reilly still hasn't returned so I decided to do more research on Woreus. I sat down, took out a secret notebpad that I kept at the bottom of the drawer and opened it, revealing my notes about Ulferonn book and my dreams. I picked a pen from the plastic coffee cup that I am using as a pen holder and played with the pen as I was reading the pages of the Professor Coldos' book. I was going to work on the book but my stomach let out a loud growl, eachoing in the silent empty room. Dammit. I knew I should have stopped at the cafeteria to pick something to eat! I groaned and then dropped the pen on my desk, hugging my hurting stomach, I bent down to reach for my backpack and searched for my phone. Once I had it, I unlocked it and typed Reilly a message, asking her where she is and joked if someone kidnapped her. No reply. Not even "seen". I dialed her number but it went straight into the voicemail. Weird. She always picks up her phone. I tried calling her one more time but I got the same result. I began to worry about Reilly but I didn't know where to even go looking for her. Then I remembered the communication spell and decided to try it. It should work because you only need to know the name and face of the person receiving the message and I knew Reilly very well. She did stuck her face into mine as a joke on multiple occasions. And since it worked with Mr. Hale, I wasn't worried that I wouldn't be able to do it even as a demigod. I tore out a page from my notepad and wrote Reilly a message. After I was done writing, I did the spell and sent the paper to Reilly. I waited for her response but even after a few minutes, nothing. Then I realized Reilly is a demigod and probably can't reply to me the same way. I slapped my forehead mentally and also in reality with my hand so strong, that I yelped in pain and massaged my forehead that must be tomato red right now. As I was brushing the burning and hurting skin with my fingers, the door on the dorm room swung open, crashing into the wall with a bang, followed by a person yelling. I turned around to see what just happened and see frightened Reilly in the middle of the room, trying to catch her breath.

Reilly: DO YOU WANT ME TO GET A HEART ATTACK?

Me: Wha-. What happened?

Reilly: THIS!

She shoves the paper that she was holding into my face and I took it from her. I unfolded it and it was my message that I've sent her. I looked at Reilly and shrugged my shoulders, not knowing why she is so worked up about this. I only wrote her: Hey bestie. Haven't seen you all day. Lowkey hungry. Where you at? – Kaitlin. So it wasn't a bad message but then Reilly explained why is she so huffy and puffy.

Reilly: I was outside of the academy bounds because my mom called me. She needed, uhm, help with something. After we finished what she needed, we went to grab a lunch. I was just minding my own business, eating my steak, when A FREAKING PAPER APPEARS IN FRONT OF MY FACE OUT OF NOWHERE! What the hell girl?

Me: I am sorry. I didn't know you were outside the school. Didn't mean to scare you.

Reilly: It's fine but just let me ask you one thing. How did you do it?

Ah shit. I forgot about the demigods and no spells. I haven't really talked to Reilly about my powers at all so she must be suspicious of me. But it's Reilly. I know her since we were kids. I remember how I've always admired how strong Reilly is since I first saw her. She stood up to her bullies and I wished to be her friend. And it came true one day, when the bullies targeted me. We were kids, still in middle school back then, when I wanted to fo home from school but couldn't. I left the classroom to wash myself after finishing art class. Let's just say there was more paint on me than it was on the canvas. Everyone else has already cleaned their desks and went home when I finally got back from washing the paint out of my hair. I quickly tidied up the brushes and paints into my art box that teacher kept for each student in the back of the classroom and went to take my school backpack.But it wasn't 't there, Next to my deskm in my locker...it disappeared. I searched around the whole classroom and hallways but I couldn't find it anywhere. At first, I thoughr some of my classmates took it and threw it into the trash can like they did this one time but I checked all of them and they were empty. I was checking the last trash can when I heard a loud laughter coming from outside. I looked through the window to see a familiar backpack flying up and down. I followed it and saw the notorious bullies tossing up my backpack into the air, trying to throw it on a tree, which eventually they succeeded in. Running to the entrance, I stop to switch my shoes but they aren't in my locker. They must have taken them too and hid them somewhere. I had to stay in my thin white slippers and go try to retrieve my bag. I walked through the school yard all the way to that tree where the bullies where laughing and pointing on my backpack that's stuck on a branch. They've notice me as I approached them and started to laugh at me. I was holding back my tears, didn't pay any attention to them and just walked straight to the tree. I started climbing it, reaching for branches one by one to support me but it was hard to stay on the tree with the slippers I was wearing. I kept slipping up and couldn't hold myself on the tree with my weak arms. The laughter behind me became louder and was joined by stupid remarks or jokes about me. I grabbed the tree harded with my plams, trying to calm down and not burst into crying. I decided to confront them. The anger was taking over me. A wind started to build up. But as soon as I turned around and opened my mouth to speak up, I saw a flash of red hair running past me. Something climbed the tree and then jumped down. It all happened so fast that I couldn't focus at first. I only blinked but then I saw the red-haired girl named Reilly standing in front of me, holding my backpack. She handed it to me and then untangled something that was hanging around her neck. She gave it to me and when I looked at what she was holding in her hand by a shoe lace, I realized she had my sneakers too. I grabbed them and then crouched down to swap my shoes. I was tying up the shoelaces when I looked up and saw reilly walking up to the group of bullies while pulling up her sleeves, ready to fight. One of the bullies asked her what she is going to do, mocking her and thinking she won't do anything to them. To his surprise and I think to everyone else's too, Reilly picked up her pace until she was running towards the guy and then punches him to his face. He drops on his butt and holds his cheek while the rest of the group, four other kids, run up and crouch next to him. They look at Reilly, yelling out threats at her but she growles at them to leave me alone or else they will greet her fist too. She starts walking towards them, making the bullies retreat and then scarce away. I was standing still in front of the tree, hugging my backpack when Reilly walks up to me, extending her arm as she introduces herself. I looked at her hand still in shock but she quickly grabs my hand and shakes it. My eyes shifted to her face that gave me the biggest grin as a greeting. And since then we started to talk, hang out and eventually became best friends. She didn't need to help me back then but she did it anyway so if she won't be able to help me this time, I can still at least trust her and talk to her about it.

Me: It's complicated and I will tell you but first, can we please grab something to eat because I haven't had anything the whole day and I am dying.

Reilly agrees to accompany me to the cafeteria. We quickly walk down and I thought Reilly wouldn't want to eat anything since she already had lunch with her mom but she went straight to the fridges and picked up boxed lunches. We went to the Umbras cafeteria and I called Reilly to the door so that we can cross to Aveus but she was already paying for the food. She walked up to me with the portions for two people and also a bottle of red wine in her right hand.

Reilly: Mom gave me a bigger allowance today so lunch is on me. Let's go back to our room and talk there, okay?

I only nodded and thanked Reilly for treating me to lunch. At least I grabbed the bottle to help her lesser the load to carry. We got back to our room and walked straight to the table and couches that are in the middle of the room. Reilly put the boxes down and then pulled on the plastic foil to open them, setting it around with the cutlery and then went to grab the wine glasses which I got surprised by it, because I didn't know that we even have them in our room. I sat down and tried to open the bottle. I popped the cork and then poured wine into the glasses Reilly was holding in front of me. She put the glasses down, took a seat and grabbed one of the boxes. Reilly bought some carbonara pasta for us and we enjoyed eating it. I devoured it so fast because I was hungry like a starving wolf and then I just slouched on the couch, holding my glass and sipped on wine. I looked at reilly and I could tell that she was anxious, waiting for me to start talking.

Me: I don't know how much theyt told you about my situation after the test I did but there is still something I am trying to figure out.

Reilly: Is it your parents? I can help you look for them if you want.

Me: Wasn't thinking about searching from them yet, even though it could help me explain some things. Actually, I was confused since you told me how demigods cant summon things or do spells. Even though I wasn't able to use the power of my manifestation when I thought I was a magician, I could still do easy spells in the beginners classes. One of them is the one I used to send you that message. Somehow I am able to cast spells even though I am a demigod. I asked Mr. Hale about this and he told me that he will look into it but he thought that it's weird too and could be dangerous if people knew about it so I was meant to keep it to myself. I couldn't not tell you though so, here it is.

Reilly: Yeah it is definitely unusual. I could ask my mom if she knows anything. I promise I won't say it's about you and just say that it's a part of my research for The student's week or something.

Me: I want to wait and see if Mr. Hale finds something first and then we can ask your mom. I want to keep this between as less people as possible.

Reilly: Understandable. I got you.

Me: Are you not worried that I am some kind of a monster or a mutation?

Reilly: I've always felt a connection to you that I can't explain. I would be your friend even if you were a worm.

I laughed at Reilly's comment but it reassured me a little bit. We continued to just chat casually while finishing the whole bottle of wine. Reilly poured the last drops into her glass and went to throw away the empty bottle. She notice the books I left on my desk and asked me what I was reading.

Reilly: Is it one of your fantasy romance stories?

Me: No! I read fantasy but not romance.

Reilly: Yeah yeah yeah. So what's it about? Anything good and spicy?

Me: It's actually for a research I am doing.

Reilly: With Professor Coldos?

Me: Sorta. He is helping me out because it's connected to this language called Noion but it's more personal for me. He doesn't know about the real reason I am interested in it though. Do you remember that weird dream I told you about?

Reilly: The recurring one with the blue light you keep having since you were a kid?

Me: Exactly. At first, it was just the lught but after I arrived here, at the academy, the dream started to change and I keep seeing these shadows. One of them is called Woreus.

Reilly's expression turned into a one that's intrigued by the while situation but in some weird kinky way and she got up from the couch, walked up to my desk and grabbed the book. She returned to her seat and started browsing the book Professor Coldos gave me.

Reilly: What was the dude's name again?

Me: Woreus.

Reilly: Oh I've found him. He looks kinda yummy and he is royalty?

Me: Apparently. I don't know why I started dreaming about him.

Reilly: Maybe you wanted the man of your dreams and like this wolfie prince?

Me: Heh. What did you call him? Wolfie prince? Why?

Reilly: What do you mean? It says right here that he can turn into a grey wolf.

I sprung on my spot, quickly making my way around the thable to sit next to Reilly. I lean over her right arm and read the section Reilly is poiting at with her finger. It said what powers Woreus has, inheriting some wolf gene from his father Ulferonn, The Wolf king, and that his bloodline has the power to turn into wolves which they prefer over keeping their human form. I was immersed into the reading until Reilly said something that made me think that this whole dream might be actually real and not just my brain playing games.

"Maybe you picked him because you've always liked that stray grey dog at the orphanage?"