Our next class was taught by Alaric himself. We were currently in gym class, outside the school, learning about physical combat.

Alaric was saying, "Many Supernatural beings are unstable. They could attack you for no reason at all. Take it from me, a human who used to be a vampire hunter. Which is why, I will be teaching you how to defend yourselves with and without your powers. Not only will this help you against Supernaturals, but humans as well."

He paused for a second before continuing, "Over the next few days, you will learn how to fight two very different opponents. Now for my demonstration. Does anyone want to volunteer to be my partner?"

Alaric didn't wait for anyone to volunteer. He called out, "Percy, why don't you be my partner. After all, I've heard that you're a pretty good one."

Great.

Once I was next to Dr. Saltzman, he said, "The first move that I'm going to teach you is a simple punch to the ribs. If you punch this with enough force, the rib will break and cause a lot of pain to your opponent. It will not have any lasting damage, and it would heal in a few weeks."

As he was talking, he demonstrated the move on me.

"Now, Percy," he said. "We're going to spar. And I want you to use it on me. Don't worry, the pads will keep my rib from braking. Be warned, I'm not going to just let you punch me."

I nodded, understanding what he wanted me to do.

We both got into a fighting stance and we began to spar.

I lightly attacked him, looking for any openings.

I noticed that he calculated his moves, always thinking one step ahead. This was a good strategy, especially considering that he was a human fighting Supernaturals. However, that was also his biggest weakness. He didn't know it, but that way of fighting diverts your focus.

I punched him a few times, knowing that that would open his ribs up. Then, I punched him in the ribs causing him to step back.

Alaric ended the match and laughed. He said, "No one's ever beaten me that fast. You beat me in what? Thirty seconds?"

"Probably," I replied.

I partnered up with Nico for the rest of the class, and as we were getting ready to leave, Alaric asked to talk to me.

I followed him till we were 40 or so feet away from everyone else. He said, "I noticed that you barely put any effort into fighting me. How did you learn to fight like that?"

I answered his question by saying, "Since I was young. We do war games at my camp."

He raised an eyebrow, "You don't learn how to fight like that at a summer camp."

I explained, "I learned out of survival. Ever since I was kidnapped when I was twelve."

He shouted, "What?!"

I said, "My dad's family has a number of enemies. They came after me, even though I've never met my dad. He was lost at sea when in the Marines."

"Oh."

I asked, "Can I go now?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

As we walked back into the school, I heard the faint sound of snakes behind me.

I turned around, and a few feet away, was Medusa, in her Auntie Em disguise. Meaning she was wearing sunglasses and her snake hair was hidden.

She took off her sunglasses and looked a student in the eyes. They immediately turned to stone.

Alaric shouted, "Everyone, get inside!"

I couldn't expose myself as a god, so I followed them inside.

What was Medusa doing here? I thought she was still in Tartarus. Unless, she came out through the Doors of Death, before they were closed.

After everyone was inside, and the doors were barricaded, I said to Nico, "I have to stop her. Can you cover for me while I'm gone?"

He nodded, "Yeah. Just make sure you get her head. It could come in handy at some point."

I snuck away from the group, and into an empty hallway. Then, I threw off my pads and vapor traveled outside the school.

Medusa was examining her new statue when she noticed me. I shut my eyes and she said, "If it isn't the Great Percy Jackson. I've heard a lot about you while I was in Tartarus."

I heard Medusa walk closer to me until I felt her breath on my face. She said, "I'm going to have so much fun playing with your statue."

I reached into my pocket and uncapped Riptide. In one swift motion, her head was no longer attached to her body.

I opened my eyes and capped Riptide. Picking up her head, I quickly vapor traveled to my room and put her head into a box.

After that, I snuck back to the group, and no one, other than Nico, noticed that I was gone.