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The meeting room at Valencia Academy for Demigods was a sight to behold, adorned with golden flowers that seemed to defy the very laws of nature.

The meeting place is like a fairytale dream where golden flowers adorned every surface, akin to a paradise, and the walls were embellished with portraits of teachers who had served and retired from the academy, along with several others subjected to Zeus's eternal punishment and compelled to serve indefinitely.

At the center of the room hung a portrait of Aether Lee, one of the founders of the school, his knowing smirk sending chills down the spines of anyone who dared to meet his gaze. Beneath his portrait gleamed a golden rose in an enchanted glass bell, just as immortal as the flowers around it, stood in the center, its crimson petals a stark contrast to the golden backdrop, its petals always perfect and its stem unbroken, no matter the season. The rose was symbolizing the eternal life of the institution, it was left by the deceased demigod when the school was built.

The faculty was divided, half of them utterly opposed to accepting new demigod teachers into their ranks. Professor Jeon, a stern son of Nemesis, argued, "These children could be in Camp Half-Blood instead!" His opinion was echoed by Professor Kairos, a wise centaur.

Lady Nera, the Nereid who teaches the demigods about survival, remained silent, her eyes focused on the paper in front of her.

On the opposing side, Professor Athens, a daughter of Psyche, and her maternal brother, Professor Atlas, steadfastly argued for accepting the new arrivals. "These children need guidance," Professor Athens pleaded, her voice tinged with urgency. "We could help them unlock their true potential and mold them into the heroes we desperately need."

"Half of them will turn against us, they will help Olympus fall to the ground!" The son of nemesis angrily answered.

Professor Elias, a son of Athena, joined the fray, countering Professor Jeon's concerns over the prophecy. "That prophecy's a relic of the past" he retorted, his eyes blazing with indignation. "It's been years since that prophecy was mentioned," he reminded them. "And we have not had any incidents of betrayal since then."

Their fiery debate was abruptly cut short by the arrival of the Head Council.

"Enough!" A voice bellowed from the doorway, causing the room to fall silent.

The Head Council, Prince Adonis, son of Persephone, led the way, his regal aura commanding attention looking every bit the prince he was. He was adorned in a red suit with a golden flower clasped to his head, while Sir Haru, son of Hypnos, wore a pristine white suit with a brooch of "zzz" words. Lady Maxene, a daughter of Athena, graced the room with her presence, her gray dress and laurel wreath exuding an air of authority. Lastly, Mistress Lily, daughter of Selene, glided in, her silver dress and moon headband glimmering as if it was taken from the moon itself.

The quartet commanded attention, their very presence silencing the faculty.

Haru spoke first, his voice firm and commanding. "We have sent the letters. The students will arrive next month. The year rounders have also been informed by the nymphs."

Half of the teachers groaned and complained, but Adonis paid them no mind. He moved to stand before the golden rose, his eyes focused on its unbroken beauty. "We will make sure these children are well taken care of, and that they are safe from the monsters that lurk in the shadows."

Lady Maxene added, "We have already made arrangements for additional security measures, and the medical facilities have been fully stocked and prepared for any emergencies."

Mistress Lily smiled warmly. "We will also make sure that the students are well taken care of emotionally and mentally. All we need from you is to do your job."

The groans and complaints from half of the faculty echoed through the room, their disdain palpable. Adonis, his eyes flashing a dangerous red, removed his gaze from the golden rose, he then slammed his hand on the meeting table, his eyes with a hint of his mother's temper. "Whether you like it or not," he growled, "this is why the academy was founded. To teach and guide these demigod children, not to belittle them. This is why the king of the Gods won't let some of you go." he then stood up straight, like royalty before adding, "And if I hear one more complaint..." The dual hair colored male looked at every teacher present in the room, "I won't hesitate to turn you all into a flower and crush you into my hands."

The threat may not be that scary, yet the teachers shuddered, some of them looking down at their laps, because this is a prince of the underworld, half of the teachers in the room had been punished by the prince once and they were lucky that he still had mercy at the time, because when you turn into a flower, you still breathe like a human.

The prince of the underworld, then looked back again at the golden rose whose petals never fall, he then spoke again. "As long as the petals never fall, this school is safe."

As the tension continued to mount, Professor Lolita intervened with a question that provided a much-needed reprieve from the tension. 'Who wants to decorate the classrooms now?' she asked while slightly stuttering, her grin impish. 

As they left the meeting room, each faculty member cast a wary glance at the portrait of Aether Lee. His knowing smirk seemed to suggest a hidden secret – a silent reminder that the academy was more than just a teaching institution and that each student carried a destiny that was yet to unfold sooner or later.

The golden rose beneath him shimmered in its color.