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ɴᴏ ᴏɴᴇ'ꜱ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴠɪᴇᴡ - ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ ʀᴏᴏᴍ

The air crackled with tension as Lady Maxene cleared her throat, a signal that she was about to make an announcement of utmost importance. The time had come to unveil the truths shrouded in the mist of mystery and fear.

"I trust you are all aware that the matter of Aether Lee's prophecy can no longer remain untouched," she declared, her voice cutting through the anxious tension. "Starting today, we will answer the questions regarding him and the mystery surrounding his legacy. It's time to face the truth head-on."

At this, an uproar erupted among the teachers seated in the room. Professor Athens, a demigod daughter of Psyche and the history of mythology teacher, shook her head vehemently. "My Lady Maxene, think of the ramifications! The students aren't ready for this knowledge—"

"They are already carrying the weight of their nightmares," Lady Maxene interjected, her voice rising above the clamor. "Athena herself guided me in making this decision. We have been shielding them from reality for too long while their dreams become darker and more dangerous."

Another Professor interjects, "My lady, how can we risk the stability of our classes? The students are not ready to bear this heavy burden." questioned by Lady Nera.

"Must we wait until the consequences manifest in tragedies?" added by Professor Atlas, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until then. He was a stocky figure, his brow furrowed with concern as he glanced at the portrait of Aether Lee, whose eyes appeared to sparkle with hidden knowledge. "We have kept the prophecy at bay for too long. But what if discussing it only ignites their fears?"

The tension stretched taut in the air, and Sir Haru, another High Council, placed his palm down on the table, staring at the teachers with a cold look while speaking in a calm voice.

"The students deserve to know, the nightmares have escalated to a level I've never witnessed before... Hellhounds stalking them in their sleep? A Minotaur? This is not just dreamwalking anymore—it's becoming a death sentence."

Lady Maxene nodded, acknowledging the grim realities. "I've seen too many students slipping into the infirmary, seeking solace from their terror. Athena has revealed to me that we can no longer shield our young ones from the truth. This isn't simply about education—their very lives are at stake."

Kiros, a centaur and the only creature to have chosen to teach in the academy raises his voice, his expression a mask of stoic determination. "But are we sure the Olympian gods are not protecting them? Shouldn't we trust that the divine will act in their favor?"

Mistress Lily, offered a somber reply. "It seems the gods have turned their eyes away from us. Whatever curse Aether Lee left behind is manifesting through the shadows. They may not care whether our students face nightmares or predators. We are the ones responsible for their safety and not to count on divine protection."

"Enough!" Prince Adonis, son of Persephone, inserted himself with a commanding presence. His dual hair was tousled, an expression of both frustration and urgency on his face. "We should dispense with the whining and focus on solutions! The students look to us for guidance, complaining won't change a thing. If we're going to protect these students, we need to do our jobs and act accordingly. Let's not waste time—"

Suddenly, a sharp crack resonated through the room, causing every pair of eyes to snap toward the golden rose encased in the enchanted glass bell, a prized artifact meant to signify the academy's safety and stability. A small spider web crack had formed on the glass bell.

Gasps rose from the teachers, turning to one another in shock. "Who did this?" Kiros, the centaur archery teacher, sprang up, his voice betraying a rare note of panic. "It can't be! That bell is enchanted—nothing can break it!"

Prince Adonis' expression hardened. "It isn't possible. No one would have the power to do that—"

Silence fell upon the council as they exchanged wide-eyed looks, realization dawning upon them. The flicker of danger was real, and the implications were staggering.

Finally, Sir Haru bellowed, "Get out! All of you! Go teach your classes! We cannot afford to spiral into despair!" His voice throbbed with an authority that left no room for dissent.

The teachers, propelled by an instinctive sense of urgency, rose hastily from their seats. They offered one last glance at the enchanted glass where the golden rose is safely kept in, a symbol of their safety, and without another word, scattered like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind.

One member of the student council, secretly smiled because they broke it.

𝙽𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎'𝚜 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 - 𝙷𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝙼𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢 𝙶𝚘𝚍𝚜

"Settle down, my dear demigods," she called out, her voice carrying an undercurrent of authority laced with warmth. She brushed long dark hair from her face, walking in the middle of the classroom towards the teacher's table, her eyes scanning the room full of eager faces. Slowly, the chatter began to fade, students reclaiming their seats.
Professor Athens cleared her throat, shaking off the last remnants of the distraction.

"Today, we will be shifting our focus from the pantheon of myths to a different kind of legacy—one that has shaped the very halls of this academy. A founder unbeknownst to most of you, but whose influence can be felt in every whispered dialogue and enchanted lesson. Aether Lee."

A murmur coursed through the classroom, excitement weaving through the students like a gentle breeze.
Yue, perked up immediately, her eyes reflecting curiosity as she glanced around the room. Beside her, Naom snorted dismissively, her ever-present masquerade mask glinting ominously in the light. Without thinking, Yue playfully jabbed Naomi in the side, prompting her to roll her eyes in mock annoyance.

The professor continued, "After weeks of questioning about the origins of this esteemed institution, we will be talking about him."

Maxine leaned forward, resting their chin on clasped hands, eyebrows raised in interest. Chaemin, son of Nyx and always wrapped in a shroud of sleepiness, straightened in his seat beside Maxine, the weight of fatigue suddenly lifting, curiosity twinkling in his darkened eyes.

"Legend spoke of Aether's unparalleled beauty, so striking that even the goddess of beauty herself doubted his existence, powerless to curse him no matter how much she desired it. Even Zeus and the other gods sought to win his favor, but Aether turned them down, seeking refuge with Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom." Students laughed making the professor smile,

"Yes, even Zeus was infatuated with one of the best demigods in our world. Let's continue shall we?" sounds of agreement echoed in the room. Professor Athens starts walking around while continuing the story.

"Aether was granted immortality by his mother Persephone, there are rumors going around the school that Persephone's favorite mortal was his father. This led him to become a founder of the academy alongside Athena, Hestia, and Chiron, while vowing to remain a virgin for eternity and never fall in love, but ultimately, he broke that vow. Leading to his downfall."

"But why?" a student asked, cutting in. "If love is the greatest thing in the world, how could it lead to his destruction?"

Maxine looked back with an annoyed expression, "damn, the story was getting good you bitch," he murmured, making the son of nyx beside him to giggle quietly.

The professor smiled softly, shaking her head as she looked around at the class.

"Unfortunately, love is not always a gift; for some, it becomes a curse, particularly for those with immense power, like Aether," she said, her voice tinged with a trace of sympathy. She gently patted a student on the head as she moved around the room, her footsteps light but purposeful, as if each word carried its own weight. "He was, after all, a man who had everything—a powerful figure feared and respected by all, yet love, as it often does, betrayed him."

The students sat in rapt attention as the professor paused for effect, eyes scanning their faces. "He was cursed by Aphrodite," she continued, her words thick with gravity. A collective gasp rippled through the room as the students processed the weight of the revelation.

"And in the end, he was killed. To this day, no one knows whether his lover lived or met the same tragic fate." The professor walked back to the front of the room, standing near the teacher's desk, her eyes sweeping over the class. She walked slowly back to the teacher's desk, leaning on it with a contemplative sigh. "That," she said, her voice soft yet final, "is his story."

Naomi, clearly unsettled by the brevity of the tale, raised her hand in protest. "That's it?" she asked, her tone edged with disbelief. "That's not how the rumors go! There has to be more to it than that. I've heard different versions that... well, they don't end like that!" she interjected, her voice rising slightly in curiosity and frustration. Before the professor could respond, the bell rang, cutting off the conversation.
The professor glanced at the clock, surprised.

"Oh! Is it time already?" she asked with a slight chuckle. "Well, it seems we'll have to pick up this story tomorrow. For now, please head to your next respective classes," she said, dismissing the students with a wave. Some of the students began to gather their things, leaving the classroom, but Yue lingered for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the professor with a suspicious expression. The professor met her gaze briefly before turning away, Yue took notice how her professor looked... Scared?

As the final student left the classroom, Professor Athens exhaled deeply, relieved that the class had ended. But just as she was about to collect her thoughts, the sound of applause interrupted the silence. She quickly glanced over to one of the empty desks and saw a figure cloaked in dark robes, clapping slowly. "Y-your highness!" she stammered, startled.

"That wasn't quite the full story, Professor," the figure said, his voice smooth as he stopped clapping.

"I-I was just trying to pace myself for the students, your highness," she explained, her voice trembling. The cloaked figure stood, taking a slow step forward, his eyes scanning her intently. "Tell the full story again tomorrow," he warned, his tone darkening, "and if you fail..." He let out a chilling chuckle. "I'll make sure your punishment at this school becomes much harsher." Professor Athens blinked in surprise, and before she could respond, the hooded figure disappeared without a sound.

With a glance around the now-empty classroom, Professor Athens was startled when her half-brother, Professor Atlas, called out from the doorway. "Noona! Hey!" he greeted her. "Lunch is ready, come join me!" She gave a weary smile. "I'm coming," she replied, quickly grabbing her belongings and heading out of the classroom.

Just as she exited the classroom, the cloaked figure reappeared at the side of the hallway, this time holding an apple in his hand and chewing casually as he observed.

˜"*°• Author's note •°*"˜

I have no words to describe how proud I am... BYE!

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