A fortnight passed since you came here and your routine had been the same everyday; waking up, training, attending lectures, meditating, studying, hanging out with others and going back to sleep.
The training was as hard as the first day, owing to the fact that Chiron increases its intensity every time you get adapted to it, taking you back to square one– basically you sucked and an annoying brat has not stopped rubbing it in your face.
But today's schedule was a bit different; Chiron cancelled the afternoon lectures leaving you free for a couple of hours until the meditation session.
Usually you would spend your free time with Jim but ever since he joined Jean's swimming club along with Jacques, you haven't had much opportunity to hang out with him. Contrary to someone's belief instead of being jealous, you were extremely happy to see him open up to others and make new friends. They treated him well and he seemed to really enjoy their company giving you no reason to be worried about him.
Now that the trio went swimming again, you decided to do some fossil digging yourself, "Hey Augustus, whatcha doin?" you said entering his room.
Standing near the window, he turned around. With the afternoon sunlight gently caressing his face which adorned a serene expression, he looked like a completely different person. 'Damn, there really are moments when he looks good too!'
"Building a roller coaster in the backyard, Isabella," he replied, 'and just like that, the moment is gone.'
"I hate that I find it funny" you said while sitting down on Jean's bed.
"You have issues," he scowled as he walked up to his own bed.
"Let's not go around stating the obvious now, shall we?" you shrugged, "now going back to the reason I came here– would you like to join me for an afternoon run?" you looked at him soberly.
"The door is wide open," he said, pointing to your left, "why don't you make use of it and just leave?"
"Would expect nothing less from you, you fossil," you chuckled, satisfied with his reaction.
"Look, I said I want to be a rock, not a fossil," he clarified.
"But fossils are cooler!" you exclaimed.
"Exactly my point. They are valuable so people would be interested in them but all I want is a peaceful life where no one would even want to spare a glance at me,"
"That's rich coming from a celebrity," you retorted.
"It's because I am one," Though it was almost a whisper but you heard him clearly, since it was eerily quiet in there. But before you got the chance to reply, he continued, "so why are you really here?"
"I actually came by to ask if you would like to join us in the library incase you are not doing anything else,"
"If I am going to sleep then I would rather it be on my bed," he deadpanned, "also, I am hanging out with Venanzio later, so I am not free either way,"
You were extremely grateful that Jean and Augustus accepted Venanzio when everyone else was avoiding him like the plague. Though you try to spend as much time as possible with him, you could only do so much with Jim around. Seeing him all alone when others were in groups bothered you. So you were happy when the two of them extended their hands and included him in their circle, "thanks Gus,"
"You know you don't have to thank me for befriending Venanzio," he said, looking straight into your eyes.
"Damn Augustus, you are highly perceptive," you said half impressed and half embarrassed that he figured it out.
He gave his signature 'I am a genius' shrug which was your cue to leave, "I'll see you later,"
Spanning over three floors, it's golden interior glowed under the lights of the sparkling chandelier. It was like a castle in itself with the murals on the ceiling adding on to its regal appearance. Other than it's architecture, what intrigued you most was its book locating system; all you got to do was write the genre or the title of the books you are looking for on the parchment paper placed on the main desk and the exact location of it appears on it- 'like the library wasn't magical already.'
As you entered, the waft of books engulfed you, leaving a pleasant feeling behind and you walked straight to the table occupied by Namikazu and Huberto.
"Hey Y/N," Huberto waved at you gleefully once he noticed you, making Namikazu look up from his book.
"Hey guys!" you said sitting down in front of them, "it feels like I haven't seen you in ages, Huberto," you exclaimed.
"You saw me ten minutes ago Y/N yet you can't get enough of me, can you?" Huberto smirked playfully.
"Obviously! You know how much I miss you during training? I mean it's bad enough that Chiron makes us do partner workouts with our roommates, to top it off, you aren't even there to stop me from losing my mind. I swear to god, one day I am going to throw a dumbbell at Jacques' head." you huffed.
"Aww, dont worry Y/N, I will put Namikazu incharge of preventing you from committing murder," he said ruffling your hair.
"Thank you," you smiled. "Say how's the training going for you?"
Chiron started training Huberto separately from the third day in consideration of the condition of his leg. So he personally assists him with the workouts and stays by his side the whole time– except the time spent on supervising the rest of you. The thoughtful side of your master made you revere him more.
"Though it's hard, he takes good care of me so I can't really complain," he gave a sad smile looking down at his leg, "but he said that it's going to be hard just for a while more. Whatever that means,"
"I am sure he means it's going to get harder," Namikazu interjected.
"God I hope not," his face lost all its colour just by imagining the scenario.
"No, Huberto, I am sure he means that it won't be so hard in the future," you said in an attempt to reassure him. "Namikazu, stop scaring him," you whisper-yelled.
To change the topic of the conversation, you pointed out to the book in Huberto's hand, "hey you're reading Percy Jackson,"
"Yeah, I figured we need to gather intel on demigods in order to defeat them and what better way than this book, right?"
You couldn't tell if he was joking or was serious but seeing Namikazu shake his head disappointedly, you assumed it was the latter. Without knowing how to react, you immediately shifted your attention to Moai, "which book are you reading, Namikazu?"
"The Iliad" he said solemnly, his stone face glinting under the chandelier. Was it because he was excited? You'll never know.
"There really are two kinds of people in this world, huh? So how far into the poem are you?"
"Hector just stabbed Patroclus with his spear."
"That's dark," Huberto said, a frown forming on his forehead. Oh you poor thing, we haven't even begun yet.
"If that's dark then I am curious what you would say about the things that follow,"
His frown deepened, "what do you mean?"
"Achilles' grieves over Patroclus' death." Namikazu hinted.
Elaborating his statement, you said, "Achilles, who is regarded as the greatest warrior of all times, avenges the death of his 'best friend' by killing the guy responsible for his death– Hector. The quintessential part is when Hector on the verge of death requests Achilles to return his body to his family but he retorts with something along the lines of, 'I could be as sure of being able to cut your flesh into pieces and eat it raw for the ill you've done me'"
"Oh my god! I don't know what is worse; the scene you just explained or your reaction to it" he said, terrified by your sparkling eyes and delighted smile.
"Fear not, Huberto. It wouldn't bother you as much when you think of it as the expression of the love Achilles had for Patroclus,"
Huberto looked interested so you continued the story, "Achilles didn't want to go to the battlefield because something happened and Patroclus stayed by his side. But after a while, Patroclus couldn't stand his fellow men dying and expressed his wish to fight alongside them. So Achilles lends him his marvelous armor - the one which is pretty much his symbol to his friend when he leaves for the battle.
It's not long until Achilles gets the news about Patroclus' unfortunate demise. That was the moment his world came crashing down to his feet. Overcome with agony, he puts pride aside and decides to enter the battlefield not before vowing to not drink or eat anything until he kills Hector. Slaying everyone who dared to block his path, he finally reached his destination. Enraged to see him wearing the same armour which was his pride, the one which now is nothings but the reminder of Patroclus' death, he throws a spear aiming at Hector's throat,"
"Though the happenings are gruesome, I guess I can somewhat understand what you meant earlier" Huberto nodded.
"If only I had someone like that in my life" you said dreamily.
Huberto patted your arm reassuringly, "Don't worry Y/N, I am sure you will find your Achilles,"
"Achilles? No, I meant Patroclus. I want someone like Patroclus in my life, you know, the one who would make me go berserk– making me want to kill everyone who dared to touch him,"
"You seriously need help."
"Who's the one scaring him now?" Namikazu said.
The swimming club, which only had three members, at the moment, gathered at least twice a week to take part in the club activities which were kept confidential from those who weren't a part of it. Though they go swimming, there was something else secretly going on between them about which they were highly secretive.
After a refreshing swim, Jim was lying on the shore under the warmth of the sun. standing not that far from him, his two of his friends happily skipping rocks on water.
"Take that you freaking lake," Jean shouted.
"Mine went further, loser," Jacques said tauntingly.
"We aren't even competing,"
"Yes we were and you just lost,"
"What did you say?" Jean grabbed Jacques ear who punched his stomach to retaliate which soon turned into a 'playful' brawl.
'What a peaceful afternoon'
After getting worned out by their "fight" both of them made their way back to Jim who knew this armistice wouldn't last long.
"Hey Jean, I am curious; if Augustus and I were drowning, whom would you save?"
"You can swim," he said, giving him the side-eye.
"It's a hypothetical question, so just give an answer," he urged.
"My time and effort" he replied, annoying Jacques who dragged him into the water, "if I am going down, you are coming with me," Jean used all his strength to tackle him, making him fall into the lake too.
'A peaceful afternoon, indeed,' Jim sighed.
'Been doing this for more than two weeks and I still can't get used to it,' you thought as you crossed the stepping stones on the lake. 'At least today I am walking between Jim and Jean, who are strong enough to catch me if you trip and talented enough to swim in case I fall,'
Upon entering, you took your designated seat; to the right of Jean and on the opposite of Venanzio awaiting Chiron's instruction Not too long after you started meditating, a strong gust of wind blew inside the temple and the temperature suddenly soared, startling you.
"Mortals, gather around," Chiron commanded.
All of you were equally perplexed by this strange occurrence so you rushed to Chiron's side only to witness an unprecedented event– Namikazu going super saiyan.
A/N:
the swimming club's "secret activity"
My readers, thank you so much for sticking with me even though I suck at updating regularly. I will try to post a new chapter every alternate Monday (that's my plan and I hope I stick with it).
To everyone who is reading my story, I love you guys so much, you have no idea how much you mean to me. I honestly would have given up writing if it wasn't for you.
Boarahae and I hope to see you guys on Monday!
-Shay