"My parents have their own affiliations?" Mane sounded surprised. Since his parents were relatively younger gods who had been birthed by a God Academy, Mane didn't think that they would be tied to any academy. But he was wrong.
"You underestimate the potential the bodies of your parents hold. They are young gods, but that doesn't mean they are weak." Ananse explained with a small smile on her face. Ray and Alexis were enigmas even in the god society. Gods like them who grew strong so quickly were rare. Of course when one considered their origins their growth would be understandable, but even then their rate of growth was unprecedented. It had taken the young couple a mere hundred years to grow to their current level, putting them among the top ranks of the god society.
"Your parents are young- very young. But they are at the peak of power even in the god society. A few years back they were approached and invited to King's Crown Academy. They accepted the invitation. So they are the same as me- backers of King's Crown." Indra was quick to add.
"Did they attend King's Crown?" Mane questioned the god and goddess duo before him. They both shook their heads in denial. So Ray and Alexis didn't attend King's Crown. "So why did they accept King's Crown Academy's invitation" Mane wondered? If they were so talented, why then weren't they called in by the academy they attended?
"The answer to your question lies in the silly traditions that the older God Academies hold as dearly as they do their lives. Your parents were products of one of the most, if not the most, prestigious God Academies in the entire universe- God King Academy." Ananse announced
"What a domineering name" Mane exclaimed!
"Indeed. But they have the capital to own such a name. And they are strong enough to shake the foundations of the universe if they so choose to." Indra casually stated. Although he didn't seem particularly concerned about this God Academy, Mane wasn't the same. For a god to describe an institution as one capable of destroying the current order of the vast cosmos, that was testament to the strength they held. Mane couldn't help but wonder what kind of academy that was.
"These old academies have a stringent rule when it comes to accepting Stakes" Ananse continued.
"Stakes?" Mane sounded intrigued
"Yes, Stakes. That is what God Academies call those that are invited to back the school from the shadows." Indra answered
"Oh I see. Please continue" Mane politely stated
Ananse nodded and said, "For the older God Academies, you cannot become a Stake unless you are an Elder God or an Origin God. If you aren't an Origin God, then you can only become a Stake if you fulfil the following conditions: One, you must live for over a hundred million years; and two, you must have achievements that allow you to be on equal footing with an Elder God."
Mane looked a little confused. He didn't know who an Origin God was, neither did he have any knowledge on Elder Gods. Ananse saw his puzzled expression and smiled bitterly. Mane was probably the most ill-informed Supreme that had ever lived. Even the First Supreme had the Eternals around her, beings who were gifted with several seers, to show her the path she was to take. But Mane didn't even know the classifications of gods, not to talk of his destiny. Ananse berated Ray and Alexis silently in her mind, wondering what they were waiting for before they told Mane what he was. At least teach him a little history and give him a bit of information about gods. After all, not telling the boy about gods wouldn't change his destiny. It would only shorten his odds of success in the end.
"Gods have classifications. The classifications are in two forms. The kind of power the god possesses and its use, and the age and origins of the god. In terms of age, gods can be classified into Origin, Elder, or New Age Gods. Origin Gods are gods that have been around since the age of the Origin King. They are so called because no one knows their true age. Elder Gods are gods that may not have lived as long as Origin Gods but are definitely not young. They have lived for over two hundred million years. However, over the years people have grown to refer to some of the oldest Elder Gods as Origin Gods because most have forgotten their origins. New Age Gods are the last of the bunch. They are the younger generation of the god society. These are gods who have lived for less than two hundred million years. Indra is a New Age God. And so are your parents."
"The next classification has to do with the specialty of the god. We have Battle Gods, Sensor Gods, and Spiritual Gods. Battle Gods are gods that specialize in the art of battle. They either possess raw power and overwhelming battle awareness, or they control elements that largely overwhelm most. They are energy and body wielders. Sensor Gods are gods that have achieved godhood by following the path of scholars. And Spiritual Gods are gods that have achieved godhood by following the path of spirits."
Mane knew a bit about the powers that gods possess. But he wasn't clear on the hierarchy- age wise. Ananse's explanation had removed the wool from his eyes. He also realized that the goddess wasn't an average god. She had already stated that she was a Stake for an old Academy, which meant that she was either an Origin God, or an Elder God. Mane was tempted to believe that she was an Origin God based on the sheer immensity of knowledge that she carried. But he wasn't sure. After all, she stated that some Elder Gods were so old that many mistook them for Origin Gods. So he couldn't conclusively say what she was. But he did know now that she had greater influence than he initially thought.
"Your parents are regarded as legends in God King Academy. They love them down there, especially since the school's prestige had begun to wane over the years prior to your parents rise. But your parents reminded the entire cosmos that God King Academy is still a mighty academy. They wanted to call your parents to join the Stakes of God King Academy, but the old bones of the academy vehemently refused, stating that no one must receive special attention. Because of their so called traditions they have lost two promising gods of the young generation." Ananse finished her long narration.
'It has been so long since I spoke at such length' Ananse sighed silently upon realizing that she had been speaking a lot in this small meeting.
"I see" Mane rubbed his fair chin in contemplation. "King's Crown Academy sounds like the best place for me" Mane finally said after a long pause.
Ananse smiled at his answer, and Indra was pleased that Mane thought so as well.
"But I would not attend King's Crown" Mane announced. His words startled not just Indra, but Ananse as well. This was the first time she hadn't been able to accurately predict the thoughts of another.
"You say it is good for you. So why do you reject King's Crown?" Ananse overcame her surprise pretty quickly. She was intrigued, and eager to know what the boy was thinking. As a Sensor God, there was little that could escape her perception. For Mane to successfully escape her sphere of prediction, that could only mean that his talent as a scholar was equal to hers.
"Because it is good for me" Mane answered simply. His answer brought a smirk onto Indra's face, and caused Ananse's lips to curve up. His answer was simple, but it was enough for them. Mane didn't want a comfortable environment. He had been pretty comfortable his entire life. Although his parents had left him, and he was largely alone, he didn't really experience any hardships. He had enough money and allowance to feed a kingdom, and mentors to help him out. Apart from the assassination attempt on his life a month ago, he hadn't really been in any real danger. Even his battles in the simulation chamber weren't enough to push him to his limits. He didn't want to go to another place with a comfortable environment.