It had now been a few weeks since all of the exams had ended and as you would expect, everyone was starting to get a little bit anxious regarding there results, the physical examinations results had all been released, more or less as soon as the exam had ended, this alone had lead to eight people being sent home from the academy as they had failed their exam due to some reason.
The rest of the class though, were all still here and waiting for the results from the theory exams. The class though were not all anxious for the same reason. Just over half of the class were worried about their results being enough so that they would not be expelled, the rest though were more concerned with who among them would emerge on top.
There were said to be special privileges given to the top student, as well as the top three. But after all, the only one that ever mattered was the top student. They had all been taught the only one that mattered was the victor, anything below that meant you were the loser and the loser never had any rights and could very often end up being killed on the field of battle.
The results also served a secondary purpose, as they were used to form the groups for the war games which would be occurring for the rest of their stay at the academy. These games were just as important as the exams themselves as they carried many rewards and benefits which gave people advantages long after they had left the academy, at least that is what they were all told by the professors and instructors anyway.
Dharen though, was sitting away from the crowds in the far corner of the room, he knew he had changed since his life was invaded by the varying Deities, the unfinished prophecy he had heard, and the blessing from Athena and the task she had given him, were waying down heavily on him.
He had, on his own, thought of many ways in which he could try and achieve the goal that he had been given but each and every way he had so far come up with, did not seem that feasible. He had since then learned far more about the two churches which were now the dominant religion in the region, and alongside them he had learned far more about how these faiths affecting the region as a whole, with there power deeply entrenched in the current ruling class, who used that power of faith to rule over there own people as well.
The only way to spread it through the south would be war, and to win against all of the major powers in the region and yet, this did not seem possible at all, for one he did not even have his own faction or army.
He always ended up, in his plans at the same starting point, that being going to the plateau and gaining enough fame so that he could raise an army there and use that to wage war on the south, but if they knew he was going to do so, in the name of Gods that none of them believed in, he doubted that none of them would follow him.
It was just one problem after another with his future. Then before he could begin to work on another plan, the door was opened loudly, and a couple of the final year students strode, into the room, then they attacked what looked like the score table onto the main board, the students then walked out as they had entered, slamming the door shut behind themselves.
The slamming door was the only signal that was needed for all of the students who had gone silent, to once more erupt into noise, as they all swarmed forwards aiming to be the first to read the sheet and find where they had placed in the class.
Dharen, watched them all for a few moments, seeing most come back content, but a few he noticed looked sad, as if they were about to burst into tears. Those that did like that though, avoided their friends and all of them slowly slipped out of the room without saying goodbye.
It was only then, that he began to notice quite a few people having turned towards him and whispering among themselves, as well as a few of the females stealing glances at him, as if they were sizing him up for something.
He then saw Percy and his group all go up and have a long look at the scores. It was not long before they all erupted into cheers, and quite a few of them were patting Percy on the back in congratulation, but Percy just looked back at where Dharen was sitting and stared at him with narrowed eyes as if he had done something wrong.
Dharen finally, at this stood up from where he was sitting moved forwards to take a look at the scores, having found himself extremely annoyed at knowing why he was getting all of the glances from everyone around him.
Reaching the front, he soon found Renna and Jason on his left and right respectively. The two had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. They did not say hello though, as all three of them looked at the scores trying to see where they had placed.
Looking up through the names, Dharen finally could tell why he had been getting all of the looks now.
RIght at the top, was his name, with a near perfect score. Behind him was Percy in second, then there was Jason and Renna who had placed fourth.
Dharen though was a little confused at the scores as he knew that Renna had already gotten the highest score from the physical classes with everyone else being below her. Yet now…
Turning to his left, his eyes met hers, she looked down in embarrassment as she mumbled, "I am not that good in theory." She then went silent as if that was enough information for him to know all that he needed.
Jason though, gave Dharen a heavy pat on his shoulder, as he congratulated him on his score.
"Dharen." Percy's sharp voice resounded around the class, leading every person to go silent as they were all waiting for something to happen.
"You may be at the top for now. But I swear to you, I will demolish you in the war games, and by the time our exams come again. I will be at the top for good."
Dharen knew he was declaring his rivalry but somehow it sounded to be far more aggressive than it needed to be.
Dharen thought for a moment, before smirking as he said, "Sure you can try, but once a loser always a loser. I hope you do not fall on your sword by accident."
Then he turned and walked out of the room, flanked by his two friends.
The room remained silent for a long time after he had left, even Percy stayed silent as his face morphed into a grimace, as he wondered if he had just awoken a sleeping dragon.