The next morning, the sky was a soft shade of gray, with clouds drifting lazily overhead. Alex had barely slept after the unsettling visit from Aion and Kairos, but he forced himself to go to school as usual. The weight of his past life and the gods' warnings hung over him like a dark cloud, but he was determined to keep up the appearance of normalcy.
Walking through the school gates, he noticed an unusual buzz of excitement among his classmates. Groups of students huddled together, whispering and glancing toward the main building. Alex frowned, his instincts immediately on alert. Something was different today.
"Did you hear?" a boy in front of him whispered to his friend. "An S-class hunter is visiting our school! One of the big five guilds!"
Alex's heart skipped a beat. An S-class hunter? What were they doing at a primary school? The mention of the "big five guilds" only heightened his anxiety. These were the elite guilds, the most powerful and influential worldwide. Hunters from these guilds were practically legends, their exploits known far and wide.
"Yeah, they say he's contracted with Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war!" another student chimed in, his voice tinged with awe.
Athena. She was one of the most revered of all the gods—wise, strategic, and nearly invincible in battle. Anyone contracted with her would be a force to be reckoned with.
Alex tightened his grip on the straps of his backpack, feeling a pit form in his stomach. He didn't want to draw any attention, especially not from someone connected to a god-like Athena. He just wanted to get through the day without any complications.
He made his way to his classroom, slipping into his seat as the teacher entered, her usually calm demeanor replaced by barely contained excitement. "Settle down, everyone," she called out, clapping her hands for attention. "Today, we have a very special guest."
The door opened, and a man stepped inside. He was tall, with a commanding presence that immediately demanded respect. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and his sharp gray eyes scanned the room with an air of cool intelligence. He was dressed in the standard hunter uniform, but the emblem of his guild—a golden owl, symbolizing Athena—was emblazoned on his chest.
The room fell silent as he entered, every student's eyes glued to him. Even Alex couldn't help but feel a shiver of recognition. This man wasn't just any hunter; he was one of the best.
"Good morning, students," the man began, his voice calm and authoritative. "My name is Elias, and I'm here on behalf of the Athena Guild. Today, I want to talk to you about what it means to be a hero."
The students leaned forward, eager to hear every word. Alex, however, remained wary. There was something about Elias's presence that set him on edge, a sense of danger that he couldn't quite place. Despite everything, his brother's enthusiasm makes him forget about his sense of wariness.
With a warm smile, Elias began his talk, his voice steady and calm, yet carrying the weight of experience that comes from facing countless battles. "When I was your age," he started, his gaze sweeping across the room, "I, too, was fascinated by the tales of heroes and the mighty guilds that protect our world. I dreamed of one day standing among them, wielding power that could change the course of history."
The students leaned in, captivated by the thought of this legendary figure once being like them, filled with dreams and aspirations.
"But," Elias continued, his tone growing more serious, "with great power comes great responsibility. The guilds—Thunderstrike, Ebonshade, Tidal Vanguard, Gilded Hearth, and Silver Owl—are not just names in stories. They are real, and they are entrusted with the safety and future of our world. The leaders of these guilds, the contractors of the gods themselves, bear burdens that you cannot imagine."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Zephyrion Stormborne, for example, can command the storms, but he must also ensure that his power is used wisely, never in anger or haste. Nyxara Voidwalker may walk between the realms of the living and the dead, but with that comes the constant reminder of the thin line between life and death. Triton Waveshaper controls the vast oceans, yet he knows that even a single misstep could bring untold disaster."
The students listened in rapt silence, the excitement they had felt earlier tempered by a newfound understanding of the gravity of the roles these heroes played.
"Sir Elias," one student asked, raising a hand hesitantly, "is it scary? Being in a guild and fighting all the time?"
Elias smiled softly, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "It can be," he admitted. "Fighting to protect others, knowing that every decision you make can have life-or-death consequences—it's not easy. There are days when the weight of it all feels overwhelming. But that's why wisdom, strategy, and teamwork are so important. A true hero isn't just someone powerful. A true hero is someone who can think clearly in the face of danger, who can plan and lead others safely through the storm."
He let his words linger before continuing. "And that's why it's important to study hard, to learn from your teachers, and to understand that being a hero is not just about being strong. It's about being smart, wise, and most of all, caring about the people you are sworn to protect. The guilds are filled with people who understand this—who live by it every day."
Elias glanced around the room, catching each child's gaze with his own. "Remember this: power is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. Those who seek it must be prepared for the challenges that come with it. The world needs heroes, yes, but it needs heroes who are wise, who understand that their choices affect more than just themselves."
He finished with a smile, the warmth returning to his eyes. "So, as you grow and learn, remember to think carefully about what kind of person you want to be. Whether you become a hero or not, it's the choices you make that will define you."
But as Elias spoke, his eyes occasionally drifted over to Alex, lingering just a second too long. Alex noticed, and it made him uneasy. He forced himself to stay calm, to keep his expression neutral, but he could feel Elias's gaze piercing through him as if searching for something hidden beneath the surface.
"Being a hero isn't just about strength," Elias continued, his gaze sweeping over the room. "It's about using your power wisely, protecting those who can't protect themselves, and making decisions that will shape the future."
He paused, his eyes landing on Alex once again. "And sometimes, the most important decisions aren't made on the battlefield. They're made in the quiet moments when no one else is watching."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Alex felt as though Elias was speaking directly to him. The rest of the class was oblivious, too caught up in the excitement of having an S-class hunter in their midst to notice the subtle tension in the room.
After the talk, the students were allowed to ask questions, and many eagerly raised their hands. Alex, however, stayed silent, his mind racing. Elias's presence was too much of a coincidence. The visit of two gods last night, and now an S-class hunter contracted with Athena—it was all too connected.
As the class ended and the students filed out, chattering excitedly about the visit, Alex lingered behind. He watched as Elias spoke quietly with the teacher, his posture relaxed, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that put Alex on edge.
Elias glanced at Alex once more before turning to leave, and Alex felt a chill run down his spine. There was no doubt in his mind that this visit was more than just a routine school appearance. Something was brewing, and Alex had a sinking feeling that he was at the center of it.
As he finally left the classroom, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, of being a piece on a chessboard where the players were far more powerful than he could ever imagine. And as much as he wanted to stay in the shadows, Alex knew that the gods—and now, their chosen heroes—weren't going to let him go that easily.
*****
The classroom was buzzing with excitement as the teacher wrapped up the morning lesson. Leo and his classmates, energized by the stories they had heard about the legendary guilds, gathered in small groups to discuss their favorite heroes and the gods they served.
Alex sat at his desk, quietly listening to the chatter around him. His gaze drifted out the window, where the sky was a mix of gray and blue, but he couldn't help but overhear the conversation between Leo and his friends.
"Did you guys hear about the Thunderstrike Guild?" Leo said, his eyes wide with enthusiasm. "Zephyrion Stormborne is their leader, and he's the contractor of Zeus! Imagine being able to control lightning and storms like that!"
One of Leo's friends, a boy named Marcus, nodded eagerly. "Yeah, I read that he was struck by lightning as a kid and survived. That's how he got his powers! He leads his guild with a lightning-infused spear and everything. He must be really strong."
Another classmate, Clara, chimed in, "I think Nyxara Voidwalker from the Ebonshade Guild is even cooler. She can communicate with the dead and walk through the Underworld! My older brother says she's the most mysterious of all the guild leaders. But isn't it scary to have powers like that?"
Leo shrugged. "Maybe, but Nyxara has control over it. Plus, she's a contractor of Hades, so it makes sense. I'd still choose Zephyrion any day. Who wouldn't want to command lightning?"
As the conversation continued, another student, Maya, joined in, her voice filled with awe. "What about Triton Waveshaper? My dad told me that he once saved an entire village from a sea monster. And he's Poseidon's contractor! He can summon tsunamis and calm storms with his trident."
Leo's expression turned thoughtful. "Triton's pretty amazing too. He's the leader of the Tidal Vanguard Guild, right? They're the ones who protect the coastlines and make sure ships can sail safely. But honestly, I think I'd rather be like Athenos Ironshield from the Silver Owl Guild. He's so smart and strong, and Athena blessed him with enhanced wisdom and combat skills."
Marcus grinned. "Yeah, Athenos is practically unbeatable in battle. I heard he once took down an entire enemy force with just a few strategic moves. That's what makes him a true leader."
Clara leaned in, her voice lowered as if she was sharing a secret. "And don't forget about Calista Silvergaze. She's the contractor of Hera, and she leads the Gilded Hearth Guild. My mom says she's the most beautiful and wise leader, always helping families and advising rulers. They say her sense of duty is unmatched."
Leo nodded, clearly impressed. "Calista's Guild focuses on protecting families and supporting communities. She's the one who keeps everything in balance, just like Hera does. It's no wonder she's so respected."
As his classmates continued to discuss the legendary guild leaders and the gods they served, Alex remained silent, absorbing the information. Each name, each story, reminded him of the immense power these individuals wielded, and the heavy responsibilities that came with it.
While the others spoke with admiration and excitement, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. To them, these figures were larger-than-life heroes, but to him, they were a reminder of the world he wanted to stay away from—a world filled with danger, expectations, and burdens that he had no desire to carry.
Leo, sensing Alex's quiet presence, glanced over at his brother. "Hey, Alex, if you had to choose, which guild would you want to be a part of?"
Alex looked up, meeting his brother's expectant gaze. He forced a small smile, shrugging slightly. "I don't know, Leo. I guess I'd rather just be me."
Leo chuckled, shaking his head. "Always the quiet one, huh? Well, I think you'd make a great hero, even if you don't want to admit it."
Alex didn't respond, instead returning his attention to the window. As the conversation around him grew louder, he let his thoughts drift once more, holding on to the one truth he knew deep in his heart—he wasn't destined for the same path as his brother or his classmates. All he wanted was to live his life in peace, far from the expectations and chaos that came with the power the others so eagerly sought.