Chapter - 09
The hundred chapters of the novel I had devoured? They were actually the first arc of the story. This part of the story chronicled Tiberius' first year at the Olympian Academy, where he slowly attuned to his powers, uncovered the hidden depths of his abilities, and came to realize the magnitude of the destiny that awaited him. It was a time of training, discovery, and growth, where the seeds of his future greatness were planted. By the end of that year, he would have take his first fateful step into the Celestial Gate, marking the official beginning of his life as an adventurer. That venture would be a turning point—where he would face nightmarish creatures, begin leveling up, and start tapping into the limitless potential the gods had laid out for him.
But Tiberius' journey wasn't just about power or destiny. As the narrative unfolded, the author took great care to introduce a colorful cast of characters, particularly the many women who were drawn to Tiberius like moths to a flame. Every one of them, unique in their own right, seemed captivated by him, competing for his attention, creating the foundation for what would become a sprawling harem.
Yet, despite the growing number of admirers, one woman stood above the rest—Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. She was the main heroine of the first arc, and the first member of Tiberius's 'harem.' Her role in Tiberius' life went beyond romance—she was the one who would guide him through the perils of his journey, protect him when the weight of his responsibilities became too much, and, eventually, fall for him as he grew into his power. The bond between them was central to the arc, a driving force behind Tiberius' growth and decisions.
Because of that, I knew far more about Athena than I should have. Her strengths, her vulnerabilities, her deepest desires—I had read them all.
I knew the nuances of her personality, the subtleties no one else would recognize. For instance, despite her usual habit of letting her silvery hair flow freely, what she truly preferred was having it styled in an elegant updo, with just a single strand framing her face. She reserved that look for the rarest of occasions, when she wanted to feel special.
I knew how Athena had a soft spot for strawberries. She loved them in any form—cakes, tarts, or even dipped in chocolate. The woman was an absolute dessert fiend, with a particular weakness for anything involving that sweet red fruit.
I knew she harbored deep resentment toward her father, Zeus, the all-powerful dean of the Olympian Academy. She despised his lecherous ways, his insatiable lust, and his shameless behavior that, more often than not, turned toward women, much like herself. Because of him, she couldn't stand men ogling her body—the lingering, inappropriate gazes that followed her everywhere, drawn to her ample curves. It reminded her too much of Zeus, and she loathed it.
I knew that despite being the goddess of war, famed for her combat prowess, she much preferred the comfort of a quiet room and a good book over the battlefield. Athena was a scholar at heart, who loved to spend her time in libraries, absorbing knowledge and perfecting her intellect.
And I knew that if it came down to a real fight, aside from her father, Zeus, there wasn't a single Olympian god who could match her. She was that powerful.
Yes, I knew a lot about her. But what I didn't know—what I hadn't expected—was how utterly unprepared I was for the reality of being in the presence of the goddess herself.
Her gray, stormy eyes locked onto mine, and I felt like I had been hit by a lightning bolt straight to the chest. The impact was immediate. My breath hitched, my heart pounded, and my mind went completely blank. I suddenly found myself floundering, every confident thought dissolving into a mess of nerves.
I had always prided myself on being the master of obstinance, a man who never faltered under the gaze of a beautiful woman, no matter how stunning. But Athena's eyes… her gaze was like nothing I had ever felt before.
I was doing the best impersonation of a confused, blushing fish, opening and closing my mouth like a complete idiot. I could feel my face growing hot, turning a shade of red that was surely impossible to miss. My palms began to sweat, and my mind screamed at me to stop acting like a fool.
Athena's eyes, deep and piercing, studied me for a few moments. She tilted her head slightly, as if she were curious, perhaps even amused, at the spectacle I was making of myself. Then, to my utter disbelief, a light smile—a knowing, almost teasing smile—tugged at her lips before she turned her gaze away.
It was only when she looked elsewhere that I finally regained control of my body. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and immediately buried my face in my hands, mortified.
"What the hell was that, Callum?" I muttered under my breath. "Get a grip, man. Pull yourself together." I couldn't believe what had just happened. Me, blushing like a schoolboy in front of Athena.
At least I wasn't blatantly ogling her like the rest of my male classmates, their gazes glued to her massive breasts and the way her chiton struggled to contain them. I had managed to keep my eyes focused on her face. That had to earn me some points, right? Right?
But even as I tried to comfort myself with that thought, I couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment that still lingered.