Chapter 10: Class 1

In life, there are countless crossroads between the beginning and the end.

When choosing which path to take, people feel hope—
but also fear.
They wonder if the choice they made was a mistake.
They wonder if this step will lead them to the right future.

And yet… they keep walking.
Because the only way to grow stronger… is to keep moving forward.

Now that the battle against the GODS has come to an end,
the boys step for the first time onto a different kind of battlefield.
One without swords, without roars of war…
but filled with gazes, words, and silence.

Every lesson in this classroom…
is sharper, harsher, and more brutal than any fight.

In this chapter, a boy named Edén
is not just a warrior, not just a monster—
but someone who must face trials called “friendship,” “trust,” and “dignity.”

The school bell rings.
The battle is far from over.
It has simply changed its shape.

From his seat, a figure exhaled with resignation.
“Honestly… all of this has been exhausting.”
The weight of the past days pressed on his shoulders,
and for a brief moment, he looked far older than he was.
“At least the matches are finally over…”

A soft knock on the door broke his thoughts.
—Come in.

The door opened gently.
A young man with a serious expression entered, closing it behind him with respect.
—I need to ask you for something.
—What is it you need?

The boy took a deep breath before speaking.
—I want you to give my place in GODS… to Edén Yomi.

The silence that followed was heavier than any scream.
One eyebrow arched, incredulous.
—Why would you do that?
—Because I don’t deserve it. I lost. That place… isn’t mine.

—Your opponent fell unconscious. You remained standing. That is also part of victory.
—It wasn’t. When he unleashed that last strike… I had already lost. The result was a coincidence, not merit.

The elder sighed. Not with disdain, but with something closer to respect.
“I could force him to accept… but it isn’t that simple.”

—You’re already in. That decision cannot be reversed.
—Then at least make sure he isn’t left out. That boy… he’s stronger than he realizes.

A shadow crossed the elder’s eyes.
—Stronger?
—You know it as well as I do. When he released that energy… none of us could move. No one… except Shun.

The memory carved itself into the old man’s mind.
Not an image, but a sensation.
A chill down his spine.
A fear he hadn’t felt in centuries.

—I’ll do what I can. But the decision isn’t mine.
—Then… that’s enough. Thank you.

The young man bowed and left without another word.
The elder followed him with his gaze, lost in thought.

“You’ve already made your choice…”
“But the one who will decide your fate is not me.”
“It will be the King.”

Morning light poured into the infirmary, painting the curtains in a golden glow. The silence was broken only by distant footsteps and the faint beeping of a monitor.

—Stop! —a deep voice cracked the air like a whip.
Moments later, another, calmer voice followed.
—So, you’ve finally awakened.

Heavy eyelids lifted with effort. The body ached as if it had carried an entire mountain.
—What happened…? Where is the boy?

—It’s been a day since then.

Another sigh filled the room. Not of relief—of resignation.
—I’m sorry… I allowed him to escape.

The other looked at him in disbelief.
—Escape? Are you saying… he overpowered you?

—He was… too fast.

The memories blurred, fragmenting into scattered flashes. But one stood above the rest:
the moment when everything spiraled out of control.

A few hours earlier…

—Are we really just going to sit here and wait for those guys to decide? —the voice was sharp, impatient.
—There’s no other choice —another replied, calm but firm—. This is the boy’s only chance.
—Do you honestly believe Zeus will accept him?
—No. —The answer came in unison.

—Then why insist?
A pause. Then, the hint of a smile.
—I already took precautions, just in case.
—If you lay a finger on Zeus, I’ll kill you. —The third voice was steady, deadly serious.
—Relax. The old man no longer interests me. He’s a shadow of what he once was. Weak people don’t interest me. And if I really wanted him dead… he already would be.
—Arrogant bastard.
—That’s exactly what I am.

Something shifted in the air. A vibration. The crack of invisible glass.
—What’s happening?
—The boy… he’s regaining control.

The sphere that held Edén’s dark energy began to fracture. The cracks spread like webs of light across its surface.
—Wait… is he breaking it?
—My technique was designed to contain cursed energy, not Zenka. It looks like his own strength shattered the seal.

A flash. A thunderous blast.
The wall exploded into a thousand fragments. A body shot across the room, slamming into the stone with monstrous force. Rubble scattered. Dust rose like a curtain.

Their eyes widened. And there, in the haze… stood a figure. Naked, but wrapped in a shell of black energy. His breath ragged. His gaze lost, unfocused.

Shock spread across every face… and something else.
—He didn’t even do anything… he just broke the bubble —one muttered in disbelief.
—Why are your cheeks so red? —another teased.
—For nothing —came a nervous female voice.
—Yuki just saw the boy she likes… naked.
—Naz! Shut up!

A laugh slipped through the tension.
—You haven’t changed a bit, Yuki. Still so innocent. I thought leaving home might make you grow up… but you’re still the same little girl.
—Stop talking nonsense!

While the voices rose and fell, one gaze remained fixed. Silent. Calm.
Since that night… our mother has changed. Her ego still blinds her at times, yes. But she’s not the monster she used to be. Someday… I want to see them happy together.

The days passed like fleeting gusts of wind—filled with tense silences and glances that avoided the truth.
The infirmary no longer smelled of fear, but of waiting. Waiting, like a coin spinning endlessly, refusing to decide which side it would fall on.

In bed, wrapped in bandages and the long shadows of sunset light, he held an envelope between his fingers. Carefully, as if the paper itself might crumble at a glance, he opened it.

A letter. He recognized the handwriting immediately.

Hi Edén. How’s everything going? I hope you’re well.
Right now I’m on an important mission, maybe I’ll find some clues about your grandfather.
Inside this envelope is a card with enough money for you to stay at GODS.
Spend it wisely, though I know how stubborn you are.
Lastly… get stronger. Next time we meet, I expect you to be worth the trouble.
Sincerely: your pink-haired idiot.

A faint smile curved his lips. His fingers pressed the paper as if it were a rope tethering him to the present.
—Thanks… you idiot.

There was another envelope. This one sealed with a symbol that needed no explanation.
He tore it open.

To Edén Yomi,
After long deliberation with the King, we have decided to accept you officially as a student of the GODS Institute.
Do not forget that Shu played a crucial role in this decision.
It is an honor to have you among us.
Do not waste this opportunity.
—Zeus

The shout that burst from his chest shook the very walls of the infirmary.
—YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

The sheets flew off. The bandages strained. His happiness roared like thunder.
—I did it… Grandpa, I did it. I’m getting closer every day.

The morning sun bathed the academy’s streets like a silent blessing. Everything felt new. Fresh. A world waiting to be conquered. And there he was, walking with steady steps, his heart pounding like a war drum.

—Today… it begins.

A hand clapped his back, making him spin around.
—You’re way too tense for your first day.
—Shu…
—Come on. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late.

They walked side by side. One with wide-eyed curiosity, the other moving as if he already knew every corner of the place.
—It’s huge…

The gates of the institute towered like the entrance to a temple. Inside, the corridors branched in every direction, each carrying its own story.
—Why are there so many classes? —he asked, unable to hide his awe.
—Not all are like ours. There’s only one first-year class and one second-year class meant to train gods. The rest are branches: swordsmanship, archery, magic, medicine… Some are filled with soldiers, special forces, instructors. You’ll find everything here.
—Incredible…

—Here we are. —Shu pointed at a door with 1A engraved on a metal plate.

The classroom buzzed with whispers, glances, tension hidden behind forced smiles.

He stepped inside.
—Good morning.

Silence fell instantly. Dozens of stares cut into him like blades.
—Uh…?

A familiar voice shattered the stillness.
—Did you really expect anything else, demon?

He recognized it immediately.
—Yuki?
—After your little stunt, everyone here hates you. They see you as a cheater. And as a monster.
—But… I didn’t—
—Don’t even try. Defending yourself will only make it worse. Just endure it.

He swallowed hard and sat next to the only two faces that didn’t glare at him with contempt.
The classroom stayed cold, cloaked in invisible pressure.

Then, the door opened again.

A warm, commanding voice filled the room.
—Good morning, candidates for godhood.

Afrodita entered, her presence silencing every murmur. Every eye turned to her. It was impossible not to.

—Here you are: the thirteen winners of the one-on-one duels… the two students chosen by recommendation… and the last, admitted by vote.

A pause.

—Wait, sixteen? Weren’t there supposed to be fourteen?

—Good observation. Normally, each institute has fourteen slots. But the two weakest schools from the last tournament get an extra. In our case, there’s one more, thanks to him. —Her finger gestured subtly toward Edén—. Sixteen in total.

A digital screen lit up behind her.
—As every year, we’ll participate in the Tournament of God. Matches will be drawn at random, except the top two from the last tournament, who start from later rounds. And this year… we’re the visitors, because we’re the weakest.

A voice rose from the murmurs.
—How will participants be chosen?
—The best in each trial will be selected. If someone refuses, the next in line will take their place. Everything depends on the rival’s format.

Silence returned.

—And now something important. This academy may be called GODS, but very few actually become one. There are other paths. Only those truly ready will get the chance.

In the corner, someone clenched their fists.

This is useless… I only need to grow stronger. I don’t have time for this.

He stood up. His aura shifted—white, yet menacing.
—What are you doing?
—I held up my end. But this… won’t help me. Tournaments, titles, gods… I don’t give a damn. All I want is power.

The words hung heavy in the air.

Then, another energy filled the room. Cold. Unyielding. Crushing.

A figure rose at the back.
—Who the hell do you think you are, demon?

The tension surged like a rising tide.

That aura… that gaze… another level entirely.

—Sit down. If you walk out that door… I’ll kill you.

His whole body trembled. Not from physical fear, but from the weight that clouded his thoughts.

—I hate demons. If you quit, I won’t just despise you… I’ll erase you.

—Enough. —The instructor’s voice shattered the spell.

The pressure faded.

—If it’s power you want, this is the place. There are people here stronger than you. Face it. Or will you waste the chance you were given?

A sigh. A memory. Two promises.

He sat back down.

Afrodita’s lips curved in the faintest hint of pride.
—Welcome to GODS.

Their eyes met across the room. Some full of hatred. Others, curiosity. But one thing was certain: everything had just begun.