Chapter II: Academy of Olympus

Warm rays of sunlight welcomed my sight as I slowly opened my eyes. I can’t feel my body because it feels like I’ve been sleeping for years. It’s like I’ve been in a very long dream, and now that I woke up, everything was still vague.

Where am I?

My vision was cloudy, and I couldn’t hear anything at first until I heard a soft but unfamiliar voice.

“Professor, she’s finally awake!”

Slowly, my vision became lucid, and there, I saw a lovely woman in her mid-30s dressed in an odd costume consisting of a white medieval gown and a green cloak. She has blonde hair, a pair of blue eyes, and a short, pointed nose like mine.

I tried to help myself get up, but it felt like ages since I moved my arm, causing me to fail.

“Let me help you,” The lovely lady said, and she did so gently. However, the moment she touched my arm, I felt something inside me, as if I knew who she was.

I stared at her as confusion started to fill my mind, “Who are you?”

She gave me a sweet smile, “I’m Dr. Helen Foster, from the Sixth Caste. You’re here at the Academy’s infirmary after Professor McLaren found you in the woods.” She answered.

“In the woods?” I repeated her words as I tried to recall what had happened to me.

“As far as I remember, I was drenched in the rain when I left the house. And then I fell off, and then...” I muttered as I came to a halt. That’s the last thing I can remember, but what happened to me after that?

“I’m glad you’re awake,” A guy in his 40s entered the room and interrupted our conversation. Just like Dr. Foster, he also wears a medieval kind of clothes in brown color, pairing them with a yellow cloak.

Am I still dreaming?

The man came forward and lent his hand to me, “I’m Professor Nicholas McLaren, from the Fourth Caste.” He introduced himself.

I grabbed his hand and introduced myself too, “Blaire Patterson.”

“You’ve been asleep for a week. Do you feel better now?” He asked as he adjusted his glasses.

“Yes, I’m okay now—” I stopped after a sudden realization. “I’ve been asleep for a week?!” I gasped. So, does it mean that I am not dreaming?

“I found you unconscious in the middle of the woods. I am on my way to the Academy. That is why I brought you here so that Dr. Foster can heal you.” Professor McLaren explained.

“But how did I get there? Where is this place?” I asked, getting anxious after not remembering anything.

“Have you lost your memory? Do you not remember anything?” The doctor inquired, causing my brows to furrow.

So, I tried to recall everything I remember about myself. “I’m Blaire Patterson, 17 years old, and I live in Lakeshore. My foster parents were Tim and Mary Patterson, and I have two siblings, Grace and Harry. I study in Lakeshore High School as a junior student, and I—”

“Wait. You’re from the human world?” Professor McLaren asked, which made me halt for a moment.

Am I from the human world? Is that even a question?

“Of course, I am. It’s not like I’m an alien or something.” I tried to laugh it out, but when I noticed how their expression changed and became worried, the smile on my lips disappeared.

“This is not good.” Professor McLaren uttered as he and Dr. Foster exchanged glances.

“What do you mean? And wait, what’s with your costumes?” I questioned, but they remained silent.

Dr. Foster swiftly shutters all the windows, leaving the old infirmary in almost darkness, just as Professor McLaren went beside me.

“Are you sure you’re telling the truth?” He asked, but it sounded more like a threat.

“Yes, I am. What do you even mean?” I asked, but he didn't answer again. Instead, he let a heavy sigh before looking at me.

“You’re not in your world, Blaire. You’re here in Olympus, a world where powers exist.” He seriously said, making it sound like the truth.

“You’re crazy,” I unbelievably muttered. “I’m getting out of here.”

I stood up, and that was the only time I noticed that I was no longer wearing my clothes. Instead, I am wearing a simple beige peasant dress. Good thing that my necklace was still here.

I was about to go, but before I could reach the door, a green light started to light up the room.

When I turned around, my eyes widened when I saw something like a bright green chakra floating in Dr. Foster’s hands.

“W-What is that? H-How did you…” I was left speechless. After a few seconds, she brought her hands down, and the light was gone.

“It’s my power. The Sixth Caste. The Alchemy Caste. I heal people directly with my hands,” Dr. Foster stated gently, concerned that I would leave the room any second longer.

I paused for a while, still comprehending what had just transpired, before returning to Professor McLaren’s side.

“When you said that I wasn’t in the human world, and I am here in the world of Olympus, do you really mean it? You’re not playing a joke on me or anything?” I inquired, my eyes narrowing.

“Yes, here in Olympus, the seven castes of powers exist. Dr. Foster is from the Alchemy Caste, while I am in the Psionic Caste, the fourth one.” He replied.

“And what’s your power?” I curiously asked.

The professor suddenly removed his glasses before he faced me, “I have the power of foresight. I have the ability to see the future through dreams and visions.”

I slowly nodded, still processing the information I had received. Everything seemed to be true. And if it is, how did I get here in the first place?

All of a sudden, I remembered something. The moment I fell off the ground, getting soaked in the heavy rain, a strange man came towards to rescue me. He carried me along with his warm hands before I became unconscious. And the next thing I knew was that I was already here.

I looked at Professor McLaren carefully. He’s an old fat man with foresight powers. It seemed like he was not the man who rescued me, but still, I tried to confirm it, “Are you the man who saved me from the rain?” I asked the professor, but his expression suggested otherwise.

“I found you in the woods a week ago. If my memory serves me well, it wasn’t raining that day.” He answered truthfully.

My forehead creased, “If you’re not the man who brought me here, then who is that man?” I wondered.

“Wait, are you saying that there’s someone who brought you here in Olympus?” Dr. Foster queered, as he came closer to us.

“I think so. I can’t remember his face, but maybe he’s the reason why I came here in the first place.” I explained and they nodded in response.

We were quiet for a few more minutes until Professor McLaren finally beat the silence, “How did you get here isn’t important right now. What we need is to find a way to get you out of here as soon as possible. You’re a human, and if someone would know that you’re here, we’re not sure of what could happen to you.”

Dr. Foster agreed and held my hand, which made me look at her, “The Professor is right. You’re not safe here. Your family awaits in the human world so—”

“I don’t have a family.” I interrupted, and something in my heart throbbed like crazy.

I sighed deeply and glanced at them both, confused by what I had just spoken.

“Please, let me stay here even if it’s just for a bit; I promise not to make any trouble!” I pleaded earnestly, raising my right hand as a pledge.

I knew it was a stupid idea to believe in their stories and stay here. But if ever it’s true that I am in another world, I want to be here. I want to stay and take a break from the so-called human world.

And I also believe that everything has a purpose. And maybe, just maybe, the heavens let me go here or be in this kind of enchanted dream for a reason. A reason I must find out all by myself.

“I’m sorry, but we can’t have you here. We’ll depart tonight. I’ll figure out a way to get you back,” Professor McLaren stated as he exited the room.

Dr. Foster and I exchanged glances, and she offered me an apologetic look. I let a sigh before I went back to my bed and looked at the ceiling.

Am I even prepared to go back? Will I be able to face my family? Am I ready to feel useless once more?

***

It was already dark when I woke up. I didn’t even notice that I slept. I stood up and stopped in my tracks when I saw Dr. Foster sleeping on her table.

I smiled as I stared at her. She looked kind and gentle compared with Professor McLaren, who appeared very intimidating. In all honesty, this was the first time I felt comfortable conversing with someone, free to express my thoughts and feelings. To feel happy, surprised, angry, and ridiculous.

Olympus felt like home.

However, this dream of mine will soon come to an end.

"Or maybe not," I whispered to myself as soon as I thought of a brilliant idea.

I silently tiptoed towards the door, being careful not to be heard by Dr. Foster. When I got in front of it, I gently reached for the doorknob to open it. I bit my lower sleep when it created a noise and looked at Dr. Foster, who slightly moved his head to the side.

I sighed in relief when I saw that she was still asleep. Slowly, I pulled the door and went outside the infirmary.

As soon as I got outside, my eyes widened after seeing a massive, ancient, captivating castle-like structure. There were chandeliers scattered from here and there. Brown, gold, and crimson painted the walls. Indeed, it was magical.

Because the infirmary was on the ground floor, I saw the exit without difficulty. Only a few individuals walked through the halls, so I made every effort to avoid them and not draw their attention. They were wearing the same style as if we were in a fantasy world. It was very ancient and medieval, like those in the pocketbooks I loved to read.

In a matter of minutes, I finally got outside. I thought the inside was already magical, but the outside was even more so.

Broad, square towers dominate the horizon of this gigantic castle-like Academy. Large walls built of various stones joined each structure. Ornate windows were scattered liberally throughout the walls in what appeared to be perfect symmetry.

The whole Academy was filled with green grasses as if they were dancing with the cold breeze of air. Aside from the gorgeous crescent moon, fireflies are everywhere, providing ample lighting for the Academy.

It was more than fantastic.

“What are you doing here this late?” I stopped as I heard a woman’s voice questioned from behind.

I turned around only to see an old lady dressed in a long black gown with a yellow cloak. She appeared stern, and the look in her eyes conveyed an unsettling sense of foreboding.

“What caste are you?” She asked with an authoritarian tone.

I swallowed hard and tried to respond, but nothing came out.

What caste is she talking about? Is it the power that Professor McLaren and Dr. Foster had mentioned earlier?

She suddenly went towards me, held my hand, and looked at me directly, “You’re lost.” She whispered suddenly, furrowing my brows in bewilderment.

“What do you mean?” I replied in a low voice.

“You don’t belong here. I can sense it.” She seriously remarked.

She let go of my hand as I took a step back. I suddenly felt nervous and wished that I didn’t escape the infirmary in the first place.

Can she read the minds of people? Can she check a person’s history in just one touch?

“Headmistress!” A familiar voice interrupted us. I sighed in relief as soon as I saw Professor McLaren running toward us.

“Professor McLaren, why are you in a rush?” The woman inquired. “Do you know this child?”

Professor McLaren gave me a strange look and said something I didn’t expect him to say.

“She’s a new student here in the Academy of Olympus.”