"Fine!" Ariel yelled.

Akagi looked up at the clock, the time had begun, "This would be easy!" Ariel smirked and reached out for Akagi's hair, but Akagi twisted his foot and leaned back, making Ariel almost lose his balance and tip forward. Ariel turned and jumped up to reach his hair, but every movement was decoded by Akagi, and cleanly avoided, "Your movements are not just slow," He said as Ariel struggled across the room, "They are also very predictable,"

"BE QUIET!" Ariel picked up the table and turned it into a sword, "Oh my!" Mrs Winston crossed her hands and held her rosary. "A sila that controls matter? Not too shabby," Akagi crossed his arms. Ariel growled as he moved the sword and reached to Akagi's neck, but Akagi could see every movement with the precision of a nanosecond, his eyes looking at the fire in Ariel's eyes, avoiding every sway, every finger and foreseeing the direction of every movement, "You have passion, but no technique,"

Ariel turned the sword into a spear and reached longer, "Focus, Ariel!" Aleksei said.

Akagi looked at the clock, "Your time is up," Ariel was in the midst of an attack, but as soon as he looked at his red eyes, his body locked. He couldn't move and within the next few milliseconds, Akagi grabbed him by his throat while pulling his spear away from him, pushed him on the floor and down came the spear, right beside his left eye.

Aleksei got up, "Ariel! Akagi, you're too rough! He's just sixteen!"
"I am aware," Akagi got up. Ariel was shocked. If Akagi wanted tried, he could have ended him there itself, so easily. This made him very upset at himself. Is this how he'd become a warrior?! He looked at Akagi as he reached his hand to him, "You have a lot to learn, start by being more humble. Everyone teaches you a lesson or two,"

Ariel slapped his hand away and got up by himself, "I don't need your help, sir,"
Akagi looked at Aleksei, "You told me about him, but you didn't say he would be this difficult in your letter,"
"Letter?" Ariel was terrified, "Wait, is this the friend of yours in whom I shall find a home,"
"Yes," Aleksei agreed, "Though I wished you'd meet at more civil terms,"

Akagi looked at Jevelene. She got up and bowed, "My name is Jevelene. Please forgive Ariel, he's got quite a temperament,"
"I can see that," He turned towards him. Ariel was looking down at the floor, angry, embarrassed, defeated, "Little Ariel, do not trouble yourself with nasty thoughts about your own abilities," Mrs Winston smiled, "You didn't get defeated by an amateur. And this is no ordinary university. Escola Royal Academy is a prestigious institution that has guided royality and nobility all across Europe in the art of administration, social and natural sciences. It also boasts of being the only institution in Europe that has a magic and exorcism studies syllabi for exorcists, demigods and stars all across the world, regardless of their status. We've not just created the greatest kings and queens but also the greatest demigod warriors and scholars. Believe me when I tell you, you are at the right place,"

Akagi pressed his hand on his head, "You have a great sila, child,  just not a tamed one. But I will help you tame it to your second nature. Ajax, son of Aphrodite" Ariel looked up at him, "My name is Akagi Scheczalier. And I am the beginning of your journey to greatness,"

Ariel looked into his red eyes. Akagi looked at Jevelene, "You too, Jevelene,"
"Sir!" She stiffened up, "You both better be prepared," He said.
"Sir! Yes sir!" Jevelene said while Ariel looked away in anger.

Akagi looked at Mrs Winston, "So, what paperwork would you need?"
"Oh my! I almost forgot. Aleksei, you come here as well,"
Jevelene ran towards Ariel, "Ariel! Isn't this wonderful? Oh my, Mr Akagi shall make you a warrior! Just the way you wanted! And I am to be a scholar! And we shall be unstoppable!"
Ariel smiled at her, "Yes, we could hope that"

I lost. I have to work so much harder. 

So, Ariel was given a room in Lord Akagi's manor house, it was large and comfortable. Three meals a day, the access to an ancient library, a splendidly well kept garden and an underground training hall. While Jevelene was to continue living with Mr Aleksei and Maks, and go back to China with them once she completed her education, to become a scholar and help with exorcism rituals.

"Why did you choose not to be a warrior?" Ariel asked her as they both sat before a frozen lake. He threw rocks into the lake, making the thin ice sheet crack wherever the stone would hit it, "You are a demigod too,"
"Yes, but I am powerless in a battlefield. You are strong, Ariel. I wish I could say that about me, but we both know your strength far outweighs mine. However, I refuse to give up. I want to protect people I love in ways that I can. And perhaps, this is my path. It may seem too mediocre to you, but at least its mine. If I can write my own destiny, then I say, it is worth living it,"

"It isn't mediocre," He said and she looked at him. He was still throwing rocks at the lake, "It's beautiful. You inspire me, Jevelene. To wake up stronger everyday. I want to be strong enough to be able to protect you from every danger that could ever come across your way. That's why I want to be a warrior. And if one of us were to die protecting the other one day, that'd be a fate I'd happily succumb to. So keep reaching for your destiny, I will be right behind you," He looked down at her, "Don't follow behind me," She got up and looked into his eyes, "Be beside me,"

He was surprised, "What?"

"That way, I get to watch you be wonderful... in all your glory. And one day you shall be the world's mightiest warrior! I know of it!"

Ariel laughed at once, "Yes! I know of it as well! You see, I will beat the big, angry man with the tawny eyes. I promise you,"

-To be continued