Where The Dead Ones Go Book 1 -Magistracy-

Chapter 3

The moment I entered the Rainbow Path, I already braced myself for a fall but curiously, instead of falling down, I just kind of fly through a space of some sort made of psychedelic colors of all kinds.

I saw several siblings of my foster-mother from afar as they waved at me and shouted words of encouragement as if they already know what am I doing here and where am I going.

I looked ahead and didn't see any exit but if I remember correctly, the Hellenic Citadel is around twelve kilometers away from our head office but I do know for a fact that this is a shortcut so the traveling time will be faster than on regular travel.

And just like that, before I can even react, I was suddenly thrown out of the path and landed butt first in the sidewalk in an explosion of rainbow smoke right in front of majestic and ancient steel gates where hundreds upon hundreds of teenagers around my age are entering.

Some looked scandalized when I cough up rainbow smoke as well while standing up quickly and trying to remove the glitters of some kind on it after my time at the Rainbow Path.

I decided to ignore the incredulous stares and whisperings and head straight for the security guard who is eyeing me suspiciously, "Good Morning, Sir! I am Vivet Viviere of the Iris Delivery Service. My company sent me here to deliver a very important parcel for the Headmistress of the Hellenic Citadel as soon as possible. This is my identification card."

To my surprise, he didn't even bother looking at it and shook his head, "No direct contact with the Headmistress until the end of the examination week."

"I can assure you that after I delivered this parcel I will be on my way. Wouldn't even take a minute," I quickly said as he shook his head once more and shooed me away."

"Are you deaf or something, little girl? I don't care which company you are from or whose immortal sent you here. Even Lord Zeus himself follows the rules of the Hellenic Citadel. Now, get lost. You are in the way of the aspirants!"

He turned his back on me before resuming his patrol on the entrance and randomly checking the mortals and demigods passing through the gate as I was left hanging.

This can't be.

I have to deliver this or die trying.

But they said that even the immortals themselves need to jump through hoops before they can secure an audience to the most important mortal of the Viceroyalty of Auralia, second only to the Viceraine herself, the Head of State of our nation.

And here I thought that with the backing of my company, which is one of the largest not just in Auralia but also in the whole Gearth, I can secure an easy meeting with the Headmistress. How foolish of me to think so brazenly and ignorantly like that. 

I just walked away from the gate and crossed the street quietly. I sat at the gutter and heaved a heavy sigh as I watch the aspirants flock the entrance excitedly.

What's with this school anyways? 

My workmates said that all of them graduated from the Hellenic Citadel just so they can secure a good job. When I asked them if I should also try and enroll here, they just said that there's no need at all for my work is already secured thanks to Ms Irene.

"Why fancy meeting you again."

I looked at my right and I saw the boy I met at the parade leaning on the dirty wall behind him. He is wearing the same rugged and torn clothes and smiling at me cheerfully.

"It's you..."

He nodded and grinned that showed his oddly white set of perfect teeth, "It's me, sadly. Of all the nice boys a fine girl like you can meet again, it just has to be that homeless and grimy boy, right?"

"I'm not choosy. Not that I am any different from you at all," I said honestly that made him speechless.

"You don't say..."

I smiled a little and looked at him fondly.

There is a strange aura about him that I can't explain in words. I've met my fair share of different people with different behaviors and personalities but this one feels off. He looks quite odd since it doesn't look like he is sad about his rather depraved situation.

It looks like he comes to terms with what he has and at peace with it.

"I saw you being turned away by the guard," he said nonchalantly as he glanced at the gate full of people, "Why are you here, anyway? For work, I presume?"

"Yes. I am really confident about this specific job given to me by my boss but it looks like I have to go back as a failure of a delivery girl."

He blinked and inclined his head, "You don't look like someone who is willing to be content at failing an important task."

"Well, there are times that you just have to accept that no matter what you do, it won't change the outcome."

"I agree, but for me? I really want to go on the other side of those walls. I've been here for several months now, camping around and observing. It is nigh-impregnable even to the deities themselves."

"Why do you like to go inside? For a better future? To study?" I asked quietly and he just nodded slowly.

"You could say that. I may not look like it but I am actually getting tired of living on the streets for years. A change of scenery and pace is something even dirt poor like me can hope for," he said honestly as he smiled at me, "My name's Morris, by the way. What's yours?"

"Vivet."

"Nice to meet you again then, Vivet," he said respectfully as he scratches his shaggy matt of hair, "Now, I wonder how can you and I enter that place, huh?"

"You say you two want to enter the Hellenic Citadel?"

We both look up and saw a beautiful storm-grey eyed girl around our age wearing a gray shirt and leather jacket. Her grey pants are torn stylishly and her combat boots are polished clean.

She has a sword hanging on her belt and a shield on her back as her tough-looking shoulder bag hang on her shoulder.

This one looks like she is headed for a battle rather than an entrance examination.

I glanced at Morris who is just staring at the girl who just seemingly appeared from nowhere.

"I'm sorry for eavesdropping but I just heard you two talking about getting in and I do believe I can help you with that," she said confidently that made me blink at her in awe.

She certainly looks capable and intelligent. Like someone whom you know can lead to battle and emerge victoriously.

"I am g*****a Alchimea, daughter of Athena," she introduced herself as she sat between me and Morris and shook our hands enthusiastically, "What are your names?"

"I'm Vivet," I said timidly.

She just looks so gallant and astonishing, I am still gathering my scattered thoughts.

"Morris, nice to meet you."

Galatea nodded and smiled, "Nice to meet you too. So, I heard you have a problem, I am more than happy to offer my help."

"As you can see I am not in any condition to pay you with anything," Morris said sadly as he looked at his sorry state, "I don't even know how can I pay for my next meal, frankly speaking."

She shook her head quickly, "No payment! Mother said that her children should always offer their considerable talents to others free of charge. Helping someone succeed when they normally could not is payment already."

"Wow. Just how to be you?" I asked in amazement that made her blush shyly, "I mean, I am used to working with countless people but I could never have that kind of self-confidence on myself."

"Well, Vivet, if you don't believe in yourself first, who will?" she asked me that left me speechless, "You two seemed serious enough on your endeavor but lacks a small push to get going."

"As the daughter of the Goddess of Wisdom herself, I am sure you have several plans already on how to get us in, right?" 

"Indeed I have formulated many while listening in. But I do sure hope that the first one is already a success. I wouldn't call my backup plans exactly legal per se but if push comes to shove then I have several safety nets in place," she said confidently as she stretched her arms in anticipation, "Wanna try my plan now?"

I nodded and steeled myself, "I'm in. I have to finish a job for my company and I wouldn't be the first one to tarnish our pristine record of one hundred percent delivery rate guaranteed."

"Beggars can't be choosers and I should know since I am one," Morris said as he started packing his things on a backpack that has seen better days.

Galatea looked at him from head to foot and shook her head, "You don't look like a beggar. I studied your mannerisms and behavior. You're not the kind of person who will beg for something. Looking at your scarred hands, clearly, you work for food."

"Ouch. Clearly the children of Athena really know it all," he said impressed as he stood up from his spot and tried in vain to clean himself up, "Let's see if you can smuggle a homeless git inside."

"Is that a challenge? Because if it is then I will definitely exceed your expectations," she said seriously as she offered her hand to help me get up from where I am sitting, "It is really quite simple. You see, a problem is a problem. No matter how big or small it is, it is still a problem. And with every problem, there is the right solution. The simplest and direct approach should do."

"Wait, g*****a! Why are we going straight for the registration area?!" I asked in shock as she leads us past the guards and went in front of a woman sitting on a chair behind a desk full of forms and papers.

"Gala, please, Vivet. Call me Gala, ok?" she said pointedly as she smiled sweetly to the woman, "Hello there! I am g*****a Alchimea, daughter of Athena."

"Greetings, Ms Alchimea. The desk for demigods are on the opposite side," the woman answered respectfully as she looked at her left and to the man who is herding a bunch of burly children who looked like children of Ares.

"Oh, believe me, I know," she said while emphasizing the word know, "I am here to actually help my new friends register. They are countryfolks, you know?"

The woman glanced at me and Morris before nodding slowly, "Oh, I see! As expected of Lady Athena's daughter. Always there to lend a helping hand to the confused and lost. No worries! Here are the forms for mortal registrations."

I looked at Morris and we can't believe she managed to produce and iron tight excuse that easily as she gave us the forms, "Now here you are my friends. Fill up the blanks quickly! We don't have the whole day!"

Morris nodded and quickly took the pen from Gala and started writing in earnest as I just shook my head, "Gala, I am not here to do this."

"Is there a problem?" the woman said when she saw that I was shaking my head.

"Oh no, Maam. She is just having a hard time understanding the bureaucratic process of us, city folks," the daughter of Athena said in a fake happy voice as she pinched me painfully, "It is so simple for us who are used to civilization."

The woman surprisingly fell for it as she looked at me with pity, "Oh, I see. I do have some relatives from the countryside and they experience the same thing. I envy them for having such a free life without these kinds of papers dictating their every move."

"I know, right?" Gala said and let out a fake laugh before giving me the dirty eye that made me fill-up the form as fast as I can.

She continued to distract the woman as I and Morris finished up writing on the papers.

"Irene Iridis? Isn't that the owner of the Iris Delivery service?"

I looked at Morris who saw what I am writing on the guardian blank space, "Yes, she's the one who picked me up from the streets."

"And you're here because she sent you?"

"Yes, that's why I really need to do anything just to make sure I won't let the person who gave me shelter and food down."

He nodded and smiled at me a little, "No wonder you are so desperate to get inside."

"Yes. Wait, Scythian Emirate? You are from there?" I asked in surprise as I saw what he put on the birthplace line, "What are you doing here in the Viceroyalty?"

"A long story. I just kind of found my way here a few years back," Morris answered nonchalantly as he gave mine and his paper to the daughter of Athena who is smiling widely when she looked at it.

"Perfect! Here are the papers of my friends, I trust that everything now is in order?" she asked cheerfully to the woman who checked the forms and she raised an eyebrow when she saw mine.

"Can you give me a second to validate this one? Thank you," she asked before picking up the phone and if I guessed correctly, she is calling her, "Hi! Good Morning. This is Elvira Peron, Hellenic Citadel Human Resource Department. Am I talking to Ms Irene Iridis of the Iris Delivery Service? Yes? Oh I just want to validate this. A certain applicant have put your name as her guardian. Are you... Oh, yes Vivet Viviere is her name. Oh, got it. Thank you for your time."

She then looked up at me and her eyes fell on my nameplate pinned on my right chest, "Sorry for that, standard procedures for demigods of her high caliber, I'm sure being her foster-daughter, you know the verification processes for her kinds, right, Ms Viviere?"

"Yes, I do. No worries about it."

"Perfect! So everything is all set. I wish you all good luck!"

Gala thank her gladly before grabbing our arms and bringing us inside and we finally see the Hellenic Citadel's grounds.

It is like we are teleported to another world or something.

The air feels different like it is so liberating and just inhaling it infuses me with a kind of energy that I've never felt before.

All around us is vast grassland full of greeneries and flowers as several dryads, satyrs, and centaurs roam the wide expanse freely as the harpies flew above us into the skies unknown.

"They said that this place is a world on its own," Gala said as she stepped forward and looked above at the blue skies, "Magical and godly energies in the air is very abundant and untouched by the wind gods and directly under the control of King Zeus. I'm not allowed to be specific but Mount Olympus is located somewhere inside the Hellenic Citadel. Hidden from view to those who don't know where to look at."

Morris just took a deep breath and sighed, "Mount Olympus, huh? They say that it is located in the Aurapolis but in the years that I have wandered around its streets and alleys, never have I gazed upon the seat of power of the Olympians."

"To be honest, I couldn't care less. I am here to work, not to do some sightseeing," I looked at the daughter of Athena seriously, "Tell me what to do next, Gala. I don't have the whole day to wander around. I need to meet the Headmistress as soon as possible."

She smiled at me and nodded, "All right, let me tell you the next phase of my plan. However, this time, you have to put some effort into it, Vivet."

"Effort? That can be arranged easily."

"Perfect! Now, listen carefully. As I said before, it is very simple, really. All you have to do is pass the entrance examinations! First part is a written test for " she said happily that made my jaw drop, "Don't give me that expression. I swear this is the best and legal way to do it. The Headmistress will personally meet any aspirants who managed to reach the last part of the exams. For you to do that, you need to pass the first and second levels. By the third, you can just slip your way past the other examinees and onto the place where the Headmistress is observing the match."

I furrowed my brow when I heard that last word, "A match?"

She smiled and glanced at the children of Ares, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus not far from us who are throwing insults at one another hotly, "Yes, Vivet. A match where you will show the whole Gearth that you are physically and mentally capable of fighting and defending yourself. Hellenic Citadel for all intents and purposes isn't your regular school, it is a military academy training mortals and demigods alike to survive and fight against the eternal monster infestations we have to face in our daily lives. Prestige and fame for being a graduate only come second. Do you think mortals will do anything just to get a slot here and why immortals send their children to study here specifically if it isn't that all worth it?"

"Is there any other way, Gala? I don't really want to say this but apart from my name and age, I don't know anything about my past. The owner of the Iris Delivery Service found me unconscious and amnesiac on the streets leading to the company headquarters. I am homeschooled and taught basic knowledge of what a kid of my age should know. It is borderline impossible for me to even reach past the second part of the examinations, honestly speaking."

The daughter of Athena just sighed and shook her head sadly, "Then this might be the end of your journey here, Vivet. I can only do so much as to get you two in. The rest is up to you. However, regardless of what you say, I have a feeling that you can go far if you just give more credit to yourself and what you can do."

She looked at her right and saw several teenagers waving at her all bearing the same eyes and aura of wisdom as her, "I have to leave you two now, Morris and Vivet. I am sure we will meet again after the first stage of the exam."

"Well, I was expecting more help but I am grateful for what you already did for us. Making me realize how easy to solve my problem is if I stopped moaning about it and do something instead," Morris said as he tried to make himself cleaner to no avail, "Though a little more help will surely be appreciated."

She laughed at his joke and shake her head, "Give me a break, will you? After all, I was only born yesterday."

The two of us was left speechless by what she said as Gala waved goodbye and head straight for her siblings who gave her a group hug as if to welcome her in the world.