The Mortal God of Olympus Ch.24 (Patreon)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 24– New skills!

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When I reached my destination, my eyes fell upon a familiar scene:

The entire farm road was riddled with cracks, while the forest looked like a victim of hydrogen bomb. Half the trees were just stumps now, broken and burnt. The entire surrounding land had deep trenches and holes, with pieces of boulder littering the place like paper balls.

'Damn. How long did we fight here? Less than a minute?'

This was the result of a shuffle between two minor gods for a few seconds? Hell, I wasn't even an actual god back then.

A furious yell broke through my thoughts, and I quickly changed my flight path towards Percy's voice. What I came to witness was a teary eyed Percy sitting behind the minotaur's back as he broke one of its horns with a furious bellow.

I didn't interrupt, letting the boy fight his own battle. Even though the boy had no weapon, I had faith in my student.

My faith held true when the boy proceeded to finish the thing off with a clever turn of steps, and a stab to the bull's chest with its own horn. 

I expected nothing less.

But I also didn't expect him to lose consciousness... so, eh.

Hopefully the Minotaur will stay dead now.

Though if Hades, or gods forbid Gaia, was indeed after this phenomenon, then that hope was bound to break soon.

I caught the boy before he could fall to the ground, before realizing that Sally was no where to be seen.

With a frown, I let my senses extend throughout the land, trying to find the woman.

While I did not find Sally, I did pick up something else. A divine authority, way greater than Hercules could ever hope to display. Almost at the level of my father.

'Hades.'

A growl of anger left me as I realized the mega bastard was once again poking his nose where it didn't belong.

This was why I didn't pray to Hades. He was too sus.

Looking down at the unconscious boy, I remembered my job. Picking up the minotaur's horn, I bound the boy in air and tugged him behind me, making my way down the hill with vengeful thoughts for company.

'Hades...Hades will pay. Poseidon might have been dropped from my hit-list...plus I did fuck his old flame so it kinda settles out, but Hades? Hades will pay.

I already knew I would have to confront him one day, but it seems that day will be much sooner than I expected.

I don't know how I'll make him pay, considering he could still crush me like an ant. And after fighting Heracles, I had a good guess at the power of gods in general. Which was why I didn't doubt that he could definitely crush me like an ant.

But I will find a way.

'Maybe I could create a device to...hurt someone close to him. Persephone for instance... yes, capturing her wouldn't be too much of an issue.'

Especially now that I was a tier 7 being.

"You take mine, I take yours." I muttered as the thought strengthened in my head.

I felt absolutely no guilt for thinking about targeting Persephone. Gods have lost all my respect and sympathy. Hera let loose a mad dog on me for absolutely no reason. I may feel a smidgen of guilt for the deaths that happened today...but I blamed Hera and Hercules as the main culprit. And honestly? It was better to live in hatred than in guilt. No matter how small that guilt may be.

The only gods that I will show even a decorum of respect were those who earned it.

Hades hasn't, and neither has his wife.

Thus, I will make him pay, no questions about that.

It was just a matter of time.

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[Quest Received: Heroes Collector]

• Find 20 Demigod Children in the wild and bring them to safety (18/20)

Reward: 10 Levels

Another demigod successfully rescued, pushing my tally up a point. Two more demigods and I'll receive another 10 levels.

I waved away the notif to focus on the most important thing; namely my status.

'Observe'

Mikael

Age: 13

Race: God/Angel/Devil Hybrid

Tier: 7

Level 601 (Minor God)

Divine Power 787,000/7,080,000

Holy Power: 1,450,900/7,080,000

Demonic Power: 3,850,000/7,080,000

Stamina: 1,256,070/6,010,000

Health: 856,000/6,210,000

Stats

Strength: 611

Speed: 641

Dexterity: 631

Endurance: 601

Constitution: 621

Mental: 48

Spirit: 708

Points: 7

Skills:

Combat Skills-

Divine Spear-wielding (3/10)

Divine Swordsmanship (2/10)

Master Archer (6/10)

Godly Skills–

Celestial Lightning Bolt (Lvl 3)

Divine Authority (Lvl 4)

Divine Lightning Storm (Lvl 4)

Electric Healing (Lvl 4)

Lightning Travel (Lvl 6)

Wind Tornado (Lvl 7)

Lightning Storm (Lvl 9)

Divine Lightning Bolt (Max)

Electric Discharge (Max)

Flying (Max)

Lightning Manipulation (Max)

Wind Manipulation (Max)

Air Manipulation (Max)

Holy Power Skills–

[Angelic Form]– 4-Winged Angel

Holy Lightning Discharge (Lvl 5)

Holy Lightning Manipulation (Lvl 6)

Holy Weapon Creation (Max)

Holy Power Manipulation (Max)

Demonic Skills–

Defensive Magic: Aegis (Lvl 1)

Energy Creation (Lvl 1)

Magical Item Creation (Lvl 1)

Lightning Manipulation (Lvl 7)

Concealment Magic (Lvl 8)

Hypnosis Magic (Lvl 9)

Object Creation (Max)

Demonic Power Manipulation (Max)

Defensive Magic: Barrier (Max)

Magical Skills–

Mist Manipulation (Lvl 8)

Mist Sense (Lvl 9)

Mystiokinesis Sense (Lvl 9)

Other Skills–

Expert Blacksmith (3/10)

Expert Actor (6/10)

Expert Lover (8/10)

Expert Seducer (9/10)

Master Charmer (2/10)

Master Strategist (2/10)

Master Hunter (6/10)

Master Tracker (9/10)

Divine Chess Player (1/10)

Resistances:

Lightning Resistance (Max)

Poison Resistance (Lvl 9)

Pain Resistance (Lvl 6)

Mystiokinesis Resistance (Lvl 6)

Celestial Radiance Resistance (Lvl 6)

Magical Affinities:

Divine Lightning: 70/100

Holy Light: 70/100

Lightning: 90/100

Light: 90/100

I laid back on my bed with a relaxed sigh, observing my stats with supreme contentment

After three years of draught, I've finally progressed past the blockage that was Tier 6. Seriously, it took me more time to progress past this single Tier than it did to all the others combined.

Still, the results were well worth it.

I was now around Azazel in level, and almost equal to Hephaestus in power. And all this without taking Stormbreaker into account.

With my divine weapon by my side, my raw power has now even surpassed Dionysus.

But more importantly, I could definitely stand toe-to-toe with my mother now, without ever feeling like a burden.

Moreover, the achievement I'd received for defeating Hercules also increased the levels of all my skills by one, maxing out some more of em'.

Three of my demonic powers had maxed out completely. But instead of giving me some huge boost in the existing skills, I realized that they'd given me some entirely new skills. And just a single glance was making my blood boil in excitement.

Magical Item Creation (Lvl 1)

Energy Creation (Lvl 1)

Defensive Magic: Aegis (Lvl 1)

The first, magic item creation, was obviously from maxing out object creation. I hadn't tried anything yet, but just the words 'magic items' was enough to get an idea.

Who knows, in the future I might be able to create potions and stuff. Perhaps even magical metals like Celestial bronze or Stygian Steel?

Maybe one day I will be able to create my own Divine equipment, like a full body suit. I didn't know the limits yet, but it had a lot of potential.

The second, energy creation, came from maxing out demonic power manipulation. If I was guessing correctly from the name, the skill would help me create a new type of energy. Or perhaps recreate the existing types.

I did create Baraqiel's Holy Lightning after all. Though that was more due to my own affinity for Holy and Lightning energy, so I didn't create it out if nothing exactly.

But perhaps now I could create similar forms of energy without having an affinity for them. It definitely had some serious potential.

The last, Defensive Aegis, was a no brainer, and also the only spell I'd tested currently. Instead of a flat barrier it creates an aegis around me. But at level 1, it could only produce a single barrier, making it really weak. Though that was relative to my barrier magic that combines the durability of 10 barriers at Lvl 10.

Nonetheless, with my 708 spirit supplying it with the raw power of a True god, it should still be an overpowered ability.

Well, I was going to explore my abilities at this very instance. I had a whole night to spend afterall.

And sleep wasn't going to take me right now anyway.

So onto work I am!

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"You failed." The words spoken were cold and emotionless. And yet, Heracles left his divinity waver at the being's words.

"You only had to push him enough to see his true power before retreating, fool." Ares taunted from the side, sneering down at his once rival. "Instead, you came back cut up in pieces. What a loser. See the difference between us now? You never defeated me, you minor mongrel. I let you defeat me! So that...ah....so that I can fool my family and hide my true strength! Aha!"

Heracles kept quite. He wanted to challenge the jerk of a war god but Ophis was more important now. He can humiliate this insult of an Olympian later. Like everyone always does.

"You failed." The words were spoken again, and Ares quietened immediately. "You shall not fail again. I, will not let you."

The being raised her hands and the power that collected on her palm would've made Zeus's attacks look like a child's tantrums. A snake slowly formed, black as the deepest night, and excluding enough power to utterly dominate the entire room.

"Consume." The words were a command, and Heracles knew he had no choice.

At any other time, he would never accept this...this slave collar disguised as gift. He would leave this group instead of accepting such horrible power. But he had no choice, he knew. No choice at all.

Revealing his true form to father's favourite mortal had been utterly foolish. And now he cannot even count on his family for protection.

And thus, the Co-leaders of khaos brigade became witness to the transformation of Heracles into...a wretch.

The people shuddered, but they could feel the minor god's power increasing. So even as reptilian scales disfigured the god, they grew hungry.

"You will work together with Ares. You will not fail again."

Once again, the words were simple, with no hidden meanings or inflections. And yet, for Heracles, the words might as well have been laws. Laws that he must follow, one way or the other.

And he will. He will follow the orders of his new mistress, whatever they may be.

Even if he had to lay his life to complete them.

"Now leave. You as well, Ares. "

After the departure of Heracles and Ares, the khaos brigade started on the more important matters.

"My magicians have confirmed that two years ago, the goddess Bast had indeed escaped from the Duat, my lady." Euclid Lucifuge announced calmly. "Apophis is free for the taking. A human magician used her paltry life force to close the rift between the Duat, yet it is weak. It is more than I would expect of a human, but it gives us a clear opportunity."

"I, see."

"On the Norse side of things, Loki has been working from shadows to secure his freedom. We simply need to supply it to him and he will join us without too many problems. Thor on the other hand, has once again lost his hammer. Perhaps we could steal it an–"

"No." Ophis' voice rang out. "Thor is too wild."

There was a moment of silence, comfortable only for Ophis, before her voice rang out again.

"I, wish to know more of the three factions."

"Ahh...t-the three factions." The startled Katarea stuttered, before finally taking a deep breath and calming herself. "Well...Gabriel has been promoted to High-class devil status after she discovered the plot of king pieces, and is now working to unite the three factions with...uhh, varying degree of success. All the factions have traitors in their midst however, and I'm doing my best to incite rebellion. If all works out well then we will have them start a new Great war in less than a decade. We can offer Beelzebub and Lucifer our services in return of their help in the fight against Great Red."

The tiny girl nodded in satisfaction. "Good."

Again, the silence dominated the room.

"And you Cao Cao?" Ophis asked. "What news do you have?"

The one addressed was a handsome young boy, with a confident and charming smile on his face.

"We will soon have gathered a fearsome army, my lady." The boy said with a small graceful bow. "With our funding, I've managed to buy the services of skilled mercenaries, who are now preparing for war. Soon I shall lead my team into the depths of hell to bargain with Hades for the Titan's sarcophagus. With the Titans leading the charge, and our direct support behind them. there is simply no chance of the Greek gods winning this war. Even should they discover our plot."

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The morning of the next day bought with it a new sense of excitement. I may not have achieved any substantial progress towards my divinity like I was hoping for, but the new skills were more than enough to keep me busy for now.

Plus I could feel the divinity in my bones, waiting to take form...if this was what I'd theorized it was, then I was so very close to achieving my own domain.

'That's when the true fun will begin.'

When the sun had finally reached to a comfortable height, I left my cabin and made way for the big house.

One of the Apollo healers had informed me of Percy's awakening, and I was sure the boy would love to see a friendly face after that horrible night.

Halfway upon my path, I noticed a figure running away from the big house and called out to her with a growing smile. "Annabeth!"

The girl changed directions the moment she heard me, sprinting towards me in a mad dash.

"Woah there Anna lite, slow down would you?"

"You're awake!" She exclaimed before throwing herself at me.

I laughed, catching her body midair and spinning her around. "I am. Sorry I didn't talk to you yesterday, I was a little...tired."

Nope, I was angsty and wanted to make an instant god-slaying weapon.

"Of course you were, dummy." Anna chuckled, shaking her head. "Anyone will be, after fighting off Heracles himself! Your name is all around the Olympus by the way. It even came on this month's edition of Olympus monthly magazine. Apparently some of them on Olympus are already making statues and monuments in your name, which is ridiculous, but as you say, whatever."

Most of her words went away like wind over me as I caught onto the most worrying bit.

"...How did they see the fight?" I asked, frowning.

I knew about the magazine of course, it gave all the news around Olympus, including dates on new episodes of Hephaestus Tv, and info on new and upcoming heroes. I was already pretty famous in Olympus before this, especially when I started rescuing demigods.

It had been bit of a surprise when out of nowhere, father informed me that I'd formed a reputation around Olympus as the most badass and kind hero of this generation.

So anything related to me was bound to spread across the realm. What I did not expect was the speed with which the news spread.

'Did one of the wind gods rat me out?' I frowned, thinking. 'Zephyros is Hephaestus TV's weather reporter isn't he? Maybe I need to pay the wind gods a visit and...convince (bully) them to stop spying on me.'

"Oh, they didn't." Annabeth cut through my thoughts. "No one knows how you survived, just that Lady Hera sent Hercules after you and you lived to tell the tale. Though Hercules hasn't returned to guard the gates of Olympus and people think he is very angry."

I heaved a breath of relief. "Well, that's good."

Then, I mussed the hair of the panting girl and removed my gift from the inventory.

With a smile I looked back at Annabeth, only to find her staring at the floor bashfully, her cheeks flaming red.

Snorting, I realized the cause was my hand, that still resting on her head.

I casually stepped back, hoping to not make her even more awkward, before extending a small box towards her. "Here, Anna lite. The gift that I promised you."

She tentatively reached out and plucked the box from my hand, though still not quite looking up.

"What's this?" She asked in a quite voice.

"Why don't you find out?" I smirked.

With a small tug, she clacked open the simple wooden box to find a not so simple present awaiting her.

It was a bracelet, but far from ordinary.

shaped as a thick arm band, it was almost an inch in width, glowing with a golden hue unique to Celestial Bronze; Something that I'd gotten after melting a random sword from the Armory, before recrafting it into this beauty.

It had three different compartments, which can be turned and pressed like Benten's watch (My source of motivation, yes) to access each one of them.

First compartment contained a small photo-album of with me, Thalia, Annabeth, and Luke; all taken in the time of monsters war.

The second compartment was a micro gun attached to its side that shot electric shots. As long as Annabeth could supply it with Divine Power, the decide will keep working. For this, I'd taken inspiration from Black Widow's Widow bite (Yes yes, I was plagiarizing fictional items, so what?).

Third compartment was an empty space that extended outwards to become big enough that she could keep her dagger in it.

This was my first success with magic item creation. The phone and Demigod-finding device did not count considering how much the Hephaestus cabin had helped me in that.

But I didn't need anyone's help to craft magical items anymore. Now, I was a true creator.

"Well, Anna." I squinted at the sun, realizing it has gotten quite late in the morning. "I'm sure you're dying to know all of its functions so I'll leave you alone. Ba-bye."

I was just about to move past her when she suddenly whirled around and wrapped herself to me in a tight hug.

"Thank you." She whispered quickly, before taking off towards the cabins again.

I shook my head with a snort at the girl, before making my way for the big house.

Percy was sitting beside Chiron and Mr. D on the front deck with a pinochle board in between, talking animatedly to the wine god and looking quite worked up.

"...but Mikael only said that gods existed, not how. What about science then? How can people go to space if it doesn't exist? Science is still above gods–

"Science!" Mr. D scoffed, cutting off the boy. "And tell me, Perseus Jackson, what will people think of your 'science' two thousand years from now? Hmm? They will call it primitive mumbo jumbo. That's what. Oh, I love mortals, they have absolutely no sense of perspective. They think they've come so-o-o far. And have they, Chiron? Look at this boy and tell me. Have they?"

"What about spaceships then?" Percy insisted. "Where do they go if there is no space?"

"I'll take over from here." I interrupted before the boy can get even more confused.

"Ah, Mikael! So good of you to join us; We have four for pinochle now!" Mr. D exclaimed.

"Didn't I tell you I'll only join for chess?" I frowned down at the wine god. "Chess is the real man's board game."

"Bah, Chess!" Mr. D spat in disgust. "Don't even make me get started on that one. Somehow they move a few plastic pieces and believe themselves to be war veterans. Mortals do so amuse me."

"Oh, shut up." I snorted with a smirk. "You're only saying that cause you can't, for the life of you, think more than two moves ahead."

"Like you always say—whatever, Michelle Ferguson, I can't care for a game that goes on for hours without anyone making a move."

With that, the god got up and and turned to leave, ignoring my mocking huff.

"You know you will never convince him of that ever again, don't you?" Chiron said from his wheelchair. "I fear Mr. D is still angry about that embarrassing loss you delivered him two years ago."

A wide smile fixed on my face as I remembered the glorious day. "Serves him right..."

"Please, Mr. Brunner! Mikael!" A desperate Percy called. "I don't understand— How can we visit mars and moon if they aren't real?"

Chiron and I looked down at the boy in pity.

"Well, there is still much to be taught, I fear. The usual orientation film wouldn't suffice for you. Mikael? Would you like to show Percy around the camp?"

"Sure, Chiron." I answered, patting the boy on the shoulder. "C'mon then, Perce. You've got a long day ahead."

As we left the big house, I absently observed the boy.

Perseus Jackson

Age: 12

Race: Demigod (Child of Poseidon)

Level: 200

Tier: 5

Divine Power: 20,000/20,000

Stamina: 19,000/19,000

Health: 21,000/21,000

Stats

Strength: 190

Speed: 200

Dexterity: 210

Endurance: 190

Constitution: 210

Mental: 14

Spirit: 200

Good enough.

"Now Percy, listen closely cause this is important." I started, taking a deep breath as I prepared to put all the weirdness that I've learned over the years in simple words. "Everything that you know about this universe? Forget it. Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and all the other planets, they are simply various deities of this universe. There are exceptions to this, though few and far in between, some that even I don't understand. Sun, for instance, is a vehicle made of pure energy, and it's current rider is Apollo. It used to be Ra once upon a time, and then Helios as well, but they both have retired so now it's Apollo. Moon is the same, but it is dragged by Artemis, the moon goddess. As for the space? It is simply the entity chaos."

I glanced at the boy and noticed he was even more confused than before.

"Okay story time. At first there was nothing in this universe but the sole entity, Chaos, which the science call 'The Dark Matter'. From Chaos came Oranus, the sky. And Gaia, the earth. From them came everything else. Zeus represents Jupiter, Poseidon represents Neptune, and so on and so forth. As for science, Mist is the reason why science exists. Mortals see the true form of these powerful entities, and mist keeps their minds from falling apart by converting all this knowledge to explainable things, which is to say, science. So yeah, when humans go around in their ships to explore the space? They are just travelling through Chaos's body. Got it now?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah." The boy mumbled quietly. "I got it."

But I had a feeling I'd lost him way back in the explanation.

I sighed. 'All my effort down the drain.'

"I-I wanted to ask..." Percy started, and something told me it wasn't related to our topic. "Do you– ...Is my mom really dead?" The boy finally finished hollowly.

"Wha–?" The question jarred me out as I turned to Percy with a frown. "No, of course not. That son of a Titanous bitch Hades abducted her."

It was only then I realized that the previous day's events may not be as clear to Percy as they were to me.

My words didn't seem to register in Percy's mind at once, but when they did, the boy's eyes widened like coins and he turned to me with hope filled sea-green pupils, staring down in my soul with desperation. "This isn't some bad attempt at joke right? Please tell me you are serious."

I winced at the tears that looked to be held like a dam in the boy's eyes.

"Gods Perce, I totally forgot how you will see that as. Yeah, I'm as serious as I can be. Hades kidnapped your mother and we'll get her from him, promise."

I should've realized what the boy would think if he watched his mother get turned into golden motes of light. I guess my anger at Hades surpassed my thinking skills.

The boy started crying then, while trying to hide his tears by turning away slightly.

"Thanks." He murmured.

I put a hand around his shoulder and dragged him with me. "Alright, C'mon. I think the camp will lift your mood."

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I showed Percy around the camp,; starting from the sweet smelling strawberry fields to our first destination- Pegasus stables.

"Mikael... I think I'm going crazy."

"Welcome to the life of Greeks, half of us are crazy in here."

"Yeah but I'm not talking about crazy as in 'I'm gonna murder that hobo who dared to look at my face without bowing' kind of crazy, but more like 'Are those horses over there really talking to me?' kind of crazy."

"Ah yes, of course. That's cause of your father. Don't worry about it too much."

"Mikael, they are calling me names. The horses are calling me mean names."

"You shouldn't let them insult you. Call them some names yourself."

"Now they are calling you names. They are saying you are an empty bag of air where your brai–"

"Son of a flying bitch! I'm gonna kill that horse!"

"No, wait! I'm joking! They are saying you are a very scary fellow and everyone should respect you!"

"Hmmf."

From Pegasus stables to armory.

"Pick any weapon Percy. You are wasting our time."

"But none of them fit! Not like that pen-sword you threw at me back in the museum."

"Well, that belongs to Chiron. I guess you'll just have to beg your dad and get him to commission a weapon from the blacksmith god. He made mine too, so you can bet your ass he is the best."

"I'm not gonna beg anyone. I don't need his help."

"Good, cause I didn't either. My father did it himself– you know, cause that's what true fathers do."

Percy groaned, I smiled. "Though technically, I guess I could also assume that role as well...hehehe.."

"What?"

"...Nevermind."

From armory to archery range and arena, but we didn't stop there, neither did we stop at the forge, though I waved at the Hephaestus demigods lingering around.

From the arena, we finally approached the cabins. The first thing Percy did was to enter Poseidon's cabin.

Normally entering a cabin for an unclaimed demigod would be disastrous. But knowing what I knew, I didn't bother stopping him, patiently waiting as the boy checked out his future home.

"This is so cool."

"Not as cool as my cabin."

"I don't know. I don't think I'd want a huge statue of my father in the middle of the room."

"Yes well, that huge statue also let's me teleport directly to Olympus, the home of gods. I'm sure you wouldn't want that right?"

"...How much for the statue?"

"Beg your dad?"

The boy groaned. I laughed.

We finally reached the common cabin, where the cabin counselor, Alabaster Torrington, stood besides a bored Annabeth.

The small twelve year old boy was the child of Hecate, and commanded the rest of his siblings with an iron fist. The boy also seemed to have penchant for always looking grim and annoyed.

"Your new addition, for the time being." I announced with a wave towards Percy.

"Hey." Percy greeted them tentatively.

"Perce, you'll be here until your father claims you. I'll be leaving you in capable hands of Annabeth here. Good luck."

"You know who his godly parent is?" Annabeth asked, surprised.

"I do." I stated with a wink. The girl was dying for a quest, and according to Chiron she'll only be ready when a special demigod enters the camp.

"Wait, you are leaving?" Percy asked nervously.

"Chiron teaches masters archery right now. A special class only for the best of the best."

"And you are best of the best in archery?" He asked, surprised.

Understandable, considering I never used my bow in the time i stayed with him.

"He's the best of the best in everything." Annabeth breathed out from beside us, her cheeks coloring in a dark blush as all of us turned to her.

With raised brows, I turned back to Percy.

"You'll be fine with Annabeth, Perce. Try not to make any mess. Bye now." With one last wave, I turned around and took to air, towards my new destination– the archery range.

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"Ready-ho!" Chiron's bellow made all the demigods present straighten up, readying their bows in the anticipation of the action ahead.

There were eight archers, all from Apollo, standing right in front of Chiron and me.

All the master archers the camp has produced in the last three years were present here currently. All eight were trained by me or Chiron; though only Lee Fletcher and Michael yew were able to progress past the first level of mastery. All the others were still stuck on level 1.

Atleast...as far as I could judge from my experience with the system.

"And...Fire!" Bellowed Chiron.

The exercise was simple really- Hit the balloon hanging in the middle of the sky.

The moment Chiron said those words, my Stormbreaker in it's bow form started lighting the sky with arrows. In a single second, dozens of arrows were created from thin air and launched towards the Balloon in a straight line, travelling beyond supersonic speed. To a mortal's eye, my hands may would just be a blur as they moved in reality defying speed.

Normally, I should've popped the balloon multiple times over before it even deformed completely. But while I targeted the Balloon, all the rest aimed at my arrows, knocking them out of the air to protect thetarget.

In a fair one on one match, I would win 10/10 times. My speed was just too fast–I shot dozens of arrows every second. My accuracy was just too incredible due to level 6 mastery, and 60% of my arrows always stuck directly in the bull's eyes no matter how fast the target moves. My arrows itself moved faster through the air than theirs can–my strength and divine bow enhancing my performance.

That's why, it was never a fair fight.

My opponents all worked together in perfect tandem. One person alone can't hope to stop my arrows, so they all monitored a specific section of the air, each guarding a portion of my arrow's path to make sure none of them reached the balloon.

After a few seconds of this, once they got comfortable in knocking my arrows out of the air, two of them alternated between guarding the balloon and shooting at me in the hopes that I might slip up and give them a single chance to burst the balloon themselves.

Honestly? I was quite proud of them, working together like a team to win against a superior opponent. Especially when I knew exactly how much time and effort they'd put in perfecting this plan of theirs.

It made the game challenging, and made sure I was never bored. Which was what they wanted, considering I usually wasn't too interested in these fights due to how utterly boring they could get.

In the end however, I still won 10/10 times. Not because their combined skill was lower than me, quite the opposite actually. But because my stats simply outmatched them by too much. And I was just too perfect to ever make a mistake.

It was still an entertaining game though. I had to continuously dodge their attacks while keeping up my speed and accuracy. I usually won when one of them, all of whom were mortals and tend to make mistakes, finally slipped up. Maybe they couldn't cut my arrows in half, or just missed entirely (rarely, but possible).

This time was the same, I was keeping up with the challenge when one of my arrows managed to pass through their onslaught and popped the balloon quite anticlimactically, making the match come to a sudden and quick end.

They all groaned, letting themselves fall upon the ground, while Michael yew cursed one of his brothers.

"Once again an excellent display of skills!" Chiron cheered us.

"Mikael's bow is just too unfair." Michael groaned.

"Now now, his skills are just as excellent." Chiron maintained.

"...So unfair.." Michael continued to grouch.

"We'll get him next time." Lee promised, though it was ruined by his big yawn.

"I'm sure you will boys." I shot them a look of mock encouragement as I turned to leave. "Just keep practicing. Maybe in a few decades, you might actually come close to become a real challenge."

With my archery lessons out of the way, I headed towards the arena for some sword practice, leaving behind the groaning Apollos.

Unfortunately, I didn't find Luke there, which meant it will be a complete waste of time.

....Unless I was ready to limit myself to an extreme degree and ask the whole Ares cabin to attack me together.

But as I entered the arena, I realized even that wasn't available.

'Something must've happened.'

There were very few demigods in the Arena. The few that were there were excitedly whispering amongst themselves, pointing at the cabins direction. I stopped a random guy to enquire about it.

"I don't know sir, I was heading there myself." The boy responded in a rush. "I just know that the new boy and Clarisse got into some fight..."

I let the excited boy leave, wondering if I should search for Percy and Annabeth before deciding against it.

I had better things to do. Namely, working on my god-slayer device.

After creating Annabeth's gift, I'd set to create something that could take care of Hades, or barring that, Persephone.

The work didn't go quite as well as I was hoping for, though I did level up the skill.

Plus I didn't really have much time– The moment Percy gets claimed he'll probably get a quest to retrieve the bolt. And I will have to accompany him, not just due to my father's orders but also as a friend.

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The arrival of evening found me sitting beside the fireplace, enjoying the desolate silence around the cabins as everyone trickled out for dinner.

My enjoyment grew tenfold however, when not too long later, Hestia presented herself in her littlest and cutest form.

I smiled, bowing like the knights of old to greet the royalty. "Dear lady, thank you for gracing me with your presence."

"My presence is always at your service." She replied with the same courtesy.

With a full-bellied laugh, I took the goddess's childish form into my arms. "It's good to see you aunt Hestia."

"And you as well, dear nephew." She gave a beautiful smile, before her face became grimmer. "Though I fear I do not bear good news."

"Yeah, whatever." I waved the seriousness away "Your presence is enough to make anything brighter "

She chuckled, mussing my hair (she was the sole one allowed to do so without losing their hands). "Unfortunately, the rest of our family does not share the same sentiment. My presence has been quite useless lately."

"Then they are fools who's got absolutely no idea about your worth." I replied firmly, suppressing the urge to stop her from adding me with the rest of her family, and focusing on more important topics. Namely, brightening her grim mood. "You shouldn't be sad on their account."

"I cannot help myself. Worrying about families comes under my domain." She chuckled, resting her head on my shoulder with a sigh. "And it's quite a heavy job when your family are the Olympians. I'd hoped my brother's newfound wisdom will make him a better king, but it seems some things will always stay the same."

Ain't that the fact.

I snorted lightly, gently patting her head. "Tell me. Maybe I can help."

"You already help much by sharing some time with me, Mikael. You need not worry about my problems. Especially when you have your own problems to worry about. Don't think I'm ignorant about your fight with Heracles."

"Oh c'mon." I waved her worries away. "Don't worry about that puny god, he'll stay away if he knows what's good for him. And how am I any help? All I do is bask under the glory of your beautiful presence. It is more like helping myself than helping you."

I chuckled as her cheeks gained a lovely rosy shade, though I couldn't dodge her swat at my shoulder. Ouch. "Hush, you charmer. I pity the girls you will leave broken hearted."

She shook her head, finally relenting the info with a sigh. "Your father and uncle are set upon the war, none willing to back down. Me, Hera, and Demeter has been trying to calm the brothers but the rest of the family has already started picking sides. Should this continue, a war is inevitable."

"Ah yes, of course. The war, us Greeks sure love them, don't we?" I chuckled, before patting her head again. "But don't worry, dear aunt. We will soon be leaving on a quest to stop the war. You have nothing to fear, trust me."

"I trust you."

That single line did wonders to my confidence and ego, and put a huge smile on my face for the rest of the night.

There's no way I will fail after that.

But now, back to work.

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AN: Finished! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

For those wondering, he will definitely unlock his godly domains but there's still some requirements that he hadn't completed yet, thus delaying their appearance. You all will get to see them soon. 

Also, if there's anyone offering to beta, pls msg me on discord. My current one is a busy guy, so a second pair of hands would really help. I know some of you asked about it earlier already but my old discord acc. is a goner. So pls contact me through the new one.

Well that's all for today, give me your thoughts on MIkael's new skills and I'll see you lot tomorrow in the Poll results.

Goodbye and peace!