2. Leaving

Since that fateful day when Aiden met the two soldiers, nearly 2 weeks had passed by already.

Aiden had already spoken to the director and sorted many things out.

Right now, he stood at the door to the orphanage with a suitcase at his side and a large backpack on his back.

His bags were already packed, and his decision was firm. There was no going back; all he had to do now was wait.

Thinking about the admission process, Aiden couldn't help but admire them. He didn't even have to say much to get through with the deal.

Olympus Academy was a real, listed private school that could complete his high school education and was even recognized by the government.

With just a few phone calls, the entire ordeal was completed before he could even believe it.

There were even people that called and spoke to the director on his behalf. Aiden even wondered how such a magical and mystical organization could have people so adept and specialized to deal with modern-day bureaucracy.

Laughing to himself that he even had such silly thoughts, Aiden looked up at the glowing moon hanging in the sky. The bright silver sphere poked its head out of the curtain of misty clouds to shine over all the people below. Aiden took a moment to admire the scenery, rare to see in the modern age, when he suddenly froze.

Within a second, Aiden's surroundings seemed to have transformed. It was instantly flooded with a faint golden hue. Aiden suddenly turned around, sensing something, only to have his heart skip a beat when two familiar soldiers walked out of the golden hue.

It was the two soldiers he had met before, standing there proudly like two legendary heroes of antiquity, their bronze armor shining.

As the two appeared and saw Aiden's surprised look, they both showed a rare smile.

"Seeing as you're here, I'm taking it that you talked to the number I gave you and you've made your decision."

Although they were happy to see Aiden, they didn't forget to confirm one last time.

"I know that you are excited right now. You do know that although the academy will try to nurture and grow you, the academy will be more dangerous than anything you can imagine. There is still time to turn away now if you choose to do so."

Aiden heard this and just shook his head.

"A little danger is a small price to pay to enter such a world. Besides, something in my blood boils when I hear the stories you told and the powers you described. If I turn back now, I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself until the day I die."

As the soldiers heard Aiden say this, a smile couldn't help but appear on their faces.

This was their nature! It was something they couldn't fight, something they couldn't resist. As ones who carried the blood of heroes, the very descendants of the gods themselves, when given the chance to seek glory, to gain honor and renown, they could never resist!

"Good! Good!" laughed the soldiers, satisfied with Aiden's response. "Try as you might, you can't deny the blood of the gods!"

Seeing Aiden's eager looks, the two soldiers didn't wait any longer.

"Well then, there should be no need to wait any longer. It's time to journey to the domain of the gods!"

As the man spoke, he brought out a small wooden sculpture about the size of a palm.

The sculpture in question was that of an exquisitely crafted aquila, made from a beautiful dark brown oak filled with beautiful and artistic lines that traced across its entire body. The eagle had a laurel wreath crowned on its head.

The soldier then threw the aquila into the air, and to Aiden's disbelief, the aquila continued to grow and grow until it was at least several meters large.

"CAW!"

The bird let out a strangely lifelike roar as its terrifying giant eyes shone with an awe-inspiring golden light.

The two soldiers didn't hesitate for a second and easily jumped onto the back of the giant wooden eagle.

Aiden just stood there, embarrassed with his large suitcase in hand, until the giant wooden eagle lowered its stance and expanded its wings like an easy ramp for Aiden to walk up.

Aiden took the invitation and easily walked up the back of the giant eagle and stood behind the two soldiers.

In that moment, the giant eagle sculpture unfurled its wings and, with a massive flap, soared right into the sky.

With just one flap, it was as if they had switched into fifth gear. Aiden felt the wind flash past his body as the eagle covered tens of meters in mere seconds.

At the same time, Aiden felt his body shake, and a deep feeling of fear flooded his body, snapping him out of his amazement. It was only now that he remembered when a white mist flowed from the wings of the giant eagle, wrapping around everyone on the back of the great bird and holding them in place. Even Aiden's luggage was safely secured.

Realizing he was still safe, Aiden breathed a deep sigh of relief but only dwelled on things for a moment before he began to admire the strange sight he had seen for the first time in his life. He boldly reached out his hands, grasping the clouds that quickly passed by.

The giant wooden eagle only continued to soar until it completely broke through the cloud line, and when it did so, Aiden's jaw dropped to the floor.

It wasn't the beautiful scene of the sky above the clouds that shocked Aiden but an actual object.

It was a giant flying ship of completely gargantuan proportions.

If Aiden had to describe it, it would be like an extremely sized-up galleon.

But it was not just the size that impressed Aiden. It would be no exaggeration to describe the ship as an art piece.

Made from a beautiful sleek material that seemed to be a strange synthesis of some sort of wood and strange metal. Not to mention the embellishments composed of marble and glowing white metal, that made it look less like a ship and more like a holy temple.

It truly took Aiden's breath away.

Seeing Aiden's awe-filled look, one of the soldiers soon explained, "That beauty right there is a Void ship. It's the means used to travel between the worlds under the gods' domain. Without it, transporting so many people would be near impossible."

'A Void ship…'

Aiden was impressed by such a magnificent behemoth.

He quickly looked around. He was surprised to see that he could see many other giant wooden eagles with other people on them.