Chapter Seventy-One: Chimera

  After he reached Bronze Three, Jace could feel it—a slow drag on his progress. No matter how many monsters he hunted or skills he practiced, the gains had plateaued. Ell and Dex confirmed what he’d been dreading—this was normal. They both agreed that brute force could only take him so far. It was time to shift focus, sharpen the edge, and dive back into the study. Reluctantly, Jace agreed, returning to classes more full-time.

  Mount Olympus University had transformed. Fall had settled over the campus like a painting, leaves swirling in hues of gold, crimson, and amber. The marble pillars glowed in the slanted autumn light, and the sprawling courtyards were dotted with statues of ancient gods, now partially obscured by the drifts of leaves. The sky overhead was a perfect, pale blue, the crisp air carrying the faint scent of wood smoke. In just a week, the Star Ceremony and Midnight Festival would begin, filling the campus with anticipation. A hushed buzz filled the air, a kind of quiet excitement that whispered among the students.

  Jace noticed their glances—some more lingering than others. Dex’s promotions for the festival were working too well. Gold flowed steadily, and while it made Jace’s life a bit easier, it also twisted something inside him, reminding him why he needed the gold in the first place. His brother. A wave of guilt washed over him, the familiar ache of wondering if he’d ever make it back, if he’d ever see his brother awake again. The thought was enough to pull him out of focus, even as he tried to concentrate on the class before him.

  Professor Orion Blackwood, Master of Affinities, stood at the center of the coliseum—a massive structure that seemed more fit for blood sport than learning. The stone walls towered high above, capped with rusting iron gates that groaned in the wind. The sun blazed down, casting deep, jagged shadows across the cracked stone floor. Ancient benches, smoothed by centuries of use, formed a half-moon around the arena. Orion himself cut an imposing figure, his muscular frame gleaming in the sun.

  The centaur’s voice boomed with authority, filling the coliseum. “Today we will be exploring Divine Defenses. Any questions before we begin? Good.” His tone left little room for uncertainty, his presence commanding immediate respect.

  The whole gang was there—except Thistle. Across the way, Jace spotted Marcus, quieter than usual. He seemed more withdrawn, his usual swagger replaced by a guarded stillness. Only his two hulking companions flanked him now, casting long, shadowed figures beside him. Thistle’s absence lingered like a question unasked, heavy, and unsettling, the silence speaking louder than words.

  “If you don’t know your enemy, you will die by them!” Blackwood’s voice thundered through the hall, bouncing off the cold stone walls. “Today we delve into the primordial conflicts between gods and giants, and the demonic forces that align with chaos.”

  Orion paced with fervor, eyes blazing. “In ancient times, the gods waged war against the giants. Imagine the sky fracturing, the earth trembling as these colossal beings clashed. Giants, towering over mountains, their skin as hard as stone and their breath like storms.”

  Jace half-listened, his thoughts drifting until Blackwood’s voice dropped to a growl, pulling him back. “This isn’t just history,” Blackwood said, urgency sharp in his tone. “It’s about survival. Each of you has hidden strengths you must uncover and wield.”

  Jace tried to focus, sensing the gravity of Blackwood’s words. “Is this guy for real?” Dex whispered, leaning towards him. “‘The end is coming. Kill or be killed.’”

  Jace’s attention wavered, drifting to thoughts of sizzling pans and fragrant herbs.

  A resounding whistle from centaur reverberated through the arena, instantly capturing the student’s attention. Two attendants wheeled in a massive cage veiled in velvet. The cage trembled, emitting snarls and hisses from within. The audience gasped as the attendants unveiled the creature within - a being of awe-inspiring grandeur. Its scales shimmered like molten metal, its eyes ablaze with wrath. The air thickened with the scent of sulfur.

  The creature thrashed against the cage, its lion’s head roaring as its serpent tail struck the bars with venomous fury. Obsidian scales gleamed in the harsh light, each one catching and reflecting the cold metallic gleam of the chains that bound it. Its eyes, burning with a haunting mix of primal rage and sorrow, locked onto Jace. He couldn’t shake the feeling—was this really necessary? Did it need both chains and a cage?

  “This is a Chimera,” Blackwood announced, letting the awe of the moment sink in. “Today, it is bound by suppression chains. These chains lower its rank from a Gold One to a Silver Three. Normally, its claws are deadly poisonous, requiring a Gold Three healer to purify. Thankfully, these binds suppress that. But if you ever encounter one in the wild, run.”

  He gave a thoughtful look and waved dismissively. “Actually, you’d likely already be dead.”

  Jace’s throat felt dry as he locked eyes with the beast. He glanced at Dex, who looked equally unsure.

  “She’s more agitated than usual. Odd. Maybe Chaos is in the air,” Blackwood announced, his voice steady yet tinged with tension. He dismissed the thought with a wave, but his eyes lingered on the beast, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

  “Today, you will uncover your defensive abilities,” Blackwood said, his voice steady as he paced before the students. “Each deity grants their Chosen some form of protection. But unlocking it? That’s on you. The gods provide the tools; it’s your job to discover and master them. Today, we’ll coax out one of your defenses. But don’t fool yourselves—this will not be easy. She is no minor threat, even in her Suppressed state.”

  His eyes flicked toward the massive creature in the arena, the Chimera’s chains rattling faintly. “My assistants will keep her in check, but understand this—she still outranks all of you, by far. Even held back, she’s dangerous.”

  Blackwood’s assistants, two fourth-year students, exchanged nervous glances. The chains in their hands trembled slightly, and it was clear they weren’t entirely convinced they could contain the beast.

  The crowd remained silent, eyes wide, absorbing both the sight and the warning. The Chimera strained against the chains, its power palpable even in its restrained state.

  “Remember,” Blackwood said, his voice cutting through the silence, “defensive abilities can mean the difference between life and death. Today, you will find yours. Pay attention, stay alert, and trust in the gifts your deities have given you.”

  Lining the students up, Blackwood opened the cage. Holding tightly to the chain, he allowed the creature to emerge. The Chimera stepped forward, its movements constrained yet powerful. It snarled and hissed, the lion’s head roaring, the goat’s head snorting, and the serpent tail striking the air with venomous intent. The arena hushed as the monster’s presence filled the space, a tangible force of nature subdued only by the suppression chains.

  “In turn, you will come up and engage in a controlled fight with the Chimera,” Blackwood instructed, his eyes scanning the line of students. “Because of the rank disparity, this will help pull your defensive abilities out. The magic within you knows this beast is far beyond your strength to fight, despite its temporarily suppressed rank.”

  Jace inspected the massive creature.

  Inspection Success

  Chimera

  True Rank: Gold One | Suppressed Rank: Silver Three

  A monstrous fusion of lion, goat, and serpent, each head with its own deadly power. Its lion’s maw burns with searing flame, the goat’s gaze holds unnatural resilience, and the serpent tail strikes with lethal venom.

  Dex was called up first. His eyes flicked to Jace, worry flashing briefly before he steeled himself, his expression hardening. He swallowed, the arena’s attention settling over him like a heavy cloak. Gone was his usual grin, replaced by a mask of focus, though the faint glimmer of fear still lingered beneath the surface, barely concealed. His steps were sure, but there was a tension in his frame, a quiet battle between nerves and resolve as he made his way to face the Chimera.

  The crowd held its breath as he approached the Chimera, its massive form prowling with dangerous anticipation. Blackwood gave him a nod, pulling the chain just enough to give the beast more freedom to strike.

  The Chimera lunged, its lion’s head leading the charge, roaring with bloodlust. Dex’s body tensed, but he didn’t raise his arms to defend. Instead, he relaxed into the movement, and his Affinity activated. A sharp emerald light pulsed from the shard hanging around his neck, and Dex moved—no, he flowed.

  His feet danced across the ground in a rhythm only he could hear, ducking just as the Chimera’s claws swiped down, his body spinning out of range before its teeth could snap closed. Each step seemed impossibly light, almost preternatural in its grace. His movements weren’t just reactive—they were ahead of the Chimera, predicting its next lunge, its next swipe, staying a step ahead of the beast’s wrath.

  The Chimera snarled, frustrated by its inability to land a blow. Dex weaved through its attacks like water slipping through a clenched fist. His Affinity with Dance wasn’t just about evasion—it was an art form, a blend of combat instinct and natural fluidity. The more the Chimera pressed, the more Dex danced, his body spinning, ducking, leaping with the precision of a master choreographer.

  The crowd murmured in disbelief. There were no flickering illusions or tricks of the eye—just pure movement, a flow of energy that made it look as though Dex wasn’t just dodging but performing a deadly dance with the Chimera.

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  Jace leaned in to whisper Ell and Alice, his voice low. “It’s like he’s reading the thing’s mind.”

  Dex’s emerald shard glowed brighter with each move, casting a faint green light across his form. His steps were light but deliberate, his movements graceful yet purposeful. The Chimera roared again, lunging with a desperate swipe of its massive claws, but Dex slid beneath it with ease, his body twisting in mid-air as he avoided the beast’s attack by a mere inch.

  “Beautiful,” Blackwood muttered, his eyes fixed on Dex’s performance. “You don’t fight the Chimera. You outmaneuver it.”

  The crowd was on edge, transfixed as Dex spun back to his feet, barely a scratch on him. His breath came in shallow bursts, but his movements never faltered. The Chimera tried once more, slashing at where Dex had just been, but his footwork was too sharp, too precise, to be caught. He twisted to the side, and for a split second, it looked like he was going to be hit—but, at the last moment, he sped up ever so slightly and dodged, inches away.

  With one final leap, Dex dodged another claw strike, landing with a flourish just out of the Chimera’s reach. His chest heaved, his heart racing, but there was a light in his eyes—confidence, pure and simple. He knew what he was capable of now.

  Blackwood raised his hand, signaling the end of the match, and the Chimera snarled in frustration, its chain pulled tight once more. Dex let out a breath, wiping the sweat from his brow as his feet stilled, the emerald shard’s glow dimming as he came to rest.

  “Well done, Dex,” Blackwood called, a rare hint of approval in his voice. “You’ve discovered the heart of your Affinity. Dance, not just as movement, but as strategy. Timing. Precision.”

  Dex smiled, that old mischievous glint returning to his eyes. He glanced at Jace, giving a small shrug as if to say Not bad, huh? The crowd clapped, murmurs of awe still rippling through them. Dex had turned the battle into a dance, and in doing so, he had shown a mastery that none of them had expected.

  The whole lesson only served as a sharp reminder of how much further Jace had to go. Bronze Three—an achievement, sure, one he was proud of. But the gap between Bronze Three and Silver One? That was a canyon. And Gold? That was an entirely different world. That was a chasm. A gap so wide, it didn’t just test your mettle; it demanded growth, and forced ability rank-ups through sheer necessity.

  He remembered Blackwood’s words from one of their first lessons, his gruff voice cutting through the haze of memory: EXP isn’t something the System hands out like candy. It’s there, whether the System quantifies it or not. The real experience is earned by slamming into the world headfirst—by facing down problems, diving in, confronting the chaos, and pushing through. Persistence.

  Jace had learned that lesson the hard way.

  Spending EXP, he had said, isn’t about pushing buttons on a screen. It’s about finding the quiet moments to reflect and fortify your gains, to learn from your mistakes, to improve, and to prepare to dive in again.

  Jace had also learned this first-hand. Spending his EXP had come with starts and stalls at first, until he found Alchemy.

  It was then that he could find those rare, quiet moments to absorb the chaos that had earned him the experience in the first place. It was about understanding what he’d gained, letting the lessons settle deep- reshaping him in subtle ways.

  That’s what Blackwood had meant. Growth wasn’t just about surviving the fight –it was about learning from it– evolving. So that the next time you faced the world, the next time you charged into the unknown, you’d be stronger, smarter, better.

  Dex rejoined the line, his fellow students clapping him on the back, their faces a mix of admiration and nervous anticipation. The lesson was clear: within each of them lay hidden strengths, waiting to be discovered in the face of overwhelming odds.

  Dex shared his updates with Jace.

  Ability Gained: Dancer’s Flow

  Through the use of expert footwork, you can dodge and evade with enhanced precision, remaining a step ahead of your opponent’s attacks. Your movements create afterimages, further confusing enemies and making it harder to land a hit.

  Ability Gained: Grace Under Pressure

  Your agility and speed increase by 10% for every consecutive successful dodge, allowing you to build momentum in battle, making you more unpredictable with each move.

  Marcus was called next. He strode forward with an air of quiet intensity, his jaw clenched, eyes focused straight ahead. The usual swagger that marked him was gone, replaced by a deadly calm. He didn’t glance at Jace or Dex, didn’t acknowledge the murmurs or the whispers from the crowd. His steps were slow and deliberate, the weight of his purpose almost tangible.

  Jace watched him, his mind racing. “What do you think his Affinity is?” he muttered under his breath.

  Dex leaned in, smirking. “Probably something to do with being a massive tool.”

  Jace snorted, but there was no denying the tension that Marcus carried. Even the Chimera, which had been thrashing and snarling at every student before, seemed to hesitate as Marcus entered the ring. It paced back and forth, yellow eyes narrowed, waiting for him to make the first move.

  Without a word, Marcus raised his hand. The motion was smooth and practiced. And with it, a brilliant shield erupted from thin air. Unlike the temporary defenses of the other students, Marcus’s shield was solid, crackling with divine energy that shimmered with a golden hue, reminiscent of lightning trapped beneath glass. The symbol of Zeus was faintly visible across its surface, glowing with authority.

  For reasons Jace couldn’t quite put his finger on, he had the nagging suspicion that Marcus had also ranked up to Bronze Three. How Marcus managed that with their brutal class schedules was a mystery. Jace could barely keep up, having to choose between training or studying, while Marcus somehow seemed to handle both without missing a beat.

  The Chimera roared, sensing a challenge, and leapt at him, claws extended, teeth bared. The first impact came with a thunderous clash as the beast’s claws struck the shield. Ripples of energy spread out in every direction, the arena bathed in the golden light of Marcus’s defense. He didn’t flinch, didn’t step back. He stood rooted to the spot, his body tense but controlled, his eyes never leaving the Chimera.

  Blow after blow rained down on the shield, each strike sending another cascade of sparks and divine energy through the air. But the shield held. More than held—it seemed to thrive, its glow intensifying with every hit. The harder the Chimera fought, the stronger Marcus’s defense became.

  Jace narrowed his eyes, watching the scene unfold. The divine energy pulsed in time with Marcus’s heartbeat, as if the shield wasn’t just a barrier—it was an extension of him. His Affinity wasn’t just defense; it was power incarnate. Jace could see it now. The more pressure the Chimera applied, the more power Marcus seemed to absorb.

  The Chimera reared back, preparing for one final, vicious strike. Its muscles coiled, its eyes burned with fury. And then, with a deafening roar, it lunged. The impact was titanic, a collision of brute force and divine energy. For a moment, it looked like the shield might finally buckle under the weight of the Chimera’s strength.

  But Marcus’s face remained unreadable, his body unmoving. A surge of energy crackled through his shield, and with a sudden flash, the Chimera’s attack was repelled, sent flying backward into the dirt. The beast landed hard, skidding to a stop as the audience erupted into gasps and cheers.

  Marcus lowered his shield slowly, as though the effort had been nothing. He gave the Chimera a final, dispassionate glance before turning and walking back toward the line. He still said nothing, his expression never shifting. His silence spoke louder than words, a kind of arrogance that needed no bragging. He knew what he was capable of, and now, so did everyone else.

  Jace felt a chill crawl up his spine. “Okay,” he whispered to Dex. “Maybe not just a tool.”

  Dex grimaced. “No, definitely a tool. Just, perhaps not entirely useless.”

  A few more students stepped up, each returning with varying degrees of injury, but all having gained a new ability. None were seriously hurt. Most quickly downed Health Potions, and for those who hadn’t brought one, an assistant stood by, ready to heal them with an Amber Shard.

  When Ell’s name echoed through the arena, the air around her seemed to shift. The crowd’s murmurs faded as her eyes narrowed, glinting like sharp edges of a blade. She stepped forward with a calm confidence, her hand brushing the amethyst shard at her neck. A faint, violet light pulsed from the crystal.

  “Go get ’em,” Dex whispered.

  The Chimera growled, muscles bunching as it prepared to pounce. Ell stood her ground, her fingers twitching slightly as translucent discs of energy flickered into existence, deflecting the creature’s frenzied strikes. Each disc appeared only for a heartbeat, perfectly timed to intercept the Chimera’s claws and teeth, vanishing just as quickly. Her movements were minimal, almost nonexistent—just a tilt of her head, a shift of her stance—but it was enough to keep the beast at bay.

  And then it came—an opening in her defenses. The Chimera, quick to seize its advantage, lunged with all its might. Claws raked forward, teeth bared in a vicious snarl. For a heartbeat, it looked like she’d be torn apart, her shield unable to form in time. The audience gasped as the monster’s claws slashed through her figure, a brutal, final strike.

  But Ell wasn’t there.

  Her image rippled, shimmering like a reflection disturbed in water, and dissolved into nothingness. The Chimera stumbled, its momentum carrying it past where she had stood moments before. Ell reappeared several paces away, a faint, staggered double-image of herself left behind as a decoy. The illusion faded, leaving only her real form, standing unharmed. A trick of the mind, woven so seamlessly it seemed real, even to the Chimera’s sharp senses.

  The creature snarled, whipping around to face her, but Ell’s eyes gleamed with calm calculation. Her movements were deliberate, and measured, as if she could see every possible outcome before it happened. She wasn’t just dodging—she was manipulating the fight itself, crafting illusions that confused the Chimera into attacking where she wasn’t.

  Again, the Chimera lunged. Again, she wasn’t there. Her Amethyst Shard flared, and the illusory double appeared, its form distorted ever so slightly to keep the Chimera guessing. The crowd watched, mesmerized, as Ell’s strategy unfolded like a chessboard in motion—every move deliberate, every reaction precise.

  Her shields flickered once more, catching a stray blow from the Chimera before it could connect. The audience watched in stunned silence as Ell stood tall, her breathing steady. She wasn’t just defending—she was dismantling the Chimera’s assault bit by bit, breaking it down with strategy and illusion until its savage strength meant nothing.

  For a moment, the Chimera paused, confused, unable to discern where she was. Ell smiled faintly, the light of her Amethyst Shard dimming as she lowered her hand. The fight wasn’t about overpowering her opponent—it was about outthinking it, staying three moves ahead while her enemy fell behind, striking at shadows that didn’t exist.

  The arena erupted into cheers, but Ell barely acknowledged them. Her gaze remained fixed on the Chimera, watching it retreat with frustration. She’d won, not by brute force, but by the one weapon stronger than any claw or fang—her mind.

  “Wow, you’ve been practicing,” Dex said with a grin.

  Ell let a faint blush creep up her cheeks, trying to play it off with a shrug. “Maybe a little.”

  “And if your Affinity isn’t enough, you could always knock ’em dead with just you. Pretty sure half the guys here forgot how to breathe while you were out there. Did you see the puddles of drool?”

  Before he could finish, Ell’s foot connected sharply with his shin, followed instantly by Alice elbowing him in the ribs.

  “Ow! What the hell? It’s a compliment.” Dex yelped, doubling over as both girls glared at him.

  “Stop being gross,” Alice muttered, shaking her head.

  “Yeah, not everyone’s brain is stuck in the gutter like yours, Dex,” Ell shot back, though the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.

  “Come on,” Dex said. “Jace, you saw it, right?”

  Jace gave Dex a sympathetic glance, the kind that said I’m not getting involved in that one, before turning back to Ell and smoothly shifting the conversation. He raised an eyebrow, his tone casual but curious. “So, what’d you get out of that fight?”

  Ell shared her prompts.

  New Ability Gained: Afterthought

  Creates a mental illusion, allowing you to appear in a different location than you truly are. Illusions leave behind afterimages that linger for a brief moment, confusing enemies and obscuring your true position.

  Perceptiveness has gained a new Aspect: Strategic Insight

  Grants the user an enhanced perception of attack patterns, increasing the likelihood of outmaneuvering opponents by 12%.

  Jace thought of the poem from Mostly Harmless Prophecies. Amethyst for the Sages wise, their protections.