Modern Myths

Book 0: Chapter 11: 1st Day of School

9/8/05, Thursday

Yancy Academy, New York City, New York

Percy POV

Orientation seems to be going well.

They're introducing all the teachers at the school before we start our actual classes tomorrow, so we can move into the dorms today.

Alecto is Mrs. Dobbs, the Pre-algebra teacher.

Wait a minute, is that Chiron?! I've only seen pictures of him.

Chiron: "Greetings! I am Mr. Chino Ronald Brunner. I will be teaching Latin this year."

CHIno RONald, ugh! Couldn't he be a little more creative?!

Alecto seems to agree with me, with how she looks at him.

At least her given name is Samantha.

He is in a wheelchair. Probably magic to hide his 4 legs.

Nothing major happened for the rest of orientation, so I'm currently moving my stuff in, with mom & Paul's help.

As we walk in, we meet someone. He is roughly the same age as me, curly brown hair, brown eyes & a wispy beard. He wore a blue short sleeve t-shirt & Khakis.

????: Hello. You must be my new roommate. I'm Grover Underwood.

Me: "It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Percy Jackson, but you already know me as PJ. I'm a son of Poseidon, legacy of Mars & the Babylonian Goddess, Tiamat, favorite nephew of Hades & pen pal of Annabeth & Luke."

He was speechless & shocked for a while before composing himself.

Grover: "I thought you said you were a legacy in your letters."

Me: "Do I need to explain why I had to hide myself?"

Grover: "Good point. Ever since the big 3 took an oath not to have any kids since WWII was caused by their kids, Zeus has been paranoid."

Me: "Because of the prophecy that 1 would decide whether to keep or destroy Olympus, that caused WWII."

Grover: "That's why Chiron's here. I told him I detected the scent of a strong half-blood that probably came from the Big 3."

Grover helped me get moved in since Satyrs live a very spartan lifestyle, with nothing but clothes, basic furniture & instruments. As such, he was already done before I returned.

After I got situated, the 4 of us talked before mom & Paul had to leave.

Grover: "You have a nice family. Most half-bloods aren't lucky enough to have 1 parent that cares about them, much less 2. Most mortal parents are either dead or abusive."

Me: "Thank you. You want to watch my training with Alecto. You might get to see a surprised Chiron if we don't tell him."

Grover busted out laughing. "Sounds like fun," he says.

The training took place in a gymnasium after hours, so nobody would stumble upon us.

It started with Alecto charging me & grabbing me with her feet & dragging me up in the air.

I flipped up & wrapped my shoes around her throat & tried to make her crash.

????: "WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE?!" A stern voice yelled.

We turned to see Chiron, before we crashed into the ground & were separated.

Chiron: "Here! Percy catch & remove the cap!"

I catch the blue disposable Bic-like pen & do so.

It turned into a Celestial Bronze xiphos about 3 feet long, including the hilt, and weighs about 5 pounds with a perfect balance. The hilt curves, like Count Dooku's lightsaber from Star Wars, making it feel better in the hand.

I looked at as Alecto was getting up.

I put the cap back on & read "Anaklusmos," which is Greek for riptide.

Me: "How did you get your hands on Riptide, Chiron?"

He looked at me with shock, then at Alecto with fear, then relief as she was just standing there, then at Grover with confusion.

I explained everything, again.

Me: "Now it's your turn. How did you get this?"

Chiron: "The family of the last wielder gave it to me."

Me: "Can I keep it upon arriving at camp? Mom doesn't want me training with weapons before then. Paul barely managed to convince her to teach me to shoot, and even then, if they're over 20 feet away, I can't hit the broadside of a barn." I ask, returning it to him.

Chiron: "Sure."

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