The King of Ithaca Falls Into A Twisted Reality

Chapter 2, Orientation

Crowley arrived at a grand door shortly after saying that. Odysseus recognized it as the entrance to the room where he had awoken just before despite the only brief time to see it while escaping from the Grim. "We're done with orientation and dorm assignments?" a young, strict voice called out from behind the door, "All right new students—" the, assumable young boy, continued "let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it's off with your head!" Commanding, but when it comes to training it is important to be strict. Odysseus came to the conclusion that this boy must hold a position of power in this 'Heartslabyul' home.

His words were quickly followed by another student's (?) loud yawn "Well, that ceremony was as boring as ever" from a gruffer masculine voice that oddly reminds Odysseus of Circe in a weird way, "I'm going back to the dorm. If you're in Savanaclaw House, follow me.". Another house, could the students be selected for merate and not nobility? That would be sensible in a learning environment, especially if the students could come from all walks of life and species. The Greek realised, then looked over to Crowley, wondering as to why the man hadn't opened the door, only to see the male crouched with his ear against the door.

"New students! Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your achievement." was what the next voice said from behind the door, the boy spoke with a silky, siren-like voice, "As dorm leader of Octavinelle House, I am honoured to have the opportunity to support you in what I hope will be a fulfilling campus experience.". He seems nice, but nothings ever that simple so there must be something to him, nobody that talks like me is trustworthy. It wasn't much but did give Odysseus the title these young men have compared to the other students. Crowley however, still hasn't moved from his position by the entrance aside from making sure his hat is straight, is he waiting for something?

Odysseus was about to ask the feathered man just that, but another voice interrupted him "Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony..." with a calm and prestigious, similar to that of Queens that Odysseus had met before the Trojan War. "Some headmage he is" another person answered, this one sounded different however, Odysseus couldn't quite place what it was about them, it just felt off. "Maybe he had a tummy ache?" a new boy replied, this one had a tone almost identical to the one Polites had, but voice being starkly different both being younger and with an indistinguishable accent.

That seemed to be Crowley's que because immediately afterwards he threw open the doors, "I most certainly did not!" the bird man shouted, whether he was waiting for a mention of him or he was genuinely insulted by the suggestion of a tummy ache was anyone's guess. "Ah, speak of the devil." the strict boy replied, the young boy was short, even compared to Odysseus' new body, with grey eyes almost identical to Athenas and short bright red hair, maybe it is normal for humans to have odd hair colours here. Crowley was quick to defend himself "If you must know, I was searching for the new student who'd failed to show up for orientation." rather pointed but understandable. He then turned to look at Odysseus after getting to the front of the student body, "You are the only one who has yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it. I'll watch your weasel." and with that, all eyes were on Odysseus who was still standing in the doorway.

With the prompting the Greek man stepped up to the large mirror in the centre of the room, suddenly it jumped to life revealing a theatre mask type face surrounded by green flames instead of showing his reflection like most other mirrors. "State your name" it spoke with a deep monotone voice, making Odysseus jump a little, reminding him all too well of Zeus' own voice. But nevertheless, he replied "Odysseus of Ithaca" in a confident voice, not wanting to show any weakness to the strangers surrounding him, even if they were mainly children. "Odysseus...The nature of your soul is..." the mirror hesitated, "...unclear to me." That seemed to get an audible reaction from the current spectators, but it quieted down when the Headmage questioned further "What did you just say?".