Dinner was... nice.
The word felt foreign even thinking it.
When had I last shared a meal with people who cared about my day, my thoughts, my well-being?
Victoria asked about my studies. Marcus discussed potential internship opportunities. Lydia complained about her classes while sneaking worried glances in my direction.
Normal. Human .Warm
"The Whitmore interview is Thursday," Victoria said over dessert. "Are you nervous?"
"Should I be?" I asked, cutting into the chocolate cake that tasted better than ambrosia ever had.
"It's one of the most exclusive schools in the world," Marcus said. "But you're a Blackthorne. And more importantly, you're brilliant. They'd be fools not to accept you."
Lydia snorted. "Plus, you've got that whole 'mysterious prodigy' thing going for you. Rich kids eat that up."
"What thing?"
"You know." She waved her fork vaguely. "The white hair, red eyes, genius-level IQ, never talks to anyone unless forced. You're like a character from one of those novels I read."
If only she knew...
"Speaking of which," Victoria continued,
"Dr. Harrison called. Your test results came back normal, but he wants you to start a regular exercise routine. Something about building stamina and stress management."
[Convenient. Begin conditioning protocols tomorrow.]
"I'll start tomorrow," I said.
Marcus nodded approvingly. "Excellent. A strong body houses a strong mind. Though perhaps you could also work on... social interactions?"
"He's social," Lydia protested. "He talks to us."
"Family doesn't count, sweetheart. Adrian, when was the last time you spent time with someone your own age who wasn't related to you?"
I considered this. When was the last time Hades had spent time with an equal?
The other gods had been rivals, allies, or subjects, never friends. And Adrian's memories were filled with solitary study sessions and polite rejections of social invitations...
"I prefer my own company," I said finally.
"Well, Whitmore will change that," Victoria said with the confidence of someone who'd never been a deity. "Bright young minds, challenging coursework, extracurricular activities. You'll love it."
Would I?
I'd ruled over the dead for millennia. Could I really pretend to be a teenager worried about grades and social hierarchies?
The artifact suddenly pulsed in my chest,but this time it felt... lighter. Less demanding. As if it too was curious about humanity.
So this is my life now. A teenager worried about coursework... instead of the souls of the damned?
After dinner, I retreated to my room and began the exercises the system had assigned. Push ups were harder than expected in this mortal body, but I completed all one hundred.Squats burned muscles that had never known fatigue. By the time I finished, sweat soaked through my shirt, and my arms trembled.
[Daily Objectives: 3/5 Complete]
[Physical Conditioning Progress: 1.2% Increase in Base Stamina]
[Note: Mortal limitations prevent rapid advancement. Patience required.]
I showered and changed into sleep clothes, then sat at my desk to review Whitmore Academy's course catalog. Advanced Theoretical Physics. Comparative Mythology. Applied Psychology. Strategic Studies.
And hidden within the electives, barely noticeable unless you knew what to look for: "Environmental Anomaly Research" and "Advanced Structural Analysis."
Tower studies, disguised as academic pursuits.They weren't even being subtle about it.
A soft knock interrupted my research. "Come in."
Victoria entered carrying a steaming mug. "Thought you might want some tea before bed. Chamomile, it'll help you sleep."
She set the cup beside my keyboard and hesitated, as if wanting to say something more.
"Thank you," I said.
"Adrian..." She touched my shoulder gently. "I know you prefer being alone, but... we're proud of you. Your father and I, we see how hard you work, how intelligent you are. Sometimes I worry that we don't tell you often enough."
Proud. When had anyone ever been proud of me for simply existing?
I allowed a small smile to creep onto my face
"And Lydia," Victoria continued, "she acts tough, but she looks up to you more than you know. You're her big brother, even if it's only by twelve minutes."
After she left, I sat in the quiet darkness, sipping tea and watching the Tower's distant lights pulse against the night sky. Somewhere in that structure, answers waited. Power that could restore what I'd lost.
But here, in this room, surrounded by the warmth of people who loved Adrian Blackthorne without knowing what he truly was...
Here, I felt something I'd never experienced as a god.
Peace.
My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number:
Whitmore Academy Interview Confirmation - Thursday, 2:00 PM. Please arrive fifteen minutes early. Admissions Office
I stared at the message for a long moment, then typed back: Confirmed.
The Tower had destroyed my old life. Now it was time to begin building a new one.
[Integration Phase Progress: 15% Complete]
[Next Milestone: Academy Admission]
[Long-term Objective: Divine Restoration]
I closed my laptop and prepared for bed. Tomorrow, I would continue training this mortal body. Thursday, I would charm the Whitmore admissions board with careful displays of brilliance. I would be the perfect candidate, gifted but not threatening, ambitious but controllable.
And eventually, when the time was right, I would enter the Tower and... do something. Reclaim my power? Get revenge? Or maybe just get some answers.
But first, I had to survive being a teenager.
Honestly, from these memories, it might be harder than facing cosmic horror.