"I want to continue my studies at zenith academy mother, not anywhere else."
Artemis' brows furrowed, her gaze intent on her son. "Explain yourself, Rio."
"You know I can't tell you that." Rio said, hoping the excuse of fate's blessing would give him a pass, like it did in the past.
But sadly, Artemis wasn't intent on letting him join the same place where he almost lost his life. "Then I can't allow you to join that academy. If you went there, Amelia would follow you too. I can't put both of your lives in danger. Not again."
Her words were resolute, but Rio replied with the same tone "Danger is everywhere, mother. We live in a world where literally anything and everything is possible. I had my body ripped in a million particles and I'm still alive. I won't risk my life ever again, mother."
Artemis' eyes bore into her son's, her concern and frustration palpable. "And your solution to that is to go to the same place that caused that incident? You know if you go back there now, how many people would be hating you? That's an organization that lost its value once you died, and now that you're back, do you think they'd be happy with you?"
Rio's voice remained unwavering, determined to make his case. "I can handle them, mother."
Artemis leaned forward, her voice laced with concern. "Handle them? What about the others? Do you know how many people are pissed that you're back and none of the others are? You take one step outside this mansion, and they'll jump at you like hyenas to blame everything on you."
"I can handle it, mother," Rio reiterated, his eyes locking onto Artemis'. "Just like how you handled everything for these 2 years. Let me help you. Please."
Artemis exhaled slowly, her gaze softening as she regarded her determined son. "You being away from me isn't helping me, my son. I just have to worry about you guys all day."
His voice softened, Rio leaned forward, his earnestness evident. "I don't like it either, mother. But you've seen it too, right? The people who've been rallying against our family from the shadows. How many rumors and new oppositions have you solved in these past 2 years? Even though the media downplayed it, the signs are still apparent, mother. And you know it too."
Artemis leaned back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words. "They're just ants, and I'll crush them all if I have to. But no matter what you say, I won't risk my children's safety based on some God's words and prophecy."
Rio's gaze held a mix of urgency and plea as he continued, "It's not that simple, mother. Me and Amelia joining the academy is necessary, more than you can imagine. I wouldn't ask it if there was any other way. So please, trust me, just this once."
"You're always asking me for trust, when you don't even trust me and your father to protect you guys," Artemis countered, her voice tinged with a hint of hurt.
"It's not like that, mother," Rio responded earnestly. "And I'm not doubting yours or father's ability to protect us. I just want to keep this family safe, like you do. I promise I'll be careful."
A tense silence settled in the room as Artemis contemplated her son's words. Her gaze softened, her voice quieter as she finally spoke, "The last time you promised something, I had to cry in front of your poster for 2 years, Rio. Why would I risk it again? I finally got you back after so long; I will never risk losing you again. So you can forget about that academy and whatever your plans might be."
"Please, mother," Rio's voice held a note of desperation, his emotions laid bare before her. "If I don't join the academy, then everything I did, everything you did, for all these years would be a waste. We would simply lose everything. Threats far more dangerous than what we can handle are coming, mother. And Zenith Academy is the only place that can ensure that we survive it."
Artemis sighed, weariness etched on her features as she looked at him. "Why, why only that place? You already know everything they can teach. And any other knowledge that they have is something you can take wherever you want. Just go with your grandmother, or you can just stay here, and I'll teach you everything I know."
Rio's gaze held a mixture of frustration and understanding. "Things aren't that simple, mother. I would've told you everything if I could, but I can't. So please don't force me, mother. I'm begging you, please."
"Rio..."
"Please, mother. Just this once."
Artemis hesitated, her heart torn between a mother's worry and the responsibility she had for her family. She looked at her son, his eyes holding a mixture of hope and determination that mirrored her own. After a prolonged silence, she relented, her voice softening. "Fine, you can go there. But on one condition."
Rio's eyes brightened with a mixture of relief as he said. "Anything."
"You'll leave that academy along with your sister, if ever I tell you to do so. I don't want any more risks involving you two." Artemis stated her terms.
Rio hesitated for a moment, but this was already the best outcome he could hope for. As for leaving the academy, he'll just have to think of something else, when that day comes. "I_I promise, mother."
Artemis nodded her head and said. "I'll ask Myra to make the preparations. You can join them from the next session."
"Ahh that" Rio nervously looked at her, trying to say something.
Looking at him, Artemis sighed as she asked "What is it now?"
"Actually, I was hoping to join the academy this time only."
Surprised by his request, Artemis shook her head as she informed him "Absolutely not. Your body's still not fully healed. And if you didn't notice you dropped 3 ranks in your absence. Unless you at least reach them again, you'll just have to stay here."
"Fine. I'll just have to push my talents to my limits. I'm sure I can do it, if I try hard enough." Rio said, making her further confused.
"Seriously"
"You know my blessings, mother. The last thing you should worry about is me getting power ups." Rio smiled and said.
Though anyone else hearing those words, about him crossing 3 ranks in a little over a month, would've doubted him or just outright called it an impossible feat. Artemis didn't.
After all, she knew all about her son's blessings and talents better than anyone. That's why, even when the whole world gave up on him and declared him dead, she still believed he was alive and he was.
So now she was worried that he might just pull out some secret cards or something that's even more bizarre, then all the bizarre things he did. So she hurriedly said
"Don't, don't do it. Just don't force yourself. You can join alright. No need to push yourself."
Her words made Rio happy, as he internally breathed a sigh of relief. Even with all his knowledge, he didn't know any method to rake up ranks like that.
"Fine. Also I'll need you to come with me for that entrance ceremony. I might need your help to convince that foggy to let me join his academy, along with Amelia."
"You want to repeat your year." Artemis Confusedly asked
"Well, technically I never finished my exams, so it's not exactly a repeat right." Rio stated the fact. After all, he was trapped in the dungeon during the final tournaments, so it was true that he never passed the exam.
"Well, I don't have any problem with it. Since both of you will be together. Now go, before I change my mind." Artemis said. Happy that at least both these kids would be in the same class.
"Thanks mother. You're the best." Rio said, happily and ran away before she really changed her mind.
He was opening the door, when he stopped and turned to look at the corner. His eyes fixed there for a moment. Earlier he was too focused on convincing Artemis that he didn't notice, but now he could sense someone's presence there. But seeing as she didn't react and let it be, Rio just thought it was Myra or Camilla. And left the room.
Artemis smiled seeing his reaction, as it just proved to her again, how sharp his senses were.
"You can come out now." She said, once Rio closed the door and left.
But after waiting for a few seconds she still didn't get any response, so she further continued "Using his gifts to spy on him. I didn't think I taught my daughter like that."
Hearing her words, finally some movement could be seen from the corner. As Amelia's figure became visible now.
"I just wanted to know how he'd convince you. And to stop you, if you agree to it." Amelia said, as she came out and sat on a chair.
"And yet you never showed up." Artemis replied.
"Cause I got my answer already. What is his blessing that you talked about, mother?" Amelia asked, curious since she could tell that was the most important thing her brother kept hinting at.
But instead of answering her, Artemis shook her head while saying "That's not my secret to tell, Amelia. Why don't you go and ask him yourself?"
"Maybe I would." Amelia said and stood up to leave.
Watching both her children acting all grown up and making their own decisions, Artemis leaned back on her sofa as she thought -'When did they both grew up so big?'
From when she used to look after them, to when they're looking after her and each other, they did indeed come a long way.
##
A/N - academy arc officially starts tomorrow. Also throw ur money around , give out gifts and show off. You r a young master, act like one
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺