Gate Hunters

(Julius Godfrey point of view 13 years old ago)

In the southeast of Northern America in a country known as the land of the Gods or Hevean.

My hometown is known as Astralheaven, which is where the Godfrey family established their residence.

The county is divided into five sections, each governed by one of four distinguished families: the Lotus clan, known for their affinity with flowers and poisons, rules the eastern section; the Quinns clan, famed for beast taming and transformation, holds the north; the Veilborn clan, associated with darkness and blood magic, commands the south; and the Godfrey clan, linked to blue flames and light, presides over the west.

The centre of it all was the commonplace where the peasants roam.

Since the earliest times, the four families have been locked in an unending power struggle for control over the Holy Land. This conflict has seen everything from assassination attempts to invasions aimed at sowing chaos. It would have escalated into another clan war if not for a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.

The emergence of four great divine innate gifts from the four esteemed clans: Eden Whisper, Ryūjin, Tainted King, and Messiah.

The four clans decided it would be wise to train the children and have them ascend their clan to the rulership of Heaven.

And with that, I conclude my English presentation titled 'Gods Amongst Us.' "Excellent as always, Lord Godfrey. You may take your seat if you wish," said my English teacher.

I chose not to sit with the others. "William, you can have my seat today. The girl next to me has an unbearable odor. Julia, if you're going to attend school smelling like decaying fish, I'd rather you leave immediately." I directed everyone's attention to her.

Her response was priceless. Tears streamed down her face as she abruptly left the classroom.

Those who feared me laughed at my antics, while those who despised me gave me death stares, quickly averting their gaze when I made eye contact. "Oh, it seems a bunch of monkeys are upset," I laughed smugly.

They were cowards who couldn't back up their bark.

William rose from his seat and pushed back his chair. "I apologize for my student's interruption, young lord. Please enjoy the comfort of my chair while I make an important announcement," he said.

Not only did I take his seat but made myself comfortable by resting my feet on his laptop.

"From this moment forward, you will all have a new friend for the remainder of your academic journey. Please give a warm welcome to V Walker." As the classroom door opened, a boy entered with a forced smile that hardly seemed noteworthy.

I regarded him merely as another piece on my chessboard... until he entered the room.

A dark, sinister aura erupted from him as he advanced to the front of the classroom. His bright red eyes glowed ever more intensely, and his long, pitch-black hair billowed with each step he took, yet his demeanour remained unchanged. He wore an innocent smile, yet he harboured an immense darkness within.

The class sensed the demonic presence and was utterly overwhelmed by it. I, too, felt an instinctual urge to flee, but found myself paralyzed.

Why am I scared?

The boy cast a swift glance in my direction before halting and turning towards the classroom. "Hello everyone, my name is V Walker. I'm fifteen years old, and I would like to be friends with each and every one of you," he announced. His introduction was brief, yet his presence left a powerful impact.

Just by walking he shattered our control. If this was an invasion, we all would have died in a matter of seconds.

Williams was so intimidated by V that he hid behind one of the boys and said, "Okay, that was lovely, but would you mind taking that seat at the back?" He gestured towards the only chair that was broken and set apart from the rest.

V was neither angry nor did he seem to care about the treatment he was receiving. Instead, he sat down with a cheerful smile that was irritating me. "William, I want V to leave this class. His smiling is making me feel sick," I said. I looked directly into his eyes.

William looked at me and then back to him. Almost like he is more scared of him than me.

"I don't mind leaving on one condition." V pulled a red apple out of his bag before tossing it over to me.

Just as the apple was about to hit me, he materialized at the desk, right by my face, and snatched the apple away. "Let's duel, Julius Godfrey," he declared, prompting the class to gasp.

I responded by knocking the apple from his hand, declaring, "Why should a deity such as myself engage in battle with a mere mortal like you? Do not insult me. If you seek a bargain, it must be worthy of my time; otherwise, I decline." Rising from my chair, I prepared to leave the classroom.

"What if I became your personal servant?" One simple please was all I needed to hear.

The transfer student becoming a slave on the first day. Now that would be funny, "It's an opportunity of a lifetime to face a Godfrey. On the off chance you win, what would you want from me." What am I even saying.

I never lost once so it's cruel that I'm giving him false hope.

"It's quite straightforward. Offer an apology to the girl you embarrassed earlier. It has to be genuine, or else it will just show that the Godfrey family is incapable of something as basic as an apology." His remark was quickly drawing the class's attention.

He could have ask for money, fame or power that my family could provide him and he chose an apology.

"Hahaha, a simple apology. You are a strange one V. William, set up the training hall this instant." It's time put this peasant in his place.