I am the Only Son of Nyx

Shock and confusion swept across the entire classroom.

None of them understood what Professor Kimberly meant, and the news came too suddenly.

’No more...?’ Bree recoiled like her body was struck by a physical blow. She was the only one who understood—what Professor Kimberly meant. ’Professor Hera was caught? I saw several professors leaving the academy at the same time two days ago. Must’ve happened then.’

Ragnar had confessed everything to her.

She learned that Professor Hera had ties to the Fallen Faction.

Considering what happened at the Dragon Ring Tournament, Bree was sure that Ragnar had already been questioned by the Chancellor or the representatives of the academy. Either way, the fact that Professor Hera was a mole was already known.

And the academy sent the professors to hunt her down.

People tied to the Fallen Faction would be given no mercy.

’But to hunt her down in a few days... the deans must’ve gotten involved.’ Bree blinked1and then focused on the moment again. Her eyes then widened in realization, and she quickly snapped her head towards Kai.

Just as she expected, Kai was shocked by the news the most.

She could see his internal struggle from his trembling hands on the desk.

And then, she noticed that Kai’s hand moved.

Bree quickly raised her hand in reflex before he could, and then turned to Professor Kimberly.

"High Angel Bree, do you have a question?"

"Yes. What do you exactly mean by that? What happened to Professor Hera?"

"All details involving Professor Hera are classified, but..." Professor Kimberly swept her gaze across the classroom, looking each student in the eyes. "Since she’s your homeroom professor, I’ll tell you one thing. Professor Hera was tied to a felony, and she was now prepared to be sent for trial in Lower Olympus.

"I am sorry to say this, but Professor Hera would not be teaching in the academy anymore."

Bree lowered her hand again as the classroom burst into a discussion.

Not one of them saw Professor Hera as someone who would commit a felony.

In their eyes, she was one of the most upright professors in the whole academy. She might be strict and cold in her way of teaching, but she always made sure that nobody was left behind. Made sure that everyone understood the topic of the day.

Even during the second class, she always went around to help struggling students.

She gave personal pointers and gave tips to master using winged boots.

Other professors wore a warm appearance but had a cold heart, but she was the opposite.

Naturally, the news was unpleasant for the classroom.

Some didn’t even believe what Professor Kimberly said.

Bree placed her hand on Kai’s thigh and tapped it, signalling for him to calm down.

Since the Fallen Faction was involved in this, she had to keep Kai out of the crosshairs. This was no longer a matter of social structure that could be resolved through proving oneself. This was a criminal matter that involved the Lower Olympus.

Anyone who was suspected of ties with the Fallen Faction would be killed.

No exceptions.

Right now, the academy probably knew from Ragnar that Professor Hera was aiming for Kai, aiming to recruit him into the Fallen Faction. After all, he was the perfect candidate. Someone who was discriminated against by everyone, unnaturally strong, and filled with hatred.

If Kai was found leaning towards Professor Hera, then he would be dead.

The gaze of the Lower Olympus was slow, calculated, but the moment it fixed on something, that thing would cease to exist. It was for that very reason Bree raised her hand before Kai did; to ask the question he wanted to ask and get him away from the Lower Olympus’ crosshair.

She was saddened that the news had to come this way for him.

’I was hoping that I could break the news easily for him later, but this happened.’

For the time being, Professor Kimberly replaced Professor Hera for today’s class.

She taught about the roles in the Second Sky—picking up from where Professor Hera had left off. But nothing she said registered. Her voice dissolved into static as Kai stared down at the table, while the ringing in his ears swelled until it drowned out everything else.

’I know I haven’t been entirely truthful and open to you, Kai.’

Professor Hera’s voice rang inside his mind and echoed.

She sounded so hopeful back then.

’Once you win the Dragon Ring Tournament—I promise I will tell you everything. Just make sure that you win it. Don’t lose. Bad things would happen if you lose.’

Kai clenched his hands into fists.

Professor Hera had promised him to explain everything, with nothing held back and nothing hidden again. But only if he could cover his class as a Lesser Angel with the Red Prince title—only when he was properly acknowledged by the academy.

Then, and only then, would she tell him everything.

She sounded really genuine.

Determined to hold no more secrets.

But now, after he had done exactly that, she was gone, and she wasn’t coming back.

The first class passed in a blur of motion and silence. Kai sat motionless at his desk—his eyes fixed on the worn surface, while his mind churned with a storm of worry and frustration. The professor’s voice faded into static, the lessons meaningless against the weight pressing down on his chest.

Professor Hera was no more.

She had been held and awaited transport for her trial in the Lower Olympus.

Because she had done something criminal.

Kai didn’t know what it was, but he was sure that she would’ve told him about it had she been still here. Frankly—there were still many secrets between them. But even then, there was some level of trust between them regardless of their secrets.

It was a level of trust that they developed through these few months.

From the Blood Rite, Professor Hera had been watching his back and keeping him informed.

But more than that, Kai still remembered that day when the Blood Rite ended.

He remembered talking with her in the shuttle ship.

Professor Hera congratulated him for managing to survive the Blood Rite despite the odds.

And she also said that his sister, Bella, would be proud of his accomplishments.

It might not seem like anything much, but her words back then meant a lot to Kai.

For Kai, she was closer than a professor who taught him.

Once the class ended, Kai shot up to his feet and rushed out the door. His move was so sudden that Bree didn’t have the time to stop him, even if she wanted to. He walked out and fixed his eyes on Professor Kimberly.

"Professor!" He called; his voice was filled with urgency. "Where is she being held? Where is Professor Hera being held?"

"Did you not hear what I said?" Professor Kimberly pivoted to face him. "You can’t visit her, Red Prince Kai."

"I’m the Red Prince," He pressed, the title heavy on his tongue. "And I demand to see her."

"Thread carefully, Red Prince Kai." Professor Kimberly shook her head. "This matter is out of the academy’s hands. It belongs to the Lower Olympus now. Even you as the Red Prince can’t interfere. Just forget about her. It’s for your own good."

She didn’t wait for a response.

Her footsteps receded down the corridor; each one sounded like a door closing.

Of course, the logical part of him knew that since this was a felony—Professor Hera was no longer a problem of the academy. She now belonged to the Lower Olympus. But the other side of him, the more emotional side, wanted to at least try.

Now, he stood frozen as Professor Kimberly’s words echoed in his skull.

He felt the ground tilt beneath him, and for a long moment, he couldn’t move at all.

Just then, a hand closed around his arm softly.

"Kai..." Bree’s gentle voice crept to his ears, snapping him out of his daze. "Let’s not wait any longer and talk right now. It’s about Professor Hera."

He blinked and turned.

Bree stood beside him, and he could see intent behind her eyes.

Intent that hinted that she was being serious. She knew more about Professor Hera.

Kai nodded without hesitation.

Behind Bree, the others came out the door with Matilda at the front.

Her expression was covered by her mask, but there was clear worry in her eyes.

"Where are you taking him?" She asked.

Bree hesitated—her fingers tightening on Kai’s sleeve. "I need to tell him something first. Just him." She glanced at the others. "Please. It is better if he hears it alone. He can decide what to share after."

It was clear that what Professor Hera said were all secrets that couldn’t be exposed.

And now that she knew this problem was tied to the Fallen Faction, she decided that the others couldn’t know about this from her. Bree was only the messenger tasked to deliver this important message to Kai—so he was the one who could decide whether this information could be shared with the others or not.

Matilda’s jaw tightened, but she gave a small nod.

Dorian and Bryan exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing.

Bree led him through the winding corridors and out into the backyard of the main academy.

Out there, the air was cool—carrying the faint scent of soil and red leaves. She guided him to a large stone pot that cradled a tree with leaves like shards of autumn fire, and they sat beneath its canopy.

Bree scanned the area, making sure that nobody was around.

Only when she was certain no one else could hear did she turn to face him.

Slowly—she reached into her pocket and pulled out an insignia. It was small and unassuming, but it caught the sunlight with an unnatural gleam. She pressed it into his palm. "That night when you were apprehended—Professor Hera came to intercept me and the others. She gave me this.

"She was certain that you’d win the tournament, and she was also certain that if she was gone, you’d feel betrayed." She pulled her hand away, letting Kai see the insignia for what it was. "For that—she left you this. She said you can learn the truth from someone called Markus in the AAA. All you need to do is give him this insignia.

"She also gave me—"

"How is she... that night?"

Kai cut her sentence short and asked something else entirely.

It caught Bree off guard.

"What do you mean?"

"Before she left, how is she?"

"She..." Bree’s voice trailed off as she recollected what happened that night, and then looked forward. "She was afraid. Like she knew her life was forfeit. I’m sorry to say this, Kai, but I think she was already dead by now."