The next morning, Kenji and Percy sat side by side in the Yancy Academy bus as it rolled toward the *Metropolitan Museum of Art*. Their history teacher, *Mr. Brunner*, sat in his wheelchair near the front, reading from a massive book in Latin.
"Think this'll be another boring trip?" Percy asked.
Kenji smirked. "Knowing our luck? Probably not."
> *New Mission: Historical Echoes
> Location: Greek Mythology Exhibit
> Objective: Survive Unknown Threat
> Bonus: Unlock "Observe – Combat Tier"
> Hidden Objective: Discover Mr. Brunner's True Identity*
Kenji's eyes narrowed. The System never gave warnings lightly.
---
*At the Museum*
The students scattered across the Greek exhibits. Kenji lingered near a statue of Athena, admiring the intricacies in the carving. Then—
> *Observe Activated*
> Artifact: Statue of Athena
> Aura Detected: Dormant Divine Magic
> Effect: Passive Luck Boost (+1%) for 1 hour*
"Interesting…" he murmured.
Percy stood nearby, staring at a bronze sword under glass. "Wish I could use one of those," he said quietly.
Kenji smiled. "You might sooner than you think."
Suddenly, the lights flickered. A low growl echoed through the halls.
Then… screaming.
A substitute teacher — *Mrs. Dodds* — appeared, eyes glowing red, face twisting unnaturally.
"She's one of them!" Percy shouted, backing away.
Kenji's system flared red.
> *Enemy Identified: Fury (Alecto)
> Level: 8
> Danger: High
> Weakness: Light and Divine Artifacts*
Kenji shoved Percy out of the way just as Mrs. Dodds lunged.
He summoned his *Celestial Bronze Sword*, energy pulsing in his veins.
The battle was fast and brutal. The Fury dodged easily, screeching, slicing toward Kenji's side. He parried hard, sparks flying, barely holding ground.
> *Wind Step Activated – +20% Dodge Rate for 3s*
He appeared behind her in a blink, landing a clean strike that crackled with frost.
> *Critical Hit – -75 HP*
But before he could finish her—
"Enough!" roared Mr. Brunner, now standing, no wheelchair in sight. In his hand gleamed a *celestial bronze sword* of ancient design.
He threw it—Percy caught it instinctively, blade glowing.
With one confused, instinctual motion, Percy slashed the Fury across the chest—and she dissolved into dust.
Silence returned.
> *Quest Complete: Historical Echoes
> Observe (Combat Tier) Unlocked
> New Achievement: Fated Encounter
> Special Status: Observed by the Divine*
---
Later, as they sat outside the museum steps, Percy stared at Kenji.
"You knew something was off, didn't you?"
Kenji nodded. "Yeah. And so did you."
Mr. Brunner approached quietly. "You both have much to learn."
> *New Quest Chain: The Olympian Descent – Initiated*
Kenji's eyes met Percy's.
Everything was changing now.
---
*End of Chapter 8*