"Why does someone like you even belong at this top Academy?"
THWACK!
A hard slap hit Maya's face. Her head turned, her cheek stinging from the blow.
"Say sorry for bumping into me."
The voice was cold and angry. But Maya said nothing. She was scared, tired, and knew that speaking wouldn't help.
BWAHM!
A punch slammed into her stomach. Maya fell to the ground, holding her belly, gasping for breath.
She didn't scream. She didn't fight back. She just curled up, trying to hide from the pain and the world around her.
Her life at the Academy was full of suffering. Every day, classmates hurt her for no reason. They bullied her, laughed at her, ignored her pain.
Nobody helped.
But Maya still had something deep inside her—hope.
But Maya still had a chance.
The Rites of the Four Gods were her only hope.
If she awakened, if the Gods accepted her, maybe things would finally change.
Maybe the bullying would stop.
Maybe she'd become something more than a target, A Hero.
