It was a warm summer day; early morning practice had just ended, and I felt drained from the training. As the others began to pack up and wrap up for the day, I found myself sitting off to the side gazing into the distance.
My gaze located its objective. In the far distance stood the archery range. Typically, it was uncommon to spot anyone utilizing it, and when individuals did, they were likely being compelled or just playing around.
Yet there was always a single individual who could be seen rehearsing. The gym instructor and archery expert at the school is Artemis. Similar to the majority of teachers here, she was divine, and this was evident in numerous ways.
Her method was perfect; her stance never wavered. Each time she prepared for a shot, time appeared to freeze, and one could easily think it was a stunning artwork.
"Ohhh Miss Artemis is training once more." "She appears incredibly intense and intimidating, yet I can't look away from her." The sound of two other students passing by, also appreciating the goddess's beauty, shattered my focus. Something that irritated me enormously.
"Absolutely, she's definitely attractive." She actually makes some of the goddesses of beauty feel embarrassed. Yet it remains a significant waste. "I've heard she has turned down everyone who tried to ask her out." Hearing that made me smile. Yet I remained somewhat intrigued by their discussion.
"I heard the previous guy who attempted, disrupted her while she was practicing." "She didn't think twice about using him for target practice!" The boy trembled at his friend's remark, rapidly turning his gaze from her.
"Crap, she's facing this direction!" Steer clear of making eye contact and let's move on! The final student she caught was forced to run laps around the track! They lowered their eyes and headed directly for the exit, ensuring they didn't waver or slow down for any reason.
At that moment, I understood that everyone had gone. I found myself alone with my reflections and a risky beauty with blue hair. Indeed, that's what I would like to express. Yet, it isn't straightforward.
I catch myself looking back at her. Just to see her gazing back. Her eyes resembled big emeralds shimmering in the sunlight, making it hard to avoid gazing directly into them.
I swallowed hard upon realizing my presence was acknowledged. She maintained her stance with the arrow fully drawn and poised. Still, her gaze remained fixed on me. Suddenly, she released the string and the arrow shot ahead.
I missed what occurred because I was preoccupied with our small staring match. After a minute or so, she finally stopped, relaxing her body.
She still made no effort to check her shot, instead moving in the opposite direction to put her bow away.
'Should I attempt to depart while I still can?' I contemplated to myself. If there was ever a perfect time, it is now. However, my body appeared unresponsive to the urge to move.
I remained patient and observed. An issue that individuals might view as a fatal verdict. When she eventually came back, her focus remained completely on me.
I felt my cheeks flush and a chill sweat cover me as she indicated towards me. Waving her finger back and forth, she was telling, no, commanding me to approach her.
I swallowed once more, and my body became alert. I had no intention of rejecting an order from a goddess. Definitely not her.
As I made my initial step, she glanced back and gradually walked towards the main field. I hurried closely behind, only pausing momentarily as I went by the range to glance at her most recent shot.
"Central point." It appears the rumors regarding her always hitting are accurate. Having my curiosity fulfilled, I kept on trailing her.
When I eventually reached her, she was positioned above a big assortment of equipment that previous classes had utilized. It soon became clear that she desired my assistance, so I obliged.
This wasn't the first occasion something like this occurred. To be honest, I often found myself in this predicament. I didn't mind since it was preferable to being in her bad graces anyway.
"Thanks for your assistance, Bell. I promise I have no idea how I accomplished this without you," she whispered gently to me, beaming widely.
One that most of the boys seldom had the chance to witness from her. It was a satisfaction in itself and made remaining for an additional hour worthwhile. Although this initially began as a punishment.
"There's no need for you to express your gratitude, Miss Artemis. I'm very willing to assist with anything."
Her smile appeared to glow after I mentioned that. I sensed myself reddening slightly because of it. Even though I attempted to concentrate on my tasks and keep it subtle. Between us, it hardly took any time, and once it finished, I found myself drenched in sweat.
'Sooo hot!' I cleared the sweat from my forehead and exhaled. The sole drawback of summer training was the warmth. Initially, I was reluctant to exit the shed. The inside was a bit cooler, which felt pleasant. However, the problem was that I was not by myself.
"It's too hot. I can't believe how much I've sweated; I feel really unclean." The typically reserved and dignified goddess spoke out, and I was more than a bit taken aback by it, although it wasn't the first occasion. I appeared to be aware of several secrets.