The university campus sat slightly elevated on a hill. There wasn't a building or natural elevation in sight that would allow one to see over the more than three-meter-high wall surrounding the grounds. Norman's experience from his training immediately made him recognize that the sandstone wall was merely a facade. The wall underneath was probably made of simple cast concrete. However, he had to admit that it was good, solid craftsmanship. The curved top, which swelled into a slight elevation every five meters with a copper ornamented ball, gave the large, heavy wall a light and buoyant quality.

The large wrought-iron gate stood invitingly wide open. Norman estimated that at least two normal buses could easily pass through side by side. At least, they could if passage had been allowed. However, the journey ended at a bus stop a little before the gate. Numerous students swarmed around Sam and him like a flock of lemmings along the well-kept gravel path.

Curiously looking around, the crowd of teenagers poured out of the bus and through the gate. Norman noticed Sam's brief hesitation before she passed through the gate. And as soon as she entered the grounds, she discreetly, but obviously annoyed, began poking her finger in her ear. He nudged her briefly with his elbow, "Hey, everything okay?"

She quickly took her finger out of her right ear and shook her head briefly. "I'm fine. I just had this weird ringing in my ear. But now I don't hear anything."

Every word she said was true. After all, there was no reason to mention that the strange ringing was part of the melody of the world, perceivable only to angels. And when she passed through the gate, the melody had ceased. Whatever was here, it was not part of the normal creation! Before Norman could say anything, he was distracted by the buzzing of his phone. When he checked, he found a new text message: "Welcome to the network area of Nexus University. Calls and messages within our network are free. Connections to participants outside our network are not possible during the orientation phase. Please remember to turn off your phone during lectures. Good day."

Norman scratched his head thoughtfully after reading the message aloud to Sam, "What do they mean by orientation phase?"

While Sam could only shrug helplessly, the chubby Asian who had also disembarked and followed them here interjected, "If you both don't mind, I could answer that question. The orientation phase is the first four weeks here at the university. During that time, you're not allowed to leave the premises or make contact with the outside world. At least, that's what was mentioned in my invitation."

Norman felt guilty for the numerous information leaflets he had received with the invitation and mostly hadn't read yet. "Oh crap! My parents are expecting me to call them tonight. And tomorrow, I was supposed to..."

It's all right. Your friends and family have been informed. No one is expecting you. Forget about it.

The three glanced at each other briefly with somewhat glazed eyes, then Norman said, "Wait a minute, I think I've already told everyone that. Had completely forgotten. All good."

"Good. I'll go take care of the remaining formalities then. Good day." With a slight bow, the Asian said goodbye.

Sam shook her head, as if to dispel an unwanted thought, "Looks like we should take care of that too."

Like all the other newcomers, the two looked around. Behind the gate spread an idyllic park landscape with well-kept lawns and mighty oak trees with wide-spreading crowns. Further back, some buildings built in the old English style with exposed brick walls were visible, which wouldn't have been out of place in Oxford. About a hundred meters along the path stood a building, probably modeled after a medieval watchtower. In front of it, a stand with a few tables had been set up, where young, good-looking secretaries with laptops provided the students with information material, campus maps, and class schedules. A queue had already formed in front of the tables, into which Norman and Samanael quickly joined.

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While Norman casually eyed the curves of the prettier classmates, Sam scrutinized all those present more closely. Above all, she noticed the very different styles of clothing. Even accounting for the usual number of exchange students, the group around them was quite mixed. From costumes that would have been most appropriate at a medieval market, to normal street clothes of all kinds, to combinations that would have fit better in the latest Flash Gordon movie than at a university. Just as she turned around to mention it to Norman, a golden light flashed behind her. Everything spun around and stared transfixed at the previously empty lawn.

It looked as if the sky had torn open, and through the gap streamed a bright beam of golden light, descending vertically to the ground. From the light emerged a figure. A young man, about 1.90 meters tall and muscular, like a Greek statue. His slightly curly, golden blonde hair billowed around him like a flag as he turned to the light. His voice was compelling, soothing, but took on a slightly defiant tone, "Can't we talk about this again, Father? Why can't I prove my worth with some heroic deeds, like my older brothers were allowed to do before? I..."

A thunderous voice from the sky interrupted him abruptly, "No! You had your chance. I gave you tasks, and you failed. When I sent you to the stable of the carnivorous giant horses, you sold the horses to a sausage maker instead of cleaning the stable, like Hercules did back then. Instead of bringing me a golden apple from the tree of eternal life, you just painted a normal apple with gold paint. Not to mention the thing with the harpies."

"But..."

The voice allowed no interruption. "No buts! You will prove your worth to me by obtaining a proper degree here. And don't you dare return to the realm of the gods without a diploma!" The voice fell silent, and the light extinguished.

The young man stood for a moment somewhat lost on the lawn, then straightened his muscular shoulders, swirled his long mane of hair back, and confidently strode towards the next table. An aura of power and dignity surrounded him like a cloak, making the other students make way for him. Samanael noticed that this aura was not solely based on natural charisma. As far as she could tell, he deliberately radiated this. A neat trick.

The figure elegantly, if somewhat old-fashioned, bowed before the secretary. "Odwin, son of Loki. I am to enroll here for Applied Theology and Public Relations."

The black-haired secretary didn't flinch. Businesslike, she pressed a few keys on the laptop and handed Odwin the freshly printed schedule, a map of the university, and a few brochures. "Here you go. Your first class is the day after tomorrow in Building 7, third floor, Room 12. Your father has already reserved a room for you in the student dormitory. Here's the key card. Have a nice day."

The demigod bid farewell with another graceful bow and, after a brief glance at his overview map, walked through the students. When he emerged from the crowd back into Norman's field of view, he had a pretty student hooked on each arm and strolled away, engaged in lively conversation, in the direction of the dormitory. Norman watched him enviously, blinked, and turned hastily to Samanael, "Did you see that? What kind of university is this? Do they have a course in special effects? I've never seen such cool tricks! At least, not live."

Sam was about to say something when a young student in a plain brown robe stepped up beside the waiting crowd and drew attention to himself. Hanging on his chest was an entirely inappropriate neon-colored name tag with the inscription: "Student Service: Soran."

After he had caught the attention of at least some in the queue, he began to speak loudly, "Okay, folks! Listen to me for a moment. My name is Soran, and I'm here on behalf of our student service. First of all, a warm welcome here at Nexus University. I see on my list that we have a whole bunch of freshmen here today who don't know their way around the university at all. And I mean everyone, even those who've already been on the official tour. Because all the interesting parts of the university are deliberately skipped on that tour. Once you've enrolled and picked up your schedules, just come over here."

Norman noticed that students at the other queues were also offering to guide others, forming several groups.

While he continued to chat with Sam, he patiently waited his turn. Eventually, the line reached the student in front of him. Since he stood directly behind him, he could easily hear everything. He looked like he was from one of the Eastern European countries. Based on the accent, Norman guessed Poland. He had heard it often enough on the construction site to recognize it.