A few days later—
In the Underworld, inside the grand hall of Hecate's temple.
Suspended high above the center of the hall hung the divine sword of Apollo, the God of Light, now claimed by Hecate.
Bathed in its divine radiance, the thick, shadowy aura that normally blanketed this part of the Underworld had been completely dispelled.
It was the afternoon.
Medea had gone out to complete the assignment Hecate had given her.
As for Jason, naturally, he remained in the temple under Hecate's watchful eye.
"By the way, Teacher Hecate, when are we going to visit Sister Fire Spirit?"
Fire Spirit—a nymph born of the Undying River, one of the Five Rivers of the Underworld. A divine being, a kind of nymph among the Naiads.
"No rush... Persephone and Hades' wedding won't be over for a while, and I need more time to observe the situation."
"Observe?" Jason blinked, puzzled. "Observe what?"
Hecate glanced at Jason but said nothing.
Since he didn't remember anything about the Path, she wasn't going to bring it up. As for why he had passed out that day, she had casually made up some excuse to brush him off.
"Hm... finally, it's here."
Just then, Hecate's eyes narrowed slightly as if sensing something. She turned toward the temple's entrance, frowning for a moment before her expression relaxed.
"Jason, go get ready... we have a guest."
Not long after Hecate spoke—
Hermes, the messenger of the gods and emissary of Zeus himself, arrived at the temple.
"Long time no see, Lady Hecate."
Upon entering, Hermes removed the cap from his head and greeted her with a warm smile.
"It's only been a few days. For us, that's just a fleeting moment, isn't it?"
Hecate responded as she sat down across from Hermes.
Jason came over to serve them tea.
"It may have only been a few days, but they were more memorable than most years… Say, Jason, unless my eyes deceive me, is that Apollo's sword hanging from the ceiling?"
"Uh… yes, Lord Hermes," Jason replied a bit awkwardly.
"I put it there," Hecate said calmly. "He's among the living, not the dead. The light wards off the Underworld's gloom—it suits both him and Medea. Now then, Hermes, what brings you here?"
"I'm sure you've heard—the All-Father truly lost his temper not long ago."
"I heard. That's why I've been waiting for you… Jason, go back to your room for now."
After a quick judgment, Hecate could tell that while Hermes had taken a few long looks at Jason when he entered, there was no hostility in his gaze.
That alone gave her a decent read on things.
Jason obeyed and left. Over an hour passed before one of the temple's puppets came to fetch him back to the hall.
By then, Hecate had already fully relaxed after her conversation with Hermes and having learned the current state of affairs.
Just as she suspected, even the Moirai—the three Fates—could have their foresight overtaken by a stronger, more probable destiny!
Still, when she found out the Moirai had seen Jason in their vision, but not as a god-slayer—instead, as a hero—Hecate couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Teacher, has Lord Hermes left already?"
"He has." Hecate nodded, looking at Jason.
But her earlier good mood now started to fray again.
Hecate hated trouble—on that point, she and Jason were quite alike!
And now, whether he ended up as a gods' favorite, a god-slayer, or simply followed his original path...
Every option gave her a headache.
No matter how much she disliked it, she still had to grit her teeth and accept it.
All because she'd gotten curious and peeked at Jason's miracle... and now she was stuck as his teacher.
With that in mind, and feeling her temper rise again, Hecate grabbed Jason's cheeks and gave them a hard pinch.
"Ugh, Teacher Hecate... that hurts..."
"Deal with it."
Jason sighed in defeat, letting her vent as he stood there, utterly confused about what he'd done to deserve it.
After a few firm pinches, seeing him not resist, Hecate lost interest.
"Do you know why I'm punishing you?"
"Um… is it because of Senior Sister Medea?" Jason asked cautiously after a moment of thought.
"No. I don't care about whatever's going on between you two. However... even if I'm your teacher now, that doesn't mean I'll just sit back and watch you bully Medea. Got it?"
Hecate gave him a sideways glance.
"Teacher, I swear I haven't! I wouldn't even dare!"
"Oh? You wouldn't dare?" Hecate looked like she wanted to say more—but then the image of Jason meekly shrinking back in front of Athena, Apollo, and Artemis flashed through her mind.
...Okay, maybe this guy really wouldn't dare.
"Let me ask you—do you know Hera, Queen of the Gods?"
"Of course. Why?"
"You've pissed her off—badly. Both Demeter and Hera are watching you now. You'd better be careful when you step outside."
...Huh???
Jason's eyes went wide.
What the hell? How did I piss off Hera?! I've done nothing lately except eat and sleep!
"Weren't you one of Hera's followers before? She secretly helped you escape your pursuers, guided you to Chiron, and now you've pledged yourself to me instead. You tell me—did you offend her or not?"
Wait, I was a follower of Hera?! …Hold on, that does sound vaguely familiar…
HOLY CRAP.
Jason's confusion was understandable. Hera had helped him in secret—even disguised herself as an old woman to point him toward Chiron.
"I heard from Hermes that she's been watching you all along, and was planning to offer you protection once you came of age..." As she spoke, Hecate gave Jason a look that practically screamed, "Wow, you've got guts."
Jason, meanwhile, was on the verge of tears.
If the Greek gods shared one trait, it was being petty—ridiculously petty!
Hera especially! Look at what she did to Heracles!
And now...
"My dear student," Hecate said sweetly, eyes narrowing, "don't even think about changing your allegiance now. And don't you dare get the idea of worshipping some other goddess either."
You caused this mess, and now you want to worship someone else? Dream on!
"Of course not, Teacher, I wouldn't dare…" Jason said pitifully. "But Teacher, you're not just going to stand by and let me get wrecked, right?"
"It's fine," Hecate replied coolly. "Once the Underworld's flames temper your soul, as long as no god interferes directly, your soul won't be destroyed. When you die, you can just come here and guard my gate."
Saves me the trouble of you making a mess outside.
Jason's lips twitched.
Guard the gate? Eternal unpaid labor? …Yeah, no thanks!
"Sigh... Maybe I should just give up on everything and go home to farm," Jason muttered hopelessly.
Hecate looked at him for a long moment.
At first, she'd had her doubts about his potential. But now... she believed.
Zeus, Hades, Hera, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Hermes... that's eight already!
There were only twelve Olympians in total.
And nearly all of them were keeping a close eye on Jason.
In a situation like that... the line between divine favor and utter destruction was razor-thin.
As for the "ordinary" path...
Hecate now felt that might be even more impossible than his downfall.
So many gods watching you, and you still want to quietly slack off?
Dream on.
After a moment's thought, Hecate shook her head and brushed those thoughts aside.
"Let's go." With one matter settled and confident that nothing would happen for a while, she said, "We're heading to Hades' palace. Let's get your soul situation sorted out… Oh, and it's been a few days—have you given any thought to Medea's matter?"
"Hmm... Teacher, I've come up with a solution."
Taking a deep breath, Jason looked earnestly at Hecate and said, "Actually, you're right. Running away won't solve anything. I'm even a little glad I get to meet her! Because Medea's still young right now—easy to guide... no, that's not right, easy to trick—ahem, no, that's not it either—she's easy to talk to!"
"So I've made up my mind. I'm going to trick Medea into becoming... my little sister!"
Hecate blinked, staring at the completely serious Jason in front of her, momentarily at a loss for words.
Become siblings...
You came up with that?!