...
{3rd Pov}
It had been an entire year since Ember first arrived in Altena, and a full two months had passed since he officially began working as a Magic Craftsman.
Those two months had been nothing short of eventful.
Within just a few weeks, he had managed to completely learn and memorize every single mana circuit and internal mechanism involved in creating refrigerators, lamps, and ovens.
Once he gained a proper understanding of them, he practically threw himself into the work and began crafting them nonstop.
Thanks to his high Agility, which was comparable to that of a mid-level 3 adventurer, and the Dexterity of a low-level 4, his crafting speed was astonishing.
The very same circuit that had taken him forty-five minutes to complete on his first day now took him only around five minutes, sometimes even less if he fully focused.
His rapid improvement left everyone around him utterly shocked, but Ember didn't bother hiding his abilities or acting like some mysterious genius.
The reason was simple—he had far bigger goals.
Ember was determined to learn how to craft Magic Tools that could only be created by adventurers who possessed both the Mystery and Mage development abilities.
Those items were far more complex and demanded a higher level of comprehension than the basic household appliances he was currently making.
On top of that, he had a strong desire to learn the creation process of Magic Grimoires.
If he could understand the technique behind crafting them, then theoretically he would be able to obtain any type of magic he desired.
Copying magic was useful and convenient, but it wasn't enough for what he aimed for.
If he wanted rare, unique, or specialized forms of magic that wouldn't simply fall into his hands, then he needed the ability to acquire them through his own efforts.
Learning how to craft Magic Grimoires was a crucial part of that plan, and Ember fully intended to pursue it once he mastered the basics.
There was simply no better method for acquiring rare or specialized forms of magic than using Magic Grimoires, which was exactly why Ember was so determined to learn the process behind crafting them.
However, the path to becoming an apprentice under a legitimate Magic Item Craftsman was anything but easy.
The requirements alone were strict enough to discourage most people.
First, one needed to possess both the Mystery and Mage development abilities, which already eliminated a majority of adventurers.
Second, the person seeking apprenticeship had to belong to the same familia as a senior Magic Item Craftsman, since those craftsmen only taught their own juniors.
For Ember, this posed a direct problem.
He had absolutely no intention of joining the Athena Familia under normal circumstances, which meant the only realistic way to enter the familia was to catch Goddess Athena's attention and negotiate some form of deal with her.
Even if his true identity ended up being exposed in the process, he wasn't particularly concerned about it.
In fact, being revealed as a Royal Elf would likely make him appear more trustworthy and valuable, and Athena herself wouldn't be foolish enough to expose or blackmail someone with that kind of status.
And if she did try something reckless, well… Ember told himself that he could always begin his revenge arc without a shred of hesitation.
Ahem
But for the moment, Ember's priority was to return to Shawn Village—not only to collect an update on the current situation there, but also to meet his Goddess in person again.
Before leaving, he said a brief farewell to Lance's party and then immediately accepted a simple guard duty assignment for a wagon headed toward Argon.
Wagon drivers and small-time merchants frequently traveled from village to village, selling whatever goods they managed to gather.
These merchants usually bought grain, vegetables, herbs, or basic supplies from rural areas and transported them to nearby towns.
From those towns, larger caravans would then carry the goods to major cities, and the cycle continued the other way around as well.
It was a constant flow of trade, and adventurers often tagged along for security.
Ember considered himself lucky to stumble upon a guild request asking for an escort to Argon town.
The payment, however, was almost nonexistent.
The merchant was offering nothing more than two daily meals and a free ride to Argon.
On the surface it sounded like a terrible reward, practically insulting for any adventurer with real skill.
However, missions like these were surprisingly common because many adventurers didn't care about the reward—they only cared about getting transported in the right direction.
Anyone needing to head toward Argon or at least somewhere along the same route would accept such requests just to secure travel.
Ember was in a similar situation.
He planned to continue to Shawn Village afterward, but since his path passed directly through Argon anyway, he saw no reason to reject the opportunity.
Besides, he intended to meet some of his other friends in Argon before heading out again, so this arrangement worked perfectly for him.
Ember had always considered long-distance travel in this medieval world to be one of the biggest inconveniences he had to deal with.
Even though Altena possessed surprisingly advanced ship-building technology—and he knew that in the future they were expected to develop ships capable of crossing deserts by using magic—the nation still hadn't made any real progress when it came to land-based vehicles.
Traveling across the continent remained slow, uncomfortable, and inefficient.
'I guess the first thing that comes to mind is a train,' Ember thought while staring at the road ahead.
'A functioning railway system would change everything here. It would make the transportation of goods and people so much easier.' His imagination briefly wandered as he pictured steam-powered coal trains from his previous world chugging across the landscape.
He even entertained the idea of modifying such a train to run on monster core magic stones instead of coal, which would completely eliminate the problem of air pollution and make the technology far more sustainable.
It was an exciting idea, one he mentally bookmarked for the future.
For now, though, he pushed those thoughts aside and simply leaned back against the crates stacked in the rear of the wagon, letting himself relax a little while the journey continued at its usual slow pace.
The merchant who had hired him was a small-scale trader, someone who made a modest living by purchasing basic goods from Altena—things like magic lamps, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other simple products—and then transporting them to places such as Argon Town.
Once there, he sold them at a higher price to earn a profit that allowed him to survive.
It wasn't a glamorous line of work, but it was stable enough for someone willing to travel constantly.
This time, the merchant's route happened to be toward Argon Town, so Ember accepted the escort request without hesitation.
It was a simple assignment—he only needed to protect the wagon during the journey—and at the very least, it meant he wouldn't have to worry about preparing meals for himself.
The merchant had already promised two meals a day, and Ember could simply sit back, remain alert, and let the trip pass by without unnecessary stress.
To be honest, Ember didn't feel even a shred of concern regarding potential threats.
He doubted that even a hundred bandits would pose any real danger to him.
The only actual challenge would be making sure the merchant and his cargo survived any attack.
Considering his current strength, Ember was confident that he could deal with a thousand ordinary humans if it ever came down to it.
That level of power made low-level threats feel like minor inconveniences rather than anything serious.
Leaning back against the inner wall of the wagon, Ember shifted slightly to get comfortable before glancing outside through the open rear gate.
The wagon rocked gently as the two horses at the front steadily trotted along the uneven road, their hooves striking against the cobblestone path with rhythmic thuds.
He was still within the territory governed directly by Altena, but he knew they would soon be crossing into the Karuna region before eventually arriving in the Meliostra region, where both Argon Town and his destination—Shawn Village—were located.
What Ember was completely unaware of, however, was that Goddess Athena had finally taken proper notice of him.
His rapid growth, unusual talent, and impressive progress had caught her attention at last.
Unfortunately for her, Ember had already departed the city by the time she decided to summon him to the divine palace, resulting in her missing the chance to contact him directly.
...
Back in Altena, Goddess Athena tapped her fingers repeatedly against the armrest of her throne, a clear sign of her growing impatience.
She had only recently received detailed reports about a certain black-haired, blue-eyed Elf prodigy who had caused a stir throughout the entire administration.
According to the information sent to her, this Elf—Tithonus Ber—had not only achieved the highest score ever recorded in the Magic Craft Examination, but he had done so on his very first attempt, something unprecedented in the long history of the exam.
But the shock did not end there.
Soon after joining the workshop, he had managed to craft a functioning mana circuit on the very first day, despite having no prior hands-on experience.
Within merely two months, he proceeded to learn every foundational circuit and mechanism involved in creating basic household magical items such as lamps, refrigerators, ovens, and similar devices.
And as if that wasn't impressive enough, he shattered yet another long-standing record by becoming the fastest circuit maker in recorded history—completing a mana circuit in just five minutes.
To put it in perspective, his crafting speed was nearly five times faster than the most skilled and seasoned craftsmen who had worked in the field for decades.
That level of efficiency wasn't just rare; it bordered on absurd.
Initially, the officials responsible for monitoring the new trainees had decided to keep quiet about Ember's achievements.
They didn't want to rush to Athena with unverified claims or exaggerations, especially since members of the Athena Familia were known for being strict, rational, and not easily impressed.
No one wanted to report something ridiculous only to be dismissed or reprimanded for wasting the Goddess's time.
After all, scoring the highest in a theoretical exam alone wasn't enough to cause an uproar or justify a direct report to Athena, and they wanted to wait until he proved himself with actual results.
Nah, that was a lie they told themselves.
One of the main reasons the officials had hesitated to report Ember earlier was because of their own pride and long-standing struggles.
Many of them had worked for years—some for decades—to reach their current positions.
They couldn't easily accept that someone who had entered Altena barely a year ago should suddenly receive massive attention simply because he managed to pass the world's most difficult examination in a single attempt.
It was obvious to anyone observing them that their pride and a bit of jealousy were influencing their judgment.
They wanted Ember to struggle, to experience the hardships and setbacks they had faced, and only after that would they consider presenting him before Athena.
Under normal circumstances, they would have waited at least two or three more years before acknowledging him.
However, Ember's unbelievable performance in creating mana circuits forced their hand.
After witnessing his speed, precision, and the unnatural level of skill he displayed, they could no longer justify hiding it.
They finally had no choice but to inform Athena.
Despite the internal conflicts within the Athena Familia and the bias its members had toward restricting opportunities for outsiders, they still understood a very important fact.
With Ember's level of talent, sooner or later his achievements would become public knowledge throughout the entire region.
If Athena were to discover such news from ordinary citizens or through rumors instead of hearing it directly from her own core members or appointed administrative officials, she would be furious.
The Goddess Athena despised nothing more than wasted potential—opportunities ignored, talent left to rot because of internal favoritism, narrow-mindedness, or personal grudges.
She absolutely hated seeing gifted individuals suppressed or discarded simply due to bias or discrimination.
Although the officials weren't yet sure whether this "Tithonus" was truly as frighteningly gifted as he appeared or whether he might one day become a threat to their own influence if he earned Athena's full favor, they had a much more immediate concern.
They needed to ensure that Athena did not punish them for negligence, incompetence, or failing to report a once-in-a-generation genius that had appeared right under their noses.
So eventually, one of the government officials decided that they could no longer delay and finally reported everything they had gathered about Tithonus to Athena.
Of course, none of them had the slightest idea that "Tithonus" was merely an alias and that his real name was Ember—the missing prince who had escaped from the Alf Forest eight years earlier.
They were completely unaware of his true identity, and to them he was simply an exceptionally talented Elf who had suddenly appeared in their territory.
After hearing the detailed summary of Ember's achievements, Athena immediately ordered them to bring her every file, document, and recorded report available on him.
She even paused her current work schedule and personally retrieved the answer sheet he had written in the exam two months earlier.
When she began reading it, she found herself genuinely shocked.
Nearly every single answer he wrote was correct except for one question, the only one for which he had lost marks.
What impressed her even more was the manner in which he wrote his responses.
It was clear that he hadn't simply memorized information and copied it onto the paper.
His writing demonstrated a clear understanding of the underlying principles, and he applied the concepts properly to arrive at the correct solutions. His reasoning process was systematic and mature, showing insight that even experienced Craftsmen struggled to display.
In the multiple-choice section, he had correctly answered every single question except for one.
He lost two marks there, but when Athena examined that particular question more closely, she frowned in irritation.
She quickly realized the issue wasn't with Ember at all—the question itself had been composed using outdated knowledge, knowledge that had already been disproven or corrected years ago.
In other words, Ember had selected the correct answer based on updated theories, but the exam committee had failed to revise the question, making the official answer key technically wrong.
This discovery only made her more irritated and at the same time more impressed with Ember's accuracy and understanding.
(A/N: Ember after seeing that he gave a correct answer to a wrong question by guessing: Speechless)
She immediately relayed all of this to her familia members, who began sweating bullets the moment they noticed the deep frown forming on her face.
Thankfully for them, her displeasure wasn't directed at them this time. In fact, because she was overwhelmed with genuine joy at discovering someone this intelligent—someone who, in her eyes, barely managed to qualify above the level of ape-men like the rest of her familia—
Athena's mood was overall extremely good.
And as she continued flipping through more and more documents about Ember, her expression shifted from a simple smile to a wide, satisfied grin that only grew with each page she read.
"Aurora Familia, huh? I remember that one," Athena muttered, leaning back as memories resurfaced.
"She was one of the virgin goddesses serving under Artemis back in Heaven. A bit of an airhead, to be honest, but definitely easier to deal with compared to the majority of the other goddesses."
Athena spoke casually, but her mind was already racing, forming plans about how to win Tithonus—Ember—into her own familia.
She absolutely could not accept the idea of someone like Aurora, who spent her days in some rural, unimpressive village, having a person like Ember in her care.
The fact that he moved to Altena on his own already proved that staying in Aurora Familia had been holding him back rather than helping him grow.
The clearest example was his leveling speed: it had taken him seven years to reach his current level, while in Altena the average person usually managed to level up within four to five years at most.
That was why Athena quickly convinced herself that if she offered Aurora Familia adequate compensation and presented Ember with a good enough deal—something fitting for someone of his remarkable skill—there was a very high chance he would agree to join her familia.
Of course, she wasn't about to make decisions blindly.
Before approaching him formally, she needed to see him with her own eyes and personally confirm whether he truly possessed the genius level talent described in the reports.
After all, no matter how detailed the information was, seeing the person directly was always far more reliable.
So, without wasting even a second of her time, Athena gave a direct and unquestionable order to her familia members to summon Ember to the palace immediately.
She wanted him brought before her as soon as possible. Yet now, more than two full hours had passed, and she was still sitting on her throne, waiting for Ember to arrive with no sign of him anywhere.
The longer she waited, the more her impatience grew.
Considering how much time had passed, Athena began wondering if he had gone out on a hunt with the Lance Party or perhaps left for a solo hunting trip.
It wouldn't have been unusual, but the timing irritated her nonetheless.
She wanted answers, and she wanted the boy brought in front of her, not wandering outside the city.
Just as she felt her restraint starting to wear thin, the large doors opened and several soldiers entered the hall along with a group of government officials.
Athena's eyes immediately scanned the group, expecting—no, demanding—to see the figure she had been thinking about for hours.
However, no matter how many faces she examined, she did not find a single person who even remotely matched Ember's description.
"May I know why you have arrived without Sir Tithonus?" Athena asked, her voice surprisingly calm given the fact that irritation was clearly bubbling beneath the surface.
She had already formed the assumption that he might have been delayed because he decided to go hunting, either alone or with others, and she was preparing to simply send someone to retrieve him.
One of the government officials hesitated, visible sweat forming on his forehead as he stepped forward.
He seemed nervous about being the one to deliver the news.
"Lady Athena," he began respectfully, "we have received word that Sir Tithonus has departed from Altena and is currently heading toward a town named Argon."
The moment the words left his mouth, Athena's patience snapped entirely. She shot up from her throne with a burst of outrage.
"What?!"
The government official visibly trembled, and the others standing behind him began sweating profusely as they witnessed Athena's growing anger.
The Goddess of Wisdom started pacing back and forth in front of her throne, her expression dark and increasingly irritated.
She even lifted her hand and bit at her nail in pure frustration, something she rarely allowed herself to do in front of her subordinates.
"Damn it! I cannot believe I've managed to lose a genius simply because I was late to act! Ugh!" Athena snapped, her face twisting with an annoyed grimace.
She bit her nail hard enough that it tore off the tip, then finally exhaled a long, tired sigh as she glared at her officials, who were too scared to even look directly at her.
"Is there any information about when he will return?" Athena asked after forcing herself to sit back down on her throne, though her posture made it clear she was still irritated.
The government official shook his head quickly.
"G-Goddess, at the moment we have no confirmation whether he intends to return at all," he explained, choosing his words carefully.
"I think it would be best to question the party he usually adventurers with. They might know more about his plans."
"Oh? Then summon them immediately. And someone bring me a coffee before I lose my mind," Athena ordered, crossing her legs as she leaned back against her throne, trying to calm herself down.
The moment the words left her mouth, the officials and soldiers practically scattered in different directions, rushing to carry out her orders.
They all knew perfectly well that keeping Athena calm was the only way to avoid her discovering the real reason they hadn't informed her earlier about Ember's achievements—because of their own pride, jealousy, and bias.
While Athena waited inside the throne room, quietly sipping the coffee that had been brought to her, the guards hurried out to fetch the Lance party.
It didn't take long before the group arrived at the palace, and the moment they entered the hall, they all bowed politely toward their Goddess.
Lance, who stood at the front, straightened and spoke with a serious expression.
"Goddess Athena, may I know the reason we were summoned so suddenly? The guards mentioned it had something to do with Tet."
"'Tet'? Are you referring to Tithonus?" Athena asked immediately, wanting absolute clarity.
Even when the answer seemed obvious, she hated misunderstandings and preferred confirming things directly.
"Ah, yes. We usually call him Tet," Lance replied, nodding once.
The rest of the party members remained silent, understanding their place.
Although Athena knew them by name and they belonged to her familia, she was also the sovereign of Altena with tens of thousands under her leadership.
She only met them during specific occasions, so none of them were close enough to speak casually.
"Lance," Athena said, leaning forward slightly as she focused on her, "can you tell me when Sir Tet plans to return to Altena?"
Before she could mistake her intention, she quickly added, "And do not misunderstand—this is not about punishment or reprimand. I received news today that Sir Tet is an exceptional genius, far beyond what I expected. I wanted to meet him personally and attempt to invite him into my own familia."
Hearing Athena's explanation, Lance and the others finally let out a deep breath they hadn't realized they were holding.
Up until this moment, every one of them had been worried that Ember might have offended some government officials or accidentally violated some regulation, which could have put him in serious trouble.
But after listening to Athena's words and her surprisingly positive interest in Tet, their tense shoulders loosened.
Besides, none of them believed that the Goddess of Wisdom would lie to them.
Athena had a reputation for being upright, straightforward, and honest—well, at least in matters that didn't involve her personal projects.
(A/N: Meanwhile, the slaves who will be forced to operate her future sand and water–powered magic turbine ships as living batteries: "Are you sure about that?")
Lance didn't bother hiding anything and truthfully reported that Tithonus had already informed them he would return in about a month.
He had said he wanted to visit his familia and meet some friends before coming back to Altena.
Athena nodded, not particularly surprised—this was roughly what she had predicted.
Still, she couldn't help the wave of disappointment washing over her.
Realizing she would have to wait nearly an entire month before meeting him in person irritated her more than she wanted to admit.
And for Athena, it didn't even matter which kind of person Ember turned out to be.
If Ember failed to live up to his rumored talent, she would be frustrated that she wasted a full month waiting for someone who wasn't impressive after all.
But if Ember truly was the genius everyone claimed him to be, then that would make her even more upset at the lost time—time that could have been spent guiding him, training him, shaping his potential, and ensuring he didn't fall under someone else's influence.
Even though Athena was immortal, she knew perfectly well that mortals—whether humans, elves, beastkin, or dwarves—had limited life spans.
Even elves, who lived far longer than humans, would eventually die after a hundred to three hundred years depending on their lineage.
With that reality in mind, she saw every bit of wasted time as a genuine loss.
It was time mortals could have used to grow stronger, to refine their skills, or to contribute to their own futures and the advancement of Altena.
Thus, whether Ember was brilliant or average, Athena's disappointment was guaranteed—just for completely opposite reasons.
"Lady Athena, forgive me, but from what I understand, Ember passed the Magic Craftsman exam brilliantly. So we assumed he would already be under your observation," Lance spoke carefully, trying to phrase his words politely, yet firmly.
Athena's eyes immediately glinted with sharp interest at his words, and she turned her gaze toward a certain government official who was visibly sweating profusely under the intensity of her stare.
"Brandon," Athena said, her voice calm but laced with undeniable authority, "do you even hear what she is saying? Do you seriously think that scoring the highest marks in the Magic Craftsman Exam, and that too immediately after entering Altena just one year ago, is not a sufficient reason to inform me about him?"
Her elbow rested against the armrest of the throne, supporting her chin as she leaned slightly forward, her tone a mixture of disbelief and restrained frustration.
"I-I… Goddess, I thought he might have… somehow cheated…" Brandon stammered, his words faltering under the weight of her presence.
It was, without a doubt, the worst possible answer he could have given.
"Did I stutter, mortal?" Athena's arcanum flared violently for a brief instant, her eyes transforming from their usual serene blue to a blazing, radiant gold.
A golden light emanated from her, bathing the throne room in a brilliant aura that made everyone else take a cautious step back.
In that instant, her Divine Will pressed heavily on Brandon, forcing him to speak the truth without restraint.
"I-I didn't want someone to climb the ladder so quickly, especially an outsider, given how much effort I personally invested to reach my current position," he admitted, his voice trembling as the words escaped him under the pressure of her overwhelming aura.
The declaration stunned nearly everyone present in the hall.
Lance and the rest of his party exchanged shocked glances, unable to fully comprehend the blatant confession of bias.
Even some of the soldiers looked momentarily speechless.
However, most of the other government officials—those already familiar with the petty politics and jealousy that ran rampant in their ranks—were not as surprised, having quietly suspected that internal rivalry and personal pride often influenced how news and recognition were handled in Altena.
After all, Goddess Athena reserved her most personal care and attention for only a select few of her core familia members, treating them almost as if they were her own children.
For the remaining ninety-nine percent of her vast familia, however, she conducted herself more like a sovereign ruler presiding over her subjects rather than a nurturing figure.
It was simply impossible to devote equal time, energy, and guidance to every single member in such a massive organization, and expecting her to do so would have been unreasonable.
Her approach, though seemingly strict, was both practical and strategically intelligent.
By maintaining a certain emotional distance from the majority, she not only simplified the command and management of her familia but also fostered an environment where her members were compelled to grow stronger, sharper, and more competent on their own.
Those who were ambitious and talented were encouraged to achieve remarkable feats, contribute meaningfully to the nation's progress, and ultimately earn the rare privilege of being personally acknowledged by Athena herself—a distinction that only a select few could ever attain.
Naturally, this system created a tense and relentless atmosphere of competition within the familia.
Members constantly pushed themselves to surpass one another, vying for Athena's recognition and striving to secure their place among the elite few who would receive her individualized attention.
At the same time, envy and rivalry thrived quietly in the background.
Many attempted to suppress or hinder those who demonstrated exceptional potential, seeking to eliminate future competitors before they could rise.
It was in this exact context that the government official's actions should be understood—he, like many before him, had tried to stifle the rise of a promising individual simply to protect his own position and ambitions within the hierarchy.
Athena let out a long, controlled sigh as she listened to his pitiful and self-serving explanation, her arcanum gradually fading away as her anger cooled slightly.
"Guards," she called out sharply, her voice calm but carrying the weight of absolute authority.
"Escort him out of the palace immediately," she commanded.
"Brandon, from this moment onward, you are completely relieved of all your official duties and responsibilities. You are free to sell your house, your possessions, and any property you have accumulated in this country to gather your remaining wealth. Come tomorrow, after making all the necessary arrangements for your departure from Altena, I will personally revoke your blessing," Athena stated with unflinching composure, her tone carrying an unmistakable finality.
The government official, Brandon, fell to his knees on the polished marble floor, disbelief and panic etched vividly across his face.
Lance's party stared in stunned silence, their expressions reflecting a mixture of shock and awe at the swiftness and decisiveness of Athena's judgment.
Meanwhile, the other government officials present in the hall collectively exhaled, silently relieved that they were not the target of her wrath on this occasion.
Brandon scrambled to plead, his words tumbling out in desperation, but the guards—each seasoned adventurers at level 2—paid no heed to his begging.
They seized him firmly and began dragging him toward the exit, leaving him struggling and shouting behind them.
Athena, already irritated by the necessity of dealing with this insufferable man, felt a twinge of displeasure at the thought that she would have to meet him again the following day to formally revoke his blessing.
Nonetheless, her expression remained perfectly composed, betraying none of the irritation she internally harbored.
Brandon had devoted decades of his life to serving under Athena, tirelessly accumulating achievements, completing missions, and climbing the ranks until he reached the high position he held today.
Yet, despite all his years of dedication, the moment he made a colossal mistake, Athena expelled him from her palace and stripped him of his duties without the slightest trace of remorse or hesitation.
Her decision was deliberate and unwavering.
Firstly, she knew that if she were to forgive him, it would set a dangerous precedent for the other government officials, who might then grow complacent or lax in their responsibilities, thinking mistakes would be overlooked. Secondly, allowing Brandon to remain in a position of authority after such a failure would only harm her country in the long run, creating inefficiencies and potentially undermining her governance.
But there was a third reason that cut even deeper: Brandon's response during the confrontation.
His audacious and blatant lie had sealed his fate.
Had he handled the situation with even a shred of cunning—perhaps blending truth with deception—Athena might have exercised some leniency, possibly demoting him at most, rather than casting him out entirely.
After all, in Athena's eyes, those who were exceptionally intelligent or exceptionally strong were granted privileges and allowances that others could only dream of.
For individuals lacking either capability or intellect, she considered them liabilities, expendable and of no long-term value to her plans or her realm.
Once the matter with Brandon was settled, Athena turned her attention to the Lance party, her expression calm and unreadable, betraying none of the gravity of what had just occurred.
Her piercing gaze fell upon each of them in turn as she addressed them with quiet authority.
"Lance, Jasmine, Aurielle, Ash, and Jack, do you wish to update your current status?" she inquired.
The group stiffened instantly, feeling a tension in the room as they processed the presence of their goddess and the unflinching composure she displayed, showing no emotion or reaction to the dramatic expulsion, they had just witnessed.
"We will, Goddess Athena! Right, everyone?" Lance said, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead, as the others quickly nodded in agreement and echoed her words, replying in unison, "Yes!"
Their voices carried a mix of respect and nervousness, aware that speaking before Athena required both confidence and caution.
Just then, Merina appeared, strolling into the room with a sly, almost teasing smile on her face.
"My, my… it seems you haven't yet met the person you were waiting for," she said, her tone playful yet carrying an edge of intrigue.
Athena let out a quiet sigh, covering her face with one hand as she muttered under her breath, "I always seem to have to deal with fools."
Only she knew the truth behind her frustration—the depth of her desire to meet someone who was at least clever enough to understand her, someone capable of matching even a fraction of her intellect.
Her patience had been tested countless times, but she longed for a mind sharp enough to engage with hers, a rarity she had not yet encountered in genkai.
To be continued...
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Exclusive Illustrations unseen by the public
Discord Role — gain entry to the inner sanctum of Akros Zero's followers
⚔️ $30 — King Arthur Tier(Sold Out)
All previous perks
Special small animated scenes from my fanfics
My eternal thanks 🙏)
https://discord.gg/Xb47VnFUpQ