Capítulo 15: Transcendence 2
Maybe I was a little overexcited by my achievement. According to my books, rejecting mortal needs is the first step to a slow life in the Heavens. Nevertheless, I could achieve it by tinkering a little bit with the instructions—not that they were wrong, but imprecise.
The morning was starting, and I will start a monk life, fasting, meditation and combat lessons. I was feeling refreshed.
"It is a shame that I can't enter a white room where the time flows slowly." I grumbled to myself. I think I will look for Hermes to understand what I have to do now.
Well, after the feast, the gods said that I would meet with them soon to discuss the next steps. Hermes also suggested that I go to vow before the other god statues. This could be a good starting point.
Therefore, I went to the dinner hall to look for one of my appointed aides. I don't know how to call them yet, so I am going with this name for now.
The breakfast was being served, and at the table were Hermes and Joseph. They seemed to be absorbed in some discussion. I got near, and I said good morning to both of them.
They answered my greetings. Joseph had a more cheerful aura today, as he seemed to be in a good mood. He said, "Master Hermes explained the reasons for Athena's actions. I am impressed that you resisted mortal urges. We were not in a hurry to teach you how to manage that."
"Actually, I did not even know that this was something so great."
"That was the more impressive, to simply deny so naturally something with your willpower. I am curious to understand how you achieve that while living in such a peaceful land as Earth." Hermes spoke after sipping his coffee.
"Please sit with us." invited Joseph.
I accepted his offer, and sat in front of Joseph, while Hermes was in the central position. As I was going to avoid eating during this time, I did not touch the food.
"Have you become an ascetic overnight?" asked Hermes.
"Somehow yes. As I will be transmigrated, I think I need to make the best of my time and manage my soul and mind." I replied solemnly.
They exchanged glances and shrugged. It was my life, in the end. If I want to improve myself, everyone here will benefit. So they do not pursue the subject any further.
They continued eating, and Hermes told yesterday events to Joseph. After that, he said that I would receive my training schedule this afternoon. As for this morning, he recommended that I visit the temples and Athena's library to get my books.
I was likewise thinking, as was he. So I asked Joseph if he could guide me again or assign someone to help me. He was going to be my divine assistant full-time (these were his words), so we started our journey toward Olympus once again, this time with the temple teleportation.
---
Along our short journey, Joseph asked me about the meeting and if I was alright with this. I replied that I did not know yet how to comply with their expectations, but I would try my best.
He told me normally people would be upset to become "god's pawn". Fortunately, I said that this was not the case, I was not enforced to nothing, and if I forfeited my tasks, I would simply be prohibited from using the loaned power. Which was a fair deal, in my opinion. If I become a god's apostle and then turn my back on his designations, I should not complain of a power loss.
After all, the most fragile position was theirs. I would be reincarnated and would live in a brand-new world, a fantasy one like the stories I grew up enjoying. Perhaps I was being too naïve, although I was secretly very excited by the situation.
We visited the Asclepius and Athena temples first, where we were warmly welcomed by local priests who guided us to their statues, where I vowed to the gods again. I think it was funny that the priests in both places started to cry when they saw me pledging to their patron deity. Maybe an apostle's vow is something noteworthy. Joseph did not offer anything about this, as he was silent the whole time.
I was expecting something more grand, like the coronation ceremony. But I simply kneeled before the statues, said that I would follow their words, and thanked them for their generosity. No lights, burning feelings, or anything at all; it was very anticlimactic.
---
As the library was an annex of Athena's temple, we took an intern path to reach there instead of getting out of the temple then going to the library entrance. There were my three patron deities and Joanna, with a pile of books by her side. I had a bad feeling.
"Morning Apostle Rufus. These are Asclepius short suggestions of books for this month." Athena said this while looking at a six-foot pile of books.
"You might be aware that I can manage not to sleep, but I do not possess the ability to fast-read that number of books." I retorted while looking at Asclepius.
"I have already registered your loans', sir Rufus. Do not mind returning them; when the transmigration is finished, all the loaned stuff will return by themselves."
Magic was a truly wonderful and convenient tool. Asclepius went on and started explaining to me the order of the books that I should read, understand the concepts of Authorities, their implications, and how to use them, and only afterward start to grasp the arcane basics.
"And my combat lessons?"
"I would assign an old friend to help you." Athena told me. I felt a tickling feeling in my ear, and my body trembled in reaction.
"Oh, you can already use the Justice Authority. Amazing!" Asclepius said delighted.
Once again, it was my normal body reaction. Wait, I already controlled my soul and mind to act as one; maybe I was overconfident about it. But, he said that this was an authority manifestation.
"I think that is what we call natural talent. You can tap into minor portions of your authorities even without comprehending them yet." Hermes said, elated with the my shaking body.
"Sorry, could you elaborate?"
"Your Justice Authority reacted to an unfair situation. You will learn more about it later, but Athena called for Hercules to train you in combat. As a deity related to combat, receiving instructions directly from him is like being given a punishment without a proper cause."
"Your control is weak, but this Authority empowers you to react to unfair situations. In this case, you simply 'were notified' of an inadequate situation. As you manage to use it better, you could enforce the balance." Athena explained.
"And whenever an authority is used, anyone whose divine power is about average, could perceive its usage." Joseph clarified what happened.
It is a very dramatic power, as anyone could see that I use it, even when I do it reflexively.
"Wait a minute. I will be trained by Hercules. And his training is similar to a punishment. This is not right."
"Yes, it is not." Joseph, Joanna and Asclepius answered in unison. I was wondering how difficult it would be, but their effusive agreement left me with a bad taste.
"Well, my dear apostle. Take your books and keep your ascetic behavior, which is a very pleasant surprise, too. Hercules will be very excited to train you." Hermes said it with a grimace in his face.
I was not excited to be beaten to a pulp. I think my power as an apostle was the ability to read their minds when they had that gazes. This is going to be a long month...
---
The events from that moment until the end of the month were a mix of reading, incorrect experiences with divine power, blunders in arcane magic, and a lot of suffering in combat.
Hercules had a prideful teacher, and he was going to imprint on me (emphasis on imprint) the basics: footwork, sword, spear, shield, and bow expertises. At least their bare minimum. When I thought that I had managed to achieve mind and soul congruence, his classes almost melted me back to a physical body. Every training session left me with the impression that I was going to break apart.
The relief moment was with my books, when I dove into divine and arcane magic. The first two weeks were awfully frustrating, and casting was harder than I thought. Although I was truly natural at sensing and using the basics of each authority.
In the following two weeks, Hercules has increased the intensity of our training. I knew that he had the Authority of Strength, but he also knew how to perform summoning magic. I fought several beasts, monsters, and other creatures that I think came out of a pen and paper role-playing game.
Not only that, but I don't want to recall these days. At least not now, maybe later, and ideally never. And, before I noticed, the transmigration ceremony day arrived.
Regalos
-- Regalo
recibido Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder