After leaving the kingdom, it took several days before I finally met the renowned Chiron.
“You must be Astellon. I have heard much about you. I am Chiron, and from today onward, I shall be instructing you along with the other students.”
Breaking the silence of the forest, the figure emerged: a centaur sage, with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse.
Confronted with a being I had only ever heard of in myths, I was momentarily spellbound. However, I quickly recovered the poise befitting royalty and bowed politely.
“Yes! I look forward to your guidance, Teacher.”
Following in the footsteps of Chiron, who would now be my mentor, I ventured deep into the woods. Along the way, he explained the rules of the sanctuary and the martial arts and knowledge I was to acquire. By the time we stopped, a modest but sturdy dwelling appeared before me—the place I would call home.
“This is where you will stay. I hope you get along well with the other children.”
From that day on, my formal training began. Chiron’s lessons were grueling, but to me, they felt like nothing more than a delightful game. I mastered the sword, the spear, the bow, and even a variety of exotic, misshapen weapons known for being notoriously difficult to handle.
For an ordinary human, mastering even one of these would take a lifetime... but I was not ordinary.
“Astellon. Your growth is the swiftest of all the students I have ever taught. In fact, your skill... is already far beyond the realm of mortals.”
“You flatter me, Teacher.”
Despite Chiron's praise, I did not let arrogance take root.
Instead, I focused on wielding every weapon with a fluid yet lethal precision, as if they were mere extensions of my own body. With my silver hair streaming behind me as I swept across the training grounds, I looked like a meteor cutting through the midnight sky.
As training ended and I wiped the sweat from my brow, a heavy voice resonated from behind me.
“...Astellon.”
“Hm? Who... ah, it’s you. Heracles.”
I turned to see Heracles, the demigod who carried the blood of Zeus, the King of the Gods.
He possessed overwhelming strength that surpassed anyone else in the camp, and I had suffered defeat at his hands in our early sparring matches. However, through countless bouts, I had proven myself his equal. He was my fated rival, and my closest friend.
“You look exhausted.”
“I was just with Jason.”
“Ah... I see. My condolences.”
I gave a wry smile at Heracles’ brief response. I knew all too well that enduring Jason’s endless chatter and boastfulness—fueled by his absolute faith in Heracles’ strength—was a trial more grueling than a life-and-death struggle with a lion.
“It’s almost mealtime. Are you planning to eat alone again?”
“Hmm... well, I suppose so.”
I scratched the back of my head. It was the result of rumors that had spread shortly after my arrival. Word had traveled fast that a boy had appeared whose beauty was like a star fallen from the heavens.
While the boys had quickly become my friends through the bond of combat, the girls were a different story.
Even during sparring, they would freeze and stare blankly at my face, or suddenly thrust letters into my hands while rambling about “fated encounters.” It had become nearly impossible to enjoy a quiet meal.
“I expected some of this when my parents warned me, but I didn't think it would be this intense. I don't understand why they're so obsessed...”
“....”
“But why do you ask?”
“Eat with me.”
“...Sure.”
I accepted his invitation; it wasn't a bad offer.
Having witnessed the chaos my appearance caused, Heracles often sought me out when I was alone, whether to spar or to share a meal.
“By the way... you seemed to be training just now. What were you working on?”
“The spear.”
“I see. Then... let's go a round later, Astellon.”
A smirk played on my lips.
“Really?”
I answered with a smile full of competitive fire.
“This time will be different.”
“That’s my line.”
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