Aphrodite, however, approached his training differently. She simply sat with him, offering no weapons or lessons.
" I know you suffered a lot, I know your life was full of Darkness. You fight because of pain," she observed. "But what do you love, Jin?"
Jin hesitated. "Lia. She is the only person I love."
Aphrodite smiled. "Then let love guide your strength, not just vengeance. Power without love is empty."
Jin nodded. " Thank You for your advice."
Later that evening, as Jin wandered through the divine halls, he found himself in the company of Persephone and Hestia, two goddesses he hadn't spoken with much before.
Persephone, the queen of the underworld, had a duality about her—graceful and regal, yet possessing an underlying mischievous streak.
"Jin, right?" Persephone mused, tilting her head as she examined him. "Hades mentioned you. Said you weren't half bad. Which, for him, is high praise."
Jin smirked. "Glad to hear I'm making an impression."
"I've been meaning to ask," Persephone continued, "how does it feel training under so many gods? Exhausting, I'd imagine."
Jin sighed. "Exhausting is an understatement. Zeus nearly fried me, Poseidon almost drowned me, and Hades tried to break my mind."
Hestia, who had been quietly listening, gave a warm smile. "And yet, you're still here. That says something."
Jin chuckled. "Yeah, it says I might be insane."
Persephone laughed. "Maybe. Or maybe you're just stubborn. Either way, you're fun to watch."
"Watch?" Jin raised an eyebrow. "You've been keeping an eye on me too?"
Hestia chuckled softly. "Only when I'm not tending to my hearth. You're interesting, Jin. Not many mortals—or gods—would go through what you have and still keep moving forward."
Jin felt a warmth in her words, a motherly kindness that contrasted sharply with the harshness of his training. "That means a lot coming from you."
Persephone smirked. "It just means you'd better not disappoint."
A year passed, and Jin had endured every trial thrown his way. His body had become stronger, his reflexes sharper. The gods no longer looked at him as an outsider—he had earned their respect.
One night, standing on the balcony of Olympus, he gazed at the stars, reflecting on how far he had come. He had once believed he had lost everything, but perhaps there was still a future waiting for him.
Zeus approached, his gaze steady. "Your training is complete. You've proven yourself."
Jin exhaled. "So what now?"
Zeus held out a scroll. "There is a way for you to ascend to the rank of a Second-Class Deity once more. But it will not be easy. You must seek the Elixir of Gods. Only by drinking it will you regain your full power."
Jin was shocked. He didn't believe it at first but after seeing the seriousnesd in his eyes. Jin believed him.
" So you are telling me I will become stronger again."
Zeus, who was looking at the stars as if he was thinking something. He took a deep breath and continued their discussion.
" Yes. But there will be risk to achieve this."
Jin accepted the challenge without hesitation. Because it is the only way he would become strong and challange Gaia. The next morning, he set off on his journey—a journey that would test him like never before.