Hecate watched as Medea questioned her about Jason. After a moment of thought, she asked, "Do you really want to meet him?"
"Hm? Well, isn't he your student too, Teacher Hecate?" Medea, barely ten years old, tilted her small head in confusion, as if puzzled by why Hecate would even ask such a thing.
Medea had learned of Jason's existence about a month ago—the very day he left the Undying River of the Underworld and embarked on his journey.
From that day on, she had been eagerly anticipating their meeting.
She originally thought it would happen soon, that she'd have a junior disciple to talk and play with in the Underworld.
But to her surprise, even now, there was no sign of Jason arriving.
Instead, her supposedly reclusive teacher had been frequently going out because of Jason, running around every few days.
Hecate remained silent for a moment as she looked at Medea, whose expectant eyes were fixed on her.
"Soon," Hecate said flatly. "It won't be long now."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Medea watched her teacher's beautiful figure disappear from sight before turning back to the assignments Hecate had given her.
Clearly, she was in a great mood.
Her junior disciple would be arriving soon. That meant she wouldn't be so lonely in the temple anymore!
"I really can't wait... I can't wait to meet my junior brother!" Medea whispered, a bright, innocent smile blooming on her face.
That night.
Near a clear forest stream, Jason had set up a simple tent.
With the ever-capable Atalanta gone, he had been traveling nonstop all day and hadn't been able to hunt. So now, he was gnawing on dry rations.
Noticing the Golden-Horned Deer staring intently at his food, Jason sensibly extended a piece of his dry rations and asked, "Want some, Deer Sis?"
The deer took a bite, chewed it, and immediately spat it out.
Disgusting!
With a few disapproving snorts, the Golden-Horned Deer nudged Jason, urging him to toss the rations away. Then it lifted its head to the moon and let out a resonant call.
As it did, its golden antlers slowly expanded, glowing under the moonlight with an otherworldly radiance.
Jason watched in curiosity as rustling sounds soon emerged from the surrounding grass.
One by one, animals stepped out from the shadows in response to the deer's call, encircling Jason and the Golden-Horned Deer.
As Jason stared in bewilderment, the deer ceased its cry and nodded toward the gathered creatures, letting out a few more soft calls as if giving instructions. Then, the animals scattered.
But before long, small birds, squirrels, and bees returned, carrying wild fruits, grapes, and honey. Meanwhile, wolves and foxes brought freshly hunted hares and other meats.
Jason watched in stunned silence as the animals piled the offerings before him, forming a small mountain, before gradually dispersing.
Artemis, among the many domains granted to her by Zeus, was also the goddess of nature.
The Golden-Horned Deer nudged Jason again, urging him to eat the food and stop relying on those awful dry rations.
"This is... a bit much, Deer Sis," Jason hesitated but ultimately accepted the deer's kindness. Looking at the piled food, he said, "I'll store some for later. There's no way I can eat all of this."
The deer gave Jason a once-over.
Scrawny arms, scrawny legs…
"I really can't eat this much! I'm just a mortal, Deer Sis," Jason sighed. "I'm not like my half-god senior brother, Heracles."
Seeing his insistence, the Golden-Horned Deer didn't argue further and simply curled up beside Jason, closing its eyes to rest.
Jason left out some wild fruit, packed the rest into the bag Athena had given him, and prepared to eat before turning in for the night.
Then, a voice suddenly spoke beside his ear.
"You're eating that little?"
Jason instinctively turned his head and saw a stunning figure stepping out from the moonlight—a woman clad in a black gown. The beautiful goddess Hecate.
The Golden-Horned Deer cracked an eye open at Hecate. Noting her familiar aura on Jason, it shut its eyes again, unconcerned.
"Teacher Hecate!" Jason exclaimed in surprise, quickly getting to his feet. "Why are you here?"
"Is it strange for me to check on my student?" Hecate blinked playfully, then continued, "But no, that doesn't sound like me at all… Of course, I'm here because I have something to discuss with you."
With that, she sat down beside him, picked up a wild fruit, wiped it clean, and took a bite.
"Sit down. I have something to tell you."
"...Alright," Jason complied, still a little caught off guard by her sudden arrival.
"I just met with Artemis. You've done well. Now, all you need to do is find Persephone, and your task will be complete."
"So that means… I won't have to deal with any more gods?" Jason asked, sounding hopeful.
"Mhm." Hecate gazed at him. "You really dislike gods, don't you?"
Jason's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to explain when—
"It's fine. I don't like them either."
Hecate took another bite of the fruit as Jason gawked at her in disbelief.
"They're annoying. That's why I never went to Olympus and instead hid in the Underworld... You did well this time."
Saying that, Hecate ruffled Jason's hair, as if rewarding him.
"Once this task is over, I'll start teaching you magic. Just focus on learning from me. Oh, and by the way, have you ever thought about becoming immortal?"
"...Huh?" Jason blinked, caught completely off guard.
"The waters of the Styx have washed over your body. Once the Undying Underworld Fire tempers your soul, even as a mortal, you'll have the potential to become an immortal being. All you need is to be further refined by the divine fire of Olympus."
Hecate paused before continuing. "Oh, and Athena has taken an interest in you… Artemis already let it slip, but she asked me to keep it quiet. So when you meet Athena, just pretend you don't know her."
"Also, aside from Athena, Apollo and Artemis are on good terms with me. And after this, even the King of the Gods will have some favorability toward you."
"The King of the Gods...? Zeus?" Jason blinked in confusion.
Wait. Will Zeus have a good impression of me?
What the hell did I do to get his attention?!
Hecate smirked knowingly. "Persephone's matter has his shadow behind it."
She didn't elaborate. Some things were better left unknown.
"So, if you want to become immortal, this might be your chance. I know why you became my disciple. Immortality is one way to change your fate."
Jason fell silent.
Hecate was right.
Hiding away in some secluded paradise could let him escape his fate.
But so could immortality.
Seeing his silence, Hecate continued, "No need to rush your decision. Just focus on learning magic for now. Since you're my disciple, I expect you to satisfy me. After all, you're my experiment."
She suddenly smirked. "Oh, by the way, do you remember that favor you promised me?"
"Yeah, I remember," Jason replied, still deep in thought.
"Hah… Seems like you don't know. If you did, you might not have come to me."
Hecate stared at Jason for a moment, then hesitated as if considering whether to say more.
But then she remembered Medea's expectant gaze and let out a sigh.
"Forget it. I'm done meddling. You can all figure it out yourselves!"