Chapter 49: Seeing Athena Again

“Also, I need to trouble you, Teacher, to send someone to my estate to inform my parents that I have returned to Medimus City-State.”

“No problem, I will send someone right away.”

Peter took the last sip of beer and nodded with lingering pleasure.

After borrowing the copper mirror, Ace took it to the guest room Peter had prepared and concentrated on his research.

Although he was quite familiar with the copper mirror, replicating the Soul Runes was not easy. The two runes, Emotion Suppression and Thought Activation, had unique Mana essence structures, requiring more time.

Early the next morning, Ace took the Merfolk baby clay figurine he had bought in Cimali and went to the Royal Palace.

He knew that maintaining a friendship with Athena involved huge risks, but without her friendship, his life could be in danger at any moment. The miraculous pact could not save him; only the dead can keep secrets—that was the truth.

Upon arriving at the Royal Palace, Ace took out the bracelet Athena had given him, handed it to the palace guard, and asked him to deliver it to the Great Hero Arnold.

After more than half an hour, the strong man, stripped to the waist, wearing red trousers and a black cloak, holding a shield in his left hand and a spear in his right, strode over.

His face was grim. He wrapped Ace in his black cloak, wedging him between his left arm and body, and then leaped up. Ace had no time to react and was powerless to resist. He was easily taken away.

Ace did not attempt to activate his mental power, but instead tried his best to control it, preventing its emission. This state of powerlessness made him extremely frustrated.

Arnold did not care about Ace’s psychological state. After a few leaps, he entered a secluded palace within the Royal Palace. This area was shielded by a barrier; ordinary people would subconsciously ignore it and walk away.

Arnold stopped and released his left arm. Ace tumbled awkwardly to the ground.

Dusting off his clothes, Ace stood up.

“I heard you received the blessing of the Son of the Sea, young man,” Arnold said somewhat sternly.

This matter was not hidden, so it was normal for the Medimus Royal Family to know about it, Ace thought.

“Yes, Sir Arnold,” Ace replied respectfully.

“What I must tell you is to be cautious about using the power of the blessing, and do not worship the Son of the Sea. If possible, you should find a way to get rid of the blessing. However, seeing the phenomenon of Pseudo-Authority condensing on your body, I estimate you can’t get rid of it.”

Arnold spoke seriously, still scowling.

“Sir, judging by your words, is there something wrong with the blessing? I still worship the great Goddess of Wisdom. May She guide me.”

Ace saw that Arnold interpreted his promotion to Advanced Wizard Apprentice as a blessing and seized the opportunity to fish for information.

“Mortals cannot judge the Deities, not even Heroes. You only need to remember not to continue using the power of the blessing and to worship the Goddess of Wisdom devoutly. If you can control yourself, you might even become a Pseudo-Hero.”

Arnold finished speaking, then leaped up and vanished in a few bounds.

Ace did not rush into the palace. He quietly pondered Arnold’s words. It seemed the city-state was not unaware of the Son of the Sea‘s actions, and might even know a great deal.

Whether it was deliberate indulgence or a mutual agreement, this might involve a conflict between Deities, which was beyond Ace’s level of comprehension.

Specifically regarding the blessing, it seemed the city-state was well-informed. Perhaps he could try to extract more information from Athena.

As Ace walked into the palace, he saw Athena with expectant eyes, almost twinkling with stars, gazing intently at the palace entrance.

When she saw Ace enter, her gem-red eyes suddenly smiled, curving like the crescent moon. She was still wearing the silver-white skirt armor today, and as she stood up, she coincided perfectly with the sunlight.

Ace looked at her smiling eyes, feeling the morning sun was just right and very bright.

The two walked into the palace one after the other. Everything felt familiar.

Ace took out the ugly-yet-cute Merfolk baby clay figurine and handed it to Athena.

“This is a local specialty I bought at Cimali Port. It’s a gift for you.”

Athena’s smile blossomed like peach blossoms. She happily accepted the ugly Merfolk baby clay figurine.

“This is the first gift I have ever received from a friend, and the first gift from a male who isn’t my father. Haha, this is double the joy.”

Ace listened to Athena’s words with a slight daze. Why did the atmosphere suddenly feel like a certain melodramatic romance? Should I kill the melodramaticists?

“Have you ever heard of White Album?” Ace asked, a thought possessing him.

“No, what is that?” Athena replied curiously, carefully examining the ugly Merfolk baby clay figurine.

“Nothing, just a kind of picture frame,” Ace said, trying to cover it up awkwardly.

“I did hear that you painted a masterpiece in Cimali. It’s a shame I can’t see it,” Athena put the clay figurine away, turned, and moved closer to Ace.

Ace caught the scent of Athena’s natural body odor, and his heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

“A beauty is standing before me. It is the perfect time to create another masterpiece for posterity.”

Thus, Ace spent an entire day painting her portrait in Athena’s palace.

After three consecutive days, Ace finally finished the painting.

The Athena in the oil painting on parchment was both heroic and slightly alluring, possessing the clarity and innocence of a young girl, making the portrait exceptionally vivid.

Athena held the scroll, unable to put it down. After a long while, she put the painting away.

“In two years, when I come of age. I will hold a private art exhibition for you in Medimus City-State, featuring this painting and your other works.”

Ace was somewhat stunned, never expecting Athena to already be thinking two years ahead.

He had been so engrossed in painting for the past few days, eager to record this beautiful moment, that he had forgotten his original purpose.

“Athena, when I was at Cimali Port, I received the blessing of the Son of the Sea. Sir Arnold warned me not to continue using the blessing and not to worship the Son of the Sea. I wanted to ask you, do you know something about this?”

Athena’s expression became somewhat serious. She thought for a moment. “You wait here for me. I cannot explain the details to you, as it involves a Deity.”

She turned and walked into the inner palace. After a moment, she returned holding a badge carved with the mark of the Goddess of Elegance. The badge was connected to a slender gold chain.

Athena placed the badge around Ace’s neck, circled him once, and even sniffed him with her nose.

“This is a badge blessed by the Ancestor God, which has the power to dispel curses and resist transformation. As long as you wear it, you will be fine.”

“I cannot tell you the details. The Deities are the greatest existences, and even a Demigod should not be mentioned casually. Trust me, as long as you continue to wear this badge, the blessing will not only be harmless but will also allow you to maintain your current near-Pseudo-Hero strength.”

Athena looked somewhat triumphant, her expression saying, Go ahead and praise me. She continued, “From a certain perspective, thanks to me, you have hit the jackpot. As a mortal, you have gained strength beyond mortals without harm.”

Ace was somewhat bewildered, but he could sense people’s hearts. Athena truly considered him a good friend and was sincerely helping him.

It was also thanks to this blessing that he could even explain his complete transformation of his soul and body after his promotion to Advanced Wizard Apprentice.

He smiled faintly and said to Athena, “Thank you, my dear friend.”