Chapter 203: The Bard's Apprentice

Time passed by the minute.

After eating two packs of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, it was already afternoon.

The crowd at the marketplace had thinned considerably.

Leaning against a wall by the street, Ino was trying to weave a wreath from olive branches, following the design of the Woodland Elf King Thranduil's crown from memory.

He had been sitting there for hours, and in that time, Helena had only sold one bunch of fresh olive branches, which she had bartered for a loaf of bread.

It was hard to imagine how this child survived on a loaf of bread a day.

So, he tried weaving as well, hoping that a new wreath design could provide Helena with a skill to make a living.

...

Athens, as a seaside city.

Every afternoon, one could feel the gentle caress of the Aegean Sea, as the warm and humid sea breeze poetically brushed by.

The soft sea breeze seemed to carry the songs of mermaids, mesmerizing those who listened.

After completing his third experimental wreath, Ino put down the olive branches, realizing that he likely had no talent for weaving.

Helena looked at the awkward wreaths on the ground, a slight smile curving her lips, but it quickly faded.

The market was about to close, which meant departure and solitude once again for her.

Unlike Helena's emotional turmoil, Ino was planning the itinerary for this journey.

Greek mythology stories were something he fundamentally did not want to get involved in, given the unreasonable and often capricious nature of the gods on Mount Olympus.

These whims often resulted in innocent people suffering. Obvious examples included the famous Trojan War and the tragedy of Medusa.

The Trojan War's tragedy stemmed merely from the jealousy among three goddesses.

Medusa's fate was even worse; she was violated by Poseidon simply for being beautiful, and because it happened in Athena's temple, Poseidon was unscathed while the victimized girl was cursed into the terrifying Medusa.

In the face of such an absurd world, anyone would be wary of rash actions. In Greek mythology, those without background or support often ended in tragedy.

Ino had decided to live and return quietly, without deliberately seeking gains; the extra time gained was already the greatest reward.

Of course, if an opportunity presented itself, he would participate in some ordinary little stories, but he would avoid anything involving gods or heroes.

After all, in a bard's view, a story is just a story, differing only in length, not in value.

A short Aesop fable of a few dozen words could sometimes change a person's life; likewise, a lengthy epic might be forgotten as soon as it was heard, carrying no significance.

While Ino was lost in thought, the shadow cast by the sundial in the market center had shifted.

With a few distant horn calls, all the vendors began packing up their wares in an orderly fashion.

Helena was no exception. She spread out her small hands, rolled up the linen cloth on the ground, bundled it up, and slung it over her shoulder with practiced ease that tugged at the heart.

"I have to leave! The city of Athens doesn't allow vagrants to stay overnight; we have to leave when the time comes."

After packing her belongings, Helena looked up, her tone full of disappointment, but her violet eyes held a hint of hope.

Ino did not respond immediately because the scene before him reminded him of five years ago, a familiar tone and familiar expression...

Perhaps, what his teacher Hans saw back then was just like this moment.

"If you're willing, you can become my apprentice! Learn the skills of a bard, and at least you won't starve in the future."

After five years, Ino spoke the same words he once heard.

...

Outside Athens.

Ino, carrying his belongings and leaning on a rowan wood staff, followed Helena along a rugged path.

This path led to Mount Hymettus, east of Athens.

Known for its honey and medicinal herbs, Mount Hymettus was covered with various wildflowers, their faint fragrance mingling with the evening birds' calls, perfectly illustrating the phrase "birds sing and flowers bloom."

Before nightfall, guided by Helena, Ino arrived at a hidden small valley.

"Ino, this is where I live! Now it's yours too." Helena turned, smiling brightly.

"You should call me teacher!"

Ino looked helplessly at the girl in front of him, who refused to change how she addressed him no matter what he said.

However, he was still moved by Helena's trust.

Honestly, if their roles were reversed, he probably wouldn't have brought a stranger who had given him a few candies home.

"Do you live here?" Ino asked as he looked around.

The entire valley lacked a proper shelter from the wind and rain; even at his worst, he had at least had a bridge over the Thames.

"Look over there!" Helena grinned proudly, pointing to a few tall olive trees not far away.

Following Helena's direction, Ino saw a small treehouse in his view.

It was more like an enlarged bird's nest perched among the branches, with a small rain shelter as the only distinguishing feature.

The shabby little shack contrasted sharply with Helena's pure and proud smile.

Ino remained silent for a moment, then took out his wand.

"Helena, I have a gift for you."

Under Helena's astonished gaze, something magical happened.

Under the olive tree, large ice columns began to form on the ground, and as these columns solidified, more ice spread out.

In just a dozen seconds, a two-story ice house stood there.

"Transfigure!" Ino waved his wand again, focusing entirely on casting the Transfiguration Spell.

In Helena's figure, he saw his former self.

Without the miracle of the Sanctuary, he might have died young in the orphanage, or if he had managed to reach 16, he would have found a menial job and lived an ordinary life in London.

Hogwarts and magic would have been like two parallel worlds.

At this moment, Ino truly wanted to pass on this miracle, hoping that this little house could become Helena's miracle too.

With strong conviction, he cast the Transfiguration Spell, and the ice house emitted a dazzling white light.

In a few seconds, when the light faded, a house of pure white marble appeared.

Seeing this, Helena jumped up with joy.

"You still say you're not a temple priest!"