Medea

Hecate, the goddess of crossroads and magic, is a unique figure in Greek mythology, being one of the rare unmarried goddesses.

She is exceptional for two reasons: firstly, she doesn't belong to either the Underworld or the heavens.

She exists independently but can move freely between realms.

Secondly, her powers are significant.

Hecate represents the element of chance in fate.

Her presence adds a touch of unpredictability to the otherwise predetermined course of events.

Simply put, like the three Fates, she too holds sway over destiny, controlling opportunities and coincidences.

This is why, upon first seeing Promise, Hecate's disdain was apparent.

Goodness, four threads of destiny intertwined with goddesses, each formidable in their own right—this boy certainly had guts!

Moreover, because of Demeter, Promise was burdened with countless destinies.

A goddess dedicated to her research and seclusion, Hecate considered it merciful not to kick this bundle of trouble away and instead completed her task diligently.

At the same time, she also knew that to avoid entangling herself with the troublesome Promise, she needed to keep a close eye on her student—Medea!

Although their meeting was fated, if it occurred at the Golden Fleece journey's end, it wouldn't involve her.

But if it happened sooner...

Inside Hecate's temple:

"Um, teacher?"

Young Medea, with her head adorably tilted, looked quizzically at Hecate, who lay on a chair with a 'tired of life' expression.

Meanwhile, Promise, who followed, was puzzled by the silver chain on his left hand.

He discovered the chain, meant to seal divine power, was still there.

Though it could seal divine power, he could ignore it as he had only a trace of magic, painstakingly accumulated by eating golden apples.

As Promise tugged at the chain, producing a crisp sound, Hecate, hearing it, turned to look at him, noticing the chain in his hand.

One glance revealed its nature, causing her red eyes to widen as she sprang up.

"Wait, what is that on your hand... No, were you imprisoned by a goddess, and I accidentally rescued you?"

"Uh... thank you, beautiful Hecate," Promise said with a radiant smile, to which Medea, listening, blinked in surprise.

"... Don't tell me, the goddess who imprisoned you is Hera's troublesome daughter, Hephaestus!"

Hecate had secretly observed that scandalous event, where Hephaestus, exhausted, imprisoned a powerless, weeping Hera.

No god dared mention it afterward.

"Hecate, you're amazing," Promise praised, not sparing any compliments.

Indeed, she had managed to bring Promise out despite the gods' inability to break the chain.

Although it was mainly exploiting a loophole and Hephaestus's exhaustion, it was impressive.

However, Hecate's expression showed no joy from the praise.

Her face nearly betrayed her emotions.

She considered taking her staff and sending Promise back like a golf ball.

Seeing Promise still bound by the chain, merely transported, Hecate knew Hephaestus could easily recall him by cracking the spell.

Even if she couldn't, bringing the remaining half near Promise would rebind him.

"Wait, aren't you Hera's loyal follower, and she favors you so much... You've got guts!"

"No wonder Hephaestus imprisoned you..."

Hecate, feeling emotional about this, suddenly thought of the trial in the underworld.

She glanced at Medea who was blinking curiously and listening beside her, and suddenly she felt that the world was dark again.

She really didn't want to get involved with such a troublesome guy!

Promise found Hecate's expressive nature amusing.

He have seen so many goddesses so far, but none of them were like the goddess in front of him, who was free from the burden of being a goddess.

The expressions on her face were so rich.

"Forget it, never mind. The worst that can happen is that after I send you two away, I will close the temple and keep it for hundreds of years before I can go out again!" Hecate finally made up her mind and cheered herself up again...with a firm resolve—let things be as they may!

Then she looked at Medea beside her and said, "Medea, you've always wanted to see him, right? Now that you've seen him, why don't you go over and say hello to him?"

"Huh?" The latter looked at Hecate in confusion.

"Remember the spectacle I showed you that night, the painting in the night sky."

Medea remembered everything instantly after hearing the words as if she understood something.

She looked at the teacher with wide eyes, then tilted her head to look at Promise in great surprise.

"Yes, he's the one who painted it..."

Hecate then looked at Promise, "She's my student, Medea. Do you know her?"

Promise thought for a moment and then nodded honestly.

Not only did he know Medea, but he knew her very well.

"Good, since you know each other that makes it easier. I'll leave her to you. You two can handle things yourselves,"

After saying this, Hecate got up and left.

And what she said before she left made Medea blush.

After all, entrusting herself over to Promise or something...what nonsense was the teacher talking about?

Left alone, Promise and Medea naturally met each other's gaze.

Medea, looking at the handsome young man with clear green eyes, recalled he was the one who had created that painting under the night sky and her ears turned bright red.

She was so nervous that she couldn't speak for a while.

When she finally calmed down, she bowed her head and said in a flustered voice, "Um Um I-I'm very sorry! My teacher, she... she's not usually like this."

Medea was so nervous that she was incoherent and didn't know what to say for a moment.

But Hecate was not like this on weekdays.

She speaks very little, and it usually takes a long time for her to go out and meet Medea to guide her with the doubts she has accumulated in her studies.

Seeing her so flustered, Promise couldn't help but laugh.

Even though Medea would become the witch who betrayed her family and killed her brother and children, he knew that right now, she was just a pure, lovable girl.

"It's fine. This isn't my first time meeting Hecate... Oh, by the way, my name is Promise, and I am a student of the centaur sage Chiron," he said, initiating a conversation with Medea, his gentle voice and warm smile gradually easing her nerves.

As Promise learned that Medea had been in the temple for years, rarely going out and having no one to talk to, he sensed her curiosity and longing for the outside world.

So he started sharing his own experiences, telling her how he was persecuted on Mount Chiron and now sought revenge.

He also told Medea about his quest for the Golden Fleece, under the witness of Queen Hera.

Medea was clearly surprised, wanting to say something but holding back.

Promise didn't press her.

When Hecate asked Promise if he knew Medea, he realized the goddess knew about the Golden Fleece and probably everything else, explaining her initial reaction.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, half a day had gone by.

It was likely the happiest time Medea had ever had during her stay at the temple.

Once she relaxed, she even complained to Promise about her teacher's neglect and laissez-faire attitude.

The difference between her and the reliable Centaur sage Chiron was just too big.

Half a day later, Hecate returned and took Promise away.

Giving her student half a day was the best she could do, as Hades and Persephone were still waiting for Promise.

"Goodbye, Medea. See you next time."

"Yes... see you next time, Promise!" Medea replied earnestly.

Hecate watched this but said nothing.

On the way to Hades, she couldn't help but tell Promise, "You troublesome little fellow, stay away from my student!"

"... Goddess Hecate, what do you want me to do?"

"Don't ask me," the goddess couldn't help showing a depressed look after hearing this as she said: "I don't know either... Your future is a mess, and I can't figure it out.

It's a wonder that the three goddesses of fate are so kind that they hadn't beaten you to death."

Hearing this, Promise suddenly remembered something.

The White Court trial and the resurrection of those people had exhausted the three goddesses of fate, so what about the matter of goddess Demeter this time...

"By the way, esteemed Hecate, do you know what the three goddesses of fate like?"

He had a feeling that when he saw Clotho again, she'd be furious and might even throw a crystal ball at him...

Oh no, he was actually looking forward to it!