No other way for Athena

A pleasant, beautiful, and natural melody is sounding in the forest, somewhat like the rustling sound of the wind blowing in the woods and also somewhat like the murmuring of spring water falling on the rocks.

And Nymphs in the forest, forest Nymphs, while hiding but not really trying to hide, are curiously watching Jason riding a white Pegasus and traveling through the forest.

Wearing white as snow clothes, blonde and emerald-eyed Jason is riding the Pegasus, who is walking on the ground while restraining his wings, is obviously deeply attracting the attention of Nymphs in the forest.

Especially because, to them, Jason looks like a delicious prince who is very innocent, pure, and unsullied by anyone, so they became even more excited.

After all, in this era, it is not only beautiful women who face dangers in this aspect, handsome and beautiful men also have to face the same situation.

As a matter of fact, to be more precise, every beautiful existence faces these kinds of dangerous situations, even animals and monsters.

So the whispers of forest Nymphs are continuously ringing in Jason's ears.

A few Nymphs are even deliberately showing their beautiful figure within Jason's line of sight, clearly intending to attract the attention of the teenager, and some daring ones are even using their powers for it.

Although Jason is not someone controlled by his s**ual desire, how could Jason, who is maintaining a calm and straight expression, be completely unattracted to them.

However, in the first place, Jason is traveling on the land and not flying through the sky, even after riding the Pegasus, only because he is planning on meeting a certain someone, and he knows that it won't be appreciated by the one he wants to meet if he gave in to such a small temptation.

And indeed, it is just a small temptation for Jason, after all, in his words: 'Since I have become Hecate's student, all the females I have met are almost all goddesses or princesses; and although I was small at that time and with great difficulty, I have somehow even managed to fall asleep while being tightly hugged Demeter.'

Still, during the whole day's trip, Jason was not alone because forest Nymphs accompanied him wherever he went.

It was only at late night that Jason stopped traveling.

Although Jason doesn't need to sleep, Pegasus indicated that he is tired and wants to rest, and doesn't want to work as a tireless donkey; furthermore, Jason also isn't in hurry, for now, so he agreed.

But, just at this moment, a trail suddenly appeared in front of him.

At the end of the short trail, there was a small family hut.

So, Jason immediately turned Pegasus around with a blank expression on his face and urged Pegasus to leave quickly.

'Are you kidding me, this is an ancient forest, those forest Nymphs live here because either they are strong enough to do so or have corresponding powers, so how could this house be inhabited by someone simple!'

After all, although Jason is indeed planning on meeting someone, he isn't sure who this is.

"Come over."

But just then, a delightful voice suddenly sounded in Jason's mind.

Obviously, this time, the other party isn't planning on being polite or following any mysterious script, rather has decided to be straightforward.

After all, each failure makes one wiser, let alone she has failed twice in a row.

So, after hearing this familiar, but not so familiar voice, Jason put down his guard, got off the Pegasus, and led him into the trail.

And just when Jason walked in, the trail immediately disappeared and turned into trees, plants, and grass.

At this moment, from the inside, not only the way back for Jason is cut off, even this whole area inside is covered with divine power so that no one could peep inside.

Mainly, to not let Jason escape like the previous times.

And also so that even if something does happen tonight, Jason might shout till becoming mute but no one will answer.

After entering, Jason hasn't walked for too long, and he saw the goddess sitting under the moonlight waiting for him outside the illuminated wooden hut.

With bright moonlight shining on the waist-length silver hair, Jason immediately confirmed that this is indeed the Goddess he wanted to and was expecting to meet.

After all, she is naturally the Goddess wearing a long white dress with silver hair and golden eyes, Goddess of Wisdom, Athena.

Athena looked at Jason in front of her with a slight smile on her face, but said with a look clearly not matching the smile on her face: "It seems like, this time, it was finally smooth."

'So annoying and vexing!'

Because such a smooth operation is actually the result of Athena making compromises.

But on the other side, Jason is actually surprised because he was originally thinking that he would at least be involved in a few incidents especially selected or prepared by Athena, before being allowed to meet her.

"The noble Goddess of Wisdom, Goddess Athena, it is an honor to meet you."

"Okay, we haven't seen each other only for a while, why are you acting so jerky, like we haven't met before? Come here and sit down."

After all, three years is indeed nothing more than a short while for the gods.

So Jason let go of Pegasus, who tactfully went to eat grass on the side, and walked to sit in front of Athena.

"Well... you have really grown up a lot."

Athena, who was sitting on a higher seat, after carefully observing Jason for a few moments, reached out and touched his head.

Among the twelve Olympians, if Demeter and Hera are left aside as two opposite extreme cases, there are actually two more Gods who are paying special attention to Jason.

Hestia, the Goddess of Hearth, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom.

After all, soon after Athena has directly met Jason for the first time, she has clearly expressed to Hecate that she wants him.

So, as a matter of fact, it wasn't by any accident that Athena has chosen white color for the clothes she has knitted for Jason.

Because every God can recognize the clothes she has weaved using her divine power, white color similar to her own clothes as well as a somewhat similar design is a disguised way of showing that Jason belongs to her.

"Why did you suddenly come out?" Athena asked: "Don't you know how dangerous it will be for you now?"

"That...it's not sudden." Jason hesitated for a while, then said helplessly: "I was thrown out."

"Thrown out?... Let's not talk about Hecate, did you graduate in your studies from Chiron?" Athena asked while being slightly stunned.

"Well... sort of." Jason thought about it and then explained to Athena how he was managing the studies on both sides by never sleeping in the last three years.

"Three years without sleep, you are constantly going in and out of the underworld to learn... Should I say that you are proving yourself to be worthy of being my favorite?" Athena again touched Jason's head with a smile.

"But, such being the case... you should first go to Calydon and deal with the wild boar, then go and meet Hephaestus."

Athena thought for a while, then added: "I will ask Hephaestus to help you forge an artifact that will not allow Hera to find or recognize you."

"But in return, you need to find the materials needed for the artifact yourself, and I will shelter you during that time... but only for a week. "

"Simply speaking, in a week, you need to reach Calydon and deal with the wild boar left there by Artemis, then rush to Hephaestus to continue being sheltered from Hera."

Athena, who has quickly sorted out a plan in her mind, smiled and said to Jason: "And I will pledge to Styx."

"When you have done all this and obtained that artifact, I promise to devise a plan for you to attain divine fire and use it to become a God! "

Jason wasn't needed to explain anything, Athena had already guessed what he was originally planning for this trip, and obviously, also where he is currently going.

"...I understood, Goddess Athena."

After a brief silence, Jason complied with Athena's conditions.

Because as early as three years ago, Jason had already made plans regarding this.

After recognizing the fact that now it is impossible to avoid having contact with the gods, Jason has decided to focus on Athena among the many gods.

Because, Jason has concluded that for a mortal, with the exception of Zeus and Hera, apparently, it would be easiest to obtain divine flame and become a god through Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom.

After all, from both mythological stories and legends in this world, Jason has learned Athena will fulfill most of the wishes of the heroes she favors.

The only condition is that the person must successfully complete the task designed by Athena by following her directions or by doing something equivalent.

So, Jason understood that for getting Athena's help, he doesn't at all need to come forward and make too many plans, he only needs to complete the task she has designed for him and get his wishes fulfilled as the corresponding rewards.

"Then now, you... oh yes, I suddenly remembered that there is one thing I didn't get to ask you."

Just when Athena was satisfied with Jason's answer and was about to say something, she paused slightly and again observed Jason, then asked: "Why did you choose Hecate instead of Hera?"

Athena is indeed curious about this.

Because from her point of view, choosing Hera is obviously a more rational choice; therefore even though she is happy with Jason daring to follow his desires, she still wants to know the reason.

Obviously, if it was Hestia here in place of Athena, due to Hestia being herself, she could have easily guessed the reason and would not have asked this question.

"Because Goddess Hecate is my teacher, and although she has been acting a little... unworldly, in various ways, she has actually done a lot for me."

Jason has no intention of hiding this, and he also doesn't need to hide it, so he said: "And the most important thing is, at that time... Teacher Hecate came to me, even after knowing about every trouble she will be facing because of it."

Jason has frankly admitted to Hecate when he met her that night.

And if Hecate had not come to see him, he would have indeed chosen the wisest choice.

But since Jason knows that Hecate is willing to do so much for him, although not the wisest and easiest from his point of view, he believes there was only one right choice for him.

So, although Athena doesn't know anything about the three paths seen by Hecate, she still understands that Jason's choice will indeed bring trouble for him.

Athena also knows that Jason is well aware of this fact but he still made this choice just because Jason believes that it is the right thing to do.

And it is because of this Athena really liked this answer, after all, as a goddess who loves watching heroic struggle and journey, so much so she also has the title of Goddess of Heroic Endeavour, how can she not know that, although not all always, just what kind of acts most of the heroes do during their journey.

So, watching her currently favorite hero setting off on a heroic journey and struggling because of such a pure reason is indeed very attractive and exciting for Athena, because she believes that with such a start it might just be possible for Jason to go through an ideal heroic adventure, something Athena has always desired for.

Therefore, when Athena heard this answer, after quietly looking at Jason in front of her for a long while, she put her chin on her hand and sighed sadly.

"Yeah, what to do, I more and more want to snatch you away now?"

"Or... now that Hecate can't easily come here, I should just make you swear in the name of every god that from now on you will only be my believer?"