At night, Chiron smiled as he tasted the roasted whole pig prepared by his students.
Though the flavor was a bit rustic, it was the fruit of his students’ hard work, so what reason did he have to refuse?
Asterios sat cross-legged to the side, not joining the chatter of his juniors.
Although there was no wine, they were raising their cups and drinking the beverages Chiron had brought back.
Such a scene was enough for Asterios to remember for a lifetime.
“Asterios, you sit here watching them talk but don’t join in.
Don’t you feel lonely?” Chiron came to his side and lay down on all four hooves.
He asked his son why he was sitting there, worried that his son might be closing off his heart.
Although he hadn’t felt this way during previous training, Chiron was still concerned about his inner state.
“Not at all.
I watch their behavior and listen to their words.
If something is amiss, I can stop it; if I feel inspired, I can join in.” Just as Asterios finished speaking, he set down the wooden plate in his hand.
Pollux had already run over to pull him up and lead him to the fire to dance.
While pulling Asterios toward the fire, Pollux also pulled up the sitting Castor.
Asterios, in turn, pulled Asclepius, who then pulled Meleager.
They all pulled each other up until finally, Peleus pulled Jason up as well.
The group began to dance around the bonfire.
Those who weren’t pulled up clapped and kept the beat from the side.
Chiron rose to get his lyre and began to play an accompaniment for everyone.
Asterios and the others reveled around the bonfire, shouting and dancing with great joy.
At first, Jason thought it was a bit foolish.
How could he dance such a crude dance?
The setting suited for him should be in a court, dancing elegantly with noble ladies and princesses, enjoying the grace of the music.
But as he danced, he became completely immersed.
His learning ability was not bad; with a period of careful observation, he could learn the gestures and steps of those around him.
Finally, he gave up thinking and thoroughly integrated into the revelry, shouting and swinging his body to his heart’s content.
Under Asterios’s leadership, it was easy for them to bring Jason into their atmosphere.
Although his habit of being sharp-tongued probably wouldn’t change for a lifetime, everyone acknowledged that he was indeed a man of dignity and ability, and they were willing to accept him as one of their own.
When everyone was tired from playing, they lay down right there to rest and sleep.
Asterios added more combustible firewood to the fire and then covered them each with blankets.
Once all this was done, Asterios found a place to sit down again and began to meditate.
Before long, he heard that person’s voice.
Ten days had passed since their last communication.
Asterios entered a meditative state again specifically to converse with this mentor he had never met.
“I saw that young girl in the woods today.
She’s very cute and lively.
It’s a different kind of cuteness from Pollux.
Looking back now, the feeling then was indeed different from usual.” Asterios told his story to that person, who laughed softly after hearing it.
He asked in return if it was because the girl had touched Asterios differently during the day, causing him to feel emotions unlike those he felt for others.
[The Goddess of War is as steady as a mother or an elder sister to you; your feelings for her are not to be spoken of.
The Goddess of Love is like the water in a stream to you; you watch her drift away but do not wish to grasp her in your hand.
Asterios, all people experience various emotions, and now that you have gained a new realization, I am happy for you.] He easily saw through Asterios’s inner thoughts, making Asterios blush.
Seeing this scene, the distant mentor felt even more that the youth was endearing.
“In other words…
for that girl, I have…
what is called…
love?” Asterios stammered out these words.
He hoped for a response, but the person’s answer was very simple.
[That is something you must ask yourself.] Such was the person’s response.
Then, Asterios focused his mind on his soul, and his soul broke free from his physical body.
This was his first time doing so, yet it went very smoothly.
Seeing him do this, the person guided him to his side.
The two met for the first time in the mental world, the ocean of the Great Source.
This was the first time Asterios had seen this mentor of his.
With just one look, Asterios understood what it meant to have a majestic and solemn appearance.
“This is our first meeting; it truly surprises me.
At your age, you already possess such power.
You can even transcend the bonds of the flesh to come before me.
Asterios, you make me feel delighted.” Asterios bowed to him.
The two had known each other for years, but previously it had only been verbal communication; now, it was a true meeting between soul and soul.
“As I develop my own abilities, I have gradually been able to grasp more skills and develop my own strength.
My fists can shatter rocks, and my feet can leap into the air.
My power is something this group of people cannot understand.
But, I am still human.” The Awakened One smiled and said he understood Asterios’s troubles, but unfortunately, this was something others could not help him with.
Because actions have consequences—unless one does nothing, then nothing will be produced, but what would be the point of that?
“I was a nobleman of the Kshatriya, educated as a Brahmin.
I experienced all the pleasures and sufferings of the world before renouncing my royal life to seek the truth of enlightenment.
After that, I practiced austerities for years and underwent infinite temptations before reaching the end.
Asterios, why should you, who are still so young, seek the end so early?” In the eyes of The Awakened One, Asterios was showing an inexplicable impatience.
Even The Awakened One did not understand why he had such feelings, but he believed that with time, Asterios would eventually reach enlightenment on his own without needing him to do anything more.
Just chatting was enough.
For now, Asterios’s troubles were indeed quite simple.
He didn’t understand why he had such great power.
The supernatural abilities he was gradually developing were indeed very useful and brought much convenience to his life.
But he didn’t think that the power to tear through rocks and shatter the earth was of any use to him.
Was such power within his body meant for him to do something?
To save the world, or to rule it?
He didn’t understand.
Just then, a blue, majestic, yet inwardly violent concept entered this ocean of the Great Source.
“Have you chatted enough?
If I hadn’t come, were you going to bring him to me to enlighten him and tell him what the divinity of your region is like?” This solemn voice spoke words of teasing and dissatisfaction.
The Awakened One smiled calmly and replied “As you wish,” then disappeared from this space.