I will become a hero

The Nasuverse, the Greek Age of Gods.

In Ancient Greece in the twelfth century BC, the Age of Gods had yet to end, and the air was filled with "true ether."

The gods of this era were connected to the "Root" and could easily wield "True Magic" that transcended "magecraft." Miracles were everywhere.

Between Mount Pindus and the Aegean Sea stood Pelion Cave. Outside the cave, at that moment,

Helios, the sun god of Ancient Greek mythology, drove his sun chariot drawn by four fiery horses as usual, watching Nyx, the goddess of night, return from the mortal world to the Underworld while he dispelled the darkness over the land.

With the first rays of sunlight, the great centaur sage Chiron slowly approached.

The sage, renowned for his kindness and wisdom, slowly lowered his head and gazed gently at the boy who had come here alone.

"Child, what brings you here?"

The black-haired, blue-eyed boy raised his head, met the centaur's gaze without fear, and said firmly:

"I came to become a great hero!"

At that, Chiron nodded lightly, then asked with keen interest:

"Child, why do you wish to become a hero?"

Chiron could hardly be blamed for asking so many questions. As a sage and the son of Cronus, the second king of the gods, and the water nymph Philyra, he was also a god himself.

And as a god, he possessed a degree of "Clairvoyance," allowing him to see the paths of others' destinies.

Yet his eyes could not make out this child's fate. The unknown enveloped the boy like a thick fog.

He therefore suspected that a god was protecting this child.

"Why?"

The boy murmured, as though he had never considered the question. He wanted to become a hero simply to become a hero, because once he did, he would surely reach the Throne of Heroes.

"I'm sorry, great centaur sage. I don't know the exact answer to that question. I came simply because I wanted to become a hero."

He spoke apologetically.

He had not lied; he had merely left half of it unsaid. This was the Age of Gods, after all, and a god would detect a lie.

Honesty had to be his guiding principle.

"I see. You simply wish to become a hero. That is all right, child. I believe you will eventually find meaning in becoming one. My name is Chiron, and I will teach you everything I know."

Chiron stroked the boy's hair as he spoke gently.

That very day, Chiron took on a disciple named Thaumas.

Five years later,

Inside Pelion Cave.

Wreathed in drifting clouds, the morning sun appeared mysterious and beautiful. Its warm light shone into the room, lending everything a sense of harmony and quiet.

Thaumas, who had already finished his morning exercises, sat at the table. He wore clothing made from light gauze, its smooth lines and natural folds giving him an elegant, flowing appearance.

These were clothes Chiron had made for his students using techniques from the Age of Gods. Their pure white hue made the wearers shine, while allowing freedom of movement and showing off their well-toned bodies.

Someone as handsome as him would surely possess [Red-Faced Beautiful Boy] once he became a Heroic Spirit.

Still, he had to remember to protect himself. This was Greece, after all.

He calmed himself and turned his attention inward. Within his mind, he saw a monument.

The monument was pitch-black and towering. Before it, his sixteen-year-old body seemed as insignificant as a mayfly.

This was the reason he had come here: a monument recording his "great achievements."

It could bring him to any point in Human History. Wherever humanity had left its footprints, Thaumas could go.

Yes, he did not belong to this era, or even this world. The world itself rejected him.

In fact, this was already his second transmigration. At first, Thaumas had a father who belonged to the "Spiral Hall," a magecraft organization in Huaxia.

He should have had a bright future, but while studying magecraft, he discovered that he seemed completely cut off from the "Thought Foundation" used in Huaxia's magecraft. He could not use "Thought Magecraft" at all.

Not only that, he could not even use the Western "Magecraft Foundation." His newfound father had even tried transplanting a "Magic Crest" into him.

But that, too, had failed. The "Magic Crest" shattered completely the instant it touched him.

They had tried every known method available to them.

His father had truly done everything he could, but Thaumas seemed isolated from the world, rejected by it.

Naturally, learning all this had left him in despair.

He knew very well what kind of world this was.

Being unable to use magecraft meant lacking a "gun" to protect himself. Forget attacking anyone—he could barely keep himself alive.

After all, this was a world of nuclear "peace." Apparently, humanity had no future left by 2016.

He had no idea which timeline this was, either.

In any case, to protect him, his father had paid "tribute" to his superiors, then secretly hidden him away.

There were still risks, but at least no one would be eyeing him apart from madmen and a few minor magi.

His father had already been doing everything in his power to protect him.

He was a thoroughly good father.

Originally, Thaumas should have continued living like that, scraping by. There was no shame in it.

But hadn't he heard that there was always a way out? As long as he wanted to move forward, his cheat was right there in his head.

He did not know what this monument was, but he understood one thing: he should only concern himself with matters appropriate to his level.

As a small fry, all he needed to do was climb higher. Whatever schemes might be involved, he could worry about them after getting stronger.

The weak did not need to ponder grand affairs. He had only just learned that.

Thaumas shook his head, put those distracting thoughts aside, and focused on the monument.

[

Heroic Spirit name: Thaumas

Era: Ancient Greek Age of Gods

Class: Unconfirmed, insufficient aptitude

Alignment: Not yet finalized

Noble Phantasm: None yet

Heroic Spirit rank: E

Heroic Spirit events:

A boy seeking to become a hero overcame hardship and danger, traveled alone to Pelion Cave, successfully became a disciple of the centaur sage Chiron, and met many heroes...

]

With this monument, his soul was almost immortal. Each time his physical body died, his soul would return here, completing his inscription as a Heroic Spirit.

Though this was his first time using it, the monument gave him all the confidence he needed. At least in this Age of Gods, he no longer feared death.

However, to successfully inscribe himself as a Heroic Spirit, his Heroic Spirit rank had to reach at least D, and he had to "die."

That would still be quite a challenge.

But that was all right. He believed he would become a brilliant meteor streaking across the skies of Ancient Greece—a hero.

He would leave his own legend in this world.

And so,

"Teacher Chiron!"

Thaumas excitedly sought out Chiron and declared with enthusiasm:

"Teacher Chiron, let me leave the mountain! I'm going to become a great hero!"

As he spoke, he started walking outside without waiting for an answer.

"Teacher, just you watch! This world will be proud to have me!"

"Bards will vie to sing my tale, and people will remember my heroic figure."

"I will be immortal!"

Before he could finish, the centaur sage caught him by the collar, lifted him effortlessly with his right hand, and said calmly,

"You skipped class with Jason yesterday. He has already told me, and he has received the punishment he deserved."

"As for you, Thaumas, go stand in the corner now, my great hero."

The hero was sentenced to face the wall. This was a battle he could not escape.

There was nothing he could do. He could not win a fight against Chiron.

"Damn it! The great hero's journey has been cut short!"

Thaumas spoke indignantly.

"Perhaps you should instead praise the goddess Hera and be grateful that the goddess of childbirth and marriage did not let you die in the womb."

The centaur sage spoke earnestly.

Damn you, Jason. Sooner or later, the whole world will beat the crap out of you, you blond bastard.

That was what Thaumas thought as he stood in punishment.

P.S. Some expressions will follow Chinese usage. They may feel a little out of place in Ancient Greece, but this is a Chinese-language book, after all, so I'll lean that way.

This leans more toward mythology than the Nasuverse. Strict canon fans should steer clear.

I'm a trash author. I just want to write something for myself, then get it monetized and scrape together a perfect-attendance bonus.

You'd better read the monetization author's note, or you'll regret it.