Chapter 71. Time to Say Goodbye
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"I will come back! You must wait for me!" shouted Cyd toward the palace, carrying the Reforged Pandora on his back.
Unfortunately, Hephaestus still gave him no response.
"Next," Cyd clenched his fists, "I need to say goodbye to my teacher."
After all, this time he was going to deal with Chiron's father...
Cyd whistled toward the sky, and soon, a winged Pegasus descended before him.
"Sorry to trouble you again," Cyd patted the white horse's head before swiftly mounting it.
The white horse shook its head, and with a flash of its wings, soared into the clouds with a gust of wind.
"I'll wait for you."
…
Pelion Cave.
"He's almost here."
"Yes, I know."
"Are you alright?"
"I'll pretend to be alright. You should leave now."
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"Boom--"
A massive roar echoed at the cave entrance, accompanied by Cyd's voice.
"Teacher? Teacher, are you there?"
"I'll handle this. You hide inside," Chiron stood up and slowly walked toward the entrance.
"Teacher?" Cyd, who had jumped off the white horse, looked at Chiron in confusion. His instincts told him something was wrong.
"What's wrong? Why do you look so anxious?" Chiron smiled gently as usual.
Great, it was his usual teacher.
Cyd sighed in relief, then his expression turned conflicted.
How should he say it?
"I already know," seeing Cyd's hesitation, Chiron helplessly shook his head and reached out to ruffle Cyd's hair. "Go ahead and do it."
"Teacher, is there something wrong with your body?" Cyd squinted his eyes, and the crystal representing Hermes on his left wrist lit up.
"Teacher, I'm immortal," Chiron lightly knocked on Cyd's head.
"Teacher, your hands are sometimes cold, sometimes hot. Something must be wrong," Cyd was unwilling, but Chiron firmly held his head.
"It's nothing. I feel perfectly fine now," Chiron patted Cyd's head.
Cyd glanced at his left wrist. The blessing was functioning well, and his teacher wasn't lying, but for some reason, he felt empty inside. His teacher also gave him the impression of someone who could disappear at any moment.
But the blessing wouldn't lie, and his teacher had no reason to lie. Everything should be fine...
"Teacher, for the next few years, don't hang around with those centaurs. They're so reckless that something is bound to happen. If you get caught up in it, I'll be very sad," Cyd advised, just in case.
Chiron paused, then showed a smile that Cyd couldn't understand—was it bitter or relieved? But an ominous feeling spread in Cyd's heart.
"Teacher won't really be in trouble, right?"
"Well, that's common enough. It's not the first time anyway. But do I look like I'm in trouble? Plus, I'm immortal," Chiron said, rolling up his sleeve to show his strong muscles.
No lies...
But why the unease?
Cyd scratched his head. The time when Heracles accidentally injured Chiron should still be a while off. Even if his presence had altered the timeline, it couldn't be this coincidental, right?
"It's fine," Chiron gently smoothed Cyd's messy white hair. "The person who truly needs to be worried about now is you. The place you're going next is a real hell, and you're going alone."
"It's fine, teacher. I seem to be immortal now," Cyd pointed to his bracer. "I can outlast the opponent if I have to."
"So that's his plan," Chiron shook his head and tapped Cyd's forehead with his finger. "By the way, you've become quite the hero."
"Maybe," Cyd scratched the back of his head and laughed foolishly.
"Ah, that's wonderful," Chiron smiled with satisfaction. "Speaking of which, I haven't given you a graduation gift yet."
"Well, teacher, I haven't paid you any tuition either," Cyd shook his head.
"No, you have made me very satisfied. For a teacher, a successful student is the best reward. But even when a student has gone far, a teacher can't help but worry," Chiron opened his arms and hugged Cyd. "Especially when the student is about to do something dangerous. This is my gift to you."
Cyd blinked. He felt something flow into his body, and the sense of unease grew stronger.
"Teacher, what did you give me?"
"Something I no longer need," Chiron placed Cyd on the white horse.
No lies! But it still feels so strange!
"Take care of him," Chiron patted the white horse's head, then gave its rear a heavy slap.
The white horse neighed, spreading its wings.
"Wait! Teacher, I still..." Cyd reached out to Chiron.
"I'm proud to have a student like you."
Chiron smiled and took a few steps back.
Before Cyd could finish, the white horse had already flown into the sky, his voice drowned out by the roar, but Chiron still saw his mouth's movements.
Wait for me!
"I didn't lie," after Cyd left, Chiron's face turned pale. "I really do feel fine."
Chiron then collapsed to the side.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, teacher...
"You shouldn't have dragged this out for so long!" A hand caught Chiron before he fell.
"Couldn't help it. Even knowing he's grown up, I still can't stop worrying. It's probably my flaw," Chiron's trembling hand lifted, and dots of light began to seep from his body. "Do you think I was too cautious, Prometheus?"
"I shouldn't have let him come to you," Prometheus held Chiron's hand, and Chiron's body, which had been becoming transparent, solidified again. "Then you..."
"I would still end up like this," Chiron panted, clutching his chest. "Meeting him was wonderful."
"I'm sorry you have to endure this pain for so long," Prometheus turned his head away, filled with regret. "Hate me, Chiron. Everything started because of me. Heracles' accidental injury, Cyd coming to you, your inability to be freed—it's all my fault."
"What are you saying?" Chiron looked at the sky and smiled. Despite the severe pain making his body tremble uncontrollably, he continued to smile happily. "I'm very glad... that I can still help my student until the end."
"But you'll have to endure this pain for a long time," Prometheus clenched his fists.
"It's fine. After all, I suggested it. And..." Chiron chuckled, "if a bit of pain and this broken body can secure his future, isn't that a good deal? You should understand."
"Yes," Prometheus sighed deeply. He had no regrets being bound on the mountain, having his liver eaten daily for the future of humanity, and now Chiron's expression mirrored his own from back then.
Enduring every moment of agony for the safe return of his student.
But he had been released. Zeus had permitted it. However...
"But when will you finally be free?"
"That doesn't matter."
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A/N:
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