From that day on, Salomon received personal instruction from the Sorcerer Supreme every day. While other Kamar-Taj sorcerers could also ask the Venerable One questions if they had doubts, everyone's knowledge was different.
The spells in the Book of Vishanti alone were enough for them to practice their entire lives. However, Salomon not only had to learn the magic from the Book of Vishanti but also had to witness the truth of the Dark Dimension.
The Sorcerer Supreme, deeply aware of the Dark Dimension's horror, was extremely cautious when guiding Salomon. Whenever Salomon could not endure the whispers or was discovered by Dormammu, the Venerable One would promptly pull Salomon's astral form back.
Therefore, Salomon's external manifestation was merely a pale complexion; his body did not exhibit the flesh crystallization phenomenon that occurs when immersed in the Dark Dimension.
But even such lessons greatly burdened Salomon. His lack of spirit prevented him from casting more magic. Only the Sorcerer Supreme, who could justifiably and forcefully plunder the Dark Dimension's magic, existed in the entire Universe; Salomon was still too naive.
Until one day, the Sorcerer Supreme suspended Salomon's lessons in exploring the dark space.
"You need to visit someone, or rather, a god," the Venerable One said, pointing to the chubby snake on Salomon's table. "She has already helped you; now, you should go listen to what conditions she has."
Salomon's face showed worry. In Greek mythology, Athena was not known for her good temper. Salomon remembered the story of Arachne turning into a spider very clearly; no deity in charge of law and order was easy to deal with.
Although Athena was not a true god in charge of divine authority as in the Toril Universe, her ability to possess this divine name meant she had such a personality.
As if discerning Salomon's concern, the Venerable One said in a gentle tone, "The reason I can tolerate Athena's return to Earth is precisely because she can abide by the order I have established. I will absolutely not tolerate anyone who revives the divine era on Earth, even Zeus. Go with confidence; I think this time she must have a request for you, and you can try to get some benefits in return."
"A request for me?" Salomon looked up in surprise; he could not imagine a Greek deity having a request for a small sorcerer.
But the Sorcerer Supreme did not see it that way. She said, "Do not belittle yourself, Salomon; you are very special. She must have seen your talent at the British Museum, which is why she helped a human. Go, do not waste time, bring a gift. This snake will guide you."
According to the Sorcerer Supreme, the current Athena went by her Roman mythology name, Minerva. She had also written a book called 'The Hero's Journey,' which detailed various connections between fact and myth, though its sales were not ideal.
To find her, one had to go to Athena Mountain in New York, where she had opened an orphanage.
Salomon's heart, which had been hanging, finally settled because he remembered the reputation of the Sorcerer Supreme—a reputation not built by Vishanti but earned by the Sorcerer Supreme herself.
According to the Sorcerer Supreme, the Greek pantheon was one of the most restless pantheons on Earth at the time. They were also involved with a race called the Eternals, whom they used to represent the Greek gods on Earth.
Although Salomon was not clear about the specific events, he believed that since there were no Eternals and other Greek gods on Earth now, and considering the time of the Sorcerer Supreme's rise, he could roughly guess a little.
He thought back to when the Venerable One emerged, using her variant Raggadorr's Ring to slay countless extra-planar beings who sought to enter Earth. Salomon believed that the so-called gods on Earth were no exception.
The Sorcerer Supreme was the strongest sorcerer in the Multiverse, and he now had full confidence in his teacher.
When Salomon emerged from a secluded alley, he found himself on a New York street.
He put the chubby white snake into his sleeve. Although the cold, scaly feeling wrapped around his arm made him somewhat uncomfortable, he endured it because the Venerable One had clearly indicated that this pet would be his key to finding Athena.
He felt that under his sleeve, the chubby little one also became restless, darting its head here and flicking its tongue there, before finally determining the direction.
"Are you sure it's there? Is the direction your head is facing a straight line?" Salomon asked, looking into the little one's round eyes, and then Salomon saw an expression of contempt in a snake's eyes.
Salomon said helplessly, "Little one, I do not have Parseltongue, nor am I a druid, nor do I know those nature spells. I completely do not understand what you are saying. I think shaking and nodding your head will solve the problem, right?"
Many people on the street were drawn to Salomon's attention, entirely because he was wearing a very striking red sorcerer's robe, and the silver chain buckles made the garment appear quite expensive, drawing even more attention. What was more noticeable was that a snake was tightly wrapped around his arm, making passersby want to avoid him.
But Salomon was completely oblivious; his attention was entirely on the little one. This snake, like an arrow pointing on a screen in a game, guided Salomon to his destination.
Salomon stood before the door of a white apartment, gently knocked, and the door opened.
A tall woman stood at the doorway. She wore a white, thin, casual camisole nightgown with Greek key patterns embroidered in gold thread along the edges. Her face was extremely beautiful, and she was much taller than the 12-year-old Salomon. Her long, curly golden hair was very thick, flowing like light water over her beautiful, fair shoulders and collarbones. Her arms were not as slender as those of ordinary women, but not excessively thick either; when she extended her hand, her aesthetically pleasing muscles became prominent.
"Greetings, Goddess of Founding Arts, Tritogeneia, Pallas, Maiden of Athens, Salomon Damnett is pleased to serve you." As Athena took the little one from Salomon's arm, he dared not move, but instead greeted the deity. He held up a bottle of wine with both hands, "This is a gift for you."
"I know your name, come in," Athena smiled, accepting the gift. She stepped aside, allowing Salomon to enter.
Perhaps due to her divine office, Athena's apartment was filled with marble sculptures in the style of Ancient Greece, some of which were gilded. In the center of the living room, there was a large white wool rug, and even the sofa was white. On the table were a few apples for guests, and on the windowsill, a brown owl stood.
"Why are you so reserved?" Athena asked after pouring him a glass of water, seeing Salomon sitting quietly on the sofa. "Do you really believe those stories from the myths?"
This left Salomon speechless for a moment.
But Athena merely waved her hand. She said, "I have tried my best to correct the errors in the myths, but they are still regarded as nonsense! Those ignorant young men... Well, back to the point. Are you wondering why I assisted you at the British Museum, yes?"
"Yes, Potnia (Goddess, specifically Athena), I completely do not see how I can be of any help to you," Salomon replied.
"Has your teacher not told you that you are truly too humble?" Athena said with a smile. "You are someone who can receive the true teachings of the Sorcerer Supreme! Of course, I need your help, but not now, in the future..."
**Note 1:** This appellation comes from a prayer in esoteric teachings.