Of course Rovi knew who Chiron was.
After all, the centaur's name had resounded even into future eras.
Thus, Rovi wasn't surprised when Xisuthros mentioned him. With this recommendation from a prominent "native" figure in Greek history, approaching the famed "Teacher of Heroes" should become a lot easier.
"Chiron lives in Arcadia, in a cave called Pelion. That's his place of seclusion."
"Take this letter I've written, go there, and you'll surely find him," Xisuthros explained, seeing Rovi's evident interest. "I'm sure that hero will be very pleased to meet you, Sage."
Without hesitation, he quickly penned the letter, handing it to Rovi.
"With that, my role as your guide ends here." Smiling, Xisuthros stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I wish you smooth travels."
"Farewell, then," Rovi waved casually as they parted.
...
"Teacher, about the techniques you taught me yesterday—I believe I've already mastered them completely," came a vigorous young voice echoing throughout the spacious cavern of Mount Pelion, Arcadia.
Though called a cave, Pelion was spacious and comfortable, nothing like an ordinary rocky hollow. While not as grand as a royal palace, it was furnished with all the daily essentials, and the straw covering the floor felt as soft as fine carpet beneath one's feet.
Chiron sat within this cave, calmly gazing at the tall, robust figure addressing him.
"Heracles, you're the son of Zeus, King of Gods. Divine blood flows within your veins; your talent surpasses anyone I've ever encountered," Chiron praised generously. "In the future, your name might become synonymous with the greatest hero ever known."
"You flatter me, Teacher." The young man touched his nose in embarrassment. Despite his powerful physique and resolute features, joy lit up his eyes uncontrollably.
"Alright, you may rest now. And remember: don't provoke those centaurs outside the mountain. They're still my kin, after all," Chiron cautioned gently. "You're still too impulsive, and the blood within you can easily lose control. You must continue to temper yourself."
"Don't worry, Teacher. At most, I'll just scare them off—I won't harm them." Heracles nodded obediently, then turned and strode out of the cave.
Chiron watched that imposing figure vanish into the distance, a flicker of concern crossing his gaze.
With a quiet sigh, he rose, shaking himself out slightly. Though half-man and half-horse by birth, the famed Teacher of Heroes had long since learned to hide his equine form completely. Unless forced into combat, he always appeared entirely human.
To the eye, he seemed merely a tall man with loose brown hair flowing down his shoulders.
He walked on two human legs out of the cave, standing under the fading sunlight, breathing softly.
Heracles… May your future truly be smooth, Chiron silently wished, troubled by thoughts of the young hero's fate.
As Zeus's child, Heracles was born exceptional—but equally destined for hardship.
At precisely this moment, a sudden tremor shook the ground. Trees swayed and trembled violently, startled birds scattered, shrieking noisily.
Chiron glanced toward the disturbance, brows furrowing deeply.
Had those fools… provoked trouble yet again?
He sighed inwardly.
Though also a centaur, Chiron was vastly different from his fellow tribesmen living outside the mountain. He was wise, gentle, patient, and skilled in countless arts. But ordinary centaurs were known for their savagery, lustfulness, and barbarism. They often ambushed passing travelers, creating endless trouble.
This violent trembling surely had something to do with them again.
"They've summoned mist to seal off the forest... Did those idiots anger another demigod this time?" Chiron shook his head helplessly, realizing he couldn't just ignore this matter.
As he'd just cautioned Heracles—no matter how problematic, those centaurs were still his kin.
Stretching his limbs briefly, his shadow elongated beneath the setting sun. In an instant, human legs vanished, replaced by the powerful limbs of a horse. Chiron leaped forward, galloping swiftly through the forest toward the disturbance, disappearing into the dense mist swirling beneath the sunset.
That mist wasn't naturally formed. Greek magical beasts usually bore divine lineage, and centaurs, descendants of the cloud nymph Nephele, possessed innate powers to control mist and rainstorms.
Usually, centaurs preferred direct physical combat. All were skilled fighters, rarely resorting to divine magic unless desperate. But when unleashed, such powers were truly formidable.
Chiron's heart quickened anxiously.
He hoped no one had been seriously hurt—or worse, killed—
Boom! Rumble!
Thunder rolled and crashed through the thickening mist, rain falling heavily in chaotic sheets.
The Teacher of Heroes finally approached, only to halt abruptly, utterly stunned by the scene unfolding before him.
What… is going on here?
Beyond the mountain's edge, gentle rain softened the muddy earth, deepening its hue. Countless centaur bodies sprawled unconscious, their heads buried deep in mud, only horse rumps protruding skyward, twitching feebly.
Clearly, the fight was already over.
And had ended in mere moments—perhaps even in an instant.
Chiron's face grew grave.
Then, from deeper within the swirling mist, a voice slowly drifted toward him:
"Ah, someone's finally arrived… These mongrels were rather annoying, but not too hard to handle."
A shadow gradually condensed, solidifying into a youth—no, perhaps still a mere teenager—in a simple linen robe.
His sleeves fluttered gently in the misty breeze.
He seemed to have descended amid heavenly rainstorms, yet untouched by mortal impurities.
"You must be Chiron, the 'Teacher of Heroes'?" he asked calmly.
This newcomer, of course, was Rovi, who'd hurried here without pause after leaving Xisuthros.
Despite the considerable distance, knowing the precise direction had allowed him to reach the place in less than half a day.
Yet, just upon arriving, he was inexplicably ambushed by these centaurs.
"A filthy group of creatures lurking in the mud dared attack me openly—fortunately, I have some modest self-defense skills," Rovi dusted off his hands, walking forward confidently. "Here's a letter of introduction from Xisuthros."
"My name is Rovi. Tell me, do you think I have what it takes to become a hero?"
Chiron didn't respond—nor did he accept the letter.
Because...
"Pardon me, could you repeat your name?" His eyes widened slightly, astonishment evident in his voice.
"Rovi? You mean the Sage of Uruk, Rovi?"
Such distinctive speech, coupled with that name…
There could be no mistake.
Without hesitation, Chiron fell to one knee.
"Please teach me your wisdom that surpasses the world!"
"It was through a clay tablet you left behind that I gained the courage to change myself, becoming who I am today!"
Rovi: "?"
The Hero of Centaurs spoke solemnly, completely serious—
Yet Rovi could only stare in bewilderment.
Wait.
Wasn't this development going completely wrong?
He glanced blankly at the letter still clutched in his hand.
Who exactly was supposed to teach whom?
Xisuthros—Ziusudra, you tricked me!
...
"This Old Man told you Chiron would definitely be pleased," murmured Xisuthros from a distant location. Pausing mid-step amidst swaying grass, he looked into the distance and chuckled warmly. "I wasn't lying at all."
"Isn't Chiron indeed very happy right now?"
That's what you get for flipping off this old man earlier, he thought, smiling mischievously. Did you really think I didn't know what that meant?
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T/N: LMAOOOOO bro why are you tryna learn to become a hero when you're literally on par or higher with the KING OF HEROES