After that, the two of us ate together, and then we went straight into sparring.
Heracles, as always, had a heavy club slung over his shoulder, while I lightly worked my spear through the air, tracing the newly learned arcs of spearplay in my mind.
"Astellon, your spear tip is too honest. Why not swing it around a little more cowardly, like Jason's tongue?"
"Haha, I'll take that as praise. But that might be a little hard for my nature."
We were exchanging light banter when we reached the edge of the forest. The peaceful air of the woods instantly tightened, taut as a drawn arrow.
Whoosh!
From between the bushes came the sound of wind being cleaved, and in an instant a silver arrow buried itself at my feet. Heracles reflexively stepped in front of me and gripped his club, but I felt no killing intent in that arrow and raised a hand to stop him.
"Who is it?"
As if answering my question, a girl lightly leaped down from atop a massive boulder. She wore clothes reinforced with beast hide, and her eyes shone with a keenness sharper than any predator in the forest.
"So you're the rumored 'geniuses'? One of you is Zeus's son, and the other is... the child of the stars."
Her gaze lingered on my silver hair. But it was not the dazed look other girls wore. It was closer to the eyes of a hunter appraising prey.
Eyes much like Heracles'.
I looked at her and asked, "Your archery is impressive. What's your name?"
At my question, she adjusted the bow in her hands and lifted her chin.
"Atalanta. Teacher Chiron told me to train with you from today onward. Especially you, Astellon."
She pointed a finger at me.
"The forest nymphs have been chattering about how handsome you are and how skilled you are in the martial arts. I wanted to see for myself whether you're faster than my arrows."
At the girl's self-introduction as Atalanta, Heracles turned to me with interest and grinned.
"Look at that, Astellon. We've got another sparring partner right after finishing our meal."
At Heracles' words, I also smiled, pulled the arrow stuck in the ground free, and tossed it to her as I slowly opened my lazily closed eyes.
"Fine, Atalanta. If even a single strand of my silver hair is grazed by your arrow, I'll gladly admit defeat."
And so, from that day on, the three of us began sparring together.
Time passed, and before long we had become mid-teenagers.
"Don't get careless just because of your face, Astellon!"
With Atalanta's cry, the arrow loosed from her bow tore through the air. If it had been the old me, I would have simply tilted my head and dodged it, but this time was different. Her arrow carried not admiration or curiosity, but pure fighting spirit.
I flicked the practice spear in my hand lightly and bent the arrow's trajectory away.
"Careless? I'm more serious than ever right now, Atalanta."
I opened my lazily half-closed eyes wide and kicked off the ground. Though I outwardly seemed relaxed, the truth was an explosive burst of acceleration. From the side, Heracles let out an impressed, "Oh!"
Atalanta did not panic and loosed three arrows in rapid succession. But I already knew their trajectories.
No, my body was reacting before my mind.
Slipping through the narrow gaps between the arrows by a hair's breadth, I reached her face in an instant and stopped the spear tip before her nose.
"My victory."
"...Again today... huh..."
Atalanta bit her lip in frustration, but soon lowered her bow and nodded as if acknowledging me.
There was no longer any trace in her eyes of seeing me as a mere "pretty doll."
That night, in the forest's stillness after the heat of sparring had faded, I was summoned by Teacher Chiron.
Under the soft glow of the fire, the teacher was sorting through old parchment.
"Today's spar with Atalanta was excellent, Astellon. But I saw hesitation in your spear tip. What are you afraid of?"
At Teacher Chiron's question, I was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Teacher, to be honest, I'm not sure. My days here are certainly enjoyable. But... as the days go by, I can't help wondering what I can do with this power besides hurting someone. Can the martial arts I've learned protect the peace of a kingdom?"
Teacher Chiron looked at me with kindly eyes and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Power is a means of destruction, but also a means of protection. Astellon, do not use your natural talent merely to swing it around. Use that power to create an 'order' in which the people you will govern can sleep without fear."
"Order." That word sank deep into my chest.
"Peace enforced by force does not last long. You must become a light that the people themselves wish to follow. Just like your name."
Teacher's words continued into my dreams that night. Not the spear or weapons I wielded, but the path I would write myself. Not to seize, but to protect.
"...Thank you, Teacher. I think I've found my direction, at least somewhat."
"I'm glad if it was of help."
The moment I heard Teacher Chiron's words, I set my course.
Not a rule of power enforced by force, but a nation peaceful within and so strong that none around it could ignore it.
I resolved to build a kingdom with that ideal in my heart.