Marvel Magic Case Files.

Chapter 18 Tritogelia (Seeking Investment!)

From that day on, Salomon received daily instruction from the Supreme Master, although other mages of Kamar-Taj could also ask him questions.

But everyone's understanding is different; the spells in the Book of Vishanti alone are enough for them to practice for a lifetime. Salomon, however, not only wants to learn the magic in the Book of Vishanti, but also to witness the truth of the Dark Dimension.

Knowing the horrors of the Dark Dimension, the Sorcerer Supreme was extremely careful when guiding Salomon. Whenever Salomon could no longer bear the whispers or was discovered by Dormammu, the Sorcerer Supreme would promptly pull Salomon's astral body back.

Therefore, Salomon's outward appearance was merely pale, and his body did not exhibit the crystallization of flesh and blood that occurs when one is tainted by the Dark Dimension.

Even such a course greatly increased Salomon's burden. His lack of energy prevented him from casting more spells. In the entire universe, there was only one existence like the Ancient One, who could justifiably and forcibly plunder the magic of the Dark Dimension. Salomon was still too inexperienced.

Until one day, the Sorcerer Supreme suspended Salomon's course on exploring the Dark Dimension.

"You need to visit a person, or rather, a god." The Venerable pointed to the plump snake on Salomon's table. "She has already helped you; now you should go and hear what her conditions are."

Salomon looked troubled. In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena was not known for her good temper; Salomon remembered the story of Alcmene turning into a spider very well. None of the gods who governed law and order were easy to talk to.

Although Athena is not a true deity in the Toril universe who holds divine authority, the fact that she possesses this part of the divine name implies that she has this kind of personality.

Seemingly sensing Salomon's concerns, the Venerable One spoke in a gentler 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 age of gods on Earth, not even Zeus. Go ahead with peace of mind; I think she definitely needs something from you this time, so try to get some benefits in return."

"You need something from me?" Salomon looked up in surprise. He couldn't imagine that a Greek god would need something from a mere mage.

But the Supreme Master saw it differently. She said, "Don't underestimate yourself, Salomon. You are special. She must have seen your talents in the British Museum, which is why she helped a mortal."

Go ahead, don't waste time, take your gifts, and this snake will guide you.

According to the Sorcerer Supreme, the current Athena uses the alias "Minerva" from Roman mythology. She has also written a book called "The Hero's Journey," which details the various connections between fact and mythology, but its sales have not been very good.

To find her, one must travel to Mount Athena in New York, where she runs an orphanage.

Salomon's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, because he remembered the reputation of the Ancient One—a reputation not bestowed upon him by the Vishanti, but earned by the Ancient One himself.

According to the Ancient One, the Greek pantheon was one of the most restless pantheons on Earth at the time, and they were also associated with a race called the Eternals, who were to act as the representatives of the Greek gods on Earth.

Although Salomon was not clear about the specific events, he believed that since there were no longer any Eternals or other Greek gods on Earth, and by calculating the time of the Ancient One's rise to power, he could roughly guess a little about it.

Back when the Venerable One appeared out of nowhere, he used the Ring of the Variant Raghadore to kill countless extradimensional beings who wanted to enter Earth. Salomon believed that the so-called gods on Earth were no exception.

The Ancient One is the strongest sorcerer in the multiverse, and he now has full confidence in his teacher.

After Salomon emerged from a secluded alley, he found himself on the streets of New York.

He put the chubby little white snake into his sleeve. Although the cold, icy scales wrapped around his arm made him a little uncomfortable, he endured it, because the Venerable One had clearly instructed that this pet would be the key to finding Athena.

He felt the chubby little snake under his sleeve becoming restless, poking its head here and sticking out its tongue there before finally determining its direction.

"Are you sure it's there? Is the direction you're facing a straight line?" Salomon asked, looking into the little snake's round eyes. Then Salomon saw contempt in the snake's eyes.

Salomon said helplessly, "Little one, I don't speak Parsley, and I'm not a druid. I don't know any of those nature spells. I can't understand what you're saying at all. I think shaking my head and nodding will solve the problem, right?"

Many people on the street were drawn to Salomon because of his striking red robes, the silver clasps making them appear quite expensive. Even more eye-catching was the snake tightly wrapped around his arm, which made passersby want to avoid him at all costs.

But Salomon was completely oblivious; his attention was entirely focused on the little snake, which, like an arrow floating on the screen in a game, guided Salomon to his destination.

Salomon stood in front of a white apartment building, knocked gently, and the door opened.

A tall woman stood in the doorway, wearing a light, white, casual nightgown with Greek key patterns embroidered in gold thread along the edges. Her face was exceptionally beautiful, and she was much taller than 12-year-old Salomon. Her long, thick, golden curls flowed like water over her fair shoulders and collarbone. Her arms weren't as slender as most women's, but they weren't overly muscular either; when she extended her arms, their beautifully defined muscles became apparent.

"Greetings, Tritogelia, goddess of the arts [Note 1], Pallas, maiden of Athens, Salomon Damonet is at your service." When Athena took the small snake from Salomon's arm, he dared not move, but greeted the goddess with both hands, holding up a bottle of wine, "This is a gift for you."

"I know your name, come in." Athena smiled and accepted the gift. She stepped aside to let Salomon in.

Perhaps due to her divine status, Athena's apartment was filled with marble sculptures in a distinctly ancient Greek style, some of which were even gilded. In the center of the living room was a huge white wool rug, and even the sofa was white. Several apples were laid out on the table for guests, while a brown owl perched on the windowsill.

"Why are you so reserved?" Athena poured him a glass of water, and seeing Salomon sitting obediently on the sofa, she asked, "Do you really believe in those mythological stories?"

This left Salomon momentarily speechless.

But Athena simply waved her hand and said, "I've tried my best to correct the errors in the myths, but it's just that people think it's nonsense! Those ignorant brats... Well, back to the point. Are you wondering why I'm assisting you at the British Museum?"

"Yes, πτνια (goddess, specifically Athena), I see absolutely no way I can help you in any way," Salomon replied.

"Didn't your teacher tell you that you were being overly modest?" Athena said with a smile. "You are someone who has received the true teachings of the Sorcerer Supreme! Of course, I will ask for your help, but not now, but in the future..."

[Note 1] This name comes from the prayer songs in Esoteric Buddhism.

P.S.: Please vote and invest! This is extremely important!

good Morning.

(End of this chapter)