Type-Moon: God of War

[3rd POV]

The process of learning magic felt to Ares much like studying a brand-new branch of science.

The magic of the Age of Gods, which focused more on incantations, also required extensive calculations about magical energy trajectories, magic power, ritual patterns, astronomical phenomena, and numerous other variables.

In his previous world, Taro went to university to study finance and struggled when facing subjects like math, and now he didn't find it difficult to start from scratch and easily understood the basics.

In this era, there was no internet, no smartphones, no books, and no games, with nothing to distract him from his studies.

Moreover, as he progressed in his magical training, Ares could clearly feel himself growing stronger step by step and this made him feel really motivated.

Besides, Ares understood that his only chance of survival lay on this path of magic. The more he understood the mysteries of this strange world, the more likely he could find a way to survive.

With the motivation to get stronger and the drive to stay alive, Ares's progress in learning was so fast that even Hecate was amazed. 

Hecate even thought that Zeus had wasted his potential by making him the God of War.

Right now, Ares wasn't at the level of someone like Hecate, who was like a "PhD advisor" in magic, but it wasn't impossible for him to get the "PhD" in magic, making it an achievable goal.

Unfortunately, even though Ares asked Hecate to teach him more magic related to time, space, and parallel worlds, these kinds of magic were as confusing as advanced math, like calculus.

Hecate taught him some basics, and Ares tried his best to understand. She explained that Kronos and Chaos were tied to the fundamental mystery of this world. 

Given Ares' current level, it was completely normal for him to struggle with understanding them.

The few "calculus equations" he managed to solve were nowhere near enough to decipher how to use the black pendant.

That pendant was clearly tied to high-level applications of time and space laws far beyond his current understanding.

There was no other way. 

Given the situation, Ares could only continue working hard and try to reach Hecate's level as soon as possible so he could properly analyze the pendant.

However, just as Ares was about to refocus and dive back into his studies, Hecate suddenly stopped him and said, "Someone is here looking for you."

Floating in the air while holding a stone tablet, she glanced at him and said, "I don't want to see her. You go deal with it."

"Who dares to interrupt my studies?" 

Ares muttered, clearly annoyed. But since Hecate was his teacher, Ares couldn't just ignore her words.

With a sigh, he put down his book, scratched the back of his neck, and stepped out of the tree palace.

Outside the palace, Hecate's pet, the three-headed dog Cerberus, lay on the ground, its three heads glaring fiercely at the forest and making a growling sound like a dog.

A growl rumbled from its throats, and crackling lightning, fire, and thick venomous mist dripped from the corners of its mouths.

Following the Cerberus's gaze, Ares spotted a goddess with pure white wings and a radiant halo of rainbow light hovering around her. 

She was trembling behind the cover of the trees, visibly frightened by the terrifying three-headed dog.

Her name was Iris, daughter of Thaumas and Electra, the Goddess of the Rainbow. She was the messenger of the gods on Mount Olympus, and before Hermes was born, she had almost exclusively carried Zeus's orders.

Iris's arrival could only mean she was bringing Zeus's will.

"Go away, go away!"

Ares kicked Cerberus in the butt, sending the three-headed dog into the corner of the palace garden.

Facing the God of War, the fierce three-headed dog could only let out a pitiful whimper before tucking its tail between its legs and crawling back to its doghouse.

When Ares first arrives, Cerberus is jealous and thinks Ares is there to steal its owner. 

Cerberus had frequently barked at him angrily, treating him as an invader. 

However, while Ares was studying the stars and Astromancy Magecraft one night, Cerberus interrupted his thoughts.

In a fit of rage, Ares showed the dog the power of God of War's iron fist. Since that night, Cerberus has been much more obedient whenever Ares is around.

After driving away the three-headed dog, Ares approached Iris, looking down at the young goddess.

"Iris, are you here to bring me a message from Zeus?"

"Y-Yes, great Ares." 

Seeing the scary three-headed dog leave, Iris sighed a small sigh of relief. 

She bowed respectfully, then looked toward the distant tree palace before asking, "Is the Goddess of Magic, Hecate, here?"

"You're looking for her too?" 

Ares asked.

"Yes." 

 Iris lowered her head and answered, "A new great goddess has been born on Mount Olympus! To celebrate her birth, Zeus invited all the worthy gods in the world, except for the sinners, to a banquet on Mount Olympus. Apart from you, Zeus has also invited the Goddess of Magic, Hecate."

"I see." 

Ares glanced at the tree palace and added, "Hecate doesn't like meeting strangers. I'll go and inform her for you. When is the banquet?"

"That's great." 

Iris sighed in relief, clearly not eager to face her, whom even Zeus was afraid of, and answered, "The banquet will be in five days at Zeus' temple."

"I understand."

Ares said, waving his hand, "You can go now."

"I'll be off then." 

Iris spread her wings and flew into the air, "I still need to deliver Zeus' invitation to the other gods."

"Mm."

Ares watched Iris for a moment, then suddenly had a thought and called out, "Wait a second, Iris! Which god was just born this time?"

"Huh?" 

Iris had been ready to fly away, but when she heard Ares, she quickly stopped, causing some feathers to fall from her wings.

"The new god is the daughter of the sky and the sea. She has a slender, athletic figure, graceful and beautiful. She is the symbol of beauty and the goddess of love. Her name is..."

"Aphrodite?" 

Ares murmured.

"Eh? You already know?" 

Iris asked in surprise.

"Uh, well... I had a feeling." 

Ares said, rubbing his forehead like he had a headache, "Now I suddenly don't feel like going."

To be continue...