"Today's training ends here."
Scáthach put away her spear and looked down at Asher, who was sitting on the ground, panting heavily.
"Th-thank you, Shishou," Asher's forehead was covered in sweat. His already somewhat unhealthy pale face looked even paler at this moment. Despite his exhaustion, he still supported his weak legs and stood up, giving a slight bow in Scáthach's direction.
Scáthach watched Asher's customary polite bow at the end, and her gaze softened even more.
Among so many disciples, Asher's overall talent might not be the most satisfying to her, but in terms of affection, he ranked first.
Because she could feel that every day at the end of training, Asher was genuinely thanking her.
For a Shishou, this was the best recognition.
What's more, she had indeed gone a bit too far today.
Looking at the swaying Asher, Scáthach asked, "Are you going to stay here for a while again today before going back on your own?"
"Yes, if my natural talent isn't good enough, I hope to exchange hard work for my own strength," Although still panting, Asher still replied in a firm tone.
"Only the strong can survive in this world, that's what Shishou said."
"Yes, only the strong can survive in this world," Scáthach nodded slightly. "But it's also necessary to relax occasionally."
She touched Asher's head. "Before you grow up, just stay by my side. As long as you are still my disciple, I will definitely ensure that you don't suffer any harm."
"Shishou..." Asher looked at Scáthach, a look of gratitude on his face.
"This is just a Shishou's responsibility," Scáthach paused slightly and pointed to the red spear beside her. "Be careful on your way back. You've used up a lot of stamina today, so keep this weapon for now. If you encounter danger later, just throw it out."
Asher was taken aback. "Isn't this Shishou's personal weapon..."
"Just take it and protect yourself. And," Scáthach curled her fingers and flicked Asher's forehead heavily, "be thankful. If it were anyone else, they would probably still be in extra training right now."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Asher covered his forehead and watched the figure gradually disappear from his sight before plopping down on the ground and sighing.
"Shishou really cares about her age, she's so vindictive. I need to be more careful next time."
Asher's stamina had always been poor. Just before leaving, Scáthach had put him through another round of high-intensity training, and now he had almost reached his limit.
He glanced at the spear placed beside him. There were very complex runes on the red weapon.
Rune magic.
This was the power obtained by Odin, the father of the gods in Norse mythology, but now it was skillfully used by Scáthach, and... Asher had discovered a very strange thing.
Scáthach also carried a staff with her.
Logically, Scáthach and Skadi shouldn't be the same person, but now the powers of the two were combined.
It was really quite strange.
Asher quickly shook his head, no longer thinking too much. In any case, his only goal now was to work hard and become strong, strong enough to never encounter any danger again!
Maybe later he could find a way to resolve the dispute between Shishou and her sister.
Asher thought to himself.
In the neighboring country of the Land of Shadows, there was another hostile nation, which was "Alba," and the queen of Alba was Scáthach's sister—Aife.
A rustling sound came from the nearby bushes, which also brought Asher back to his senses, his attention focused on the bushes to the side.
Whoosh!
A demonic wolf, several times larger than Asher, sprang out from the bushes, its scarlet mouth open as it pounced towards Asher.
The area around the Land of Shadows was full of natural hazards. In addition to that, in the wild, one might also be attacked by demonic beasts. This was the current situation.
But Asher remained seated on the ground. He neither took out the weapon Scáthach had given him to block nor dodged the attack, calmly watching the demonic wolf pounce towards him.
"Caw—caw—caw—"
Unbeknownst to him, a crow was circling in the sky above Asher. The demonic wolf's attack abruptly stopped, its body falling to the ground in a vertical manner in an instant, then twitching and trembling.
"You're quite bold, Asher," the crow in the sky steadily landed on Asher's left shoulder. It turned its head to look at Asher, its eyes scarlet, looking particularly eerie.
"It's not that I'm bold, it's just that I believe you wouldn't abandon me," Although only fifteen years old, Asher's tone was unusually calm at this moment, and he didn't feel the slightest fear towards the crow that had landed on his shoulder.
"That woman really dotes on you, she's even willing to leave her beloved weapon here to protect you."
The crow flew to the ground. Soon, its size began to change, gradually transforming into a beautiful figure.
Asher remained calm about this, simply quietly watching the golden-haired woman wearing a crown standing in front of him.
He was really not a genius, and his magical power was not innately so strong. It was this golden-crowned woman in front of him who had taught it to him.
Morgan le Fay, Artoria's sister. At the same time, she was also the goddess who controlled death, prophecy, and war, merely possessing Morgan le Fay's body to manifest in this world as a witch.
"Lady Morgan, hello." It wasn't until the figure was fully in his sight that Asher supported his weak body to stand up, politely bowing and saying neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Didn't I say you don't need to be so polite? Just call me Big Sister," a frivolous smile appeared on Morgan le Fay's exquisite face as she reached out and pinched Asher's cheek. "Naughty children need to be punished properly."
"Sit down first. That woman is really quite vindictive. If it were me, I wouldn't train you like this."
"After all, Lady Morgan—"
"Lady Morgan?" Morgan le Fay narrowed her eyes and glanced at Asher.
Asher quickly changed his words, "I mean, after all, Big Sister Morgan taught me magic, not martial arts, so of course, I don't need to consume any physical strength."
"That's right. What I like most are obedient good children," Morgan le Fay contentedly ruffled Asher's head. "Rest for a while longer, and we'll continue training later."
"Don't worry, I won't drain your stamina," Morgan le Fay laughed as she finished speaking, looking at the reluctant Asher with a playful look in her eyes.
Of course, she knew Asher was very unwilling, but he couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to stay behind every day.
"No need, let's start right away. I want to go back as soon as possible," Asher shook his head and sighed.
"How much longer will this kind of life last? If Shishou knew I was colluding with the goddess of death, she'd probably kill me on the spot."
"Doesn't it feel like you're having an affair?" Morgan le Fay chuckled. "Hiding the fact that you have other women outside from your Shishou~"
"This has nothing to do with an affair!" Asher silently covered his face, looking at the somewhat improper woman through his fingers. "It's just that you've restricted my movements."
Geis, this was a taboo magic. About four years ago, Scáthach had left the forest for a while due to some matter, and in that small gap, Morgan le Fay had taken advantage of the situation.
She demanded and intimidated Asher to stay behind alone every day and cast a geis on him, which was a prohibition. The requirements of the prohibition were:
"You must not mention to anyone in the Land of Shadows that you know Morgan le Fay."
This was also why Asher tried so hard to hide and didn't want Scáthach to know about the existence of "Morgan le Fay."
In Celtic mythology, geis was the most secret and quite important part. Those who violated the prohibition would lose their power and even endanger their lives.
While setting the prohibition on him, Asher actually also received the blessing of the goddess of death, but once he violated the prohibition, his blessing would become a curse.
"And... actually, it's not particularly unpleasant. At least I did gain power," After a moment of silence, Asher continued.
Compared to those vicious prohibitions, the prohibition Morgan le Fay placed on him could be said to be too light, and for the past four years, she had indeed been seriously teaching him various kinds of magic... although he didn't know what her purpose was.
"So... after a long time, I also got used to it," Asher carefully considered his words and spoke again.
"Got used to it? Could it be that you're a masochist?" Morgan le Fay tilted her head, her golden hair cascading down. She stood right in front of Asher, raised her toes, and a pleasant faint smile appeared on her face.
"Do you need the opportunity to kiss the toes of the great goddess, you masochist?"
Asher looked at Morgan le Fay's toes. She was wearing a pair of black sandals, which made her toes appear particularly fair and tender. Each toe was as smooth and white as a pearl, and her toenails were painted with red nail polish, looking very enchanting and alluring.
"Uh... never mind," Asher looked away.
"Let's start training, I want to go back early."
"Alright, alright. I originally saw that you were very tired today and wanted to chat with you a bit to help you relax. Since you don't appreciate it, forget it," Morgan le Fay sighed. "Every day I teach you how to use magic, and you still guard against me like I'm a thief. Kindness is really unrewarded."
"After all, you placed a prohibition on me right away that day four years ago. It's normal for me to be wary of you, Big Sister," Asher paused slightly as he said this. "But I know you don't want to harm me. If you wanted to harm me, you could have done it at any time."
"Aren't you quite clever? In that case, why are you still so afraid of me?" Morgan le Fay narrowed her eyes, a hint of danger in her gaze.
"How should I put it..." Asher scratched his face. "I just feel scared in my heart, I don't know why. I also feel very sorry."
Morgan le Fay was stunned for a moment, then burst into exaggerated laughter, reaching out to pinch Asher's face. "It's this straightforward personality of yours that makes me like you so much, Asher."
"It hurts a little, Big Sister Morgan," Asher's words were somewhat mumbled, but he had no intention of resisting at all.
Anyway, he definitely couldn't beat Morgan le Fay. Struggling might just make this woman even more excited.
After all, she was a god. A god's temper was fickle. One second she could be laughing and joking with you, and the next second she could also be laughing and joking.
And then kill you while laughing and joking.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter