Two Gods || Jaywon

Divine gift

Jay and Jungwon met in Jungwon's office, at the Imperial library, which half was owned by the Temple.

"How did you like this Augustus guy?" asked Jay.

Jungwon looked at him. He smiled softly, maybe even mockingly, and shrugged, saying,

"He seems to like me."

Jay grimaced, making Jungwon laugh.

"I actually wanted to talk about him with you as well."
Jay's face became even more deformed.
"What do you think is his mission?"

"What do you mean?"

"The prophecy says he is to be a tyrant and the doom of humankind, but it's vague. He must receive instructions from somewhere, to guide him towards his destiny."

"Like, his god talking to him?" asked Jay, the memory of Chaos' voice resonating in his mind.

"Yes!" exclaimed Jungwon, grabbing Jay by his shoulders.
"Does his god talk to him!?"

Jay stared at Jungwon, stunned. Not knowing what to answer, he simply decided to say what he knew,

"I don't think his god talks to him. They must interact with him through his surroundings."

Jungwon's excitement died down a little, but his sparkly eyes were still solidly looking at Jay.

"Do you mean, the people he meets and the life conditions he grew up in? Are those a message from his god?"

An image of the old bony woman and the ghostly kids from the slums came into Jay's mind.

"Yes. Definitely," he replied, grimacing again.

"Yes, yes...it makes sense. That's what I came to think too. Despite that, do you think he has any power upon his own destiny?"

"I do think so. He is definitely not becoming what his god expected."

Jay laughed, thinking about Chaos looking at him choosing to adore another god. How angry must they be up there.

"That's for sure," replied Jungwon. "The Empress kept her promise to find him after all."
Jay came back to reality and realized they were still talking about Augustus, not him.
"Talking about the Empress...," continued Jungwon, his enthusiastic tone gone. "What were you two talking about after supper?"

Jay groaned, annoyed to think about this conversation again.

"She asked me what I thought about her stupid son."
Jungwon laughed.
"I mean..."

"I was wondering what you two could have been doing alone like this, but she was only worried about her child?"
Jay nodded, annoyed.
"Why do you dislike him? Are you jealous?"

Jay jumped.

"Jealous of a nobody like him?"

"Way to talk about an Empress' son," joked Jungwon.
Jay rolled his eyes.
"Would you have liked to receive what he received?"

Jay looked at Jungwon expectantly.

"Like what?"

Jungwon smiled.

"Like his education.
You know, I've wanted to find you some professors for a while. It's nice that you're so insanely good at fighting, but having a well-built head is just as important if you want to become my partner."

"You want to give me an education?" repeated Jay, incredulous.

Jay's whole body started trembling. He, who thought was only good to kill and break, was offered the most precious power in existence.

"I want. And I will," nodded Jungwon. "I've got a teacher in strategy and war philosophy ready, three science teachers, a history and people management teacher, and an etiquette instructor. Since the Empress favors you so much, she surely let you manage your own time, right? Between missions, you'll learn with them.
What do you think? Is there anything else you want to learn?"
Jay stayed silent, too amazed at the news.
"Right! I'll let them know then."

"Wait!" exclaimed Jay.
"I also want to learn foreign languages. I want to understand when you talk with foreign sovereigns, and I want to talk to these people."

Jungwon smiled proudly.

"Good choice.
Then, for this matter, I'll be your teacher."

Jay's heart jumped. He stayed frozen while Jungwon explained to him what each of the professors would teach him exactly and how Jay could come see him for any questions.

After his explanations, Jungwon declared,

"Oh, I have another surprise for you."

Jay got out of his swoon and watched Jungwon disappear behind his desk.

When he appeared again, a dark red necklace was gleaming around his neck.

After a second, Jay finally understood.

It wasn't a necklace, but a baby dragon.