Thor and Rhea arrived at Selene’s home.
Thor (thinking):
Rhea always looks so happy whenever she comes here. It’s because of sister Selene. I taught Selene how to understand Rhea’s words by reading her lips… she picked it up fast.
If it were me, I might’ve taken years. But she learned so quickly.
I could tell her who I really am… but it’s not the right time. Soon, I’ll be gone for 2 or 3 years. They don’t know it yet… but I’ll have to leave them. I wonder how they'll react when they find out. Especially my sisters… they both love me too much.
I know they’ll cry.
He looked over at Selene and Rhea laughing together.
Thor (thinking):
So for now… I’ll stay silent. Just be with them. Because soon, I’ll be gone. I have to save that person. I wonder how she’s doing. The last time I saw her… people were treating her like trash. I’m sure she has nightmares every night. I couldn’t help her back then… but I will. No matter what.
Rhea and Selene sat close, Selene holding Rhea’s hands with a soft smile.
Thor (thinking):
They look so happy. I wonder… when will I be able to smile like that? Or even feel happy like them?
Maybe… my mother felt the same way when she couldn’t help me and only cried for me.
But before she died, she said she was happy to have me as her son… that’s enough.
Selene looked up at Thor.
Selene:
“Thor, Rhea has one more academy exam. It’s a written one. She said she wants my help.”
Thor (thinking):
Academy exams. It’s the same no matter what universe I go to. Schools, exams, pressure. Seems like it’s a natural law.
Even in this universe, which was created late… we follow the same patterns.
Rhea silently moved her lips to explain how she felt during her first test.
Selene:
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
“Oh… so during the fight, you just followed Flamara’s orders? You weren’t happy with that?”
Rhea nodded slowly, her expression downcast.
Selene:
“Well… I think Flamara is quite the leader for her age. If not for her, you might’ve failed. But now you have the written part, and I’m sure we can help!”
She clapped her hands with confidence.
Selene:
“Hmmm… okay, I understand the structure of the exam. Thor, come here. Help me tutor her! We have to make sure Rhea passes and becomes someone great like you. Let’s make this happen.”
Thor:
“I… I’m sorry. I can’t help today. I have an important training session with my master. I promised him.”
Selene:
“What? But you said you’d go with her for her next exam! You’re just leaving her again?”
Thor:
“I’m really sorry. I can’t skip this. If I could’ve moved the training, I would have. But this is important. And Rhea will do great. She has you, doesn’t she?”
Selene:
“She needs you. And you promised.”
Thor:
“She’s strong enough now. And you’re more than enough for her, sister. Right, Rhea?”
Rhea looked at Thor, her lips moving softly. Selene interpreted.
Selene:
“Rhea says… she understands.”
Thor walked over, gently placed his hand on Rhea’s head, and gave a small nod.
Thor:
“Thank you, Rhea. I’ll go now. Bye, sister.”
Selene:
“Take care, okay? And please don’t do anything dangerous…”
Thor (smiling faintly):
“I won’t. Thanks for listening.”
He turned and walked away, vanishing into the horizon.
Selene sighed.
Selene:
“There he goes again. I wonder what kind of training he’s doing… Rhea, are you really okay without him?”
Rhea replied with her eyes, her fingers lightly tapping Selene’s hand.
Selene:
“…So that’s why you let him go. Yeah, he does train more than anyone else. And I think he wants you to grow strong on your own… because he can’t always be here.”
Rhea looked down.
Selene:
“No, no! I didn’t mean he’ll die. I just mean… he has his own path. He already saved me once. If not for him, I wouldn’t be alive now. So I get it. He wants to help others too. And one day, I swear… if I ever gain a power that can free him from that emotionless face, I’ll use it. I’ll free both of you from your curses.”
Rhea blinked up at her, surprised.
Rhea:
“…”
Selene (smiling):
“As for me? I don’t need saving. I’m stronger than you think. Knowledge is power, right? Haha.”
Rhea smiled slightly.
Selene:
“Now come on. If you want to make Thor happy, you have to show him your achievements. Let’s study together, alright?”
Rhea gave a determined nod.
---
Later, while tutoring Rhea, Selene sat quietly for a moment, her thoughts drifting.
Selene (thinking):
I wonder… when will I find my real mother and sister again? Rhea’s my precious sister too, but I still long for the ones I lost.
Thor promised he’d find them for me. I told him it was okay, but he still said he would.
He’s done so much for me. He’s always there when I need him… even protected me from that god who attacked last year. He made me promise not to tell his mother.
If she finds out, she’ll stop him from training. That’s why I lied to everyone. Even to my father.
I want Thor to keep visiting. I want him to have freedom…
Selene looked at Rhea, who was working hard on her notes.
Selene (thinking):
How does he do it all? Losing his mother and his companion… carrying that weight alone… and still moving forward. He may seem emotionless, but I know he feels.
He sees our emotions clearly. His master must’ve taught him well. Emotions, reactions… how they change in every situation. Who is his master, really? To be able to teach such things…
One day, if I meet him… I’ll thank him. For everything he’s done for Thor.
Selene gently smiled as Rhea handed her the answer sheet.
Selene (thinking):
Thor knows more than I ever did, even without going to the academy. I want to know about this universe too…
When I was young, no one played with me. I couldn’t walk. But when I heard my mother was pregnant again, I was so excited…
Then that day came. Gods fought on our planet… my mother was caught in the battle. I still don’t know if she’s alive.
My father was broken. But he stood up again—for me. He raised me alone.
And when Thor brought Rhea and his mother here… we all felt like a family again.
His mother treated me like her own. She's not my real mother… but she feels like her.
Thor… you gave me a family again. I love you all.
