I could not cope with the excitement over this possibility. Ascending is something entirely different; as I noticed while discussing with the merchant about reincarnation, most of the goals of gods are related to the improvement of mortal souls' lives.
However, I need to remain unfazed. I have spoken only with mortals about godhood so far. Obviously, it should be far more interesting to evolve as a soul. However, what does it exactly lead to? Will I have new responsibilities? If yes, if yes, which ones?
"Joining a pantheon, not as a devotee, but as a part of it, has a massive distinction. Creating your divine realm, living forever, and being able to freely reincarnate, with enough prayers and contributions, could even violate the causality and affect the world with your hands."
"I assume that you would prefer to transmigrate yourself than appoint a mortal soul with such numerous treasures." I replied to this proposal, and again, they seem to try pushing me some kind of defective product that has several benefits that only I can't see.
"Of course! However, I am not even a deity worshiped in Midgard. Even an avatar of mine would require a tremendous amount of divine power. The older the god, the more powerful he is. Which leads to a more gruesome violation of causality."
The answers I was looking for are finally appearing; why did they not explain that from the beginning? Were these gods incapable of that?
"So, because every almost the least powerful god would be a too much choice, you decide to catch a random soul from a barren magic world to throw there?"
Asclepius became instantly enraged by my declaration, then said furiously, "You ungrateful, every damn soul would be begging for this opportunity, but you continue to spit on our faces, as if we were cursed tricksters trying to ensnare your soul!"
"Sorry, but I did not have all your background information. I can't decide so quickly on something that could turn me into a being that I do not even understand quite what it does."
"He is right, Asclepius. I know that patience is not your favorite virtue, but please be more tolerant." Hermes spoke, trying to placate Asclepius's wrath.
Asclepius recomposed himself and stood up, saying, "I will walk a little bit in my domain; I will be right back."
We barely heard the last word when the medicine god vanished. Helena, who had not said anything until now, stated, "Many of us have already discussed whether we should provide that opportunity to you or reincarnate Joseph."
"It was unanimous that you are the right soul for that; your potential is seldom seen elsewhere. Your last demonstration of bravery in your mortal life was the definitive proof for us. You made an emotional choice while looking for the best possible rational outcome."
I recall offering myself in place of my coworker, but did I do everything that Helena was thinking?
"Sorry to cut your hype here. But, what I have done was because Cintia froze and could turn that situation worse for everyone."
"Only for Cintia, the criminal would not shoot you, your other friend, or the family that is by your side. Only Cintia will be shot, but personally, I doubt that this will happen. You had seen the police, and you could have waited a bit." Joseph composed the whole ordeal as if it were a simple tradeoff calculation about buying or not a bicycle.
"It was not so simple." I informed him.
"Correct, we are on the same page here. Your quick-witted decision—that balanced self-sacrifice and a better rational outcome, according to your values, made us decide for you." Joseph kept going on about what happened. Now, I was getting embarrassed by these compliments.
Helena continued the explanation: "But that was our tiebreaker. We truly decided on you based on your mindset and potential. The former is more important than anything else."
"A bright future considering your values. You praise people's freedom and see commerce as a means to achieve greater things."
"Essentially, the main values that my dominion upholds," Hermes interrupted. It is very hard for a god to see someone who incarnates such beliefs and turns a cold face.
Considering everything that they said up until now, I have a better grasp on why and what. I am not a greedy person. Perhaps, that is why I was not enticed by the possibility of godhood.
"I would lie and say that the possibility to reincarnate in a brand-new world, with magic and beast people, was not an interesting thing in itself. But, after all, this is my life; I need to understand what I would have to do. Given that I have already escaped from Tartarus, then I would not like to die there and be sent back here to be punished because I did not fulfill well my role as an apostle."
"So we have a deal." Asclepius said.
"Not so fast Master Asclepius, I did understand the reasons behind Hermes. But why have you joined?" I made my tone as serious as I possibly could. Asclepius was growing red in anger and shame, while Helena and Zoe were shocked, and Hermes and Joseph started laughing.
"I was just kidding, Master Asclepius. I am not totally sure about your reasons, but I of course I appreciate being a representative of the medicine god anywhere."
My answer appeased his anger, while Hermes and Joseph were still laughing, and, at least, Helena and Zoe had the reaction I expected, as they sighed in relief.
After our small banter, Hermes proposed to me that I enjoy my afternoon in the library learning about the apostles. And, tomorrow morning, in the first hour after Apollo's rise, Asclepius and Hermes shall formally designate me as their apostle on Midgard. Then onward, they have explained to me that I will start basic training in divine power manipulation for three months.
With our lunch meeting adjourned, Joseph proposed that I go to the library and learn a bit more about my future role.
---
This time we went through the temple to the Olympus, and Joseph said that the carriage was in the city anyway. The priestess mocked him again about taking shortcuts: "You must be overflowing with divinity today."
"Do you need divinity here to teleport?" I asked him after we left the temple to avoid more pestering from that woman.
"Yes, everything you do requires some level of divine power. But, for most gods and higher beings, it is a bottomless pit." Joseph replied, though he left me wondering if he was a higher being.
The market was still lively. We passed through there and continued on to the temples of Zeus and Aphrodite. The library was an annex of Athena's' temple, with an independent entrance.
A priest was at the entrance. He was guiding and providing direction for those who were looking for library services.
"Welcome. It is nice to see you again, Joseph. A new devotee for Master Hermes, I suppose?" The priest at the door asked.
"You may say that, Leo. His name is Rufus. He arrived a few days ago to Olympus." Joseph replied without providing many details.
"My name is Leo, and I am a centurion of the Athena's Library. I guard this entrance against intruders."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Centurion Leo." I made a small bow. People here enjoy pleasantries, even if they are empty. I shall note this for later use.
"Priestess Joanna can help through the books and collections; welcome again."
We continued until we reached the main desk, where Joanna was. The library was smaller than I thought, as it was closer to a big book store than to a god's library.
"Good afternoon, Joseph." She stood up to bow to him. "Hello, sir, my name is Joanna Marquise, and I am the head librarian here."
Her polite tone caught me a little off-guard. She is, so far, the most beautiful woman I have seen. One might think of the classical beauty with glasses, but this one had a sharp look and short hair, her clothes were unlikely the ones I have seen so far—not the maid nor butler, nor the tunics. She was wearing something similar to nun attire.
"I am Rufus Costa. I recently arrived at Olympus, and I am here to learn more about Hermes and Asclepius teachings." I introduced myself while saying why I came.
"A pleasure. Not many devotees are interested in studying their potential deities. Athena would be glad to have such an enthusiastic worshiper." Was she trying to recruit me?
"Joanna, he has already made a promise to my master. Please refrain from making such offers. It is unsuitable for a librarian." Joseph snickered. I felt some animosity here, but I can't tell exactly what was going on.
"Fine. I will," she said while looking at Joseph, then she turned to me and spoke, "Please look for this corridor."
She wrote something on a piece of paper and then gave it to me. In the paper, it was written the corridor number and: "Come to Athena's temple. We would love to have you with us."
Joseph took the paper from my hand and stared at Joanna for a moment. "Please, could you stop?"
"Yes." She said it meekly.
"Then, bye."
Joseph pointed to the corridor where we should go, while looking over his shoulder to see if Joanna would behave. "Such a romantic comedy, you two."
"You don't want to know."
As soon as we entered the corridor, the place changed completely. The former shabby book store became a giant section filled with books, and I could not see the desk where Joanna was, as if I were instantly transported to another dimension.
The place had a smooth emerald tone in all books, and each stand was classified based on matter. History, biographies, realms, divinity compendiums, etc.
Several books were written using the Greek alphabet. As I started to look at the book, it changed its typography to match what I knew, and then, an instant later, I understood what was written.
"Divine power can make miracles, Athena grants knowledge to everyone interested. Don't worry about being unable to read. If there is something that you should not know, I am here to aid you."
"Should I constrain myself on how much I can learn to avoid messing with causality?"
"Clever as always, sir Rufus. However, do not fear anything here. You need a minimal background to truly mess with the Causality of your mission." Joseph said while he was grabbing some books.
"I recommend you start with these. All of them can be lent, so if you want to read in your room or remain here, it's up to you."
I see the titles of the books he grabbed: "Hermes and basic doctrine; Midgard, a modern history; Divinity 101."
"Divinity 101? Is this a book about how to use divine power for beginners?"
"We also have 'Divine and Arcane Magic for Dummies'. But I think Divinity 101 is clearer and focuses on only one topic."
I guess Joseph was missing my point. I avoid making new comments because I noticed that he didn't get the joke in the book's name; by the way, he also didn't catch the prank of the dummy one. Anyway, I skimmed the three books and decided to go on Hermes and his doctrine first, as it had some clarifications about Hermes's apostles.