The Mycenae nation was influenced by the Argos region, which led to the establishment of what would become the Minoan civilization. The Mycenae civilization prospered through trade with the Mediterranean, and trade with the Minoan civilization brought an influx of art and culture.

As a result, Mycenae was a rich city-state, and its artistry spread to its citizens, enriching their minds and improving their security - However, the situation within the Mycenae nation was far from peaceful.

Amphitryon, Alcides' father-in-law, belonged to Thebai, and Thebai was also the birthplace of Alcides. In the past, Amphitryon defeated the Fox of Theumessos, a magical beast that had been tormenting Thebai, thus, winning the wars against Tapos and Euboia.

After that, Amphitryon was exiled for killing the former king of Mycenae by mistake and went to live in Thebai. Amphitryon's desire to return to Mycenae had created a disturbing atmosphere in the peaceful relationship between Thebai and Mycenae.

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Although Mycenae was culturally prosperous, it was originally called the Land of Cattle, and there are many lush cattle ranches in the land. A rumor was passed around that the king of Thebai at this time had an overflowing desire for Mycenae's cattle, and the tension between the two countries was high.

It was none other than Amphitryon who saw this as a bad trend. He was a Mucenaian who had been exiled to Thebai, so he was deeply indebted to Thebai as well, and was distressed by the current situation that could result in a bloody conflict between the two nations.

He thought that if Thebai fought against the foreign enemy, Orkomenos, and reduced its power temporarily, it would not be able to fight with Mucenai, and the momentum of war between the two countries would disappear.

But there was a problem. Orkomenos' army was so strong that defeat was inevitable if Thebai's army alone was to be sent. Thebai was also an important country and it would be a shame to let it meet an unfortunate end. A strong ally is absolutely necessary, he thought, and then he was reminded of that man's presence.

It was his own son-in-law, Alcides.

If he, a demigod, could be brought to Thebai's side, they would be able to win. As soon as Alcides, who has been left in the custody of the centaur sage Chiron has returned, Amphitryon decided to summon him to Thebai. For the sake of his own birthplace, he didn't believe that Alcides would be reluctant.

He was right.

And so, the harsh fate of Alcides began to turn. Six years have passed since he first started training martial arts under Chiron.

It all started when Alcides took part in the war between Thebai and Orkomenos.

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Alcides was an unusually mature boy.

He was born with an innate strength far more superior than anything on earth. Considering how he was brought up in a way that set him apart from others and was also neglected by his parents, it was only natural for him to grow up to be a rambunctious boy due to his temper, which was a common trait of children who were unable to control themselves.

However, that was not the case.

As a talented member of the royal family, Alcides invited distinguished warriors and scholars from all over the world to serve him as his teachers.

Among them, Eurythos, King of Euchaia, who was given the skills of archery by Apollo the Sun God, and Castor, an outstanding swordsman and hero, both praised Arcades, both saying; 'By the time he grows up, Alcides shall be a far greater hero than I'.

Among others, Linos, who taught him the lyre, heavily praised Alcides to the point of breaking his usual stone-faced demeanor.

Since Linus's passion for the lyre was unparalleled, he was a strict teacher, so much that he sometimes even resorted to corporal punishment.

Linus was annoyed that Alcides was not able to make as much progress as he had hoped for, and so, he struck him down.

At that moment, that split second, Alcides was furious.

Even if he had a mature mind, his bloodlust was still intense due to his lineage as a demigod.

The next moment, the people around him paled, terrified by the tremendous rage he emitted, expecting to see Linus beat to death.

However, Alcides persevered. He persevered.

It was unbelievable.

He turned red, suppressed his anger, and managed to unclench his fists.

Linos was astounded. He couldn't believe his eyes.

He had realized the moment he gave the physical punishment that Alcides would be furious, and most likely, beat him to death.

That was how furious Alcides was.

He also remembered that Alcides was the son of Zeus, and that he boasted monstrous powers that far exceeded those of a human.

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He had fully expected himself to be killed in some gruesome way.

But Lo and behold, the young demigod suppressed his anger. A boy not even 10 years old, a boy with his background, did not throw a tantrum.

It truly was a marvelous display of self-control.

When Linos came to himself, he apologized to Alcides and praised him for his patience.

Alcides couldn't help but give his mentor a complicated look when Linos started praising him while drenched in cold sweat, though he didn't push Linos away and continued his training to the very end.

This was how Alcides was praised without himself knowing.

Thus; 'Alcides of the royal Mycenae family, is a man of self-control, while not arrogant in his wild power as a demigod. The nobility of his spirit is already that of a hero.', he was praised.

As for Alcides, he had simply decided that it was wrong to beat a person to death after being hit once.

Aware of his own tremendous strength, Alcides understood that he could cause the death of a man if he were to lay a finger on him, so he forced himself to be patient.

He didn't have a shred of memory of having done anything worthy of praise.

'He didn't hit him back.'

Alcides was bewildered that he received praise for something so mundane.

That was the reason why Alcides would be very puzzled to learn of his own reputation, several years from now.

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"Nice to meet you, I'm Chiron. I will be your mentor."

-Alcides was ten years old when he first met the half-horse sage.

Archery of the sun god, weaponry of the hero Castor, and wrestling of Autolycus-

Alcides was the only child who has mastered them all.

So, as the culmination of his studies, he was sent to as an apprentice to the great sage.

Living in the cave on Mount Paleon, he was a true sage who lived up to his name as a wise man.

Combined with his own great insight, he sensed something unusual about the boy who has come to ask him to be his apprentice.

"It is an honor to meet you.

I am Alcides of Mycenae. My parents are Lord Zeus and Queen Alcmene.

I am most grateful to you for receiving me at such short notice."

(This is ...)

Chiron was stunned.

Alcides had a certain sense of civility, and as a member of the royal family, he was not arrogant nor disrespectful.

'He's ten years old', Chiron was told.-It was all very hard to believe.

There, displayed before his eyes, was the dignity that could be seen in those who were prominent and renowned kings and noble heroes.

Most often, those kings and heroes carry schemes and secrets behind their backs, yet, there was nothing impure in this boy's heart.

(Letting me raise him?... It's a really heavy responsibility.)

Alcides had the air of a wise man in the service of the king and the strength to wrestle gods. And that wasn't taking into account that Alcides had the power since the day he was born.

Even without Chiron's involvement, he would still be a hero.

(Nevertheless, ...)

He was the most beautiful boy Chiron had ever seen. Regrettably, the blood of Zeus would result in him turning into a giant of a man by the time he entered adolescence.

It was a shame. A real waste.

'No, that's all right', Chiron thought.

A man who is a hero should be a man with excellent structure and good character.

'It is my role to teach and guide him.'

There was nothing wrong with him being a mentor of various, even those related to sex. It was his responsibility as a superior to guide those below him in every way.

'Yes, I will love him and use that love to make Alcides a fine man. That is my mission.'

Alcides felt an unearthly chill. He noticed a luster in the way Chiron looked at him.

The premature realization sent a shiver through the future hero in a way he had never felt before.

Alcides decided to think that it was his imagination. He refused to believe such degeneracy was emitted from this gentle sage.

"Ahem,...tell me, Master. If you have accepted the discipleship ritual, I would first like some instructions on what to do."

"Let's see.

I was taught medicine and music by the Sun God, while the Moon Goddess taught me how to hunt, but you needn't know anything about medicine or music. A little knowledge of hunting is enough for you.

As for bows, swords, and spears...those are not enough to make them your specialty if one of my students, Castor, has given you his approval. If that is the case-"

The half-horse sage smiled thinly and moved his horse limbs in a careless manner as he walked up to Alcides. Then he held out his hand. Was it a handshake?

A handshake. It was a sign of friendship and conciliation between the goddess Hera and the goddess Athena. Alcides took the hand dubiously. He couldn't read his master's intention for shaking hands in this situation.

Large, thick palms. Perhaps because centaurs mainly use spears and bows in their fighting techniques, Chiron's hands were equally rugged. Chiron's smile deepened as he and Alcides shook hands.

And, before he knew it, Alcides' world was flipped upside down.

Thump.

Being gently thrown from his backside to the ground, Alcides was astonished. He was thrown, and he didn't even have time to realize it.

Chiron smiled softly and helped Alcides up with a light tug.

"I shall teach you martial arts like this one."

Faced with Chiron's mischievous smile, Alcides smiled too. A boyish smile, grinning with innocence befitting of his age.

Never before have Alcides felt this kind of certainty in anyone, a conviction that someone was stronger than he was.

This secretly tore down Alcides' arrogance as the absolute powerhouse.

It was terribly pleasurable, and at the same time, it was a remedy for the loneliness caused by being a solitary person.

Yes, he was lonely.

Touch and everything would break, so he never could freely use his full strength. He had spent his days suffocating in his own chains he cast upon himself, as he was too powerful. If it had not been for his restraint and self-control, he would have killed Linos on the spot.

To sum it up, Alcides was far more self-disciplined in using his power than anyone in this Greek world could possibly be.

-Thou shalt not sow violence for no reason.

-Thou shalt not steal from others.

-Thou shalt not speak falsely.

-Thou must help those in need.

-Thou art Hero of Justice.

Morality as a person. If one put his action into words, that's all it was.

Alcides was only strictly following the rules that are obvious to any righteous man.

Maybe that was the reason why he felt so cramped, and the reason why that somewhere in his heart, he had always been yearning for a place to release his full power.

Alas, his own strength was too strong and too lethal for others. So, he endured and kept restraining himself.

Now, he had a hunch that it was okay for him to give his 'all' to the man in front of him, which he had never once done before.

"Master. Does that technique have a name?"

"Yes."

Chiron kept smiling gently. He now knew that the boy had fully recognized himself as his mentor.

"What I have just shown you is only a glimpse of the technique. The technique I am about to bestow upon you, Alcides, is called the All-Powerful.

-Pankration."

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At Mount Pelion.

Day after day, the pair of master and student trained.

Alcides.

Young Hercules, the great hero in his youth.

It was an all too short period of youth.