Chapter 11
702words
"Elias, you've come at just the right time." The old curator walked in holding a folder, with a smile on his face, "The board has approved the Nordic folklore exhibition you proposed last time. I'd like you to be in charge of this project, what do you say?"
Elias happily agreed: "Thank you, curator, I will definitely do a good job."
The old curator smiled and said: "I believe in you. Since you returned from Norway, you've changed completely, becoming more mature and steady."
Elias smiled without saying a word. He knew that his transformation wasn't merely due to aging, but more because of that journey in Norway.
That journey made him understand many things, helping him find his own faith and direction.
In the evening, Elias invited Mark to his home. Seeing his change, Mark said in surprise: "Elias, you've really changed a lot. You're no longer that bookworm who was obsessed with mythology and history all day."
Elias smiled and said: "I still like mythology and history, but now I understand that they're not just stories, but part of human civilization, windows through which we understand the world and ourselves."
He told Mark about his experiences in Norway, about the underground temple, about his understanding of mythology and faith.
Mark listened attentively, his expression changing from doubt to understanding and admiration.
"I used to think you were too fixated on those intangible things," Mark said, "but now I understand that some things, though invisible and untouchable, do exist and are important."
Elias smiled and said, "Yes, such as faith, hope, and love. Although these things cannot be proven by science, they do indeed influence our lives and shape our personal journeys."
After dinner, Mark left. Elias sat at his desk and opened his grandfather's diary. Looking at the familiar handwriting, it was as if he could see his grandfather's figure again. He knew that his grandfather had always hoped he would understand these principles and find his own meaning in life.
He took out the Thor's hammer pendant and placed it on the desk. The pendant gleamed faintly in the lamplight, as if telling an ancient and profound story. Elias knew that this pendant was not merely a memento, but also a reminder—a reminder to always maintain a thirst for knowledge, a love for life, and a reverence for human civilization.
He turned on his computer and began organizing materials for the Nordic Folklore Exhibition. Through this exhibition, he hoped to help more people understand Nordic mythology and culture, to grasp that ancient and profound wisdom. He knew this was what his grandfather would have wanted to see, and what he himself wanted to do.
It was late at night when Elias shut down his computer and walked to the window. Outside, the city lights shone brilliantly, like a twinkling starscape. He recalled the starry sky he had seen in the underground temple, and remembered the ancient Nordic people's exploration and imagination of the universe.
He knew that human exploration is endless, from ancient mythology to modern science, we have always been striving to understand the world and transcend ourselves. This process might be full of difficulties and challenges, but as long as we maintain our thirst for knowledge, our love for life, and our hope for the future, we will certainly find our own answers.
Elias returned to his desk and wrote a sentence in his notebook: "Gods have never existed, but those who search for gods give meaning to the world."
He closed his notebook, a smile appearing on his face. He knew that his life journey was still long, but he was ready to welcome the challenges and opportunities of the future.
He was no longer lost, no longer confused, because he had found his faith and direction, found the meaning that belonged to his own life.
