"You don't dare to look?"
Is magical divination in this world that dangerous? It's not like one of those settings where you go mad from seeing something you shouldn't, right?
Lucien was genuinely surprised by Firenze's words—he clearly hadn't expected that kind of answer.
He'd already prepared himself for the Centaur to shower him with praise, calling him a future star or a heaven-sent genius.
But instead, all he got was: "I don't dare to look.."
"Hmph. If there really is something about me that blocked Firenze's divination, then it must be the System, right?"
He consciously summoned the System:
"System, was it you who interfered with their divination?"
[Escorting the Host on the path of knowledge is my duty (`Д´)ゞ]
"..."
"It admitted it that easily? Didn't even bother playing the riddle game with me."
"What a good System."
Then Lucien thought of another question.
"System, it was your presence that blocked the divination, right? Not because I'm inherently special?"
"[…]"
[The Host should strive to pursue knowledge in accordance with his life goals. The System will provide all necessary assistance.]
"Can't say? Or can't say yet?"
[…Does the Host need any new loans? We've recently added several new options…]
Lucien immediately closed the conversation with the System. Since it refused to answer him directly, there was no point in forcing it.
Heh… who am I, where did I come from, where am I going?
No need to ponder these three philosophical questions right now. How long has it been since I first encountered magic? How much have I learned? And how much of that is just surface-level understanding?
There's still so much unknown, fascinating knowledge out there waiting to be explored—why bother with something so abstract?
"Firenze, since you couldn't divine me, why are you still so enthusiastic and friendly?"
Lucien's question pulled Firenze back from his thoughts. He looked at the human boy, those calm dark green eyes unshaken.
"I cannot divine you—but I can see the people around you, and their futures."
"Your presence is like a massive vortex, drawing in and absorbing many things, releasing many others, and altering the paths those people would have taken."
Lucien wasn't surprised by that answer.
indeed, with my involvement, many tings will change—the fates of those people, those tragedies, those separations…
But 'absorbing' and 'releasing'?
"Absorbing what? Knowledge?"
"Then what will I release?"
"Since I can't be divined, I can only seek out my own future. That's just another way of exploring the unknown—not bad at all."
"Changing trajectories… including you? Including all of you? Including the Centaur race?"
Lucien continued his questioning.
Firenze nodded softly.
"Yes."
"Honestly, I don't know whether this change is good or bad. But the stars tell me—becoming friends is never a bad thing, right?"
Lucien's lips curved into a smile, his tone easing.
"An early friendship—one that comes with a hidden price tag?"
"No. There is no price. Thanks to the guidance of the stars, tonight, in this place, I've gained a precious friendship."
This statement made Lucien want to call him a charlatan, but he held himself back.
No wonder—this Centaur was just too friendly. Not only had he helped him, but he also spoke so kindly.
"Firenze, I enjoy gaining knowledge. I've learned a lot from you tonight. Thank you."
"I'm truly glad to receive the help and friendship of a Centaur."
A faint, peaceful smile appeared on Firenze's handsome face, though the joy in his eyes was unmistakable.
"The honor is mine as well."
The atmosphere eased considerably, and Lucien took the opportunity to ask a question:
"Firenze, since you didn't actually divine me, what were all those titles you mentioned when we first met?"
Firenze shrugged.
'"The Unknown Future'—as the name suggests. 'Lord of the Qilin,' that's obvious enough, right? As for the rest… I made them up."
His matter-of-fact tone left Lucien stunned for a moment.
No way… has this Centaur ever been beaten up by other Centaurs or wizards?
Who would admit to being a charlatan who makes things up?
Noticing Lucien's confusion, Firenze continued:
"You humans seem to enjoy long strings of titles. Like your greatest wizard, Dumbledore—he's the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and a recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class…... Aren't all those titles for just one person?"
"Wow… is this really how Centaurs think? It kind of makes sense."
A banquet hall meant for dozens somehow hosting hundreds, even thousands...
Lucien opened his mouth to explain, but found himself at a loss. In the end, he could only say:
"It's a way for humans to express honor."
"Oh, I see. I'm quite interested in human culture, but no one ever talks to me about it."
Lucien rubbed his forehead and said helplessly, "I can lend you some books about it—if you can read human writing. Of course, you could just ask me directly."
"Firenze, have you ever been… um, attacked by people before because of the things you've said?"
Hearing this, Firenze raised a hoof and said proudly:
"I've been the runner-up in the Centaur races for many years! Everyone praises me for running like the wind!"
Uh… he should thank the guidance of the stars, and even more, thank his parents for giving him such long legs…
After a few more casual chats, Lucien bid farewell to Firenze and left with Little Qilin.
Not long after, the sound of clattering hooves approached from a distance.
"Firenze, why did you make me hide so far away? And how did your conversation with that human go?"
Firenze glanced at his approaching companion—a Centaur with black fur and a thick beard.
"Far? Bane, they already noticed you."
"That Qilin looked in your direction several times, and Lucien never put away his wand."
The Centaur named Bane stomped his hooves in frustration.
"Humans are just that cunning. Do you really believe you can be friends with him?"
"The language of the stars told me I would gain a precious friendship tonight."
Hearing his friend's murmur, Bane crossed his arms and shook his head.
"The most gifted diviner in the tribe—whatever you say goes. But you shouldn't have revealed our tribe's information to a human."
Firenze pointed in a direction.
"Oh, Bane, the most sensitive archer in the tribe, champion of the running race, you're welcome to chase after that boy and stop him right now."
Bane's face immediately darkened to match his fur.
"I don't want to die yet, and tonight is not the right time to ascend to the Star Temple! Firenze, if you want to be a champion, you should practice running more, instead of egging me on like this!"
"And stop calling me by those human titles!"
"Centaurs should only predict the grand trends of the era. What's the point of focusing on one human…"
Used to his friend's grumbling, Firenze simply looked in the direction Lucien had gone, muttering to himself:
"But he alone can change an era."
__________
11 Advance Chaps- P@treon/DarkDevil1