While strolling within the bustling streets of the Capital, Dawn Heart–his homeland, Zixin found a bizarre sign.
The words on the signs were: 'House of Fortune,' which took Zixin's interest.
His thoughts slowly moved, making him think, I don't remember this being here before… Is it new?
After deciding, he carefully opened the door and entered the 'store.' The insides weren't anything strange, they were just the common wooden floor and white concrete walls.
Zixin looked around, seeing couches nearby and a wooden counter. Zixin sighed, thinking, There's no one here, did they forget to close the door or something?
But his thoughts soon came to a halt as a man wearing a clown costume came out from one of the doors at the back. His face was dyed with rainbow colors, a stark contrast to his white costume.
Zixin's confusion reached its peak, as he tried to ask but the Clown laughed awkwardly.
The Clown coughed a few times, trying to clear his thoughts before speaking. When he spoke, his voice sounded calm, the complete opposite of his costume, "I apologize if I scared you. I work at a nearby Circus as a part-time job, and… uh, this store is for Fortune Telling."
Zixin gave him a deadpan look before asking, "So, what am I supposed to do to learn my fortune?"
The Clown quickly takes out a piece of paper from the counter and hands it to Zixin while he explains, "It's actually quite simple. First, you just need to pick a divination method to be used, and then I will do the divination. Simple right?"
Zixin sighed internally, asking himself, Why am I bothering with something as strange as fortune telling? I sound so desperate but… I guess I won't really lose much from this.
Zixin then takes a quick glance at the paper where the prices were written and his expression twitched after seeing how expensive some of them could be.
He just waved his hand, going near the counter and picking the cheapest one.
The Clown smiled at him, happy to see him not be troubled by the options he had given.
The Clown then led Zixin to a small room painted silver.
He then told Zixin, sounding somewhat concerned, "I would have to change clothes and wash my face first so would you be willing to wait?"
Zixin nodded, unbothered by time.
After about three minutes, the Clown entered the room and once Zixin laid his eyes upon him, he immediately became stunned.
His short dark hair and dark eyes gave off a dependable vibe while his smooth white skin gave him a doll-like quality. He was dressed in a white linen shirt, black trousers, and plain rubber shoes. He was far too handsome to be a Clown.
Taking a seat opposite Zixin, he kindly introduced himself, "My name is Rai, a Nameless like many others. But today, I am your diviner."
Rai then asked, ready to begin at any moment, "So, what divination method would you like for me to use?"
Zixin then asked, "Do I also need to introduce myself?"
Rai shook his head, replying, "You don't have to. I only need the basic information but if you feel like it, feel free to do so."
Zixin then–with a calm and polite tone, spoke, "I am Zixin, Zixin of Longevity. And today, I am your client."
Rai awkwardly smiled after noticing that Zixin copied his introduction.
Rai then asked, "So what method would you like me to use?"
Zixin cast a glance at the paper, not changing his mind, he replied, sounding like he had just ordered his meal, "The scrying one please."
Beneath the table, Rai took out a crystal ball. He first placed a small purple cushion in the middle before placing the crystal ball on top.
He placed both of his hands upon the crystal ball. His eyes drooped until they fully closed. As soon as they closed, the room's atmosphere turned cold, as though giving a warning of incoming danger.
Feeling his instincts tell him to leave, Zixin immediately stood up–ready to leave. But the moment he had taken his first step, Rai's voice echoed, "All paths taken will lead to nothing."
The volume of his voice increased–sounding ethereal, "Fortune is only found in danger."
He continued, "Unknown threads will reveal disaster."
As he spoke the last words, his eyes slowly opened, "Perseverance and will are the truth."
Rai took a deep breath. It seems like the divination takes a toll on him whenever he executes it.
Zixin thanked him, handing him the payment, "Thank you for your rather vague words."
Rai laughed awkwardly, scratching his cheeks as he gave Zixin some advice, "The fortune that I managed to divine is filled with countless tragedies. I just hope that you can stand up to face each with enough fervor."
…
At the Academy's library, Zixin was reading books regarding divination and fortune telling as a whole. From what he could gather it tends to be–a scam. Although some of the methods used had real theories behind them, they were still faulty.
Zixin's thoughts raced, trying to understand what had just occurred. My 'fortune,' huh? This is very suspicious but I suppose I'll just have to keep in mind, after all, it might just be true.
Zixin shook his head, trying to plan his next steps, "So I guess I should just continue studying the Hex Zone now."
He took one of the books piled up near him as he read them carefully, "When a Holder enters the White Palace successfully, they will be met with a completely empty void. But within the center of it lies their Heart. Once they grabbed hold of it, they would be able to use their first sub-ability that they would have to use until they gain another sub-ability through increased mastery."
"So if I enter the White Palace I would only have access to one sub-ability until my mastery increases, huh?" Zixin sighed, knowing full well that reading what he could do inside the White Palace wouldn't help him enter the Hex Zone.
Hours passed by until the shade of night had finally enveloped the sky. Zixin quickly packs his belongings and goes back to his dorm.
Inside his room, he prepares to take a bath. After doing so, he sat back down in his bed and began studying, "After entering the White Palace, the Holder's physical body may receive something called–Body Enhancements. Body Enhancements will improve a Holder's physical ability and as they increase their mastery, this will also increase."
While studying, he hears a knocking sound. He went up to the door, opening it to reveal Cael who smiled awkwardly.
He darted his eyes for a few seconds before finally speaking up, "So uh… I was kicked out of my dorm."