Doesn't dare to look?
Was magical divination in this world dangerous? It didn't seem to have that kind of setting where you'd go mad from forbidden knowledge, right?
Leo was genuinely surprised by Firenze's statement. He'd been mentally prepared for this centaur to praise him extensively, calling him some future star or heaven-sent genius.
But instead, just one phrase—doesn't dare to look?
Well, if there was something about himself preventing Firenze's prophecy and divination, it should be the system, right?
He called out in his consciousness, "System, did you prevent his divination?"
[Safeguarding the host on the road of pursuing knowledge is what I should do (`Д´)ゞ]
It admitted it so directly? Not playing any games with him. What a cooperative system.
Leo suddenly thought of another question. "System, it's your existence preventing divination, not that I myself have something special, right?"
[...]
[The host should pursue their life goals and work hard to learn knowledge. The system will provide help within its capabilities.]
"Can't say? Or can't say now?"
[...Does the host need any new loans? Recently there are new offerings...]
Leo directly closed the system dialogue. Since it wasn't willing to answer directly, there was no point pressing further.
Who was he, where did he come from, where was he going? These three philosophical questions weren't necessary to explore now. He'd only been in contact with magic for how long? How much knowledge had he learnt? How much had he truly grasped?
So much unknown and fascinating knowledge was still waiting for him to explore—why worry about such ethereal questions?
"Firenze, since you didn't see my divination, why are you still so enthusiastic and friendly?"
Leo's question brought Firenze back from his contemplation. Looking at this human youth, those dark green eyes were completely calm and untroubled.
"I cannot divine you, but I can see people around you, their futures. Your surroundings are like a huge vortex that will absorb many things, release many things, change the trajectories those people should have."
Leo wasn't surprised by this answer. Indeed, with his participation, many things would change—those people's fates, those tragedies, those separations...
But "absorb" and "release"?
Absorb what, knowledge? And what would he release?
Because divination was impossible, he could only seek the future himself—another way of exploring the unknown, which was equally fascinating.
"Changing trajectories, including you? Including all of you, the centaur race?"
Leo continued asking.
Firenze nodded gently. "Yes. Actually, I can't tell if this change is good or bad, but the stars tell me that becoming friends is never a bad thing, right?"
The corner of Leo's mouth curved up, his tone relaxing. "Advance payment with hidden costs?"
"No, no price. Thank the stars for their guidance—tonight, at this place, I can harvest precious friendship."
This statement made Leo want to call him a charlatan, but he restrained himself. He couldn't help it—this centaur was too friendly, not only helping him but also speaking so pleasantly.
"Firenze, I love harvesting knowledge. I learnt a lot from you tonight. Thank you. I'm very happy to receive a centaur's help and friendship."
A faint, peaceful smile appeared on Firenze's handsome face, though the joy in his eyes was obvious. "This is also my honour."
The atmosphere relaxed considerably. Leo took the opportunity to ask a puzzling question. "Firenze, since you didn't truly divine me, then when we met just now, what was that string of titles about?"
Firenze spread his hands matter-of-factly. "Knower of the Future—self-explanatory, right? Master of the Qilin—very easy to see, right? As for the rest... I made them up."
That casual tone made even Leo freeze for a moment.
Wait, had this centaur ever been beaten up by other centaurs or human wizards? What fortune teller would admit to making things up?
Seeing Leo's confusion, Firenze continued, "You humans seem to really like this kind of string of titles. Like your greatest wizard, Dumbledore—he's Hogwarts Headmaster, International Confederation of Wizards Chief, Wizengamot Chief Warlock, Order of Merlin First Class... Aren't these titles all for one person?"
Was this centaur logic? It seemed... not exactly wrong.
Leo opened his mouth, wanting to explain but feeling it pointless, finally managing only, "This is humanity's way of displaying honour."
"Oh, I see. I'm quite interested in human culture, but no one communicates with me about it."
Leo held his forehead helplessly. "I can lend you some books on this subject, if you can read human writing. Of course, you can also ask me directly. Firenze, have you ever been... attacked for something you said?"
Hearing this, Firenze raised his hooves with a proud expression. "I've been runner-up in the Centaur Race running competition for many years. They all praise me for running like the wind!"
He should thank the stars' guidance, but even more thank his parents for giving him such long legs...
After chatting a bit more, Leo bid farewell to Firenze and left with Aurelius.
Not long after, the sound of hoofbeats grew closer.
"Firenze, why did you make me hide so far away? Also, how did your talk with that human go?"
Firenze glanced at his approaching companion—a centaur with black fur and a full beard. "Far? Bane, they discovered you long ago. The Qilin looked in your direction several times, and Leo never put away his wand."
The centaur named Bane couldn't help stomping his hooves. "Humans are just so cunning. Do you really believe you can be friends with him?"
"The language of the stars told me I would gain precious friendship tonight."
Hearing his friend's assertion, Bane crossed his arms and shook his head. "The tribe's most talented diviner—whatever you say, I guess. But you shouldn't have revealed our tribe's information to a human."
Firenze pointed in a direction. "Oh, the tribe's most keen-eared archer, the running race champion, Bane—you can chase after that youth right now and stop him."
Bane's face immediately turned as dark as his fur. "I don't want to die yet, and tonight isn't suitable for ascending to the Star Temple! Firenze, if you want to become champion, you should practise running more instead of provoking me here! Also, don't call me by human-style titles! Centaurs should only prophesy the era's general trends. What can one human amount to..."
Accustomed to his friend's grumbling, Firenze only looked toward Leo's departing direction, murmuring to himself.
"But he alone can change an era."