Warlock Apprentice

After Lapuye finished speaking, the air suddenly fell silent.

No one took the initiative to speak.

It’s not that they didn’t want to speak, but simply didn’t want to be the first to speak. In the eyes of many, the first one to speak at previous exchange meetings was always the Observer, reporting a prophecy that would, more or less, set the baseline for the meeting. In other words, the first prophecy announced may not influence the future landscape, but at least wouldn’t be seen as useless.

For example, at last year’s stargazing day, ”The Reader of No Delusion” Shura was the first to speak, and the information he reported was the dimensional fusion of the Pamiji Plateau.

This was extremely valuable information, prompting most of the Witcher Organizations in the Southern Domain to head to the Pamiji Plateau.

By comparison, the prophecy at the forefront of stargazing day is considered very substantial. None of the people present felt that the prophecy fragments they saw were qualified to be the first to speak.

So everyone fell silent, turning their gaze to the eleven observers at the center. In the eyes of most, the future fragments seen by the Observers must be of greater substance than theirs.

However, at this point, all the observers closed their eyes and did not prepare to speak. Some felt that Lapuye suddenly changed the speaking rules, allowing ordinary Prophet Wizards to speak first, so they might as well step aside.

There was a hint of spite in this, but it was indeed the thought of some individuals. After all, to them, the priority of prophecy was also a source of superiority, and being forcibly pulled down from the pedestal naturally caused some discontent.

Of course, although they felt uncomfortable, they only used such inconsequential details to express slight resistance. If Lapuye really named them to speak, they would not deliberately defy.

However, after waiting for a long time, Lapuye did not name any of the Observers, continuing to let the silence spread with an air of calm.

This silent silence lasted for five whole minutes.

The Prophet Wizards all looked at each other. They weren’t hesitant because they didn’t want to speak; they simply felt unqualified. Why wouldn’t the Observers take the initiative?

When everyone started feeling restless, Maya thought it over and decided to be the first to speak.

She was bewildered by the nearly apocalyptic fragment she saw last and was eager to exchange views with others.

Thinking thus, Maya began to speak, ”How about...”

Maya hadn’t yet finished saying ”I’ll go first” when a voice, completely unexpected, rang out.

”I’ll go first.” This voice carried an exotic accent, with a rising tone at the end that should have conveyed cheer, yet was forcefully spoken with an austere tone.

Maya was very familiar with this accent. Turning around, she saw the speaker was indeed Dororo.

Dororo glanced back at Maya and spoke softly, ”Mentor, let me go first.”

Maya had yet to respond, but the other Prophet Wizards frowned. In their eyes, Dororo was merely a Prophecy Apprentice. What right did he have to speak? What fragment could an apprentice see in the Mystery of the Stars? Even if he did see some meaningless fragments, is he really qualified to assume the responsibility of being the first to speak?

The majority of the Prophet Wizards expressed dissatisfaction, not because anyone criticized him openly, but simply because they noticed previously that Lapuye seemed to appreciate Dororo. But Lapuye’s appreciation wasn’t enough for them to think Dororo could be the first to speak.

On the other hand, the Observers at the center did not show much emotion; several even expressed curious and expectant glances.

For example, Skell collected his lazy demeanor and looked at Dororo with a slightly wicked gaze, ”Good, I appreciate those with courage. Honestly, this stargazing day, I’m most looking forward to hearing a few people’s prophecies; you’re one of them. I’d really like to know what you have to say.”

Skell’s words left the Prophet Wizards below dumbfounded.

Was Skell joking, or speaking ironically?

Upon closer discernment, it appeared to be neither. Skell genuinely anticipated Dororo’s prophecy, but why would he anticipate a Prophecy Apprentice’s words?

”I used to think you were merely devoid of humanity, but now it seems you’ve lost wisdom too.” Following Skell’s encouragement, a coldly mocking voice rang from the side. It was Evan, who had naturally harbored some dislike for Dororo due to an unpleasant incident at the previous stargazing day.

”I never knew that sharing one’s findings with others would be regarded as an act of foolishness. Perhaps, our most wise Lord Evan, you shouldn’t attend this exchange meeting, lest you become more foolish by listening.” The speaker, holding a book and seemingly flipping through it, projected a piercing gaze at Evan.

This person was ”The Reader of No Delusion” Shura; initially, there was no grudge between him and Evan, but because of the mysterious object once lost on Silver Palm Island, Shura officially opposed Evan.

At that time, Evan helped the witch Charlotte target that mysterious object, while Shura secretly assisted ”Sea God” Florenza.

Due to differing positions, their disagreements grew, eventually leading to direct confrontation, even extending the dispute to stargazing day.

Evan coldly glared at Shura without responding, not out of fear of Shura but because responding would mean falling into Shura’s trap; he couldn’t really stop attending the exchange meeting.

Thus, Evan didn’t speak back to Shura and continued to stare coldly at Dororo, ”Last stargazing day, you were asked to share a prophecy, and you refused. This time, you actively request to speak.”

”Fine, you can speak first. However, you’d better not present meaningless future fragments to mislead us. If you indeed waste our time, it’d be best if you never return for future stargazing days.”

This time, Shura didn’t argue because he secretly agreed that if Dororo merely presented unconscious future fragments, it wasn’t worth tolerating.

If Dororo presented meaningless future fragments on the second or third day of the exchange, it would be forgivable. But now it’s the first day of the meeting and the first position; if he intends to deceive them, they could not condone such behavior.

Understandably, other Prophet Wizards have self-awareness—not speaking prematurely—yet since you, a Prophecy Apprentice, have spoken, you must shoulder this pressure.

Evan’s attitude was firm; other Observers did not offer help. Seeing this situation about to settle, Maya anxiously turned to look at Dororo.

Dororo, however, maintained his usual indifferent expression, as if Evan’s pressure weighed about as much as a feather on him.

Dororo’s nonchalant attitude made Evan’s heart fire simmer continuously, but having already thrown down his words, further harsh words seemed undignified.

Evan simply closed his eyes and pretended to meditate.

Lapuye finally spoke at this point, smilingly looking at Dororo, ”It’s been about three hundred years since a Prophecy Apprentice was the first to speak at stargazing day.”

When Lapuye spoke to this point, he glanced at Skell—three hundred years ago, when Skell was still an apprentice, he had been the first to speak. Afterwards, he was reprimanded because the prophecy he spoke was utterly worthless. Since then, no apprentice dared to do such a thing.

”I’m very glad to see this moment again.”