Warlock Apprentice

”No.”

Dororo refused with a firm tone, using his distinctive accent.

Everyone was stunned. They thought, whether Dororo agreed or not in the end, he would at least contemplate before giving a solemn answer. Yet, Dororo didn’t even ponder, giving an answer seemingly at random.

The refusal was very decisive.

Not only did Skerl and a group of Observers feel surprised, even Maya looked at Dororo with astonished eyes.

”Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? Perhaps you don’t yet understand the significance of the Hall of Time for a Prophet Wizard?” Skerl, after recovering from his shock, continued to persuade.

Dororo calmly looked at Skerl, without expressing any intention.

Skerl assumed Dororo didn’t know the significance of the Hall of Time and explained, ”I can’t tell you the specific special effects of the Hall of Time right now, but once you enter, you will know. It is beneficial and harmless to you.”

”Moreover, almost every Prophet Wizard who comes out of the Hall of Time becomes an Observer. It can be said that the credentials of the Hall of Time guarantee an Observer.”

What Skerl said could already be considered a secret, not meant to be divulged to outsiders. But he still said it, and although the Observers beside him frowned, they didn’t stop Skerl.

At that moment, they seemed to realize that while Skerl might indeed want to know Dororo’s secret, he seemed to care more about Dororo himself.

Perhaps making Dororo his assistant was Skerl’s true purpose.

”I refuse.” Dororo still answered firmly without thinking, as if Skerl’s previous explanation were nothing but illusory bubbles, not even entering Dororo’s mind.

Skerl’s lips moved as if he wanted to say something more, but seeing Dororo’s unchanged expression, he somewhat understood. Making Dororo agree was nearly impossible.

”Can you tell me why you refuse?” Skerl asked after a moment of silence.

Dororo: ”I don’t know.”

Dororo’s answer seemed confused, but his tone was quite certain.

Skerl was first taken aback, then contemplated for a moment before understanding what Dororo meant: ”You mean to say you don’t actually know your own secret either?”

Dororo nodded.

”Then it’s just right, you can be my assistant, and I can help you unearth the secrets hidden within you.” Skerl immediately seized the opportunity.

However, Dororo’s answer remained a steadfast shake of the head.

Dororo’s attitude seemed preordained from the start; no matter how Skerl tried to persuade him, there was no possibility of change.

Skerl couldn’t help but look at Maya, hoping to get an answer from her as to why Dororo’s attitude was so determined.

Maya said nothing, only lightly shaking her head. Though she had a guess about Dororo’s attitude, she couldn’t be completely sure.

Seeing both Dororo and Maya displaying a non-violent non-cooperation stance, Skerl sighed helplessly, ”I really value your talent; you could try being my assistant.”

This time, Skerl put away his mischievous smile, speaking with rare solemnity. This also showed Skerl’s true motive—indeed, it was Dororo himself, whether for valuing his talent or coveting it. Ultimately, Skerl wanted Dororo.

But even with Skerl showing such an expression, Dororo remained silent, seemingly living in his own world entirely.

Skerl shook his head with some regret; he understood now that nothing could be done.

In fact, he truly felt that Dororo’s talent was worth cultivating, and he vaguely saw that Dororo might belong to that particular group of people. For that legendary group, Skerl was both curious and sympathetic.

Choosing Dororo had some elements of research but also sympathy and a wish to cultivate, unfortunately, in the end, Dororo chose another path.

”Alright, I respect your decision.” Skerl said with some regret, but he couldn’t force anything, given Dororo’s backing from the Barbarian Cave.

After speaking, Skerl turned and headed towards the hall entrance to leave first.

The chains on his feet dragged on the ground, clanking, the sound growing more distant.

Just as Skerl was about to leave the Observatory Hall, he suddenly halted as if thinking of something, turning back to look at Dororo’s location, ”I want to ask you a question; don’t worry, this time it’s not about probing anything, just a small question. Surely, you won’t refuse me this time?”

Dororo lifted his head, meeting Skerl’s gaze.

Without waiting for Dororo to nod, Skerl directly asked, ”At the start of the earlier exchange meeting, you were the first to choose to communicate. I want to know...”

”Why did you remain silent for so long then? What were you thinking about?”

Maya thought Skerl would ask why Dororo chose to speak first, but unexpectedly, Skerl shifted the question to why Dororo was silent for so long?

Hearing Skerl’s question, everyone involuntarily recalled the earlier scene.

Indeed, after the exchange meeting began, once Dororo voluntarily said ”I’ll go first,” he fell into a period of blank silence. If he planned to speak first preparedly, he should have his words ready, not suddenly fall silent.

Skerl wanted to know what Dororo was contemplating during that silent period.

Was it to conceal some information about the Peach Heart Theater, or... after choosing to speak first, did he regret it?

Facing Skerl’s question, this time, Dororo didn’t show resistance; instead, he thought seriously and replied, ”I was weighing things.”

Dororo’s answer was somewhat unexpected; this time, Skerl didn’t pursue further. Instead, a man among the Observers wearing a laughing-eye mask spoke up, ”Weighing what?”

Dororo glanced at the questioner—he’d been introduced by the Witch Maya before as a person of unknown background often stalked by Extreme Sect, with the nickname ”Creator of Illusions,” Codi Flanquin.

”I was weighing which Prophecy to choose to speak.” Dororo didn’t hide, speaking his inner thoughts.

After hearing his words, the air in the hall suddenly fell into silence.

Dororo’s meaning was clear: his silence was due to choosing which prophecy would be better to tell. The implied meaning was that Dororo saw more than one prophecy in the Mystery of the Stars? At least two or more; otherwise, why weigh?

But Dororo was just a Prophecy Apprentice; seeing even one prophecy was already astonishing, indirectly embarrassing a bunch of Official Wizards.

Now he says he saw more than one prophecy?

How could it be?!

Someone wanted to laugh but, seeing Dororo’s calm expression, the smile gradually faded away.

From the previous conversation, it seemed Dororo wasn’t someone who liked to joke. He was stubborn and persistent, seemingly indifferent to benefits, caring more about his inner self.

Would such a person suddenly play around?

It shouldn’t be possible.

But if one believed in Dororo’s character, did it imply Dororo was telling the truth? Did he really see more than two prophecies?!