Chapter 1948 Schickel's Deal <TOC> Chapter 1950 New Blood
Translator: SumTLMan
“No.”
Totoro, with his distinct accent and a firm tone, declined.
Everyone was stunned. They thought Totoro would at least ponder before giving a solemn response. However, he dismissed the offer without a second thought, his refusal abrupt and decisive.
Not only were Schickel and the Observers astonished, but even Maya looked at Totoro with surprise.
“Aren’t you going to consider it? You might not yet grasp the significance of the Hall of Time for a prophecy wizard,” Schickel urged, not giving up even after the initial shock.
Totoro looked at Schickel calmly, his expression unreadable.
Schickel, mistaking Totoro’s silence for ignorance, explained, “I can’t tell you the specific effects of the Hall of Time right now, but you’ll understand once you enter. It’s only beneficial for you.”
“Moreover, almost every prophecy wizard who exits the Hall of Time becomes an Observer. You could say that the Hall of Time’s credential is the assurance of an Observer.”
These words from Schickel were somewhat confidential, not meant for outsiders, yet he spoke them openly. The nearby Observers frowned but didn’t stop him.
At this point, it was clear that while Schickel might indeed be curious about Totoro’s secrets, he seemed more concerned with Totoro himself.
Perhaps making Totoro his assistant was Schickel’s true aim.
“I refuse,” Totoro still responded decisively without a moment’s thought, as if Schickel’s previous explanations were like ephemeral bubbles that never entered Totoro’s mind.
Schickel’s lips moved as if he wanted to say more, but seeing Totoro’s unchanged expression, he somewhat understood. Convincing Totoro to agree was almost impossible.
“Can you tell me why you refuse?” Schickel asked after a moment of silence.
Totoro replied, “I don’t know.”
From the answer, Totoro seemed perplexed, but his tone was resolutely certain.
Schickel was initially taken aback, then, after a moment of thought, he understood Totoro’s meaning: “Are you saying that you also don’t know your own secrets?”
Totoro nodded.
“That’s perfect, then. As my assistant, I can help you unearth the secrets hidden within you,” Schickel immediately followed up.
However, Totoro’s response remained a firm shake of the head.
Totoro’s attitude seemed predestined from the start, as if no matter how Schickel tried to persuade, there was no possibility of change.
Schickel couldn’t help but look towards Maya, seeking an answer from her as to why Totoro was so resolute.
Maya said nothing, just gently shook her head. With her understanding of Totoro, she had a guess in her mind but wasn’t entirely sure.
Watching Totoro and Maya both put on an expression of non-violent non-cooperation, Schickel sighed helplessly, “I really value your talent; in fact, you could try to be my assistant.”
This time, Schickel put away his sinister smile, and his tone was unusually serious. This also indicated that Schickel’s real purpose was indeed Totoro himself. Whether he valued his talent or coveted it, what Schickel wanted was Totoro himself.
However, even though Schickel put on such an expression, Totoro remained silent with his eyebrows down, as if living entirely in his own world.
Schickel shook his head with some regret; he realized it was futile.
In fact, he truly believed Totoro’s talent was worth nurturing, and he vaguely sensed that Totoro might be from that legendary tribe. Schickel was curious about that mythical tribe and also felt pity for them.
He chose Totoro both for research purposes and out of sympathy, wanting to nurture him, but he regretted that, in the end, Totoro chose a different path at the crossroads.
“Well, I respect your decision.” Schickel said with some regret, but he couldn’t force it, especially since Totoro’s backing was the Savage Grottoes.
After finishing his words, Schickel turned and left the grand hall first.
His chain dragged on the ground, clinking and clanking, the sound getting farther and farther away.
Just as Schickel was about to leave the Star Observing Hall, he suddenly stopped, as if he thought of something, and turned his head to look at Totoro’s position: “I want to ask you a question, don’t worry, it’s not about probing anything serious, just a small question. You won’t refuse me again, will you?”
Totoro lifted his head, his gaze meeting Schickel’s.
Schickel didn’t wait for Totoro to nod and directly asked, “At the start of the previous exchange meeting, you chose to be the first to communicate. What I want to know is…”
“Why were you silent for so long at that time, what were you thinking?”
As Maya thought Schickel would ask why Totoro chose to be the first to speak, she didn’t expect Schickel to change the topic and inquire why Totoro remained silent for so long.
The people listening to Schickel’s question involuntarily recalled the earlier scene.
Indeed, when the exchange meeting began, Totoro had taken the initiative to say, “I’ll go first,” but then fell into a period of blank silence. If he had prepared to speak first, he should have thought of what to say and wouldn’t have suddenly become silent.
What Schickel wanted to know was what Totoro was thinking during that silent period.
Was he considering hiding some information about the Peach Heart Theater, or after choosing to speak first, did he regret it?
Faced with Schickel’s question, Totoro didn’t show resistance this time but seriously thought for a moment and replied, “I was weighing options.”
Totoro’s answer was somewhat unexpected, and this time Schickel didn’t ask further. Instead, a man in the Observers, known as ‘The Illustrious Creator,’ Kord Flashgold, wearing a smiling eye mask, spoke up, “Weighing what?”
Totoro glanced at the person who asked the question, previously introduced by Witch Maya as someone with an unknown origin and often stalked by the Extreme Sect.
“I was weighing which prophecy to choose to speak about.” Totoro didn’t hide his thoughts and spoke his mind.
After his words fell, the air in the great hall suddenly fell into a moment of silence.
Totoro’s meaning is quite clear: his silence stems from choice, deliberating which prophecy to speak of. Does this imply that within the Mystery of Starlight, Totoro has glimpsed not just one prophecy but at least two? Otherwise, why the need to weigh his options?
Yet Totoro is but an apprentice of prophecy, and his sighting of a single prophecy has already astounded all, indirectly humiliating many a formal wizard.
Now he claims to have seen More Than One prophecy?
How is that possible?!
Some wish to laugh, but the calm demeanor of Totoro slowly retracts their amusement.
From the previous conversation, it’s apparent that Totoro is not one for jokes. He is stubborn and steadfast, seemingly indifferent to benefits, caring more for what lies within.
Such a person, would he suddenly act out of character?
Unlikely.
But if one were to believe in Totoro’s character, does that mean he’s speaking the truth? That he truly has seen more than two prophecies?!