"No."
Dodolo refused in his distinctive accent, his tone resolute.
Everyone was stunned. They had thought that, whether Dodolo ultimately agreed or not, he would at least give it some thought before offering a solemn answer. Yet Dodolo had not considered it at all, seemingly tossing out his answer casually.
His refusal was utterly decisive.
Not only were Shikel and the observers surprised, even Maya looked at Dodolo in astonishment.
"Are you sure you won't consider it? Perhaps you still don't understand what the Temple of Time means to a prophecy wizard?" Shikel asked, still unwilling to give up after his brief daze.
Dodolo looked calmly at Shikel without saying anything.
Assuming Dodolo did not understand the significance of the Temple of Time, Shikel explained, "I can't tell you exactly what special effects the Temple of Time has right now, but you'll know once you enter it yourself. It can only benefit you, never harm you."
"Moreover, nearly every prophecy wizard who walks out of the Temple of Time becomes an observer. One could say that the Temple of Time's token is what guarantees one's place as an observer."
What Shikel had said already counted as confidential information and should not have been revealed to outsiders. Yet he had disclosed it nonetheless. Though the observers beside him frowned, none stopped him.
By now, they could all see that Shikel might indeed want to learn Dodolo's secrets, but he seemed even more concerned with Dodolo himself.
Perhaps making Dodolo his assistant was Shikel's true objective.
"I refuse." Dodolo still did not hesitate, answering with the same unwavering resolve, as though Shikel's earlier explanation had been nothing more than phantom bubbles that had never drifted into Dodolo's mind.
Shikel's lips moved as if he wanted to persuade him further, but when he