Aranndor the Wise Spoke Thus

Even though the other party said so, Zhang Yuan knew in his heart what a significant favor this was and how risky an investment it represented. 500 gold was not a small sum; as the other party said, he couldn't repay it even if he sold himself.

Moreover, with this money, why not invest in something else? Why invest in a rookie mercenary who was just starting out? It was entirely possible that the investment target might die in some mission before even becoming a Mage.

What was their motive? Unable to figure out the other party's intentions, Zhang Yuan directly asked, "Why are you helping me so much? Is it worth it?"

"It's not worth it!" The old Mage choked him half to death with a single sentence. "But we are gambling on a future."

"Future?"

Ignoring the curious Zhang Yuan, Banterley seemed to be reminiscing, or perhaps talking to himself. "Not long ago, my old friend ⑴ visited me and told me that the prophecy of the seer Aranndor would eventually come true in the near future."

"The surging sea of blood roars and floods the land of the Sword Coast, evil shadows are born from the hearts of the God's Chosen and shroud the mortal cities, the dice of fate have been cast, and the gods await the answer," old Banterley recited the prophecy like an aria. "And I, too, will add a stake."

Afterward, the old Mage fell silent, refusing to answer any of Zhang Yuan's questions.

Helpless, Zhang Yuan followed Banterley out of the inn in silence and arrived at the neighboring Temple of Wisdom.

Entering the hall, the deserted and quiet large hall at night was illuminated by several magic lamps emitting a moon-white glow. The temple priest, Banterley's wife, Jelana Mirrorimage, was praying alone.

Disturbed by the newcomers, she realized it was her husband and walked over. "Bringing a guest so late? And who is this?" Banterley then pulled her aside and whispered to her.

After quietly listening to Banterley explain the entire story, Jelana looked up at Zhang Yuan. "Hello, young Mage. Please forgive our rudeness just now. Like my husband, I also think it's a great pity for your talent to be wasted like this."

Jelana looked at the young Mage with her eyes, which had crow's feet at the corners but were still clear and bright, looking at him kindly. "I know Banterley didn't tell you everything, and I understand your current confusion. But what I can tell you is that due to some unutterable premonitions, we need someone to stand up when the tide of destiny strikes."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan didn't know whether to feel proud or terrified. He looked somewhat nervously at the woman who was nearly sixty. "Do you need an adventurer? Or a hero? Do you believe I can do it?"

Jelana smiled. "I don't believe so." Before Zhang Yuan, whose mouth had fallen open like a frog's, could say anything, she continued, "But no one is born a hero, and there are no guaranteed wins in the games of fate. I'm not asking you to do anything; I'm waiting for someone to do something."

Rarely receiving such trust and high expectations, Zhang Yuan had too many words stuck in his throat. At this moment, he could only squeeze out one word: "Okay."

Then Jelana told Zhang Yuan that she needed one night to memorize the spells and divine spells required for the ritual. "So the ritual will be held tomorrow morning. First, give me the scrolls of the two spells you want to learn for the ritual."

After thinking for a while, Zhang Yuan decided to choose Sleep and Summon Monster I as the spells he wanted to learn, to compensate for his lack of auxiliary abilities.

He handed over the scrolls, thanked them, and left, returning to his room.

Lying on the bed, Zhang Yuan finally had time to sort through everything that had happened today. So much had happened in just one evening. His emotions had swung back and forth like riding a roller coaster, and he felt somewhat numb now.

First, he took stock of his gains. Undoubtedly, they were plentiful. Not only did he acquire the much-coveted Ring of Sorcery, but he also bought several usable spell scrolls at a special price. Of course, the biggest surprise was the Spell Infusion Ritual to be held tomorrow morning, though he would incur a huge debt for it.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but laugh. This was simply a pie falling from the sky.

Wait, a pie? Did pies really fall from the sky? Zhang Yuan's expression turned uncertain.

As for deferring the ritual's cost and repaying it later, that was just an excuse that anyone could see through. In reality, the Mirrorimage couple was performing a costly Spell Infusion Ritual for him free of charge.

But why? Did they think so highly of him? Did they spend a great deal to befriend him when he was just starting out? Or was it because of his close friendship with Captain Skar, showing affection by association?

Zhang Yuan, finding both reasons too absurd, suddenly recalled fragments from the Mirrorimages' words: destiny, God's Chosen, prophecy, Aranndor?!

Startled, Zhang Yuan sat up abruptly. Finally, he connected these threads. Regardless of the Mirrorimages' purpose, it was undoubtedly related to the prophecy of the seer Aranndor.

As one of Faerûn's most widely circulated seers, Aranndor had made countless prophecies, most of which were preserved in manuscript form at Candlekeep, the largest terrestrial temple of Oma, the god Aranndor served, a treasure trove of knowledge, and incidentally, his hometown.

Among these prophecies concerning Faerûn's fate, the most widely known (to players) was the prophecy concerning Bhaal, the god of murder:

"The Lord of Murder shall be slain, but with his death, many mortal descendants will arise, and chaos will spread in their wake."

—Thus spoke the wise Aranndor.

If it was the prophecy of the great seer Aranndor, it was no wonder Banterley and the others appeared so vigilant. But why him? And what did they want to do about it?

It couldn't be that they thought he was also a child of Bhaal, could it? Then what did they really want?

Besides, he had nothing special about him except his innate magic. It wasn't likely that the Mirrorimage couple saw him as a child of murder and were investing in him, right?

With heavy doubts and a head full of questions, he drifted off to sleep.

Waking up from a dream of ascending Bhaal's throne and successfully deifying himself, Zhang Yuan sighed to find that he still hadn't awakened his innate abilities. After tidying up his luggage, he went to wash up.

After finishing these trivial matters, Zhang Yuan hurried to the counter downstairs but couldn't find old Banterley. He waited for about fifteen minutes before the old Mage finally arrived, albeit late.

"I'm old now; my energy isn't what it used to be compared to you young people," Banterley said, holding a pipe in one hand and patting his old back as he walked behind the counter. "Don't rush, either. Jelana is still preparing the ritual vessels and spellcasting materials."

Zhang Yuan said somewhat restlessly, "Why don't I go help out?"

"Nonsense, what help can a lay-Mage like you provide? Just don't get in the way," the old Mage grumbled a couple of times.

"Just wait obediently," he said, squinting and blowing a smoke ring.

After a while, as his other teammates also came out of their rooms one by one, Priestess Jelana finally arrived.

Having informed Skar about the ritual, Zhang Yuan bid farewell to the captain and followed the Mirrorimage couple to the Temple of Wisdom.

"We'll wait for you for two hours. Any longer, and you'll have to catch up with the caravan by yourself." As the leader of the team, Skar couldn't let the entire team wait.

Waving his hand to signal that he heard, Zhang Yuan walked forward without looking back.

1. In the game, the Friendly Arm is suspected to be a secret meeting place for the Harpers. Members like Elminster, Jaheira, and Khalid have appeared here. The author also speculates that as fellow good Mages, Banterley and Elminster should have some connection, just like Gorion.

ps. The golden finger will appear in the next chapter.