A rustling stirred through the leaves.
A Centaur appeared before Lucien.
His hair was platinum blond, a bow and arrows slung across his back. His upper body was powerfully built, while his lower half was that of a pale golden silver-maned horse.
His eyes were a startling blue, like clear, tranquil sapphires.
"Firenze the Centaur offers you his greetings."
Then Firenze clenched his fists, crossed his forearms over his chest, and gave Lucien a slight bow.
The gesture made Lucien raise a brow, surprise appearing in his eyes.
He had read that this was an extremely formal greeting among Centaurs, generally used only when welcoming honored guests or friends of many years.
Moreover, Centaurs had always been aloof toward humans—one could even say they disliked them—and kept their distance out of cold courtesy.
Yet this Firenze before him was clearly meeting him for the first time.
Why was he greeting him like this?
And how could he call out his name directly?
As for the rather cringe-worthy title Firenze had added afterward, Lucien rather wanted to make a snide remark.
Fortunately, the Forbidden Forest was large enough to hold all these people...
Lucien thought of it. Centaurs were highly skilled at divination, especially reading the stars. Had he seen him in a prophecy?
How would a prophecy describe him?
"Lucien Grafton returns your greeting."
Lucien's mind was racing, but he did not neglect proper etiquette.
With the hand that was not holding his wand, he brushed his chest and gave a slight bow in return.
Receiving Lucien's response, Firenze nodded to Liuguang as well.
"And greetings to you, Qilin from another world."
Lucien narrowed his eyes, wanting very much to know why this Centaur had called Liuguang a Qilin from another world.
Could divination—Centaur divination, at least—really be that miraculous?