"Next time?"
Rat Immortal chuckled, his voice sounding somewhat piercing in the empty tavern:
"'Next time I'll do better.' 'Next time I'll definitely win.' 'Next time I absolutely won't make this kind of mistake again.'"
"Next time, next time, next time."
"When has life ever had a next time? Every day is a new beginning."
"Only after truly touching time would you discover that life never had a next time to begin with. The next time in your mind is all an illusion. Especially for you, young one."
The tail behind Rat Immortal suddenly lengthened, and its tip poked the absentminded witch, startling her.
"...When you're young, you should learn to seize the present. Treat each day's work, every task, every choice, every moment as the only opportunity in this world. Only then would your life not be empty."
"Come, say it with me." Rat Immortal cleared his throat and howled, "This time, I will succeed!"
It raised its little paws and looked up at the sky as though holding up the entire sun. For a moment, even the deep wrinkles on its body smoothed out, making it look much younger.
The owner of Genie's Hut had sharp eyes and quick hands. She swiftly set up a powerful soundproof barrier, keeping the Big Rat's howl confined within the little tavern.
Only then did she have time to put earplugs in her own ears.
"You're equivocating!" the tavern owner shouted, raising her voice. "Philosophy and life are two different matters! Theory and reality are two different worlds! A smart wizard wouldn't use an egg to smash against a rock!"
"Perhaps." Rat Immortal did not deny the witch's point. Its tiny black eyes stared fixedly at the newly appointed Archwizard before it spoke softly:
"Perhaps you think my choice was rather foolish.