READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 909: Watched
Chapter 909: Watched
The pocket watch seemed to be quite mysterious, and he couldn't help but think that it had assisted him during the examination a while ago.
If there was someone who could tell him more about this item, he would certainly want to meet them. Of course, he was also hoping that their professional service wouldn't be so expensive.
Anyway, as he continued to look around, he realized that there were Fortune-tellers scattered along the road as well, with signs inviting patrons to "Discover Your Destiny" or "Peer into the Unknown."
"Whoa~ Are these things real?" Armin hesitated. Certainly, it wasn't impossible that true Seers existed. After all, there were 12 Arcane Paths that deal with various arcane studies, magic, or mysticism.
However, Armin wasn't really sure about how it worked since multiple Arcane Paths had a branch that nurtures Seers. The two most popular were the Holy Seer and the Dark Seer.
As for the ones on the streets, Armin was sure...
Nonetheless, now that he was on such a new journey in his life, he couldn't help but show a bit of interest.
Each had elaborate booths decorated with curtains, candles, and ornamented trinkets.
As Armin walked past a row of these fortune-tellers, a sharp voice through the crowd caught his attention, making him pause.
"Young man, would you like to see what the future holds for you?"
He turned to see an old woman seated behind a small table draped in dark purple cloth, her eyes were smiling, and they were unnervingly bright despite her age.
'She probably not getting a lot of customer... Should I help her earn for the day?' Armin thought as he had a soft spot to old people.
The old woman was still working despite already having silver hair... Anyway, this hair was tied in a loose bun, and various charms dangled from her wrists, clinking softly with each movement.
It was the typical look of possible fraud fortune-tellers.
However, Armin hesitated, unsure. He had never really believed in fortune-telling, but the woman's gaze seemed to pierce right through him, as if she already knew something he didn't.
Sensing his hesitation, she leaned forward and lowered her voice. "The first reading is free, boy. Just sit and listen, and if it means nothing, then you've lost nothing."
Armin glanced around and then back at her, intrigued by the intensity of her gaze.
'Well... There's nothing to lose, just like what she said. Plus, I'm not in a hurry anyway...' He reasoned in his mind.
With a small nod, he sat across from her, feeling oddly nervous than the ones in the exam. Anyway, the old woman's face softened, and she reached into a small box beneath the table, drawing out a set of Tarot cards.
She shuffled them with surprising grace... It was perfect handling... Her fingers were nimble as they moved the cards in rhythmic patterns.
Then, the strange happened.
The noise of the crowd seemed to fade around them, leaving just the sound of the cards as she whispered something under her breath.
Finally, she looked at him and said, "Place your hand on the deck and close your eyes, boy. The cards will speak more clearly when touched by the one seeking answers."
Armin did as she instructed, his palm resting against the cool, slightly worn surface of the cards. When he pulled his hand away, she began to draw them, setting each card down in front of him with care.
Her fingers lingered on each one as though she felt the weight of its meaning before she spoke.
The first card was the Wheel of Fortune.
'Armin had no idea what was that. However, he knew the word fortune...'
The old woman's eyes glinted as she looked from the card to him.
"This is a powerful symbol... It means change is coming... Changes beyond what you imagine. You're entering a time of transition, and fate itself will play a role. The wheel is turning in your favor, but it will also test you."
The second card was the Hanged Man. She didn't seem alarmed by it but studied it closely.
"Sacrifice and patience. There is something you hold that is dormant, waiting to awaken. You will need to understand this mystery before you can fully control it. Perhaps something you wear, something precious... an object of both time and power."
Armin felt a shiver run down his spine as his hand drifted to his pocket, where the weight of his gold-plated watch pressed against him. He hadn't mentioned the watch to her, but her words struck too close to be coincidence.
The last card was the Sun. The old woman smiled softly, her voice lowered almost to a whisper.
"Ah, the Sun. The promise of fortune, success, and light. But beware-only those who recognize opportunity in its truest form will claim this light. The keepsake you carry has a greater purpose; it may be the key to something hidden, waiting for you in the dark."
She then looked at him with a mysterious smile as if she was seeing something more from him.
"I can only say that there are forces guiding you, boy. You may find answers at the Academy, but remember the path will not be easy. Keep that whatever you're holding close; it will lead you to what you seek, but only if you pay the price..."
Armin was silent. He was hesitating whether this was just a prank on him or this woman was really something else.
There was an awe and disbelief swirling within him.
'Is she just guessing based on my reaction? Ugh...' Armin thought...
The old woman then folded her hands and gave him a faint smile. "Beware, though. Not all knowledge comes freely."
In the end... Armin just nodded slowly, feeling as if he had just glimpsed something beyond his understanding. Before he rose to leave, he decided to just give a tip to the old woman so she could dehydrate as she looked really parched.
***
In the meantime, as Armin left the old woman, another figure who had been watching
everything was stunned at what he had just heard.
It was none other than Kyle Marshall, also known as Clovis, Vale, and Eustass...
"That old woman is something else..." Kyle muttered in disbelief. He didn't expect that such a powerful figure was able to enter his city unnoticed until now.