One-Eyed Monster

Princess Juliette was accustomed to the various deductions made by scholars. These deductions were very rigid, with every detail, every connecting point having to seamlessly align. Scholars always performed a pile of calculations, using numbers to figure out numerous probabilities, then comparing these probabilities and presenting them matter-of-factly. That experience was bland, much like the scholars themselves, exuding a strong odor of decay.

Of course, Princess Juliette had also experienced many divinations by wizards, differing from scholars’ deductions in that these wizards always traced back to past events, using those past details to slowly deduce the future. This method was bolder than the scholars’, but the probability of error increased significantly as well. The wizards’ method was always somewhat radical, yet it did manage to capture some key points. Though this reasoning wasn’t as accurate as the scholars’ calculations, it was also a method to predict the future.

Neither the scholars’ deductions nor the wizards’ divinations could compare to Igor’s current assertions.

Igor gave the impression of speaking casually, saying whatever came to mind without any reservations.

He seemed unconcerned whether his statements were accurate or not. He was just expressing his own viewpoint, which was a result of his observations, observations that were notably keenly made.

This was an extraordinary ability. His control over details had reached a certain level, allowing him to discern the characteristics of an entire entity from subtle changes, though it couldn’t match the probability of deductions or the rigor of divinations, it still offered a set of methods and statements.

Such bold predictions gave others a refreshing feeling.

It felt like an exploration of the unknown, with no experience providing people with calculations, nor any remnants allowing for inference of these new things; the entire process was shrouded in mystery, lost in a state of hesitation.

”The flowers and plants in the whole garden are rare species. I can’t even name them, but I feel that the princess being able to care for these plants so well must have a deep understanding of them, and someone who has such a profound understanding of plants is likely a wizard.”

Igor spoke with great certainty.

”Ha ha ha, you are really interesting.” Princess Juliette laughed heartily; Igor’s sincerity made her feel a sense of closeness.

”I am also a wizard, but I can’t guarantee I know all the plants here.” Old Cole said from the side, clearly showing interest in Igor’s theory, just like Princess Juliette; he found Igor and Kadi really intriguing.

Old Cole appreciated Igor and Kadi, because not many in the Kangen Family could keep up with him. Although he was now old and his pace wasn’t as fast as before, on the path to the princess’s garden, his steps were still peculiar. This peculiar pace combined with the winding path made it easy for them to leave many behind, yet Igor and Kadi followed behind him without falling behind. If others were in their place, they probably would have gotten lost on this path long ago.

Igor and Kadi persisted in following behind him, which surprised him because his plan was to have Igor and Kadi get lost for a while, as a test for them.

However, the test hadn’t come to pass before these two fellows solved it, showing that he indeed was old and couldn’t point fingers at the younger generation anymore.

Old Cole came back to his senses, continuing to focus on these two youths. He wanted to see what kind of brilliance Igor could express.

”Perhaps everyone has their own expertise. You Kangen family gauge a wizard’s level by wizard robes, obviously focusing on combat. In fact, wizards are not only of the combat system, there are many other systems of wizards, many of whom don’t need a wizard robe for measuring, such as Bigas’s senior sister as an example.”

”Ha ha, you actually know about Biggs’s story? It indeed surprises me. I am also a wizard who doesn’t wear a wizard robe, somewhat similar to Biggs’s situation.” Old Cole laughed heartily, not expecting Igor to bring up the matter.

”Igor is an adventurer, right?” Princess Juliette interrupted the conversation between Igor and Old Cole; she was very pleased, feeling that the visit of these two youngsters added a great deal of joy to her life, pushing all annoyances far away.

”He is an adventurer, indeed!” Kadi immediately answered; he had a lot to say on this matter, knowing Igor very well.

”No, I am not yet an adventurer. I only aspire to become one.”

”Why do you feel you’re not an adventurer?” Princess Juliette was intrigued by Igor’s response.

”I don’t know, I just feel that I can still consider myself an adventurer; there are many things I don’t understand.”

”What do you need to understand?” Princess Juliette continued questioning, finding Igor not just interesting now.

”I... I don’t know... at first, I thought being an adventurer primarily required courage, but after the experience in Guru Mountain, I realized that courage alone wasn’t enough. So I sought out my mentor, and understood that the most important thing for being an adventurer is to maintain a curious mind about everything, but lately, I feel that even this isn’t enough…”

”Is it these experiences that make you feel that being an adventurer still lacks something?” Princess Juliette seemed to be summarizing for Igor.

”Yes, exactly that feeling.” Igor’s eyes lit up, feeling a resonance in his exchange with Princess Juliette, which was gradually sparking.

”That feeling is a kind of unknown.” Princess Juliette stood up from the bench. She glanced at Igor and the others and laughed again, seeing Kadi standing there dumbfounded like a piece of wood.

”Kadi, take off your mask, there’s no need to hide anything in my garden.”

”Oh!” Kadi obediently took off his mask, revealing his blue face.

”What you said earlier was partially correct. These plants are rare species, most recorded in wizards’ herbariums. But I am not a wizard, many plants here aren’t in herbariums either. We discovered them gradually...”

”And you, Igor, what you’ve been searching for is actually within yourself. Your awe of the unknown drives you to continuously explore. This is another trait found in adventurers. Your current confusion lies in not realizing that this feeling comes from the exploration.”

Princess Juliette slowly explained to Igor, with each sentence carrying deep significance.

”Exploration?” Igor scratched his head, seemingly having an epiphany.