Chapter 2:

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. There on my bosom are blue markings engrave in my flesh, like cracks that would appear if someone wedged their blade into the frosted ground.

It's a symptom of Cryoriasis.

Cryoriasis a rare, strange disease. Physicians have only recorded a few case in old textbooks.

The infected will eventually lose consciousness and be unable to move as if frozen solid.

Only the Creatio Protocore from the Tower of Thorns can remove it.

MC: "To make that peculiar jasmine bloom..."

This is my chance.

I need to befriend the Foreseer so he lets down his guard. Onlu then will I be able to approach the Creatio Protocore.

MC: (Why does the Foreseer care so much about that jasmine?)

MC: (I need to investigate...)

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The following morning, I examine every part of the Tower.

Every decoration in the Tower is beautiful, but each one lacks character. They posses the same aloofne as the Foreseer himself. It appears they are trying to frighten strangers.

MC: (This place is huge... You must be in your prime to find the Foreseer...)

Having found a silver bottle, I fill it with water. Once I reach the top of the Tower, I see him. His back is turn to me, yet I am on edge.

MC: "You... are not here to supervise me, correct?"

Foreseer: "It appears your confidence is lacking."

MC: "My confidence is not wanting in the least!"

As I hurry to water the jasmine, I begin to pray.

MC: (O fairest jasmine, my life is in your leaves. Don't partake in the sweetness of Death...)

From the pinnacle of the Tower, I spy a group of people walking along the mountain path. They resemble ants that fell into a desert of salt.

If there are others here to distract the Foreseer, it will be to my advantage.

I point at those tiny figures.

MC: "Are they here to receive your prophecies?"

The Foreseer glances at them. With his right hand, he writes a series of silver symbol in the air.

Suddenly, a blizzard befalls us. It swallows the mountain path, and the people disappear in the blanket of white.

MC: "Are... you trying to kill them?"

Foreseer: "After getting lost in the snow, they'll have no choice but to turn back. Their survival is but a guarantee."

While I was already impressed by his previous demonstrations of magic, this is the first time I've been stunned by the Foreseer's power.

MC: "Do you desire the requests for prophecies?"

Foreseer: "Fate cannot be changed. Instead of acknowledging this truth, humans still fight against it."

Foreseer: "Especially when their future is not what they hoped it would be."

As he speaks, the Foreseer glances at me.

I lower my head, pretending to agree with him.

MC: "I understand... I will focus on tending to the jasmine and not ask about my future."

Even if it's meaningless, I'm not going down without a fight.

I just hope my resignation will help me gain the Foreseer's trust.

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Several days pass. I have already memorized my daily routine for taking care of the jasmine. I could do it in my sleep.

In the morning, I hum as I take my silver bottle to the Tower's pinnacle. There I see the Foreseer gazing at the sky.

MC: "Good morning, Foreseer."

Foreseer: "..."

Hesitating, I look up to see a sky free of clouds-serene azure reaching far and wide.

MC: "Do you need someone to listen to your musings?"

Foreseer: "Silence."

Foreseer: "Gardeners don't require mouths to work."

MC: "..."

I silently water the jasmine and observe the Foreseer who is acting strange.

Suddenly, the sky is filled with the cries of birds. I'm shocked by what I see.

Thousands and thousands of silvery white birds sky toward the Tower of Thorns.

The sky is covered in a shroud of crystalline feathers-clear as frost in the morning sun. They shimmer like a nebula within reach.

MC: "What are they?"

Foreseer: "Arcticyons."

The Foreseer raises a hand. One of the birds lands on it, seemingly answering his summon, hand happily chirps.

MC: "Does it know you?"

Foreseer: "They pass the Tower every year when they migrate."

The Foreseer looks at the little bird, his expression full of the warmth one would greet an old friend with.

Foreseer: "Alas, that was eons ago."

MC: "I have never laid my eyes upon a creature as stunning as an Arcticyon."

Foreseer: "Your hand."

Reluctantly, I hold it out, and he places his hand on top of mine. I panic and pull back my hand.

Foreseer: "Don't be afraid. Humans are the least of their concern."

His hand, warmer than I imagined it to be, gently grabs my palm.

The silvery white bird hops from the Foreseer's hand to mine. Its feathers reflect the color of the sky, deceptively depicting a light, brilliant blue.

MC: "It's lovely... I guess you don't just stay secluded indoors and read all the time."

Foreseer: "So that is the conclusion you arrived at while resting in ice."

MC: "It's because... I'm curious about the Foreseer."

MC: "Your name appears in the Tome of the Foreseer, but the text only speaks of you as Astra's tool... I don't think its accounts are accurate."

The Foreseer remains expressionless.

Foreseer: "Astra does not write His own story."

Foreseer: "The imagination of mortals is what remains in the sands of time."

The Foreseer lets go of my hand, and the Arcticyon returns to its flock. Quietly, he watches them fly away, bidding them farewell.

MC: "I have to admit you aren't as merciless as winter."

MC: "You care about the jasmine, and you remember to wait for the Arcticyons once you're able to move."

The coldness in the Foreseer's gaze returns

Foreseer: "You are not here to study my behavior."

Foreseer: "Your wild curiously almost led to your demise."