Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 51 I, Chanem, the Coin of Destiny
On the second day, after finishing his morning training and having breakfast with his teammates, Zhang Yuan went to Shika's place to ask for a day off.

Although Ska was quite puzzled as to why this usually energetic guy would ask for leave after only eight days, he wasn't a formal member of Flame Fist, and since it was his first time asking for leave, he approved it.

Once released, Zhang Yuan ran wildly like a stray dog ​​until he reached the prophet's tent, lifted the curtain, and slipped inside.

Upon seeing him enter, the soothsayer immediately addressed Zhang Yuan, saying, "Tell me what you want to know. The more detailed the description, the better. The more detailed and realistic the clues, the more accurate the results of the divination spell will be."

A little embarrassed, Zhang Yuan asked, "May I ask you about my fate?"

Zhang Yuan, who had some knowledge of divination, knew that no matter how good the divination system sounded, there were very few divination mages who could actually foresee the future; they were true masters.

Unexpectedly, the other party simply sighed: "It's a request that is not surprising at all. Why do people who hear about prophecy spells only think about things like divination, fate, and the future? This is not the true purpose of prophecy."

"Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Just hold out your hand and let me see your palm."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan was initially overjoyed, not expecting to have actually encountered a legendary master of prophecy. However, he was also somewhat puzzled. What was this? Was he going to have his palm read?

Seriously? First tarot cards, then palmistry? Is this some kind of East-West fusion or Sino-US collaboration in the divination world?
Zhang Yuan, extending his hand, exclaimed with admiration, "I never expected that a great mage like you, who can foresee the future, would be content to live in such an ordinary tent. It's truly rare. Could it be that you are trying to toughen yourself up and focus on the path of mystery?"

To everyone's surprise, the other party scoffed and said irritably, "If I were a great mage, would I still be living here? 'Practicing self-discipline'? Why don't you come and be my assistant and practice self-discipline with me?"

"Finally, who told you I could predict the future?"

A slightly embarrassed Zhang Yuan replied, "Isn't this what you meant by being able to predict my future fate? So..."

I'm talking about fate, not the future.

"Aren't these two things interconnected? If one doesn't have the power to glimpse the future, how can one see through the fog of fate?"

The prophet first put Zhang Yuan's hand down, then, very seriously, spoke in the tone of an old scholar lecturing from a textbook:
"What I mean by seeing through fate is not knowing your future destiny, but rather inferring the direction of your destiny by exploring the people or things that surround you in the past and present, and the things that have happened and are happening in relation to you."

He then used an analogy: "If fate is a carriage, the route it has traveled and the tracks it has left behind can help us predict the direction it will take next."

Someone nodded with a hint of doubt, seemingly understanding, and then said, "But there are still people who can see into the future, aren't there?"

“Indeed, there are,” the prophet admitted. “However, one must at least have a spellcasting level of 18 or higher, and must be an archmage specializing in divination. Even they can only see a glimpse of the future, or a brief foreshadowing. Only a handful of people can truly see through the future, like Arando and Sulfuras. Even Sulfuras, the god of prophecy, suffered the cruel torment of fate.”

“Peering into the future is not something to be taken lightly.” The prophet said this without speaking, sitting alone as if deep in thought.

Although I was curious about the few who truly saw the future, as the prophet claimed, I decided to focus on my own fate first and extended my hand again, awaiting the prophet's judgment.

"Oh, let me see. Your fate seems to be intersecting with a military organization of Baldur's Gate, the Flame Fist, right? Wait, why don't you have a previous fate? Nothing you've done since birth has left a trace in this world? How is that possible?"

Knowing exactly what was going on, the person couldn't explain it, but continued to ask, "How could such a thing happen? Unobservable? Is my fate to be that upright gold coin?"

The prophet looked up at Zhang Yuan with some surprise: "You do have some knowledge; you've even heard of the Coins of Destiny?"

“Of course,” someone who finally had a chance to show off their knowledge began to speak eloquently:

"The goddess of fortune, Tamora, once minted a coin using relics left by the ancient goddess of fortune, Taki. When each newborn baby is born into the world, Tamora will throw this coin and let the goddess of misfortune, Bessaba, guess whether it is the moon (heads) or a cloak (tails)."

“If Berthaba guesses correctly, this person's remaining life will be cursed with misfortune; if she guesses wrong, Lady Luck will smile upon the child. But for a few extraordinary lives, the coin falls upright. These people can forge their own destiny, for their power far surpasses the bonds of fate.” After reciting this story, someone looked at the prophet with great anticipation: “Am I the one whose coin of destiny stands upright?”

This question stumped the prophet: "You are indeed different from others, but it's not quite right to say you're the one destined for the upright coin of fate. How can I explain your situation?"

Zhang Yuan became anxious: "What is it? Tell me!"

"It's like when the two goddesses of fate are about to flip a coin to decide your destiny, and Tamora suddenly realizes she's forgotten her money."

"..."

"..."

The two looked at each other, bewildered.

After a long while, the fortune teller finally spoke: "Sorry, how about I refund your money?"

"No need, keep the money. My name is Chanem. May I ask your name?"

“Chanem? That’s an interesting name. It seems to have some unusual meaning. By the way, you can call me Andrei.”

“Andrei, I think I know where my coin of destiny is.”

Zhang Yuan suddenly stood up, took a euro coin from his pocket, placed it in his palm, stared at it for a moment, and then clenched his fist:

"It's in my own hands."

The man, having made a grand show of himself, turned and left the tent, not even hearing Andrei's shouts behind him.
"Can't you speak like a human being? Wait, what's that coin in your hand? I can't figure out where it came from."

Let's turn our attention back to the present, more than a month ago. Zhang Yuan, whose mind is still reminiscing about his meeting with Andrei, has once again arrived at this bustling market.

This time, Zhang Yuan, burdened with a mission, didn't wander around aimlessly. He went straight to the prophet's tent and bought two signature meat sandwiches at the bakery along the way. He then put them in his pocket and went to visit Andrei.

Although the mission failed and the bonus was gone, he still received a decent amount of subsidies and basic pay for the trip, a full 12 gold coins, enough to buy bread.

What's more, this person, who is never short of cunning ideas, suddenly came up with a "good idea" to make money.

Stepping into the tent, Andrei, who hadn't been doing any business that morning, was quietly reading some books and scrolls by himself.

Looking at the empty tent in front of him, devoid of exquisite ornaments, luxurious decorations, and even divination tools, Zhang Yuan sighed: "No wonder you have no business. Look at other people's stalls, and then look at yours. Who would want to come here?"

Andrei didn't care: "Anyway, I only do one divination for someone every day, what's the point of having so many people?"

Others charge a few copper coins or even a silver coin, but he charges a gold coin per session when he already has no customers. Is he planning to live off his opening for half a year?
Too lazy to argue with him, Zhang Yuan sat down in front of him and got straight to the point: "I'm here this time to do a big deal with you."

Hey everyone, a new month has begun! Hey fellow readers, could you guys give me some investment? (whispering)
After making it onto the new book charts, recommendations and favorites surged.

I really want to stay here and not come down _(ˇωˇ」∠)_


(End of this chapter)