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Chapter 120
Chapter 120
As Liam slowly approached the centaur reception area, he recognized the familiar face of Firenze. However, today's Firenze was different; he was wearing a loose white linen robe.
"Welcome, friend of the forest", Firenze said, placing his hand on his chest and bowing slightly. Then, he led Liam into the village.
Upon entering the village, Liam realized that the centaur village was uniquely designed. The buildings were sturdy huts, much larger than the average human dwelling.
These structures were arranged in a circular pattern, with their entrances facing inward. Ancient Viking wizards believed this was because centaurs inherently valued equality among their members, and the circular layout was a clear manifestation of this belief.
At the center of the circle was a large stone fire pit, strategically placed to keep it away from the surrounding trees. This communal fire pit was available for any centaur to use at any time, though it was typically used by females preparing food. Additionally, during colder periods, the fire pit was continuously fed with wood to maintain a steady flame, ensuring the village remained warm regardless of the temperature.
On this warm summer evening, however, the fire pit was extinguished. As Firenze led them around the fire pit, Liam saw the place where centaurs held their coming-of-age ceremonies: the Altar.
The Altar was located on a small hill outside the village, connected by a forest path. In front of the Altar was a large grassy area, now crowded with centaurs. Liam, guided by Firenze, made his way to a designated area for guests on the side of the grass.
Taking advantage of the nearby torchlight, Liam carefully observed the Altar. Unlike the circular stepped altar he used for Life Magic, the centaur Altar was a simple arch made from three unprocessed tree trunks, with a large tree trunk serving as a table for offerings. Behind the table lay the dark expanse of the Forbidden Forest.
Whereas the circular stepped altar in Liam's Life Magic symbolized the connection between the forces of life and death that wander between heaven and earth, the arch in the centaurs' Nature Magic represented an entrance to the natural realm, a place where nature extends without bounds.
Since the ceremony wasn't about to start immediately, Liam, feeling bored, decided to use the Feng Shui techniques from the Maoshan Daoist Scriptures to observe the Altar's geomancy.
The more he observed, the more astonished he became. The location of the Altar was one of the best he had ever seen, perhaps second only to the geomancy of Hogwarts. After casting several observation spells on himself, he discovered that the Altar was situated in a natural energy hotspot, and the barrier between the real world and the Emerald Dream was particularly thin here.
It seemed this place had been carefully chosen by the centaurs. Liam found himself increasingly fascinated by these non-wizard intelligent beings, often glossed over in novels.
After waiting for about half an hour, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from the village entrance. The first centaur to participate in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony had returned. Unlike humans, centaurs reach adulthood at the age of twelve, so the centaur who approached the Altar still looked quite young.
At this moment, Aunt Bettie stepped out from the crowd and stood beside the Altar. She was not wearing her usual leather armor but a white linen robe, similar to Firenze's. However, her robe was adorned with intricate patterns representing nature.
The first centaur to complete the coming-of-age trial approached the Altar, holding a rare luminescent evening primrose.
Standing to one side, Firenze said to Liam, "Our Forbidden Forest Centaur Tribe's traditional Coming-of-Age Ceremony trial used to involve finding a designated rare plant. Unfortunately, since about 40 years ago, changes in the Forbidden Forest led us to alter our trial to independently killing an adult Giant Octo-Eyed Spider and bringing back its poison fang. Thanks to your help, we were able to reclaim our precious tradition."
At this moment, Bettie took the luminous moonflower from the young Centaur and reverently placed it on the tree trunk altar. She then began to chant a spell, while the young Centaur bowed his head under the arch of the altar, his fists pressed to his forehead.
A few minutes later, Liam felt the power gathering on the altar growing stronger, eventually tearing open the barrier between the real world and the Emerald Dream. The moonflower on the altar transformed into green light points and disappeared into the Emerald Dream, and a similar green light emerged from the Emerald Dream, shining down on the young Centaur under the arch.
When the green light faded, Liam was surprised to see that the young Centaur's body seemed stronger, and his overall aura was more in harmony with nature.
"This is our Coming-of-Age Ceremony. My cousin is now receiving Nature's Baptism; I’m quite envious of him", Ferren said, a hint of envy in his voice.
"Why? Was your Nature's Baptism different?" Liam asked curiously.
"Indeed, it was different. Back then, we were in a fierce battle with the Octo-Eyed Spiders, so our offerings were their poison fangs. The type of offering affects the direction of the enhancement received during Nature's Baptism. Our focus was on physical attributes and reaction times related to combat, which left us with some deficiencies in our natural affinity, something Centaurs pride ourselves on. That’s why I say we should thank you for helping us reclaim our honor."
"But isn’t Nature's Baptism something that can only happen once in a lifetime? Does this mean you can never achieve greatness in natural affinity?"
"Yes, but it’s a sacrifice we should make. Nature nurtures us, and we should do something for her in return", Firenze said with a sigh.
Afterward, the other two Centaurs who were coming of age this year also received Nature's Baptism. Liam thought the ceremony was over, but Aunt Bettie, standing at the altar, suddenly said to him, "Please come up, our friend. The nature tonight has told me that you are the last one to receive Nature's Baptism today."
"Me?" Liam pointed to himself in surprise. Bettie nodded firmly, "This is the will of nature, and you are exactly 12 years old, the perfect age to receive Nature's Baptism."
The Centaurs made way for Liam to approach the altar, showing that the Shaman Bettie held a high status among them. Liam walked up to the altar with trepidation and asked, "This is a Centaur Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Is it really appropriate for a human to participate?"
"I’m not sure", Bettie said, a hint of confusion in her voice. "This has never happened before, but during the ceremony, when I communicated with the Emerald Dream, I felt that nature wanted to give this as a gift to you."
Bettie’s voice was not low, and a few of the older Centaurs in the audience nodded in agreement. According to Firenze’s earlier introduction, these Centaurs were also able to communicate with the Emerald Dream, so they must have received the same revelation.
It doesn’t seem harmful, Liam thought, and he made up his mind. "Alright, I am very willing to accept this gift from nature."
(End of Chapter)
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