2 The Prophecy
Soon, the flying creatures landed steadily on the ground.
They were entirely black, with smooth bodies devoid of fur, and their wings were like those of a bat, devoid of feathers.
Their heads were elongated, somewhat horse-like, but they had no eyes.
Instead, they had three pairs of long ears, as if they relied on sound for navigation.
It was only when these flying creatures landed that Owen realized there were beings riding on their backs.
Not exactly humans, but rather...
Various humanoid creatures.
And they were dressed in very archaic attire.
Among them, some looked indistinguishable from ordinary humans, while others resembled elves and dwarves from fantasy films, along with many other humanoid creatures with strange features.
"At last, we have waited... for the saints foretold in the prophecy," spoke a white-haired elder, the first to descend on the flying creature.
He appeared much like an elderly human, dignified, as if he held a lofty status.
Following him, a slender woman landed, her skin a deep blue, with emerald green eyes and pointed ears.
"Great Elder, our elves haven't had the first pick of the 'saints' in a long time. I'm afraid you'll have to yield the opportunity to me this time."
A lion-headed humanoid landed beside the elf woman with a booming voice, "Our lionfolk have never had the privilege of choosing a 'saint' first. This time, it's our turn!"
Other races descended, creating a cacophony:
"Our witches needs to choose a 'saint' first as well."
"Are our Thunderbird race any lesser than you?"
"..."
The scene became noisy, but the white-haired elder didn't get angry.
In good spirits, he chuckled, "No need to quarrel, my friends. The Goddess of Fate has already bound the destiny of your tribes with these prophesied saints. The order of choice won't change the outcome."
The elder's words held a magical power that calmed people down, like a gentle spring breeze bringing peace to the soul.
Owen Douglas watched the scene before him, unfazed, as if witnessing a scene from a movie.
But his classmates were far from calm.
"What's all this about? What does 'saint' mean, and where did these bizarre races come from?"
"There must be hundreds of these species, I've never seen so many in books or movies!"
"God help us, I hope they don't eat us."
"..."
The students prayed in low voices, while Owen examined those races with keen interest.
He wasn't scared of this scene; instead, he felt an inexplicable excitement.
He sensed every cell in his body exhilarated, rejoicing.
It was as if... he was born to be here!
The elf woman's face lit up with eagerness.
"Great Elder, what are we waiting for? Let's start the Saint Selection Ceremony."
The white-haired elder smiled slightly and, with a flick of his hand, a light ball appeared: "Dear saints, please line up and touch the light ball one by one."
Some tried to mask their fear with loud objections: "Who are you to tell us to line up?"
The elder glanced at the speaker, still smiling: "Saints, I understand your confusion and anxiety, but don't worry. Once you return to your respective races, everything will become clear."
Owen's eyes sparkled, and his body stiffened slightly, as if controlled by an unseen force, automatically lining up.
His classmates did the same; for a moment, their bodies seemed not their own, manipulated by an invisible strength.
Over two hundred people ended up forming a queue, willingly or not.
At that moment, an electronic chime sounded in Owen's mind: [Foreign mind power detected. Prophecy System activating...]
[Prophecy System loading...1%...5%...99%...Prophecy System fully loaded.]
Startled by the electronic voice in his head, but unable to control his body, Owen didn't show any outward reaction.
"System? What are you for?"
[Host, the primary function of this system is 'prophecy'. You can now view your panel.]
"Show me the panel."
[Host: Owen Douglas]
[Age: 16]
[Race: Human]
[Bloodline: None]
[Strength: 3, Constitution: 2, Speed: 3, HP: 77]
[Special Ability: Prophecy]
(Prophecy: The host can foresee events occurring within the next three seconds from the moment this skill is used. This skill can be upgraded, the next level requires 100 fate points.)
[Fate Points: 0]
(Fate Points: Can be used to upgrade foresight capabilities.)
Owen's pupils constricted, his mind reeling with shock.
To foresee the future?
And this ability can be upgraded?
Isn't that invincible?
This ability seemed immensely powerful.
Then, the system's electronic voice chimed in again: [The system presents the host with a beginner's gift pack, offering a glimpse into a future fragment. Would you like to open it?]
Owen's eyes moved as he surveyed his surroundings: [Let's see it. How else would I know if this is real or not? After all, we're in an isekai now. Anything could happen.]
As soon as he uttered those words, Owen felt his consciousness elevate, hovering in the sky as if he were a third-party observer in this world.
He looked down at the scene below.
In the vision, he saw himself standing still, fists clenched, with a dark expression.
His classmates were smirking around him, looking at him triumphantly.
Roger stood with his arms crossed, grinning and saying something, his eyes filled with contempt, obviously not speaking well.
Many of the female students were gathered around Roger, also pointing and whispering about Owen.
The powerful beings from the isekai races were also looking at Owen, as if he were some rare spectacle, their gazes mixed with curiosity, pity, disdain, and scorn.
Owen, hovering in the air, had a grim expression: "What's happening to me? Why have I suddenly become the focus of everyone's attention, and in such an ominous way?"
As time progressed, Owen's classmates all finished touching the light ball, completing the ceremony.
They were embraced by members of their respective races, leaving Owen standing alone and isolated.
His expression grew even more troubled.
Suddenly, a golden light shone from the distance, and a sense of oppression, emanating from the depths of his soul, approached from the horizon.
Owen looked towards the distance, only seeing a pair of wings that blotted out the sky.
Then, as if his consciousness was being sucked back, he abruptly returned to his own body.
Owen moved slightly, realizing that at some point, he had regained control over his body.
The first student had already touched the light ball.
Owen didn't have time to focus on the first student; his mind was still echoing with the scene he had just witnessed.
In the near future, possibly after this selection ceremony, he would become extremely unique, but in an unfavorable way.
However, he had no time to dwell on the vision he had seen.
The first student had already begun the ceremony.
As the student touched the light ball, it instantly turned bright red, shooting a beam of light into the sky.
A voice then resonated from the heavens: "The Saint Selection Ceremony has begun. Dear saints, please allow me to introduce the distribution of races in this world."
"Disadvantaged race: Only beginning to learn the use of arcanergy, capable of simple spells, with most members still unable to utilize arcanergy."
"Intermediate race: Most members can use arcanergy and have advanced in their utilization of it."
"Advanced race: Every member is born with the ability to use arcanergy. Powerful individuals can even create and use catastrophic forbidden spells."
"Divine race: A race that has mastered arcanergy to the extreme, where every member is a grand mage. The most powerful among them are almost divine, known as 'demigods'."
"Additionally, there are demons – the enemy of every race. Demons are a group of races that use 'dark arcanergy,' transformed from advanced or divine races. Tormented by dark arcanergy, they are often violent, but extremely powerful."
"Good luck to everyone. The awakening ceremony will now continue."
The people from the isekai races, their faces alight with fervor, exclaimed: "A pillar of recognition from the advanced race!"
"The first 'saint' is from the advanced race... and even accompanied by a heavenly broadcast! "
"This has never happened before! "
