The Suspicious Fortune Teller (2)
Her hair, flickering like flames in the wind, shook gently. Her ruby-like eyes trembled faintly. Those eyes, holding an intense and unfathomable light unlike her usual self, seemed somehow unstable. The subtle quiver she couldn't hide spoke volumes for her inner turmoil.
"Oh, you all…."
"Professor?"
The person we encountered at the end of the line was none other than our supervising professor, the famously strict and impartial Professor Adria. She turned her head slightly, her face etched with bewilderment at the unexpected meeting.
"T-to run into you here of all places… What a coincidence."
Professor Adria cleared her throat awkwardly. The tips of her ears flushed a subtle red, impossible to miss.
"Um… I have to ask, what brings you here, Professor?"
Elisha spoke first, tossing the question with a smile tinged with her own surprise.
"Obviously, to get my fortune read."
The professor hesitated for a moment before confessing honestly. She swept her hair back with one hand, trying to play it cool.
"Of course, I'm not shirking my duties or anything! I've finished all my work and got permission to come here."
"Ah, I see."
I nodded, accepting her explanation. But her flustered expression only stirred needless suspicion.
"By the way, Professor, I heard this fortune booth is famous mostly for love fortunes?"
Melina tilted her head innocently as she asked. Professor Adria fell silent for a beat, her embarrassment plain as day to my eyes as she tried to mask it.
"Ah, w-well… yeah. But it's not only for love fortunes, right? I've heard it's been getting really popular lately, so I just came to check it out."
"It's definitely not like I came here to check my love luck or anything…."
She strained to maintain her usual stern demeanor. It might fool others, but not me—I knew her true nature all too well, and it felt utterly forced.
"…Anyway, keep this quiet from the other students."
With that final plea, she stepped forward in line.
"Running into the professor here— that's weird."
"It is a bit odd. Wonder why she wants it kept secret?"
"She seemed a little off, more shaken than usual. Must be some reason."
"It's surprising, but if she asks us to keep it quiet…."
Everyone marveled at the encounter with Professor Adria, a mix of curiosity and puzzlement on their faces. They seemed inclined to honor her request, despite the intrigue.
"Welcome."
"H-hello."
Time passed, and Adria's turn arrived. As she lifted the tent flap, a strange darkness enveloped the interior. Damp air brushed her nose, laced with a faint, mystical scent.
"What brings you here?"
The fortune teller was an old woman with deeply etched wrinkles. But she was no ordinary elder—her eyes pierced like they saw through everything, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Adria faltered, momentarily overwhelmed.
"I've heard you're a famous fortune teller."
She glanced back. The murmurs outside persisted, yet it felt like a world apart. Reading the anxiety in Adria's eyes, the fortune teller spoke softly.
"Rest easy. This tent is separated from the outside by special magic. No one but you and I can hear our conversation."
Only then did Adria exhale in relief and sit where the fortune teller gestured. Still stiff, she spoke cautiously.
"The truth is… I'm turning thirty soon. I've never even been on a proper date, let alone an arranged marriage."
Her voice trembled. Shame colored her cheeks red. The ironclad teacher in front of others was showing a vulnerable side—and it wasn't easy for her.
The fortune teller watched with evident interest, nodding slowly.
"I understand. In this world, thirty is past marriageable age. It's only natural to worry."
Adria nodded with a small sigh.
"So… I wanted to know if I have any love luck in this lifetime—or none at all."
The fortune teller smiled and extended a hand into the air. A soft glow emanated from her fingertips, ethereal energy swirling around the crystal ball.
"Very well. Let me divine your fate. Could you touch the crystal ball? A bit of your mana would make it even more accurate."
Adria placed her tense hand on the orb, closed her eyes, steadied her breath, and channeled her mana. It seeped in, turning the crystal a brilliant, radiant purple.
"Hmm… intriguing."
The fortune teller peered into the orb, her gaze sharpening with eerie intensity. Curiosity and a mystical smile intertwined on her face, as if she'd uncovered something vital.
"There, all done."
She slowly lifted her eyes to Adria, who fidgeted and swallowed hard.
"H-how… how did it turn out?"
Propping her chin with both hands, the fortune teller smirked.
"A man awaits you at the end of your path. A passionate, fated connection. Good news, so relax."
Adria's eyes widened. The fortune teller continued.
"Likely someone younger and stronger than you. And he's closer than you think."
Adria let out a silent cheer inside. For someone far from love, this hope was sweeter than candy. But her face soon flushed apple-red.
Only one person came to mind matching the description.
"No way…."
She murmured unwittingly. His face sharpened in her mind, her heart pounding wildly.
"Perhaps a name you already know."
Adria grew more flustered—the words pointed ever more clearly to someone specific. Her chest thrummed with anticipation and anxiety. Clutching it, head bowed, she whispered.
"Younger than me, strong, and close by…."
She clenched her fist. Her heartbeat showed no sign of slowing, her gaze wandering the tent's empty air. But every time she closed her eyes, one face burned vividly in her mind—like destiny shining before her.
Stepping into the fortune booth, a faint scent brushed our senses, weaving a dreamlike atmosphere. The cozy interior brimmed with mystery, scattered oddities piquing our curiosity. At the center sat the fortune teller, her hazy eyes deep enough to pierce souls.
"Oh, come in…. Who wants to go first?"
She scanned us slowly, her gaze like a scholar observing exotic specimens—curious and expectant.
"……."
I glanced around at the silence following her words.
"Anyone eager to start?"
"Eh, I'm fine either way."
"Same."
"Guess so."
As they eyed each other hesitantly, no one stepped up. I broke the ice.
"Mind if I go first?"
I had no idea what Varis and the others wanted to ask, but they all seemed hyper-aware of each other, holding back. If I didn't, this awkwardness would drag on.
"Ho ho, very well. But I make it a rule to keep readings private between me and the client. A bit of a hassle, but could the others wait outside?"
She bowed apologetically with a smile, but her tone was firm—rules were sacred here.
"Got it, Master. We'll wait out here."
"N-not that we're forcing you! We can swap stories later…?"
They promised to catch up later and filed out. The tent fell into heavy silence, time itself seeming suspended. I steadied myself and stood before the fortune teller.
"Have a seat. What troubles you?"
Her low voice pointed to the chair. I sat slowly, my thoughts clarifying—what to even ask?
"I want to know my future. Will tragedy strike me soon?"
It was a natural question. My role in this world as Arnold—what it meant. In the original story, he fell. Could I escape that fate?
"Understood. Place your hand on the crystal. Mana will sharpen the vision."
I touched it carefully, inhaled deeply, and infused mana. The orb glowed soft purple, illuminating the tent.
"Oho, ha ha ha ha!"
Suddenly, she burst into roaring laughter, eyes wide. What had she seen? Her laugh brimmed with knowing confidence and delight.
"What do you see?"
"Fascinating. In all my years reading fates, this is a first!"
"Such an aberrant destiny— you're utterly unique. It makes me curious about everything."
Her words stirred fear and strange excitement. Given my otherworldly nature, her reaction felt oddly credible.
"Anyway, to your question… well."
I fell silent, anxiety and curiosity clashing inside.
"Your fate line's too erratic to predict perfectly, but it's not negative."
I relaxed a bit. Her mystical aura amplified the drama.
Fortune-telling's more immersive than I thought…
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And as a bonus for your entertaining fate, I'll read your love luck—my specialty."
She peered into the orb again, fingers dancing. But I held no hopes. Arnold was the villain who crashed alone, unloved—
Obviously rotten luck….
"Countless women await you at fate's end. At least six. In other words, six wives at minimum."
…Huh?