After slowly approaching the receptionist, Ryan found that the person who came to pick him up was an acquaintance, Firenze. However, Firenze today was different from usual. He was wearing a loose white linen robe.
"Welcome, friends of the forest." After speaking, Firenze put his hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and then walked towards the village with Ryan.
When I walked into the village of Lane, I discovered that the centaurs' villages were very distinctive. The buildings in the village were shacks with stable structures, and the size of these shacks far exceeded human standards.
These buildings are arranged in a ring with the entrance facing inwards. Ancient Viking wizards believed that this was because the men and horses ultimately believed that each member of them was no more important than the other. The ring-shaped building structure was an obvious manifestation of this equality.
.
There is a huge stone stove in the center of the ring. Its location shows that the centaurs tried to keep it away from the trees surrounding the village. This stove is public and anyone can use it at any time. However,
Generally only women use it when preparing food. In addition, when it is cold, firewood will be continuously added to the stove to keep the fire burning, ensuring that the entire village can cook no matter how cold it is.
Get a long-lasting heat supply.
Of course, on this summer night when the temperature was suitable, the fire in the stove was extinguished. After Firenze led them around the stove, Ryan saw the place where the centaurs held their coming-of-age ceremony: the altar.
The altar is on a hill outside the village, connected to the village by a forest path. There is a large grassland in front of the altar, and the grass is now densely crowded with many centaurs. Under the guidance of Firenze, Ryan walked around in a circle and came to the side of the grass.
A place prepared for guests.
At this time, Ryan took the opportunity to carefully observe the altar with the surrounding torches. The centaur's altar was different from the circular stepped altar when the life magic controlled by Ryan was released. Their altar was an arch made of three basically unprocessed tree stumps.
, there is a large tree stump behind the arch as a table for holding offerings. Behind the table is the dark forbidden forest.
If in the life magic mastered by Ryan, the circular staircase altar represents the power of communication between life and death that wanders between heaven and earth. Then, in the natural magic of the centaurs, this arch means the entrance to the natural realm, where
In the realm, nature extends without restraint.
Because the ceremony could not start for a while, the bored Ryan suddenly came up with the idea of using the Feng Shui technique in the Maoshan Taoist Scriptures to observe the Feng Shui of the altar.
The more he observed Ryan, the more surprised he became, because the location of the altar had one of the best feng shui he had ever seen, and could even be said to be second only to Hogwarts. After applying several observation spells to himself, he discovered that the entire
The altar is in a naturally energy-dense area, and the barrier between the real world and the world of the Emerald Dream is very weak.
It seems that this place was also carefully chosen by the centaurs. Ryan became more and more interested in the non-wizard intelligent creatures that were briefly mentioned in the novels.
After waiting for about half an hour, the sound of horse hooves was heard at the entrance of the village. The first centaur to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony had returned. Unlike humans, centaurs became adults at the age of 12, so they could be seen running towards them.
The horse man looked childish.
At this time, Aunt Betty walked out of the crowd and stood beside the altar. Today she did not wear the leather armor she usually wore. Secondly, she also wore a white linen robe. The only difference was that it was different from Ferenze's robe.
, Aunt Betty’s robe is embroidered with various patterns representing nature.
The first centaur to pass the adult trial has arrived at the altar, holding a rare fluorescent evening primrose in his hand.
Firenze, who was standing aside, said to Ryan: "The trial before the traditional coming-of-age ceremony of our Forbidden Forest centaur tribe is to find a designated rare plant. Unfortunately, due to changes in the Forbidden Forest more than 40 years ago, our trial has changed.
The content of the training has also become to independently kill an adult Acromantula and bring back its fangs. Thanks to your help this time, we can recover our precious tradition."
At this time, Betty took the fluorescent evening primrose handed over by the pony, placed it respectfully on the tree stump table, and then chanted a spell. The centaur also lowered his head under the arch of the altar, and then placed his fists on his forehead.
.
A few minutes later, Ryan felt that the power gathered on the altar was getting stronger and stronger, and finally tore open the barrier that separated the real world and the Emerald Dream. The evening primrose on the altar turned into green light spots and disappeared into the Emerald Dream, and the same
A green light shot out from the Emerald Dream and shone on the pony under the arch.
When the green light disappeared, Ryan was surprised to find that the pony's body seemed to be stronger, and his overall temperament was more harmonious with nature.
"This is our coming-of-age ceremony. Now it is my cousin who is being baptized by nature. I am quite envious of him." Feilun said with some envy from the side.
"Why, is your natural baptism different from this one?" Ryan asked curiously.
"It is indeed different. Because we were fighting fiercely with the Eight-Eyed Spider at that time, so the offerings we had at that time were all the fangs of the Eight-Eyed Spider. Different offerings are strengthened in different directions when receiving natural baptism. Our strengthening focus
It was placed on the physique and reflexes related to combat. This makes us have some shortcomings in the natural affinity that the centaurs are proud of. So I say I want to thank you for allowing us to regain our glory."
"But this kind of natural baptism only occurs once in a lifetime. Doesn't this mean that you will never be able to achieve success in the field of affinity with nature in your lifetime?"
"Yes, but this is also a sacrifice we should make. Nature has raised us, and we should do something for her." Firenze said with emotion.
After that, two other centaurs who came of age this year also received natural baptism. Ryan thought that today's ceremony was over, but Aunt Betty standing on the altar suddenly said to Ryan: "Please come up, our friends, tonight's ceremony is over."
Nature tells me that you are the last person to receive the baptism of nature today."
"Me?" Ryan pointed at himself in surprise. Betty nodded firmly: "This is the will of nature, and you are exactly 12 years old this year, which is exactly the age to accept the baptism of nature."
The centaurs made way to the altar. It seemed that Betty, as a shaman, had a very high status among the centaurs. Ryan walked to the altar with anxiety, and then asked: "This is the coming of age ceremony for the centaurs.
Is it really appropriate for me to participate as a human?"
"I don't know either." Betty said with some confusion. "After all, this kind of thing has never happened before, but when I communicated with the Emerald Dream during the ceremony, I felt that nature wanted to use this as a thank you gift to you."
Betty's voice was not quiet, and several older centaurs in the audience nodded after hearing it. According to Firenze's previous introduction, these centaurs are all able to communicate with the Emerald Dream, and it seems that they also have the ability to communicate with the Emerald Dream.
received this revelation.
It didn't seem like it would be harmful. Thinking of this, Ryan made up his mind. "Okay, I am very happy to accept the gift of nature."