This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist-Chapter 1212: Divine Game, Divine Instruction 26

After several seconds of hesitation, as Rita was about to use a high-level skill to distract, Deceitful Bloom slowly said, "Ask."

Rita immediately posed the most pressing question: "What should I do after finding the direction for my divine talent?"

"This question cannot be answered," Deceitful Bloom replied. "Even if we could, we wouldn’t. It would affect your judgment and choices. Ask something else."

"How can I continue to improve after my attributes shift from numbers to the hands of the clock?"

"It can’t be improved further," Deceitful Bloom explained patiently, her tone serious. "When you step away from divine favor, it means the energy you can wield has reached its limit. You can only learn to control and distribute it." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"The ’time’ of the clock’s attributes isn’t determined by how many points you have in each attribute. ’Time’ reflects the fluctuations in your attributes, which are influenced by skill effects and special states. But there’s little difference between 1 and 12."

"’Time’ exists as both a protection and a shackle. Never allow your ’time’ on the clock to align with the time in Starsea or Quiet Mountain. That would disturb the pendulum, making it strike you."

Deceitful Bloom’s explanation was detailed, and while only Rita had reached the threshold of stepping away from divine favor for now, the other players in the room were all top-tier experts from Uncharted Star Sea. Reaching this level was only a matter of time.

She concluded, "Once you can see the time of Starsea and Quiet Mountain, that means you’ve truly stepped away from divine favor."

In the ensuing silence, the second player to complete the task appeared—Mistblade. She didn’t know much about the toys that Foolishness possessed, but after meeting Foolishness a few times and witnessing battles at "Chaotic Blocks" amusement park, she had a vague sense of her.

Foolishness’ desire for control was not any less than Deceitful Bloom’s, just more hidden. For such geniuses, every living being might have its own image in her mind, possibly even having their future deduced.

Mistblade didn’t want to waste this opportunity. She handed the right to choose a toy to Foolishness, letting her decide what toy she would get.

Even if she lost the bet, it would just be a toy. But if she won, maybe it would be something extraordinary.

This clever choice indeed pleased Foolishness. After thinking for a few seconds, she raised her hand and tossed a metal lighter.

Foolishness said, "When you’re lost, you can use it to light a flame. You’ll see what you truly want. After that, it’s up to you to figure it out."

The class continued.

Rita resumed trying to fuse A-level skills. According to Foolishness, she had officially entered the door. Once she could fuse S-level skills, she could leave [March Winter Sleep] and practice on her own.

The day’s training ended without incident. When Rita stood up, she couldn’t help but smile. The "pillow incident" had passed without a hitch! Only a single lash was dealt—still, it didn’t feel too bad compared to the satisfaction of sending the pillow.

However, Foolishness remained seated for a long time. Since the teacher wasn’t moving, Rita had no choice but to wait by her seat.

Then, she overheard a disturbing conversation.

Deceitful Bloom: "Are you staying here tonight?"

Foolishness: "Mmm, I’ll still need to continue using [March Winter Sleep]."

Deceitful Bloom flashed a faint smile at Rita. "Welcome."

Rita, holding onto her chair, slowly sat back down. The pillow, which had been leaning against her back for the whole day, had already fallen down and was now squashed under her when she sat.

Dawn Cicada approached and smiled at Rita. "Welcome."

Rita pulled out her notebook, intending to study all night. If that didn’t work, she’d sneak back to the toy palace.

A light laugh was heard in the distance, but it quickly faded. When Sea Pony and Nivalis B80 arrived with dinner, Rita took the opportunity to glance around, discovering that Foolishness and Deceitful Bloom were nowhere to be found.

By the time the players had finished their meal, they still hadn’t returned, and Rita’s group didn’t waste time looking for them. With [March Winter Sleep] still blooming, the group of scholars naturally returned to their studies.

The night sky’s Starsea lit up Flower Island, and combined with the frost flowers and skill rune glows, there was no need for artificial lighting. The area was bright enough.

With no teachers around, everyone felt much more relaxed. During [March Winter Sleep]’s dormant periods, the players’ conversations shifted away from studying.

At that moment, Crab looked around and asked Dawn Cicada, "[March Winter Sleep] is BS Smoke Tune, [Flower Crown Murder] is BS Rita, what’s your flower called?"

For the Vineborne, this was no secret. They were happy to teach others about Beacon’s unique flowers. Dawn Cicada replied, "[Heartless Temptation]."

Fury Prayer, ever the troublemaker, asked, "Which of these three Vines is the strongest?"

Dawn Cicada responded, "Flower of Deceit is the strongest."

Toxic Stan was already gearing up... Rita shook her head in exasperation, only to suddenly stop in the middle of her action. She turned to Dawn Cicada. "Want to try a combo skill with me?"

Dawn Cicada murmured, "Is it the one you used with Deceitful Bloom at Quiet Mountain?"

"Yeah," Rita said casually, though the more she thought about it, the more curious she became. She pressed, "Aren’t you curious?"

Dawn Cicada, with a raised chin, proudly extended her hand to shake Rita’s, intent on taking control once the combo skill succeeded. Deceitful Bloom was probably too merciful.

As their hands touched, [Flower Crown Murder] flowed from Rita’s wrist toward Dawn Cicada, connecting with her Vine.

At the moment the white petals touched the pure white bone of the snake, a massive energy storm erupted. Their robes were whipped violently in the wind.

Both of them shut their eyes.

Unlike the combo with Deceitful Bloom earlier, this time Rita involuntarily had several visions in her mind.

The first image showed Smoke Tune, less than a meter tall, holding Cicada’s hand. Cicada, holding Spring Guest’s hand, and the three little Vineborne laughed as they ran down Beacon’s street. [March Winter Sleep] flowers didn’t seem so hard to bloom.

The scene shifted. Dawn Cicada was carried on Smoke Tune’s back as they exited a dungeon. The pure white snake’s bones bloomed and withered again and again, leaving a sea of petals behind. Dawn Cicada was crying.

The images continued to flash by, eventually settling on Beacon being lit up. Dawn Cicada, led by Smoke Tune, left her homeland and arrived at Dawn—seeking revenge, slaughter, bloodshed.

The final image froze with Dawn Cicada covered in blood, sitting on the throne of Dawn, cold red eyes full of lingering rage and cruelty. She looked down at Smoke Tune. "Smoke Tune, why do you look at me the way you did when you saw the Dawn invaders? What are you afraid of?"