As Von left the tower, he could again feel the subtle shift in the air, this time, he was able to recognize it as a time shift as he passed under the portcullis, he noticed the sensation of time moving at a different speed as the outside world. Concentrating and pushing his essence into the field, he was able to determine the flow of time was several fold faster than the flow in the courtyard surrounding the tower.
From there, Von made his way along the pathways through the temporal flowers, past clusters of students, across the vast courtyard beyond the sundial to the long low building at the edge of the forest of temporal sentinels, the refectory. As he neared the edge of the forest, he could feel the essence of time being absorbed by the trees as its foliage shifted in tandem with the currents of time. These trees created a barrier protecting not the tower from the outside from the rest of the world, but the rest of the world from temporal distortions potentially created by the students within.
The building to which he was headed was tucked away at the edge of this ancient forest surrounding the Temporal Spire. The refectory was a place where students, professors, and visiting wizards gathered to share meals, exchange ideas, and recharge their magical energies.
The entrance to the refectory was adorned with intricate carvings of magical symbols and mythical creatures, hinting at the rich history and traditions that permeated the magical haven. As Von pushed open the heavy wooden doors, he was greeted by the warm glow of flickering candlelight, casting dancing shadows on the worn stone floors. The atmosphere was both enchanting and scholarly, with tapestries depicting legendary battles and mythical beings adorning the walls while the air was thick with the scent of age-old tomes, mystical herbs, and the savory aroma of enchanting dishes filling the hall. Savoring the olfactory delights, Von's mouth began to water. It felt like he hadn't eaten in weeks, and thinking about it, perhaps he hadn't.
Looking around, he discovered the refectory was divided into several sections, each catering to different tastes and preferences. Long wooden tables, scarred by years of use, stretched across the hall, accommodating the diverse group of magical scholars that frequented the university. At the center of the room, a massive stone hearth open to all four sides crackled with magical flames, providing both warmth and a touch of mysticism to the space.
Monica and Oren were visible at the far end of one of these long tables. Working his way past the seats and servers delivering food, he examined the table in front of them and the foods they had chosen. It was clear from the half-eaten plates they had chosen to start their meals, with one of the several enchanted appetizers. Oren had decided on the "Stardust Bruschetta," featuring slices of freshly baked artisanal bread topped with a celestial blend of stardust-infused olive oil, roasted celestial tomatoes, and basil from the university's magical herb garden, while Monica picked the "Pixie Wings," a delicate dish of crispy fried "fairy" wings served with a tangy dragonberry dipping sauce.
Following the appetizers, Oren was munching on an incredibly enticing looking "Enchanted Cauliflower Medley." A colorful assortment of roasted cauliflower florets, enchanted mushrooms, and mystical herbs which created a dish that not only appealed to the taste buds but also sparkled with subtle magical energy. Each bite transported the diner to a realm of culinary wonder, showcasing the kitchen's commitment to blending tradition with innovation.
Having grown up eating fish from Millcreek, Monica had opted for the savory "Mermaid's Bounty," a dish featuring a succulent selection of enchanted seafare. Grilled mermaid tail, seaweed salad with levitating kelp, and seashell-shaped pasta filled with seafoam-infused ricotta cheese delighted diners with a taste of the mystical underwater world.
The sides accompanying these main courses were also named with a magical twist. The "Sorcerer's Succotash" combined enchanted corn, beans, and peppers, creating a side dish that not only pleased the palate but also imbued the diner with a subtle boost of magical energy. The "Bewitched Biscuits" were flaky, golden pastries served with a dollop of butter infused with levitation charms, adding an extra layer of whimsy to the meal. and of course, no magical feast would be complete without a mystical dessert finish off the meal. Oren decided on the "Goblet of Glaciers", a refreshing sorbet served in a crystal goblet, each spoonful tingling with the essence of frosty enchantments. Monica on the other hand found delight with the "Enigma Eclair" which featured a delicate pastry shell filled with a mysterious custard the flavor of which changed with each bite, keeping her guessing about the secret ingredients. Monica's "Starry Sparkle Smoothie" and Oren's "Moonlit Mint Tea." rounded out their meal.
Sitting beside Monica, Von examined the menu which had been carefully curated by the university's skilled kitchen staff to offer a delightful blend of traditional medieval fare and magical culinary creations named to suit their magical surroundings. The chefs were required to be well-versed in the art of potion-making and herbology. This allowed them to infuse each dish with enchantments that not only satisfied hunger but also invigorated the diners with magical energies.
Having seen the delights which the two of them had ordered, Von looked over the large menu examining all of the choices before eventually deciding upon the "Alchemy Feast," a unique dining experience featuring a specially curated tasting menu showcasing the kitchen's creativity and mastery of magical culinary arts. As he embarked on this culinary journey he was treated to a series of enchanting courses, each carefully crafted to tell a story of magic, mystery, and culinary prowess. It was like an endless stream of small portions from each facet of larger menu and some individual items not shown on.
Before they could begin discussing Von's lessons, the ambiance of the refectory was further elevated by live magical performances, featuring talented wizards and enchanters who mesmerized diners with feats of illusion, levitation, and elemental manipulation while soft strains of enchanted instruments filled the air, creating a backdrop of melodic enchantment that added to the overall magical experience. As he watched, his enjoyment of the performance was disturbed by his system:
This disrupted the enjoyment of the meal and its performance quite a number of times as they ate and talked for a total of forty experience points.
Von spoke about his attunement to the hourglass showing the two of them how it glowed in his hands, but as they tried to touch it, it seemed to turn slightly fuzzy and eluded their grasp. Although they could see it, as they reached out to grasp the hourglass, their hands passed through it as though it were an illusion.
Seeing the confusion on their faces, a teenager walked down to their end of the table explaining, "I see you seem to be lost. That happens sometimes with new students. You see, your friend here has attuned to a focus. Once attuned to someone, until the owner has died, or he attunes to a more powerful focus of the same affinity, no one except your friend here can affect his focus unless their affinity is a lot higher than the person attuned to it. See." With those words, he reached out toward the hourglass passing his hand through the space.
He then retrieved a small shovel from within his robes. "This is my focus for geomancy. As I use my willpower to channel energy through it, my ability to manipulate earth and sculpt stone increases nearly double compared to my ability without it. Try to grasp it." As Monica and Oren reached for it, much like the hourglass, their hands were unable to connect with the small scoop and passed right through. When Von reached for the shovel, there was some hesitation as though he almost connected with it, however, try as he might, his hand was unable to pass through the space where the focus existed.
"Interesting," the teenager said, "You appear to have some small affinity toward geomancy as well. Will you be studying geomancy or are you strictly a chronomancer? Some students have some small affinity to several magics, but you will find you have only one primary affinity. As long as you have at least a novice level affinity in one of the other forms of magic, you will be able to learn a little from the other colleges even if you are unable to master them. A great example are blacksmiths who have a tiny bit of metallomancy allowing them to sharpen blades, reform rusty metal to good metal, or if strong enough, shape and harden metals without needing a hammer and anvil. While it's not their primary occupation, smithing, they have enough affinity to make their lives easier by utilizing the magic while they are smithing."
Oren spoke up. "Of course, it's possible for the opposite to be true. A smith might actually be a master pyromancer who has an adept level affinity in metallomancy, and high-level affinities in xylomancy and chloromancy who just happens enjoy the feeling of shaping metal by hand and only uses magic to enhance their creations as needed when blending them with beast hearts or for rush orders. Smithing may be their occupation while magic is just a strong hobby."
The teen rolled his eyes at the thought of such wasted magical talents then shook his head. "While it could be possible, the smith would have to be centuries old, and it would be a complete waste of good magical talent. No master pyromancer in his right mind would consider wasting their talents doing such a thing."
Suddenly Oren's eyes became sharp and intense as he stood staring at the teenage boy the whole while. The atmosphere around them seemed to take on a chill as if a cold wind had blown through leaving an unsettling stillness in its wake. His already deep violet eyes turned darker and unforgiving as they bore into teen with an intensity that sent shivers down not only his spine, but those of nearby onlookers and his icy glare seemed to cut through the air, leaving a trail of unease in its path as the intensity of his gaze conveyed a silent threat, a promise of consequences should the young geomancer dare to continue his line of speech.
To all those nearby, the elf's eyes spoke volumes. Without his uttering a single word, they conveyed a lethal combination of disdain, authority, and a hint of predatory instinct. This look was one which could freeze someone in their tracks. Usually reserved only for his most careless apprentices, even those less acquainted with Oren could discern it to be a prelude to a storm of wrathful emotions preparing to spill forth on the target of his ire.
In that moment, not just Von and Monica but all of the nearby onlookers could feel the weight of his unspoken message – a killing look that spoke of power, control, and a dangerous edge that left no room for defiance. It was a gaze which would leave an indelible mark, a memory etched in the minds of those who witnessed the silent, deadly communication that passed between him and his target.
Looking more closely at the muscular silver-haired elf the young man suddenly felt it difficult to breathe. The way the heat from the air was drawn away toward the elf, it was obvious he had made an error in judgement.
Noticing something amiss near the end of the room, the remainder of the patrons began to grow silent as they lingered over their meals. The once lively conversations turned silent as a surge of energy was pulled to the end of the table where an elf stood near two children louring at a teenage student with brown hair. They had seen duels between strong students against one another gather power quickly as their youthful haste to fight, especially among teenage boys, but the influx of energies being drawn now were similar to that of two instructors preparing to face off, except, only one of those present appeared capable of gathering such vast amounts of energy so quickly. With this realization, the attention of the entire refectory converged on the group at the end of the table.
The young geomancer felt a terrible sinking realization, as if the ground beneath him shifted in response to the gravity of his words. It became clear his attempt at conversation to explain that a wizard would never stoop to such a lowly physical occupation as blacksmithing had crossed a colossal line, and he had disrespected a master pyromancer and three-time magical expert. In an instant, his bravado melted away, replaced by a profound sense of regret and self-preservation.
He took a step forward and prostrated himself before the tall elf. With a voice carrying the weight of genuine contrition he remained low to the floor, "Master Smith, I am truly sorry for my thoughtless words. I spoke out of turn and disrespected not only the art of pyromancy but also that of your expertise—smithing. It was a grave mistake, and I, Daegal Forester, humbly seek your forgiveness."