As the late afternoon sun began its descent behind the tall towers of the Academy of Magic, the four-member team of Alexander, Elara, Tomas, and Selene exited the main library. The main library had been a treasure trove of information, and they had spent hours combing through its archives, piecing together what they could about the mysterious Chronomancer's Chamber.
Now, they were heading to the Clock Tower, where the entrance to the Chamber lay hidden. The air was cool and crisp, the shadows of the tall Academy buildings stretching long across the cobblestone paths. The Clock Tower loomed ahead, its ancient stone walls bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon light.
The Chronomancer's Chamber is not just a magical artifact, but is a part of the world itself. It seems the Chamber is automatically generated by the world, appearing only at this location. That's why the Academy was built here in the first place.
The Chamber is divided into five levels—A, B, C, D, and the more dangerous S and S+ levels. The S+ level is almost never open to students because of its extreme difficulty and danger. Every time a new Chamber opens, the heads of each House explore it first to determine the danger level. They ensure it's stable and safe before allowing students to enter.
The clock tower in the central area of the Academy loomed large against the sky, its ancient stone structure casting a long shadow over the courtyard below. The clock's hands moved with a steady rhythm, ticking away the minutes as the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon.
As they approached the towering structure, Alexander couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The Clock Tower was one of the oldest buildings at the Academy, its stone walls etched with runes that shimmered faintly in the fading light.
"According to what I found," Elara began, addressing the group, "This time, we'll be exploring a period from 300 years ago, during the Astraean Empire. The Academy suffered a break in its magical inheritance during that time, and we might be able to learn the lost magic or get some unexpected treasure."
Alexander felt a shiver of anticipation run down his spine. The Astraean Empire was a time of great upheaval in the magical world, a period marked by both innovation and conflict. The opportunity to see it firsthand, to experience the Academy as it existed then, was both thrilling and daunting.
"What's the danger level?" Tomas asked, his voice curious.
"Take it easy. It's just rated D," Elara replied. "And the D-level backtrack should be manageable."
Selene, who had been listening intently, said. "I've read about it in some of the older texts.Time is a powerful force, and if something goes wrong, it could have serious consequences."
Elara agreed, appreciating Selene's cautious approach. "Absolutely. We'll need to rely on each other. But I'm confident that we can handle it, especially with the group we have."
As they approached the base of the Clock Tower, they saw Cedric, a member of student union, standing by the entrance with another student from House Ignis, both of them wearing the silver badges. The two were conversing quietly, but as soon as they noticed the group approaching, they straightened up and greeted them.
"Good afternoon!" Cedric called out, giving them a friendly smile. "Alexander, long time no see!"
"Hello, Cedric," Alexander said, stepping forward. "We're here for our exploration of the Chronomancer's Chamber."
Cedric nodded lightly. "Welcome. We've been expecting you. I'll just need you to fill out some paperwork before you go in. It's mostly a formality, but we need to keep track of who enters the Chamber and when. Safety protocols, you know."
The group took turns filling out the forms Cedric handed them, detailing their names, Houses, and the purpose of their exploration. As they wrote, Alexander noticed the faint shimmer of magic woven into the parchment—a subtle reminder of the protective spells that guarded the Chamber and those who ventured into it.
As Tomas finished signing his name, the heavy wooden door of the Clock Tower creaked open, revealing a dimly lit staircase spiraling upward into the darkness. The sound of gears turning and the rhythmic ticking of the clock's mechanism echoed down the stone steps, a constant reminder of the passage of time.
"Once you're inside, follow the staircase up to the second floor," Cedric explained, gesturing toward the staircase. "You'll find the entrance to the Chamber there. Before we begin, I need to go over a few ground rules. First and foremost, you must stay together at all times. The chamber is designed to simulate past events, but it can also be unpredictable. If you get separated, it could be difficult to find your way back. Second, remember that while the danger level for this backtrack is D, there is always an element of risk. Be cautious. And finally, once you enter, you can only leave when the time segment is over. Understood?"
Alexander, Elara, Tomas, and Selene exchanged determined glances. "Thanks, Cedric," Alexander said, handing back the completed form. "We're ready."
"Good luck," Cedric replied, giving them a reassuring smile. "And remember, stay safe. The past can be a dangerous place if you're not careful."
As the group stepped into the Clock Tower, the heavy doors closed behind them, leaving them in dim light and the sound of the clock ticking above. The air was cool and slightly damp, filled with the faint scent of aged wood and stone. Flickering torches mounted on the walls cast a soft, wavering glow, lighting their way up to the second floor.
........
Meanwhile, in the Secret Room of House Ignis.
In the hidden depths of House Ignis, Lucian Draven sat in a secret chamber, surrounded by flickering candles and ancient tomes. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of incense and old parchment. Lucian's eyes were fixed on a crystal orb that rested on a pedestal before him, its surface swirling with misty images.
A soft knock on the door broke his concentration. "Enter," he said, his voice low and commanding. The door creaked open, revealing a younger student, dressed in the crimson robes of House Ignis. He stepped inside hesitantly, bowing his head in respect. "Lucian, I've just received news from the Clock Tower. Alexander Graves and his friends are about to enter the Chronomancer's Chamber."
Lucian's eyes narrowed, he rose from his seat, his gaze never leaving the orb. "Very well. Inform the others to keep an eye on them. We need to know exactly what they're up to in that Chamber. And be discreet—I don't want them knowing we're watching."
The student nodded quickly and left the room, leaving Lucian alone with his thoughts. He stared into the orb, the swirling images reflecting his brooding expression. "Alexander… you're walking into something far more dangerous than you realize," he murmured. "And you're dragging Elara with you. I won't let you interfere with my plans."
......
At the Same Time, in the Master's Room of House Noctis.
Mistress Seraphine sat at her desk in the master's room of House Noctis, her silver-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. The room was filled with soft light from the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the floor. Ancient books and scrolls lined the walls, and a large, intricately carved wooden chair stood behind the desk.
A soft chime echoed through the room, signaling an incoming message. Seraphine waved her hand over a crystal on her desk, and the shimmering image of a Noctis student appeared before her.
"Mistress Seraphine," Cedric said, bowing respectfully. "I wanted to inform you that Alexander Graves and his group are about to enter the Chronomancer's Chamber. They're heading up to the portal room now."
She said, leaning back in her chair. "Keep an eye on them. If anything seems amiss, notify me immediately." Cedric nodded and the shimmering image faded away, leaving Seraphine alone in the quiet room. She stared at the crystal for a moment, her thoughts drifting to the experiences with the Orientation Day.
She teased with a grin, "So, is it finally about to begin? I'm hoping for something exciting."
......
Back in the Clock Tower.
As Alexander and his friends reached the second floor of the Clock Tower, they found themselves in a small antechamber. The room was circular, with shelves of dusty scrolls and books lining the walls. In the center of the floor was a large, ornate clock, its hands spinning backward in slow, deliberate circles. At the far end, a large, circular portal glowed with a faint blue light, its surface rippling like water.
"This must be it," Elara said softly, her eyes wide with anticipation. "The entrance to the Chronomancer's Chamber."
Tomas adjusted his glasses, his excitement barely contained. "I've read about this place so many times, but to see it in person… it's incredible."
Selene nodded, her expression serious. "Let's not forget why we're here. We need to find out what happened during the Astraean Empire and the break in magical inheritance. Stay focused, and remember the rules."
Alexander took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him. They were standing on the threshold of a journey into the past, a chance to uncover the secrets of the Academy and learn from its history. But the Chronomancer's Chamber was powerful and unpredictable, and the past was not always a safe place to explore.
"Are we ready?" he asked, looking at his friends.
Elara nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Ready."
Tomas gave a thumbs-up, a grin spreading across his face. "Let's do this."
Selene took a deep breath, her gaze steady. "Together."
With a final nod, Alexander stepped forward, reaching out to touch the glowing surface of the portal. The blue light flared, enveloping them in a soft, ethereal glow. The chamber's glow intensified, the runes on the walls pulsing with light as the clock's hands began to spin faster. The hum of magic grew louder, vibrating through the floor and up into their bones.
"Here we go," Elara murmured, her voice barely audible over the rising hum.
The clock's hands spun faster, blurring into a whirl of light and motion. Then, with a sudden rush, they were pulled through the portal, the world around them dissolving into a blur of colors and shapes. Alexander felt a sensation like falling, a dizzying spiral of motion that left him breathless.