The "Investigator," or rather, the "Temporal Explorer," was not a unique profession exclusive to the Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy. Any warlock who possessed a core glyph related to the concept of [Time], or who had acquired such glyphs, could travel through time using the relic known as the [Time Key], which fluctuated in power between levels as low as Bard (5th level) and as high as Angel (1st level). These relics allowed the users to traverse temporal boundaries and explore periods prior to the Sixth Epoch.
The [Time Key] was a one-time-use relic, and each key opened access to a different era. All of these keys were tied to the fallen Old God, the [Father of the Infinite Tree].
This Old God, one of immense power, was a benevolent deity. Contact with His knowledge or traces left behind might grant one a golden [Miracle] glyph. According to legend and some ancient stone inscriptions, the [Father of the Infinite Tree] fell during the chaotic Fourth Epoch. However, through His concept of [Infinity], He merged His body into the continuous infinite timelines, thereby enabling communication between the past and the future.
The [Time Key] was one of the relics left behind by this fallen deity. Since the Old God existed within an unbroken flow of time, His relic allowed time jumps that weren't confined to the era prior to His fall in the Fourth Epoch.
Yet, curiously, no [Time Key] has ever been found that can return someone to any point within the Sixth Epoch. This remains a major focus of study for time-related warlocks.
In short, the doctor instructed Shade to draw the two glyphs he had recently acquired. As he relayed Shade's core glyphs to the Academy, the doctor also gave him a brief introduction to this body of knowledge.
Glyphs were a language of the past, almost never repeated. Unless someone had seen identical glyphs before, they couldn't be fabricated, making it impossible to lie about their discovery.
Before Shade could ask questions like, "What about temporal stability?" or "Couldn't this cause a time paradox?", the Academy's response arrived far more quickly than expected:
"If Shade Sullen Hamilton is willing to join the Department of History, the department is prepared to make him a key developmental prospect and provide him with a Grade 3 relic for protection after his enrollment."
"What does this mean?" Shade asked the doctor, perplexed.
"They value your talent but won't change your status as a correspondence warlock. Being a key developmental prospect means you won't have to complete many compulsory practical credit tasks, and you'll also get discounts when buying books from Saint Byrence. As for the Grade 3 relic... well, it's exactly what it sounds like," the doctor shrugged.
"They're generous with talented individuals, but they also never break the rules," the doctor added with a smile.
"Should I accept it, then?"
"Unless you have a reason to refuse," the writer responded simply, tucking a strand of her golden hair behind her ear.
"Every year, there are a few key prospects, but I don't see any downside to it."
Thus, Shade successfully became a first-year correspondence warlock of the History Department at Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy.
Becoming a warlock involved mastering the Four Elements, and advancing required mastering all four as well.
At least one glyph from each of the four categories—golden [Miracle], silver [Blasphemy], brass [Enlightenment], and black iron [Whisper]—must be etched onto one's ring of life for each level, to accumulate enough spiritual energy to achieve ascension.
Each level of spiritual accumulation had a limit. Etching four glyphs or four hundred wouldn't make a difference when ascending a ring. In fact, having too many glyphs could be detrimental, as the required glyphs for ascension must come from that specific level.
Typically, inscribing glyphs wasn't simple, and it was vital to balance the number of glyphs with one's research into mystical arts and curses.
Warlocks were classified into three groups: Low Rings (1st to 4th ring), Middle Rings (5th to 8th ring), and High Rings (9th ring and beyond).
This classification wasn't arbitrary. Upon ascending to the 5th and 9th rings, a warlock needed not only the four basic glyphs but also all sixteen glyphs from that stage, each linked to the warlock's core glyph, to form what was known as the Words of Ascension.
In Dr. Schneider's group, only he, a 5th-ring warlock, had completed four ascensions.
When he ascended from the 4th to the 5th ring, he used his black iron [Whisper] glyph from the 1st ring, [Running], his silver [Blasphemy] glyph from the 2nd ring, [Malice], his brass [Enlightenment] glyph from the 3rd ring, [Hound], and his golden [Miracle] glyph from the 4th ring, [Light], in combination with his core glyph, [Dream], to create the Words of Ascension:
"The Hound of Light Runs through the Malicious Dream."
The types of glyphs used in the Words of Ascension weren't strictly limited. It just so happened that the doctor had used all four types.
Without the Words of Ascension, a warlock could never ascend from the 4th to the 5th ring or from the 7th to the 8th. And because the required glyphs came from different rings, there were no second chances.
The choices for the Words of Ascension could be guided by past examples, which were recorded in the Book of Ascension, a collection of thousands of recorded phrases. Warlocks referred to these examples based on their core glyphs, preparing for ascension well in advance. Each faction guarded its Book of Ascension as one of its most closely kept secrets.
Low, middle, and high-ring warlocks could use the same core glyph to link their Words of Ascension, making it easier to choose from a larger pool of options, though it didn't reduce the difficulty of ascension.
If a warlock's core glyph was too rare or there were no examples to consult, they would have to experiment and hope luck was on their side when forming the Words of Ascension.
Shade, however, wouldn't have access to the Book of Ascension for another six months, as the Academy wanted to ensure that correspondence warlocks were committed and wouldn't abandon their training. With how difficult advancing as a warlock was, six months wasn't much of a delay.
Although the number of glyphs a warlock could inscribe wasn't limited, obtaining glyphs was incredibly challenging. In addition to passing required academic credits and completing practical credits through Academy missions, students also had to ensure that their ring level matched their year.
So, taking two or three years to complete a single year of study was quite normal. If a warlock couldn't find the glyphs needed to form their Words of Ascension at the 4th ring, even if they had the four required types, they might delay their ascension.
As for textbooks, foundational warlock courses, the promised Grade 3 relic from the History Department, and investigator missions, all of these would be discussed after Shade received his course materials in three days.
At that time, not only would he be given a curriculum and training plan from the Academy, but the entire group of four would gather to provide Shade with guidance.
Having confirmed his admission to the History Department, Dr. Schneider declared that Shade could leave for the day.
"Right now?" Shade, who had spent most of the afternoon absorbing this new information, asked in surprise.
"Is there something else you need?" the doctor replied with equal surprise.
"I mean, I've joined the Academy, so isn't there…"
It was the female writer, Miss Luvicia, who understood his implication.
"Mr. Hamilton, the enrollment process really is this simple. Let me repeat the doctor's words: remember, we are correspondence warlocks. Our ties to the Academy are not close. We are responsible for our own training, acquiring knowledge from the Academy, and completing practical tasks to earn credits. We are just correspondence students."
"Alright then."
Shade, who had sat for nearly an entire afternoon, stood up. The doctor and the writer did the same to see him off. The latter had her own matters to discuss with the doctor and would remain behind a little longer.
Just as Shade reached the door with them, the doctor suddenly said, "Oh, and there are two forbidden rules you need to remember. Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy prohibits its warlocks from stepping foot on the New Continent, and the universal warlock taboo is that warlocks are forbidden from committing suicide.
"Setting foot on the New Continent will result in the automatic forfeiture of student status. A warlock's suicide will cause a catastrophe on par with the loss of a Grade 3 relic."
The New Continent referred to lands discovered fifty years ago during the Age of Exploration, akin to the geographical discoveries of the past world. The New Continent was uninhabited by humans but rich in resources.
"Why?" Shade asked, puzzled.
"We don't fully understand the Academy's rule. As for the suicide ban…" Miss Luvicia glanced at the doctor.
"The doctor believes it may have something to do with the 'Other Me.' If a warlock ends their life, their ring of life might not just stop. Instead, it might go out of control."
Doctor Schneider shrugged:
"That's all for now. We've never encountered a warlock who committed suicide."
Shade, remember to come by in three days, on Wednesday at 10 AM. During that time, we'll cover more than just Academy matters. You'll also need to familiarize yourself with the group's regular study sessions and our scheduled yearly missions. Oh, by the way, you can spend the next few days studying your new glyphs. Here, take this notebook."
The doctor moved to his desk, unlocked a drawer, and pulled out an old black notebook, handing it to Shade.
"It's on the development of glyph-based mystical arts. You can try experimenting on your own, though it may not go smoothly since you've just gained this power. The most important task for the next three days is to rest. Becoming a warlock takes a toll on both your soul and body, so you'll need to stay in bed. Use that time to read the notebook. Tomorrow, you'll probably sleep until noon... I'll see you in three days. And remember, you owe me £10 by the end of the month."
The abrupt goodbye caught Shade off guard, but he realized he had taken up more than enough of their time. Gathering his scattered thoughts, he said earnestly:
"I'll see you in three days, Doctor Schneider, Miss Luvicia... Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I was only here as a witness," the writer replied, though she seemed to be in a pleasant mood.
"And no need to thank me either. Like I said, I just wanted to find a fifth warlock for our group," the blue-eyed doctor said, looking at Shade. His voice was soft but sincere.
The connection between Shade and the warlock group had finally solidified. After confirming his enrollment with the Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy and becoming a prospect of the Department of History, Shade had taken his first major step into the world of warlocks.
The black notebook in his hand felt heavy, not just from the weight of the old leather-bound pages, but from the knowledge it contained—the key to the future mystical arts he would need to master. As he left Schneider's clinic, the cool breeze of the evening swept through the streets, the lamplights flickering in the encroaching dusk. Shade couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, mixed with the exhaustion that came from the whirlwind of revelations that day.
The next few days would be crucial for him. Rest, study, and a deeper dive into the mysteries of his new powers. But there was also a slight sense of dread—how much of himself would change in this new life? How would the glyphs shape his very essence, his soul?
He put those thoughts aside for now as he walked back to his small rented apartment. For now, rest was all he needed.