The headache hit Mikhail like a hammer blow as he reached his private chambers.
He barely made it to his desk chair before his knees buckled, the pain threatening to split his skull.
[System Alert: Temporal anomaly detected.]
[Warning: Divine Insight processing unexpected data stream.]
[Caution: Host experiencing temporal feedback loop.]
"What's... happening?" Mikhail ground out through clenched teeth. The room seemed to swim before his eyes, reality flickering like a candle in the wind.
[System Analysis: Divine Insight interaction with Emperor's condition has triggered unexpected resonance]
[Processing temporal data...]
[Alert: Previous timeline information integrating with current temporal matrices]
Images flashed through Mikhail's mind - fragments of his past life, moments from his current existence, and strangely, scenes he'd never witnessed but somehow knew were real.
The Emperor in his prime, wielding Stormbreaker against enemies Mikhail had never seen. Most prominently, he saw his Dungeon Dimension's temporal runes in these visions, pulsing with power.
[System Update: Analysing temporal convergence patterns]
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Key Findings:
Emperor's poisoning involved a temporal binding agent. Divine Insight's analysis created resonance with Host's Temporal Consciousness. Dungeon Dimension foundational runes showing unexpected activation. Time dilation effects detected between dimensions.
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The pain began to subside, replaced by a strange clarity. Mikhail could feel the temporal currents flowing around him like rivers of time intersecting and diverging.
[System Alert: New understanding achieved]
[System Alert: Host must access primary temporal nexus in Dimensional Dungeon for complete analysis.]
"The runes," Mikhail muttered, his mind racing despite the lingering headache. "They're not just for creating training spaces - they're temporal anchors. Just like the one that sent me back."
[System Alert: Correct. Additionally, temporal analysis suggests deeper connections between dimensional phenomena.]
Mikhail stood carefully, his legs still shaky. "The poison they used on Father - it wasn't just meant to kill him. The temporal binding agent was supposed to prevent any possibility of revival or temporal regression."
[System Alert: Affirmative. Incomplete binding agent now interacting with dimensional temporal matrix in unexpected ways]
"And now it's affecting everything - the dungeon's dimensional boundaries, my Divine Insight, Father's condition. They're all connected." Mikhail moved to his bookshelves, pulling out the ancient texts he'd collected on dimensional magic.
[System Alert: Quest "Dimensional Convergence" unlocked.]
[Objective: Access dungeon's temporal nexus to complete analysis.]
"This is actually better than I first thought," Mikhail mused.
The headache had faded to a dull throb, but the clarity remained. Mikhail could feel the temporal currents flowing around him now, and sense the way they connected him to the normal world.
"Tonight," he decided. "We move tonight, while this new awareness is fresh."
[System Alert: Temporal sensitivity stabilising]
[System Alert: New ability unlocked: Dimensional Current Perception]
[Warning: Ability may be enhanced or disrupted by dungeon's temporal nexus]
A knock at his chamber door interrupted his planning. One of his servants entered, bowing deeply.
"Your Highness, Lady Aria has arrived with her retinue. As your betrothed, she claims her right to residence in the guest wing."
Mikhail contained his surprise. Of course - with everything happening, this woman would appear when she's least expected.
Any officially betrothed noble had the right to take up residence in their intended's household during times of political uncertainty.
"How... convenient," he murmured. "Have the blue suite in the east wing prepared," Mikhail instructed the servant. "Ensure Lady Aria has everything she requires. I'll greet her properly at dinner."
After the servant left, Mikhail leaned back in his chair, massaging his temples.
The dimensional currents still pulsed through his awareness, but now they were complicated by this new development.
The headache might have eased, but its message was clear. He had to enter the dimensional dungeon tonight!
First, though, he had a dinner to host, and a performance to give.