Time Traveler

At the moment the Destiny Ring formed, Shade's consciousness seemed to soar into the sky like a dream once more. He saw the entire world and touched the world's veins. Compared to an individual soul, the vast world was incomparably profound, terrifying, and immense.

But before he could see anything clearly, he immediately returned to his body, making Shade, seated on the sofa, realize what he was doing.

There was no need to look back again. The meanings of the two Spirit Runes came to him automatically. These runes represented the soul's traits and the world's recognition of one's existence. They did not lie.

"The Core Runes at the very center of the Destiny Ring can only be brass-colored Enlightenment Runes, at least for ordinary humans. Humanity's greatest strength is civilization; humans themselves are not particularly special.

"But believers favored by gods may, depending on their god's alignment, gain golden Miracle or silver Blasphemy Core Ling Runes upon taking their profession. Such people are usually called Chosen Ones or holy sons. Those who become Ring Arcanists through certain special and incomplete employment rituals, borrowing the power of relics, may gain Black Iron Whisper Spirit Runes instead. But that carries enormous hidden dangers for the soul."

The Doctor explained, his slow, low voice gradually pulling Shade back to reality.

Now that Shade had completed his employment ritual, Miss Louisa regained the right to speak and added:

"Of course, there are other exceptions, such as powers left behind by one's ancestors. But those have nothing to do with ordinary people like us."

Shade nodded. Seeing him look at the two of them, Doctor Schneider gestured for him to take a sip of tea.

"You look terrible, but that's normal. Forging a Destiny Ring means the soul is changing shape, so pain is perfectly normal. You'll need several days of rest before it eases. I didn't feel anything at the time, but that night I was in so much pain that I couldn't sleep. It felt like someone was hammering on gas pipes inside my skull."

Though Shade did not feel unwell, he still followed the Doctor's instructions and lifted his teacup, letting the warm steam wash over his face.

"Then, Mr. Schneider, Miss Louisa, how many Core Runes are there normally?"

Because of the voice in his mind, the Outlander did not dare assume that he was normal, nor did he dare assume that his number of Core Ling Runes was normal.

Shade was doing his best to suppress his joy at successfully coming into contact with the mysterious, while maintaining the most basic rationality and vigilance. He had already gained their trust. He could not reveal his abnormality.

The Doctor wore an expression that said, "I knew you would ask that."

"There are generally no more than three Core Ling Runes, though according to Academy data, over eighty percent of people have two. After all, a soul cannot have only one outstanding trait. But there are unusual cases too. The record was set around Common Calendar year 306, in the Early Sixth Epoch, when Zaras Academy of Literature once had a Ring Arcanist with seven Core Ling Runes."

Shade no longer needed to pretend. He truly looked astonished.

"How many rings did he eventually reach?"

The blonde Miss Writer merely shrugged.

"No one knows. That person was only a minor figure in history; even his name was not accurately recorded. Oh, I know what you mean, but the number of Core Runes does not have much to do with one's eventual achievements. The Doctor is a typical case."

Doctor Schneider once again revealed his complete Destiny Ring. At its center were two brass-colored Spirit Runes: Mind's Light and Dream.

"Let me translate. They are Dream and Mind's Light. Generally speaking, the simpler the concept, the easier it is to interpret in multiple ways, develop into all kinds of Thaumaturgy, and make more powerful. So personally, I find Dream somewhat stronger."

Since Spirit Runes did not use modern language, the Doctor translated them as well. He did not know that Shade had understood them at a glance.

"I have three, but that isn't particularly special either."

As she spoke, white steam and mist also emerged behind Miss Louisa. Accompanied by the impact of a great hammer, a rotating brass ring with a square cross-section appeared. Three Core Ling Runes were inscribed upon it: Scribe, Roleplaying, Another Princess.

She explained the meanings of her three Core Runes and considered Scribe to be her most useful one, as it suited her work as a writer well. Miss Louisa excelled at brass-colored Enlightenment Elements and was skilled at seeking power within stories and legends.

"The languages used by Spirit Runes are all languages from past eras. If no method of translation can be found, one can only ask the rune's owner, because the owner automatically understands its meaning. So, Shade, what are your Spirit Runes?"

By voluntarily displaying their powers, the Doctor and Miss Writer were also trying to reassure Shade and tell him that he need not hide anything. After all, Core Ling Runes concerned one's Academy and field of study after enrollment.

"Spacetime. Silver Moon."

After thinking about it, Shade decided there was no need to hide them. As soon as he spoke the two words, Doctor Schneider and Miss Louisa showed startled, doubtful expressions. He could not say that he felt smug over it, but he was at least pleased within his heart.

"Both are quite broad concepts. That's good. The Academy has recorded many Thaumaturgies related to Silver Moon, and Silver Moon can easily be developed into many new Thaumaturgies. It's quite a rare Spirit Rune, but not an obscure one. Spacetime... are you sure it's Spacetime, rather than Time or Space?"

The Doctor craned his neck as he sought confirmation.

"I'm sure."

Shade nodded. Though he had not encountered the cliché of a test Crystal Ball exploding because his talent was too high, his talent clearly was not ordinary either. Shade controlled his emotions, showing just the right amount of curiosity rather than deeper contemplation. These two Core Ling Runes seemed to share some sort of coincidence.

Especially Silver Moon.

"Don't laugh," he said in his heart.

"Has Spacetime never Appeared before?" he asked aloud. The Doctor and Miss Writer exchanged a glance before the latter explained:

"Of course it has Appeared, but it is exceedingly rare—abnormally rare. Even added together, the recorded cases of people possessing this Core Rune do not exceed five. As for Ring Arcanists who obtained a Spacetime Spirit Rune after employment through contact with the mysterious and knowledge of the past, there have probably been fewer than a hundred throughout history."

The Doctor looked at Shade with some hesitation.

"If it were only Silver Moon, we would recommend that you join Mathematics College. You might become a specialist in Thaumaturgy and a master of incantations because of it. But since it is Spacetime, you will certainly choose History College, become one of its investigators, join the ranks of Time Exploration, and seek out those Secrets of the past.

"Even if I did not recommend it, the professors of History College would never allow you to join another college. There is no one more suited to this profession than someone with Spacetime. As you step through the time of the past, you will face greater dangers, but you will also learn more Secrets. Secrets concerning the fallen Old Gods."

PS: The information in this chapter, especially the information about the Doctor and the writer, is extremely important. It relates to side plots involving these two that connect to the main storyline.