Volume Eight, "Until the End of Time," had come to an end. Shade had completed the Mid-Ring Words of Sublimation and officially entered the High Ring, while this book had also finished its early and middle arcs and formally entered the concluding stage of its final four volumes (Chaos, Creation, Destiny, Sun and Moon, in no particular order).
At present, all the clues were progressing in an orderly fashion. Whether it was the main plot of "Murmuring Chapters" and the Chosen Ones, the hidden main plot concerning the Outlander's origins, or the side stories of Doctor, Priest, and the others, all were entering their concluding stages.
It really had been exhausting by the time this volume reached its conclusion, since its chapter count had once again exceeded the limit. As usual, a free bonus chapter had been released. The next volume would not be this long, or else there would be two free bonus chapters next time. The author said so.
But no matter what, this volume still had a relatively satisfying ending. The eighth Chosen One had appeared, and the personal stories of Daniste and Emilia, the female leads among the Academy's forces, had unfolded smoothly. The appearance of the Time Transfer Station had made communication between the past and future a reality, and more importantly, Long-Haired Luvia was no longer merely part of the background—she had officially stepped into the story.
As for the next volume's theme, it would be "Destiny."
The final scene of Volume One was Shade and Doctor walking side by side down the street, their backs to a burning building. Shade looked back, while Doctor lowered his head;
The final scene of Volume Two was a view from the streets of the Steam Epoch toward a 2nd Floor window. Amid the thin fog, Shade