Chapter Summaries

Shade and the women celebrated the Year-End Festival together, welcoming 1855 as a mysterious voice warned him that Destiny was approaching. After the gathering, Shade waited in his bedroom for visitors, then heard a strange sound beneath his bed.

• Margaret explained why the United Kingdom had made peace with the Laggson Kingdom, and Galina revealed that the Grand Duke of Laggson planned to mediate between Kasonlik and Delarion.
• Shade and the women enjoyed a hot spring gathering in Vesta Woodland before returning to Tobesk to spend the last hours of 1854 together.
• Shade counted down to midnight with his family, and they welcomed 1855 with fireworks, bells, and a toast.
• A mysterious voice warned Shade that Destiny was coming and that he could not escape it.
• After the others went to bed, Shade waited in his room for Dorothy and Leisha, then heard a faint sound beneath his bed.

Shade and the Witches gathered in his bedroom to use the Core of the Old Days, creating a shared Dream Illusion for the night. Shade went to invite Daniste, but when he returned with her, the others had disappeared.

• Megan, Audrey, Sylvia, Galina, Vanessa, and Leisha hid beneath Shade’s bed to surprise one another before Luvia and Dorothy arrived.
• The Witches noted that Daniste had not come, and Vanessa revealed the Core of the Old Days, an Angel Level Relic borrowed from Siris.
• Shade crushed the relic and entered the Dream of the Old Days with the Witches’ actual bodies, while Vanessa explained that anyone could awaken and leave.
• At Megan’s suggestion, Shade left to speak with Daniste and returned holding her hand, only to find that the Witches had vanished from the bedroom.

Shade reunited with the Doctor just before the annual examination, and the Doctor described his journey to the Far North to investigate the Demon’s seal. He explained how he located the ancient site and shared his theory about how the Material World changed between epochs.

• Shade and the eight young ladies played a blind guessing game during the Year-End Festival celebrations.
• After the festivities, Shade worried that Doctor Schneider would not return from Winterfell in time for the examination.
• Shade visited the Doctor’s clinic, but the staff confirmed that the Doctor had not yet returned.
• On Sunday morning, Doctor Schneider arrived at Shade’s home with souvenirs and reassured him that he was ready for the examination.
• The Doctor told Shade that he had found the seal beneath a glacier by comparing ancient illustrations with modern maps.
• The Doctor explained his theory that each epoch’s Material World shrank as parts of the previous world vanished or merged into what remained.

Shade and the Doctor discussed the escaped Demon of Weapons, Black Hand-Tifron, and planned to investigate it near Starfall Bay. After the others arrived, they discussed winter promotion exams and new Academy rules for Correspondence Students.

• Shade concluded that the Old Continent largely matched the Fifth Epoch’s Central Continent, then asked the Doctor about the Demon he had found sealed beneath a glacier.
• The Doctor explained that Black Hand-Tifron had escaped its seal at least a thousand years earlier and that his search placed it near Starfall Bay in the Laggson Duchy.
• The Doctor described the Demon’s ability to wield weapons and incite violence, and warned Shade not to fight it while holding any weapon.
• Shade agreed to investigate local legends at Starfall Bay while the Doctor prepared an Alchemy Item to detect the Demon after exam week.
• Shade gave the Doctor a letter from Lady Helena Green, which the Doctor pocketed without replying.
• Luvia, Dorothy, and Priest Augustus joined Shade and the Doctor, and they discussed the Academy’s new rules allowing Correspondence Students to apply for skipping-grade exams and attend courses matching their rank.

The group completed their 1854 year-end exams and received their grades, advancement decisions, and rewards. Shade advanced to eighth grade with an Excellent rating, while the group received two Keeper of Secrets Level Relics and left the year-end gathering looking ahead to the next exams.

• The group took their advancement exams, then waited together for their results and year-end evaluations.
• Professor Garcia announced that Doctor Schneider advanced to seventh grade with an Excellent rating and received the Excellent Student medal and academic rewards.
• Dorothy advanced to sixth grade, Luvia to fifth grade, and Priest Augustus to third grade; Luvia and Dorothy received Excellent ratings while Priest Augustus received Exceeded Expectations.
• Professor Garcia announced that Shade passed the skipping-grade exam and advanced to eighth grade with an Excellent rating and an Excellent Student medal, but no Feliana Medal.
• The group received the Thirsty Blood Lantern for Doctor Schneider and the divination Relic Mercury Echo for Luvia.
• The five members celebrated the end of 1854, and Doctor Schneider postponed reminding them about the approaching Summer Exam.

After exam week, Shade prepared to travel to Fatumonst Island in Starfall Bay, where Luvia revealed that her divination had pointed him there. Before departing, Shade opened the Gift Box and received a relic bullet that could clear the weather, setting up his next adventure.

• The Doctor described his dangerous journey through the northern Glacier Area as Shade and the others relaxed after exams.
• Shade planned to travel to Fatumonst Island with Sylvia's help because he could not obtain a method to increase his Luck.
• Luvia told Shade that her Fate Proverbs divination had pointed to Fatumonst Island, and Shade confirmed he would open another Time Key after returning if nothing intervened.
• Shade performed a ritual with Little Mia and drew a crimson relic bullet from the Gift Box.
• Sylvia identified the bullet as the Poet Level relic Fist of the Sun, which could force clear weather but might cause a drought.

Shade traveled with Sylvia to her Witch's Tower on Snow Mountain, where she showed him the permanent Teleportation Gates connecting the tower to several places. He used the gate to reach Fatumonst City and stepped out onto Victoria Street, beginning his stay in the city beneath the snow-covered mountain.

• Luvia reminded Shade to carry the Gun of Kindness, and he took it with him when he left with Sylvia.
• Sylvia brought Shade to the Witch's Tower, where she showed him six Teleportation Gates and explained their destinations and risks.
• Shade said goodbye to Sylvia and used the gate to reach the basement of her inherited house at 17 Victoria Street in Fatumonst City.
• Shade explored the empty house and stepped out onto Victoria Street, noting its abundant iron decorations and the Snow Mountain visible to the north.

Shade explored Fatumonst, the City of Time Wheels, and visited its underground Clock Tower Black Market to look for coin-type relics. After learning how the market operated, he asked to post a long-term purchase commission and buy any such relics already in stock.

• Shade walked from Victoria Street toward the City Clock Tower, admiring Fatumonst’s clock-themed streets and distinctive architecture.
• Shade ate the local Golden Roasted Fish for lunch and enjoyed the purple Dark Algae Tea, though he decided against ordering the fish again.
• Shade used Sylvia’s directions and a code phrase at the Trout Tavern to reach the Clock Tower Black Market.
• A five-ring Ring Arcanist explained the market’s floors, trading rules, and entry requirements to Shade.
• Shade asked whether he could post a long-term commission to buy coin-type relics and purchase any available immediately.

Shade bought two Lucky Coin relics from the Fatumonst City black market and learned about recent local events. He left with a warning about a rumored Demon Sword that had attacked Ring Arcanists, including a respected Mid-Ring Arcanist.

• Shade purchased both Lucky Coins, local potion ingredients, and information from the black market manager for 133 Crowns.
• The manager told Shade that two Ring Arcanists had been arrested after a violent fight and that the Sun Church had found evidence of God of Drowning in the Deep Sea cultists near Starfall Bay.
• The manager explained that Fatumonst City had halted clock production for a week during the woodland crisis and was now competing to host the 1856 Great City Player Rhodes Cards Tournament.
• The manager warned Shade that a rumored Demon Sword had appeared on the island, taken control of an ordinary wielder, and been used in attacks on local Ring Arcanists.

Shade learned about the Fatu People’s Ten Thousand Spirits Festival and the local taboo against climbing Fatumonst Snow Mountain before meeting Mr. Mortis, who sold him clues about an injured Arcanist connected to the Demon Sword. Mr. Mortis suspected Shade intended to pursue the relic and asked whether he was a High-Ring Arcanist, leaving Shade to ask if he wanted help finding his missing friend.

• Shade learned that the Fatu People held the Ten Thousand Spirits Festival to honor Fatumonst Snow Mountain, whose ritual was believed to protect the island from natural disasters.
• The black-market broker warned Shade not to climb the Snow Mountain because those who blasphemed it suffered Misfortune, though the Seer Association might hold its finals there with the tribesmen’s cooperation.
• Shade wondered whether the Great Witches of Space had protected themselves from the mountain’s influence, or whether its supposed curse was only a legend.
• Mr. Mortis told Shade that a Mid-Ring Arcanist who made potions had been attacked before the Year-End Festival and had not appeared since, and he gave Shade places the man frequented.
• Mr. Mortis reasoned that Shade was either confident in his strength or determined to investigate the Demon Sword regardless of danger, and Shade asked whether he wanted help finding his missing friend.

Shade accepted Mr. Mortis's commission to find the missing Magic Potion Merchant in exchange for two relic coins and a generous reward. He searched the merchant's hidden workshop and other known locations but found no sign of him, only a sample of blood marked by a faint Whisper Element.

• Mr. Mortis told Shade that the Magic Potion Merchant had gone missing and offered two additional relic coins if Shade brought him back.
• Shade accepted the commission, received details about the merchant's appearance and hideouts, and began searching the island.
• Shade entered the merchant's fishing-tackle shop at the docks and uncovered an illusion-hidden potion workshop in its basement.
• Shade found a scrap of cloth stained with unusual blood that carried a faint Whisper Element, collected a sample, and found no other clues in the shop.
• Shade searched the area near a steam bathhouse for the merchant's warehouse but found no clues and continued toward the countryside.

Shade searched the Magic Potion Merchant’s hideouts and found records showing that the Demon Sword’s wound had caused the merchant’s body and mind to deteriorate despite his attempts at treatment. At the coast, Shade spotted three Mermaid Girls before continuing to the final stop in his search.

• Shade advised a worried Fishing Village woman to take her feverish child to Snake Heart Hospital and gave her money.
• Shade entered the Herbal Doctor’s basement, stopped a warning frog with Adele's Time Stop, and found notes documenting the Magic Potion Merchant’s failed attempts to treat his injuries.
• Shade learned that the Demon Sword’s wound had spread black veins through the merchant’s body and caused weakness, lost consciousness, and strange voices, but the notes gave no clear lead to whom he might seek for help.
• Shade searched the merchant’s secret sea-cave warehouse but found no clues.
• Shade saw three Mermaid Girls playing in the sea, and they dove underwater when they noticed him.
• Shade wondered what fairy tale he might encounter and suggested Snow White before heading to the final stop.

Shade searched Fatumonst Snow Mountain for the site where the Magic Potion Merchant had been attacked but found no clues before meeting Elder Harald, a powerful priest of the Fatu People. Their handshake revealed that Harald could draw on the Holy Mountain’s ancient power, but Shade blocked it, leaving the encounter unresolved.

• Shade flew into the snow mountain to search for the Magic Potion Merchant’s attack site, but the heavy snowfall and lack of landmarks kept him from finding it.
• Shade rescued a rock sheep from a snow leopard, fed the leopard, and decided to leave the mountain and return the next day.
• As Shade prepared to depart, Elder Harald approached and offered to guide him down the mountain, warning that the tribes had found no sign of the Demon Sword there.
• Shade introduced himself as John Watson and said he was searching for clues about the Demon Sword, while Harald identified himself as an elder, priest, and Doctor of the Fatu People.
• During their handshake, Harald drew on the Holy Mountain’s power, but Shade blocked it instead of being overwhelmed.

Shade proved himself accepted by the snow mountain, then followed Elder Harald to Holt Village to investigate the missing Magic Potion Merchant. He found the merchant delirious and afflicted with black runes, and when a blade emerged from the merchant’s hand, Shade knocked him down.

• Shade resisted Elder Harald’s snow-mountain connection, and Harald agreed to take him to the site of the attack and the injured merchant.
• Harald told Shade that the Magic Potion Merchant had sought help three days earlier and remained unconscious, while the villagers awaited the Ten Thousand Spirits Festival to try purging his curse and toxins.
• Shade and Harald traveled to Holt Village, where guards directed them to the Gladiatorial Arena after the merchant woke and began attacking people.
• Shade recognized the merchant by his appearance and the runes on his skin, then seized his punch and kicked him down after a black sword blade shot from the back of his hand.

Shade subdued the Magic Potion Merchant after a relic made a sword grow from his hand, then arranged to meet Elder Harald in Keltod the next day. He returned home and told Luvia and Galina about his first day on Fatumonst Island, while Harald revealed that his granddaughter Claire would return to help with the unusual Ten Thousand Spirits Festival.

• Shade used the Great Sin Chains and the Dragon Scale Sword to defeat the Magic Potion Merchant, whose black sword vanished after he fell unconscious.
• Elder Harald invited Shade to Keltod to discuss preparations for the Ten Thousand Spirits Festival, and Shade accepted.
• Harald told Elder Yulsa that his granddaughter Claire Reinhart had agreed to return and help with the festival.
• Shade returned home, where Luvia and Galina listened as he described Starfall Bay, Fatumonst Snow Mountain, and the mermaids he had encountered.
• Shade asked Galina whether any of the remaining Great Witches had visited the Southern Coast, but she knew of none.
• Shade went to the library to ask Daniste about the Sage-level sword relic, but she was absent, so he left her a note.

Shade entered the Time Corridor and received a mission in the autumn of Fifth Epoch 5182 to investigate the secret of the Old God Bone King during a grave-robbing event. He arrived in the Gravestone Wasteland inside a coffin, buried beneath the soil.

• Shade had Doctor Schneider examine a blood sample, who found no trace of demonic power and could not identify the relic's properties.
• Shade postponed activating the Time Key until morning, then left home after Tifa gave him a lucky kiss.
• The Father of Infinite Tree assigned Shade to assist mortals in learning the Bone King's secret and offered the Miracle Spirit Rune Envy as a reward.
• Shade recalled Bone King's connection to Joey Barton's summoning of the skeletal deity Within Death and considered the mission and its reward.
• Shade passed through the Time Corridor arch and found himself lying in a coffin beneath the earth.

Shade escaped his grave in the Gravestone Wasteland and reunited with Theresa, who was traveling with a Fire-Bearing Sister. They rescued a young woman buried nearby, and Shade found a gold ring before following them to safety.

• Shade forced his way out of a grave and discovered that spellcasting was restricted in the Gravestone Wasteland.
• Shade heard someone knocking from a nearby grave, but ordinary tools and his Moonbeam Greatsword could not break through the protected soil.
• Theresa and a Fire-Bearing Sister arrived, and Theresa recognized Shade after he recited their shared passwords.
• Theresa explained that only a special shovel could open another person's grave, and Shade dug up a half-conscious young woman.
• Theresa pulled the young woman from the coffin while the nun led them away, and Shade found a crude gold ring among the burial objects.

Shade reunited with Theresa and Sister Belen in a haunted wasteland, where they sheltered in a gravedigger’s cabin and explained how each had arrived. The group learned that a First Fire had been buried as a grave good, while their weakened companion remained unidentified and unexplained.

• Shade followed Theresa, Sister Belen, and the rescued young woman through the gravestones to the Gravedigger’s Cabin, a safe shelter in the wasteland.
• Shade helped replace the filthy bedding so the exhausted young woman would lie down, then confirmed to Sister Belen that he was a visitor from the future who carried the First Fire.
• Sister Belen explained that she had entered the wasteland to find a First Fire buried as a grave good, while Theresa recounted arriving there after an expedition to excavate a Dragon grave went wrong.
• Theresa said she had expected Shade to appear and save her, while Shade shared his provisions with the group and learned they could remain in the cabin for an extended rest.
• A terrifying face appeared at the cabin window, but Sister Belen’s lamp made it vanish; the young woman then insisted she was neither dead nor buried by ritual.

Shade, Theresa, Sister Belen, and the newly rescued grave robber Giana Liad compared what they knew about the Gravestone Wasteland and its burial goods. They learned they had eight Burial Objects, enough to seek the First Fire but not the thirteen needed to find an exit.

• Theresa identified Giana Liad as a grave robber after hearing how she became trapped in the wasteland, and Giana admitted her employer had sent her to retrieve black stone slabs from a Third Epoch tomb.
• Giana showed the group photographs of the slabs, and Sister Belen recognized similar slabs in the wasteland as a possible clue to leaving.
• Sister Belen explained that the Burial Object Storage chest granted wishes in exchange for gold objects found in graves, and that two objects could be traded for an Iron Shovel.
• Sister Belen said seven Burial Objects could locate the grave containing the First Fire, while thirteen could locate a grave leading back to the World of the Living.
• Theresa counted the group's eight Burial Objects and explained that deadly monsters, mental contamination, and the wasteland's hostile conditions limited their exploration.
• Theresa explained that Sister Belen's Ashes Return Miracle marked safe paths through the wasteland, while Shade avoided acknowledging Sister Belen's apparent hint that he should learn it.

Shade and Theresa explored the Gravestone Wasteland to search for burial objects and clues that could help everyone escape. They shared news from their time apart and ended the journey with a passionate reunion kiss.

• Shade exchanged two gold rings for an iron shovel using the wooden chest.
• Shade and Theresa set out to investigate graves while Sister Belen and Giana Liad stayed behind; Giana lent them the relic Lullaby of Eternal Slumber.
• Shade and Theresa searched the gravestones for Miss Liard’s grave and discussed finding black stone slabs that might help them escape.
• Theresa told Shade how much she and the others had missed him and described her life after leaving the Sea of No Light.
• Shade told Theresa he had met Illustrious Miss in the Sixth Epoch and promised they would meet again on a brighter day.
• Theresa removed her glasses, embraced Shade, and kissed him passionately.