Chapter 50: The Mystery of Time

Professor Garcia seemed to be truly lecturing at this moment. She thought to herself that perhaps she should dim the gas lamps slightly to make the setting feel more like a classroom

"The rules regarding Time Keys were mentioned in your *Foundations of Time Travel Theory* course. Furthermore, do not worry about any trouble caused by time travel; our world is not as fragile as you imagine, and mortals are not as powerful as they believe themselves to be. In a world where thought can influence matter, the world itself is the most powerful force. Now, please take the key from the basin."

With a single paragraph, she resolved all of Shede's doubts; most students undergoing their first time travel would likely have similar questions.

"The basin?"

Shede looked at the basin shimmering with a faint glow. He crouched down and reached his hand into the water, which felt inexplicably warm, and then truly pulled out a key.

It was a wooden key, so small it wasn't even as large as Shede's thumb. The flat shape of the key was ordinary, with teeth on one side and a very smooth surface on the other. The wood grain on the surface was exceptionally distinct; upon careful inspection, he discovered a line of text carved into it, no larger than a grain of rice.

Although he had learned his lesson from the previous incident with the [Dark Box], this was clearly safe. Therefore, Shede once again utilized his talent for translation, interpreting it as

[May the World Tree protect you within time.]

"The World Tree?"

Shede felt a surge of wonder in his heart, but he did not show much emotion on his face.

"The Academy has various ways of transmitting [Relics]; poet manuscripts are the most basic. The method being used now is more expensive, but safer, and allows for the transmission of higher-level objects."

Professor Garcia continued as if she were lecturing

"The grading of [Time Keys] ranges from Poet-level (Grade 5) to Unknowable-level (Grade 0), originating from the God of the Past, [Father of the Infinite Tree]. Since this is merely for instructional purposes, a Poet-level [Time Key] is being provided this time."

The professor did not use the term "Old God," opting instead for the vague "God of the Past," which caught Shede's attention.

"Do you know anything about this deity?" the sharp-eared professor asked.

"I only know the name."

"[Father of the Infinite Tree] is a very special deity; his uniqueness lies in the fact that He Himself is also the World Tree."

If Professor Garcia had said this before Shede had deciphered the inscription on the key, his surprise might have been more sincere.

"You do not need to understand the World Tree for the time being. As for using the key, aim it at the keyhole of any door, turn it, and push the door open to travel to a point in the past. Before any key is opened, its corresponding time can be known; the trick is to place the key under your pillow as you sleep, and the dream will display the information left by [Father of the Infinite Tree] within the key. We then search for major historical events related to the Old God corresponding to that era to determine the key's grade."

"Then which period of the Fifth Epoch does this one correspond to?" Shede's fingers traced the wood grain on the surface of the key.

The Fourth Epoch, the Era of Chaos, was too dangerous, and keys from the first three epochs were strictly forbidden for any Warlock below the 9th Circle. Therefore, this key could only belong to the Fifth Epoch.

"Autumn of the year 1068 in the Fifth Epoch. The time point corresponding to every key is bound to be related to an Old God. This is why the Academy of History is proficient in the [Profane] element; only the Academy of History has the opportunity to safely obtain silver [Profane] elements without coming into contact with the existing Evil Gods themselves."

Shede did not believe for a second that traveling through time was a safe endeavor.

"We are time travelers, investigators. When entering the past, you cannot carry any items possessing Beyonder powers; even if you attempt to, they will fall from you before you step through the opened 'door'."

Professor Garcia looked at Shede, who hurriedly shook his head to indicate he had nothing on him. Whether it was the Vampire Ring or the Twenty-Sided Die of Fate, they were all left in his study.

"Upon entering the past, your field of vision will be filled with heavy white mist. Your 'other self' will also provide prompts regarding the time point and event information obtained from the relic key of a Fallen God.

The white mist will not dissipate throughout the entire investigation; investigators can only move toward areas without mist to witness the events occurring. During this time, as long as you do not actively make contact with the past, no one will notice you. We are investigators; we witness and record the past, bringing these events back to supplement the missing history of previous epochs."

"Are you saying we are essentially going to watch a realistic opera?" Shede offered an example.

"A very good metaphor."

A smile finally appeared on Professor Garcia's face. Although this sharp-eared professor appeared stern, she was quite a good person

"In extremely rare cases, the fallen [Father of the Infinite Tree] might issue you a task, but the probability is negligible... Now, Mr. Hamilton, let us begin."

"Now?"

Shede swallowed hard and looked toward the bedroom door. Little Mia was likely tired, as the sound of her claws scratching the door had not been heard for a long time.

"Is there anything else you need to prepare? Oh, do not worry; each opened span of time will allow you to stay for a maximum of three hours. And when you return to the correct time, you will appear only three seconds after you disappeared."

"I mean, isn't this a bit too hasty? Something like this..."

Shede had expected his instructor to provide some systematic training, not realizing it would be such a simple introduction.

"A Warlock must rely on themselves—and, of course, on their 'other self'—but one cannot rely on others. There is no need to bring paper and pen to record anything; any matter you bring into the past will return to its original state upon your return. Even if you truly had the ability to interfere with the past, it would only be a tiny ripple in the river of time. Do not underestimate time and the world."

"Alright then, Professor Garcia."

He stood up and walked to the bedroom door, letting the light from the brass gas lamp on the side wall fall over his head and shoulders.

He aimed the small key at the keyhole. To his surprise, it fit perfectly, even though the two were clearly mismatched.

"Remember, recite the incantation while turning. Any language will do—*May the World Tree protect me within time.*

See you in three seconds, Mr. Hamilton. Please relax; the Academy has specifically investigated, and nothing dangerous occurred in the year 1068 of the Fifth Epoch. It is very safe. Please cherish your first journey through time; it will be a very memorable and interesting trip."

"Alright, see you in three seconds, Professor Garcia."

With a heart full of trepidation, Shede gently turned the wooden key in his hand and whispered

"May the World Tree protect me within time."

There was a *click*, though there was no possibility that his own bedroom door lock should have made such a sound.

Shede took a deep breath and finally pulled the door open.

But behind the door was not his bedroom or Mia the orange cat, who might have been tired of playing; instead, wisps of white mist writhed slowly behind the doorframe. Behind the door lay a gateway of thick, hazy white mist.

He swallowed hard, hearing Professor Garcia's encouragement once more. With the thought of his cat in his mind, he bravely stepped inside.