Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 50 Secrets of Time

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Professor Garcia was indeed lecturing at the moment, and Shard thought maybe he should turn the gaslight up a bit to make the place more like a classroom:

"As for the rules of the Time Key, they were mentioned in your 'Theoretical Basis of Time Travel' course. Moreover, you needn't worry about any trouble caused by time travel; our world is not as fragile as you imagine, nor are mortals as powerful as they believe themselves to be. In a world where thought can affect matter, it is the world itself that is the most powerful.

Now, please take the key out of the basin."

With a few words, he resolved all of Shard's doubts, which were probably similar to those every student had during their first time travel.

"The basin?"

Shard looked at the basin glowing with a soft light, squatted down and dipped his hand into the water, which was warm for some reason, and indeed retrieved a key.

It was a wooden key, so tiny it wasn't even as big as Shard's thumb. The flat key had an ordinary shape with teeth on one side and was very smooth on the other. The grain on the surface of the key was exceptionally clear, and upon closer inspection, he found a line of letters carved into it, smaller than grains of rice.

Although he had learned his lesson from the "Box of Darkness" incident, this time it was clearly safe. Therefore, Shard once again utilized his talent for translation and deciphered it as:

"World Tree blesses you in time."

"The World Tree?"

Shard was surprised in his heart, but his face didn't show much expression.

"The Academy has various methods of delivering 'Relics', with the poet's manuscript being the most basic. The method we are using now, though costly, is safer and can transport objects of higher levels."

Professor Garcia continued, still in a lecturing tone:

"The grading of the Time Keys ranges from Poet-Level (Level 5) to Unclassified Level (Level 0), originating from the bygone deity 'Father of the Infinite Tree'. Since this is only a course teaching, the Time Key provided this time is of the Poet-Level."

The professor avoided using the term "Old God," instead using the vague term "bygone deity," which caught Shard's attention.

"Do you know anything about this god?" the pointy-eared professor asked.

"Only the name."

"Now?"

Shard swallowed and looked towards the bedroom door, Mia must have been tired, so the sound of claws scratching at the door hadn't been heard for a long time.

"Do you have anything else to prepare? Oh, don't worry, each open period of time will only allow you to stay for a maximum of three hours. And when you return to the correct time, it will only be three seconds after you disappeared."

"I mean... isn't it too hasty, this sort of thing..."

Shard thought his mentor would provide some systematic training, but didn't expect it to be such a simple introduction.

"Circle Sorcerers must rely on themselves, of course, as well as 'another me', but not on others. There's no need to take notes with pen and paper, any matter you take to the past will revert to its original state when you return. Even if you truly have the ability to intervene in the past, it will only be a small ripple in the long river of time; do not underestimate time and the world."

"Alright then, Professor Garcia."

He stood up, walked to the bedroom door, and let the brass-colored light from the gas lamp on the side wall spill over his head and shoulders.

The small key was aligned with the keyhole and it went in perfectly, even though they were clearly mismatched.

"Remember, when you turn it, recite the Spell Words, any language will do—World Tree Blesses Me in Time.

Mr. Hamilton, see you in three seconds. Please relax, the Academy has especially investigated that, in the year 1068 of the Fifth Era, nothing dangerous happened; it is very safe. Cherish your first journey through time; it will be a memorable and interesting trip."

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

With unease in his heart, Shard gently turned the wooden key in his hand, murmuring:

"May the World Tree bless me in time."

There was a click, but obviously, there was no way his own bedroom door lock could produce such a sound.

Shard took a deep breath and finally opened the door.

But behind the door was not the tired orange cat Mia and the bedroom. Wispy white fog moved slowly behind the door frame; behind was the Mist Gate shrouded in hazy white fog.

He swallowed, hearing Professor Garcia's encouragement once more, with his mind on the cat, he bravely stepped through.