Chapter 28: Fair Time

Chapter 28: Fair Time

"I thought this would be... more complicated." Celes said, "Your attitude earlier made me think it wouldn't be so simple. But we just—"

Grenfell said, "Handed over the clue and left, leaving you feeling disappointed?"

Celes shook his head: "I just find it strange."

They returned to Room 177 of the Historical Society.

Grenfell lazily picked up the novel he had been reading halfway through and said, "It's not strange. After all, I accompanied you. With my endorsement, Grosvenor wouldn't suspect you."

Celes was slightly taken aback and then apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean—"

"Enough, you." Grenfell said somewhat impatiently, "What are you mumbling about? I brought you into this; you're practically my student. What do you have to apologize for?"

Celes then said, "Teacher."

Grenfell paused for a moment, then coughed uncomfortably, "You really are..." He muttered something under his breath and then sighed, "You are my first student after all."

Celes was somewhat curious about his teacher's past—this wasn't the first time he had felt this way—but he remained silent, knowing his limits.

Grenfell said, "You must find it strange how those Revelators in the space behind the door react to me. It's normal, considering I betrayed my former teacher—or at least his ideals."

Celes said, "I don't quite understand..."

"What ideals?" Grenfell paused for a moment, then shook his head, "Never mind, I can't bring myself to say it. You'll understand once you complete Little Carol's introductory course."

Celes looked at Grenfell with some confusion.

"We... or rather, the Revelators of the Historical Society, are different from those of the Church of the Past. We each follow our own paths. Little Carol should have mentioned this to you."

Celes nodded, "Potions, timelines, rituals, and academic research."

"Yes, four paths. But usually, Revelators on the first three paths also engage in some academic research. Not necessarily the peculiar questions you might wonder about, but they always have some... ideas about their powers as Revelators."

"This causes... conflicts within the Historical Society?" Celes asked cautiously, avoiding stronger words.

"Conflicts?" Grenfell gave a strange smile, "You could call it a schism."

Celes hesitated, unsure what to say next.

Grenfell shook his head and said, "It's best not to reveal that you're my student. Let Little Carol recommend you to the Research Department; it's quieter there, better suited for your thinking."

Celes nodded, "I understand."

Grenfell glanced at the time, noting it was nearly eleven, and said, "Since you've called me teacher, I'll do what teachers do."

He took a backpack from a nearby cabinet and handed it to Celes, saying, "Look at the contents when you get home. If you have any questions, ask me next Wednesday."

Celes accepted it, looking curiously inside the backpack.

Grenfell coughed, trying to sound casual, "Just some things I prepared for you. Your introductory courses are almost done; it's time to learn something more advanced."

"If I remember correctly, you'll be learning about potions this afternoon, right?"

"Yes."

Grenfell nodded in satisfaction, glancing at Celes again, "Why are you looking at me like that? I created your introductory courses, so of course, I know."

Celes looked at him in surprise.

Grenfell chuckled smugly, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking." He added, "Alright, you can ask one last question before you go eat."

Celes thought carefully and finally asked, "You mentioned earlier that time should include the present and future... but why do you know that Antinium's power doesn't include the present and future?"

Grenfell almost immediately froze, pondered for a moment, and then laughed, "You—never mind, I knew you'd ask something peculiar."

Celes rubbed his nose, slightly embarrassed.

Grenfell said, "You know that the names of gods are divided into divine essence, divine position, and divine name, right? For example, the God of the Past and History, the Guardian of the Temporal Rift, Antinium.

'The God of the Past and History' is the divine essence; 'Guardian of the Temporal Rift' is the divine position; 'Antinium' is the divine name."

Celes nodded, mulling over Grenfell's words, and then said, "You mean the names of gods contain the powers they possess?"

"Yes. And stop using 'you' so formally; it's annoying." Grenfell said, "The divine essence of Antinium is the Past and History."

Possessing. Celes pondered this subtle word.

It sounded as if divine essence were a tangible item. Or perhaps, a life level similar to a rank?

Celes tried to apply the concepts from Earth's novels to the powers of the gods in this world.

Grenfell said, "Divine essence, divine position, and divine name collectively form the name of a god. This is the anchor point of Their power and also the... endpoint. Therefore, the God of the Past and History, Antinium, cannot transcend the realms of the Past and History.

"He cannot possess the present and future. He is a mist from the past."

As Celes left Room 177 and entered a restaurant near Atherton Square, his mind kept repeating Grenfell's words.

He cannot possess the present and future. He is a mist from the past.

He felt that Grenfell had meant something specific when he said this, but due to Celes's limitations, he couldn't grasp what Grenfell was hinting at—or perhaps, mocking.

Celes couldn't help but give a bitter smile, thinking, Teacher Gren, must you speak in riddles to your student?

But he also understood that in a world with extraordinary powers, "knowing" could mean risk.

Celes took a deep breath and savored the fried rice he bought for five marquis coins. As he gazed at the complex mix of ingredients—meat, vegetables, seasonings—he suddenly remembered a fleeting inspiration.

He wanted to sell recipes.

But he really hadn't had much time lately... Perhaps he could wait until Bertram Fane contacted him about the stardust business and then discuss this possibility with him?

After all, he remembered that Bertram was able to collaborate with Grayson Foods because his companion obtained recipes from the Ashen Lands.

Celes wondered if Earth's recipes could also become popular in Fisher? He had learned some specific cooking methods for dishes, sauces, and desserts while writing novels, which might now come in handy.

After eating, Celes returned to the Historical Society once again, entered Room 666, and waited for the afternoon gathering.

He couldn't help but think of Grenfell's example with Antinium. Suddenly, he wondered, if Antinium's power was limited to the past and history, what did his title, "Keeper of the Rifts in Time and Space," mean?

He had once suspected that this title might be related to his own transmigration, but when Grenfell gave his example, he seemed to have overlooked this title intentionally or unintentionally.

Celes couldn't help shaking his head, feeling that he had been fooled by his mysterious and eccentric teacher. He took out paper and a pen from his bag and wrote down his confusion about Antinium's title in his notebook.

His notebook already contained many notes, including his thoughts on the world and his travel plans. Out of caution, he used Chinese.

However, the former Earth novelist couldn't resist wondering: If another transmigrator came to Fisher in the future and found his notebook, would they be shocked to learn that there had already been a predecessor?

And he, Celes, inadvertently thought, as a transmigrator, what changes would he bring to this world?

Celes didn't waste his time alone in Room 666. He picked up a book about the Sardinian Empire and began reading, pondering his thesis topic.

The backpack Grenfell gave him was placed beside him.

At half past one, Celes gained some inspiration.

His gaze lingered on a line in the thick historical text.

"...Wandering bards, unrecognized in other countries, came to the Sardinian Empire and became an indelible part of its secular culture.

"These wandering bards might be despised, considered blasphemous or defiling the gods. They might sing hymns praising the gods or, conversely, mock and slander their existence.

"Only in the Sardinian Empire could they find a place. They left few written records or literary works; most of their work was passed down orally.

"Only in modern studies focusing on the daily lives of ordinary people in the Sardinian Empire can we find traces in correspondence, newspapers, and official archives.

"Regardless, in that era, in that silent age of mutual suspicion between nations, ordinary people across different countries relied heavily on these wanderers to bring them news and rumors from other lands."

Wandering bards.

Celes looked at this term thoughtfully.

He wasn't unfamiliar with wandering bards. As mentioned in the passage, they left few actual works, only scattered fragments.

In history, their names might only remain as a couple of well-known ones.

But this wasn't an impossible subject to study.

Celes thought he might get some help from Alfonso Carlisle. If wandering bards truly contributed to cultural exchanges between silent nations, he might find more materials in folklore studies.

Celes breathed a slight sigh of relief, feeling that he had finally found a direction for his academic task this year.

He closed the book and put it back on the shelf. Then, a few people walked in. It was Angela, Mrs. Fuller, Eric, and others. Their relationships had improved significantly, and they were now chatting and laughing.

Celes greeted them.

Angela's lively voice rang out. She seemed to have moved past the shock of "Celes is my professor" and said with a smile, "We're discussing which high school to send Eric's daughter to!"

Celes asked, "Have you decided?"

"If she goes to school in West City, there's only one choice; in East City, there might be more options." Mrs. Fuller smiled gently and said, "But I think West City is probably the more practical choice."

Eric nodded and said, "I plan to ask my daughter what she thinks."

Angela interjected, "Mrs. Fuller gave Eric some advice. Actually, going to school in West City isn't that bad, at least it's closer to home."

Her way of comforting wasn't very considerate, but it was straightforward.

A little later, young Darrell Hobbs appeared. He joined the conversation enthusiastically, talking about how strict his teachers were and how much homework he had after starting school.

Mentioning this, Angela glanced at Celes—Professor Celes Noel's assignment of a five-thousand-word essay for elective students had already spread throughout Lamifa University.

This morning, Angela's classmates had whispered about it to her and started worrying about how much homework Professor Noel would give to specialized course students.

...It probably wouldn't be a small number.

Angela wanted to plead for her future self, but she feared it might backfire. In the end, she remained silent.

They debated fervently until Carol thrust the door open at the stroke of two.

Carol greeted them with a smile, about to say something, but suddenly paused, "Hmm, where's Mr. Brewer Darrow?"

The other five were slightly taken aback, realizing that it was already two o'clock, and Brewer had not yet arrived in Room 666.

Darrell said, puzzled, "Is he late?"

Celes, remembering what Brewer had told him the day before, explained, "Brewer got engaged yesterday, so he might be busy with family matters."

"Oh!" Angela exclaimed, "He got engaged yesterday? He didn't even tell us!"

Celes explained for Brewer, "He meant to mention it but forgot while thinking about other things. We were the last to leave, so he told me. He planned to share his joy today."

But unexpectedly, he didn't show up today.

Angela nodded, not particularly upset. She muttered, "Getting engaged already. How old is he?"

Carol listened and nodded with a smile, "Since it's an engagement, it's understandable. He might still be busy with engagement-related matters, so he couldn't make it here."

"Maybe he's just too happy, got drunk, and hasn't woken up yet." Darrell said with schadenfreude.

It seemed that this young boy had an inexplicable longing for engagement, which was entirely different from Angela's mindset.

And the older Eric and Mrs. Fuller had no intention of participating in such a conversation at all.

Carol laughed and then said, "Alright. The only regret is that he might have missed today's important lesson."

Angela asked excitedly, "Are we going to learn about potions today?"

"Yes," Carol chuckled.

Everyone composed themselves and listened attentively to Carol's words.

"Up until now, we've learned about the compatibility of rituals and the completeness of timelines. So, what do you think the dimension of potions would be?"

Angela thought for a moment and answered first, "Appearance?" she guessed, "After all, it sounds like some kind of medicine."

Eric considered from another angle: "The intensity of the power contained within?"

"Your two explanations can be summarized into one concept: the purity of the potion," Carol said. "And the purity of the potion involves the process of its preparation."

Darrell almost exclaimed, "Potions can be artificially prepared?"

"Of course," Carol said with interest, "What else?"

"I thought... it was like... a magical pond, and the potions we drink are scooped out from it." Darrell earnestly shared his thoughts, "Just like in some adventure novels!"

Carol laughed, realizing for the first time that Darrell was still a young boy, newly in middle school.

So he smiled and said, "Partially... well, at least part of the potion ingredients align with your idea."

Darrell looked at him expectantly.

"To prepare a standard potion, three essential materials are required. There are also non-essential additives, but we'll discuss those later.

"The three essential materials are: primary ingredient, secondary ingredient, and offering.

"The primary ingredient must match the chosen timeline and the nature of the ritual, whether plant or animal material. For example, the root of a certain plant, the blood, organs, or fur of an animal."

As he spoke, some people present turned pale, even subconsciously touching their stomachs.

That clear, slightly blue liquid was made from such things?!

Carol suppressed his laughter and continued, "The offering, or rather, the act of offering, is presented as a price for borrowing Antinium's power when the potion is nearly complete.

"Strictly speaking, the offering isn't added to the potion, but it is an indispensable part of the preparation process. The offering can be an action, such as dancing or singing hymns, or an item, or even a living being.

"But using a living being—meaning, a sacrifice—is relatively rare because many, including within the Church of the Past, consider the process too bloody."

He paused and then continued, "Regarding the relationship between the Seers and Antinium, I believe you've come to understand it over time, right?"

The five Seers looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

Seers—power from the past. This aligned with Antinium. So, hearing that the potion preparation involved offerings to Antinium didn't surprise them.

Carol nodded, "Good. This matter..." He seemed to want to say something but shook his head, "Forget it. I doubt any of you will attempt the potion path, so it's better not to delve too deeply."

Celes guessed that what he wanted to say was related to the internal debates within the Historical Society regarding Antinium.

He had heard Grenfell hint at this before, so he nodded in agreement. He also believed that novice Seers shouldn't get involved in such pointless disputes.

And those Seers who scorned Antinium in their hearts or words—would they stop using Seer powers?

Of course, they would continue to use such power. It was a dispute about the essence of power.

Except for Carol and Celes, who knew the inside story, the remaining four Seers looked at each other, not understanding what Carol was talking about.

"So, the last material—the secondary ingredient," Carol brought the topic back. "There is only one thing, as I mentioned to Darrell earlier."

Darrell looked at him eagerly, "Something that brings magical power?"

Carol smiled and nodded, saying, "It's called Star Dust."

...Star Dust?!

At that moment, Celes felt a greater shock than anyone else present.

He almost—despite his calm exterior, he was stunned internally—thought, what, Star Dust?! Isn't that the world's "oil"?!

So, the energy source of this world ultimately comes from some extraordinary power?

Among the six people present, except for Celes, no one seemed to know that in the Ashen Lands and some other countries, Star Dust was considered an excellent energy source.

Carol continued, "You may not have heard of Star Dust. It's a crystalline substance with a faint blue glow, hence the name Star Dust.

"In long-term warm water brewing, Star Dust turns into a highly concentrated blue liquid. And Star Dust directly affects the purity of the potion."

He took out several potions from his pocket, lined them up on the table, and said, "These are potions of different purities. Can you see the difference?"

Mrs. Fuller observed and said, "The potion with a deeper blue color... has higher purity?"

"Exactly!" Carol praised her, "This is determined by the amount of Star Dust added during the preparation. The higher the purity, the more powerful the temporal power; the volume of the potion determines the duration of the ritual."

He briefly explained the differences between potions of different purities and volumes.

The purity and volume of the potion generally correlate with the power and duration of the ritual. The higher the purity and the larger the volume, the stronger and longer-lasting the ritual's effects.

Celes focused on the potion bottles while listening to Carol's explanation.

But his entire mind was in a daze. He couldn't help but wonder: So, star dust, which is considered energy elsewhere, has long been an indispensable ingredient in the potion-making process of the Revelators?

He couldn't help but think that it made sense why the production of star dust was so limited. Perhaps the vast majority of it was used to make potions.

...Speaking of which, did Bertram Fane's mention of the star dust mine being under the observation of the Church of the Past hold any truth? Or could it be that the Church itself was involved in the business?

Celes felt a bit uncertain.

"Amazing," Darrell exclaimed, gazing at the bottles of potions with a childlike wonder.

Angela couldn't wait to ask, "Carol, what did you mean by 'non-essential additives'?"

Carol nodded and began explaining the term: "After the Revelators appeared, potions initially had only three ingredients—the three essential ones I mentioned earlier.

"But some researchers added...special things during the potion-making process. For example, certain herbs, organs from peculiar creatures, or even things...difficult to describe, like seven grams of a soul.

"...By the way, I don't know if such a material as seven grams of a soul actually exists.

"In any case, after adding these materials, the potion's power seemed to undergo some kind of...mutation. A weapon meant for killing became a scalpel for healing, unable to harm others."

Celes summarized: "So, additives can cause the ritual's outcome to change in unpredictable ways?"

"Yes," Carol said. "We haven't yet compiled a comprehensive list of the effects of additives, but there are some that have been deemed safe enough for use."

Celes listened intently, feeling a strange, subtle sensation.

The power of the Revelators was incomplete and rough, but it was a gateway, a door to the pinnacle of power.

He recalled his previous discussions with Grenfell.

If they could harness the power of the past, why not the power of its gods? But all their attempts failed... Was it because human souls couldn't match the might of deities?

After explaining the potion ingredients, Carol continued: "That's the basic information about potion purity. As for how to brew them and ensure success rates...those topics are too complex for you right now.

"For ordinary Revelators, ready-made potions are sufficient."

"Ready-made potions?" Eric asked, intrigued. "Can we buy them directly?"

"Of course. Ready-made potions are already prepared and come in different purities. Generally, they are suitable for most rituals.

"They may not provide overwhelming power, but they're enough for your needs."

Eric nodded in understanding.

"You can purchase them within the Historical Society. Just go down this corridor; there's a gathering place. However, it's best to complete your introductory courses first.

"And...I remember..." Carol recalled carefully. "A shop called Hume sells potions in Lamifa City. It seems to be operated by the Church of the Past."

A shop selling potions?

Celes thought to himself that it wasn't really an issue. After all, these were not ordinary medicines.

"Once you finish your introductory courses, you can freely purchase potions," Carol said reassuringly. "However, always handle your newfound powers with caution, as danger lurks everywhere."

Celes nodded in agreement.

Noticing Celes's nod, Angela curiously asked, "Professor, have you experienced such dangers before?"

Celes hesitated, glanced at Carol, and seeing no objection, said, "I encountered an uncontrolled time track."

"An uncontrolled time track!" Carol exclaimed. "You actually encountered one?"

The concern and panic in his eyes were evident, causing Celes to pause slightly.

"I sought help from the Church of the Past and resolved the issue. The term 'uncontrolled time track' came from the Revelator who helped me."

Carol visibly relaxed.

"It was something left behind by the previous professor of literary history, in my office."

Angela shuddered—Professor Noel's office was in the main castle of Lamifa University! It was near her classroom!

She knew Revelators faced many dangers, but this realization brought home just how close those dangers could be to her daily life.

"I didn't realize it was an uncontrolled time track," Celes said, looking at Carol. "What exactly is an uncontrolled time track?"

Carol deliberated, noticing the curious and slightly anxious looks from the others, and said, "Alright, alright. Since we've finished discussing potions...

"I planned to address this later, but it seems you've already encountered such a danger."

He nodded at Celes and continued, "You were lucky. Your strong will allowed you to resist that strange attraction. But you are also the most vulnerable now."

Concerned about their own safety, everyone listened attentively.

"The most notable feature of an uncontrolled time track is its... 'activity.' As Celes mentioned, he felt a peculiar attraction from the statue of the woman, making him instinctively want to touch it.

"This is what we call activity. Researchers generally believe that the activity of an uncontrolled time track means that what was once inert has gained an inexplicable, almost biological instinct.

"Time tracks don't develop true consciousness, but they can use this activity to attract humans and consume their vitality.

"People who come into contact with such uncontrolled time tracks usually end up as...zombies, fools, or vegetables. Call them what you will.

"They lose their self-awareness and exist in the world like any dead object. They still breathe and have heartbeats, but they are essentially dead."

Carol's explanation left everyone tense, especially the younger Angela and Darrell, who turned pale.

Celes realized that if he had touched the woman's head statue, he would have faced a similar fate. He pondered the implications of becoming a zombie-like existence.

Then, a troubling doubt arose in his mind.

Celes hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is this process the transfer of human vitality to the time stream?"

This question made Carol look at him with a complex expression.

If it were someone who had already acquired sufficient knowledge and mastered enough rituals, asking such a question wouldn't be unusual. However, Celes was just a novice who hadn't even completed his introductory courses.

He had asked this question so perceptively. Carol couldn't help but feel a bit impressed.

"Yes," he said, without the usual impatience in his tone when dealing with Celes' random questions. "This process is called 'spiritual deactivation.'"

Celes asked doubtfully, "Why does this happen?"

Carol shook his head. "There are many theories and concepts, but there's no truly... widely accepted explanation."

Celes was taken aback, then thought, well—this was an era where the Enlightened had only existed for a few hundred years. It was indeed impossible for them to fully understand this power.

"Can spiritual deactivation be avoided?" Angela asked tremulously.

"This is a risk that no Enlightened can avoid," Carol said, his usual smile gone, his tone serious and stern. "No Enlightened can control this power without risk."

Angela and the younger Darrell looked somewhat frightened and uneasy. They probably never considered this aspect... or rather, they were too excited about the power they could wield.

The flowing wind, the invisible shields... all deepened their desire for this wondrous power. They were too young to understand that any use of power comes at a cost.

The power used by the Enlightened was strong, of course, but also dangerous.

Carol sighed, softening his tone slightly. "Of course, as long as you are cautious and humble—as I said on your first day stepping through these doors—the door to power will open safely for you. I promise."

The heavy atmosphere in Room 666 gradually dissipated.

They all fell silent for a moment.

"When you encounter an uncontrolled time stream or suspicious items, do not touch them or stare at them for too long," Carol instructed. "If you feel alarmed or suspect the item's danger, seek help from the Church of the Past or the Historical Society."

Carol glanced at Celes and said, "Just like what Celes did."

After a moment, he added, "You probably don't know many Enlightened in the Historical Society yet, so you can go to the Church of the Past. They will be very willing to help you."

Hearing that there were avenues for assistance, the Enlightened present felt a bit relieved.

"I've mentioned the completeness of time streams before. This is also an important criterion for determining whether an object is a time stream and whether it's uncontrolled," Carol explained. "Some research suggests that incomplete time streams are more prone to becoming uncontrolled."

They all nodded.

Then Eric asked, "You mentioned earlier that we are the most vulnerable right now."

"Yes," Carol said. "I think... you should understand that not everyone can become an Enlightened."

"When you stepped into the space behind the top-floor door of the Historical Society, you became Enlightened—or rather, you showed the potential to become one."

Celes asked sharply, "Do those with the potential to become Enlightened have a higher chance of being affected by uncontrolled time streams?"

This was exactly what he had been thinking about—Professor Cabel's most dangerous situation, where he didn't even know what kind of danger he faced. He placed himself in harm's way without protection or caution.

Carol nodded, confirming Celes' fears, making his heart sink.

Carol continued, "Ordinary people are rarely affected by uncontrolled time streams. You have the potential of an Enlightened, but you lack the ability to protect yourselves."

Hearing this, the others seemed even more nervous, while Celes sat quietly, seemingly lost in thought about something else.

"As for uncontrolled time streams..." Carol pondered, "Perhaps after you complete your introductory courses, you can delve deeper. For now, just be cautious and vigilant."

"Why?" Darrell couldn't help but ask. "Shouldn't we understand everything clearly now?"

Carol smiled indulgently. "Not quite. Uncontrolled time streams aren't that common—many things are caused by human malice."

Angela blinked, regaining some energy. "Do you mean there are evil forces at work? That's why there are uncontrolled time streams?"

"Not entirely. However," Carol blinked, "my point is that you are just beginning as Enlightened. Even if uncontrolled time streams have some activity, they won't come to you on their own.

"Many malicious events are ultimately proven to be intentional acts by humans."

Even if someone wanted to harm the Enlightened, they would likely target the powerful ones. Who would deliberately target these novice Enlightened?

Celes: "..."

He felt like Carol was mocking his bad luck...

Celes sighed inwardly.

Who would have thought that Professor Cabel left such troublesome matters behind? Uncontrolled time streams aside, he suspected that the manuscript sent to the Church of the Past might cause even greater trouble.

Who was stirring up trouble in Lamifa City, trying to challenge Antinium and the Church of the Past?

Celes thought uneasily.

In the following time, they each took the potion and, under Carol's guidance, experienced the peculiar power contained within the ingredient, Star Dust.

As for Celes, he simply gazed at the blue light, silent.

Another class ended. After learning about the risks associated with being an Enlightened, everyone felt somewhat downcast and didn't chat much, bidding each other farewell and leaving.

Celes picked up the backpack Grenfell gave him and, upon leaving, specifically called out to Eric.

"I have a question, Eric," Celes asked. "Has the date for the trade fair been set?"