"Thalor, the head of-"
"WAIT!" The headmaster stopped me from exposing who Thalor was and their entire organisation.
"It’s okay, she can be trusted. She’s not part of the Cult of Fate."
"Eep!" The headmaster just randomly squeaked at the mention of the Cult of Fate. Then in a low hushed tone she said, "You can’t say their name out loud. They’ll know."
"..." I stared at her silently, scrutinising her for a second. Was this really the ultimate headmaster of the Ophidian Institute? "Have you forgotten who I am? My mere existence is like the biggest fuck you right in their face, and gouging their eyes out."
That seemed to calm her down enough to not be so panicky.
"R-Right. Even forgetting your Naga bloodline, your Demonic one alone is enough to render them helpless at your next actions." She concluded to herself as she looked back up at me and continued, "A-And you’re sure we can trust her with all this?"
"Yes. She’s clean of their influence, as are the Emberin Ladies and the Futaris. I was planning on introducing the higher ups of the Sect of Naga to the Illuminati at some point anyways. Now’s just a coincidence, but a convenient one as it allows me to do so."
"If you insist. I don’t have the authority to stop you anyways." The headmaster sighed as she got up from her seat and began preparing to open the portal.
She first locked the door as I then began explaining everything to Krytaraa. "The Illuminati is, from what I understand, and ancient organisation that acts primarily in the shadows to help better the world and deal with hidden threats, just like the Cult of Fate."
"And their leader, Thalor, can use Time magic. Shirayaa has an affinity for said magic and only started to become like this recently when it showed her something. At least I think so anyways."
As I finished explaining all that was needed to at least catch Krytaraa up to speed, the headmaster finally finished everything and had opened up the portal hidden behind a bookshelf behind her desk.
I turned to check up on Shirayaa and realised that she had been mentally checked out long ago, so she probably didn’t hear anything, likely everything went in one ear and out the other.
’Whatever, not as important as her health.’ I shook my head and headed towards the portal, still dragging Shirayaa behind.
The headmaster had already entered, but I passed by Krytaraa who seemed to be amping herself up for this before following along behind me and entering the portal.
In mere moments all of us had entered an exact replica of the headmaster’s office, but with less books.
"Come." The headmaster said one word and began leading us somewhere.
As for where that was, I had a feeling I knew where that was as the directions we were taking were incredibly familiar to me.
Soon, we arrived at the same pitch-black chamber in which Miss Amoranaa, the headmaster of Krara city’s Ophidian Institute, summoned Thalor last time.
And just like Miss Amoranaa, she recited the same words to summon Thalor, "Chronos, Avurum, Scepticia."
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(Thalor POV)
I had just managed to get Kronia along with the other chronomancer, Delzon, a male axolotl, when all of a sudden, I felt someone summoning me again using the emergency summoning phrase.
’Hmm? Twice in one month? Or has is it only been a week? Has it even been a week? Not important right now. Very few people have the authority to do such a thing, and I know they wouldn’t use it so recklessly. This might be Traytora again if it’s being used again so soon...’ I hummed lightly as I mused over the possibilities.
"Something the matter?" Kronia asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Hmm? Oh, no... Well, actually yes, kind of. I’ll tell you two on the way."
I snapped my fingers and froze time whilst bringing Kronia an Delzon to the Illuminati headquarters.
Delzon was a part time member and has been for millenia now. Kronia is a newer edition to out group, but is also a part timer. And I get it, they have their own lives. Kronia has her farm and Delzon has an entire kingdom to rule. They can’t always be working for us.
We’ve all lived long lives, and we’ve all chosen to do what we do for various reasons. I’m not one to pry them away from that.
I am however asking them to teach Shirayaa Chronomancy, which I know they’re more than willing to do. It’s not often you come across such an opportunity like this to pass on your legacy.
However, when I came and asked Kronia, she seemed somewhat shocked when I mentioned the name Shirayaa. She brushed it off as nothing and that she probably just heard it somewhere. But there’s clearly more to it. I won’t pry though, it’s not my place to.
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In frozen time, we spent about an hour travelling to the main meeting chamber where I was called and snapped my fingers, turning the lights on, even in frozen time. They were designed with temporal displacements to allow such features. Purely theatrics really, but I think it adds a nice flair.
And when we got there, I saw Traytora. That, I wasn’t surprised by honestly. What I was surprised by however, was her entourage. Which consisted of three others
With her was Araea, the Supreme Headmaster of the entire Gilded Ophidian Institute. ’Must’ve visited the capital.’ Was my first thought.
Then there was a face I recognised but was not expecting to see. And that was Krytaraa, the Empyric Coil and leader of the Sect of Naga. ’I guess she want’s to bring her and the Sect into the fold. I can see this working out.’
And then the last person Traytora brought came into view. And it was Shirayaa. The person I brought Kronia and Delzon to give a student to.
But her condition was something I had not seen in a very, VERY long time. And something I never thought I’d ever see again considering how rare and difficult it was for the circumstances for such a thing to occur were.
Granted, I didn’t know the exact requirements for this to happen. Only that you had to at least have a very strong affinity for [Time]. Thankfully it’s not contagious, so we won’t be in danger at the very least. But still.
Both Kronia and Delzon gave me worried looks as their eyes sunk back and shock and terror at what they were witnessing. Neither of them had ever seen such a thing themselves. I’d only ever seen it once myself.
Kronia for some reason though, also had a look of disbelief on her face as she took a step back whilst staring intently at Shirayaa.
Immediately the three of us came out of frozen time.
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(Traytora POV)
Mere seconds after uttering that phrase, just like last time, the lights were all of a sudden on and I found Thalor along with Kronia and someone I didn’t know a single thing about were stood in front of us all.
Before I could get a word in, Thalor asked with a serious expression asked, "When did this happen to her?"
I gulped, as I knew he was referring to Shirayaa, but for some reason the word escaped me. But I forced myself to speak up, "Sh-She started to get like this only a couple of days ago when we arrived in the capital, then when I came to give her a tour of my new manor, she was like this, so I made it quick and came here as soon as I could. I don’t know why but I can only assume my instincts were calling me here."
"Well, you were right to trust your instincts here." Thalor nodded as he crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving Shirayaa, "What you’re seeing is known as Temporal Decay. Something that is se extremely rare that I’ve only ever encountered it once before. We only have one other record of such a thing occurring in our recorded history."
"Can you do anything about it?" I asked.
"Maybe."
"Maybe?!?" I screamed out in somewhat of a panicked hysteria. I figured if anyone could solve this, it’d be him. But maybe? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?
"Look, it’s a condition as rare as your [Mana Heart]. It-"
"Wait, wait, wait. Mana Heart? That girl has a mana heart?" The mysterious and fishy looking man suddenly bellowed out and pointed at me.
"Yes, she does Delzon. But now’s not the time." Thalor waved his hand and dismissed the fish man named Delzon
"He’s right, we need to focus on Shirayaa right now." Kronia suddenly spoke up with an almost indignant fury fuelled by some kind of overwhelming righteous desire.
"So, how do we fix this then?" I asked hurriedly, as I wanted to solve this as soon as possible.
"Well..."