Both Gökbörü and I scanned our surroundings, watching as mages in robes hurried about, making last-minute preparations. It was oddly nostalgic. It reminded me of scientists checking my power armor to make sure it was at 100 percent capacity. It was somewhat comforting. Except what these mages were working on was much, much more advanced.

Time Dilation. It was something the science of Earth had knowledge of. As a being moved faster, they experienced time slower than those slower than themselves, at least putting it in a very oversimplified way. However, humanity of Earth never had the chance to use it in a meaningful way. On Earth, the velocity needed to achieve meaningful time dilation was only possible in the immense gravitational fields of stellar bodies like black holes. But this world had other laws and magic.

Gökbörü sniffed the air, his ears twitching as he tried to make sense of the strange energy that filled the room. I couldn’t blame him; the atmosphere was thick with an unfamiliar pressure, the kind that made my skin prickle and my instincts scream that something extraordinary was about to happen. The mana required for activating the chamber was simply massive. No wonder Aurora wanted some time.

I watched the mages work with a mixture of curiosity and unease. Their hands glowed with a soft, ethereal light as they inscribed runes into the air, weaving intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. The “chamber” was a metal box covered with runic words, floating in the air. It looked small on the outside but at this point, I knew better than to assume things were the same size as what they looked outside. Three heavy metal rings like the ones biblically accurate angels had surrounded it.

“I see that you are interested in our little thing.”

A mage, her face wrinkled with age approached me. She relied on a staff to walk but I could feel massive amounts of mana she had, nearly more than twice than me.

“I wouldn’t call a structure capable of controlling time “little”.”

She let out a laugh, revealing a mouth full of pristine white teeth despite her age.

“Oh, My Champion. Control? No, no. Look at me. Do you think I can control time? We mortals can nudge the time slightly like setting a dam to a river. Do you think we control the river because we set up a measly dam? No, we can’t.”

The mage's words were laced with a humility that belied the power she wielded. She might not control time, but the fact that they could even influence it, however slightly, was nothing short of miraculous. I studied her more closely, noticing the lines of age on her face contrasted sharply with the strength of her aura. She was a living testament to the depth of magic in this world, a reminder that power and wisdom often went hand in hand.

Gökbörü trotted closer to the mage, sniffing her robes cautiously. She reached out a gnarled hand, and after a brief hesitation, he allowed her to scratch behind his ears. I could see his tail wag slightly—seemed like she had his approval.

"Time is a river, and like any river, it can be diverted, slowed, or quickened. But it cannot be stopped, and it certainly cannot be reversed," she continued, her voice gentle but firm. "This chamber does not control time; it creates a bubble within which time flows differently. Twice as fast to be exact.”

1 day to 2 days and 2 days to 4 days. Hmm.

“How long can it operate?”

“30 days.”

So I had one extra month. It didn’t sound that long but one month more was certainly better than one month less.

“You said that time cannot be reversed. But I heard someone with that ability.”

Both Lily and Morrigan told me that William could reverse time to heal his wounds. The mage's eyes narrowed slightly at my words, her hand pausing mid-scratch on Gökbörü's head.

“Are you sure about that? Not that I don’t trust the Champion of Aliera.”

She replied, doubt clear in her voice.

“Yes. He is someone I must kill.”

The mage's face grew more serious as she contemplated my words.

“Tempering with time is dangerous even with well-trodden paths. If what you say is true, then the individual you're speaking of is playing with forces that could unravel much more than just their own fate. Time is not something that can be manipulated lightly, even in this world where magic is abundant. To reverse time, even on a small scale, is to challenge the natural order itself. Such a power could easily spiral out of control, leading to consequences far beyond the intended effect.”

I clenched my fist. Damn you William, how long will you risk others without a care?

"Do you think this chamber will be enough to improve my control over mana?" I asked, shifting the conversation back to the task at hand.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The mage smiled, a glint of confidence returning to her eyes.

"Time Dilation Chambers are designed for theoretical studies and time-consuming experiments. Archmage Aurora will be with you, guiding you through every aspect of mana control. That will be your sole focus."

Ah, so that’s why she was so excited.

"Theoretical? Shouldn't I be focusing on the practical side of things?"

She chuckled softly. "If someone as powerful as you released even half of your strength in the chamber, it would destabilize and collapse. As I said, you'll be learning and practicing control and the basics—nothing more."

Oh. I could feel the enthusiasm burning in my chest dim slightly. That sounded a little bit… Boring. Yet, I knew the importance of honing my skills, especially with Moloch on the horizon. The mage noticed my contemplation and gave a reassuring nod.

“You’ll have plenty of time to test your limits and explore the depth of your abilities within the chamber. And while it might seem mundane, remember that mastery over the basics is what will allow you to wield your power more effectively in critical moments.”

She inhaled a sharp breath.

“Maybe it is better if you are not too keen on using Time Dilation Chambers. You are young and I don’t want you to end up missing out on your youth. Many mages, me including me think that they can acquire knowledge and mastery by entering them at every possibility.”

She tapped her staff to the ground.

“It may be cliche but you don’t understand the importance of many things until you lose them. Your health and youth are two of them.”

I smiled. She had no way of knowing but I knew exactly what she meant. I was nearly 80 after all.

She suddenly covered her face.

“Oh, this oldness! I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Elara, Head of the Time Department at the Mage Tower. It is an honor to serve the Champion of Aliera.”

I nodded appreciatively at the mage's words.

“The honor is mine.”

Aurora appeared moments later, her usual intensity replaced with a focused determination. Books so thick that they could be used as weapons and scrolls containing words I had difficulty understanding flew beside her. It was more likely that they were for her studies, rather than mine. Artemeni also walked behind her, carrying a mountain of weights and sandbags on her back.

"Champion," she greeted with a nod. "I assume that Elara has explained the basics of the Time Dilation Chamber?”

“Most of it.”

I answered. She nodded.

“Good. Are the food, water, and oxygen stored?”

She turned to Elara who nodded.

“Yes, Archmage. Even with the appetite of warriors like Champion and Commander taking into consideration, you should have more than twice as required.”

Aurora's eyes flickered with a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation as she looked back at me.

“Good. Then we should begin before that priestess somehow finds us.”

I let out a silent sigh. Thalia was pretty adamant about joining us but one more person joining us would create problems with how delicate the chamber was. Aurora was with me to teach me about mana and Artemeni was here for my physical fitness. Gökbörü… Well, he was Gökbörü. Thalia didn’t have many things she could teach me, at least when it comes to becoming stronger.

Artemeni was first to step into the chamber and I followed her, stepping to stairs created by magic to reach the chamber. I could feel mana growing thicker as I got closer to the entrance of the chamber, like a dungeon. The circles started to spin as we closed the door but I could hear them getting faster and faster. As they spun louder and louder I felt something press down on my body like I was in a fast-moving vehicle. The sound of rings spinning grew into a booming degree, making my body vibrate.

Vibration, mana, and the force made me feel light-headed and I stumbled several steps to find my balance. From the corner of my eye, I saw Artemeni on her knees but I was in no condition to help her. Gökbörü growled, the loud noise scratching inside his head due to his Enhanced Senses.

The force pressing down on me suddenly disappeared, replaced by a sense of weightlessness and I found myself floating in the air. However, it was gone as suddenly as it came and I hit the ground.

“Ouch.”

I lay there for a second, realizing the noise created by circles spinning was gone. I also couldn’t feel the outside.

“Congratulations. You experienced your first-time dilation without passing out. It is a rare achievement but it is expected.”

I straightened my body to look at Aurora who seemed unaffected by whatever just happened. She was standing with no sign of difficulty and even her books were still flying in the air. Artemeni on the other was on her hands and knees and looked like she was about to throw up.

Aurora snapped her fingers and a chair appeared behind her. She sat down and opened one of the heavy books.

“Please inform me when you are ready for the lessons.”

I put my head back to the ground.