Kapitel 18: Tears of Chronos 3

[Tears of Chronos]

The Tears of Chronos—a legendary artifact crafted by the renowned grand magus Lavine Chronos. It was said that Lavine possessed celestial powers, with the ability to shape the past, present, and future of the world.

While such claims might sound far-fetched, the sheer magnitude of Lavine's creations lent credence to these tales.

Before the academy's establishment, this very library stood as Lavine's first gift to the common folk seeking knowledge of magic.

Even the academy's principal held Lavine in the highest esteem, despite her legend spanning five centuries.

Described as a book resembling the vast expanse of the sky, adorned with the celestial mark of stars and the mysteries of the universe, the Tears of Chronos held a unique allure.

So, one would think that locating such a distinctive tome would be a simple task, yet here I was, twenty minutes into my search and still empty-handed.

'Tsk… where is that damn book?'

Frustration gnawed at me as I scanned the shelves, each passing moment adding to my growing sense of unease.

Had someone already found the Tears of Chronos, or was it simply eluding my grasp, hidden among the countless volumes that lined the library's walls?

Haah….

My frustration was becoming more evident by the moment as I scoured the shelves here, desperately searching for the elusive Tears of Chronos.

In the game, it had been a breeze, a simple matter of following a shiny marker to my destination. But here, in the real world, the task proved far more challenging.

Despite meticulously following the game's instructions, not once had I encountered a single clue that matched the description since Janica took that book.

Doubts began to creep in—should I just throw in the towel and call it quits for now?

No, I couldn't afford to give up, not when tomorrow's battle loomed on the horizon.

The Tears of Chronos were essential for my preparations, and the last thing I needed was for Lucas to stumble upon it by accident, given his uncanny streak of good luck.

Like seriously just from the start of the game that guy had B level stat in Luck alone.

Squinting my eyes, I scanned the rows of book covers, each one seemingly mocking my efforts. None of them matched the description, despite my certainty that I was in the right spot.

Was I missing something? Had I made a mistake somewhere along the line? I racked my brain, trying to recall every detail from the game, but nothing came to mind.

This was becoming more troublesome by the minute, and with time ticking away, I feared I would soon run out of precious moments in the library.

Amidst my frustration, a glimmer of realization dawned upon me—a forgotten detail from the game that had slipped my mind entirely.

"By the way Janica are you sure we'll find it here"

"Of course, that's what the map says"

"Are you sure you just aren't being stupid right now reddy? Who would hide a book of that caliber here?"

"Huh…!?"

I can still remember the small banter Rose and Janica had over this on my first playthrough with the item on my set…

"Stop being impatient I'm sure it says it's located here, hey Lucas what did that hooded individual say again?"

"If I remember correctly, wasn't it…."

It was a single line, a password of sorts, designed to catch the attention of Lavine Chronos's soul trapped within the book.

"Lumos..."

As the word escaped my lips, a brilliant light erupted from one of the nearby books, illuminating the dim surroundings like a constellation in the night sky. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I beheld the shimmering beacon.

"Found you," I whispered triumphantly, my spirits lifting at the sight of the glowing tome. It was a testament to the intricacies of the game, a detail I had overlooked in my haste to find the Tears of Chronos.

Reflecting on my oversight, I couldn't help but chuckle at my own folly. In the game, simply picking up the book after it shone was enough to progress. But here, in the real world, I had almost missed a crucial step.

Even as a seasoned veteran of the game, I was not immune to mistakes. After all, I was only human.

Reaching out, I grasped the book tightly, feeling a surge of unfamiliar energy coursing through me. It was heavy, enough to make me kneel under its weight, yet there was an undeniable warmth to it, a reassurance that washed over me like a comforting embrace.

In the game, players were presented with three trials or puzzles to complete within the Tears of Chronos—a decision that always sparked a moment of contemplation. Which route would I choose this time?

With a sense of anticipation coursing through me, I slowly opened the book, bracing myself for what lay ahead.

But as the pages turned, I was engulfed by a bluish-white light so intense that I had to shut my eyes against its brilliance.

When I dared to open them again, I found myself in a realm unlike any I had ever seen.

It was as if gravity had lost its hold on me, and I floated weightlessly amidst a vast expanse of darkness punctuated by swirling magical circles.

The sight was mesmerizing, almost dizzying, and I couldn't help but marvel at the intricate designs of the ancient runes that adorned each circle.

"You might not want to look too closely at the ancient runes, child," a soft voice cautioned, drawing my attention away from the mesmerizing display.

Startled, I turned to see a beautiful woman standing floating right besides me… seeing her familiar face I smiled.

So, she was here … I was wondering when she would show up.

"They are quite powerful, even for mere characters, as each one of them holds significant meaning. It would be best to focus your attention elsewhere," Lavine Chronos advised gently, using her hands to steady me in this ethereal realm.

Her touch was reassuring, and I couldn't shake the feeling that meeting her was akin to reuniting with a long-lost family member.

Perhaps it was because she had left a lasting impression on me as one of the few side characters in the game who had made a significant impact on the storyline.

Or maybe it was because she was one of the rare supporting characters who possessed a depth and complexity that rivaled even the main heroines.

Whatever the reason, I felt a sense of gratitude for the chance to finally meet her.

"My name is Lavine Chronos, grandmaster of the celestial arts and guardian of the Staff of Providence. Nice to meet you, young one," she introduced herself with a warmth that belied her formidable presence.

Her words carried a weight of wisdom and experience, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of respect for this legendary figure who stood before me.

As I returned her greeting with a respectful nod, I knew that this encounter would be etched in my memory for years to come.

With bright purple eyes that shimmered like precious gems and hair that mirrored the hues of the majestic sky above, Lavine Chronos appeared before me, a vision of beauty and grace that rivaled even the most revered goddesses.

Her presence alone was enough to captivate my senses, and I couldn't help but marvel at her ethereal allure—a trait that had endeared her to me in the game, despite her status as a mere side character.

In the game, her beauty had been unmatched, surpassing even the top heroines within the game. Princess Snow, and even my personal favorite Alice, paled in comparison to Lavine's radiant presence.

It made me wonder why the game developers had invested so much effort in crafting her character if players weren't allowed to interact with her on a deeper level.

"I'm Riley Hell," I introduced myself, my voice tinged with a mixture of respect and curiosity. "I'm here to take the trials."

Lavine regarded me with a thoughtful expression, her gaze piercing yet gentle. "Hmm... but you aren't a mage, are you, child?" she inquired, her tone tinged with curiosity.

"Do you need to be one to take the test?"

Her laughter was light and musical, a sound that resonated with warmth and wisdom. "Fufu... no, no, you're quite feisty, aren't you? those eyes of yours I like them" she remarked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Although you may lack the mana needed to take the regular test, your will is quite fiery. Why don't we test that instead, hmm?"

I shook my head resolutely. "No, I'll take the regular test."

She regarded me with a skeptical gaze, doubt etched into her features, but eventually, she nodded in acquiescence. With a clap of her hands, Lavine began to conjure the three tests that I was about to face.

"Are you really sure about this, child?" she questioned, her tone tinged with concern.

"Yes, and while we're at it, I'll take the trials as well,"

Lavine arched an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my audacity. "I don't know if you're just confident or arrogant, but there are certain limits you must understand," she cautioned.

"I know, but there's nothing wrong with trying, right? It's not like you're going to kill me. And to make it fair, why don't you just double the rewards I get if I finish both tests?"

"...You sound like you know what reward you'll be getting,"

"Does it really matter?"

"Not exactly..."

'Haha... if only she knew just how many times, I've passed this trial of her's she might want to cry and change it again'

With a smirk playing on my lips. I waited for her to conduct the test.

As the first three tests materialized before us, I couldn't help but marvel at how closely they mirrored their virtual counterparts in the game.

Lavine's explanations about being a mage and whatnot seemed like mere mumbo jumbo now—after all, weren't these just games in the end?

[33X33 Cube]

[Geo guess]

[Tetris]

I'll show you the power of a true gamer.

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