章 2: Actually 28,000 years old

<p> January 7, 2021<br/><br/>First thing I always do when I wake up is to check the time. I usually lay still on my bed and let myself soak in the memory of my dream. It took me a while to realize it's my birthday.<br/><br/>I never woke up on my birthday so peacefully. The dream I had was a good one. It is kind of disappointing that it was only a dream. <br/><br/>Or so I thought...<br/><br/>BAM! BONK!<br/><br/>An old book just smack my face as it fell from the air out of nowhere. Following after was a key that just hit my forehead. I'm grateful that I was born with a hard head.<br/><br/>I sit up as I rub the pain on my face and forehead. After the pain has lessened, I check the two items that appeared out of nowhere.<br/><br/>The old book has a hard cover with a lock. The key is obviously for this book, so what do I do? Unlock it.<br/><br/>The first page is basically explaining the Key terms. After skimming through the rest of the book, the pages were hardly readable. It wasn't really a big book, it only had a few pages. Some pages were ripped out, explaining why there were so little pages. This book went through a lot. I feel sorry for the book.<br/><br/>Next, I observe the key. The key matches the book with it's old plain black look. Both items looked like it could turn into dust with a touch, that's how worn out it seems. <br/><br/>After a few minutes checking out the items, my head began to fill up with questions. I didn't think what I dreamt of was real, but with a book and key that appeared out of nowhere, it's real. <br/><br/>I try to recall my dream, and do what my Key told me to do when I woke up. It's not really complicated, I just have to imagine I'm holding an invisible key and unlock the space. <br/><br/>A tiny portal the size of a hand opened, and a glowing lavender butterfly flew out. I wasn't very good with names, so her name ended up being Dreamy.<br/><br/>Dreamy is a new Key. She was born from many dreams and wishes. She is the only Key of her kind, so she is really special. I asked her how long it would take for another Dream Key to be born. She told me that it depends on when she has sex... I didn't really mean that, but I guess.<br/><br/>It now got me curious how she would do the deed, but I kept those thoughts shut.<br/><br/>I asked Dreamy about the book and key. She doesn't know about it and it left us both confused.<br/><br/>Kiki's meeting in her head.<br/>Kiki 1: The big question today is where did this book and key come from and why?<br/><br/>Kiki 5: I-it c-can't be from a dangerous organization, r-right?<br/><br/>Kiki 7: Why would a dangerous organization send us a useless old book and key? How would they know about us?<br/><br/>Kiki 1: Dangerous organization or not, whoever sent us these items know us.<br/><br/>Kiki 4: I hope they aren't harmful to us. I worry about our safety, including our family.<br/><br/>Kiki 1: 2! What are your thoughts on this?<br/><br/>Kiki 2: Judging from the condition of the book and key, these items may be important. I think whoever sent this wants to help us. Space-Time magic isn't rare. Most Keymembers have a pocket space, item bag, or space ring. At most, open small portals to send letters or packages. The higher level Space-Time Keymembers are gate keepers, who open large portals to travel. Whoever sent this could be anybody. <br/><br/>Kiki 7: Why would you think they would help us?<br/><br/>Kiki 2: As I said, the book and key may be important. If we could restore it to its original condition, we may be able to speed up our progress. We did start late and Space-Time magic is harder to level up compared to other categories.<br/><br/>Kiki 3: Keep the book and Key out of sight.<br/><br/>Kiki 1: Why?<br/><br/>Kiki 3: Cuz I say so.<br/><br/>Kiki 2: 3 is the most intuitive one, so let's listen to her.<br/><br/>Kiki 1: Okay! We will restore the book and key, and keep it hidden away from other's sight!<br/><br/>After the Kiki meeting finished, I reviewed the meeting that I had in my head. I may be wrong, but I think the key is a Key. Kind of confusing to put it that way, but the Key may be a Tool type spirit. I could be completely wrong. Maybe it's a rare type or the only kind like Dreamy.<br/><br/>Well, if it's a Key, it is mine now. I take it as a gift for my birthday. Wait, I got Dreamy. She could sense other Keys, right?<br/><br/>"Dreamy, could you check if this key is a Key and what type it is?" I asked the glowing butterfly.<br/><br/>"It seems to be just an ordinary key, but I'll check it just in case."<br/><br/>Dreamy flew towards the key and touch it. A lavender colored glow wrap around the key like a warm blanket.<br/><br/>As I patiently wait for her, I heard a gasp inside my head. <br/><br/>"It's weak, but it's a Key. Not any ordinary Key though. It is just like me, the only one of its kind, except it is the oldest and literally only one exist throughout the Universe. I am not the only one in the Universe. There are many versions of me through different dimensions, but this Key can only exist in one place. I would say it is the rarest of the rarest of the rare. The Time Key." Dreamy's lavender glow slightly turned darker as she broke out the news.<br/><br/>"I-is it b-bad?" I stuttered a bit as I knew things just got more complicated. My life is already complicated normally, and now my life could be in danger. I'm just an ordinary college student who's weak.<br/><br/>I was too naive to think things will be fun being a Keywielder. I knew there are going to be hardships when leveling up, but that's what's exciting. I only wanted to be an ordinary Keywielder that levels up and helps others with my magic. Now, I'm involved in this crazy business.<br/><br/>"All who have an affinity to Space-Time would be after you. Especially, the Keylers. They kill Keymembers to steal their Keys. If lucky, they will just threaten you to gift your Keys to them. Even if it's not Space-Time members, anyone could control you for your use of powers. <br/><br/>Space-time is not rare nor common, but most could only control Time in Space. Time is too high level to control outside of the pocket space. Only the highest level Space-Time Keywielders could control the time of objects and living things. <br/><br/>For example, an average Space-Time user could make a space ring that stops time in the ring, but a high level Space-Time user could reverse a destroyed building to its original form. Many admire high level Space-Time users not because of their abilities, but because of their youthful looks. <br/><br/>Everyone who reaches the highest levels will age slower and live longer, but Space-Time users can control a bit of time. They use magic on themselves to stay youthful.<br/><br/>A great example is your grandfather. Records show he is only 28 years old when he died in the war, but in the Key Society records, he's actually 28,000 years old when he died." Dreamy casually said.<br/><br/>I fell off my bed in shock. I wonder what more secrets does my grandpa have. I heard from my grandma that my grandpa could see the future. Two years before his death, he told my grandma the details of his future death and they spent every time together as their last. <br/><br/>Maybe this book and Key formally belonged to my grandpa. He probably foresaw me and sent this book and Key before he died. Well, I don't know how he does it. Dreamy probably didn't know about it as my grandpa is great at keeping secrets.<br/><br/>"Are there anymore secrets my grandpa has? Is great grandma not my grandpa's real mom? Is he really Chinese and Thai, or what? An alien?" I asked Dreamy.<br/><br/>"Of course, he has more secrets, but I can't reveal all of them. Yes, your great grandma is your grandpa's real mom. She was also a Keyholder. Your grandpa used time to slow her aging. A few years after his death, his mother followed along. He's not Chinese and Thai though. He and his family isn't even from this world. He just picked some random ethnicity that looks similar to his parents and put it on record." Dreamy answered.<br/><br/>"That's cool. I'm a quarter unknown as my grandpa is not even from this world! Wait. Grandpa was 28,000 years old. I don't have ancient aunts and uncles do I? That'll be weird. My mom got siblings with centuries large age gap. Not to judge the age gap between my grandpa and grandma or anything."<br/><br/>"No! Your grandpa only have loved your grandma and has not married anyone else before. His only offsprings is your eldest uncle and your mom. He has to be pure when leveling up his Healing and Water powers, because of his stinky little Water Key is part of the Divinity type. He can't level up anymore once he lose his virginity, so he married your grandmother for true love." Dreamy said in a dreamy tone as she thought of a romantic love story.<br/><br/>I do admit though that my grandparent's love story is pretty romantic.</p>