May 1st, 2000

"I returned to the Randalorion Kingdom after concluding some business in Sarvosia. The Nobles there are even dumber than I gave them credit for, but the plan is proceeding smoothly. However, this will be a long-term operation, and with my lifespan being a limiting factor, it appears I'll have no choice but to depend on Backflow."

August 9, 2002

"It's been two years of mostly inactivity, at least to the world. As for me, I've been using Backflow consecutively, while using the little time that I have to sleep and train. I should go check on my investments before returning…."

February 19th, 2005

"I managed to finally climb to the top of the Dark Guild and take on a leadership role. I'm now in charge of the Randalorion Kingdom's activities. I reckon the other Kingdoms also have Leviathans as their leaders, but I never met the former Leviathan overseer of the Randalorion Kingdom. I'm told he died after failing Apotheosis. I suppose this tells me that my decision to remain a Witness, at least until I complete the Potion, is a wise one."

July 8th, 2009

"It's a hassle, having to constantly activate Backflow like this. If I were a Disciple, it would be a lot smoother. But the advantages aren't lost on me. Although I can't activate it every hour, due to the constraints of interference power, as long as I pace myself well, I can use it ten to twelve hours a day. That's still incredibly efficient and will preserve my longevity. Compared to Frontflow, it's far easier for a Witness Exemplar like me to use Backflow."

April 16th, 2015

"After looking for potential pawns, I believe I've found the right one in Count Kaelen Thornvale. He looks stupid, but it seems he also has plans of his own to take over Randalorion. They aren't incompatible with mine, so I'm sure we can work together."

December 23rd, 2022

"A few things aren't going according to expectations. I am beginning to suspect that a Leviathan could be interfering with my plans. However, so far, I haven't been able to trace it to its root. I'll have Kaelen investigate a few places for me, and it seems there are some interesting things going on in the Royal Academy at the moment. Ah, that surely brings back memories…"

June 15th, 2026

"We're still encountering some turbulence, and I don't see it ending anytime soon. I don't really want to make any moves yet, but it seems I might have to. Javier Aditi keeps coming up in a lot of these instances, and I find it intriguing. Could he be…? I can only wonder."

And so on…

As I read through Zarius's notes, I am met with a great measure of disappointment.

Other than the existence of a Conception called Backflow, I truly learn nothing of substantial use from his journal. As for Backflow, it appears to be the opposite of Frontflow—slowing down one's time rather than quickening it.

If I were to think about it the same way Frontflow operates, then it should also be by replacing Temporal Layers of Existence.

Normally, to use Frontflow, I would replace, say, my Second Layer with my Minute Layer.

That would give me a minute to spend when the rest of the world has a second.

But using Backflow, it's the opposite.

I would be replacing my Minute Layer with my Second Layer, which means I will have a Second to spend while the world has a minute.

Essentially, I would be slower than the rest of the world.

It seems like a useless ability to have, but now that I think about it, this properly explains why Zarius appeared so young despite already being a Leviathan during my uncle's Academy days.

I initially thought it must have been due to a Potion or Balm.

But to think it was a Leviathan Conception instead.

At Rank 1, Zarius could only manipulate up to the Day Layer—just like me.

That means he couldn't have gone beyond replacing his Day Layer with his Hour Layer. In essence, for every 'Day' that passes in the world, he would only experience an 'Hour,' making him twenty-four times slower than everyone else.

He would also age twenty-four times slower, hence his time would flow much more slowly.

'He said he was only able to spend ten to twelve hours a day doing this, but that likely refers to his own day. That means he had to take a one-hour break after using Backflow to its maximum every single time.' My brows furrow as I quickly calculate it. 'If he did that for a year, he would have been able to save up so much time for himself!'

It's no wonder he looked so young.

Unfortunately, I can't use Backflow because of my Harbinger Status. It's not like I haven't tried to do the opposite of Frontflow before, but the green threads only operate in a one-way fashion.

Regardless…

"Haaa, how disappointing!"

Even though I expected other kinds of special information to be embedded inside, it appears to be nothing more than an account of his day and plans.

'He must have been a lonely bastard, only being able to talk to himself…' I grit my teeth before tossing the note aside.

After shutting my eyes and pinching my nose for a moment, I cast my gaze to the front and witness the piles of books and materials that desecrate my desk. I was barely gone for two weeks, yet I have this much waiting for me.

How sad it is to be a Professor!

Arghh!

The worst part is that I have to get all of these sorted out quickly because the Academy Festival season is coming up soon. We'll be having a lot of back-to-back events, which means a fun time for the students, but more stress for me.

I really do need to quit this job at some point…

'There's one more thing, though.' I reach inside my pocket and bring out a small wooden statue in the shape of a horse with wings.

'I still have to test out this Armament…'

But how?

'Maybe it only reacts to a specific kind of presence? It could be bound to Zarius, and now that he is dead, it won't activate any longer. Or—'

My eyes flash with brilliant light as I decide to test out an idea.

I switch Fragmented Conceptions to Frontflow, quickly activating it by switching my Second Layer with my Minute Layer.

Hence, for one minute… I am sixty times faster than the world.

Then, I tightly grip the figurine and toss it into the air.

Suddenly—

VWUUUSH!

A sudden reaction occurs, with all manner of energies swirling around the object. Despite my immense speed, the intense reaction within the statue seems to occur very quickly. To any other person, it would have happened immediately.

After watching for a few seconds in my time, I witness the statue rapidly grow into something.

Something glorious!

My eyes immediately widen, and I gasp aloud.

"T-this is—!"

***************

"How are preparations on your end for the Scholarly Exhibition?"

"En… only so-so. How about you?"

"The batch of students I'm working with is trying their hardest, but you know how it is. The lack of resources is really holding them back."

"Ah, yes… I get it. Mine are a little better off, but I just wish they were more original."

"Haha! You two sure picked the short end of the stick! My students are exemplary!"

Klein, Seraphina, and I all discuss as we have lunch in the Staff Cafeteria. Our tones and gazes share all manner of stories, and we don't shy away from telling each other our experiences thus far.

Seraphina is fortunate.

All her students are relatively well-off, and they're quite intelligent too. I've found that female students usually apply themselves more when it comes to projects like these. As for Klein and me, we're stuck with an undesirable batch.

Well, they're not all bad.

At least, with Klein, the students are serious, but they have limited resources to complete their project. I still believe they should have worked within their budget, and that it's a careless thing to put oneself in this situation, but this is all due to the overambitious nature of certain students.

Still… having these kinds of students is much better than what I have to deal with.

"At some point, some of these students even began to approach me, trying to use their wits to make me do their project for them. Can you imagine that?"

Seraphina laughs loudly, even though it's not a funny matter at all, while Klein only chuckles lightly, scooping yet another spoonful of his food.

I especially focus on the latter.

'His complexion has gotten even paler. Although I'm trying my best to lighten the mood, it's clear that the situation has gotten far worse. These two also aren't as chatty as they used to be to each other, which means they must have had a fight or something…'

After having this thought, I can only sigh helplessly.

Klein and I had a private discourse just a while ago, and he's gotten even more unstable.

He feels restless because the Staff Retreat is coming up soon, and he will undoubtedly have to meet Seraphina's father at this point. It seems he wants to work even harder so he will have more results to impress her old man with when they interact during the retreat.

How sad… Truly.

Seraphina herself doesn't care about any of these things.

That's a little naive on her part.

But Klein cares too much about these things.

It's harmful.

However, I can only be a spectator and observe the lives of others while doing my best to help if need be. It is not in my place to cast judgment on others for their choices in life.

Even I… have made rather questionable decisions, have I not?

'I've tried to cheer Klein up and also distract him with helping me decipher the contents of the founding Leviathan's notes, but that isn't his area of expertise, and he hasn't been of much use.'

I suppress my frustration and think of the only other person I can rely on at this point.

—Count Blake Winchester.

I should see him once all the rowdiness of the Festivals is over.

Until then—

'I have to start working on the Potions… both for Klein and Duke Ravenwood.'

These are both Grade 5 Potions.

They won't be easy!

I would have had Jasper, the Senior Alchemist from the Dark Guild, work on it, but he's too busy with another assignment presently. He's also helping me brew my Grade 3 Nutrition Potions in his spare time, so I can't burden him with more work.

That leaves one other person.

'Anna… I'll have to count on you again.' I shudder to myself and wonder what her response will be. If I'm this occupied during this period, I can only imagine how busy she'll be.

Still, I might as well try my luck!

*************

I visited the Headmaster earlier than I expected, mostly due to morbid curiosity and restlessness.

Unfortunately, it's useless.

Even Count Blake Winchester doesn't have a clue what language is embedded in the ancient notes. It's not his area of expertise, so I'm not too surprised.

Just to try my luck, I also showed Anna, but she gave up quicker than Klein and the Headmaster.

It's not her area of expertise.

But, even with these disappointments, there is some good news.

Anna has decided to help me out with the two Grade 5 Potions over the weekend.

It will take up all of our time, but with me assisting her in the brewing process, we should be able to make it work. Also, even though she's a Senior Alchemist, Grade 5 Potions still have a high chance of failure, and although I'll be there to assist, there is very little I can do with my limited knowledge and expertise.

That simply means I'll have to purchase extra ingredients… just so we can have multiple tries.

Ahh, my finances…

Still, it is a worthwhile investment.

If all goes well, not only will I be able to save a friend from certain death, but I'll finally be able to put an end to a long-winded scheme involving me.

It's worth it!

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