Legacy of the Dark Sage

Kyran did not know the time difference between the Human plane and the Regis Terram. Back then, he was so busy concocting potions and creating ready-made Arrays that he lost track of time. He roughly remembered that the time difference was three-to-one, with the human plane's time moving faster than inside the Regis Terram.

Normally, the Regis Terram, a broken patch of land from the Dragon plane, should have the same time flow as the Human plane since the latter follows the same flow as the Higher Realm. However, its time got distorted after entering the Lower Realm; thus, it deviated from the time flow of its origin, the Dragon plane.

It's worth noting that the time difference in the Regis Terram was not a typical one found in the planes of the Lower Realm. It was a unique case, not constant but varied, just as Aillos had explained. In his own words: "Because the Regis Terram in the Human plane is stuck between two realms. Thus, the time is affected.

The closer you are to the edge of the terram, the closer it follows the Lower Realm's time flow."

From this, Kyran learned that the three-to-one time difference only affected the edges of the terram. If he moved closer to the center, it would slowly adapt to the Dragon plane's time.

If that were the case, how would Kyran take advantage of the time difference in the terram?

The answer was simple: Kyran planned to use the terram as a focal point and connect to another plane where time flows several times faster than the Human plane or the Dragon plane. And the plane he had in mind was Somuli.

However, Somuli also had an erratic time flow. This was because it was originally a plane similar to the Human plane, except with the absence of most of the magic laws. Because of this, it developed into an entirely new plane, which then affected its human inhabitants, giving birth to humans with a slightly different body constitution, the complete beings.

To address Somuli's erratic time flow, Kyran needed to connect it to the terram, which possessed the complete magic laws of the Higher Realm. Though only a portion of the plane would be affected, it would serve as an anchor that would ensure Somuli's time flow would not follow an erratic change. At most, it would follow a definite time difference fitting its location in the Lower Realm.

Kyran did not know how the time flow of planes in the Lower Realm was determined. However, he got a clue from Aillos's reminder— distance. From this, he guessed that the further the plane was from the center of the Lower Realm, the faster its time flowed.

Unfortunately, Kyran did not know where the Lower Realm's center was. Thus, he could not estimate the time flow differences. He initially guessed it was the Human plane since it followed the Higher Realm's time. However, he rejected it because there was another factor that ensured the Lower Realm's rules would not have a complete influence on the Human plane.

This factor was the plane being the most intact remnant piece of the Land of the Ancients. Moreover, it was where the vessels of the Ancient Magic Cores would be born— vessels exempt from many things, like the magic level cap, magic law restrictions, and even the Fates' intervention.

But those were unimportant. What mattered was to reduce the Lower Realm's rules on Somuli, using a path he would create with the Regis Terram as the focal point.

"My goodness," Avrum replied, breathless at seeing the gate the Regis created to open a path to the Higher Realm. "I am not knowledgeable in Array, but I know for a fact that you guys did a groundbreaking formation here."

"I know you won't babble about this to anyone," Jared started while looking at Avrum with a wry smile. "But if you, make sure only to tell those who would not reveal it to others."

Avrum laughed at his unusual warning and said, "You sound very contradicting there. You don't want the people I babble about the gate to reveal it to others, yet you don't mind if it is me?"

Shrugging his shoulders flippantly, he added, "No matter. Don't worry. I only go crazy about Alchemy research and lose my tongue at times. But not with this kind of thing. I know the threat the knowledge of a gate leading to the Higher Realm would evoke. Forget about those greedy lords from the nearby nations.

Sovereigns will definitely come invading once more.

"I know we now have a reliable Sovereign, but even so, Sovereign Nolan is a single mage. If several Sovereigns attack at the same time..."

"..."

Kyran fell silent while listening to Avrum.

If not for the war three years ago, humans in the empire would not have known about Sovereigns. Knowledge of the outside world or the Lower Realm would not have significantly impacted the Human plane's inhabitants, but the more they knew, the more their presence would be revealed to the outside. Explore stories at empire

When that happens, the exemptions bestowed by Stella's presence on the plane might no longer be enough to protect it.

While this thought flashed through Kyran's mind, he was reminded of Nolan's vague notions from earlier. He had yet to contemplate everything, but he had an inkling that Stella's exemptions might not be the only thing that could cause the Human plane's concealment from weakening.

Kyran took note of this and put it aside for now. He would have enough time to contemplate everything after they go to Somuli.

"Let's not talk about something ominous," Jared changed the subject at once. "Will you be fine creating the gate alone?"

Jared turned to Kyran, who snapped out of his reverie.

"Yes," he replied as if he had not been distracted a second ago.

"But as far as I understand, we established the route to the Higher Realm because the terram is originally from the Dragon plane. How will you make a gate if there is no terram like this one in that place? More importantly, there is no gate that will connect to the one you'll create here to there."

"I will not be making another gate," Kyran replied with a faint smile. He then pointed inside the swirling, dark purple opening within the gate and added, "I'll be using the nature of that space instead."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"What?"

Jared was not the only one confused by Kyran's answer, but also Avrum and Cyneah.

Kyran only smiled and proceeded to enter the gate while saying, "Wait here."

What Kyran intended to do was very simple— or at least, simple, according to his common knowledge.

The route that connected the two gates comprised all types of magic energy. However, it could also be seen as the route composed of pure Void magic energy.

With all that magic energy, Kyran could easily create a distortion leading to Somuli. Because the route itself possessed both natures and rules of the two realms, there would be no adverse effects to that distortion.

Of course, this would only be possible because Kyran was the Void Master. If not, then forget about being able to move inside that space; no one would even survive there because it was filled with a concentrated Void of magic energy.

It did not take Kyran long to create the route to Somuli because he was now familiar with the difference in coordinates between the two realms. To give a brief explanation, there were no similar coordinates in both realms because the two did not overlap. However, one should have a good understanding of both realms' placements. Only then could they understand how to interpret a plane's coordinates.

Avrum and Jared had a blank expression when Kyran came back to announce that the route was complete. Cyneah, on the other hand, was quite used to it and accepted everything he said at face value.

As Jared declared, he stayed in the terram while the three went to Somuli. Of course, Kyran gave him an updated communication device so he could contact them anytime.

Kyran chose a random location to open the distortion. He did not want to create a commotion by appearing in the middle of a city. Besides, the old man would find them even if they appeared at an isolated place, and letting him know about their arrival was more than enough.

"This place..." Cyneah raised her brows as she found their surroundings very familiar. Using her magic sense, she scanned the area and said, "This place is close to the house I stayed in to hide from the complete beings."

Kyran also surveyed their surroundings and said, "I only chose a random location, but I remember passing through this place when I went to the borders."

Recalling that memory, Cyneah could not help but smile.

"You've caused quite a lot of commotion when you arrived."

"I did? I remember the commotion happened because Armakea chose to attack then."

Cyneah giggled, "Their surprise attack pales in comparison to what you did."

"Ahem," Avrum cleared his throat, clearly feeling awkward for not following their conversation. "I understand it has been a while since you two have been here, but can we change location first? We are in the middle of a forest, and though I can't sense anything, that, in itself, is a cause for worry! Because I can't sense anything! Not even magic energies!"

He paused and amended his words, saying, "Actually, I do sense magic energy, but it was too little that I'm getting nervous!"

"Oh. That's right," Cyneah said and apologetically said, "We forgot to explain that Somuli relies more on the use of mana, while its inhabitants can produce magic energies within their bodies."

"T-Then, how can I teach with such low natural magic energies in the surroundings?"

"Don't worry about that," Kyran replied with a smile. "I have a way."

"Way—?"

Before Avrum could finish his question, a powerful yet gentle aura enveloped them from above. Following that, an old man's voice exclaimed, "Nar! Sisi! How have you two been?"

The one that appeared was none other than the Somuli's Sovereign, Nachum.