“Investigator” or “Spacetime Explorer” is not a unique profession at St. Byrence Comprehensive College. The core rune for it is related to the concept of [Time], and any loop spellcaster who has obtained a [Time] related core rune can travel through time using the relic [Key of Time], which has a level range from Poet-level (Level 5) to Angel-level (Level 1), to explore history before the Sixth Epoch.
The [Key of Time] is a one-time-use relic, and different keys open different eras. All [Key of Time] relics are related to the fallen old god [Father of the Infinite Tree].
This old god was extremely powerful and belonged to the camp of benevolent gods. Contacting related knowledge and traces of him has a probability of obtaining a golden [Miracle] rune. According to legend and some ancient stone inscriptions, the [Father of the Infinite Tree] fell during the Fourth Epoch Chaos Era. However, he merged his existence into continuous infinite spacetime utilizing his concept of “infinity,” thereby connecting the past and future.
The [Key of Time] is the relic left behind by this fallen old god. Because this god exists in continuous spacetime, the time jump that can be opened with his relic is not limited to the time before the [Father of the Infinite Tree] fell in the Fourth Epoch.
However, for some reason, no [Key of Time] offering a jump back to the Sixth Epoch has ever been found, which is an essential research topic for loop spellcasters studying time.
In short, the doctor instructed Shard to draw the two runes he had, to send the information about Shard’s core rune to the academy, and also gave him a simple introduction to this common knowledge.
The runes belong to ancient languages and basically have no repeats. Unless you have seen runes with the same meaning, it is impossible to fabricate them, proving that you are not lying.
But before Shard could ask questions like “What about time stability?” or “Will there be time paradoxes?” the academy’s reply had already arrived:
“If Shard Thuren Hamilton is willing to join the History College, the History College is prepared to list him as a key cultivation target and provide him with a Keeper-level relic for self-defense upon joining.”
“What does that mean?” Shard looked at the doctor.
“It means they value your talent but still won’t change your status as a correspondence loop spellcaster. Being a key cultivation target means you don’t have to complete more compulsory practical credits and can buy books cheaper at St. Byrence. The Keeper-level (Level 3) relic is as it sounds.”
The doctor shrugged:
“They’re always like this, generous with talented people but never breaking the rules.”
“So, should I agree?”
“Unless you have a reason to refuse.”
The writer answered simply, flicking a strand of her blonde hair:
“Every year, some individuals are key cultivation targets, but I don’t think there’s any downside to it.”
Thus, Shard successfully became a first-year correspondence loop spellcaster at St. Byrence Comprehensive College under its History College.
To become a loop spellcaster, one must contact the Four Elements, and advancing as a loop spellcaster also requires the Four Elements.
Each loop requires engraving at least one golden [Miracle], one silver [Blasphemy], one brass [Enlightenment], and one black iron [Whispers] rune onto the Life Loop to accumulate sufficient energy for the loop’s transcendence.
The amount of energy accumulated in a particular loop has an upper limit, so engraving four runes is no different from engraving 400 runes for transcendence. Engraving too many runes is disadvantageous since the necessary runes for loop advancement must be engraved during that particular loop.
Under normal circumstances, engraving these runes is not simple. Correctly balancing the number of runes and one’s study of miraculous arts and spells is also crucial.
Loop spellcasters from Loop 1 to Loop 4 are called low-loop spellcasters; from Loop 5 to Loop 8 are middle-loop spellcasters; beyond Loop 9 are high-loop spellcasters.
This classification isn’t just due to the numbers but also because to transcend at Loop 4 and Loop 8, aside from the required four runes, one must have all sixteen runes in phase, and each loop must have one rune that forms a chain with the loop spellcaster’s core rune, known as the “Words of Transcendence.”
In Dr. Schneider’s group, only the five-loop doctor himself had completed four transcendences.
When he was advancing from Loop 4 to Loop 5, he used the black iron [Whispers] of Loop 1 – [Running], the silver [Blasphemy] of Loop 2 – [Malevolence], the brass [Enlightenment] of Loop 3 – [Hounds], and the golden [Miracle] of Loop 4 – [Light] along with his core rune [Dream] to construct the words of transcendence for advancing from the low-loop to middle-loop:
“[The Hound of Light runs in the Malevolent Dream.]”
The types of transcendence runes are not limited. The doctor just happened to fulfill the four types.
If one doesn’t meet the transcendence rune conditions, they’ll never be able to advance from Loop 4 to Loop 5 or from Loop 8 to Loop 9. Also, because the four engraved runes must come from different loops, there’s no chance to make up for it.
The choice of transcendence runes can use past examples, forming several thousand recorded [Transcendence Chronicles]. Loop spellcasters find examples according to their core runes and prepare from the beginning of each phase, which is why each force treats its [Transcendence Chronicles] as its most important secret.
The low-loop, middle-loop, and high-loop stages can use the same core rune to link the transcendence rune. Therefore, having more core runes just means more options, not a significant impact on the difficulty of advancement.
If one doesn’t want to borrow past “transcendence rune” experiences or has core runes that are too rare without examples, then trying oneself is the only option—luck will fill the transcendence conditions eventually.
However, Shard would only be eligible to view the St. Byrence’s transcendence chronicles half a year later to decide on the most crucial rune for his first loop. The college is also worried about the reliability of correspondence loop spellcasters and wants to confirm the committed loop spellcasters won’t back out. The difficulty of advancing as a loop spellcaster isn’t hindered by the half-year time either.
Although the number of runes in each loop is unlimited, obtaining them is very difficult. Advancement in academic year levels, apart from credits earned through exams and practical credits through college tasks, also requires one’s grade to match their loop count.
Thus, studying for two or three years per grade is quite common. If a sufficient connection between the words of transcendence can’t be found by the fourth loop, people often delay their advancement despite fulfilling the four-rune conditions.
Regarding the textbooks, basic loop spellcaster courses, the Keeper-level relic promised by the History College, and the History College investigator assignments, all these will be discussed after the college organizes Shard’s textbooks in three days.
Then, not just the syllabus and immersive cultivation plans given by the college but also the suggestions from all four group members will be available for Shard.
Thus, upon confirming the History College registration, Dr. Schneider announced that Shard could leave.
“Leave now?”
Shard was surprised, still thinking over the basic knowledge he’d just learned.
“Do you have something else?”
The doctor seemed as surprised as him.
“I mean, after joining the college, shouldn’t there be something…”
Ms. Louisa, being female, understood his implication:
“Mr. Hamilton, indeed, the admissions process only involves this much. Let me repeat what the doctor says, remember, we are correspondence loop spellcasters, and our contact with the college isn’t that close. We cultivate ourselves, obtain knowledge from the college, and the college gives us practical tasks to meet credit requirements. We are just on correspondence.”
“Alright then.”
Having almost spent an entire afternoon sitting, Shard stood up, and the doctor along with the writer also got up to bid him farewell. The latter had other matters with the doctor and couldn’t leave yet.
As Shard was almost at the room’s door with the two, the doctor suddenly said:
“And there’re two taboos you need to remember. St. Lawrence Comprehensive College rules state that all its loop spellcasters are forbidden from setting foot on the New Continent, and this is a college taboo. Another universal taboo for loop spellcasters is that suicide is prohibited.
Setting foot on the New Continent is regarded by the academy as automatic forfeiting of student status. Loop spellcaster suicides trigger crises no less than Keeper-level relic outbursts.”
The “New Continent” refers to lands discovered during the geographic discoveries made fifty years ago, separate from the current “Old Continent” but extremely resourceful, something akin to the geographical discoveries in Shard’s previous world.
“Why?”
Shard asked in confusion.
“We don’t understand the college’s regulations, and as for suicide…”
Ms. Louisa looked at the doctor:
“The doctor believes it may be related to the ‘other self.’ If we commit suicide, the other self might do something drastic.”
The doctor shrugged:
“That’s it for now. We haven’t encountered a suicidal loop spellcaster yet.
Shard, remember to come back three days from now, that is, at 10 AM on Wednesday, besides the college matters, you’ll need to understand our group’s regular study meetings and fixed annual assignments. And, during these days, you can try studying your rune. I’ll lend you this notebook.”
The doctor, realizing something, moved to his desk, took out an old-looking black notebook from a locked drawer, and handed it to Shard:
“Regarding the development of miraculous arts from runes, you can experiment a bit but, having just gained power, you probably won’t succeed easily. Your main task in these three days is to rest; becoming a loop spellcaster damages the soul and body. You’ll probably sleep till noon tomorrow. See you in three days, remember you need to repay the £10 within a month.”
The farewell seemed abrupt, but Shard knew he had disturbed them long enough, so he organized his thoughts seriously and said:
“See you in three days, Dr. Schneider, Ms. Louisa, thank you.”
“No need to thank me, I was just here as a witness today.”
Ms. Louisa said, looking quite in a good mood.
“Nor should you thank me; I said I merely wanted to find a fifth loop spellcaster for our group.”
The blue-eyed doctor looked at Shard, replying softly.
