🕯️ Chapter 62 –
"The ones who bend time... are hunted by eternity itself."—Excerpt from the Forbidden Codex, Page 3
🌌 Location: Sinjai Academy, Medical Wing – Two Days After the Dungeon Event
Aeren had been unconscious since the battle with Throgg the Dream-Devourer.
His body looked normal… but strange marks kept appearing along his back and neck. One resembled a clock dial melting, another a veil over his eyes.
Every hour, a new symbol etched itself on his skin—pulsing, then vanishing.
Doctors couldn't understand. Even Diamond-rank Seeker Professor Arvyn was stunned.
"This is beyond our records," he whispered. "Not even Platinum-bloods develop this way."
🧬 Meanwhile: Research Chamber – Deep Underground
Professor Arvyn stood with three elders of the academy.
A high-security file had been unsealed.
"Project Clock-Blood... Cancelled in Year 990 after the war of Temporal Sin."
The file spoke of a forbidden bloodline, lost in history—one that could:
Pause time for microseconds
Travel through dream-realms
Infect fate with memories
Read and rewrite minds
All signs pointed to one thing:
Aeren Valen is a natural-born Clock-Blood Awakener.
But... that wasn't supposed to exist anymore.
"Find out who his parents really were," the elders ordered.
🔥 On the Other Side: Abyssal Order Meeting
In the shadows of a shattered temple deep beneath the ruined city of Ovrast, cloaked figures gathered.
A mirror-like pool rippled.
It showed Aeren's image... trembling as he used his power in the dungeon.
One hooded figure stepped forward.
"He's awakened the Sigil of Mind Gate... sooner than prophecy stated."
Another voice hissed:
"If he awakens the Temporal Crest, the seal on the World Root will break."
They raised a hand, and dark smoke formed into a name:
"Aeren Valen – Target: Eliminate or Convert."
🌸 Back in the Academy – Anshi's Burden
Anshi sat beside Aeren's bed, holding his hand gently.
She had her own bruises and bandages, but her focus never wavered.
"Why are you changing so fast…?" she whispered. "What are you becoming?"
Her memories flashed—how Aeren had saved her even while unconscious.
Her heart raced.
"No matter what you become… I'll stay by your side. I promised that."
Just then, Aeren's hand twitched.
His eyes opened—not panicked, not confused.
Just... knowing.
"They're coming for me," he said slowly.
Anshi leaned closer, startled. "Who?"
"The ones who watch from the mirrors."
🔍 A New Danger: The Hidden Eyes Within the Academy
Soon after Aeren awoke, strange events began.
Students reported seeing cloaked figures in reflections.
A teacher named Professor Halem—a calm Bronze-rank mentor—suddenly vanished overnight.
A substitute appeared the next day: Mr. Vael, claiming to be sent from the Central Bureau.
But Anshi's instinct screamed wrong.
Vael's aura was... artificial. Even Aeren, while still recovering, said:
"His thoughts are too perfect. Too smooth. He's not thinking—he's calculating."
Unknown to them all, Mr. Vael was a planted agent of the Abyssal Order—tasked with monitoring Aeren's growth.
🕸️ The True Mission of the Abyssal Order
The Order's goal wasn't just to destroy Aeren.
They wanted to use him.
The Clock-Blood could unlock a sealed ancient vault known as the Temporal Cradle, buried beneath the Desert of Whispering Sand.
Inside was said to be:
A Time Core that could reverse death
A map to lost Chrono Cities
A slumbering god-construct, last used in the age of Titans
The Order's leader, known only as The Whisperer Beyond Time, had plans to reshape the world—and Aeren was the final missing piece.
🕯️ End of Chapter 62