I approached the massive window of the office. Outside, the towers of Arkanos Academy rose like marble and obsidian colossi beneath a leaden sky. In the distance, the city of Vellhart stretched out like a living wound, full of smoke, chimneys, and the unmistakable banners of the six noble houses.
Exactly as I remembered from the game. But this time… there was no health bar, no save menu, no second chances.
Only a countdown.
[Time remaining until death: 365 days.]
The damned timer was still there, floating in the corner of my vision like a cruel reminder. Every passing second, another drop of sand falling in the hourglass of my sentence.
I had to act.
I had to uproot everything that condemned me in the original route.
Kael Derenhart, archmage, third-tier noble, and head of the Obsidian Circle in the academy. A secondary character, yes… but with enough power to shake the foundations of the main houses if given the chance.
The problem was that Kael never had that chance.
The first betrayal would come in two months, during the Heir Designation Ceremony. Sylas Renwald —his loyal lieutenant, childhood friend, and right-hand man— would stab him in the back and offer his head to House Helbrecht.
Motive: ambition.
Reward: promotion to High Councilor.
But this time, no.
—Sylas… —I murmured, testing the name on my lips.
I remembered him well. Blond, a confident smile, and those damn blue eyes that always hid an invisible dagger. A character beloved by players… and one of the worst traitors.
The first thing I needed to do was sever that bond. Strip him of power before he could even move his hand against me.
[Side Quest Updated: "Neutralize Sylas Renwald before the Designation Ceremony."]
[Reward: Time extension +30 days.]
[Penalty: Immediate reduction of 100 days from your timer.]
A smile curved my lips.
So the system rewarded preemptive moves too.
Good.
I went to the desk and began rummaging through scrolls, reports, and documents sealed with the emblem of the Obsidian Circle. Names, resources, positions… everything Kael had left unused in his original route.
There was more than I expected.
Contracts with mercenaries.
Agreements with illegal alchemists.
Even an unopened letter from someone named Ravenn Darion. That name didn't exist in the game.
I frowned.
That was new.
I opened it.
"My Lord Derenhart, the night of the black moon approaches. The whispers of the Void seek your favor, and the price is paid. You need only speak my name at the sealed mirror and the path shall open."
Void… Forbidden magic? In Celestium Chronicles, that school was outlawed, and any practitioner caught by the Order of Eternal Light was executed.
But it was also powerful. And if I wanted to survive…
I kept the letter.
At that moment, the door opened without warning.
Sylas.
Just as I remembered him. Same military bearing, golden hair tied back in a low ponytail, composed smile. His steel-blue eyes met mine.
—Kael, you're finally awake —he said in a friendly tone, though I sensed a faint note of distrust.
So even here, he was already suspicious.
I forced a smile.
—How long was I out?
Sylas made a dismissive gesture.
—Almost a full day. They say it was a mana collapse. The healers were worried.
Mana collapse… That explained the headache I still felt.
True or not, it would serve me.
—I'm better. Gather the council of the Circle. Tonight.
Sylas raised an eyebrow.
—Tonight? But… the monthly meeting isn't for another week.
—Don't repeat the rules to me. Just do it —my tone was cold, authoritative. I wouldn't show hesitation.
Sylas nodded, though I noticed the slight clench of his jaw before he left.
[Side Quest Activated: "Summon the Obsidian Circle without raising suspicion."]
[Reward: Classified information about loyal members.]
[Penalty: Rumors of your mental instability.]
Perfect.
I had little time.
I turned toward the sealed mirror. A surface black as ink that only responded to high-level invocation rituals.
I took out Ravenn Darion's letter.
Forbidden magic. Void magic.
In any other situation, I'd never have considered it.
But here… in a world where enemies already schemed for my death, rules meant little.
I placed my hand on the cold glass.
—Ravenn Darion —I spoke.
The surface trembled. Small dark ripples spread like a disturbed pond, and a hooded figure appeared.
—You finally deign to call me, Derenhart —a whispering voice, like blades brushing silk.
I didn't recognize the character. He wasn't part of the original story.
Which meant one thing: this world was already changing.
And I intended to exploit it.
—Speak quickly. What do you offer? —I said.
The figure smiled, or so it seemed.
—Information. Power. And above all… a warning.
My eyes narrowed.
—A warning?
—The Council of Sages. They already know about you. The Eternal Clock has begun to turn.
A cold shiver ran down my back.
The Council of Sages. In the game, they didn't intervene until the third act. If they were moving now…
The world wasn't following the script.
I had to write my own.
—What do you want in exchange? —I asked, because nothing came for free.
The figure extended a hand. A ring of pale bone appeared, bearing a symbol I instantly recognized.
The emblem of the Cult of the Void.
—Only your loyalty… and a name.
A name.
A sacrifice.
To seal a pact.
The old Kael would've refused.
I, on the other hand, smiled.
Because I already had someone in mind.
—Sylas Renwald.
The figure laughed, a hollow, grave sound.
—Done.
The ring floated toward my hand.
[Side Quest Complete: "Establish contact with the Void."]
[Reward: Abyssal Ring (+10% magic resistance, +5 affinity with forbidden spells)]
[Penalty: Increased Hostility with the Order of Eternal Light.]
Perfect.
I had struck the first blow.
And it was only the beginning.
I glanced at the counter once more.
[Time remaining until death: 365 days.]
I smiled.
—Alright, Celestium… let's play.