The Necron Spire had quieted, but Pendralune trembled.
Back at the guild hall, Julius stood before the Twilight Zone crest. Kairon laid down a parchment sealed in starlight.
"It's time," the old mage said. "The council will now recognize you for Silver Rank examination."
Lyra blinked. "We're going up a rank already?"
Kairon nodded. "The Clock reacted. You sealed the Hollow. Even the Council couldn't ignore that."
Julius placed the Seventh Key within the vault of the guild. "Before we move forward, I want to know what the Hollow truly was."
Solas stepped forward.
"I've been researching the Void Texts. The Hollow wasn't just a being—it was a failed world. A reality rejected by the laws of time and reborn as hunger."
Rael muttered, "So we sealed a broken universe?"
"Exactly," Solas replied. "And it may not be the last one."
Later that night, Julius visited the mirror chamber—now kept under tight magical wards.
He pressed his hand to it.
"You showed me what I could become… but also what I must protect."
Suddenly, a vision flickered in the mirror. His future self stood on a battlefield of stars, holding a blade of infinite tick-tocks.
"Don't run from the Hollow," the vision said. "Name it. And rule it."
Julius gasped, stumbling back.
At dawn, the Council of Mages arrived.
They witnessed his declaration.
"I, Julius Chronas, submit for Silver Guild Ascension."
A swirl of magical contracts and seals erupted.
"Your record is… unconventional," the examiner murmured. "But undeniable."
He placed a silver insignia upon Julius's hand.
"Twilight Zone is now a Silver Guild."
Twilight Zone Guild – Members: 6
Julius (A-Rank Mage, Silver Guild Master)
Lyra (C-Rank Mage, Ice-Make Magic)
Rael (C-Rank Mage, Lightning Magic)
Rin Ayana (C-Rank Mage, Whispering Blade Style – Memory Awakening)
Solas (B-Rank Mage?, Unknown Magic – Seal Fragment Holder)
Bloom (C-Rank Mage, Assassin-Herbalist, Crimson Veil Defector)
F Rank Quests Completed: 70/1000E Rank Quests Completed: 10/10000D Rank Quests Completed: 15/1000C Rank Quests Completed: 16/1000B Rank Quests Completed: 4/10000A Rank Quests Completed: 1/10000
Guild Status: Silver Rank
Next Chapter Preview: Beyond the Clock's Edge
The Silver Guild trials may be complete, but the Time Council has its own secrets—and sends Julius on a mission beyond Fiore to a realm outside the clock's reach.