RE: LORD OF TIME

"Junior, look there. We are about to reach the City of Vance."

William was looking outside through the side window when he suddenly heard Abel’s voice.

Following the direction Abel was pointing, he looked out through the window on his left and saw a massive city slowly coming into view in the distance.

Unlike the town of Rosco Barony, which was hidden behind enormous walls to keep monsters out, the City of Vance wasn’t enclosed by giant walls.

Instead, countless buildings stretched across the horizon, their rooftops rising and falling like waves.

Elegant mansions, towering estates, and multi-story stone buildings stood proudly throughout the city, while several tall towers rose above everything else, serving as unmistakable landmarks.

Slender spires, clock towers, and grand academies rose above the city skyline, their silhouettes visible even from miles away.

Wide roads extended in every direction, connecting the different districts, and countless people and carriages could be seen traveling along them, creating a lively atmosphere that was impossible to find in a small barony.

Above the city, several enormous flying beasts circled lazily in the sky while flocks of messenger birds traveled between the tallest towers, adding another layer of life to the already vibrant metropolis.

Even though they were still quite some distance away from the city, the uneven road beneath the carriage had long since become completely smooth, paved with polished red stones.

On both sides of the road, neatly arranged trees and cultivated fields gradually gave way to merchant warehouses, inns, and trading posts, all signs that they were approaching one of the kingdom’s major cities.

William’s eyes reflected the magnificent city and the endless flow of people, but his heart remained completely calm.

In the original timeline, he had been dumbstruck when he saw such a magnificent sight for the first time and had even felt as though he had arrived in an entirely different world.

After all, other than Baron Xing’s mansion, the only things he had seen back then were farms and small houses.

But the current him was completely different.

Not only had he visited the capital of the kingdom in the original timeline, but he had even traveled to different realms and witnessed countless unbelievable sights.

Although the City of Vance was indeed magnificent, it couldn’t compare to many of the places he had seen in the original timeline.

However, the other children, including the two who had come with William from Rosco Barony were completely different.

Their jaws nearly dropped to the ground as they stared at the rows of luxurious mansions and towering buildings stretching all the way to the horizon.

"It’s wonderful, isn’t it?" Abel asked with a smile when he noticed William silently observing the city.

"Yes," William replied with a nod and as the carriage drew closer to the city, he suddenly remembered what Vivian had told him a few days earlier.

’She said there have been some changes in the academy...’ He glanced at Abel, wondering if he knew anything about them.

"Senior Abel, can you tell me more about the academy? Although I have read the guidebook you gave me, it doesn’t contain much information about the academy itself."

"Sure," Abel nodded and began explaining patiently.

"Once you join the academy, the first thing you need to do is decide which classes you want to attend. Subjects like Aether Energy Control, Universal Language, and Battle Training are compulsory since they lay the foundation for every Evolver."

Abel paused briefly before continuing.

"Other than the compulsory classes, you can also choose to enroll in additional classes such as Alchemy, Forging, Formation Guidance, the Theory of Creating Your Own Battle Arts, and many others. However, unlike the compulsory classes, which are completely free, these additional classes require you to pay the fees yourself."

William listened quietly and compared them with original time line.

But so far, he hadn’t heard anything that differed from the original timeline.

"The fees here aren’t paid with gold or silver coins but with Academic Credits, which are the most valuable currency within the academy. Using Academic Credits, you can not only attend different classes but also purchase powerful cultivation techniques and battle arts."

"The best way to earn Academic Credits is by completing tasks. The academy has a Task Hall where students can accept various tasks."

Abel’s expression then became noticeably more serious.

"Using Academic Credits you can also gain permission to enter the Astral Rifts that are under academy’s control. You saw the Astral Rift that appeared a few days ago, didn’t you? Every Astral Rift is filled with treasures and resources. If you are fortunate enough, you might obtain something extremely valuable inside, such as Skill Scrolls or powerful treasures. Those items can also be exchanged for Academic Credits."

Abel continued explaining several other important aspects of academy life, but William couldn’t help frowning inwardly because everything Abel mentioned was already known to him.

There was nothing in his explanation that gave him even the slightest clue about the changes Vivian had been referring to.

In the end, Abel also warned him about the factions within the academy.

He didn’t go into much detail, merely advising William to be careful about which faction he chose to join. If he decided not to join any faction, then he should be especially careful not to offend any influential noble students, as doing so would only make his life inside the academy much more difficult.

William thanked Abel for the advice before shifting his attention back toward the city, which was now rapidly approaching.

’It seems I will have to enter the academy myself before I understand what Vivian was trying to tell me...’ He thought to himself as the carriage finally arrived at the checkpoint leading into the city.

Even the guards stationed at the checkpoint were at the Star Commander Realm, and they were merely the lowest-ranking guards there.

Above them were captains who had already reached the Star Lord and even the Star King Realm.

As the convoy came to a stop, Richard, whose carriage was leading the group presented his Overseer identification.

After confirming his identity and ensuring everything was in order, the guards immediately allowed them to pass.

The four carriages rolled forward and crossed the checkpoint.

As the checkpoint disappeared behind them, William once again entered the City of Vance—the place where everything had originally begun in the previous timeline.