Chapter 221 - In Time, Time In

Once everyone had spoken, Vell nodded, absorbing their choices. He set his cup down with a soft clink. "Good. You've all made your decisions, and that's a start. But now we come to the real problem."

The air in the room stilled, anticipation settling over the young witches like an unseen weight. Vell leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. "You are all, without a doubt, eager. But eagerness alone won't get you into Herow. You need discipline, skill, and experience. And right now, you don't have nearly enough time to develop those things. A month is nothing. The other students taking the entrance exam have spent their entire lives preparing. I'd wager even the youngest first-years are better educated than you."

A murmur of concern rippled through the group. Vell raised a hand, silencing them. "Which is why I've made preparations. There is a spell—a powerful one—I am going to cast upon this house. One that will alter time itself."

"Time?" one of the witches echoed, disbelief creeping into her voice.

Vell nodded. "Inside this house, time will flow differently than it does outside. With this spell, you'll have the time needed to gain a solid general education and reach a journeyman's level in your chosen disciplines before the entrance exam. By the time we step out, you will be as skilled as any other hopeful entering Herow."

A mixture of awe and anxiety settled over their faces.

"And you're sure it's safe?"

Vell offered a reassuring smile. "Yes. You'll age normally, and I'll need to leave occasionally for food and supplies. Other than that, as long as you can tolerate my company for that long, it should be safe.

It's not a commonly used spell, but it has been employed in training grounds and sanctuaries before. The reason it's rare is that it requires extensive preparation, and most powerful magicians already live long lives, making time less of a concern. But for you, it will make all the difference."

"How soon can we start?" the fire witch hopefully asked, practically vibrating with energy.

"Immediately," Vell said, rising from his chair. He moved to the center of the room and planted his staff into the ground. "This will be the anchor. The spell's range will be limited to just this house. If you need to step outside, you can—but time will run out much faster."

A moment of hesitation passed, but one by one, the witches nodded.

"How much time will we have?" asked a witch who chose to focus on alchemy.

Vell considered for a moment. "A day outside should translate to about twelve, maybe twelve and a half, in here. Roughly 348–362 days."

He thought for a bit longer, then turned to the alchemist. "You should come with me. This spell requires a great deal of alchemical work, and you might learn something from it."

"Alright!" she said enthusiastically.

"The rest of you—prepare however you like. Pray, relax, and reflect on your future or past. It doesn't really matter to me." 

With that, he left, the alchemy witch following close behind. Sonder was trailing after them.

Unlike the young witches who specialized in one field, Sonder sought to learn from them all.

Outside, Vell hefted a large brown sack over his shoulder. 

As he walked, he murmured words under his breath, each syllable crackling with power. This wasn't Dico magic—the kind he typically used for spoken spells—but something else entirely. Reaching into the sack, he pulled out a coarse mixture that looked like salt mixed with other substances. When the alchemy witch inquired, he confirmed it was salt—he had enhanced it hours earlier with alchemical ingredients.

As he worked, he explained, scattering the salt mixture along the house's perimeter. It would act as both a boundary and a conduit, channeling the power radiating from the staff—the core of what he called the 'time flux.' Periodically, he would need to check for any disturbances to ensure the spell remained strong.

When the final line was connected, golden light swirled around the house, twisting through wooden beams and stonework. The glow pulsed, spreading through every inch of the structure. It took nearly an hour to complete.

The alchemist-in-training watched in fascination as the magic settled. When the light faded, everything looked the same—yet different. A strange stillness replaced the natural rhythm of the outside world.

Vell exhaled and wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead. He gestured for them to hurry inside. "Quick, quick—before any more time slips away."

Once they were all indoors, he let out a sigh. "Sadly, that was the fun part. The magic is done," he said, sounding almost regretful. "Now comes the hard part—study."