Chapter 3: Grindoris

"Surprised, aren't you?" The man's voice echoed through the vast expanse as a faint tremor pulsed beneath their feet. The rhythmic clatter of countless gears reverberated from below, a symphony of machinery that seemed to stretch into infinity. The professor stood there, bewildered, struggling to grasp the reality of where he now found himself.

"Where… where am I?" he managed to ask, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and confusion.

With a gleeful smile, the man responded, "Welcome to the Exross Office, or we prefer to call it, the Garden of Time—Grindoris."

"Grind…oris?" The name felt foreign on his tongue, laden with mystery.

"Indeed!" The man's smile widened. "And since we've crossed into this place, it's only fitting I introduce myself. I am Deus Ex Machina, the Angel of Time who resides within these hallowed gears."

The professor blinked, taken aback. "After all this time, now you decide to introduce yourself?"

Deus shrugged, an amused glint in his eyes. "What can I say? I'm bound by certain rules. Names aren't given lightly here."

The professor found Deus's behavior and words unsettling, but he steadied himself, pushing down the rising tide of unease. "First of all, this place—Grindoris—what exactly is it? And what's the meaning of these colossal gears everywhere?"

Deus opened his mouth to speak, but before he could begin, a deep, resonant voice filled the air, cutting through the mechanical symphony.

"There's no need for explanations."

The professor's heart skipped a beat as he spun around, searching the darkness for the source of the voice. But the darkness was too vast, too shadowed, to reveal anything.

Deus, unfazed, simply nodded. "It seems we're being summoned."

He extended his hand toward the professor. The professor hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at him, but the strangeness of this place left him with no alternative. He had already agreed to follow Deus, and there was no turning back now.

Where would I even go in this darkness? He thought.

Steeling himself, he took Deus's hand and rose from the long, spectral chaise. As he stood, he glanced back—only to see the chaise dissolve into the shadows, vanishing as if it had never existed. A chill ran down his spine, but he quickly shut his eyes, willing himself to stay calm.

Breathe in... Exhale...

When he opened his eyes again, Deus was watching him with that same enigmatic smile. Without a word, Deus began to walk, a small orb of light trailing beside him, illuminating the path ahead. The professor followed, hand in hand with the Angel of Time, as they ventured deeper into the darkness.

"Where are we going?" the professor asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"To the one whose voice you heard," Deus replied.

The professor's mind raced. "Who was that? Whose voice did I hear?"

"The master of this place," Deus answered, his tone reverent.

A name flickered in the professor's thoughts, unbidden, "Could it be… Zaphkiel?"

Deus's smile deepened. "Indeed."

Silence fell between them as they continued their journey. The professor's thoughts whirled—Zaphkiel, the mysterious figure who ruled this timeless domain. What awaited them at the end of this path? What would Zaphkiel reveal?

"They will explain everything," Deus assured him.

They continued their trek through the endless darkness, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him with every step. Time seemed to stretch and twist as they walked, the void around them offering no hint of their destination. Just as his patience began to wane, Deus suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

"I've brought him, as you requested," Deus intoned, bowing deeply, his voice reverent. The professor felt a wave of discomfort wash over him—he still couldn't see anything in this oppressive darkness, not even the source of the voice that had summoned them.

"Well done." the voice echoed through the void, its tone authoritative. The professor strained his eyes, but saw only the unyielding blackness ahead. Desperately, he pretended to focus on something ahead, through he saw nothing but darkness.

"You are ■■■, correct?" The voice spoke his name, though the sound was distorted, obscured as though by some unseen force.

"Yes, that's me," he replied quickly, instinctively.

"I'm sure you have many questions to ask me, isn't it?" the voice continued, its resonance filling the air around him.

"Indeed, I do."

The voice chuckled, a deep, almost ominous sound. "Very well. I am Cassiel, the Supreme angel of time."

For a moment, confusion gripped him.

Hadn't Deus mentioned Zaphkiel as the master of this place? Why, then, was this voice introducing itself under a different name?

As if sensing his doubt, the voice spoke again, "I serve as Zaphkiel's assistant. Today, Zaphkiel is not present, so it falls to me to attend to you."

He remained silent, processing this new information. "Wait, are you reading my mind?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Cassiel responded smoothly, "Only I can read your thoughts. Deus, on the other hand, is simply observant. He understands your mind by reading your face."

The professor's jaw clenched, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. He detested the idea of anyone prying into his thoughts. But then, sensing his rising anger, Cassiel spoke with a tone of genuine remorse.

"My apologies for intruding upon your thoughts without permission."

The unexpected sincerity in Cassiel's voice had an immediate effect. The anger that had begun to build within him dissipated, replaced by a reluctant sense of relief. He was a man who forgave easily when confronted with humility and honesty.

"Somehow, I expected beings like you to be... arrogant." admitted, the tension in his voice easing.

"We are not as you imagine." Deus replied, a faint smile playing at his lips.

Cassiel chuckled softly, the sound like the distant chime of a bell. "First, let me tell you—I won't be answering all of your questions."

The professor paused, frowning. "Why not?"

Cassiel's reply was firm, yet not unkind. "Some answer are not mine to give. You must discover them yourself."

The professor remained silent for a few moments, then nodded slightly. "I see... You must have your reasons."

"Thank you for understanding." their voice warm with approval.

"Now, for the second matter. We will grant you a power—a gift from us. Feel free to ask what you wish to know about it."

His interest piqued, and he leaned forward slightly. "What kind of power?"

"The ability to stop time." Cassiel revealed. "But be warned—this power comes with a price. Excessive use could have dire consequences."

The professor crossed his arms, one hand resting against his lips as he pondered this revelation. After a few moments, his posture straightened, a spark of realization in his eyes.

"Is this related some kind of... isekai?" his voice laced with suspicion.

"Isekai? What is that?" voice faltered.

He opened his mouth to explain, but Deus interjected smoothly, "Isekai is a term used for being transported or reincarnated into another world, sir."

The professor stared at Deus in surprise. "You... know what isekai is?"

Deus met his gaze with a knowing smile. "I lived in the earth for 199 years. Naturally, I've learned a few things."

He's eyes widened, shock evident on his face. "You've lived for 199 years?"

Deus simply nodded, still smiling. "I'm not mortal beings after all."

Cassiel, having absorbed this new knowledge, continued, "So, that's what isekai means..."

Returning to the his question, "Yes, you will be reincarnated into a different world."

His expression darkened with concern. "What kind of world?"

They hesitated. "I cannot reveal everything, but I can share one piece of information."

"Alright," his voice steady. "What is it?"

"The world is called Tartarus—a world ruled by a council of angels."

"Angels? Like you and Deus?" in curiosity.

"No, the angels in that world... different from us."

The professor's mind raced with possibilities. He had one final question, the most important one of all. "What is my purpose in this world?"

Cassiel fell silent, an uneasy pause hanging in the air. His suspicion grew.

Was the purpose too dangerous to reveal?

Finally, Deus spoke, breaking the silence. "You will be the protagonist of that world."

The professor's face hardened at these words. He recalled the trauma that had haunted him, the scars that ran deep.

"You've watched me even before I was born, right?" his tone deadly serious. "I'm sure you know the trauma I carry."

Deus exchanged a look and Cassel fell silent, their silence speaking volumes.

"We know what you've endured." admitted quietly.

"Then why?!" The professor's voice rose in anger, his patience snapping.

But they ignored his outburst, continuing as if it hadn't happened. "And lastly, we cannot guarantee you'll return to your original world."

"I've accepted that I might not return," his voice trembling with barely contained fury. "But why must I be the protagonist of that world?"

The void around them remained silent, the darkness seeming to grow heavier with the weight of his question.