Morning Star, Radiant Moon, Breaking Dawn

"First of all, about myself, you can consider me a basic intelligence born from an artifact."

The Shapeshifter began to explain:

"Also, I need to recharge by killing living beings to harvest their soul energy. That's why the previous personality was running a robbery crew in Lizard Alley."

Robb nodded. This matched his suspicions.

"Because I require regular rest and maintaining a mercenary team is costly," the Shapeshifter continued, "I don't have much in savings. Altogether, I only have ten complete magic stones. They're all yours now."

An unexpected windfall of ten magic stones! That alone was enough to make him overjoyed.

The Shapeshifter pointed to the storage box Robb had brought back earlier:

"In addition to the magic stones, there's a special item you can use."

Robb curiously opened the storage box, which could completely block magical fluctuations. Inside was a palm-sized piece of dark silvery-gray metal.

"What is this?"

Robb carefully picked up the metal block, feeling the mysterious energy within.

"Soulsteel," the Shapeshifter's mechanical voice carried a hint of reverence.

"An extremely rare extraordinary material. Weapons forged from it have incredible plasticity and can change form freely according to the wielder's needs."

Robb's eyes widened. "How valuable is it?"

"Incalculable," the Shapeshifter replied.

"In the Dwarven Confederation, this piece of Soulsteel could buy a city. Even using magic stones as a measuring unit, it's hard to estimate its value accurately."

Robb carefully placed the Soulsteel back into the storage box, already pondering how to make use of this precious material.

"Also, about the Sand of Time," the Shapeshifter continued.

"It is indeed the key material for activating the Timekeeper's Pocket Watch. But true Sand of Time is extremely rare, only formed in areas with abnormal time flow."

"And that small bottle I gave you is a collection accumulated over many years. It's enough for preliminary experiments, but not enough to fully activate the pocket watch."

Robb's thoughts shifted to the problem of the Sand of Time.

He stared at the bottle filled with golden grains shimmering with strange light, a flood of questions rising in his heart.

"I have a lot of questions about the Sand of Time. First, how is it formed?"

The Shapeshifter seemed to have anticipated the question.

"This involves some information you might've heard of."

"Have you heard of the 'Bloodline Altar' recently?"

Robb raised an eyebrow, surprised the Shapeshifter brought it up.

"I have. It's said to be a mysterious place hidden within some extradimensional rift around here."

"It's more than just a mysterious place."

The Shapeshifter's mechanical voice grew lower.

"The Bloodline Altar is actually a temporal projection from an ancient world, a fragment of frozen history. The Sand of Time forms within this unique environment, as the trace of time itself."

Robb's eyes lit up. "You're saying that the Sand of Time you gave me came from the Bloodline Altar?"

"Exactly. Whenever the Crystal Spire and the Black Mist Order open the Bloodline Altar, the previous personality would secretly send subordinates to collect the scattered time fragments during the opening process."

Its mechanical voice carried a hint of helplessness:

"But this is no easy task. Each operation costs enormous manpower, and the returns are extremely limited. The small bottle in your hands is the sum total of several decades of accumulation."

Robb thoughtfully observed the golden grains in the bottle.

Under the light, they seemed to flow like liquid, as if each grain held countless micro-fragments of time.

"What exactly is the Bloodline Altar? Can you explain it in more detail?"

The Shapeshifter could only express regret:

"Unfortunately, I don't know much about the altar's specifics. As a rare artifact, I'm bound to a small area around Lizard Alley and can't enter the extradimensional rift myself."

"I can only rely on the descriptions of those subordinates who escaped back, and..."

The Shapeshifter paused. "And the terrifying aura that spreads here every time the altar is opened."

"Terrifying aura?" Robb caught the phrase immediately.

The Shapeshifter's form seemed to tremble slightly.

"It's an aura that makes all living things shudder. Even from a great distance, it fills me with primal fear… It's the aura of a Breaking Dawn Mage."

A flash of doubt crossed Robb's eyes. "Breaking Dawn? I've never heard of that classification."

"That's a tier beyond the true sorcerer rank."

The Shapeshifter explained: "In ascending order of power, the tiers are Morning Star Mage, Radiant Moon Mage, Breaking Dawn Mage. Beyond that is the legendary Arch-Mage level, which is beyond my understanding."

Robb silently absorbed the information, once again expanding his understanding of the extraordinary world.

"The strongest in the Black Mist Order is only the vice dean, reportedly a Radiant Moon Mage."

The Shapeshifter added, "But the Crystal Spire sends a Breaking Dawn Mage each time to personally lead the expedition to the Bloodline Altar."

"How destructive is a Breaking Dawn Mage?" Robb couldn't help but ask.

"In terms of pure destructive power, a Breaking Dawn Mage using advanced magical techniques could evaporate a thousand kilometers of sea, or sink a medium-sized continent."

There was a trace of awe in the Shapeshifter's voice: "If that Crystal Spire mage went all out, this entire region, including human kingdoms and various non-human territories, could be reduced to ashes in an instant."

Robb couldn't help but gasp.

Such terrifying power was beyond his imagination.

If a Breaking Dawn Mage could destroy continents, how powerful must an Arch-Mage be, someone whose very existence was a different order of life?

As described in books, they might shatter stars or manipulate entire galaxies.

But this only strengthened his conviction about the Bloodline Altar's value, if beings that powerful personally guarded it, it must contain unimaginable opportunities.

"The Crystal Spire places such importance on the Bloodline Altar," Robb said firmly, "then I must find a way to gain entry."

The Shapeshifter agreed:

"With your talent and potential, plus the resources you now hold, earning a spot is not impossible. But even if you enter, you must remain cautious. A place guarded by a Breaking Dawn Mage must hold equivalent danger."

Robb thought for a moment, then asked:

"Do you know how to best use the Sand of Time to activate the pocket watch?"

"I only know it's the key material, but the exact activation method..." the Shapeshifter shook its head.

"You'll have to figure that out. But since the pocket watch has already responded to you, I believe you'll find the way."

Robb picked up the small bottle, observing the golden grains inside, thoughts racing.

Acquiring more Sand of Time from the Bloodline Altar to fully activate the Timekeeper's Pocket Watch, that would be one of his next major goals.

The Shapeshifter paused and added:

"As a pre-programmed auxiliary system, I will assist you in exploring the truth of this world, seeking out more rare artifacts, and unlocking their powers."

Robb nodded, his gaze falling on the Time Sand and the storage box containing the Soulsteel, already planning his next steps.

With the Bloodline Altar's opening drawing near, he had to accelerate his preparations to be ready for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Shapeshifter patiently answered all his questions before casually adding:

"I can sense the general vicinity of other rare artifacts. If I detect any nearby, I'll notify you."

"Now, I must rest. If you need anything, just call..."

With that, the Shapeshifter transformed into a mass of silver liquid and reattached to Robb's skin, quickly entering a dormant state.

Like a nearly undetectable membrane, it perfectly hid beneath his skin.

Robb took a deep breath and looked at the storage box and Sand of Time on the table, feeling a faint sense of satisfaction.

Today's gains far exceeded expectations. Not only did he obtain powerful protection and disguise capabilities, but also the key material to activate the pocket watch, and the priceless Soulsteel.

...

In the following days, Robb fully immersed himself in researching the Sand of Time.

In the workshop's most hidden lab, he cautiously experimented with different ways to unlock more functions of the pocket watch.

"According to the transcendent analysis results, the watch needs time-attribute energy. Once charged, it will unlock new functions..."

Robb muttered, fingers brushing over the black gemstone on the watch.

He tried the most straightforward approach, sprinkling the Sand of Time directly onto the watch. No reaction.

Next, he placed the grains inside the watch's mechanical structure. Still no effect.

"Maybe it needs some kind of medium?"

He pondered, gaze falling on his fingertips.

Last time the watch activated after his blood dripped onto the gem. It also seemed the watch had some form of sentience, not a mere tool.

He decided to try again. With a small knife, he pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the Sand of Time.

The moment blood touched the grains, they became active, glittering like micro-stars, his blood apparently contained special properties.

"There's a reaction!"

Robb perked up and carefully poured the blood-stained Sand of Time onto the watch's black gemstone.

The gem immediately lit up with a strange red glow, like a starving beast smelling blood.

The watch began to hum softly, its internal gears spinning faster.

Robb felt a jolt in his heart, as if countless needles pricked it at once.

It wasn't painful, rather, it felt strangely intimate, like the watch was bonding with him.

[Time Sand detected.]

[Absorbing energy.]

[Current energy level: 15/15]

"It's working!" Robb was thrilled by the prompt and quickly repeated the process with more Sand of Time.

Each addition made the watch's hum louder and the gemstone's glow more intense.

[Energy level: 20/20]

[Energy level: 30/30]

[Energy full. New function unlocked: Temporal Stasis]

As the last batch of sand was absorbed, the watch subtly changed.

New intricate patterns emerged on its once-plain dial, and tiny star-like marks formed a ring around the gemstone, like a miniature constellation map.

"Temporal Stasis..." Robb whispered the name, heart pounding.

It sounded like a powerful ability, far beyond simple state resets.

[Temporal Stasis: Target enters a state of suspended motion, rendering them immobile and reducing their defense.]

[Energy drain: 10 points per second]

[Activation phrase: 'Bite the second hand!']

[Effective against: Anything below Arch-Mage level]

"This..." Robb inhaled sharply, stunned.

Being able to freeze anything below Arch-Mage level meant that even facing a Breaking Dawn Mage, he'd have a sliver of survival.

But he needed to test it.

Robb retrieved a transparent glass cage with lab mice.

He took one out, placed it on the table, and focused on the watch.

"Bite the second hand!"

As the phrase left his lips, the gemstone burst with sharp black light and struck the curious mouse.

Instantly, it froze mid-motion, as if sealed in clear amber.

Its posture was lifelike, tail curled, paw raised, but utterly still, not even breathing.

[Temporal Stasis active. Energy draining.]

Robb held his breath and prodded the mouse gently.

Surprisingly, the mouse couldn't move but still squeaked faintly in response to the touch.

"I see, it only freezes movement and offensive ability, not complete time stop."

Robb nodded, then deactivated the function.

[Temporal Stasis deactivated. Energy used: 10]

The mouse resumed moving, panicked and darting until Robb gently returned it to the cage.

"Only three seconds max with 30 energy points..." Robb calculated.

"But even three seconds can decide life and death in a critical moment."

He stroked the watch, feeling its growing power.

The Timekeeper's Pocket Watch was becoming more formidable, and this was likely just the beginning.

With that thought, Robb began sketching out his future plans.

In his mental library, he opened a new shelf and recorded:

"First, visit the slave market next week to acquire various non-human embryos and begin practical bloodline modulation research. This is key for refining the chimera bloodline and advancing Valeenwood's evolution."

He paused, then added:

"Second, accelerate spellcraft and alchemy research, especially completing the Radiant Ring and studying Soulsteel applications. Raise my status in the school and climb the Wizard Reserve's ranks, paving the way to secure a spot for the Bloodline Altar."

"No matter what, I must become a High Apprentice within six months. That's critical for access to resources and authority."

Robb opened his eyes and exhaled slowly.

Time was short, but he had a better starting point than most apprentices.

His infinite class slots were becoming more and more valuable, the synergy across professions allowed astonishing growth in multiple fields.

Add in the Timekeeper's Pocket Watch and the Shapeshifter's Skin, two rare and powerful artifacts, and the soon-to-begin bloodline modulation...

"The path is set. All that remains is to walk it steadily."