During the morning magic theory class, Sophia's feather quill absentmindedly sketched out data flow diagrams on the parchment. Last night's encounter had confirmed her growing suspicion—this world was being invaded by forces beyond the system's control.
"System, retrieve the original parameters for the First Chronomancer," she commanded silently.
A blue holographic screen unfolded, only to suddenly distort into garbled code before displaying a single line in blood-red text:
[Access Denied. Data has been encrypted.]
"How interesting." Sophia narrowed her eyes. As the designer, she knew better than anyone—when the system began to block her, it meant the answer was critically important.
Lucien's figure appeared at the classroom doorway, silver hair cascading loosely over his shoulder, a hefty ancient tome in hand. His gaze swept the room, pausing only when it landed on Sophia.
"Professor Mortimer had an unexpected matter to attend to," he said, voice calm as still water. "I'll be teaching today's class."
The students stirred with excitement. But Sophia noticed something else—on Lucien's left wrist, the time-anchor rune glowed even brighter than yesterday, and the system reported:
[Target Status: Magic Overload (27%)][Warning: Temporal interference detected]
After class, Lucien blocked her path as she prepared to leave.
"You offered an insightful take on The Paradox of Temporal Magic," he said, handing her an embossed invitation. "My research group could use your perspective."
The moment Sophia accepted it, the system flashed a notification:
[Special Event Triggered: Starfall Research Group (Normally unlocked at Affection Level 80+)][Linked Hidden Quest: Uncover the Academy's Underground Secret]
As she looked up, she saw Lucien's gaze resting on the designer's insignia pinned at her collar—an item that had unexpectedly manifested when she attempted to summon the system interface that morning, despite not existing within the game.
"Seven o'clock tonight. Top floor of the Starfall Tower," he said. His fingertip brushed over the insignia, sending a faint shimmer through it. "Don't bring any recording devices."
As he turned and walked away, his silver hair gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Just then, Sophia's system received a new encrypted message:
[Beware the one in amethyst crystal heels. — ???]
In the academy library's restricted section, Sophia was poring over temporal magic tomes when a black-leather-bound book slipped from between the shelves. She'd never seen it before. Opening the first page, she found aged parchment inked in dark red:
"When the Creator descends, the Seven Seals shall shatter one by one."
Between the pages was an ancient map, illustrating the academy's subterranean labyrinth in its entirety—including a crimson corridor she was certain she'd never designed.
"Found something interesting?"
Sophia snapped the book shut. Bianca had appeared behind her without a sound, the heels of her amethyst crystal shoes glinting eerily in the moonlight—just like the warning described.
"Just some dull historical notes," Sophia replied smoothly, quietly initiating a system scan.
[Target Analysis Complete][Anomaly Detected: Signs of Mental Manipulation (Source: ???)]
Bianca's smile twisted grotesquely. "You think you're special? You're just another replaceable variable." Her finger glided along the bookshelf—and in an instant, the tomes morphed into squirming black masses.
The entire restricted section began to warp. The walls oozed with a bloodlike liquid.
Sophia quickly traced a purification rune from the game in the air, but this time—nothing happened.
[Error: Insufficient Permissions][Designer Skills Temporarily Locked]
Just as the darkness was about to consume her, an ice wall erupted between them, halting the black tendrils in their tracks. Lucien stood at the corridor's end, staff in hand, a murderous gleam in his eye Sophia had never seen before.
"Leave."
One word. Yet it struck Bianca like a thunderclap. She staggered backward. Her heels shattered into dust, and she collapsed unconscious.
The top floor of the Starfall Tower was far more complex than its in-game design. The walls were covered in charts monitoring spatial rifts. At the center hovered a crystal orb, displaying real-time views of every corner of the academy—including the supposedly hidden underground chamber.
"You've been watching," Sophia said quietly.
"And you've been investigating things better left buried," Lucien replied, lighting a silver candlestick. The firelight revealed the weariness etched into his brow. "Do you know why the arena golems went berserk?"
He pulled back his sleeve, revealing the anchor rune creeping up his arm like a spreading infection. "Every time you use your designer privileges, this world pushes back."
Suddenly, the candlelight turned a sickly green. Sophia's system screen flashed open on its own, revealing a line of code she'd never written:
if (user == "Creator") then
World.Corruption += 1
end
"Someone's using your access to accelerate this world's collapse," Lucien said, touching the crystal orb. The view shifted to the depths below—where a massive cocoon of black ichor throbbed ominously.
"And Mortimer… is just one of its puppets."
Late that night in her dorm, Sophia used enchanted ink to sketch data flow diagrams across the walls. Suddenly, the system emitted a piercing alarm:
[Warning! Final Boss Activation Progress: 50%+][Original Plotline Deviation: 39% → 67%]
A mechanical bird tapped at the window. Sophia opened it and took the metal scroll from its beak. Inside was a sheet of coded text—in a communication format that had never existed in the game.
Decoding it made her blood run cold:
"Four of the Seven Seals have now broken. When the Creator touches the truth, the Gate shall open. — O"
The academy map on her desk began to seep with blood, which slowly traced an arrow pointing toward the venue of tomorrow's tournament finals.