Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142: 017: Time’s Tutor

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What entered his view was a room filled with time.

On the four walls of the room were countless clocks of varying sizes—grandfather clocks, wall clocks, pendulum clocks. The designs were varied, some old, some brand new. At first glance, it seemed as though he had stepped into a clock store.

"Tick-tock! Tick-tock!"

The continuous ticking of the clocks filled the air, creating quite the racket. Lynch looked closely and realized that the times displayed on each clock were all different.

"Come over, don’t waste time."

Just then, an aged voice called out from deeper inside the room. At the farthest end, there was a wooden table, upon which an elderly man sat fiddling with a silver-metal pocket watch.

Lynch hurried over, casting a quick glance at the old man as he moved closer.

As for the first impression the old man gave Lynch... If it could be summarized in one word, that word would be:

Old.

He was incredibly old. His face was covered with wrinkles resembling ancient tree bark, his skin had a dim, greyish-yellow tone dotted with age spots, his hair and beard were white, his deep-set eyes were buried in dark sockets, and every inch of him exuded the wear and tear of countless ages, as if he had weathered an innumerable march of time.

Is this... my mentor?

Lynch was considerably startled. After all, the information he had received stated that Wizard Somda had only been promoted to wizard for a few decades; he should be a relatively young wizard.

It’s important to understand—the time flow of wizards and ordinary people was entirely different. During the apprentice period, each rank advancement brought a substantial replenishment of life force, and upon promotion to wizard, this life force was replenished in even greater magnitude, often leading to rejuvenation.

Even elderly apprentices nearing a hundred years old could experience a return to youth after promoting to wizard, not to mention those talented individuals who ascended early.

Especially for someone like Somda, a fifth-level talent, the records showed he had achieved wizardhood in a mere decade or so. Even without any biological modifications, the life force gained from his promotion should have ensured eternal youth.

Before coming here, Lynch had expected a mentor who might look more like himself—a youthful figure. He truly hadn’t anticipated encountering someone like this old man.

While Lynch was inwardly surprised, the old man began speaking: "Lynch Valen?"

Lynch nodded. "Hello, Master Wizard."

Somda said, "I am your mentor, Somda. From now on, you can simply call me Mentor. I have little regard for formalities."

He’s pretty easygoing.

Lynch felt a spark of goodwill. "Understood, Mentor."

Somda continued, "First, I must apologize to you. I don’t have much time to teach you, so under my tutelage, you won’t often receive guidance. Everything will have to rely on you."

Uh... Well, that was blunt.

Somda added, "However, besides time, I can provide you with whatever resources I am able to offer. You can freely use this laboratory. Likewise, you may collect all the benefits entitled to a Netta apprentice."

"Additionally, if you’re determined to learn something, the room over there contains the books I’ve collected. Feel free to browse them. If you manage to read through all of them, then perhaps we’ll have the opportunity for deeper discussions."

He pointed toward a room not far away.

"Cuckoo! Cuckoo!"

At that moment, a wall clock chimed, and a mechanical cuckoo bird popped out.

Somda glanced at the clock, then stood up. "I have to leave."

After saying that, he put away the pocket watch and headed to a room on his left, pulling the door open quickly.

Strangely enough, though the lighting in this place was plenty bright, Lynch could not make out the contents inside that room. It appeared distorted, like some kind of peculiar space.

Standing at the doorway, Somda spoke to Lynch with a serious tone. "I usually stay in this laboratory conducting experiments. You must remember this—this place is extremely dangerous. Unless you see the clocks here stop ticking, otherwise..."

He emphasized with greater force, "Under no circumstances should you approach. Otherwise, you could lose a significant amount of time. Remember this clearly, do you?"

Lynch nodded. "I understand, Mentor."

Somda nodded in return. "Well then, Lynch, my apprentice, I hope I’ll still see you the next time I emerge. Farewell."