The time quickly arrived at the appointed day.
Uther brought Ron to the Ritual Room he had been preparing for a long time, and connected with the other two participants.
The surface of the Time Mirror roiled like bubbling mercury.
The first figure solidified first, accompanied by the rustling sound of ancient pages turning.
It was a burly middle-aged man with a meticulously trimmed gray-white beard.
He wore a deep blue Wizard’s Robe with a classical style, the fabric finely crafted.
The most eye-catching was the peculiar ornament hanging from his waist.
Seven Ancient Coins from different eras, each emitting unique magic power fluctuations, representing the currency system of a vanished civilization.
"Finally, I can once again sense the breath of the material world..."
Gould took a deep breath.
"The slumber in the Specimen Library may be peaceful, but..."
He gently stroked the Ancient Coins on his chest, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes:
"It indeed makes one nostalgic for this sense of reality. Sometimes, I even doubt which is more real, those dreams or memories."
As he spoke, he looked around the Ritual Room with interest, his gaze lingering momentarily on the historical runes, showing a scholarly disdain:
"Not a bad setup, Uther. Though not as precise as the pinnacle works of the ’Time Hall’ back then, it’s adequate for our needs today."
The second figure’s solidification process was much slower.
The light gathered with a disconcerting pressure, as if some colossal being was waking from the void.
Although the embodiment of the Eye of Observation appeared humanoid, its entire face was dominated by a giant single eye, as large as a basin, with irises of deep golden hue.
This eye continually rotated, its pupils suddenly contracting or dilating, seemingly observing countless different dimensions and timelines simultaneously.
Whenever the eye turned in a direction, the person being stared at felt a fear of being completely seen through.
"Uther..."
The voice of the Eye of Observation remained husky, but clearer than when transmitted through the mirror:
"It’s quite difficult to reunite in such a manner once again. I remember the last time the three of us gathered; wasn’t that... a thousand years ago?"
His immense lone eye slowly turned towards Ron, the pupil suddenly contracting to needlepoint size, conducting a thorough examination.
Ron immediately felt a discomfort akin to an X-ray scan.
"Young man, are you the Primordial Wizard we went to such lengths for?"
The Eye of Observation’s tone carried a scrutinizing air from above, yet not of malice, more like an elder’s concern for a junior:
"Interesting... I can sense a very particular... equilibrium in you. This is indeed rare among cultivators of the Path of Truth."
Ron suppressed the discomfort of the in-depth scan, maintaining a respectful posture:
"Yes, elder. Thank you very much for being willing to assist Eve’s treatment."
"Your manners are indeed commendable..." The Eye of Observation slightly squinted, its pupil expanding as if expressing some sort of approval:
"I hope your strength and wisdom match such courtesy. After all, I’ve seen too many young people with etiquette but lacking true value."
At that moment, Gould suddenly interjected, taking down a green-sheen Ancient Coin from his waist, tossing it lightly in his hand:
"Speaking of manners... young man, since you claim to have a solid foundation in historical studies, why don’t you tell me about the origin of this Ancient Coin?"
He tossed the Ancient Coin lightly to Ron, seemingly casually, but with scrutiny in his eyes.
Ron caught the coin steadily, immediately sensing the deep historical weight contained within.
He inspected the patterns on the coin’s surface carefully—the front depicted a female warrior with a sword, the background a burning city; the reverse showed a serpentine giant snake coiled in a circle.
"This is... the war currency from the end of the First Era, from the ’Green Copper Empire’."
Ron’s eyes showed contemplation, historical knowledge from his memory emerging, his fingers lightly brushing the coin’s surface:
"The female warrior on the front should be their guardian deity, ’Mother of Vengeance’, Alice."
He paused, his gaze becoming more focused:
"The serpentine giant snake on the reverse represents the concept of ’Eternal Cycle’—the belief of the Green Copper people that death is merely another form of beginning, which was also their spiritual support to persist till the end."
Gould’s eyes showed approval: "Continue."
"According to historical records, after the Green Copper Empire’s defeat in the final war, they cast all ordinary currency into this war currency, attempting to extend resistance through economic means."
Ron’s tone became more serious:
"The ancient text on the reverse, if I’m not mistaken, should translate from ancient Green Copper language as ’Rather break into pieces, than remain whole’—but a more accurate translation should be ’Soul immortal, belief eternal’."
Gould’s beard revealed a satisfied smile:
"Absolutely correct! And you even know the more precise translation, seems Uther didn’t exaggerate your historical prowess."
He turned to the Eye of Observation:
"How about it, old senior? This kid’s historical literacy is fairly decent, isn’t it? Much better than those young wizards who only know how to wield magic wands, right?"
The Eye of Observation rotated slightly, refocusing its pupil back on Ron:
"Indeed, not bad. At least it proves there are still people in this era willing to truly study history, not just be content with superficial legends."
Its tone carried a certain comfort: "However, the true test is yet to come."