Rise of the Arcane Heir

The Clocktower (4)

[Name: Callum Shaw]

[Stage: Circle (Initiate)]

[Attunements: Light, Water, Air, Dark, Fire, Earth]

[Mana: 37/46] [Expand]

[Arcane: 23/23]

[Light: 4/4]

[Water: 1/6]

[Air: 5/5]

[Dark: 0/2]

[Fire: 4/4]

[Earth: 0/2]

[Power: 4]

[Endurance: 2]

[Charisma: 4]

[Agility: 5]

[Spirit: 6]

[Mysticism: 2]

Callum nodded to himself as he checked his stats. He had managed to raise his fire-related stats by 3 and his air-related ones by 1. Unfortunately, the train had become busier which brought a halt to his training to prevent anyone from noticing the anomalies caused by it.

After arriving in London, they had taken a taxi. Callum had fully expected to be brought to Big Ben considering the organisation was called The Clocktower. However, they stopped outside an old antique shop that nobody glanced at twice.

"Hey, why are we here?" Callum asked Maya as Master Gurung paid the driver. 

"I don't know." Maya shrugged. "It's my first time in London outside of airports."

Callum grimaced when he realised there was nothing to gain by questioning her. He waited quietly until Master Gurung was finished then followed him as he led them inside the shop.

It was dimly lit and had a musty smell to it. Callum was sure he could taste the thick dust in the air as he glanced at several items with curiosity. 

Master Gurung didn't hesitate and led them directly to the counter where he rang the old bell. There was the sound of shuffling from the room behind the counter before a small woman with grey hair tied up in a bun poked her head out.

"I'll be right with you." She said with the kindly voice of a typical grandmother before disappearing again.

"How can I help?" She asked when she returned a few moments later.

"We're here for a collection." Master Gurung replied with a smile. "There are so few of these clocks left and I'm glad you managed to procure it on time."

"Ah, right." The old woman beamed. "It's in the back room. You can take it out through the loading bay. Follow me."

She lifted the top of the counter and opened it to let them through. Callum shivered as soon as walked into the back room. He could feel thick mana of all kinds in the air. What is this place?

The shopkeeper moved past them and hurried among the shelves filled with oddities. A few minutes passed like that and Callum started to have doubts. How can this shop be this big?

It was like a maze back there, and he couldn't help but wonder why they would need so much stuff but not have it on display. Several turns later, the woman stopped in front of a door with a wall-mounted clock over it.

"Your order is right through here." She said with a warm smile as she opened the door.

"Thank you." Master Gurung replied with a polite nod of his head.

Callum's confusion deepened as the woman closed the door behind them, leaving them in a pitch-black hallway. He couldn't see anything in front of him, and could only follow the sound of the others' footsteps.

They seemed to walk for several minutes, and Callum felt like the darkness was smothering him. His paranoia cranked up to eleven as he wondered if they had fallen into a trap. 

However, a moment later, a bright light assaulted his eyes. Callum had to close them to protect them as he heard the sound of numerous people moving back and forth. With a great deal of effort, he forced his eyelids open.

When his eyes adjusted to the light, he was greeted by a miraculous sight. People, normal-looking people, were rushing around in a massive sandstone hallway. Several spiral staircases led to the floors above and below. He couldn't help but stand and stare at the people, most of whom carried books in their arms or wore backpacks.

"Welcome to The Clocktower, Cal." Master Gurung chuckled.

"How?"

That was all he managed to say. A single word but it held the weight of every question he had.

"That was a spatial corridor we just crossed. It's the same magic that allows a structure like this to exist in the heart of London without anyone knowing. Come."

Master Gurung marched forward, drawing the attention of a few passersby. Callum kept looking left and right. His already growing passion for magic was further ignited by the marvel he was standing inside.

He clearly heard several foreign languages as they made their way up the nearest staircase. How can they understand each other? Callum wondered as he heard a group having a natural conversation but counted what he thought to be five different languages. 

Even though he was amazed by that, the next floor took his breath away. It was even bigger than where they arrived and was a gigantic square room. Each wall had a transparent clock face on it that allowed anyone to see the skyline outside.

Callum gulped as he held back the urge to rush up and take a good look outside. He had to force his feet to continue the climb behind Maya as his mind wandered to what the classrooms must be like. I have to go here!

Another two floors passed that were filled with corridors and doors before Master Gurung stopped their ascension to traverse a long, single hallway on the next floor. 

On the walls to his left and right were glass containers that displayed books and old parchments. Callum wondered as to their significance as they approached a thick oak door. The only one he had seen on the entire floor.

Master Gurung paused outside of it before clearing his throat. He glanced at Maya before staring at Cal.

"No matter what is said beyond this door you must not say anything unless you are spoken to. Failure to do so could see your magical education end here and now. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Master Gurung." Callum bowed his head to show how sincere he was and that he grasped the situation.

"Good."

Master Gurung knocked on the door three times before clasping his hands behind his back. Before long, a clear feminine voice called out from the other side.

"Come in."