Ancient Forest, Southern Border, Time Forest.

The once vibrant edge of the forest now presents a strange and dangerous scene.

An area of about several hundred meters in the forest is completely shrouded by a visible force field, refracting light like twisted glass.

The trees within the force field have bizarre shapes; some branches grow and wither at a speed visible to the naked eye, while others are frozen in a moment of collapse, as if time has lost its uniform scale there. The air is filled with a low hum, like numerous clocks running out of sync, unsettling to the heart.

Outside the force field, a dozen or so Wizards from the Tavendish family, dressed in tattered robes, gather together. Their faces mix fatigue, sorrow, and unmistakable fear. No one dares to approach the area wrapped in distorted time, only nervously watching it, as if staring at a monster devouring everything.

Shirley also stands among them, appearing calmer than the others, but her clenched fist reveals her inner anxiety. She looks at a slightly older Male Witch beside her, with a fresh scar on his face, and asks again with a subtle tremor in her voice:

"Are you sure... Miss Avery, is she in there?"

The Tavendish Wizard named Keller nods heavily, his eyes full of helplessness and regret: "That's right. When Starshine Castle was breached, Miss Avery... was severely injured, but still, with her last strength, she activated the family's secret Transmission Array and escaped back to our Tavendish temporary base."

He takes a deep breath and continues to recall the desperate journey: "Later... the pursuers from the Freemasonry Church found us. We were forced to cover Miss Avery as we fled, ultimately being cornered here... There was really no way out at that time."

"Seeing the pursuers approaching, Lord Osiris of the family... he used the family's inherited taboo item—the 'Hourglass of Time'!"

The Hourglass of Time is a mysterious Witchcraft tool that the Tavendish family inadvertently discovered early in the Ancient Forest, said to be an item that reached the Fourth-tier Rules level.

However, the conditions for using this tool are extremely demanding, requiring at least the same Rule Level to use, and using it recklessly could incur unknown risks. After several activations that resulted in considerable losses, no family Wizard has attempted to activate it over the years.

"The Hourglass of Time?!" Shirley gasps, her eyes filled with disbelief, "That legendary Rule Magic Tool... it really exists? And not a legend fabricated in the family's secret texts?"

"It does exist." Keller's voice is dry. He raises his hand, pointing to the distorted force field, with awe and fear in his tone, "This twisted forest in front of us is the scene caused by the forced activation of the 'Hourglass of Time'."

"It is said that it requires at least Rule level strength to safely harness, otherwise... the consequences are unpredictable. Over the thousands of years, no one in the family has been able to truly control it... Lord Osiris... was resolute in his decision to face death..."

Shirley's heart plummets. Her primary concern is that person's safety: "Then... how is Miss Avery now? Do you have any way to contact her? Or... enter?"

Keller shakes his head painfully, his voice suppressed: "We tried... sent three groups, all of them the bravest family members. But... anyone who even got close to the edge of that force field had their time instantly distorted."

"Some people aged rapidly before our eyes, turning into skeletons; others simply... disappeared, as if erased from the timeline. Until now... no one has been able to enter, nor has any message come from inside."

A hopeless atmosphere permeates among the survivors.

Just then, a sudden burst of hurried and terrified shouts breaks the heavy silence among the crowd:

"A dragon! Look in the sky! It's a dragon!"

"This pressure... is it the legendary giant dragon?! It's coming towards us!"

Shirley sharply lifts her head, following the crowd's terrified gaze.

A massive shadow, covered in dark red scales, is tearing through the clouds, diving from high above with an overwhelming presence! Its terrifying head, enormous leathery wings, and the scorching dragon aura it exudes all declare its identity as a top predator.

And on the dragon's head and neck, a familiar figure sits steadily, his gray Witch Robe fluttering fiercely in the wind.

It's Lynch!

The Flame Dragon Parker folds its giant membrane wings, descending slowly with the heavy sound of the wind and hot airstreams onto the forest clearing. Its frightening form and majestic dragon power instinctively cause the Tavendish members present to step back a few paces, faces filled with awe and reverence.

Many faces in the crowd are not unfamiliar to Lynch; they were former regulars of Avery Castle or vassals of the Tavendish family.

At this moment, those who might have privately considered him a "fortunate apprentice clinging to Avery" now witness his majestically controlling the giant dragon and feel the massive force field that remains immense even when deliberately restrained, revealing extremely complex emotions—

Astonishment that defies belief, deep reverence born from strength, and an indelible mix of embarrassment and realization.

Leading the group, Wizard Keller suppresses his inner turmoil, stepping forward quickly. He places his right hand on his chest, giving Lynch, who leapt down from the dragon's back, a deep, solemn Wizard's bow, more respectful than when facing the family elder.

Lynch's gaze sweeps over everyone and finally rests on Keller, a peaceful smile on his face, with a hint of long-awaited reunion in his tone: "It's been a long time, Wizard Keller."

Keller's body trembles slightly, he suddenly lifts his head, his eyes filled with disbelief: "You... you remember me?"

Lynch's smile remains congenial, as if mentioning a trivial matter: "Of course, I remember. Back when I stayed temporarily at Avery's castle, I once asked you about the interpretation of an ancient rune, and you kindly and patiently explained. This kindness, I naturally remember."

These seemingly casual words cause an indescribably warm and thrilling sensation to surge through Keller's heart.

He never expected that Lynch, who has clearly ascended to the pinnacle with his power and status, would still remember such an insignificant connection from back then and mention it so modestly. This is vastly different from those Wizards he recalls, who look down on others once they gain a little power.

Lynch doesn't let this sentimental atmosphere linger; he quickly restrains his smile and turns his gaze to the twisted and eerie Time Forest, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable focus: "Let's catch up later. For now, tell me in detail about the situation inside."

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