The Varr Pocket Dimension was not a place built for life, but for study. It existed outside the primary Aetheric current of Eldoria, making it utterly unreadable by any scrying technique. The air was cool, dry, and permeated with a subtle, constant low-level Aether—a residual energy left by generations of Varr Archmagi who had used this refuge.
The only physical objects were the cave rock itself, the Codex of Echoes, Kaelen's Obsidian Staff, and Elara's small satchel of supplies. There was no sunrise or sunset; the light remained a constant, soft, pale glow, giving no reference for the passage of time.
Kaelen's first task was recovery. The Phase Shunt Rune had depleted his core, and the Dimensional Lock ritual had left him physically and magically hollowed out. He spent two full cycles—which Elara estimated to be around 48 hours—in a deep, trance-like state, absorbing the ambient Aether of the dimension and stabilizing his core.
Elara used the time to meticulously sort their supplies. They had enough dried rations for perhaps six weeks, and a small, finite supply of fresh water. Resource management here was critical; every drop and every crumb counted, as there was no way to replenish anything.
When Kaelen finally awoke, he was revitalized, his Blue Rank Aether core now humming with a sustained, powerful energy that felt different—purer, untainted by the political strife of the outside world.
"The magic here is different," Kaelen observed, testing the flow with a simple levitation spell. The Aether was less reactive, more obedient. "It removes the distractions and resistance of the natural world, allowing for perfect focus. I could learn a century's worth of magic here in a single year."
He turned to the Codex of Echoes. He opened the scroll to the first chapter, the section detailing the philosophy of the Obsidian Line.
"The Varr were masters of Transfiguration—not just physical changes, but temporal and dimensional alterations," Kaelen explained, tracing a glyph. "The reason they were so feared was not their combat spells, but their ability to change the rules of reality itself. Valerius sought to suppress this lineage, not just my personal power."
He settled cross-legged before the scroll. "My training begins now. I need to master the art of Temporal Scrying—the ability to look forward and backward in the timeline without the chaotic risks of my father's failed spell."
Elara positioned herself opposite him, taking her place as the external anchor. "I am your anchor, Kaelen. I hold the known timeline. When you look into the past or future, I will be the stable reference point to guide you back, and to confirm the changes you see are real."
The long, silent education of the Archmage heir had begun. The only sound was the faint, dry rustle of the obsidian scroll as Kaelen began to turn its pages.