CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER 83: ENDLESS TIME OF CHAMBER

Morning came, Richard slowly opened his eyes to a chamber pulsing with a calm aura. The air felt heavier here; it was warm, soothing, and yet charged with an ancient magic buzzing on his skin, like invisible sparks. He inhaled deeply, and the familiar scent of stone, moss, and that strange energy peculiar to the cave filled his lungs.

Akumo sat cross-legged near him, eyes closed, apparently meditating or listening for something buried deep beneath the ground. His old, wrinkled face was calmer than usual, though the faint green tubes on his back still pulsed with their rhythmic flow of energy.

Richard rubbed his forehead. "Lord Akumo... can I ask something?

Akumo didn’t open his eyes, but his voice came, low and commanding, softly echoing. "Ask, boy. Morning questions clear the mind-unless they are foolish ones."

Richard hesitated and said, "Where... exactly is this cave? From the day I woke up, I never understood what place this is. Why have you been living here for so long?"

Akumo opened one eye, glanced at Richard, then sighed sharply. "So your curiosity finally awakens. Fine. Listen carefully. This place..." —he tapped the ground with his palm— "is no normal cave. It is a Time Loop Chamber."

Richard blinked. "A... time loop?"

Akumo nodded once. "Yes. Built by unique magicians, the kind you don’t see in any age. They created this chamber deep under the earth—a place where time bends, folds, and listens. A place where a human can live beyond death... if his body can endure the magic."

Richard leaned forward. "You’ve lived here for... how long?"

Akumo smirked in his old proud way. "Over three hundred years, fool. And don’t look at me like that. I did not choose to wrinkle like dry bark. The system works differently in every body."

Richard frowned. "But... how is it possible to live this long? You don’t look like someone who should even stand up."

Akumo grunted. "Hmph, that is because you don’t understand the ventilation system. Sit properly and listen."

Richard straightened immediately.

Akumo raised his hand and, pointing at the glowing tubes attached to his back, said, "This is no mere pipe nor any tool; this constitutes the life-binding system made by ancient elders. It gathers the purest energy from nature and the elements: earth, water, fire, wind. All of it flows into these tubes, then into my cells."

Richard’s eyes widened. "It feeds... your cells?"

"Yes. Nature’s energy fluid," Akumo said with a voice heavy with memory. "The system sends it into the body. It heals every disease instantly. It blocks any poison. It stops wounds from killing the user."

"And... does it stop aging?" asked Richard.

Akumo clicked his tongue. "It freezes age for some people. But not for everyone. My body—once too powerful for its own good—could not be frozen fully. That is why I have become old while still living beyond human years."

Richard stared at him in amazement. "So not everyone can survive in this chamber?"

"Of course not." Akumo’s voice hardened. "Only certain species, certain bloodlines, and certain chosen individuals can live here. Others burn out or vanish. I am one of the few who adapted."

Only then did Richard realize how dangerous and sacred this place was. He looked around the chamber: smooth walls, strange glowing marks, energy streams flowing around him. It felt like standing inside an ancient artifact that was alive.

But another thought tugged his mind.

"Lord Akumo." Richard said in a low tone. "I haven’t seen Raviel since I woke. Where is he? Did something happen?"

Akumo raised an eyebrow, smirking in satisfaction. "He is safe; I returned him to his world.

Richard almost jumped. "You—what!? You sent him back and didn’t tell me?"

"You were unconscious, fool," Akumo said. "Your condition was unstable. Raviel had his duties, and I had mine."

Richard’s annoyance showed in his tightened fist. "Still...he just left without anything said.

Akumo waved his hand dismissively. "You will see him again soon. You think he is truly gone? No. Today is different. Today you continue your training of spirit aura. And to do that—" He grinned wickedly. "—I will summon Raviel through your body."

Richard froze. "Wait... what?"

Akumo nodded like it was the simplest thing in the world. "You heard me. Today you will witness how strong your link with me truly is. With our spirit connection, I can summon Raviel’s essence directly. To do it... I must use your body."

Richard’s heart skipped a beat with excitement. "You mean-I’ll use your power... for real?"

Akumo smirked. "Yes, boy, for the first time properly."

A surge of thrill ran through Richard’s chest. He grinned like a child handed a legendary treasure.

"I’ve been waiting for this moment," he admitted.

Akumo stood, stretched his old back slowly, and said, "Calm that eagerness. Power respects discipline. Before you summon anything, you first have to learn the balance of our spirit aura.

Richard nodded rapidly. "Yes! Tell me what to do."

Akumo stepped closer and placed two fingers on Richard’s forehead. A cold spark shot through Richard’s mind. His breath caught, and for a moment, the world blurred.

"Feel it," Akumo murmured. "The shared aura. My spirit resting in your body."

With this, Richard felt a strange swirl of energy inside him, a second heartbeat that was ancient and heavy but somehow comforting.

Akumo spoke again. "This power is not a tool; it’s a presence. When you call it, I awaken within you. When I summon through you, you lend me your strength. You must learn to remain conscious, stable, and focused."

Richard clenched his jaw. "I can handle it."

"We’ll see," Akumo said. "Let’s begin."

Richard stood firm as Akumo lifted his hand, laying it against Richard’s back in light pressure, right over the seal that Raviel had placed earlier. And then Richard felt warmth-no, more than warmth. It was something akin to a surge of wind and fire mixed together.

Akumo whispered, "Now breathe. Feel the aura coil inside. Let me enter your spirit link."

Richard breathed in deeply. His sight dimmed a moment, then brightened to a vivid wash of silver light. It was as though another person stood inside him, directing his muscles, steadying his bones.

Akumo’s voice echoed in his mind. Good. You’re steady. Keep it that way.

Richard couldn’t help smiling. "It... feels incredible."

"Focus," Akumo snapped. "If you lose control, you will collapse like a newborn goat."

Richard straightened immediately.

Akumo’s spirit strengthened within him. He felt older, heavier, stronger-like ancient power flowed through his veins.

"Now," Akumo said, "I will summon Raviel from your spiritual gate. Prepare yourself."

Richard braced himself.

Akumo raised both hands. The cave dimmed for a moment. Sparks danced in the air, coiling into a vortex behind Richard. Strange symbols floated around them, glowing with burning silver.

A low humming noise pervaded the chamber.

Richard felt his body go wild with heat as Akumo’s spirit stirred to life inside of him.

Then—

A flash of silver light burst outward; energy rushed like storm winds.

Richard gasped but stood his ground.

From the smoke emerged the form of Raviel, first a silhouette, then a flowing cloak, finally glowing eyes.

He descended softly to the floor of the cave.

Raviel exhaled softly and bowed slightly toward Akumo and Richard. "I have returned... as you summoned."

Richard stared, speechless with amazement.

Akumo folded his arms, a satisfied grin on his old face. "See? Through spirit link, anything becomes possible." Richard couldn’t stop smiling. "This... this is unbelievable." Akumo nodded slowly. "Good. Now the real training begins." And with Raviel back, the chamber pulsed with fresh power, setting the stage for the next step of their journey.

Then Akumo lifted his hand and motioned Richard to step forward. The air inside the chamber stilled, as if even the cave itself waited for what would happen next. Richard exhaled, clearing his mind, and placed both hands on his chest where the sealing mark faintly glowed.

"Good," Akumo said. "Now open the spirit gate. I will do the rest."

Richard nodded and closed his eyes. The moment he focused, a soft white aura rose from his body like mist. Akumo walked behind him, pressing his palm against the center of Richard’s back. The old warrior inhaled deeply, letting his own spirit coil and rise like a serpent awakening after ages of rest.

A surge of power rippled through the cave.

Akumo’s aura seeped into Richard’s body, merging through the spirit link they had built with such struggle and sacrifice. Richard gritted his teeth—but he held firm, guiding the flow inward. Akumo’s voice echoed inside him, calm yet fierce, Good... keep it open. Do not resist me.

The moment the link sealed fully, Akumo awakened inside.

Richard felt it instantly—an enormous presence filling his limbs, steadying his breath, strengthening his heartbeat. His senses sharpened as if his eyes had shifted into another lifetime.

Akumo laughed through Richard’s lips—a deep, youthful sound that didn’t belong to the old man at all.

"So this... this is what a fresh body feels like." His voice rumbled with excitement. "My strength... my balance... my aura—everything feels like my prime again."

Richard’s consciousness hovered beside him, stunned. You sound... younger.

"And I feel younger," Akumo replied, stretching Richard’s fingers with fascination. "I had forgotten the rush of raw vitality. With this body, I could—"

He stopped.

His voice cut abruptly, like something unseen had seized his words.

Richard felt the sudden tension.

"Lord Akumo...? What’s wrong?"