Imperial Academy.
Clock Tower.
The colossal structure pierced the clouds of the academy dimension, its massive bronze gears turning with heavy, rhythmic clicks that had measured the flow of time for tens of thousands of years.
Inside the highest chamber, the air was cool and smelled of aged paper, dried incense, and ancient tea leaves.
Venerable Sky Cloud sat at the head of a long, dark wooden table, his white beard resting against his chest, his hands folded loosely inside his gray sleeves.
Around him, the other nine sages sat on carved stone chairs, reviewing reports and tallying the expected merit points of the students who had plunged into the hunting grounds below.
"It won't be long, and our students would be returning to the academy soon, right?" Said one of the sages.
"Indeed," another sage agreed with a calm nod. "The disciples will harvest their fill of luck and resources and return with their foundations tempered. It has been a standard expedition."
