I was so scared that I put all my points into health.

Everything was finally settled, but President Winnie simply said, "Something came up, I'm leaving now," and hurried away like a gust of wind. This departure left Castio deep in thought. Wang Xiaoyi, standing beside him, had curiosity and a look of inquiry in his eyes. He secretly pondered that President Winnie's identity was definitely not simple. He couldn't help but wonder, could she be the legendary goddess? But she clearly hadn't admitted it. Could she be a descendant of a goddess? Various thoughts swirled in his mind, a multitude of speculations like wild horses, impossible to stop.

Wang Xiaoyi's gaze lingered for a moment in the direction President Winnie had left before turning to Castio. He felt there was definitely something unusual between the two. Judging from the situation, could it be a love-hate entanglement? He couldn't help but start analyzing their appearances. President Winnie seemed older; could it be a May-December romance? But this thought was immediately dismissed. He remembered Castio saying he'd been trapped here for a long time, meaning Castio was probably older. This only made things more confusing, like being caught in a tangled mess. His gossipy nature was unsurprisingly ignited.

Just then, Wang Xiaoyi suddenly remembered that the crisis had been resolved. It wouldn't hurt to know more about some things. Seeing the quest progress update, he realized he'd initially intended to just leave it running, but things hadn't gone as planned, and he was being pushed to complete it. Thankfully, it was all safe and sound, though a bit physically demanding; he was exhausted. He turned to Castio and suggested, "You've had quite a bit of exercise just now, let's eat and chat." Castio nodded, and the group walked to the campfire. At this moment, the Elf King Dragon transformed into human form and walked over, then plopped down and said directly, "That magic circle has been figured out. I was just playing with the new NDS for a while when you suddenly disappeared. You always manage to do the unexpected, always seeming to have all sorts of adventures." Wang Xiaoyi could only smile wryly, thinking that these adventures weren't what he wanted; every time they happened, it was fraught with danger.

Wang Xiaoyi hurriedly opened his backpack and, as if by magic, produced a large pile of delicious food. He presented it to the Elf King Dragon with a fawning expression, saying, "My lord, this is a special gift from your humble servant." The Elf King Dragon (in human form)'s eyes lit up at the sight of the food, and without a word, it began to devour it. Wang Xiaoyi and Castio also joined in the eating.

At this moment, Castio seemed to have been struck by lightning. Something in his mind was suddenly triggered, and the floodgates of memory opened instantly. All the past events surged in like a tidal wave, and his memories were fully restored.

Before becoming the Guardian of Time, he was just an ordinary boy. Back then, he was full of a child's curiosity and thirst for exploration. Once, a grand village fair was held, and all sorts of novelties and delicious snacks caught his eye. Lost in his play, he unknowingly wandered out of the adults' sight, and after meandering through the village, he got lost. He wandered blindly through the mountains and forests, feeling fear, but even more so, a thirst for the unknown. After walking for an unknown amount of time, he finally arrived at a secluded spot deep in the mountains. There, in the stillness, he discovered a small hut.

The cottage looked somewhat simple, yet it exuded a tranquil atmosphere. The cottage's owner was a little girl, like a secluded orchid quietly growing deep in the mountains, untouched by worldly strife. When the little girl first saw him, her expression was quite indifferent, a coldness like a thin layer of ice that sent a chill down Castio's spine. But there was no malice in her eyes; her clear pupils even hinted at friendliness. The little girl silently turned and went into the cottage, soon returning with some treats she had made herself. The food, served in rough earthenware bowls, emitted a faint fragrance. The little girl also carefully told him the way home, her voice soft, yet like a mountain stream, flowing into Castio's heart.

He didn't know why, but from then on, a seed seemed to have been planted in his heart. Whenever he had free time, he wanted to go to the cottage to find the little girl. Although the little girl didn't talk much, she would always sit quietly there when he came, like a silent companion. She would silently sit with him by the campfire, the leaping flames reflecting her peaceful face. She would bring him some simple food, which was just fresh wild fruits picked from the mountains and forests, plus some simple wild vegetable soup, but it tasted very good. Every bite was full of simple warmth, as if it were the most delicious thing in the world.

The village he lived in was called "Twilight Bell Village." Nestled in a valley like a paradise, the village was gently embraced by lush green hills, with clear streams meandering like silver ribbons, their sounds crisp and melodious. The villagers lived a peaceful and harmonious life, like children of nature, intimately connected to the land, making a living by cultivating the fertile crops, hunting for food in the forest, and using their exquisite handicrafts.

The name "Twilight Bell Village" has a unique and mysterious origin. Deep within the village, a magnificent palace stands silently. Hanging within is a huge, ancient clock, like a silent elder, quietly telling the story of time. Legend has it that this clock was crafted long ago by a mysterious artisan, its appearance exuding an ancient and enigmatic aura. It not only keeps accurate time but also possesses a magical power, like a benevolent deity, slowing down and calming the flow of time in the village. The villagers firmly believe that this clock is a symbol of the village's protection and a sacred testament to their harmonious coexistence with time.

The village's architecture is simple and rustic, exuding a sense of historical weight. Most houses are built with sturdy wood and rough stone, the grain of the wood and the texture of the stone seemingly telling stories of the past. Ivy climbs the walls, like a green coat draped over the houses. The windows are adorned with delicate wooden frames and stained glass, their colors vibrant like the sunset. Whenever sunlight filters through the glass, it casts dappled shadows on the floor, creating a natural work of art.

In "Twilight Bell Village," the villagers lead simple yet fulfilling lives. At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight pierce through the dense forest foliage, like golden swords illuminating the village rooftops, the villagers rise with the energy of warriors hearing a bugle call, beginning their day's work. The men, full of vigor, go to the fields to cultivate the land, sowing seeds of hope, or, carrying bows and arrows, venture into the forest to hunt, their figures darting through the woods like agile cheetahs. The women, meticulous and attentive, care for their families, carefully preparing three meals a day, processing food in their yards, and drying wild vegetables gathered from the forest. The children learn from the village's most learned elders at school, absorbing knowledge, or play and laugh in the village square, their laughter, as clear as silver bells, echoing throughout the village and adding boundless vitality.

As evening falls, the afterglow of the setting sun, like golden silk, gently spills over every corner of the village. After a busy day, the villagers gather in the square, the village's central hub, to share the day's harvest and joy. They sit around the campfire, the flames reflecting on their faces, radiating contentment. The elders begin to tell ancient stories and legends, tales of heroic ancestors and mysterious powers, captivating the children with their eyes sparkling with curiosity. Everyone enjoys this peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. At night, when the bells of the clock tower toll, their deep, melodious chimes seem like a gentle greeting from nature to the village. The villagers, weary yet content, slowly return home and drift into sweet dreams.

One day, a mysterious dark force, like a raging flood, invaded the village, shattering its tranquility. Wherever this dark force went, flowers withered, and small animals fled in terror. It turned out that Castio's family had guarded the secret of Twilight Bell Village for generations; this secret was like the lifeblood of the family, not to be lost. Every warrior in the village with ancient blood, like an awakened hero, unhesitatingly took up arms to fight the dark force. These weapons radiated a holy light, blessed by the goddess, imbued with the attributes of time and holiness, particularly effective at clearing darkness. Each of them was skilled in time magic, catching the dark force off guard. For example, the spell "Time Freeze" could temporarily immobilize enemies, as if time itself had been paused, buying precious time for the battle. Unable to conquer the village under this sudden resistance, the dark force, after a struggle, chose to retreat, and the village temporarily returned to peace.

Several years later, Castio, like a sapling growing strong, had grown into a young man, becoming an outstanding warrior through his own efforts. His body had become stronger, and his eyes shone with determination and courage. When he had the opportunity to enter the temple to receive the goddess's blessing, he entered the sacred hall with reverence and anticipation. The moment he looked up and saw the goddess's statue, he was astonished to find that the statue bore a striking resemblance to the little girl. Just as he was surprised, a flash of light appeared, and the goddess descended. It was indeed the little girl; she was like an elf who had walked from the depths of time, approaching Castio expressionlessly, her calm face seemingly concealing endless secrets. She reached out and gave him a pocket watch called Time Track, one of the equipment of the Time Guardians. The pocket watch was exquisite and ancient, with mysterious runes shimmering on its dial. Castio accepted the pocket watch, a warm current welling up in his heart. He knew that his mission had only just begun; he would use his power to protect the village and all life on this land. From that moment on, Castio, carrying this sense of mission, diligently honed his time magic. He combined his experiences with magic, constantly exploring the mysteries of time while remaining ever vigilant against the resurgence of dark forces. He patrolled the village, protecting every corner with his unique magic. His figure became a protective barrier for the village, earning the villagers' complete trust and respect. His connection with that little girl became the most mysterious yet unwavering source of strength within him.