Ralph nodded. Well, not a precise time as such. Like I said, history can change. But, yes, more or less, I was told to come and find you.

Oliver couldnt wrap his head around it. The mere concept of parallel worlds was a paradox. Theoretically possible but impossible in practice. But right now Oliver had much more pressing questions than how such a thing was possible. What he really needed to know was…

Why?

Ralph frowned. Why what?

Why? Oliver repeated. Why is there a school for Seers? Why were you sent for me? Why am I supposed to go there?

Ralph paused for a long moment, twisting his mouth to the side as though in deep contemplation. Finally, he shrugged.

I dont know exactly, he explained. Professor Amethysthes the head teacher, by the waytold me that if you find out everything in one go your mind explodes. Literally. So youll get all the answers to your specific whys eventually. But in the meantime, the general gist is that you have a special role to play in protecting humanity. An important quest that youll need to train your powers for.

He said it with such a blasé tone that Oliver could almost accept that it was no big deal. Only it was a big deal. It was a very big deal indeed! Everything Ralph had told him bordered on lunacy. What if hed just wandered into the path of a madman and fallen for his ramblings?

But no. Time travel was real. Hed seen it with his own eyes. And Armando had told him he was a Seer. What were the chances of him crossing paths with a mad boy who just happened to know about Seers? It was far more likely that Ralph was exactly who he said he was, that Oliver himself really was destined to attend the School for Seers.

But what if he didnt want to? What if he just wanted a normal life?

He thought of the alternative: Campbell Junior High. Other than Ms. Belfrys science class, the place was awful. Would he really prefer to go back to his old life, to Chriss bullying and Mr. Portendorfer calling him Oscar to purposely annoy him? And what about Armando? Back in Olivers life, his hero and mentor was dead. But here, in 1944, Armando was alive. If he stayed and developed his powers, was there a chance he could change the course of history and save Armandos life in the present day?

I can tell youre not convinced, Ralph said, interrupting his swirling thoughts. Theres still time to turn around if you want to. A small window of time. But I wouldnt if I were you. You might not get another chance to come back. Its not like people can just walk in and out of the School for Seers whenever they want to. If you go now, you might never be able to come back to this point in time and space.