Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The knowledge and relics at Saint Byrons Integrated Academy are of very high quality, but correspondingly, they are also incredibly expensive. If I could actually get my hands on this money and decide where to spend it myself, the effectiveness would definitely surpass spending it all within Saint Byrons.

According to Professor Rontgen, the doctors have a way to liquidate it directly, and Professor Rontgen plans to turn a blind eye to such little tricks.

"Interesting times,"

Shard thought silently to himself.

Professor Rontgen continued,

"Academic credits and internal funds are the rewards of Saint Byrons. The Divinity Academy would like to thank you for providing first-hand information about the Evil God 'Lord of the Blood Feast.' As explained last time, First Ring Sorcerer Hamilton and Three Ring Sorcerer Annette may freely choose one Arcane Technique or Sorcery from the library."

Though it said 'freely choose,' there were restrictions based on the current Spirit Runes one possessed and one's grade level; it wasn't a complete open access to the entire library.

After discussing it with the doctors, the consensus was that Shard should choose an Arcane Technique. Most of the Arcane Techniques corresponding to "Space-Time" were of significant value and useful until higher grades.

"I'll choose an Arcane Technique."

"So will I."

The two of them spoke, and Professor Rontgen nodded. After a glimmer of light, two more books appeared on the manuscript paper. Shard handed the slightly thicker one to Miss Annette and picked up the thinner one for himself. These were their library catalogues, and they could take their time choosing, with a week to respond.

Afterward, Dr. Schneider's Healing Elixirs were also delivered.

Shard had thought it would just be a bottle of potion, but instead, it was a collection of 23 vials, each of different types. Regardless of the taste of these potions, drinking them all in a short period was an act of bravery.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The doctor had the courage, but when he got out of bed, his complexion looked even worse than before.

Shard recently had the experience of drinking water until he was bloated, so he could quite understand the doctor's condition.

"I must stress again that the 'Sublimation Incantation' must not be used carelessly. Even with preparation, there is a risk of mental breakdown and death."

Professor Rontgen took this matter very seriously, repeatedly admonishing Dr. Schneider, even though the report made clear that it had been necessary at the time.

"Furthermore, the Academy has received information about the 'Blood Spirit School'. I give you an early warning; do not casually get involved with the 'Blood Spirit School.' Their level of danger is not comparable to that of the Blood of Mercury, leave this matter to the Church.

Also, as the only Circle Sorcerer who has had close contact with the 'Masked Person under Silvermoon,' the Academy hopes you can provide more detailed information about him."

Professor Rontgen said, observing the expressions of the five people, but they immediately and unanimously shook their heads,

"There's only the information from the report."

"Professor, what do the Academy and the Church now know about that person?"

Shard asked with feigned curiosity, and Professor Rontgen did not notice anything amiss in his attitude,

"The two associate professors who went to investigate Lakeside Manor arrived at the same conclusion as Miss Green, the Ten-Ring Sorcerer of the Sun Church, and Mr. Modro, the Eleven-Ring Sorcerer of the Peace Church. The individual's level should be above Twelve Rings." Discover hidden content at empire

All five simultaneously showed an expression of surprise.

"That's truly astonishing."

Priest Augustus lamented empathetically.

"Yes, especially since in our era, even Thirteen-Ring Sorcerers are few. Investigating him is extremely difficult; divination yields no results, the traces on the third floor were too thoroughly cleaned up when you retreated, and the Desecration and Whisper elements gathered for the Evil God's arrival significantly interfered with the search for other details."

Professor Rontgen couldn't resist lamenting,

"He's definitely a meticulous individual. These High Ring Sorcerers who pop up from nowhere are the most troublesome type."

Shard maintained his expression, hiding his amusement, quite curious as to how the two ladies present managed to keep from laughing while sitting so close to the professor.

"In any case, be careful in your actions for the upcoming period... and..."

For the first time since the conversation began, Professor Rontgen turned to address Professor Garcia from the History Academy, who had come for Shard. Garcia nodded and spoke in poorly practiced Draleon common language,

"Also, there may be significant events happening in the Tobesk Region soon... different events. So, as much as possible, stay away from the True God Church, especially female Circle Sorcerers from the True God Church."

"Why?"

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Dr. Schneider, who knew nothing of the matter, asked in astonishment, while Shard, having previously learned about the "Whispering Verses" from Miss Annette, roughly understood its significance.

Saint Byrons, indeed, had some understanding of the "Whispering Verses" as well, but it seemed that the Academy was uncertain about the identity of the first Chosen One, only confident that it was a female.

"A great prophecy, about the resurrection of the Old God."

"Cough cough."

Professor Garcia suddenly coughed, cutting off Professor Rontgen's speech. The latter fell silent and pondered for a while before continuing:

"This is not an order for you, but a warning for all correspondence students in the Tobesk Region. In any case, there will be many troubles in the Tobesk Region recently. You must be careful, remember my admonitions. But regarding the Blood of Mercury and the Masked Person under Silvermoon, if you have any information, remember to report it on time...

The True God Church is really useless, making our students handle everything."

He concluded his speech with a complaint about the church, then turned back to Dr. Schneider:

"The Student Affairs Office asked me to convey a message: after the examination season ends in July, the Academy's field practicum for this year is expected to commence, with the specific time to be determined. But it's the same rules as before, remember to prepare in advance. We'll be in touch later."

"Field practicum?"

Shard didn't understand, but this was definitely not part of the correspondence Circle Mage's curriculum. It was presumably for the regular students of the Academy to come to the Tobesk Region. Since two associate professors could come to investigate Lakeside Manor, the arrival of more students probably wouldn't be a big deal.

After Professor Rontgen of the Divinity Academy left, since Professor Garcia from the History Academy had come specifically for Shard's business, the other four temporarily excused themselves, waiting for Shard at the guest room on the second floor.

Before they left, Shard informed Professor Garcia about being designated as a special cultivation subject. The professor was indifferent to this, as compared to the other events of the night after the first time-travel class, this matter was very trivial.

"Mr. Hamilton, the History Academy is proud of you."

After the four doctors left, Shard and the professor sat opposite each other. Professor Garcia looked at the young man before him with satisfaction:

"From your report, the night at Lakeside Manor, you almost again beheld a Deity, for the second time, right? Very good, Mr. Hamilton, you did quite well. It's not every First Ring Sorcerer who can achieve something as significant as stopping the arrival of an Evil God. You did quite well indeed."

At the same time, Professor Garcia, on behalf of the History Academy, also inquired about Shard's health. Even though the report stated that the Evil God did not arrive before the ritual ended, after all, the young detective had "nearly" seen a Deity twice within a week.

After confirming that Shard was feeling well, and asking a few simple questions to ensure that his spirit was normal, he continued the discussion:

"Similar to what Professor Rontgen mentioned, I will first talk about the rewards the Academy has for you. Your observations from the Fifth Era: Year 1068 were very remarkable, filling in the historical gap for the Old God known as the 'Creator of Innocence'. Although we haven't found that 'Hope Town' yet, from other clues from that year, we can confirm that what you witnessed was indeed real.

Hope Town... is very likely a Level 0 Relic, and we are still investigating that."

Professor Garcia smiled at Shard, who nodded cautiously, knowing that the main point would come next:

"Ten practical credits, plus the Lakeside Manor incident, you now have 30 credits. If my memory isn't wrong, the total practical credit requirement for the first year is 40 credits."

"That's correct, Professor."

"Very good, I've heard you also acquired a Desecration Elemental Spirit Rune of 'Gluttony'? That's great, if you can advance to the Second Ring by the end of this year, I recommend that you move up to the second year at year's end. It may sound fast, but for students of the History Academy, it's just a bit faster. We are, after all, the History Academy."

Professor Garcia looked vaguely self-satisfied:

"Additionally, for the Time Exploration mission that you completed, the History Academy, after discussion, has decided to regrade that key from Poet-Level (Level 5) to Angel-Level (Level 1). Besides your credits, the History Academy also has a compensation and reward for the mission itself."

Professor Garcia shrugged:

"By the way, encountering any Old God in the past, whether a Saint or a direct vision, that key can be directly classified as Unclassified Level (Level 0)."

He pointed to the library catalog lying on Shard's lap:

"The History Academy has opened up Arcane Techniques that would normally not be made available to a First Ring Sorcerer to you. Coupled with your reward from Lakeside Manor, the Academy recommends three Arcane Techniques for you; you can choose two out of the three as the total reward for the exploration in 1068 and the Lakeside Manor incident."

Shard sat up straight, prepared to listen, knowing that in addition to that drop of Divinity, this was the true harvest from Lakeside Manor.

The professor raised a finger:

"'Foresight,' seeing a brief glimpse into the near future. But for you, you might be able to see less than half a second, and it will be quite blurry. It will, however, extend in duration as your understanding of 'Space-Time' grows and your Ring Level rises. This Arcane Technique greatly harms eyesight, and frequently peeping through the faults in time may also expose you to some terrible...

Evil Objects. While you peep at them, they are also peeping at you."

Shard showed a look of reverence, already aware that this world was fraught with danger and that this ability was not suited for him now.

The professor continued:

"In my personal opinion, this isn't quite suitable for you, at least not now. If you do not choose this one, it will always remain in your library catalog for future selection, and that is also part of the reward. This Arcane Technique was originally only unveiled to Inner Ring mages and above. To learn it, the History Academy requires the connection of at least two Sublimation Incantations."

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