Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"Wind Vane Bluegrass" is not only a material for learning arcane techniques, but also for spellcasting, although each spellcasting only requires a diluent of some plant extract.

"This plant from the Old Continent went extinct hundreds of years ago. There is an artificially cultivated nursery at the Chemistry Academy, but the next harvest isn't until two years from now. You're quite lucky."

Professor Garcia said.

"Lucky? So, an entire season would..."

Shard's thoughts were pulled away from the matter of the doctor, as he looked toward the professor.

"About thirty years. You just happened to come across the twenty-eighth year, your luck is indeed quite extraordinary. This peculiar plant doesn't have a very long growth cycle, as you might not realize. Usually, the plant materials used by circle sorcerers do not flower and bear fruit annually."

Shard somehow thought of the story of monkeys and peaches. He shook his head to refocus his scattered thoughts, and the professor chuckled:

"All joking aside, although the plants of the Old Continent are extinct, this peculiar plant exists in the New World. The Academy has already gone through channels to obtain it, and it should be delivered to you by next month."

"Fine then."

Shard was somewhat disappointed but accepted the fact; he could wait a month.

Having chosen his arcane technique, he intended to return the library catalog but was told by the professor to keep it for a week and return it together with Miss Annette. This way, he wouldn't have to ponder too long the next time he made a choice.

These were the rewards the Academy was giving Shard, and as the teacher guiding Shard's coursework, Professor Garcia was very pleased with the young detective and believed he had a boundless future.

Therefore, Professor Garcia personally offered to help with his studies:

"In August, I will be running an elective course 'Folded Space', focusing on large ritual maze locks and rare magic maze locks. Although such rituals are complex and impossible to use below ten rings, attending will be very beneficial for your future studies. The exact start date has not been set, but I will notify you."

This was tantamount to offering Shard a free elective course. Shard immediately wanted to thank him, but was stopped by Professor Garcia:

"What I see is your talent, Mr. Hamilton. You have only just begun on the path of a circle sorcerer, and I hope to see you at the Academy one day. I believe that day will come."

"Since we're on the topic, Professor Garcia, may I apply to preview the Academy's 'Sublimation Codex' in advance?"

Shard asked cautiously, and Professor Garcia was not at all surprised, but stroked his chin and asked:

"The reason? Why do you wish to apply in advance?"

"Because I believe my progress might be faster than others."

"Hmm... alright, write up an application report after you go back, and submit it directly through that sheet of poetry paper. If the application is approved, you'll get the result next Saturday. While many circle sorcerers progress slowly, some are simply gifted. However, remember that promotion doesn't mean you've mastered your power. The study of arcane techniques takes time."

Professor Garcia gave a warning, and Shard immediately expressed his understanding.

Aside from these matters, Professor Garcia also inquired on behalf of the Student Affairs Office about Dr. Schneider's performance in the Lakeside Manor incident.

The doctor didn't distort his experience in his report, so Shard had nothing much to say. As for the sulfur-like smell he detected, he didn't mention that.

In fact, even Professor Garcia didn't care about it, as he was not from the Student Affairs Office. He even quietly told Shard not to take the assignment too seriously and to prioritize his circle sorcerer studies, running away if danger arose. Professor Sanchez's assignments could be handled by simply writing a periodic report that everything was safe.

It seemed that at Saint Byrons Comprehensive Academy, both students and professors were adept at writing reports to deal with formalities.

Before Professor Garcia left, Shard didn't forget to ask about the question of three wishes. Having resolved the story, he now needed to address growth and power:

"Professor, is there a way to give an ordinary person, likely a child, sudden power without paying too much of a price... too great a price?"

"Have you encountered some strange situation?"

Professor Garcia inquired, without probing further, as correspondence circle mages often come across a lot of things, and that's part of their growth:

"Not really. Power comes with a price. The price for circle sorcerers is a lifelong 'other self' and the risk of losing control at any time. If you have encountered something strange, let the circle mages of your group handle it. It could be a weird relic that's out of control."

Shard nodded and then asked:

"Then, is there a way to make a child grow up suddenly?"

"Of course, there is, but without side effects, you can only achieve a short-term physical growth. Many potions can produce similar effects."

The professor thought for a moment:

"Take out a pen and write it down; this is the formula for the potion."

Shard pulled a notebook from his pocket that he carried with him, and the sharp-eared professor dictated:

"Five ounces of Nine-Star Needle Flower pistils, nine drops of hereditary material from a Barefoot Fire Ape, two quarts each of dung and saliva from an adult Fire Tongue Sheep, juice from two live Star Jumper Worms preserved at a constant temperature, earwax, eye boogers, hair, and blood in any amount from three different ordinary people of different genders and ages, and three quarts of green phlegm from a mule-horse hybrid.

Prepare the Magic Potion with soured milk, adding in the order I specified, after each addition stir clockwise for three rounds, no more and no less. It cannot be prepared in an environment with temperatures below freezing, or it will explode... Oh, and don't forget to add some honey."

"Honey?"

Shard, who was taking notes with his head down, asked with some surprise, feeling rather queasy in his stomach.

"Yes, the name of the Magic Potion is The Price of Growth, and if prepared in the quantities I mentioned, it should take effect in about ten minutes. If you don't add honey, just think about these ingredients and then think about the taste..."

Professor Garcia shrugged:

"You wouldn't want to know. These ingredients are all relatively common, you can have Priest Augustus help with the preparation; he's from the Chemistry Academy, isn't he?"

"Yes. Actually, I think it would taste even weirder with honey."

Shard nodded, but he did not know whether the Magic Potion or its raw materials could be taken back in time to the past; it was hard to define whether these things were 'Supernatural Items'. However, having Priest Augustus prepare and stock up on extra materials was quite simple.

He could try carrying both the raw materials and the finished Potion, and even if that didn't work, perhaps the Saint in the past might provide the materials.

"I have high hopes for you, Mr. Hamilton. If you want to embark on another Time Exploration, remember to report to the Academy first."

As Professor Garcia prepared to leave, his warning reminded Shard that although the Fifth Era: Key of Year 1068 was not yet complete, perhaps there were other ways to acquire a Time Key.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He could take advantage of the situation to visit another point in the past and test whether the task given by the Ancient God was a rare occurrence or whether he would indeed always be under the watchful eye of that Ancient God of time.

But the recommended frequency of Historical Explorations by the History Academy was not to exceed once a month, so Shard could not currently secure a new key from the Academy.

After sending off Professor Garcia thoughtfully, Shard proceeded to the second-floor drawing room to continue the conversation.

During Shard's discussion with Professor Garcia, Dr. Schneider, who had been in his pajamas earlier, had already changed his clothes. He now looked quite hale and hearty, and it was impossible to tell that just a few hours ago he had been at death's door.

As soon as Shard opened the door, he heard the doctor enthusiastically delivering his "presentation" on the intended use of the 1000 pounds in funds. Whether it was due to the strong effect of the Academy's Magic Potion or the potency of the 1000 pounds, the doctor's energy was absolutely invigorated:

"Shard, are you done with your matters? Sit down quickly."

The blue-eyed psychologist greeted Shard with a smile and asked if there was anything Shard needed to purchase from the Saint Byrons Library. After receiving a negative answer, the doctor slapped his thigh:

"Look, none of us have anything to buy right now, and the money is only valid until the end of this year, and no one will need to pay tuition fees, so, we should withdraw this money."

"Is that possible?"

Shard, sitting beside Priest Augustus, asked curiously.

"Of course it is."

Priest Augustus stroked his chin, squinting his eyes slightly:

"But it requires some finesse."

"There will be some losses, too."

Miss Luisa also said, seeming like they had done this sort of thing before.

"How much of the 1000 pounds could we actually cash out?"

Shard asked, planning his own expenses.

This time Miss Annette provided the answer. The Female Sorcerer specialized in Divination but was equally short on cash:

"Different methods vary in speed and reliability, but we incline toward a more secure approach, taking out about 200 pounds a month over half a year. In this way, we should end up with around 910 pounds in hand from the original 1000."

While a tenth was lost, this figure was quite impressive. Compared to the exorbitant expenses at the Academy, cashing out, even with some loss, was worth it.

"You guys are really resourceful."

Shard couldn't help but admire them, and the Old Cleric patted his shoulder, looking contemplative:

"Young man, you'll have your own ways too, sooner or later."

The matter of cashing out the 1000 pounds was to be handled by the doctor, likely to be completed in four installments. Accordingly, after receiving each sum of money, Shard, Miss Annette, Dr. Schneider, Miss Luisa, and Priest Augustus would split the funds in the ratio of 2.5:2.5:2:1.5:1.5.

Shard and Miss Annette got the lion's share for their respective deeds—Shard for dispatching Lady Lassoya and Miss Annette for foiling the Evil God's ritual node. The doctor got an extra 0.5 because he was handling the money.

Everyone was fine with this method of splitting the cash, and the doctor indicated that by the end of this month, they would likely receive the first sum of money.

Considering this, Shard could expect to gain about 220 pounds from the 1000 pounds, plus the compensation from Miss Galina and Detective Sparrow's purse. In just two weeks, Shard had gone from a near-beggar upon arrival in this world to steadily approaching the middle class... provided he won at the Sunday card game and secured the easy job Miss Galina had recommended.