Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

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"Wait, selling the 'Relic' to ordinary people in this way does minimize the likelihood of being found by the church, but isn't the risk too great?"

Miss Luisa set down her teacup and voiced the doubt that was on Shard's mind.

The doctor explained:

"The 'Forged Philosopher's Stone' has unique properties. Its danger lies in active contact, hence theoretically, having it kept by an uninformed commoner is indeed the safest option. After all, this is not a real Philosopher's Stone and lacks strange effects such as absorbing matter to enhance itself or granting animals higher intelligence...

Back to the main point, I've located those five statues, but the bad news is, the owners of the five statues are quite troublesome."

He sighed:

"Two are dukes, one is the chief steward of the Royal Family, one is the police head of Riddlevitch Field, and the last one is not a noble, but he gave the statue to Prince Mogus Cavendish. Although they are all commoners, sneaking in close to them is not any less difficult than confronting a Ring Sorcerer head-on."

This was indeed troublesome, and the others couldn't help either. Even though Shard knew Miss Galina, there was no way he could get his hands on all five statues, but he and Miss Luisa both promised they would think of a way to help the doctor.

The doctor probably thought they were just consoling him, so he didn't take it seriously. Right now, the middle-aged doctor felt as if he was in the last leg of a long race, only to find a mountain blocking the finish line.

His luck was indeed very bad.

Besides the above matters, the five shared their learning experiences from the past week. Priest Augustus was recently delving into the Divine Arts of Dawn Church. Although he was not a Church Ring Sorcerer, theoretically, he should be able to learn it because faith was the only requirement for studying Divine Arts.

Miss Annette had been busy recently, so she didn't make much progress in her studies. Dr. Schneider continued to complain about his 'Aether Mechanics', while Miss Luisa shared the Sorcery 'Bubblehead Curse', claiming that she learned it from reading books. Shard then shared that he had obtained two Spirit Runes.

He tried to mention this casually, although when he spoke, he himself found it unbelievable.

"What? You obtained two Spirit Runes in a week?"

This news surprised everyone except Miss Luisa, with Miss Annette being the most astonished as she knew how busy Shard had been all week:

"Oh, Shard, where on earth did you find the time to inscribe Spirit Runes?"

The Female Diviner couldn't comprehend it.

"Not a week, to be precise, it's two weeks. The Rune related to the Matchstick Girl was obtained last Saturday night with my help," Miss Luisa explained.

Shard wanted to nod, but then he heard the Old Cleric, who was wiping his pipe with a wet cloth, suddenly ask:

"Speaking of which, Luisa, when did you start calling Shard by his name directly?"

"Luviya does the same, and besides, I plan to mentor Shard in advancing his Enlightenment Element from now on. Judging from the acquisition of this Rune, Shard has exceptional talent for Enlightenment Element."

Miss Luisa smoothly brought this up, and Miss Annette, leaning on the back of the sofa, clicked her tongue and then smiled at Shard:

"Fate has intertwined."

This was probably some kind of metaphor, but unfortunately, Shard didn't understand it. However, having understood it, Miss Luisa's face turned red:

"That metaphor is too much."

"What does it mean?"

Shard asked the doctor, tilting his head, and then Dr. Schneider was "warned" by the novelist with a fierce glare.

Both the doctor and the priest smiled:

"I don't know either."

Shard nodded knowingly, and he understood that it was a metaphor about love.

At exactly four in the afternoon, while everyone was discussing more uses for the 'Forged Philosopher's Stone', the pages of poetry on the coffee table in front of the doctor suddenly lit up. A message followed; Shard's application to review the 'Sublimation Codex' had been approved. The Librarian, Miss Danester, wanted to meet Shard, and the sign-off was, as always, the Student Affairs Office.

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"Miss Danester?"

The doctor looked dubiously at the letters:

"Why would it be this lady?"

He wanted to raise his head to ask Shard some questions, but Shard pointed towards the page of poetry, and a new message appeared. Priest Augustus read it out:

"In view of the special circumstances, this meeting will not use the ceremony. First Ring Sorcerer Shard Suren Hamilton is requested to go to Saint Byrons in person to meet with Miss Danester."

"Hm?"

"What?"

"Go to Saint Byrons?"

"What's happening today?"

Even Shard, who was supposed to know about this matter in advance, was very surprised. He thought he would go to the Academy through a ritual projection, but what was more important was another issue:

"If I go now to catch the train, can I get to the Academy within two months? Oh, who can take care of Mia for me?"

"Stop talking nonsense, the Academy will certainly have a way."

Miss Luisa said, while the emotionally charged doctor was about to say more but was immediately stopped by Priest Augustus, because more content had appeared on the page: Find exclusive stories on empire

[In view of Mr. Hamilton owning a Space-Time Core Rune, this spatial transfer will be carried out through the Academy's collection of the Angel-Level (1st Level) Relic "Tattered Old World Map". Please Dr. Schneider, Miss Annette, Miss Luisa, and Mr. Augustus keep the secret regarding this Relic. Mr.

Hamilton is requested to remain standing, away from the page of poetry, and not carry any relics (alchemical items are fine). Hold the positioning object (to be delivered in 30 seconds).]

"Angel-Level?"

Priest Augustus glanced at Shard, then, along with the other four, immediately left the sofa by the coffee table and stood by the wall of the room.

"What are you doing?"

Shard watched their efficient actions, not understanding what they meant.

"Spatial movement using a relic can likely affect the surroundings."

Miss Annette explained, frowning and seemingly pondering something.

"Shard, remember to tell us when you come back what Saint Byrons is actually like."

The doctor said to Shard, still very excited. He was the one among the five who was most eager to go to the Academy.

"Hold your breath for a while, and don't inhale deeply during the spatial transfer process!"

The Old Cleric earnestly advised, but his words seemed to suggest that he had experienced something similar.

"Oh, among us, Shard is the first to go to the Academy!"

Miss Luisa excitedly looked at the page of poetry...

A white glimmer flashed again, and a small box was teleported over.

Shard immediately stood up and opened it, then saw a round crystal the size of a goose egg lying inside, looking very familiar:

"The positioning object is a White Stone Crystal?"

Unlike the one Shard had acquired, this one had its surface covered with dense text. Even with just a brief glance, Shard saw at least three different languages. He hurriedly read and found it to be a detailed description of the precise location of Saint Byrons Integrated Academy.