Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"Shard, merely passing the test isn't enough; I remember you also lack the required practice credits,"

Miss Luisa reminded him once more, and upon reflection, she genuinely believed it was quite possible for Shard to advance to the second year:

"If I'm not mistaken, the first year requires 40 practice credits; your time travel granted you 10 credits, and the major event at Lakeside Manor provided 20 credits, but you are still 10 credits short."
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"No worries, no worries."

Shard was not at all troubled by this, though he couldn't tell the Academy about the true incidents involving the death of the Silver-Eyed One and the Evil God event, nor could he hand over "God's Gift Box" to the Academy, or reveal that the reward for the "Forged Philosopher's Stone" was the doctor's credit, and the second time travel of the year 3002 in the Common Calendar of the Fifth Era couldn't be easily disclosed. However, one thing he definitely didn't lack was so-called accidental incidents.

He could certainly visit Iluna once she returned from the Papacy, spend a couple of days with her, and surely encounter some incident worthy of a report, and Iluna certainly wouldn't mind letting him take the credit. Even if that approach didn't work, directly presenting the "Infinite Mercury Bottle" to the Academy could also earn practice credits.

"As long as you have thought it through yourself."

Miss Luisa spoke softly, her gaze shifting to Mia, who had again slipped the "Transmutation Ring" onto her tail:

"Hm? Why does this ring look so familiar?"

Only then did the blonde girl realize what she was seeing, not surprised when she heard Shard wanted to advance to the second year, but now she was stunned:

"The 'Transmutation Ring'? Did you rob a church? No, that's not important, you want to become a woman? How is that possible."

She even stood up abruptly, her eyes wide as she stared at Shard:

"What are you going to do?"

"No, no, please relax, I have no desire to become a woman at all. This ring is still related to Miss Galina."

Shard mentioned that name once again.

"Oh, that damned woman! How could she give this to you!"

This was the first time today Miss Luisa showed her less lady-like side, and Shard was indeed right; she certainly had a conflict with Galina Cavendish.

They spent the afternoon studying in the living room, chatting occasionally about other matters. As for today's lessons, since Shard had already advanced to the Second Ring, this meant there was still a vacancy for his Second Ring Enlightenment Spirit Rune.

So far, "The Mad Light Chaser" hadn't produced much effect, so Miss Luisa was very much looking forward to the fairy tale "Kiss of the Tree." As last week, under Miss Luisa's guidance, Shard once again read through those pages of ancient paper. While Miss Luisa sat down to rest, Shard was asked to copy the story.

Gaining enlightenment from a story was not something that happened overnight. By patiently experiencing and pondering the story, one could gain the age, civilization, and power embedded within the story.

"Different versions of a story can derive different powers, thus different interpretations can also yield different Spirit Runes, Sorcery, and Arcane Technique from the story."

Miss Luisa was very patient in explaining to Shard, and even brought out other versions of "Kiss of the Tree" for Shard to read and analyze. By comparing different versions of the story, one could explore the understanding and thought processes of the predecessors, which was very helpful in appreciating the wisdom of Enlightenment.

The various versions of "Kiss of the Tree" reminded Shard of the many excellent books he had acquired from the ruins of the Cult of Bygone Days. Before the ruins were sealed, the Order had copied valuable materials using special parchment rolls and ink, and Luviya, Shard, and Iluna had each taken some.

Shard also shared those books with Miss Luisa, then took out a copy of "Draleon Ancient Fairy Tales Collection" that he had bought at a charity auction from the library.

The blonde authoress was amazed at these books, and after getting Shard's consent, she picked a few to borrow and planned to take them home to read slowly. Meanwhile, the valuable "Draleon Ancient Fairy Tales Collection" also contained the story of "Kiss of the Tree."

However, unlike the initial version provided by Miss Luisa, the story in this old book ended not with Princess Tawel becoming a mummified corpse sealed in the trunk of an ancient tree, but with her stepping through the ancient tree's doorway, accepting the tree's power, becoming the guardian of that peculiar tree, and using that special power to punish her own parents.

"This version of the story most likely appeared in the Fifth Era. During that era, many stories allowed female protagonists to gain power at the end of the story, rather than merely being appendages to princes as in earlier stories.

This is certainly because the witches of that time had seized power, telling us that studying the variations and differences in stories can help us understand the characteristics of different ages, thereby better understanding the elements of Enlightenment regarded as the light of civilization," Miss Luisa said. Shard nodded, his view was somewhat simpler:

"Actually, this kind of fairy tale ending is more suitable for children ... oh, don't look at me that way, I'm not saying the original ending was bad, just that it might leave children with ... nothing, forget I said anything."

He picked up a napping Mia, the orange cat, under Miss Luisa's disapproving gaze, and the cat's throat emitted a "mmhmm~" sound of dissatisfaction.

"Shard, you almost lost your chance to go to the opera with me next week,"

the blonde girl said with a smile.

"Opera next week?"

Shard hesitated, seeing it as some kind of invitation, although their relationship did not seem to have progressed to that point yet.

"Yes, look, I've already got the tickets,"

Miss Luisa said as she rummaged through her handbag on the side, putting two stamped tickets on the table:

"Next Saturday night, the first day after the curfew ends, from 7:30 to 9:30. That performance just happens to involve a story related to 'Kiss of the Tree,' and I also have some business to attend to at Queen Maria's Opera House."

Opera, as a refined art, played a significant role in the leisure entertainment of high society during this era. Known as the Northern Pearl, Tobesk had many opera houses, some of which, the less formal ones, reportedly even offered illegal performances.

The better-known opera houses included three: the Draleon Royal Opera House, Tobesk Grand Opera House, and the Queen Maria's Opera House that Miss Luisa mentioned.

"I have an exam next Saturday, so it's necessary to relax a bit after the exam night, but we can't let it interfere with our courses. Why not go to this opera together, which could also count as next week's study content... Shard, don't you want to go?"

Miss Luisa waved the tickets and asked with a hint of hesitation.