Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The end of the examination week had everyone relaxing, even the busy Priest Augustus, who decided to invite Dr. Schneider for a drink at the tavern.

They had actually wanted to invite Shard as well, but Miss Luisa declined on his behalf:

"I've been helping Shard to meticulously read 'Kiss of the Tree' lately, we still have lessons tonight, and absolutely cannot drink."

The doctor expressed his regret but said no more since there was important work to be done. However, before leaving Saint Delan Square with the priest, he took out 200 pounds and distributed them among four people, using a 2.5:2.5:2:1.5:1.5 ratio, with Shard receiving 40 pounds in cash as his share (note).

After the incident at Lakeside Manor, the Academy awarded the group a 1000-pound internal scholarship. Through some rather miraculous maneuvers, the doctor converted the non-cashable sum into cash, losing ten percent in the process, and acquired all the Gold Pounds in four installments.

As per the agreement, it was now the end of Thunder Moon, and they had received the first installment of money. Everyone was happy when the doctor distributed the funds, but Shard mentioned that if he could get the credits next week, he would likely have to pay for his second year's tuition. Hence, he asked the doctor not to cash out the remaining money just yet, as it could be used directly to pay for his tuition.

If the deducted portion exceeded Shard's rightful share, he could compensate the others at a 1 to 0.95 ratio.

"Of course you can, but do you have that much money? The tuition for the first year is lower, accommodating Circle Sorcerers new to the mysterious world, but the second year's tuition is based on the training plan and is at least in the triple digits."

The doctor asked with concern, knowing Shard had only been a Detective for a month and might not have much savings.

"I have about 800 pounds on me, which should be enough."

Shard said, stroking the cat.
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"Where did you get so much gold? Oh Shard, if you are short of money, we can lend it to you, but you must never touch Roder Card."

The Old Cleric was extremely surprised. The image of Miss Galina instantly flashed through Shard's mind; most of his substantial income came from the Duchess. Although it was a fair trade, Shard felt that to speak of it might give the impression that he was living off a woman:

"The detective business has given me the opportunity to make money. I encountered a few rather generous clients. Priest, rest assured, it's definitely legal."

That reassured the Old Cleric.

Dr. Schneider and Priest Augustus left together to celebrate the end of the hectic examination week at a tavern, and Luviya had other matters at the Prophet's Society and hurriedly said goodbye as well. Since they were going to the opera together that evening, Shard invited Miss Luisa to have dinner together. The blond girl naturally accepted and excitedly discussed which restaurants would even please Mia Cat.

After dinner, they sent Mia back to Saint Delan Square to watch the house, as pets were definitely not allowed in the Opera House. At first, Shard thought that this might be neglecting the cat, but seeing it lying on the sofa not wanting to move at all, Shard understood that taking it out was actually punishment for the cat.

Queen Maria's Opera House was located on Swift Avenue in the northern part of the city. After a week of high tension in the city, people's desire to go out had increased. The tickets for the evening were almost sold out, with Miss Luisa's ticket being in the third row of the second floor, which was quite a good spot.

But the really good spots were actually the private boxes higher up. However, since they had come to watch the opera purely for "educational" purposes, there was no need to waste gold on expensive tickets, as their income level was not that high.

Queen Maria's Opera House, being private property of the Royal Family, was decorated in the lavish style characteristic of the House of Cavendish. Naturally, such upscale public venues also had dress codes. Most of the gentlemen, like Shard, were in black formal evening wear, but there were a few peculiar outfits as well.

The one that impressed Shard the most was a man dressed in women's fashion with white stockings—the first time Shard had seen such attire in this world. Shard wasn't sure whether this sight would give him nightmares, but even made up as a woman, the man's face was so heavily painted that three seats away Shard could still smell the overpowering scent of makeup.

"That is the esteemed playwright Prosi Newman!"

Shard turned to look at Miss Luisa's outfit, trying to forget what he had just seen. Miss Writer was wearing a blue dress tonight, very similar to the one she wore at the dinner at Lakeside Manor.

Miss Luisa, however, was very excited to tell Shard:

"Look, that's a real great writer. Not only has he written opera and drama plays, but he has also made quite an achievement in long poems, novels, and collections of essays."

"Why would a writer dress up like that?"

They walked inside together with the crowd, and fortunately, the playwright and his companions were not heading to the second floor but continued up the staircase. Shard thought that if he had to sit with the man for several hours, he would definitely have nightmares tonight. He did not discriminate against others' taste but just couldn't bear it.

"It's an aesthetic trend. Lecia said that in the artistic society salons of the upper class, it's common to see artists dressed like that."

She smiled, covering her mouth softly whispering into his ear as they walked down the aisles between the seats, her golden hair brushing against Shard's face:

"Artists' creative inspiration may not be as intense as that of painters, whose attire would probably conflict even more with your taste. Have you ever heard of someone who painted clothes on themselves with watercolor and then showed up at a salon?"

"Of course not... Male or female?"

The Outlander asked curiously, to which the golden-haired girl gave him a tap and said with a bit of chiding:

"Male, of course, what were you thinking? Lecia was in the salon at the time, too. She just had someone throw him out onto the street. Even she couldn't stand that kind of avant-garde aesthetic."

"Oh, let's not talk about this anymore, although we've seen worse things. We're out to enjoy an opera now, don't let it trouble you."

Shard timely stopped Miss Luisa from continuing, and instead of getting angry, she just laughed by the side.

The gas lamps on the walls were very bright, and the chandelier hanging right above the audience seats continued to provide light and heat. Dorothy Luisa was very fond of this night.

The art of opera also existed in the homeland of the Outlander, but Shard had never watched one live before. Sitting in the Opera House with a beautiful girl in a strange world gave him the illusion that coming to this world wasn't too bad.

The noisy sounds before the opening came from the audience on the first and second floors, the bustling scene was very lively, but as the music started, the gas lamps around gradually dimmed, and the voices of people also lowered.

Lights came up on the stage below, and a girl dressed in coarse cloths and holding a broom appeared, her cheerful singing marked the beginning of this scene.

"Hmm... This far?"

Shard whispered in Miss Luisa's ear to inquire, from their spot, the girl singing on stage looked even smaller than Mia Cat who was currently watching the house alone.

"Of course, did you want to go up there to watch?"

Miss Luisa whispered back, then in the darkness handed him a cold metallic object. Shard looked down and found it was a pair of binoculars:

"I knew you wouldn't bring any, it's your first time at the Opera House, isn't it?"

As she spoke, Miss Luisa lifted the binoculars to look at the stage, just like most people around her.

"They really all brought them..."

"Otherwise, do you think they come just to listen to the singing? This is just a regular pair of binoculars, don't sneer at them. I heard that to show off, some people would bring gold..."

Her voice trailed off, not wanting to disturb others listening to the opera.

In fact, from this position, one could see the performance on the stage without binoculars, but Shard still lifted the binoculars to his eyes to see what it felt like to watch the opera through them.

"It's really uncomfortable."

So, he decided to watch with his own eyes, it was only the beginning, and the girl on stage was singing the background story.

[Outlander, you have knowledge that surpasses the people of this era in both natural science and humanities, why is your appreciation for art so poor?]

She probably also thought that Shard didn't know how to appreciate opera.

"The art I appreciate isn't like this."

He answered in his mind, the complete darkness and the voice of the woman next to his ear gave him the feeling that she was right by his side.

[So what kind of art do you appreciate?]

"Literary art, or more realistic visual art. Of course, if the opera had a strong narrative, I would appreciate it too."

[So you appreciate the story itself?]

"You could say that."

She chuckled softly in his ear, then fell silent. Shard entertained himself with the thought that although they only paid for two tickets, it was as if four people were watching the opera.

"It should be three people, Miss Luisa's 'other self' should be normal," he thought to himself, leaned back in his chair relaxedly, squinting towards the glowing stage.

Although not much happened this week, the exam during the day was indeed exhausting, now sitting in the dark he didn't have to think too much about other things, which was really relaxing.

He decided to empty his mind and enjoy the peaceful night. Although a bit drowsy, he held back the urge to sleep.

The play they came to see was called "The Tragic Life of Higgins," mainly telling the story of a boy who loved writing, his ups and downs over twenty years, until reaching the end of his fate.

Each scene of the story used an exaggerated opera performance to recreate the fairy tales that the protagonist Higgins was reading, on one hand, advancing the plot, on the other hand, indirectly depicting the protagonist's situation and emotions.

The story of "Kiss of the Tree" in the third act, using this tale to illustrate the sorrow and pain of the young writer Higgins after love had dissipated. The soprano's climactic vocal performance almost shattered all the glass here, but at the same time, it earned rounds of applause.