Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The runic light reflected in the eyes of the two people and one cat, and the complex information corresponded exactly to the ritual for summoning the door of the [Silvermoon Library].

The book's content did not specify the exact location of the [Silvermoon Library] door but instead provided a ritual to summon the library. Of course, each ritual could only grant access to the library once, but it was a reusable ritual.

"I see."

The quill pen automatically recorded these contents for Miss Danester, but afterward, they found they couldn't record this information by any other means.

Fortunately, both of them had good memories, although Miss Danester regretted that she couldn't include this knowledge in the Academy Library.

"Although the ritual materials are expensive, with some effort, they are not impossible to gather."

The librarian lady looked at the runic light:

"This wordless black book is the core of the ritual; additionally, it must be conducted at a place possessing a 'Moon Sanctuary'… Moon Sanctuary, near the ancient altar of the Moon Goddess, meets the criteria, as does the holy land of the moon elves who worship the moon..."

"My home also counts as a Moon Sanctuary."

Shard reminded:

"The place where the [Source of Chaos] resides for a long time will automatically transform into a [Moon Sanctuary]. Coincidentally, when I found this relic, it was in my home."

Miss Danester nodded, her eyes still looking at the flickering runes in the darkness:

"The ritual's time is limited to nights without thunder, which isn't a problem... The additional ritual symbol needs to be in a place that is already a study or library, which is also fine; just arrange the room a bit... However, the ritual only summons the door, and if you want to truly enter the [Silvermoon Library], you still need a key; otherwise, you can only see the door..."

She frowned again:

"Moon Key?"

Although this method of entering the [Silvermoon Library] is one-time and does not permanently form a door, like normal entry, it also requires meeting three conditions: spirit rune, artifact, and spell.

The spirit rune is not a problem for Shard and the "Red Moon Witch," the spell is written in that runic light, and this time the artifact is the "Moon Key."

Miss Danester continued reading those words:

"Before the ancient Moon Goddess fell into slumber, the deity entrusted the key to the grand library he built to the Old God, the [Guardian of the Library], known as the Old God [Gray Robed Sage]. In ancient times, the aged sage divided the complete key into three parts; possessing any one can open the door to that library..."

But there is no record here of where exactly the three keys are.

Miss Danester seemed to think of something and turned her gaze from the runes to Shard, illuminated by their light:

"The establishment of this library at Saint Byrons Integrated Academy was related to the assistance of believers of the Old God [Gray Robed Sage], and it even houses the unclassified level relic [Staff of the Old Sage], suspected to be from that deity... If I remember correctly, you asked me about that deity last year?"

Shard, holding the cat, nodded, so the librarian lady inquired:

"Do you have any thoughts about the three keys?"

"You've probably already guessed it; one of the keys is the stone tablet you gave me last year when you visited my home."

Shard was straightforward:

"Remember? I made that stone tablet glow and confirmed that the relic could replace the core spirit rune glimmer for Circle Sorcerers."

Miss Danester showed a satisfied expression, and Shard had no intention of revealing that he actually possessed the other two keys as well.

He had long suspected various possibilities regarding the role of the three stone tablets. But after the final battle at Pantanal, where the three stone tablets assisted in securing the Chosen One qualification for "Knowledge and Wisdom," he vaguely understood that those stone tablets were not creations of the Old God [Gray Robed Sage] he encountered at the ruins of Gadis Library, but rather Divine Artifacts likely inherited by this Old Sage from a more ancient Moon Goddess.

Moreover, later he heard that [Apna Library] gained information about the "Silvermoon Library" from the Chosen One ceremony's enlightenment as "the departed one-third moon," and Shard suddenly understood everything.

After all, the three stone tablets in his possession originated from Saint Byrons, the Guiding Light Hermitage, and Apna Library. The latter had been desperately seeking the library with records of everything from the past, yet unknowingly handed over its most precious key to someone else.

"This should settle it."

Miss Danester clapped her hands, not intending to take the stone tablet back from Shard:

"We'll set the ritual site at your home, you'll keep the key, and I'll take care of this book. I'll prepare the ritual materials as soon as possible, which might take half a month to a month. Once everything is ready, I'll conduct the ritual at your place."

"No problem."

As they spoke, both retracted their Rings of Fate, and the [Source of Chaos] was 'spat' out by the wordless black book, floating back above Shard's head.

"I didn't expect it to go so smoothly."

Miss Danester smiled, snapped her fingers, and the surrounding light returned:

"Though I knew I'd succeed one day, I didn't expect it to happen so soon. I thought [Source of Chaos] might cause accidents, or that this book would send us searching for the next item. Very well, after searching for so long, now it's just about preparing those ritual materials."

She put away the wordless black book and summoned the [Sublimation Codex]:

"I really look forward to the day I see the library. Shard, regarding your Words of Inner Ring Ascension, which Core Spirit Rune do you intend to associate with? Still Space-Time, or Silvermoon?"

"Silvermoon."

Shard confidently said as he scratched Mia's chin. There wasn't any special reason, just that he thought since [Space-Time] had already been used once, it might be better to try [Silvermoon]'s power in the Inner Ring.

"I actually also want to recommend [Silvermoon] to you, there's no need to limit your power to one point..."

The pages of the "Sublimation Codex" kept turning. Although the Silvermoon Core Spirit Rune was rare, it was quite common as a Spirit Rune, so there were quite a few corresponding "Words of Ascension."

"You are now at the Five Rings, without any Spirit Runes, so you have many options. Shard, what are your own thoughts? What kind of power do you want to acquire? Or what power do you think suits you?"

The Librarian asked again, and Shard questioned himself in his heart:

"What kind of power do I want to acquire?"

[That's for you to decide.]

"She" didn't seem to intend to give Shard any advice, so Shard pondered:

"Miss Danester, how about I wait until I reach the Five Rings and have at least two Spirit Runes before considering the Words of Ascension issue. After all, even if my upgrading speed is fast, it's impossible to level up in just a few months."

"It's not impossible either."

Miss Danester continued looking at the turning pages:

"As long as you have thought it through. Since I've already informed the academy of my intention to cultivate you as the next librarian, I will truly treat you as a student. There are quite a few Words of Ascension suitable for you, and it's certainly okay to choose after the Five Rings have engraved a Spirit Rune. The light of Silvermoon illuminates the ancient earth, the First Silvermoon guides the final direction, the eternal light of the natural source of Silvermoon, the shadow of the Silvermoon reflected in the curtain of the dark night..."

Shard frowned slightly, "the First Silvermoon guides the final direction," seemed very familiar to him, as if he had heard it once recently.

"She" chuckled, reminding:

[In a dream, Luviya's other self said that sentence.](Note)

But Shard didn't make a choice because of that; he still planned to wait until he had two Spirit Runes at the Five Rings to consider the Words of Ascension.

"Oh, there's also the matter of Lakin Prisia."

Miss Danester said again.

"Tonight, I didn't meet him."

Shard answered immediately, and the Female Sorcerer nodded with satisfaction, letting the book automatically fly to the coffee table, then somewhat wearily pouring herself another cup of tea:

"Since you've come to the Academy with some difficulty, I'll take you around the library later, to get to know the environment here in advance."

"Alright, thank you for your kindness."

Shard nodded, holding Mia as he looked up at the huge rotating brass astrolabe above him.

When one thing ends, another always begins. The Time Key of Randall Valley City and the road ahead in the Inner Ring all awaited him to solve. However, fortunately, these matters didn't need to be rushed, at least not too rushed.

Shard planned to take this opportunity, punished by the Tree Father, to rest for a while.

(Mia running...)

The arrival of Saturday meant Shard had to go to Tobesk Train Station to officially see off Miss Galina and Tifa, who were returning to the County of Saradiel. The Duchess took most of her followers and personal maid with her, but still left enough staff at the Tobesk estate for Shard, as if worried that during her absence from the city, Shard would be unable to find help.

Iluna, who was learning power from the Witch, also appeared at the train station to see them off this morning. The Witch had left her with many books and learning materials before her departure. Iluna didn't stay long; the church had assigned her a new task, while Shard, who was in the luxurious VIP carriage for Miss Galina's farewell, made his final goodbye.

"Half an hour before departure."

The carriage was decorated extremely luxuriously, arranged like a formal study. The red blackout curtains of the carriage window had already been drawn. The Red-Haired Witch wasn't saying anything else, just sitting somewhat lazily on the soft fabric sofa, while Tifa smiled and went to another carriage with the other maids.

"Shard, since we won't be seeing each other for over a month, the farewell must be more formal."

She smiled at Shard, motioning for him to sit next to her:

"I heard the rumors among the maids in the manor but still don't know what you and Tifa did in my bedroom while I was away..."

Her golden eyes looked at Shard, her pale cheeks slightly red:

"Before this brief farewell, you might demonstrate for me. Oh, young knight, please don't lie to your mistress."

Before Shard could say anything, footsteps appeared behind him. The black-haired Miss Maid returned, smiling as she lifted Shard, then gently pushed him.

In short, as Shard waved and watched the chugging train depart, he was still surprised that Miss Galina's figure was even more... beautiful than it appeared.