Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Besides Professor Garcia's class, the busy Miss Danester also invited Shard to participate in her elective course "Moonlight Curse."

This course only accepts students at the Inner Ring or above, whose core Spirit Runes are associated with the concept of the "Moon." In the month-long course, they will learn about the effects of hundreds of sorceries and arcane techniques centered around March.

This is actually a foundational course but is very important for Circle Sorcerers who build their system with the "Moon" as the core.

As for Miss Danester's gathering of ritual materials for the "Summon Silvermoon Library" ceremony, it is almost completed. She arranged with Shard to personally visit Shard's home in Tobesk City next weekend, either on the 25th or 6th of the Moon of Birth, which Shard is looking forward to.

Regarding the arcane technique reward Shard received in the comprehensive academic assessment, he has not yet gone to the library to choose it. On one hand, he has just entered the Inner Ring and is still adapting to his powers. On the other, he doesn't know what challenges a new key or new city will bring, so he could save the opportunity to learn arcane techniques for later.

And before the end of today's study session, Luviya announced significant news:

"I have received notice from the Prophet's Society that I need to travel for work next week, roughly for half a month to a month. Considering the travel, I will be away from Tobesk for about a month."

Shard wasn't surprised, since Luviya had mentioned this (note), yet he only learned the specific timing now.

Dr. Schneider frowned slightly:

"About the Academy..."

For the convenience of managing correspondence students, leaving the stationed area for a long time requires a report to the Academy. A month naturally counts as a long-term departure.

"It's not a problem. Actually, I've considered that I've already advanced to the Inner Ring, and my divination ability has significantly improved, so the Society and Academy discussed, allowing me to go to a suitable place abroad to obtain my Sublimation Words."

"Isn't the Academy's Sublimation Codex enough? Why do you need the Sublimation Words from another organization?"

Dorothy also asked:

"So where is the destination? Is it far from Tobesk?"

"Yes, it's far."

Luviya nodded:

"The Kingdom of Carsonrick, Spring City, Randall Valley City. The local Prophet's Society will assist me in communicating with a local secret order. The Academy also made some arrangements, but I can't disclose those confidential matters."

"That far? That's almost at the southernmost tip of the Old Continent."

Priest Augustus was a bit surprised, then glanced at Shard. After the exam week, Shard had mentioned to the Priest and Doctor that he was going there. Dorothy also glanced at Shard; he had told Lecia at the Opera House on Wednesday that he was going there.

Of course, Shard hadn't mentioned to Luviya, the Luviya of now, that he would be traveling to Randall Valley soon. After all, he hadn't found a reason yet for his journey to that unfamiliar city.

Now, this reason has emerged.

"When are you leaving?"

Shard asked with considerable concern, and the girl with purple eyes turned to look at him:

"Leaving next Monday, but it won't be a steam train. Saint Byrons is currently allocating professors to verify the identity of correspondence students across the Old Continent, so I can tag along to Randall Valley. Should arrive by Wednesday, and I'll write you... you all a letter for reassurance. With some luck, it might not even take a full month."

"A month isn't that long. Last autumn, I stayed in Midshire Fort for nearly three months and returned almost into winter."

The Old Cleric remarked, and the Doctor nodded, indicating he understood the Academy's arrangement. There would likely be official communications sent to him soon. The blonde girl also glanced at Shard, and as expected, saw Shard and Luviya exchanging looks.

Miss Writer pouted but thought about how Luviya would be absent from Shard's home for an entire month, which made her slightly joyful... Of course, she didn't show it.

That afternoon after the meeting at the Doctor's, Shard had a private talk with Luviya. The girl with purple eyes was also a bit reluctant about the long separation ahead, but it was an unavoidable circumstance. She would inform Iluna about this, and the rest of tomorrow would be spent packing her luggage.

"I'll come help you pack tomorrow..."

Shard tried hard to hold back the news that he would soon be heading to Randall Valley as well, and kissed Luviya in the hallway on the second floor of the Doctor's clinic.

Afterward, Shard left together with Dorothy as usual, but before dinner, they first went to Old John's pawnshop. Shard successfully exchanged a small bottle of "Pink Essential Oil," which could increase the Spirit, for the critically important "Oak's Luck Potion."

Old John was quite sure that Shard had more "pink essential oil," but Shard did not admit it. When they left the pawnshop, Dorothy teased, suggesting that Shard seemed to have long known Luviya would leave town:

"It's almost like he was prepared in advance, planning to reunite with her in another city... Luviya would certainly be moved, wouldn't she?"

In fact, since the other Luviya knew the key was in Randall Valley, it necessarily meant "she" had ties with that valley city, and there was a high probability she had been there. Shard couldn't be sure whether after having his own [Present World: Sixth Era] things would still happen the same as in the [Bygone Era], but at least when he heard about Luviya going to that city, he wasn't surprised at all.

That evening, Lecia had some matters to attend to herself, so she didn't use Dorothy's body, and Shard invited Dorothy to the opera in the city.

He frequently went to the opera on dates with the girls, but it was unavoidable, as in this era, there were only so many legal, elegant, and interesting entertainments. Especially now, during the deep winter, even if Shard wanted to invite Dorothy for a stroll in the city, he had to consider the temperature.

Watching the opera with Dorothy meant there was no need for a private box. Shard had booked the tickets in advance, left Mia at home, and went to see the famous opera "White Heart Queen" with Miss Writer. On the way home, Shard didn't forget to ask Dorothy about her Words of Inner Ring Ascension and what fairy tale she planned to use.

"I remember Lecia's Words of Inner Ring Ascension seemed to be about the legend of the mermaid."

After paying for the carriage, as he fished out his keys, Shard commented. Although he could open the door without keys, he tried to avoid doing so.

Using keys to open the door gave him the feeling of coming home.

"Yes, my recent application just got approved. I chose the fairy tale 'Grey's Crystal Shoes.' Since the Words of Low Ring Ascension used the Core Spirit Rune [Writer]—[Beyond Matchstick's Dream, Writer's Compassion for the Frozen Dead], I want to use the Core Spirit Rune [Another Princess]—[Night]'s [Castle], where only [Time] can stop the [Blessed] [Princess], for the Inner Ring."

Dorothy's [Another Princess] and Lecia's [Princess] Spirit Runes were obviously different, but in this Words of Ascension, they should be interchangeable.

Shard opened the door and made way for Dorothy to enter first:

"[Time]? That's not an easily accessible Spirit Rune, but I think I can help you."

"Yes, considering that, I chose this challenging task. In fact, your past adventure stories have inspired me many times."

"However, I have never heard of the story of 'Grey's Crystal Shoes.'"

"It's what the fairy tale was called in the last era. Now, it has more versions and interpretation approaches, commonly called 'The Princess on the Pumpkin Carriage.'"

Shard nodded; he hadn't actually heard of this story either.

"Shard, I really envy you."

After both had entered, Dorothy helped Shard take off his coat, draping it over her left forearm, and walked up the stairs together with him. At this moment, they could already hear the sound of the small cat excitedly running downstairs.

What Shard liked most about this cat was that unless there were others at home, no matter when he returned home, the cat would always come down to greet him.

"Each of your rings has a Spirit Rune named after a fairy tale."

Miss Writer listed, familiar with Shard's Spirit Runes as she and Lecia were jointly responsible for teaching him the Enlightenment Element:

"Matchstick Girl, Kiss of the Tree, Sleeping Princess, Water of Wisdom... Shard, what Enlightenment do you plan to study for the Five Rings? You can request it now; Lecia and I can prepare it for you since we are your teachers in name."

"The stories you two are using for the Words of Ascension would be fine; we can learn together."

Shard said casually, bending down to pick up the soft cat, and then smilingly changed the topic:

"So, are there any fairy tales related to cats?"

Dorothy thought for a moment and continued upstairs with him:

"Rejed's Knight and Miss Gawder's Ginger Cat?"

"Oh, Dorothy, I know Mia is not really mine yet, but you don't have to point it out directly."

Shard half complained, while Dorothy reached to grab the cat in Shard's arms, and Mia immediately meowed in protest. This cat would probably sleep in the wardrobe again tonight, as during the opera, Miss Writer had "unintentionally" shown Shard the [Ever-Youth Leaf] she was carrying. Though not as forward as Her Highness the Princess, Dorothy Louisa also longed for the feeling of being embraced.

Their figures disappeared around the staircase corner; beneath the gaslight, it was empty, while laughter and cat meows echoed through the warm home.

It was Saturday night, and since they decided to end the somewhat lazy early-year lifestyle and start a new round of adventures, the time key obtained from Mr. Edmund at Coldwater Port, after being postponed for two and a half weeks, was ready to be used again.