Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The piece of paper that caught Shard's attention seemed to be made of parchment. It was partially concealed by the book "Psychology and Abnormal Psychology," but only the signature was covered, not interfering with the main content:

[Academy Bounty Notice

An illegal organization "Blood of Mercury," carrying a Keeper of Secrets Level Relic "Forged Philosopher's Stone," has been spotted in Tobesk City and the surrounding areas.

An Academy Bounty is issued to all Circle Mages on correspondences in the area, to closely monitor the actions of "Blood of Mercury." If the "Forged Philosopher's Stone" is submitted to the Academy, it will offset 5 practice academic credits for this school year, and the academic assessment grade for this term will automatically be upgraded to 'Excellent.' For additional rewards, please consult with Professor Rogers of the Mechanical Academy.

Note 1: This mission is extremely dangerous. It is not recommended for students of Three Rings (including) or lower to make any direct contact with the "Blood of Mercury" organization.

Note 2: For detailed information regarding the Relic "Forged Philosopher's Stone," please consult with the Academy.

Note 3: The True God Church has been notified of this information. If you are interested in completing this mission, please be cautious not to reveal your identity to the Church.]

Below was the signature, obscured from view, seemingly a joint announcement released by the Public Affairs Administration of Saint Byrons Integrated Academy and the Mechanical Academy.

"What if it's exposed to the True God Church? I forgot to ask the doctor earlier."

Shard thought, then he placed the document bag on the desk and sat back down on the sofa.

So far, no one knew his secret of understanding various strange languages, so the possibility of the doctor forging this was not high. On the contrary, the appearance of this Academy Bounty Notice was more likely to prove that what the doctor said was true.

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"However, academic credits, academic assessments... truly chilling terms. Who would have thought that even in the era of steam civilization, one could encounter such things."

Shard mused to himself, recalling his life back home. It made him even more determined to delve into the mysteries and find a way to return.

Only, he hadn't expected to have to study and take exams, even in the Otherworld. And what's more uncertain, he might even have to write papers.

"There are always more solutions than difficulties."

He thought to himself, patiently waiting for the doctor to return.

Even though the doctor had treated him to lunch at the goose restaurant not long ago, Shard had barely eaten due to the horrific scene he witnessed in the morning, which had left a deep impression on him.

Now, having made some plans for the future, and feeling a bit better, hunger started to set in. So he took the opportunity while the doctor was away to ask Mrs. Kara for some snacks, saying he wanted to have afternoon tea.

It seemed the doctor had mentioned Shard was an honored guest, so when the maid wearing a floral apron knocked and entered, Shard saw that she was actually carrying a porcelain plate.

"This is part of Mr. Schneider's collection."

The middle-aged maid smiled as she spoke. She looked to be in her forties, somewhat older than the blue-eyed doctor. Her figure was plump, fitting Shard's image of a middle-aged woman from an ordinary family of this era.

Although there was no great eastern nation in this world, porcelain still existed and was still prized. Only special soil and techniques from specific regions could create such fine pieces.

Shard thanked Mrs. Kara, not particularly interested in the porcelain plate. He looked at the exquisite yellow fluffy muffins on the plate, and the shiny red cherry on top of each one, and he swallowed subconsciously.

"Shard, don't disgrace the people of the Otherworld!"

The outlander, new to this place, said to himself, and then, as expected, again heard the pleasant laughter of the woman in his mind.

They had agreed to meet at two, but the doctor was nowhere to be seen. If it weren't for Shard stumbling upon the washroom and realizing there really was no one to stop him from wandering around, he might have suspected he had fallen into some sort of trap.

Since it was someone else's place, Shard went back to the original room to wait after making sure he could leave at any time. He didn't have the bad habit of rummaging through other people's belongings, and he was also worried about coming across files he shouldn't see, so he just sat on the sofa, bored, surveying the room's interior decoration.

Having been in this world for close to 40 hours, he had gained a greater understanding of the developmental level of the country he was in.

The characteristics of the Steam Age were evident in all aspects of life, not just in the gas lamps and steam pipes, but also in the intricate mechanical structures of clasps on furniture, and the elevating platforms on the sides of bookshelves, controlled by large gears, pulleys, and ropes—all of which were new to Shard in his own world.

He had never imagined he could come to such a world, and while he felt lost, he also tried to exchange his knowledge for money. But he knew too little, and did not possess an exceptional eidetic memory. As such, he was still filled with anxiety about the life ahead.

Dr. Schneider didn't show up until half-past two. He had changed into a black overcoat.

He began apologizing as soon as he entered:

"I am truly sorry, something completely unexpected came up. I had ordered a batch of sensitive drugs on the black market, no, please don't look at me like that, they are not for the patients at the clinic, I don't do that sort of thing. They were for my own arcane technique research, and there was a complication when receiving the order, such bad luck."

As he spoke, he took his seat again, and the maid also walked in, bringing a fresh pot of black tea for both gentlemen:

"So, have you made up your mind?"

The doctor asked earnestly, his blue eyes gazing into Shard's. Shard had observed the color of his own eyes in this body in the mirror, they were still that blackish deep brown, the same as before.

"I have made up my mind."

Shard sat up straight and nodded, giving his answer with equal solemnity:

"I want to try and come in contact with the poet-level relic, 'Dream of Saint Byrons Integrated Academy'."

The doctor's face lit up with a broad smile:

"Although today's luck hasn't been great, I have found, Hamilton Detective, that anything involving you always seems to go smoothly."

As one of the Three Great Magics Academies, Saint Byrons Integrated Academy had the ability to deliver relics over long distances. But since Shard wasn't yet a formal Circle Sorcerer, Dr. Schneider naturally didn't let him know how this was done.

After waiting alone in the room for another ten minutes or so, the doctor returned carrying a black paper box.

It was indeed a black paper box, with nothing but black to be seen. Shard didn't even immediately notice where the seams of the box were.

"'Dream of Saint Byrons Integrated Academy' is a product of the last era, from the Fifth Era to be precise. Back when the academy was just established, Miss Mana Feliana, the legendary founder and Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer, had a revelation during a summer nap and obtained this relic. This relic must be kept in a dark space, which is a relatively simple containment method for relics."

"The academy was only established last era?"

Shard was a bit puzzled; he had thought it was one of those ancient organizations handed down through several eras.

"In fact, the Church of the Five Great Deities and the Three Great Magics Academies all came into existence during the last era. Remember this common knowledge, the Fourth Era was a time of darkness and chaos, with wickedness and distortion rampant across the world.

The Fifth Era belonged to the witches, where only females possessed spellcasting abilities, powerful Witch Empresses divided the world among themselves, and city-states fought each other. There was no progress in civilization and it was a wild and primitive era, but equally terrifying.

In the Sixth Era, the transcendent beings faded, and humanity's civilization was finally able to progress to the current age in the hands of ordinary people."

The doctor didn't elaborate on even older eras, and Shard didn't ask, because the two were sitting on the sofa and Dr. Schneider had already opened the box.

Peering inside, the box was lined with straw, on which lay a delicate enamel filigree snuff bottle, the size of a palm. The overall color of the bottle was a light blue, adorned with bright yellow sunflowers interconnected by golden lines, which irresistibly reminded one of joyful summer days.