Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Although the blonde Miss Writer, Dorothy Louisa, had also arrived, the academy was still going to send over the items Shard needed upon his enrollment, according to the original schedule. Therefore, half an hour before that, the four of them still had time to continue their conversation.

Dr. Schneider, serving as the nominal host of the Correspondence Circle Mage group, was happy to bring up topics.

Shard thus learned more about the common knowledge of Circle Sorcerers, such as the fact that under normal circumstances, encountering an unfamiliar Relic would not immediately provide clues from "the other me." Therefore, relying on "the other me" to find Relics was an impractical issue; the identification of Relics was a major research focus in the field of Academy of Library Management.

Clearly, Shard was not normal.

[Outlander, your soul is especially sensitive to the Four Elements, allowing me easily to distinguish Relics. This isn't my specialty; it's yours.]

Explained the whispering voice by his ear, Shard initially thought it was an excuse, but after pondering, he considered the explanation quite reasonable.

Even he wasn't sure whether the specialty of "the other me" was genuinely special or special because of the Outlander.

The middle name "Sulun" could explain that the person had foreknowledge of his own Core Rune; giving the "Northern Common Language Pack" could also be explained as the person obtaining the incomplete memories of the original owner that he himself had not, owing to the trait of "the other me"; and the ring's reminding was merely because she had detected that peculiar Relic.

Thinking this over, Shard himself became confused...

"No, why is the voice feminine?"

Shard was nearly befuddled by his own thoughts.

[Perhaps, you can't fully understand your own persona either.]

"Don't talk nonsense," Shard retorted.

Shard thought it was a suggestion that he might be somewhat effeminate.

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Besides the difficulty of casually discovering Relics, Shard also learned that Dr. Schneider's group usually met every Saturday afternoon to share learning experiences, seek advice on problems, and contact the Academy through Dr. Schneider's manuscript pages.

Even without these pressing matters, they could share information, exchange goods, or complain about the heaviness of their studies. This last item was usually the main content.

The group would not impose mandatory tasks on its members, but if someone needed help, such as engaging in some Academy tasks that could earn practical credits, the others must consider first whether they had the time.

As ten o'clock was about to strike, everyone tidied up the coffee table, allowing Dr. Schneider to place the Poet-Level Relic's parchment there. When the corner wall clock began to chime the first strike for ten o'clock, a parchment roll tied with a red ribbon appeared, flickering lights over the parchment.

Shard quickly grabbed it, untied the ribbon, and unrolled the parchment—this was Shard's correspondence first-year development plan.

Saint Byrons Academy usually held a unified grade promotion assessment at the end of every winter. As Shard had enrolled in summer, it was certain he could not complete all his courses this year, so it would likely take him more than a year and a half to finish the courses outlined in the tailor-made development plan.

"Actually, the first grade usually takes one to three years as it involves foundational courses... Oh, you are indeed going to be busy," remarked Priest Augustus, who was sitting next to Shard and thus clearly saw the list of compulsory first-year courses that he had to complete:

The Herbs We Know

Basic Potionology

Introduction to Elementary Alchemy

Introduction to Astronomy

Introduction to Mysticism and Ritual Studies

Theoretical Foundations of Spirit Runes (Part I)

Basic Course for Circle Sorcerer - Arcane Technique

Basic Course for Circle Sorcerer - Sorcery

Introduction to Ancient Languages (Fifth Era 0~2000)

"Introduction to Ancient Language (Fifth Era 2000~4000)"

"Introduction to Ancient Language (Fifth Era 4000~5793)"

"Ancient Literature" (Serious Literature, Popular Literature, Others, choose one. Must be completed before the fifth year.)

"Folklore, Religion, and Civilization"

"History (I)"

"Theoretical Basis of Time Travel" (Core Academic Course)

"Practical Training for Time Travel" (Core Academic Course)

"Containment and Management of Relics" (Core Academic Course)

"Basic Theology (Part I)"

"History and General Education at Saint Byrons Integrated Academy"

A total of 19 compulsory courses, requiring 53 credits, by the end of this year, Shard needed to earn 15 credits to pass the end-of-year evaluation and continue other studies in the second year as a freshman.

The books that were subsequently delivered totaled over 100, including textbooks, required readings, and some supplementary academic literature.

Shard, along with three others, continually took the textbooks that appeared from the pages of poems and piled them to the side.

Watching the height of the "mountain of books" grow, the Outlander's anxiety about the future suddenly vanished; he felt as though he had returned to his homeland, back to school life.

"How about it, the 50 Gold Pounds tuition fee is worth it, right? These compulsory courses are tailored for you by the school, all quite basic, as the first year is the time to lay the foundations. But don't worry, apart from the core academic courses, other courses provide three opportunities to fail an evaluation.

Failing three times requires a deferral for one year to retake the evaluation, and you have to pay the tuition again, but you won't be expelled," said Priest Augustus, thinking Shard was apprehensive about the sheer number of books, comforting him.

In this era of the steam industry, the illiteracy rate was still very high, and as an ordinary citizen, one might not encounter so many books in a lifetime, which is why the priest reassured the "inexperienced" young detective.

Yet, it was precisely this kind of life with which the Outlander was familiar.

Shard's first-year curriculum included 19 compulsory courses, requiring the submission of several papers or coursework assignments after self-study, with some requiring exams or practical evaluations.

The end-of-year evaluations took place at the end of the year, but exam seasons were at the end of July in the summer and in December in the winter. If Shard progressed quickly in his studies, he could pass some of the exams as early as the end of July, a month later.

All of the above mentioned only the compulsory courses for the Correspondence Circle Mage, but to complete an entire grade's curriculum, sufficient practical credits were also needed.

The first year required 40 practical credits, but the History Academy made strict rules about the source of these 40 practical credits. At least 10 credits had to come from "Time Exploration" activities.

The History Academy was the academy with the fewest students within Saint Byrons Integrated Academy, and most of its students transferred from other majors in their senior years.

The core of the History Academy was to rely on the Relic "Time Key" of the Old God "Father of the Infinite Tree" to perform time travel, which required Spirit Runes related to time concepts.

Shard's core academic course "Practical Training for Time Travel" involved using the Academy-provided key to perform one instance of time travel under supervision, after which submitting a report would complete the course. However, performing nearly completely safe time travel through the course did not earn practical credits.

Finding Relics "Time Key" of different levels on one's own or purchasing them from the Academy could yield high practical credits and other rewards upon returning with valuable information, history, and knowledge, such as Relics, Arcane Techniques, Sorcery, or precious knowledge stored in the Saint Byrons Grand Library.

Therefore, the History Academy and the Academy of Library Management, time travel, and relic containment, could be considered the academies where it was easiest to obtain practical credits and academic rewards.

"Although these basic courses might look complex, once you get started, you'll realize they are not very difficult. Look, here is the list of elective courses you are allowed to choose from."

After the 100-plus books were finally delivered, a new Parchment Roll appeared on the table. Dr. Schneider helped Shard open it and took a quick look before handing it to him:

"Elective credits can be converted, 10 credits for 1 practical credit. Moreover, these elective courses are the really valuable ones, showcasing the true expertise of the professors. Of course, elective courses cost Gold Pounds..."

"Elective courses cost Gold Pounds?"

Shard was startled but then realized this was not the world of the past. Besides, even in the past, back home, elective courses were free, but in some schools in western countries, elective courses did cost money.