Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Afterward, Shard did not hide anything about the secret talk with Professor Garcia, sharing the details with the group. The other four were happy that Shard had obtained such a powerful Arcane Technique.

As for his request to take an early look at the "Sublimation Codex," they didn't have much to say; they simply thought that after acquiring the Desecration "Gluttony," Shard underestimated the difficulty in obtaining Spirit Runes.

It wasn't until the topic of Magic Potions came up that Shard vaguely mentioned having a special use for them, without giving any specifics.

Mixing Magic Potions is indeed a precise task, and it is both time-consuming and costly. That's why Miss Luisa suggested from the beginning that Shard not choose the Chemistry Academy.

After requesting help from the Old Cleric, who was in a good mood, Priest Augustus agreed to help concoct "The Price of Growth." The ingredients could be found on the local black market, but there weren't many people who knew how to mix Magic Potions.

The Old Cleric even charged Shard only a nominal fee for the materials, which wasn't much at all for a detective who had suddenly become "rich" and didn't need to consider the cost.

"The Price of Growth" would take some time to mix, so Shard wanted to use it on Thursday morning. Therefore, the priest promised to write to him on Tuesday or Wednesday, so he could come to collect it.

While the Magic Potion matter was going smoothly, no one in the group had the Relic "Time Key," which was only useful to Circle Sorcerers who held the "Time" Spirit Rune. Dr. Schneider had once obtained one, but it had long been handed over to the Academy.

When Shard asked everyone if there was a way for ordinary people to gain power, they all shook their heads. If such things could be easily done, Circle Sorcerers would not be so rare.

But Miss Luisa, true to her profession as a writer, provided Shard with a completely new perspective.

The blonde girl looked at Shard, her expression thoughtful, and asked,

"The power you speak of, what exactly do you mean by that?"

This question made Shard realize something, and he even wanted to hug Miss Luisa in gratitude. But to avoid being disliked and misunderstood by the female sorcerers in his group, he refrained from doing so.

Personal strength does not necessarily refer to physical strength; other types of strength count as well. Especially when dealing with children... specifically persuading children, Shard thought. Even if he couldn't grant the girl mysterious powers, the knowledge in the Outlander's head which was inconvenient to monetize, was quite abundant.

"You've been a huge help. With the newspaper advertisement as well, Miss Luisa, I owe you a lot. As soon as I get this month's pay, I promise to take you to the city's Opera House to see the most expensive opera."

His promise made Miss Luisa feel rather perplexed:

"I am honored... Oh, the fairy tales you asked for."

She handed Shard the newspaper-wrapped pages:

"Remember to give them back to me by next Saturday and don't damage the edges of the pages."

"No problem."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

His debt of gratitude had just increased.

With not much else to do at today's study session, and after congratulating the doctor on his recovery, the other four took their leave. Of course, Shard also didn't forget to confirm the doctor and the Old Cleric's Sunday night schedules, grateful that they didn't even know Duke Lucas.

Now Shard could attend the card game without any worries.

After leaving the clinic, Priest Augustus still travelled the same way as Shard. As they passed a group of Tobesk University students dressed in school uniforms on Rontgen Avenue, Shard mentioned his intent to find an opportunity to thank Miss Luisa and asked Priest Augustus if he knew the blonde writer's hobbies.

"She doesn't seem to have many hobbies... Writing should count, and she also likes opera; she seems to have a good understanding of music as well," replied the priest, though he wasn't very certain in his tone.

Shard nodded, quietly observing the afternoon scenery of Tobesk Street. It was only four o'clock, and the summer days were long:

"It sounds like Miss Luisa comes from a good family; hobbies like these aren't something the poor can afford to cultivate. I only found out recently that Miss Luisa's father is a professor at the local university in Tobesk."

Priest Augustus nodded,

"Yes, her background is quite good. In this regard, Luisa can be considered the only 'normal person' among the five of us."

"What do you mean by that?"

Shard asked curiously, and as they crossed the intersection, the Old Cleric elaborated,

"Luisa is a local from Tobesk, coming from a wealthy upper-class family. Her father is a professor at the Tobesk Higher Academy, and her mother is the youngest daughter of the late Viscount Kade. Luisa has two older brothers and a younger sister.

She moved out to live independently and earn her own living after successfully completing her education at the Women's Academy, and then her talent awakened and she was discovered by a doctor. Her parents are both healthy, and she has a good relationship with her family, unlike me, an old bachelor who has never married in his whole life."

He pointed to himself.

"Bill, who was orphaned at birth."

He pointed towards Schneider Psychological Clinic at the rear.

"Annette, who lost her parents early and has no other relatives."

He gestured towards the direction the Diviner claimed she was leaving town for business, though Shard knew she actually wanted to "accidentally" meet Miss Beyas.

"And you, the former vagabond without memories of your past."

This time he pointed at Shard.

"Dorothy Luisa is the happiest of us five, so fortunate that it seems she should not be mingling with such unlucky souls as us."

The Priest concluded, taking his pipe out of his pocket as if he wanted to take a puff.

Shard nodded his head, listening to this news. It was the first time he had heard about the backgrounds of the other members of the group.

But he wondered,

"Yet, I always feel... Miss Luisa seems to have some story of her own. She's quite familiar with the noble customs, and she possesses an indescribable, probably very unique, aura about her."

Shard spoke hesitantly as they stopped to allow the porters carrying a leather sofa to cross in front of them.

Priest Augustus's face broke into a smile, smoothing out his wrinkles. Holding the pipe in one hand and patting Shard's shoulder with the other, he said cheerfully,

"I can't explain that, but Luisa's mother was just a daughter without the right to inheritance, so she's not of nobility, and it seems she doesn't have much connection with her grandfather's side. Are you interested in Luisa? That's normal, young people of the same age."

The Priest joked.

"No, it's not like that, just... never mind, we shouldn't pry too much into others' secrets."

Shard shook his head and dropped the subject.

There was still time, and upon learning that Shard was free for the day, Priest Augustus invited the Detective to accompany him to Dawn Chapel to retrieve the house deed and land title, while also having the Dawn Church inspect the house to determine if the sealed area could be opened.

This task was no trouble at all. The two made their way back to Saint Delan Square first, where Shard went home to fetch the Detective's Relic and a death certificate pre-arranged by Priest Augustus. Then the Priest led Shard to Dawn Chapel, located in Dawn Square. They greeted acquaintances on their way through the majestic main hall of the chapel.

The Priest prayed underneath the Holy Emblem for a while before taking Shard along the grandiose corridors to an office labeled "Document Storage Room," where they found a middle-aged Priest leisurely sipping tea and reading a novel to pass the afternoon.

The novel's title was "Explorer of the Eye of the Storm," a sea adventure story about the exploration of shipping routes between the Old and New World. Since it dealt with sailor life, it contained many risqué parts. The presence of such a book in a church was indeed amusing.