Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Shard's secrets were actually not many: his status as an outsider, the occasional unusualness of the voice in his head, and his ability to understand any script he had come across so far; therefore, the problem wasn't too significant.

"Yes, the problem isn't big."

He convinced himself of this.

"I'm glad you understand. The Academy has pondered over the issue with the Bill Schneider Group for many years, even considering disbanding the group. Thankfully, you arrived. In fact, comparatively speaking, even among all the correspondence Circle Sorcerers who have enrolled at Saint Byrons in the recent ten years, your background is the most trustworthy.

Your past is very simple, and you've had no connections with the mystical or other powers."

Professor Sanchez said with a smile. Since he brought up the topic, Shard took the opportunity to ask:

"Professor, since you've investigated my past, does the Academy know how I became a vagrant? I apologize, I have almost no memory of that period."

Judging by the scars on his body and his physical condition, it was impossible that the original host had always been homeless. As he posed the question, his ears twitched slightly. Mia seemed to have completely given up on scratching the door; there had been no sound for a long time.

Professor Sanchez coughed, clearing his throat:

"Regarding your past, the brain issue has been there since childhood, and your vagrant life probably started at 16. Mr. Hamilton, your hometown is Green Shade Village in the southern Carlton County of the Draleon Kingdom. That year, the entire southern region suffered a great famine, your family died on the road while fleeing, and you ended up alone in Tobesk...

I apologize, if you're curious about this, you can get the report later."

Professor Sanchez showed a look of regret. Shard pursed his lips and shook his head, saying nothing.

His curiosity about the original host's past was limited only to worry that the other might also have some major secret or concern. For example, perhaps he was a royal illegitimate child or the descendant of a grand noble. But now it seemed, such plotlines from knightly novels were unlikely to apply to him.

That the original host had no leftover personal ties made things easier for an outsider with no inherited memories.

"So, Professor, please allow me to ask one more question. Since you've investigated my background, does the Academy know about Detective Sparrow Hamilton, about his affairs?"

Expectantly, he looked at Professor Sanchez, who nodded:

"The Academy also found out about him, which wasn't easy. But rest assured, Detective Sparrow Hamilton's secrets have nothing to do with Circle Sorcerers or the mystical... Regarding his affairs, I'm not planning to tell you directly but let you investigate for yourself. This is also an important stage for you to integrate here, and I think you'll understand."

"Really has nothing to do with the transcendent?"

Shard sought confirmation.

"I swear on my honor, Detective Sparrow Hamilton's secrets are only related to ordinary people. Is that okay?"

The professor joked with a smile, and Shard immediately indicated it wasn't necessary.

"By the way, since we just brought up the report, to facilitate your surveillance of the doctor, ahem, I mean monitoring the doctor, the Academy will provide you with a Poet-Level Relic, 'Poet Cohen's Manuscript.' But this piece of paper should only be used when necessary, and normally you should still use the one from Bill Schneider to contact the Academy."

Professor Sanchez continued.

"How will I receive the paper? If it's sent through the doctor's channels, wouldn't that expose this secret?"

"It has already been mailed; it should arrive in your hands by tomorrow morning."

"Mailed? Through the postal service? From the Far North to here? What about security concerns, or if it gets lost on the way..."

Shard had never imagined the Academy would employ such a crude method.

"Of course it wasn't sent from the Academy; that would waste a lot of time, and it wouldn't be safe. Saint Byrons Integrated Academy has many assets on the Old Continent, which also serve as relay stations for formal students' external internships, as well as a means for the Academy to profit...

Since we're talking about profit, I think we can discuss the remuneration for your task of monitoring the doctor,"

The topic shifted here suddenly, but Shard didn't think it required any remuneration. He saw the doctor as a friend and guide, and was willing to contact the Academy to intervene when the other lost control, which was actually good for all three parties. But since the Academy was offering, he had no reason to decline, so he did not feign refusal.

"Because this job doesn't require much labor, the payment isn't substantial. However, the History Academy values you highly, and after negotiation, the dean of the Astronomy College conducted a divination for you this afternoon, to roughly foretell your fate in the coming days.

"After joining as a Circle Sorcerer, one often gets lost in the heavy academic workload, and divination can effectively point out a path."

Professor Sanchez said, and then took out a similarly transparent piece of paper from the translucent pocket of his dress suit.

Find more to read at empire

He read in standard Draleon, as if delivering a speech to the Council:

"I see Silvermoon, I see a young detective holding a Roder Card. I also see blood; the young detective should stay away from places filled with blood."

After finishing, he put the paper away:

"Divination and prophecy usually lack direct specificity and require interpretation. Mr. Hamilton, do you understand the meaning of this result?"

"Yes, I understand... I'm not very clear about the warning that follows, it seems to guide me to stay away from danger and disputes. At least the first part, I understand very well."

Shard nodded, suppressing the palpitations in his heart; hearing "Roder Card" made it clear to him. A certain possibility, one he had seen as nearly zero, was now infinitely amplified by the prophecy.

He wondered if this was influenced by casting The Twenty-Sided Die of Destiny earlier that day, but on second thought, the professors just happened to help resolve the statue issue that evening, which also felt like a stroke of luck:

"I'll visit the Prophet's Society for appraisal right after I feed the cat tomorrow morning."

"As long as you understand, that's good. But I must also remind you, Mr. Hamilton, while the Roder Cards are interesting, do not become obsessed with them. The night is deep, and our meeting for today ends here. Ms. Jones and I will leave first, and Professor Garcia will take over your lessons.

I wish you good dreams,"

The meeting that evening ended in such an atmosphere.

Miss Jones also put away her fountain pen and stopped recording; she smiled at Shard. So, Shard rose to say goodbye, watching as the transparent figures of the two rose from their chairs and gradually disappeared into the air of the second floor at No. 6, Saint Delan Square.

Professor Garcia still sat there and gestured for Shard to also sit down to talk. It was now time for the two of them to be alone, but Professor Garcia still looked just as serious:

"Since the other matters have concluded, let us begin the lesson content.

"It's been a long time since I set foot on the Old Continent south of the Far North, and I am not quite used to conversing with students of ordinary origin like you, please excuse me. But the night is deep, and I believe we don't need to talk much, Mr. Hamilton, for you are about to embark on your time-travel journey, please..."

"Sorry, you're not coming with me?"

Shard caught a different implication in that statement.

"Yes, a key only permits a one-time, solo time travel."

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