"It looks like I didn't choose the wrong person; Professor Manning is very reliable."
Seeing the look on Professor Heink's face, Shard knew that his wait was finally over.
"No, I'm sorry, I don't recognize this symbol."
Professor Heink said, and apart from an unexpected expression when he saw the symbol, there was no sign that he was lying.
"I see... That's a pity."
Shard nodded, took back his notebook, then placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out an envelope:
"A hundred pounds."
It was nearly a quarter of his savings.
"What do you an?"
The professor asked in surprise, and Shard no longer beat around the bush but said bluntly: Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
"Professor, I'm looking for the Hermit Society."
"Oh no, I don't know anything about so Hermit Society. Young man, you really have the wrong person."
As he said this, he was about to get up and leave. Shard did not stop him but said in a low voice:
"The ancient wind can blow from the ancient Eras to the present, hiding within lost history, the organization indeed wouldn't recklessly reveal its identity. But Professor, I've heard that as long as their goals aren't in conflict, they are very willing to trade with strangers, to spread their knowledge and receive compensation. Are you saying that after so many years, the rules of the Hermit Society have changed?"
Professor Heink paid him no heed and headed straight for the door of the study.
Shard sat at the desk with his back to him:
"Professor, it's not just
looking for the Hermit Society; they also need the information I hold. I don't know if you can make contact with those Circle Sorcerers..."
Getting in touch with such an organization would surely reveal his identity, and Shard was prepared for this. He wasn't worried, partly because the other party would certainly fear exposure even more—Shard could run away simply by grabbing his cat and jumping on a train, but the Guiding Light Club, supported by the Hermit Society for many years, could not; and partly because, based on what Miss Feliana had said and his preliminary understanding, this ancient organization seed trustworthy.
Although there were still risks involved, there are risks in everything one does, and Shard was prepared to bear them.
Professor Heink stood by the door, holding the doorknob, neither opening the door nor turning to talk to Shard.
Shard did not rush him, and thus, silence settled in the study. After three long minutes, perhaps tired from standing, the old professor turned around sowhat reluctantly and said:
"Alright, Mr. Hamilton, I can help you make contact with a mber of the Hermit Society, but we must determine the place."
"They have people in Tobesk? That's great, you can decide the place, but it can't be too remote, and the ti can't be too late; I have to consider my own safety."
"I think that's acceptable. I'll send a ssage tonight to your address,"
the professor stated, and of course, Shard readily agreed. After all, he didn't have ti this afternoon either.
Today is Saturday, the ti for the weekly group eting. Last Saturday, the five mbers of the group took their sumr exams, and after the exams, they didn't discuss anything because they wanted to relax, but in reality, there wasn't much to share.
After all, the public safety had been too good these last few weeks.
This Saturday, the most important event was, of course, Shard's promotion to second year. As planned, he arrived earlier than usual at Dr. Schneider's clinic and submitted the rcury Vial through the parchnt to the Academy.
During the ti Luviya, Priest Augustus, and Dorothy arrived in succession, the Academy responded to Shard with an acknowledgnt of the Relic's value, granting him five credits, allowing him to amass a total of 15 credits within a week.
Although he had expected such an outco, Shard couldn't help feeling elated when he heard the news.
Afterward, just like when he had enrolled, the Academy sent him a bill for book fees and tuition. The total cost for the second year was 325 pounds, which was certainly a discounted price; otherwise, the book fees alone would have exceeded this amount.
This money was to be paid from the special contribution award won by the group, from which Shard had received twenty-five percent of the 1000 pounds. But since the first paynt had already been managed by the doctor, he still had around 200 pounds left from the prize money. Now that he had paid with the special contribution award, it ant that he still owed the rest of the group about 125 pounds.
When Shard first started studying, he had needed to pay 50 pounds in tuition, money that the group had lent him. Later, after finding the "Forged Philosopher's Stone," Dr. Schneider had waived his debt. A month and a half had passed, the tuition was higher, but Shard was no longer in the dire straits he had been upon his arrival; he could afford this amount.
But with this, his savings had taken another hit, leaving him with just over 200 pounds to spend. Considering the trade with the Guiding Light Hermit Society, Shard felt yet again that he was, in fact, still short of money.
Similar to the first year courses, the second-year courses are also the foundational classes for Circle Sorcerers, combined with the core courses of the History Academy. There are still many courses, but by their nas, most appear to be extensions of what was learned in the first year.
"Interdiate Alchemy and Magic Potion"
"Atlas of Continental Geography: Herbal dicine and Ore"
"Identification of Common Toxins"
"Introduction to Astrology"
"Introduction to Heraldry"
"Mysticism and Ritual Studies: Beginner's Class"
"Introduction to Ancient Mysticism School" (Summoning, Elent, Necromancy, Prophecy, Protection/Healing, Curse, Illusion Technique, Enhancent, Universal - choose one. At least six must be completed before graduation.)
"Theoretical Foundations of Spirit Runes (Interdiate)"
"Circle Sorcerer Advanced Class - Arcane Technique"
"Circle Sorcerer Advanced Class - Sorcery"
"Mastery of Ancient Language (Fifth Era 0~2000)"
"Mastery of Ancient Language (Fifth Era 2000~4000)"
"Mastery of Ancient Language (Fifth Era 4000~5793)"
"Ancient Literature" (Serious Literature, Popular Literature (already selected in the first year), Others - choose one. Complete before the fifth year.)
"The Departed Great One: Old God" (Note: Correspondence Circle Mages must choose a companion of Inner Ring (inclusive) or higher level for guidance and supervision to ensure a normal ntal state.)
"History (II)"
"Investigator's File" (core academic course)
"Introduction to Antique Appraisal" (core academic course)
"Secrets of Ti: Investigator's Guide" (core academic course)
"Relics and Whispers" (core academic course)
"Basic Theology (Interdiate)"
There are a total of 21 courses, and "Introduction to Ancient Mysticism School" covers the manifestations of mysticism since the Witch Era up until the Sixth Era, in which the Circle Sorcerers live. Mastery of Ancient Language, which Dorothy began in her fourth year, is required in the second year for Shard, as he is from the History Academy, thus making it a requirent by the training program.
Different academies have very different focuses after the first year. For example, alchemy and magic potion, two important disciplines, are not closely related to the developntal direction of the History Academy. Thus, even though alchemy and magic potion courses need to be continued, they have been rged and are much easier than those at the chanical Academy and Chemistry Academy.
These courses are just the compulsory ones. Upon reaching second year, many more elective courses that require additional paynt will also be available to Shard. A parchnt listing the electives is kept by Shard himself, and he can apply to the academy for them any ti via the doctor's thods.
Next week, the "Folded Space" class taught by Professor Garcia, which Shard is scheduled to attend, does not exist on the list. This course was not originally open to Low Ring Sorcerers, and Shard had received special permission from Professor Garcia to attend the class.
The Academy had probably guessed that Shard would earn credits by purchasing and submitting relics and would surely reach his goal by the weekend, so the textbooks had been prepared in advance.
So of the first-year textbooks are also used in the second year, so although Shard has more courses in the second year, the number of textbooks delivered this ti is actually fewer, only about forty.
The five of them organized the books neatly so that Shard could take them with him when he left in the evening.
Besides Shard, Priest Augustus and Dorothy also applied for new elective courses at the Academy as supplental learning content for the latter half of the year. The Priest chose "Extraction and Processing of Hallucinogenic Toxins," while Dorothy selected "The Mystery of the Soul: Elental Impact."
The purple-eyed Diviner had no issues requiring the Academy's attention this week, and Dr. Schneider had received notice that the Student Affairs Office had ntioned to him last week: "The official outdoor practice of the Academy for the sumr" was postponed to the latter half of August.
Although two weeks had passed since the Godfall incident in Tobesk, after discussions, the Academy was still concerned about the safety of the city. Considering overall safety issues, not just Saint Byrons but also Zaras Literary Academy and Xerxes Higher dical Academy, had postponed their original outdoor practice activities scheduled for early August to the latter part of the month.
If no further incidents occur in or around Tobesk, this annual practice activity will proceed.
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