Capítulo 1607: Chapter 1607: Black Moon Insignia
Miss Danester listened carefully to Shard’s description of the six generations of the Edwards family, pondering for a while before speaking:
“The Edwards family hasn’t actually ruled the island for very long. The first lord was the Klein Edwards you ntioned. He lived more than three hundred years ago, and it’s hard to find accurate details about his identity, or even precise historical writings about his life. But so vague evidence suggests he was a Circle Sorcerer.”
“So, the disaster in Green Lake Town and the past of the Edwards family actually originated from this person?”
Shard asked, and Miss Danester nodded:
“After hearing the information you obtained, that’s a reasonable deduction. Shard, you’re even more remarkable than I thought. I’ve conducted so many investigations but haven’t found accurate information about Edwards family mbers, yet you did.”
“I’m also curious about that Sun, Moon, and Stars pattern. Besides, a trip to Green Lake isn’t too difficult. The next challenge is simply finding all the surviving Edwards mbers. I can reach out to the Furen brothers.”
“I have so interesting information myself.”
Miss Danester said while holding her teacup:
“That Sun, Moon, and Stars pattern is very similar to the design on the back of the Roder Card, so I contacted the Prophet’s Society hoping to understand the aning behind the Roder Card back, but they said it’s not an original design but a copied pattern that already exists.”
She was referring to the “Impermanence Card.”
“I know you really like the Roder Cards, and you should be familiar with the Genesis Series deck. The Prophet’s Society showed
the [Genesis: Fate] card and explained the Roder Card back originates from this card, as well as the [Genesis: Knowledge] you hold. Thus, the clues about the Roder Cards have temporarily stopped, as even the Prophet’s Society doesn’t know which ancient diviner created these two cards.”
Shard laughed and shook his head:
“Of course, but I really envy you being able to see the [Genesis: Fate]… Ahem, back to the serious stuff, did you find other clues at the Society?”
“Yes, you are quite perceptive.”
The red-haired sorceress nodded:
“Although I didn’t get any design clues from the Prophet’s Society, I unexpectedly discovered that the father of the Fourth Generation, who died under the Third Generation lord Pride Edwards in Green Lake Town, once brought a prophecy to the Green Lake City Prophet’s Society for interpretation. That prophecy wasn’t made by the Prophet’s Society; it was brought by Pride Edwards.”
“What was the content of the prophecy?”
Shard asked.
“Those stubborn folks wouldn’t disclose it.”
Miss Danester shook her head. After all, the Prophet’s Society has an obligation to keep secrets for everyone seeking their help, and Luviya often stressed that the Society would never leak secrets, as it’s a fundantal rule.
“They wouldn’t reveal it, so I went to look myself. Since it was a prophecy by a regular person, it wasn’t hidden very securely. The Society’s defenses can stop others, but not .”
The librarian spoke in a nonchalant manner, as if talking about having a breakfast of vegetable salad, and then inford Shard of the prophecy:
“When the Day of Healing arrives, the scattered bloodline will return to the family’s origin. We will all drink the elixir of immortality, and escape the world’s bondage.”
“How did the Prophet’s Society interpret this passage?”
Shard asked, and Miss Danester shook her head:
“This prophecy wasn’t interpreted by the Prophet’s Society Circle Sorcerers but by regular diviners. Registered diviners at the Society don’t easily interpret others’ prophecies; it’s a peculiar rule of theirs. But looking from today’s angle, at least the middle part suggests that one day all Edwards mbers will return to that island.”
“‘Family’s origin’ might even refer to that pattern.”
Shard agreed with this view:
“So, we just wait for them to return, and then while they’re enjoying the elixir, we ask them the aning of the pattern, one by one?”
“Your saying is quite humorous.”
Miss Danester laughed and shook her head. She’s not one to sit idly by:
“Next, you should reach out to the Furen brothers and use your ans to find other Edwards mbers. There are things at the Academy that I might temporarily not investigate further, so the upcoming investigation will be mainly up to you.”
She didn’t hide the situation at Shard Academy:
“Soone suspects Saint Byrons of secretly holding big secrets related to The Chosen, and that ancient witches from the Fifth Era are hidden in the Academy… To be precise, besides ourselves, everyone suspects this. The principal has already reached an agreent with the Church, allowing them to send a team to enter the Academy for investigation.”
“Huh?”
Shard blinked and pursed his lips without comnting.
Miss Danester continued:
“During the Fifth Era, we wouldn’t suffer such ‘insults’. Luckily, the Church still considers our relationship, so officially they’re sending a ‘visiting group’ by invitation from the Divinity Academy. Our headmaster requested
to handle this. I just hope they can find sothing out because I’m also curious about how Miss Feliana and other ancient witches manage to cross ti… Hopefully, they can discover whether the God Summoner is one of our students.”
As she spoke, she looked at Shard:
“Shard, what do you guess they’ll find in this investigation?”
Shard quickly shook his head:
“I have no idea, so you’ll handle the Academy’s affairs and leave the Edwards’ matters to .”
Miss Danester showed a aningful expression but didn’t probe further since she had more important things to convey:
“Let
remind you, based on your participation in the Ring City Horse Riding Competition and your talent and fast advancent after becoming a Circle Sorcerer, the Academy now suspects you might be the Chosen of Space.”
“What?”
Shard was startled but quickly understood the logic, yesterday Galina also ntioned sothing similar.
“But it’s not possible.”
“You don’t need to explain to , because I also don’t know who The Chosen is. But coincidentally, the Green Lake Region could be the ritual site for The Chosen of Space, and you happen to be there too.”
“I suspect the Furen brothers, they also have spatial abilities, plus they’re twins, and that Ancient God of Space is related to splitting and healing!”
Shard imdiately said, and Miss Danester laughed:
“Alright, alright, currently, it seems your suspicion is the greatest. But don’t worry, only Saint Byrons knows about your situation now. I also don’t believe you’re The Chosen of Space. If you’re The Chosen, it’s more likely Moon than Space. I just want to remind you, never let anyone see ‘Shard Hamilton’ appear in Green Lake. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard ti explaining yourself.”
“Of course, I understand.”
“Also, your studies are the most important, don’t let investigations waste too much ti. Once I finish with the Academy matters, I’ll take charge of investigating the Edwards myself. Of course, if my student is so proactive in completing a ntor’s task, I can’t be too stingy. Feel free to make requests, Shard.”
Shard was waiting for this:
“There are two things. I’ve already obtained my first Spirit Rune with the Six Rings, Whisper – End, which corresponds to my Sublimation Incantation [Shadow of Silvermoon guides the final direction]. I’d like to apply for a new Arcane Technique from the Academy.”
He then displayed his Ring of Fate, and Miss Danester glanced at it, nodding in satisfaction:
“Not bad, seems you really work hard. Then let
choose for you. What kind of Arcane Technique do you prefer? Runes like Termination or Destruction typically relate to more aggressive sorcery.”
“The type doesn’t matter, but I hope it’s related to the moon.”
The librarian beca more pleased with her student:
“Very well, you clearly know which path you want to take, which is very important for a young person like you. If that’s the case, I recomnd you the Arcane Technique – [Black Moon Insignia], which is also the technique I often use.”
As she spoke, an apple from the fruit bowl on the table flew in front of her. She reached out and tapped the apple, and a small black moon insignia with a strange sheen appeared on the apple’s surface. Miss Danester snapped her fingers lightly, and the apple was annihilated.
It wasn’t rotting or disappeared like it was erased by space, but instead turned into white flying ash.
Miss Danester asked:
“Please tell , what does the Black Moon signify?”
“In the Material World, the three moons are Silvermoon, Red Moon, and Yellow Moon. The Black Moon usually refers to the state of the moon during a lunar eclipse. This rare astronomical event causes a tide of spirits in the Material World and fluctuations in Circle Sorcerers’ spellcasting abilities. It also causes so special relics’ properties to change. But generally, the appearance of the Black Moon represents the Darkest Night, the all-consuming black, a symbol of Destruction.”
“Indeed, the Arcane Technique – [Black Moon Insignia] was born because of this. Spellcasters leave a Black Moon Insignia on the surface of any entities and detonate the Black Moon before the insignia disappears, causing the attached entity to be annihilated. The duration of the insignia, along with the spellcaster’s level and the spirit consud, determines how long it stays. Objects destroyed in this manner are very difficult to recover, except through powers like Ti Reversal. For example, if soone’s finger is destroyed using this thod, restorative techniques can’t regenerate the finger; only Ti Reversal or creating a completely new finger can do so.”
“Conceptual annihilation?”
Shard asked.
“More or less, you can experience it yourself once you learn it. You can also sense the danger of this technique. Generally speaking, only students above the Seventh Ring, who have passed strict academy reviews, are permitted to access it. Currently, there are only five docunted users of the [Black Moon Insignia] at Saint Byrons, and four of us, including myself, are professors.”
She waved her hand, and a roll of yellowed parchnt flew from a distant bookshelf behind Shard to his front:
“This shouldn’t leak out; morize it now and prepare the materials. Rember, you absolutely cannot teach this technique to others. Regarding your learning of the technique, I’ll vouch for you to beco the sixth Circle Sorcerer at Saint Byrons to master the [Black Moon Insignia].”
“Thank you.”
Shard quickly expressed his gratitude and proceeded to examine the contents on the parchnt. The materials required for such a complex technique are naturally not ordinary, but fortunately, Shard himself possesses a considerable amount of the ritual core material, ‘Water of Moonlight.’ The other necessary materials can be gathered through multiple channels. Although so materials on the list are troubleso, they can be procured through the channels of the Witch Council and the Guiding Light Hermitage.
The only complication is the stringent timing required for learning this technique:
“Must the ritual be conducted during a lunar eclipse?”
Shard suspiciously looked at this requirent:
“Lunar eclipses aren’t frequent occurrences.”
In fact, since the Outlander arrived in this world, he has never encountered a lunar eclipse.
“Since I’m recomnding this technique to you, it naturally won’t be intentionally difficult for you. Recently during a teaching seminar at the academy, I heard professors from the Astronomy College ntion that towards the end of the Sowing Moon, a brief lunar eclipse is expected, observable in most parts of the Central Old Continent.”
Whether this world is a planet or has a circular sky and flat earth remains unclear to Shard, but indeed, there are ti differences across the Old Continent, and celestial phenona seen in different regions do vary. However, these phenona can all be explained through Mysticism.
“Now it’s the tenth day of the Sowing Moon, so you have over half a month to gather materials and prepare the ritual. I believe that’s sufficient ti. Of course, if you really can’t gather all materials, I can give you so from my personal warehouse, but the technique is free because I’m your teacher; the materials will require so compensation.”
The female sorceress said with a smile, letting the roll of ancient parchnt fly back to its original place after Shard had finished examining its contents:
“Let’s discuss the second matter. You still need my help with sothing, don’t you?”
Shard nodded:
“That’s right, I would like to et Miss Emilia Xenode and discuss the unicorn matter.”
This was to allow the Witch of the Fifth Era to harness the power of the unicorn form.
Miss Danester hesitated for a mont:
“Shard, while the academy doesn’t prohibit student relationships, but….”
She clearly recalled Shard’s chaotic romantic entanglents. Not to ntion the high ring female sorceress she witnessed on the night of the Battle of Randall Valley, rumors in Tobesk spoke of Shard being involved with at least three won:
“A fifty-year-old elf, if converted to pure human age, would be only fifteen or sixteen.”
“I am genuinely seeking knowledge; if you don’t believe , you can observe our conversation.”
Shard said solemnly, trying to change his image in Miss Danester’s mind.
“Is that so?”
It was evident that Miss Danester still had doubts but eventually chose to trust Shard’s character.
On this Thursday morning, Shard maintained communication with Saint Byrons through a projection ritual. After over a month of not seeing her, elf girl Emilia t Shard again and was delighted. Although Shard’s question seed odd—how does one utilize the unicorn’s power if transford into one—the elf girl still provided a detailed answer.
After bidding farewell to Emilia and Miss Danester, the ti had already reached midday. As Shard stretched lazily and rose from his chair, he saw Mia lying on the sofa watching him, which put him in a good mood, so he picked it up and prepared to head out for lunch.
He decided not to go to the Green Lake Region today, so after having lunch outside with the cat, he strolled to Old John’s pawnshop.
“Old Man John, help appraise this relic.”
The pawnshop was quiet in the afternoon without any custors. Upon entering, Shard took out the red-bronze bracelet he obtained on the island yesterday.
“A relic? Let
see.”
The elderly man behind the counter was calmly brewing tea and beca interested when he heard about the relic. He reached out to unwrap the cloth covering the bracelet. After a glance at the light, he shook his head with a hint of disappointnt:
“I thought it would be sothing else.”
He retrieved a silenced pistol from beneath the counter and put the bracelet on his wrist, then handed the gun to Shard:
“Shoot .”
“You’re not kidding, right?”
Shard asked.
“Of course not, the bullet won’t count towards your expenses.”
Shard nodded suspiciously, making sure the elderly man’s ntal state was better than yesterday’s Miss Apothecary before he gently patted his cat to prevent frightening it later and pulled the trigger:
Bang!
Due to the silencer, the sound was very faint, and Shard’s dynamic vision clearly captured the bullet’s path in the air, watching as it was deflected away upon approaching the old man.
“Just don’t damage my shop.”
Old John waved, and the deflected bullet was controlled to return, falling into his palm. He removed the bracelet and placed it back on the counter, indicating the appraisal was done:
“I’ve seen this relic before, probably forty or fifty years ago. This is a Scribe Level (Level 4) relic [Arrow’s Enemy], wearing the bracelet allows deflection of projectiles. Arrows, bullets, even fireballs and thunder are under its protective range. The negative trait is long-term wearing brings bad luck, or perhaps luck gets deflected away too.”
Shard raised an eyebrow:
“I definitely won’t be wearing it then. But its positive trait sounds pretty good.”
“No, it’s actually quite useless.”
Old John shook his head:
“The relic itself is passively activated, and each activation can only maintain its effect for 1 second, with the shortest interval between activations being five minutes. Deflecting bullets is easy, but facing Circle Sorcerer’s Magic Spellcraft, activating the relic’s effect consus physical stamina. If one exceeds their limit, there’s even a chance of physical decay. For Circle Sorcerers, by the ti one reaches the Inner Ring, bullets aren’t much of a threat. Basic Sorcery [Arrow Protection]’s advanced form [Bullet Protection], along with defensive sorceries corresponding to Spirit Runes like [Shield] and [Guardian], cannot be penetrated by ordinary bullets. Even Alchemical Bullets show a distinct limit to their power. Since the effect achievable by sorcery can surpass that of alchemical items, why take the risk with a dangerous relic?”
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