Admission

Doctor Schneider took a sip of black tea during a pause in the conversation, then looked into the cup with some surprise:

"This black tea is quite good."

"The Church and the Academy?"

Shade had no mind to care about the former detective's taste in tea, nor what kind of person the former detective had been. He was still processing this information.

"Yes, the Church can also train Ring Arcanists. In fact, the proper channels for becoming a Ring Arcanist, at least in my view, are the five Orthodox Churches and the Three Great Arcane Academies. The other Evil God Churches, Secret Societies, Ancient Organizations, and all sorts of miscellaneous groups either use improper methods or methods riddled with hidden dangers. So, the fact that you happened to meet me during your talent awakening was truly fortunate for both of us."

"Then the Church."

Compared with an Academy of unknown origins, Shade was actually more interested in the Church, which could cooperate with the Kingdom authorities. The doctor could see that much. He smiled and shook his head in understanding before explaining:

"The Academy and the Orthodox Church are not hostile to one another. They even cooperate from time to time. It is simply that the Church does not like Academy students, whether Correspondence Students or formal students. They believe we are dangerous troublemakers who attract problems."

He raised an eyebrow slightly. Seeing that Shade did not ask, he continued:

"So, we Correspondence Student Academy Faction Ring Arcanists are not illegal merely by existing, but we generally do not let the Church know our identities or even that we exist. I know you may be interested in the Church, so please answer my question—"

A smile curled at the doctor's lips:

"Joining the Church requires a completely clean background. Even if someone has a criminal record, they need a complete life history to confirm that they are not dangerous. Can you provide that?"

Bill Schneider was himself a psychiatrist, and at that moment he seemed rather like he was consulting a patient.

"You investigated me?"

The words slipped out of Shade's mouth, but he immediately regretted saying them:

It would be stranger if he hadn't investigated me.

"Only some basic information. After all, Academy admissions also require confirming the other party's identity. I cannot recommend a dangerous person to the Academy. But since we are only correspondence students—do you understand what correspondence means?—the requirements regarding identity are not as strict as the Church's."

Doctor Schneider smiled at the young detective seated across from him:

"A Ring Arcanist's awakening can affect one's mind. That is why you changed from the original Shade into the Shade you are now. Only after investigating your identity did I understand what the terror and bewilderment in your eyes when I met you yesterday had been about. For you, the moment your talent awakened was when you truly 'woke up,' wasn't it?"

He had probably misunderstood why the intellectually impaired Shade had become the current Shade, but Shade was happy to let him think that way. So he nodded as though his thoughts had been seen through:

"If I took that explanation to the Church—"

"Of course you could. But I would rather you first learn about the Academy and understand what a 'Ring Arcanist' truly is. Wouldn't that make it easier to decide? I believe you can understand that I am not one of the bad guys, at least."

Doctor Schneider said. Shade nodded again; the doctor had a point. He answered solemnly:

"All right, then. Thank you, Doctor Schneider. I am willing to learn about these things first."

The doctor took a pocket watch from his pocket and glanced at it:

"We do not have much time. Talent awakenings usually last around seventy-two hours, though that varies from person to person. To prevent us from missing the window—"

"What happens if someone is not guided during the awakening and does not become a Ring Arcanist?"

Shade interrupted the doctor somewhat sheepishly:

"I am curious about that."

The doctor shook his head indifferently:

"Curiosity is a good thing. It means you are not opposed to Ring Arcanists or mysticism.

"Someone like you, who knows almost nothing, is actually easier to guide. People fear the extraordinary and dread the mysterious, but you have shown no rejection at all, only curiosity. That makes me very glad. As for your question, I do not have specific data on hand. I can only tell you that if a Ring Arcanist's talent awakening is not guided, there is a high chance they will go mad and a small chance their head will explode. Yes, have you ever seen a hammer smash a watermelon? Pink and white bits flying everywhere."

The doctor asked politely.

"No need to describe it. That comparison is too vivid. I can practically see it already."

Shade immediately said, his empty stomach feeling a little unsettled.

"All right, then. Of course, there is an even smaller chance that some strange things may happen, but we can discuss that later. In any case, let us first help you understand Ring Arcanists. A simple explanation would not be very illustrative, so please come with me."

The doctor stood up.

"Go where? To Saint Byrens Comprehensive College?"

Shade raised the Academy admission documents in his hand.

"Of course not. We correspondence students are only qualified to go to the Academy hidden within the Northern Ice Cap of the Old Continent after our fifth year. The Academy's location is secret and is connected to certain subspace entrances attached to the Material World, as well as unusual species. Before then, we continue living our own lives and studying within the scope of those lives. Remember, Mr. Hamilton, this is adult education. We are Correspondence Students of the Academy."

In other words, even if Shade joined the Academy, he would not need to attend classes in some secret location like Hogwarts. That had its advantages and disadvantages, but at least he would retain more freedom while gaining power.

"Now, I am taking you to find the person who killed Sparrow Hamilton."

The doctor made a welcoming gesture.

"What?"

Shade sprang to his feet. This was certainly not something he had expected.

"Yes. I only discovered it while investigating your identity. Since there has already been something extraordinary and mysterious around you, why not take this opportunity to help you solve this problem? You must also be worried about whether the person who killed the original Hamilton Detective might implicate you."

Shade had to admit that even though the original detective had promised not to involve him, he was still worried.

"This is not a particularly troublesome matter. And since Sparrow Hamilton was only an ordinary person, the other party apparently did not deliberately conceal the traces of what they did. Come with me now. I think we can settle this before lunch. Oh, do you have a handgun?"

The doctor asked again.

"No."

Shade shook his head.

"Then please do not stand in front of me. I guarantee that as long as you remain behind me, there will be no danger today. After all, the person we are facing is not a Ring Arcanist."

Before his death, Sparrow Hamilton had said the other party was one.

"Ordinary people cannot tell the difference and easily regard anyone capable of using extraordinary power as a Ring Arcanist. But for a formally employed Ring Arcanist, it is easy to distinguish. That person has no Wheel of Fate, has accumulated no spirit, and cannot sense the Four Elements of Miracle, Enlightenment, Blasphemy, and Whisper. They are merely someone who occasionally obtained a relic and got lucky—"

The doctor paused, then changed his wording:

"No, an unlucky fellow."

"You seemed to mention quite a few terms just now."

Shade said. He had actually already heard of the Four Elements and relics, but there was no need to show that now.

"It is fine. We can talk as we walk."

The profession of detective was highly dangerous. According to the doctor's investigation, the former detective, Sparrow Hamilton, had encountered an accident during one of his investigations.

Perhaps to prevent Shade from investigating, Sparrow Hamilton had deleted all records of that assignment before his death. But the doctor's intelligence network had completely reconstructed the incident.

"Come to think of it, you investigated the entire matter in one night?"

Shade did not forget to ask, but the doctor gave no clear answer. He merely said he would tell him after this matter was resolved.

"This is the place."

The two took a carriage from the square, with the doctor paying, and after a journey of nearly two hours across the city, they got off beneath the embankment beside the Oser River.

Tobesk City, the Northern Royal Capital, had a well-developed waterway system. Its inland shipping supported its prosperous steam industry and commercial trade.

Several rivers ran through Tobesk's urban district, among them the Oser River, which flowed through the northern part of the city. It was now the high-water season of summer, and the river surged violently.

This area was already close to the edge of the city. The doctor said City Hall planned to establish a new factory district nearby, using the Oser River's river transport to find new opportunities for Tobesk City's development. It would also connect the northern industrial districts of the Kingdom and supplement the Kingdom's Steam Locomotive railway network.

But for now, there were still vast stretches of wasteland nearby. Looking around after getting out of the carriage, Shade could see only Tobesk City's Building Complex in the distance through the hazy mist.

"To avoid alerting him, we will proceed on foot from here. I noticed that the boots you are wearing are well suited for long journeys. Mr. Hamilton, you probably have not eaten breakfast yet. Once we settle this matter, I will treat you to a meal."

The doctor said, carrying his briefcase as he and Shade, who held a notebook under his arm, walked into the grass beside the road. Before long, the two spotted a small path.