Falsified Philosopher's Stone

The sheet that caught Shade's attention seemed to be made of parchment. One corner was pinned beneath the book Psychology and Abnormal Psychology, but it only covered the signature and did not affect the main content:

Academy Bounty Notice

The illegal organization Blood of Mercury has appeared in Tobesk City and its surrounding areas carrying the Keeper of Secrets Level relic Falsified Philosopher's Stone. A bounty is hereby offered to all Academy Correspondence Ring Arcanists in this region. Closely monitor the movements of Blood of Mercury. If the Falsified Philosopher's Stone is submitted to the Academy, it may offset 5 Practical Credits for this academic year, and the academic assessment rating for that term will automatically be raised to "Excellent." Other rewards may be discussed with Professor Roggs of the Mechanical College.

Note 1: This mission is extremely dangerous. Students below the 3rd Ring, including the 3rd Ring, are not advised to directly contact the Blood of Mercury organization in any form.

Note 2: For detailed information regarding the relic Falsified Philosopher's Stone, please consult the Academy.

Note 3: The Orthodox Church has already received this information. If you intend to complete this mission, take care not to expose your identity to The Church.

The signature below was obscured. It seemed to be a joint announcement issued by the Public Affairs Management Office of Saint Byrens Comprehensive College and the Mechanical College.

"What happens if I'm exposed to the Orthodox Church? I forgot to ask Doctor just now."

Shade thought to himself, then placed the document folder on the table and returned to the sofa.

So far, no one knew his secret of being able to understand all sorts of strange languages, so it was unlikely that this was something Doctor had forged. On the contrary, the appearance of this Academy bounty notice proved that what Doctor had said was most likely true.

"Still, credits and academic assessments really are terrifying words. I never expected to run into this sort of thing in an age of steam civilization."

Shade silently reflected, recalling his life in his hometown. This only strengthened his resolve to make contact with the mysterious and find a way back.

He just had not expected that, after arriving in another world, he would still have to study and take exams. He might even have to write papers.

"There are always more solutions than difficulties."

With that thought in heart, he patiently waited for Doctor to return.

Although Doctor had treated him to lunch at the Goose Restaurant not long ago, the horrifying scenes he had seen that morning had left too deep an impression. Shade had barely eaten anything.

Now that he had made plans for the future, his mood had improved somewhat, and his hunger returned. While Doctor was still away, he asked Mrs. Carla for some pastries, saying that he wanted Afternoon Tea.

Doctor had probably told her that Shade was an honored guest, so when the maid in a floral apron knocked and entered, Shade saw that she was actually carrying a porcelain plate.

"This is one of Mr. Schneider's collections."

The middle-aged maid smiled. She looked to be in her forties, somewhat older than the blue-eyed Doctor. Plump in build, she perfectly matched Shade's image of an ordinary middle-aged housewife from this era.

Although this world had no great Eastern nation, porcelain still existed, and it was still precious. Only special soil and techniques from certain regions could produce such exquisite wares.

Shade thanked Mrs. Carla but did not care much about the porcelain plate. Looking at the delicate yellow sponge cakes on it and the red cherry atop each cake, gleaming as though it could reflect light, he unconsciously swallowed.

"Shade, don't disgrace the people of another world!"

The newly arrived Outlander told himself in his heart. Then, as expected, he heard the woman's pleasant laughter in his mind again.

They had agreed to meet at two, but Doctor was nowhere to be seen. If Shade had not discovered, when he went to the Washroom, that no one was really stopping him from wandering around, he might have suspected that he had fallen into some kind of trap.

Since this was someone else's place, Shade returned to the original room to wait after confirming that he could leave at any time. He did not have the bad habit of rifling through other people's things, and he was worried about seeing documents he should not see again, so he sat bored on the sofa and examined the room's interior decorations.

After nearly forty hours in this world, he had gained a deeper understanding of the development level of the country he was currently in. The features of the Steam Epoch Appeared in every aspect of life. It was not only the Gas Lamps and steam pipes; the delicate mechanical clasps on various pieces of furniture, the lifting platform controlled by large gears, pulleys, and ropes at the side of the bookshelf—these were all things Shade had never seen in his own world.

He had never imagined that he could come to such a world. While feeling lost, he had also tried to exchange his own knowledge for money. But he knew far too little, and he did not possess an exceptional photographic Memory. He was still filled with anxiety about the life ahead.

Doctor Schneider did not appear until half past two. He had changed into another coat, and this one was black.

He began apologizing the moment he pushed open the door and entered:

"I'm terribly sorry. Something completely unexpected happened. I ordered a batch of sensitive medicines on the black market—no, don't make that face. They aren't for the clinic's patients. I don't do that sort of thing. They're for my own thaumaturgical research, but something went wrong when I collected them. What terrible luck."

As he spoke, he sat down again. The maid followed him in and served the two men a fresh pot of black tea.

"So, have you decided?"

Doctor asked solemnly, his blue eyes looking into Shade's. Shade had examined the color of this body's eyes in the Mirror. They were still that nearly black dark brown, just as before.

"I've decided."

Shade sat up straight and nodded, giving his answer with equal solemnity:

"I want to try making contact with the Poet Level relic Saint Byrens Comprehensive College's Dream."

A broad smile appeared on Doctor's face:

"Though my luck has not been very good today, I've discovered something, Hamilton Detective. As Long As it concerns you, things always go smoothly."

As one of the Three Great Arcane Academies, Saint Byrens Comprehensive College possessed the ability to deliver relics remotely. But Shade was not yet a formal Ring Arcanist, so Doctor Schneider naturally would not tell him how it was done.

After waiting alone in the room for another ten or so minutes, Doctor pushed open the door carrying a black paper box.

It truly was a black paper box. There was nothing on it except black. Shade did not even notice where the seams of the box were at First Time.

"Saint Byrens Comprehensive College's Dream is a product of the previous epoch, the Fifth Epoch. When the Academy had just been established, its legendary founder, the Thirteenth Ring Warlock Miss Mana Falianna, obtained this relic after a Summer Day nap. This relic must be contained in a black space, so its containment method is relatively simple."

"The Academy was only established in the previous epoch?"

Shade was somewhat puzzled. He had thought it was the sort of ancient organization with an Inheritance spanning several epochs.

"Actually, the five great Orthodox Churches and the Three Great Arcane Academies all Appeared in the previous epoch. Remember this common knowledge: the Fourth Epoch was an age of darkness and chaos, when Evil and distortion ran rampant throughout the world. The Fifth Epoch was the age of the Witches. Only women possessed the ability to cast spells, and the powerful Witch Emperors divided the world among themselves. City-states fought one another, and Civilization made no progress throughout the Fifth Epoch. It was a barbaric and primitive age, but equally terrifying. Only in the Sixth Epoch, when the extraordinary no longer Appeared, could human Civilization advance in the hands of ordinary people to the era of today."

Doctor did not introduce the even more ancient epochs, and Shade did not ask. The two were seated on the sofa, and Doctor Schneider had already opened the box.

Peering inside, Shade saw that the paper box was filled with straw. Resting atop it was an exquisite palm-sized cloisonné enamel Snuff Bottle. Its body was overall pale blue, painted with bright yellow sunflowers linked together by golden lines, making one unable to resist thinking of the pleasant moments of Summer Day.

PS: It seems like everyone is not very willing to speak up. Is the plot boring, with nothing worth discussing?