Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 860: Edited: Invitation

Chapter 860: Edited -860 Invitation

“Certainly, your apprentice?”

Shard stared at her in astonishment:

“But I’m not a female.”

“But you can wield Witch Power, you are adept at spatial and mathematical abilities, and Miss Galina has praised your exceptional talents, assuring me of your reliability. I can’t think of anyone more suitable to be my apprentice than you.”

Miss Sylvia enumerated Shard’s strengths one by one.

Her reasoning was indeed sound, but Shard believed that being a correspondence student at Saint Byrons was sufficient for now, and he was still drawn to the position of the Academy Librarian. Moreover, if he really dared to accept Miss Sylvia’s offer, he couldn’t even imagine what Miss Galina would do:

“I am honored to be considered by you, but apologies, I have no intention of becoming a Witch’s apprentice.”

Miss Sylvia wasn’t disappointed:

“You can think about it. The Speaker says I am not yet mature enough, and my talent remains undeveloped, he advised me not to take on apprentices until I reach Eleven Rings. I can give you time to consider… The Speaker said I have the talent to touch the Thirteenth Rank.”

Miss Sylvia said, apparently not joking, as she genuinely considered making Shard her apprentice.

“If I am not mistaken, Princess Margaret is very eager to become your apprentice.”

Shard pointed out, the Witch shook her head slightly while holding her teacup:

“I already mentioned last night that the girl lacks talent. I don’t mean she is foolish, her Circle Sorcerer talent is quite good, and she is very diligent. But… she is not suited to be my apprentice. The Anjou Family’s ladies have great ambition, but they are terrible at academia. Moreover, the secrets of space are completely beyond her reach. This world grants special talents to only a few, like you and me.”

This lady took great pride in her own talent.

Shard fully understood her meaning:

“Have you ever told her this directly?”

“Yes, I have explicitly told her, but she refuses to give up. Honestly, even if she doesn’t become my apprentice, I am willing to guide her further along the path of the Circle Sorcerer. But no talent is no talent, that’s unchangeable.”

“Does this relate to us meeting here rather than at the Rothschild Estate where the Princess is staying?”

“Yes, for someone like you, it’s best not to be seen by too many people. My followers are few, some may meet you, but Princess Margaret is not included. I think Miss Galina also keeps your presence secret from all her followers.”

This implied that Shard couldn’t use his identity of Shard Hamilton and the Witch’s connections to approach the Princess. He would have to find another way to handle the matters of the “Guiding Moon” and the “grey-headed eagle.”

“Also, take this.”

The Witch handed Shard an invitation she took from beside her:

“Tomorrow night, the Rothschild Estate will host a farewell banquet, and the grand nobles of Huntington City are invited. I hope you can attend.”

“Is there a specific task you need me to perform?”

“No tasks. Yesterday, I handed Poison Ivy Magis from the Pantanal Voodoo Society over to the Church, but the reason why she targeted an Earl is still unclear. I don’t think they dare to act against the Kingdom’s Princess, but it’s better to be cautious. If you can come, I’d be less stressed. But there’s no need to worry too much, the Church’s local representatives will attend the banquet tomorrow night, and I will be present too. You only need to attend and watch for any peculiar occurrences.”

Shard accepted the invitation:

“No problem. Saturday night, right… alright, I’ll postpone my previous plans.”

Then he asked:

“May I ask your thoughts on the ‘Lake Goddess’ legend around Huntington City?”

Miss Sylvia thought for a moment and slightly shook her head:

“I have only heard about this legend, but I do not know the specific details. My follower force mainly operates in the Velindale area. My teacher, before his death, did not operate in the Velindale region for an extended period either.”

Although it was somewhat regrettable, Shard knew that not everyone could provide information:

“I will consider the matter of the apprentice, but do not have high expectations. Also, my local friend, yes, that vampire kind, Mr. Benhart, also mentioned the Pantanal Voodoo Society’s influence. I don’t believe such a loosely structured organization would dare to attack an Earl of the Kingdom. Could there be another possibility? For example, were they hired?”

“Before handing over the guy with the high bounty on his head, I did interrogate him, but he was very resolute and said nothing. Magic potion did not work on him either. However, from the current situation, the Duchies around the Pantanal region seem somewhat restless, but it’s not entirely certain it was them. After all, once it is discovered that a secular government hired an illegal Circle Sorcerer organization…”

Miss Sylvia set down her teacup:

“The Inquisition of the True God Church is no joke. Especially, in this contemporary era, when the epic of the Poem Chapter is happening. Even if the mist of steam shrouds our civilization, the Inquisition remains the most terrifying institution.”

“I hope this is not the prelude to some grand conspiracy.”

Shard sighed, frowning as he looked out the window. The clouds of war had left the Old Continent decades ago, and the peaceful era facilitated the prosperity of the Steam Revolution. In the summer, there was internal rebellion within the Cavendish family, Queen Diana was mysteriously assassinated in the street, and now, the death of an Earl in Carsonrick is linked to a strange Circle Sorcerer organization. It seems someone is unwilling to live in an era of peace. Whether the smoke of war will reignite on the Old Continent is something even an outlander can’t fathom.

Shard spent the entire Friday morning at the Owl Library conversing with Miss Sylvia. This young witch, with short black shoulder-length hair, had considerable achievements in contemporary mathematical research and had published several papers as the first author, gaining significant fame even in the academic circles of ordinary people. This was also why she was employed by the Royal Family as a tutor for the princesses.

When discussing spatial sorcery, Miss Sylvia also possessed insights far beyond Shard’s understanding. Her mastery in spatial sorcery was quite high, and a simple conversation could point out many of Shard’s misconceptions in using spatial power.

Of course, she couldn’t understand why Shard’s “Lagre’s Leap” was more effective than that of an ordinary Circle Sorcerer, but she immediately identified the key in the Arcane Technique “Spatial Stabilization Aura”:

“Compared to an Arcane Technique, this actually resembles some kind of marvellous Divine Arts. I suspect it originates from an Ancient God. Maybe, after consulting the literature, we can find its origin.”

Although Shard declined the proposal to become Miss Sylvia’s apprentice, he was happy to exchange more ideas with this Grand Witch. She was willing to share knowledge with Shard and even promised that when their group reached Tobesk, she could temporarily act as Shard’s teacher, imparting some knowledge related to Witch Power to him.

Compared to Miss Galina and Miss Aphrola, Miss Sylvia indeed resembled a scholar more. She was extremely efficient in her words and actions, and her appreciation for Shard stemmed not from his uniqueness, but from her belief that Shard’s logical thinking was as if it had been rigorously trained like that of a scholar and mechanical engineer:

“If you had not become a Circle Sorcerer and lived an ordinary life, you could absolutely contribute to the scientific development of this era.”

This was a high praise.

Near noon, Miss Sylvia treated Shard to lunch at the Owl Club in the Owl Library, and only then did they formally say goodbye. The morning’s time also assured Shard that this Grand Witch bore no malice toward him, and even held him in high regard, thus putting him at ease.

After leaving the Owl Club, Shard officially began his exploration of the “Lake Goddess” legend.

Based on the information provided by Mr. Edmund of the Hermit Society, and Mr. Benhart of the vampire kind, sightings of the “Lake Goddess” did not occur at any one specific lake but randomly around the numerous lakes between Huntington City and the Pantanal Swamp region.

Because it is near the Pantanal region, Huntington City’s west side is dotted with numerous lakes of varying sizes, starkly contrasting with the low vineyards, hills, and plains to the east. The city cannot expand westward into the swamp region, resulting in the ancient West Old Town of Huntington City missing the steam age’s development but preserving the old city’s architectural style.

Steam pipes run through here, but the old buildings still exemplify Huntington City’s past glory. Tobesk is a true steam age metropolis, Coldwater Port is an adventurer’s paradise, Midshire Fort is a mountainous city, while Huntington is a blend of vineyards, swamps, and steam, standing at the boundary of eras.

Shard’s first stop wasn’t to the lakes outside the city to try his luck. Mr. Benhart had contacted a local folklore professor researching the “Lake Goddess” legend, who claimed to have truly encountered the so-called “Lake Goddess.”

In fact, Mr. Benhart had contacted more than one witness, but this was the only one proficient in Delarion. Shard had no other choice; his Casenric Language was insufficient for prolonged, professional conversations. After all, Miss Sylvia had been using Delarion Language the entire morning.

“It seems every time I arrive in a new city, my first stop is always to see folklore professors.”

Shard mused in the carriage.

Mr. Benhart introduced Shard to Professor Kansas Drake, a retired professor from a local university. As he was unmarried all his life, he lived alone in a standalone house in Huntington City’s West Old Town. Unlike modern street apartments, it was a courtyard-style building with a garden, yard, and independent warehouse, located in a specialized residential district. Its ground area might not compare to No. 6, Saint Delan Square, but it was ample for an elderly man living alone.

Unlike the elderly folklore professors Shard had seen before, who were still vigorous despite their age, Professor Kansas Drake, who worked at Huntington Technical School, had become disabled due to an accident and could now only move around in a wheelchair.

Thus, when Shard rang the bell outside the gate of No. 21, Algae Street in Huntington City’s west, holding his business card, it was a plump maid in an apron who opened the door for him.

Inside the gate were neatly trimmed square-shaped shrubs, with a manicured lawn beyond. Although Professor Drake was confined to a wheelchair, it seemed his life remained comfortable and leisurely.