Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 364 Iluna's Harvest

"Shard, how many academic credits is the Academy planning to reward you with for this operation?"

After lamenting the dangers of the Relic, the doctor asked.

"I haven't submitted the report yet, the Academy said they will give me an answer after I turn in my report, but it's probably around 10 credits." Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

The Poet-Level Relic "Infinite Mercury Bottle" is worth about four or five credits, while this Scribe Level Relic is worth about seven or eight credits on its own.

The reason Shard could receive 10 credits this time is that he could also submit a complete artifact recovery report, and mention a brand-new method of relic recovery in the report, instead of merely "selling" the Relic to the Academy. The report Shard has yet to write will be entered into the Academy Library. It will not only be of great reference for this Relic but also for the containment of similar-type relics, which is actually the value of knowledge.

"That makes 15 credits in total!"

Shard couldn't help but smile. He originally treated the case provided by the Cleric as a backup, thinking he wouldn't encounter a real Relic until Friday from Iluna, but he ended up completing the mission today.

"Doctor, I'll turn in that Mercury Vial on Saturday. I'll try my luck tomorrow and see if I can stumble upon another case. If I really do, it's like saving a Relic."

He said to Dr. Schneider, who shook his head:

"That arrangement is fine, and I'll inform the Academy. But one should not always rely on luck; luck is such an elusive thing."

Such words coming from Dr. Schneider were indeed thought-provoking.

"It's not just the credits, I expect to receive around 20 pounds as a bonus too."

Shard, in high spirits, added that compared to the actual value of this complex and versatile Relic, the 20-pound bonus likely only counted as a small fraction.

"If it's for submitting the Relic for credits, with a complete containment report, the cap is 5 pounds for Poet-Level, 20 pounds for Scribe Level, and 80 pounds for Keeper of Secrets Level. That's been the old rule for years. The one you found is very valuable, so it's being rewarded to the full extent."

The doctor said quite expertly, shaking his head as he put down his wine glass:

"So, the most suitable way to get credits is still the Academy's tasks or the Academy Bounty Notice. Of course, the Time Key is also an excellent choice for you."

"Shard's time was too tight this time; besides, he'll be promoted to the second year in a month, so he doesn't have much time for many things."

Old Cleric said, also happy for Shard:

"I was originally worried that today's matter was just an Evil Spirit, but it turned out to be a Relic, and the containment process went very smoothly, saving a family. Shard, I don't know if this should be counted as your luck or mine."

"Priest, this is certainly your luck."

Shard replied with a smile, putting down the document paper in his hand, and then he picked up the soft Mia who was lying on the couch. During the men's conversation, the well-behaved cat had been lying next to Shard, sleeping.

"However, I can't relax too much; I still have many things to deal with this week..."

Shard's main task for the week was to probe into the God Summoning Ritual "Contacting the Blazar Gate". Because of the sudden appearance of the second Chosen One, Shard couldn't spend his coins recklessly; he was still waiting for a message from Professor Manning.

"Try to deal with another matter tomorrow. There's a high probability that there will be no result, so I can find time to inquire with Professor Manning."

He was planning his schedule for tomorrow, but he also felt the headache of his profession. Since solving Mrs. Lemer's inheritance commission, he had gone an entire week without any other business.

"Detective Sparrow had four commissions pending, the lover's investigation ended, and the cat-finding commission turned into a new fostering commission. It's already reaching August; perhaps it's time I settled the remaining two as well."

Shard thought to himself, but these matters could only be addressed next week.

"The most important and complete is about the use of the 'Balance' power. I didn't gain new abilities, but I obtained more powerful forces based on what I already had."

She asked Shard and Luviya to manifest their Rings of Fate, then pressed her finger downward and looked into their eyes saying, "Balance." Immediately, both felt their powers become suppressed.

Shard's level was too low, so he didn't feel it as keenly, but the female diviner frowned and admitted that under this state, her power had at least diminished by a third, stronger than the suppression before Iluna's awakening.

Beyond suppression, Iluna could also use the power of "Balance" to enhance the power of Circle Sorcerers. However, she wasn't yet fully proficient at controlling her ability, so the effect of enhancement was not as pronounced as suppression.

Not only the Low Rings, but Iluna could now influence even High Ring Sorcerers. Although the influence on High Rings wasn't significant, in battle, any negligence could lead to a fatal disadvantage.

With Iluna present, any Circle Sorcerer could defeat an enemy beyond their level. Moreover, Iluna was only at Three Rings now. As she continued to grow, the power from the Ancient God would become stronger and stronger.

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Based on her own speculation, when she grew to the Thirteen Rings, the power of "balance" would even be sufficient to suppress any Circle Sorcerer below the High Ring to the First Ring.

Of course, this suppression and enhancement of power was only a part of the power she had obtained so far. More power awaited Iluna to uncover, and her path as a Circle Sorcerer would become much easier. The identity of The Chosen One seemed to have a peculiar effect of directly improving the efficiency of her acquisition of Spirit Runes.

"The growth of power is something we can all anticipate. I suppose the Sun Church has arranged a detailed promotion plan for you. What I'm more curious about, though, is, what information have you obtained? Do you have any that relates to 'Whispering Verses' and the final door?"

Luviya asked, and Shard also looked at Iluna curiously, as this was the content they were most concerned about.

"There is indeed some information, but it's very scattered. I think I need more time to sort it out."

The seventeen-year-old girl patted her head, then realized the action was not very ladylike. She sheepishly smiled at Shard and mischievously winked:

"Each of The Chosen corresponds to an Ancient God, that much we already know. The Thirteen Chosen are interconnected, and if someone else becomes The Chosen through a ritual, I can vaguely sense their presence. Right now, it's only me, so I can't describe what that vague feeling is like."

"So others can sense you as well?"

Shard asked.

"Yes, but some unique Arcane Techniques and Sorceries or even Relics can shield this perception. However, one must become The Chosen to know about this, so at the moment someone becomes The Chosen, I can feel them, but they must accept the information to shield this perception."

Iluna summarized, and Luviya's purple eyes sparkled with amusement:

"That's good news, even if we can't find The Chosen, at least we can know the current tally."

"Have you told the church about this?"

Shard asked again. Iluna nodded:

"Sooner or later, Chosen of other factions will appear, and that's something that can't be concealed."

"You're right, there is no need to hide the matter of The Chosen from the church. What I want to do is to unite more of The Chosen so that when the final door is opened, we make the right choices. We do not stand opposed to the church."

Luviya reiterated her viewpoint, and Iluna looked at the cat's tail behind Shard's head and continued:

"I haven't sorted out everything else, but what's certain is that each of The Chosen must be a Circle Sorcerer, not an ordinary person. Furthermore, most people, like me, would discover their unusual unique abilities after becoming Circle Sorcerers."

But there are no shortage of Circle Sorcerers with unusual abilities, like Shard, like Dr. Schneider, Priest Augustus, Luviya, and Dorothy. Yet Shard is definitely not one, so this method of searching is not viable.

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