Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 22 Elements, Ringing Bell, Ignition, Propulsion, Hymn

"Now to the ritual?"

Hearing the doctor's words, Shard suddenly became nervous; he hadn't expected it to be so direct:

"Here... in this place?"

"Of course, is there a problem with the doctor's clinic? Besides, isn't the 72-hour mark approaching?"

Ms. Luisa, the blonde writer, was puzzled, but Dr. Schneider understood what Shard meant:

"It is indeed here, oh Shard, let me emphasize again.

Remember, we are correspondence Circle Sorcerers. Saint Byrons Integrated Academy has no special emotional ties with us, only responsibilities and obligations, do you understand? As for assisting you, it's because I need a fifth Circle Sorcerer in the group, and the academy rewards the introduction of new Circle Sorcerers. It's not because I'm a kind person."

Dr. Schneider looked earnestly at Shard, his blue eyes conveying a warning:

"You lack common knowledge about this world, so I offer you the most crucial warning: Do not easily trust others."

"He's actually a good person, but he's always so stern."

The lady beside him shook her head and said.

Shard nodded cautiously, but he agreed with Miss Writer's viewpoint; Dr. Schneider was a good person... at least for now.

"Luisa, for the next part of the procedure, you only need to observe and prevent any unexpected deviations from the plan. Please do not speak."

"No problem, we've already been through this procedure twice before, haven't we? When Annette and Augustus were inducted?"

Miss Writer said, signaling Shard to pay attention.

"A Gifted One's awakening of the Ring of Fate first requires contact with the Four Elements, which is difficult for an ordinary person with no prior knowledge.

Now is the Sixth Era, not the chaotic and dark Fourth Era, nor the Fifth Era ruled by the Witch Empresses. In this era where the supernatural is not prominent, steam and machinery are the themes. There isn't much mystery here. Even if people are aware of the existence of mysteries, it's hard to come into contact with them. Moreover, ordinary people cannot imagine the dangers of contacting mysteries."

Dr. Schneider held up four fingers:

"So Shard, of the four elements, how many have you encountered so far?"

"I'm only missing 'Desecration' related to the Evil God."

Shard responded truthfully, and Dr. Schneider did not inquire further:

"Look at my Ring of Fate."

Three silver runes shimmered simultaneously, and Shard interpreted their meanings as "Wrath," "Mud in the Heart," and "Malice."

"You have touched 'Desecration'."

Following this statement, a whisper recited another phrase:

"Sixth Era, Common Era Calendar 1853, summer, the day of Silvermoon's dark radiance, you have touched all four elements. Outlander, the Supernatural Gate will soon open, and the Path of Sublimation lies ahead."

"Did 'your other you' give you any hints?"

Dr. Schneider let his Ring of Fate disappear into the steam, then asked.

"Yes, it gave me a hint, telling me that I have touched all the elements and the Supernatural Gate is about to open."

Dr. Schneider nodded in satisfaction:

He handed the book to Shard:

"This is a manuscript of the first volume of the 'Book of Fire Worship,' copied from the original at least six times, it's the least dangerous book I have, and it's not possible to obtain a Spirit Rune by reading this book. Take half an hour to read through it completely, you can ask me about any words you don't understand."

Thus, Shard spent another half hour reading, equating his future path in the supernatural to reading and learning in his mind. He needed to disguise his current identity, so he could only sporadically select a few words to inquire about.

During this time, the doctor and Miss Writer maintained enough silence, knowing this was an important moment for Shard.

"Finished reading? How do you feel?"

the doctor asked.

"Somewhat hot,"

Shard cautiously replied, putting down the book.

"Ignite it,"

the doctor then handed Shard a piece of paper. Shard held it, waiting a few seconds as the doctor did not say anything else, then asked,

"Uh, did we skip a step or something... like Spell Words or gestures?"

"Don't understand, feel, guide this power. Unless your Core Spirit Rune is a concept like 'Extinguished Fire,' this shouldn't be a problem."

So, Shard closed his eyes. He came from another world where the supernatural didn't exist, but there was more knowledge and fantasy. He closed his eyes, relaxed, imagined a warm flow moving with his senses inside his body, reaching his fingertips then bursting out sparks.

Opening his eyes, the paper between his fingers had turned yellow due to the high temperature.

From behind in the steam came a tremendous roaring sound, the black shadow representing the hammer about to strike Shard's soul.

"The last step is the anthem, you must acknowledge your identity, declare to the world that you have transcended the mundane."

The doctor's tone became serious at this moment.

"How should I do that?"

Shard was puzzled, his heart was pounding; he realized he was truly about to touch the supernatural, to enter the mysterious realm of the Steam Age.

"Say anything you like, I just recited my name back then, Luisa read a famous short poem, Mr. Lat August prayed to God, Miss Luviya Annette murmured, so we don't know."

For Shard at this moment, the doctor's words seemed to come from a distant place. He looked at the white dense steam behind him, watching the hammer about to strike from behind the fog.

A woman's voice reciting Whispering Verses sounded again.

Thus, almost synchronizing with the murmuring woman's voice inside him, Shard silently declared:

"The Sixth Era, year 1853 of the Common Era Calendar, summer, on the day of the dark shine of Silvermoon, I came to this world, I opened the Supernatural Gate, stepped onto the Path of Sublimation of the Four Elements. Shard Suren Hamilton, the path of fate branches out under my feet, I shall witness, I shall experience, I shall see all of this."

The giant hammer, carrying tremendous wind pressure, swung out from the depths of the steam, striking the area behind Shard in a whirlwind.

Boom~

The soul was shocked, sparks splattered, Spiritual Light flashed, elements overflowed. Amid that chaotic spray of white steam mist, with a strange luster, resembling the sun, a brass-colored Ring of Fate gradually appeared clearer.

It spun, scattering sparks all around, the brass ring heated up completely in the steam mist, and the Ring of Fate hovered behind him.

In the center of the rapidly spinning ring, two brass-colored, gleaming Core Runes, symbolized Shard's forthcoming destiny—

"Space-Time" "Silvermoon".