Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 392 Maze Lock and Witch

Apart from Shard, all other students were formal students attending the Academy, wearing the standard black robes as their uniform.

Professor Garcia briefly welcomed Shard and then began the formal lesson. Of course, he first explained the assessment requirements of the course and gave instructions on the course report, which had to be 12 inches (about 30.4cm) long on parchment.

Shard had thought that he might not understand such a specialized course since he was attending it early, but after Professor Garcia formally started the lecture, he discovered that the course was simply a rudimentary introduction to "Maze Lock," a peculiar kind of supernatural ability.

Circle Sorcerers who chose this course were planning to study Arcane Techniques or Sorcery related to Maze Locks, or at least had that intention. Relatively speaking, Shard had a stronger understanding of the course itself because he had actually used a Maze Lock more than once.

This basic course was very helpful to Shard, not only was Professor Garcia's explanation on the application of spatial Arcane Techniques enlightening, but it also prompted Shard to have more ideas about the application of abilities and his own system planning. More importantly, he couldn't find material on the mystical ability of Maze Locks anywhere else, so this was his first systematic understanding of this type of ability.

Maze Lock abilities are precious because they require the user to create and superimpose a new space on top of the exceptionally stable physical world. Within the closed space, the power of a Maze Lock user is greatly enhanced, and it can even suppress those powerful and terrifying Relics to some extent.

Besides the comprehensive enhancement to oneself, different Maze Locks grant the user various abilities according to their nature.

For example, Shard's "Little Match Girl" granted him the ability to use four limited wishes. To date, he had used the Maze Lock in full twice; the first time he used four wishes to save a little girl and her family, and the second, he used four wishes to win a card game.

Maze Locks can be produced by Arcane Techniques and Sorcery, as well as by large-scale rituals. However, ritualized Maze Locks consume a vast amount, and as Professor Garcia put it, they are only slightly cheaper than a Divine Descent Ritual. Maze Locks from Sorcery and Arcane Techniques not only require the level of a Circle Sorcerer but also demand immense talent.

This is not something that can be achieved with just money and effort. High Ring Sorcery requires a strong demand for Spirit Runes, talent, and luck.

Even among Thirteen-Ring Sorcerers, only a handful have mastered Maze Locks. And, inside the entire Saint Byrons Integrated Academy, only four people have mastery over Maze Lock abilities.

Of course, that's not counting Shard. They are the librarian, Miss Danester, the dean of the Academy of Library Management, the top specialty of the Academy, one Eleven Rings student from the History Academy who is about to graduate, and the vice-chancellor of the History Academy, Professor Garcia.

Talking about this, a rather smug expression appeared on Professor Garcia's face. But the students all thought this was normal, because if they were in the professor's position, they would probably have the same expression.

"Professor! So, do Maze Lock abilities influence space through the Four Elements to create space, or do they construct an imagined world through one's own thoughts and Spirit?"

This was a question that Shard raised towards the end of class. Professor Garcia was very pleased with the question and suggested that Shard use it as the topic for his final paper:

"Strictly speaking, both ideas you proposed are correct. The Circle Sorcerer System itself is about intelligent life influencing the world with Spirit and the Four Elements. Maze Locks just have a rather unique form of expression."

"Then, Professor, is it possible for a fully formed Maze Lock to undergo changes due to variations in the user's own soul? For example, can an out-of-control Circle Sorcerer still exert the original power of a Maze Lock?"

Shard asked another question, as the last time "Gluttony" affected the "Little Match Girl," he became aware of this issue.

Professor Garcia frowned in thought and nodded slightly:

"Anomalous changes in the soul affect all Arcane Techniques, as the Ring of Fate is itself a part of the soul. My current research topic is whether two Magic Maze Locks controlled by one Circle Sorcerer will affect each other. This is also an important research direction about the mutual interference of self-consciousness/self-effect and the power of Arcane Techniques, which is similar to your question."

He thought for a moment:

"I can explain this part in tomorrow's class. However, Mr. Hamilton, I think you really could try, from now on, to consider constructing Maze Lock capabilities and selecting suitable Spirit Runes. You have a great talent for this."

Professor Garcia had always admired Shard, after all, Shard's performance had always been exceptional.

"No problem, Professor. I am considering a Maze Lock related to the Enlightenment Element."

"Shard, you might really have a fate entwined with witches."

Shard immediately shook his head:

"No no, I'd rather not get involved with troublesome witches... except for you, of course."

Realizing the inappropriateness of his words, he corrected himself immediately and caught a glimpse of a smile forming on the lips of Miss Maid, who was bending over.

Miss Galina raised an eyebrow:

"With the merman's Elixir of Immortality a few days ago and now this lost artifact, even the Council has only heard of them. I'm starting to wonder if you've found the tombs of the Witches of the Fifth Era."

"I wish I had, since the Witches of the Fifth Era were known to bury themselves with precious metals like gold and silver."

Shard shook his head regretfully, then asked:

"Speaking of which, are we in the Sixth Era now?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course, it is the Sixth Era. Detective, are you out of your mind?"

The witch asked in surprise, and the black-haired maid also looked at him with concern.

"No no no, I was just asking casually. Let's get back to the point, I've prepared all the materials to make this item, I just lack a witch's hair. Miss Galina, I hope you can help me make one. You can share the recipe, but I hope you won't share it with the other members of the Witch Council."

Shard said and then saw the Duchess across from him reveal a mocking expression:

"Detective, why would you think I'd share this item with them? Of course not, this kind of treasure where I can find them but they don't know I can find them, I should keep it for myself."

Shard petted the cat lying on his lap, feeling that the relationships between the thirteen witches of the Council were more complicated than he had thought.

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Miss Galina reached over, picked up the piece of paper from the coffee table, folded it, and handed it to her maid:

"Looks like I'll be up all night. Tomorrow morning, at eight, I'll have Tifa deliver the finished badge to you."

"That's great!"

Shard's face broke into a smile, having thought it would take days, given the complexity of the recipe.

"So, what do you need, Shard? I've taken your recipe, I ought to give you something in return. Helping you make one item doesn't equate to the value of the recipe itself."

The red-haired witch asked Shard with a smile, and after thinking for a moment, although Shard wanted to ask for Gold Pounds, something else crossed his mind:

"The Sea Return ritual, I hope you can help me find information on the Sea Return ritual through all possible means... especially regarding the final stages of the ritual performed by cultists."

The information from the Academy and the Church may not be complete, but an organization like the Witch Council could have unexpected findings. For the possible existence of the "Power of the Evil God," giving away an alchemical recipe was entirely worth it.