With anxiety regarding the future development of events weighing on his mind, Shade headed to Dr. Schneider's clinic on Saturday afternoon. Because he had set out early, he arrived well ahead of time; consequently, neither Miss Louisa nor Priest Augustus had arrived yet.
Shade shared the matter with the doctor, who was also quite concerned about the commission involving "Madame Lasoya"
"We have basically concluded that Madame Lasoya is a member of the [Mercury Blood]. However, that does not mean that the helpers mentioned by Mrs. Lawrence are definitely no match for that lady of unknown gender," Dr. Schneider said while sitting on the sofa. Seeing Shade's confusion, he explained
"The helpers Mrs. Lawrence mentioned are suspected to be acquaintances through noblewomen. You must understand that although the supernatural is not overt in this era, for the great aristocrats, Circle Practitioners are not a very secretive matter; even the Royal Family has connections to the Academy of Thaumaturgy. To be fair, the [Mercury Blood] is not an exceptionally strong organization. While I do not know this Madame Lasoya you speak of, she likely isn't more than two circles stronger than I am."
Dr. Schneider pointed to himself, without displaying excessive self-conceit.
"In other words, there is a possibility that Mrs. Lawrence gathered an incredibly formidable group of helpers out of sheer caution," Shade asked.
"Yes. Although most Circle Practitioners of the tenth circle or above hail from the orthodox churches and the three great academies and would not be hired by ordinary people, low-circle practitioners of non-regular backgrounds are very willing to attach themselves to great aristocrats for various reasons—primarily gold pounds," the doctor said, but after a moment's thought, he added: "Of course, that is only a possibility. After all, no one knows exactly what kind of powerful figures Mrs. Lawrence might know. Shade, do not maintain too strong a sense of curiosity regarding certain matters."
"Of course. The commission relationship has ended, and I have done my best to warn the employer," Shade nodded, temporarily setting the matter aside. "Speaking of which, I still owe six pounds for this month. I shall pay it all off now."
Miss Louisa arrived at the doctor's clinic shortly after, but as Priest Augustus failed to appear despite the long wait, the three of them proceeded to the doctor's second-floor parlor to begin their study session.
This was quite strange to Shade; it was his first time attending a study session of mystics, but in experience, it was no different from an ordinary study activity.
The three shared the difficulties they encountered in their studies as Circle Practitioners and exchanged their new insights and experiences.
Because of the incident with the [Mercury Blood] that night, Shade shared his private meeting with Professor Garcia, claiming it was a privilege granted to priority students of the Academy.
He concealed his bizarre encounters in the past timeline and, much like his explanation to Professor Garcia, did not mention that he had truly seen a God. Even so, Miss Louisa and Dr. Schneider were startled.
Since there had never been a student from the History Department in their group, they did not know if this was normal; they simply urged Shade to be extremely careful in all matters.
He did not mention Professor Sanchez, nor did he mention the professor's observation that the other four members of the group were problematic. Instead, he spoke of Peter, the dwarf rat of the [Mercury Blood]; he spoke of the followers of the evil god [Lord of the Blood Feast]; and finally, he spoke of incantations and thaumaturgy.
Excluding his self-created Light spell, Shade currently mastered three basic incantations, along with Blood Echo and False Immortality. His thaumaturgy consisted only of [Silver Moon Slash] and [Moonlight Illusion]. Both the doctor and the writer believed that Shade should only consider obtaining thaumaturgy and incantations through other channels after he had fully mastered the remaining healing-type thaumaturgy and determined his specialized field as a Circle Practitioner.
The current problem lay primarily in the learning of thaumaturgy.
"Your understanding of your own Spirit Rune is insufficient; that is the reason why your thaumaturgy's power is weak," Miss Louisa said, gesturing with her hands as she shared her insights with Shade. "You need to truly understand the power of the Silver Moon, or at least have some sense of it, rather than just a literal understanding. As for learning thaumaturgy, you should follow the standard procedure, but the path to mastery is different for everyone."
Miss Louisa had Shade demonstrate the effect of [Silver Moon Slash]. The brilliant silver light trails caused the writer and the doctor to daze momentarily, but the destructive power—merely slicing an apple—made them both frown.
Without asking Shade to demonstrate the illusion again, Miss Louisa touched her earlobe and leaned against the sofa with her head tilted, asking: "Hamilton, how exactly do you view the silver moon in the night sky?"
"...Just as it is described in books."
Shade had been in contact with that moon for less than a week; he indeed had no profound views, at most thinking the Silver Moon was very beautiful.
"That won't do. Perhaps you could try other methods. For example, contacting objects related to the power of the Silver Moon to deepen your understanding," the doctor suggested. This was something Circle Practitioners often did. If they lacked a Spirit Rune, they would seek out corresponding books and objects; if their understanding of thaumaturgy was insufficient, they would seek out powers related to that thaumaturgy.
"Borrow books from the Academy?" Shade asked, while simultaneously tallying his pitiful savings in his mind.
"That is an option, but it is too expensive. Let me think..." Miss Louisa enthusiastically helped Shade brainstorm. She knit her beautiful brows and looked at the doctor first; after he shook his head, she said to Shade: "In our group, we don't currently have any objects related to moonlight, but there are quite a few Circle Practitioners in this city."
After some consideration, Miss Louisa gave Shade a slip of paper with an address written on it: "Go to this shop; Old John likely has what you need. After you meet him, don't forget to say I introduced you."
"In that case, will he give me some discounts for your sake?" Shade looked at the address on the note, finding it quite familiar.
"No, Old John will give Louisa a commission," the doctor said with a smile. Shade finally realized why the address was familiar. It was the pawnshop where he had sold his staff; Old John was indeed the shop owner, John Jones.
The topic of thaumaturgy concluded there, as the doctor was more concerned with the status of Shade's inscription of the Spirit Rune for [Light].
Shade had not been lazy these past two days and had finished reading the entire 43-page book, *The Mad Light-Chaser*.
"If you ask for my impression, this book is very much like illogical babbling, or perhaps the mad delusions of a psychiatric patient."
The text had no central theme, and there was no connection between one sentence and the next. Had he not known the power contained within the book, Shade would never have flipped through it a second time.