Chapter 42: Twenty O'Clock

“The Academy likely thinks the same; after all, I have never heard of a newly enrolled correspondence Circle Practitioner being able to obtain a Keeper-level [Relic] all at once.”

Dr. Schneider agreed with Miss Louisa's view. When it came to matters of fate, Circle Practitioners were, after all, quite cautious.

Just by staring at that die, Shard felt a powerful urge to pluck it from its setting. Fortunately, the die was still in a state of containment, and Shard was able to completely resist the temptation.

Nevertheless, he placed a finger on the die, wanting to feel its cold, metallic touch.

In his mind, the whispering woman's voice suddenly rang out

【Though the path of fate forks beneath your feet, if you possess useful tools, it is not impossible to choose the right path. From 1 to 20, and from 20 to 1, you have seen your peculiar destiny within the tumbling die. Now is the moment to toss the dice...】

"Are you sure you want me to roll it now?"

Shard asked back in his mind, surprised. The whisper in his ear replied

【Outsider, once you step upon this path of fate, the power of choice remains in your hands. But sometimes, certain reasonable attempts can allow you to understand your destiny more fully. Through my vision, I have seen something interesting for you. Do you have the courage to challenge your luck?】

Shard thought about it. He was quite aware that his "other self" was peculiar. Although he didn't know if this was a characteristic of being an Outsider or if the entity itself had issues, the whispers' actions thus far had been trustworthy. Despite his constant anxiety and suspicion toward this mysterious and eerie world, Shard was willing to offer a bit of trust occasionally.

Before the doctor and the others could object, he flicked the die, letting it fall onto the coffee table.

The sound of the metal die striking the wooden table startled everyone present. But the die stabilized quickly, with the number "20" facing upward. Shard didn't feel particularly surprised; he only heard the melodious laughter of the woman in his ear.

【Though you never believe it, I am you.】

The four of them stared at the number on the die in silence. It took a long while before the doctor spoke up with a serious warning

"This time it is a 20; this is your [Relic], and we have no right to interfere. But I must remind you, Shard, people are not always this lucky. This impulse has brought a gift of fate, but the next time may not be so kind."

"Every gift belonging to fate comes with a pre-set price. This 20 will likely consume a great deal of your luck for a long time. I have always believed in the 'Law of Conservation of Luck'."

The writer lady also spoke up, but as a clergyman, Priest Augustus pointed out that the conservation of luck was an unfounded superstition.

Shard accepted these admonitions, but he had no intention of explaining his motives. The uniqueness of the woman's voice in his mind was a secret belonging solely to him—a characteristic of being an Outsider. Knowing this himself was enough; at least for now, he would not tell anyone else.

The "good thing" resulting from the 20-point roll could not be observed yet, but given the nature of the die, Shard would know sooner or later. He only needed to wait.

Once all the formalities regarding Shard's official enrollment in the Academy were completed, the doctor opened the bottle of champagne to celebrate that their group had finally reached five members.

Shard didn't particularly enjoy drinking, but since it was a celebration, he didn't decline. As the doctor poured drinks for everyone, Shard curiously asked whether it would be considered a leak of Academy secrets if he accidentally lost the books he was taking back. The doctor told him not to worry about it

"First-year textbooks and materials do not possess much precious value. It's not that the knowledge isn't precious, but rather that it can be obtained through other channels. Even if you lose them, you'll only need to spend more pounds to buy another set from the Academy. It isn't until the second year that some books are encrypted."

This put Shard's mind at ease. The doctor, the writer, and the priest all encouraged him as seniors, and they unanimously agreed that his primary task now was to engrave his first Spirit Rune.

"The *Foundations of Spirit Rune Theory (Volume I)* course will provide recommendations for engraving your first rune based on a Circle Practitioner's talent. What recommendation did the Academy give you? Is it [Light]?"

"Yes," Shard said, flipping through the book in his hands.

"Generally speaking, the Academy suggests that the first Spirit Rune should be one representing an element, as it is simpler. You already possess [Silver Moon], which has quite good compatibility with [Light] and [Stars], and you even proactively created [Light Illumination]. But [Stars] is too complex for a first-year. As expected, it's [Light]."

The doctor smiled, then stood up, pulled a book from the pile, and handed it to Shard

"*The Mad Light-Chaser*, a mad novel written by an unknown author in the Fifth Epoch, which possesses [Enlightenment] due to its civilization. This is a translated copy; attempting to engrave [Light] through reading it is the most suitable method. Of course, very few people can obtain [Light] directly. If you can obtain any extended concept of a Spirit Rune, you will be considered qualified."

Before today's gathering, the doctor had already shared the news Shard had obtained regarding the Sage-level relic, [The Box of God], and the Mercury Blood organization with the others in the group via letter. They had all agreed to pay Shard 1 pound each for this information.

Shard did not take the four pounds—which included Luvia Anat, who was not in Tobesk City—but instead used the money to pay off a portion of this month's 10-pound debt. He would have to wait a bit longer for the remaining 6 pounds, as he still needed pounds to support himself and Mia.

It was said that orange cats had quite large appetites; Shard had to be prepared.

The doctor was very efficient. Before the morning meeting concluded, he gave Shard another piece of good news

"I checked with the real estate agent. The house at No. 6 St. Theran Square—the entire three-story building including the land—was originally the property of Detective Spyro Hamilton. Did he leave a copy of his will?"

"He did. I have it locked in my cabinet."

Shard was momentarily dazed by the good news, almost unable to believe he had inherited an entire house. All the gloom following his arrival in the Steam Age seemed to dissipate because of this news; he hadn't realized how much he craved having a home of his own.

Priest Augustus remained expressionless, but Miss Louisa looked at Shard in surprise

"Mr. Hamilton, you will never lack pounds for the rest of your life."

"But..."

Shard did not celebrate too early. He looked toward the doctor, who indeed used that conjunction to continue. The doctor's expression was conflicted, as if he wasn't sure what tone to use

"But don't celebrate too soon. There is something wrong with that house. No. 6 St. Theran Square was bought for 300 pounds by Spyro Hamilton when he arrived in Tobesk City two years ago."

"How could it be so cheap? Even if it were a haunted house, it wouldn't..."

Miss Louisa asked with a frown. While 300 pounds was a lot, one had to remember that this was Tobesk City, the capital of Delarion—one of the two great human kingdoms of the material world, the Pearl of the North, the City of Fog, and the convergence point of Old World civilization.

And No. 6 St. Theran Square was a building complex from which one could look directly out the window at the "Yodel Palace." The soil there was worth more than gold.

The doctor had a clinic, the priest lived in a church, and only the female writer was currently living alone in a rented apartment in the Tobesk University District, making her very sensitive to property prices. Excluding the land, a whole building in the St. Theran Square area wouldn't cost 300 pounds; even 20,000 pounds wouldn't be enough to buy it.