Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The document Dr. Schneider handed to Shard was a formal explanation of the fee standards for higher education institutions. It was a printed version that even had the Sun Pattern added to the top right corner and three combined gears drawn in the bottom left corner as page decoration. Even ordinary people wouldn't find this strange.

In comparison to the knowledge provided, the tuition fee for a first-year Correspondence Circle Mage was surprisingly cheap, at only 50 Gold Pounds. Shard knew that in this world, even the boys from middle-class families at a medium boarding school would have tuition fees that amounted to about 100 to 150 Gold Pounds per year.

He still looked troubled, for he couldn't even produce 5 Gold Pounds in cash, let alone 50.

But there were many of the detective's Relics left in the house; selling them all would surely fetch 50 Gold Pounds, and besides, there were several commissions that were about to be completed, so Shard did have some options.

"Do I need to provide cash right away?"

That was indeed the most troubling issue.

"The Academy requires cash in Gold Pounds, but they also accept other currencies, although the exchange rate would need to be verified. Of course, if you can't provide the cash for the time being, the Academy does have loan programs, but the interest might be disadvantageous for you."

As Dr. Schneider explained, Miss Luisa, with her hands placed on her knees, also kindly said:

"However, in my opinion, the group can lend it to you, we have the funds. After all, besides rich people like the doctor, no one can come up with such an amount of cash all at once."

The doctor with blue eyes touched his nose, looking slightly embarrassed.

"I was in the same situation once, it's quite normal, but you should consider whether you are able to take on this loan."

The lady with golden hair reminded him kindly.

"This tuition loan doesn't carry any interest, but starting from the date of the loan, you need to pay back 10 Gold Pounds the first month, and then 20 Gold Pounds each for the next two months."

Dr. Schneider added:

"There's no need for collateral, I will vouch for you within the group. After all, I know your personal information; you can't leave."

Dr. Schneider knew Shard had just recovered from his "Blind Foolishness" and was very aware of his situation.

Relieved, Shard took a deep breath; it seemed his luck was indeed very good. Of course, he didn't forget to express his gratitude; he really had met some nice people:

"I will repay the loan as quickly as I can, Mr. Schneider, Miss Luisa. Please allow me to thank you once again."

While saying this, he suddenly remembered something. Because of the interest-free loan, he decided to trust Dr. Schneider and the lady writer in his group even more, so he took out the notebook he carried with him.

Carefully, he peeled back the leather cover of the notebook and pulled out a card from the slot.

On the front of the card was the image of a woman sitting with a Silvermoon in her support, which was the former detective's most valuable Relic, the Roder Card with the "Sun 3" suit. Shard saw that his home's lock could easily be chopped open with an axe, so he carried it with him:

"Is this worth anything?"

"Special Series Roder Card?"

Miss Luisa immediately recognized the card before Shard handed it over, but she shook her head and suggested that he pass it to the doctor:

"I don't play cards often and don't know the value of such things. How about letting the doctor take a look?"

"Indeed, it is a Roder Card, not only with a special pattern but even a special effect—is this genuine?"

The doctor, curious, took the card and inspected it under the warm yellow glow of the gas lamp on the wall. He didn't want to reveal Shard's identity and background to Miss Luisa, so he shared some common knowledge with Shard:

"Although I am not a collector, I know some Grand Nobles and enthusiasts who are madly after these Special Roder Cards. The special pattern alone is already very precious, and if there is a special rule... that kind of fanatic collecting is even stronger than men's Desire for beautiful ladies, which I cannot understand.

I heard that last year, in the Ford Auction House not far from your Saint Delan Square, there was an event... Hm? This is the Genesis Series Silvermoon?"

The doctor suddenly asked in surprise.

"What?"

Shard didn't understand, but the blonde lady was very interested and stood up to look at the card.

The doctor placed the card on the tea table in the middle of the three of them and introduced it to the two who were unfamiliar with Roder Cards:

"Look, there's a vertical line at the center of the top of this card. This indicates that it's from the Genesis Series of Roder Cards, which was initially issued. It's said that only 13 Genesis Series cards were issued 300 years ago, each with a different design and invariably equipped with special rules. 'Genesis: Silver Moon' is one of them, hence its name.

Moreover, each card from the Genesis Series has a significant effect in the Roder Card game system..."

"I don't play cards, but I think the rules you mentioned are indeed extraordinary."

Dorothy Louisa, who had read the effects before anyone else, said, and the doctor also bowed his head to examine the effects on the card. He wasn't a gambler or a fanatical Roder Card enthusiast but knew that under the rules of games similar to 'Blackjack,' a card that could adjust numbers from "1" to "5" would be incredibly fearsome.

"Is this a genuine card? It must be worth a lot, right?"

The blonde girl asked, and Shard was also somewhat hopeful, but the doctor resolutely shook his head:

"Impossible, it absolutely can't be genuine. Each of the Genesis Series cards is worth as much as a street of houses around Saint Delan Square, or even more, much more. It can't be genuine. The Genesis Series was issued 300 years ago; they're either damaged by now or tucked away in a Grand Noble's tomb or family collection room, not something that would appear so casually."

Knowing Shard's background, he made such a judgment.

"Is it still valuable if it's not genuine?"

Shard agreed with Dr. Schneider but still asked. He, too, didn't believe it was genuine, after all, it was a 300-year-old antique.

"Not worth a penny. People only support the original cards. Especially those special series Roder Cards, using counterfeit Roder Cards will be boycotted by all enthusiasts, so counterfeits aren't valuable... But this copy really isn't bad."

The doctor handed the card to Shard with some regret:

"I'll lend you the money first... However, this 'Genesis: Silver Moon,' you might want to get it appraised, trying your luck isn't a bad idea."

"Where can I get it appraised?"

Shard became interested too.

"I know this, the 'Prophet's Society,' they specialize in this."

Miss Luisa the writer said, and the doctor nodded, giving a more detailed introduction because he knew Shard wouldn't know:

"The distribution of Roder Cards has always been managed by the organizations of the 'Prophet's Society,' and they also offer appraisal services for special cards. Appraising a card costs 5 pence, which is quite cheap. If it's a genuine item, the Prophet's Society will issue an appraisal certificate.

When people want to participate in official Roder Card tournaments and mix special cards into their decks, they must present the appraisal certificate."

Roder Cards were even more popular in this world than Shard had thought, but it wasn't too surprising, considering they were just a card game. In the relatively liberated production conditions of the Steam Age, some special forms of entertainment were quite normal.

The doctor continued:

"The 'Prophet's Society' is actually an organization of Circle Sorcerers, but not very formal. They collaborate with both the Academy and the Church, are recognized by us, and even have some connections with our group.

Their initial business was divination and around the middle of the Sixth Era, in the 15th century, they introduced the special series Roder Cards to facilitate the promotion of divination services, after which Roder Cards became their main business."

The doctor pursed his lips, not quite able to convey his feelings:

"The society made a fortune by organizing various Roder Card tournaments, printing cards was like printing Gold Pounds... cough cough, I'm not envious of this trade. Of course, the 'Prophet's Society' still offers divination services, but it's also involved in book publishing and newspaper distribution, and the local 'Threepenny Gazette' is run by them."

What a succinct name for a newspaper.

"In a big city like Tobesk City, the 'Prophet's Society' has many branches and organizations. There's one near Saint Delan Square that's more official. Gosh, living in the city center would be wonderful. Even if there's an extremely small chance your card is the legendary Genesis Series Silvermoon Card, you don't have to worry about the news leaking, it's a very formal organization."

The doctor joked.

"If this card is genuine, make sure you tell us, it might make for a great novel theme."

Miss Luisa also made a joke; her attitude towards the stranger Shard was quite good, indicating she welcomed the group reaching its five-member quota.