Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 293 Mysticism Exam Characteristic of the Steam Age

In order to keep his spirit focused, Shard had gone to bed early on the Friday night before the exam, and stuck to his hometown habit of not eating too much for breakfast on Saturday.

This caused Mia, who was eating breakfast with him, to check on him from time to time, as if she was worried he might suddenly drop dead.

The original examination location had been set at the doctor's clinic, with the doctor clearing out a room and setting up five desks for their use. However, considering that the space at Shard's place was larger and more convenient, the examination location was ultimately set on the second floor of No. 6, Saint Delan Square.

Dr. Schneider had sent the tables and chairs ahead of time, arranging them in the empty living room on the second floor. Shard, holding Mia, welcomed each of his friends as they arrived.

It is commonly believed that cats can bring luck, and among the group of five, only Shard owned a cat. Dr. Schneider had sent Shard a letter in advance, urging him not to send Mia away temporarily because of the exam. Having the well-behaved cat present might allow the five facing the exam to perform above their usual level.

Of course, Shard believed that the view "Orange Cat Mia can bring luck" was nothing more than a small hope born out of Dr. Schneider's desperation when faced with "Aether Mechanics." Although cats are associated with "luck" in mysticism, it doesn't mean that people will definitely be lucky in the presence of cats.

The Schneider Group's examination time was at nine o'clock on Saturday morning, but the group of five had already gathered at Shard's house at eight o'clock. The group waited temporarily in the living room of room one on the second floor, with even Priest Augustus, the oldest among them, showing signs of nervousness. Surprisingly, the most agitated was Miss Luisa, the blonde-haired girl who, upon sitting on the sofa, frequently flipped through the dictionary content Shard had helped translate the previous Saturday afternoon.

Failing Dr. Schneider's "Aether Mechanics" would at most result in losing the qualification to continue classes with the professor. But for Miss Luisa, Ancient Script was a compulsory course, and failing to pass during the summer exam week could bring considerable trouble in the winter.

"By the way, is divination also prohibited during the exam, along with using magic potions, sorcery, arcane techniques, and relics to cheat?"

Noticing that Luviya was not nervous at all, Shard curiously asked.

Today there were teachers from Saint Byrons supervising the exam through projections, so all five were dressed formally. Shard, Dr. Schneider, and the priest were all in black suits, while Miss Luisa and Luviya were in different summer dresses.

"Of course divination is not allowed—any transcendent means of cheating is prohibited... as are non-transcendent means. Shard, you must be careful not to entertain any crooked ideas. The academy has nearly five thousand years of continuous experience struggling against cheating students, and correspondence students have nearly two thousand years of history. Any cheating methods you can think of, past generations of students have also thought of them."

The diviner with purple eyes answered, looking at Mia who was squatting on the black cushion on the coffee table. The black cushion was a gift from Dr. Schneider, specifically so Mia had a place to stay, and the orange cat was very satisfied with this mat.

Shard then thought about the night he first met Professor Garcia, when Professor Sanchez skillfully used "Enchanted Human" to gather information. In terms of running schools, Saint Byrons was truly professional.

"Then why aren't you nervous about the exam at all?"

Shard curiously asked, guessing that Luviya had a very strong psychological quality.

"Because I only have to take three courses... oh, I see now."

The female diviner smiled, and the other three listening to their conversation all showed expressions that Shard could not comprehend:

"Shard, you don't think that I, like you, have to study so many courses to advance to the next grade, do you?"

"Isn't that the case?"

Shard asked, then was surprised to see Miss Luisa make a very unseemly grimace.

"I'm different from you. Although I'm a Correspondence Circle Mage like you, I am also a student jointly trained by the Prophet's Society and Saint Byrons. I only need to take two-thirds of the courses."

Luviya flipped her hair and asked with a smile:

"Did I hear you have to take 18 courses at once? Oh, Shard, you really are unlucky."

Shard bowed his head and said nothing, finally understanding why, after arriving at Saint Delan Square today, the others were reluctant to talk to Luviya. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

At eight fifty, the group of five moved from room one to room two on the second floor. Five desks were evenly spaced in a circle, with chairs placed in the center of the space between them so that each person faced outwards. Meanwhile, a basin of water was placed in the center of the five chairs, and further away by the wall, four chairs were positioned in the north, south, east, and west directions for the ceremonial appearance of the four academy teachers responsible for the exams.

Dr. Schneider had already received the parchment for the projection ceremony, and at exactly nine o'clock in the morning, he lit the parchment and threw it into the basin of water.

As the closed room gradually filled with wind, among the four professors who appeared before the five, there was Professor Garcia, the vice dean of the History Academy, who Shard was very familiar with, presumably there to announce Shard's promotion application.

Besides Professor Garcia, there was another professor with a large beard, looking very refined—Professor Earl Griever of the Mechanical Academy, which was Dr. Schneider's field of study. The Mechanical Academy was divided into Alchemy and Psych, and Professor Griever was a mind expert, his eyes very expressive.

The middle-aged woman and the old man, who looked about the same age as Priest Augustus, were both lecturers from Saint Byrons Comprehensive Academy, named Sharlene Fonseca and David Radnor.

"Good morning, gentlemen and ladies."

"Good morning, Professor Griever, Professor Garcia, Mr. Radnor, Ms. Fonseca."

After exchanging greetings, all nine people sat down. Professor Glover, the older one, was the chief proctor for this examination. A transparent arm pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and, after a cough, unfolded it and began to read in a formal tone:

"Sixth Era, Common Era Calendar 1853, Thunder Moon 27th, Yellow Moon half phase, Silvermoon new moon, Red Moon full moon. The Academy has received an examination application from Bill Schneider Group, prepared to proceed with the examination at nine in the morning. Bill D. Schneider, please confirm your participation in the exams for 'Introduction to Advanced Psychology,' 'Aether Mechanics,' 'Dreamscape Theory,' 'Mind and Spirit,' 'Chikal's Introduction to Psychology'?"

Professor Glover's Draleon standard tongue was even more precise than that of a City Hall spokesperson.

"Yes, confirmed,"

the doctor said loudly.

Professor Glover nodded and made a check mark on the paper in front of him, then asked:

"Dorothy R. Louisa, please confirm your participation in the exams for 'Ancient Literature (Serious Literature),' 'Folklore Study of the Sixth Era (Part II),' 'Mastery of Ancient Languages (Fifth Era 4000-5793),' 'Fairy Tale Selection (Enhancement Class),' 'Enlightenment Element Theory Research (Beginner's Course),' and 'Relic Containment: Books'?"

"Yes, Professor."

Miss Louisa also nodded, and so Professor Glover made another mark on the paper. Shard realized that he did not know the middle names of the other four members of his group.

"Next is Luviya F. Annette, please confirm your participation in the exams for 'Parting the Mists: The Future Unveiled: Costs,' 'Registered Diviner (3),' 'Registered Diviner (5)'?"

'Registered Diviner' is both an academic exam and a professional qualification for diviners. The Registered Diviner certification requires passing all six exams within five years to obtain the certificate. Once certified, regardless of background, one can find employment at any of the Three Great Magics Academies or the Church of the Five Gods.

After all, diviners are exceedingly rare. This certificate is akin to a modern ordinary individual obtaining a high-level steam machinery technician's certificate.

"Yes,"

Luviya said with a smile, and Professor Glover glanced at her. The exam week lasted from Tuesday this week to next Tuesday, so before the five proctors, several professors and teachers had already proctored many other exams. Having seen so many candidates, it was likely that Luviya was one of the few who could smile at such a time.

The combat experience of a Correspondence Circle Mage typically far surpasses that of formally enrolled students but, likewise, they are greatly outperformed in theoretical subjects, making their theory work disastrous.

"Lat A. Augustus, please confirm your participation in the exams for 'Extinct Plants of the Old Continent,' 'Intermediate Potion Mixing,' 'Cannibalism and Human Consumption,' 'Atlas of the Continent,' 'Usage and Storage of Magic Potions,' 'Potion of the Mind,' 'Common Poison Identification,' seven exams?"

"Yes, no problem."

Priest Augustus responded calmly, and Professor Glover continued to mark the paper.

Except for Shard, the priest had the most exams among the five in the group. However, he had been preparing for these seven courses for over half a year, so it was not too surprising.

"Lastly, Mr. Shard S. Hamilton,"

Professor Glover read out Shard's name, and including Professor Garcia, the four teachers from Saint Byrons all looked up at him. Then, Professor Glover slowly continued:

"Please confirm, are you participating in the exams for 'The Herbs We Know,' 'Basic Potionology,' 'Introduction to Elementary Alchemy,' 'Introduction to Astronomy,' ..."

The professor paused, wisely not wasting time on reading out all the course names:

"... and other eighteen courses?"

Historically, there must have been students who took so many courses at once, but certainly none who took this many within a month of enrollment.

Shard nodded:

"Yes, Professor, no problem."

Circle Sorcerers have a myriad of unique talents, and while Shard's action was odd, it was not extraordinarily so. Thus, as long as there was assurance that he did not cheat, the Academy was indifferent as to whether he was driven mad by pressure or truly confident in his ability to handle it.

"Very well, the exams for the five members of Bill Schneider Group are confirmed. Please Bill Schneider distribute the examination materials."

As the professor finished speaking, the stack of parchment papers on Dr. Schneider's desk glowed, and parchment rolls, ink bottles, and fountain pens appeared. Additionally, each person received two stone charms, alchemic items used for detecting cheating.

The doctor distributed these materials, and then the official parchment exam papers were delivered from the Academy.

Instead of a separate paper for each subject, after each person reported their exams in advance, the Academy wrote all of their exam content on one parchment roll.