OBS Chapter 3945 The Future We Expect
Chapter 3945 The Future We Expect
Chapter 3945 The Future We Expect
Daniste answered Shad's question:
"The origin of [Active Metal] is currently unclear. One theory suggests that it is a special material formed from the corpse of a powerful metallic life form from a mythical era. In the present Sixth Era, this material can only be found in the laboratory ruins of a few dangerous ancient alchemists in the material world."
Around the early days of the steam age, the Church of Creation discovered the special uses of this material; steam engines infused with this active metal consistently performed at their best. While the Church wouldn't be so mad as to use relics to build civilian steam engines, this metal proved invaluable in designing and testing advanced prototypes in the laboratory.
Xia De ate scrambled eggs:
"So, the only way I can get [Active Metal] is to go to the [Church of Creation]?"
The sorceress shook her head; she didn't seem very hungry, and her breakfast plate contained far less food than Shad's.
"I haven't finished yet. Seven years ago, in 1848, a major event occurred: a massive explosion happened at the Church of Creation's testing grounds. It is said that at the time, they were trying to design a 'mechanical airship' that could rival the floating island where the Zarathian Academy was located, based on the design concept of steam-powered airships."
The device exploded during the launch experiment, but thankfully they chose an overseas island as the testing site. I don't know the exact reason for the failure, but since then, they've refused to share any information about the "active metal." My professors and I have discussed this, and we all believe that the followers of the God of Creation discovered a greater secret about the Guardian-level relic in the failed experiment.
"I see. Does the academy have any stock of [active metals]?"
"Yes, but you can't use it. Relics aren't easily destroyed, but they can get out of control."
Three years ago, a professor from the Psychology Department borrowed the last piece of metal for an experiment. The experiment failed, causing the relic to go out of control. The negative characteristic of this relic is that it becomes an active mechanical entity. As a result of that accident, the metal still exists in the form of a mechanical life form alongside a large steam-powered device, and it is currently housed on level 2 of the library.
According to the accident investigation report from that year, if you could wait another 20 years, that metal should be restored to a usable state.
Xia De sighed deeply:
"Okay, I knew it wouldn't be that easy. So, are there any other ways to obtain [active metals]? Ideally, I could get them within a week."
Daniste offered the following advice:
"I can ask the Zaras Academy and the Serxus Medical College for you, but as far as I know, their stock is running low after the Church of Creation tightened its control over such relics."
You could try asking around among those ancient ring-wielding organizations you know. [Active Metal] is a very useful relic; perhaps one of your friends can provide you with some.
Shad then thought of visiting old John later. Although the [Light-Guiding Hermitage] wasn't a research-oriented ring sorcerer organization like the [Truth Society], their dedication to preserving the flame of civilization might mean they also possessed some valuable relics like these.
"So, do you have any suggestions regarding potions or spells that involve 'flesh decay'?"
“There are many suggestions, the question is how you want to choose. After all, most intelligent life in the material world exists in the form of flesh and blood, so there are quite a lot of potions and magic spells that target flesh and blood. Your ‘Corrupting Blood Mist’ is actually quite powerful.”
"I want to learn the blood and flesh decay magic associated with the 'Red Moon'."
Shad said this, and Daniste smiled:
"Alright, let me help you choose. I'll let you know when I find something suitable. Growth and decay are always two sides of the same coin. Understanding the decay of flesh and blood will also help you understand the creation of flesh and blood."
Since the topic of "flesh and blood creation" had come up, Shad looked at the egg on the table:
"So what about the suggestion I made last night, to bury it in the soil as a seed? You can start by getting a flowerpot and watering it every day. If it doesn't work in a week or two, we'll think of other methods."
Daniste did indeed hesitate:
"Isn't that a bit disrespectful to the teacher?"
But since there was no other way now, the sorceress nodded:
"Alright, we can give it a try. Although I can't imagine how such a big egg could germinate, the suggestion makes sense. Shad, does it need fertilizer?"
"It shouldn't be necessary for now. Let's see how things go. If the egg in the ground really does change, then we can make other plans."
Denise nodded, tilting her head to look at the "moon egg," her face bearing an expression that even Shad couldn't understand.
Shad continued eating his breakfast with his head down, thinking about his plans for the day. The exploration of the new city had begun, and Vige had invited him to visit her injured follower. Shad felt his vacation was truly over.
Suddenly he felt something rubbing against his leg under the table. Considering that only Daniste was beside him at the table, Shad looked at her again:
"What's wrong?"
The eighteen-year-old red-haired sorceress, who looked like she had already eaten her fill, rested her chin on her hand and looked at Shad:
"I'm thinking about the teacher. When will the teacher truly come back to life? Maybe there will be a morning like today, where the three of us and Mia are chatting and having breakfast together in the tower."
Shad smiled:
"That day will come, and you're looking forward to it, aren't you?"
"Yes. I'm really looking forward to seeing what it will be like when the teacher wears the beautiful exotic outfit you conjured up last night."
"Dannister~"
Gina shared that the learning ritual for the magical spell "Bubble Charm" was quite simple, so Shad didn't bother Danist with that matter again. As for the [Blood Essence of All Things], unfortunately, it wasn't available at the academy. This precious alchemical material, like the [Philosopher's Stone], wasn't something you could obtain immediately if you wanted it, so Shad would still have to ask Mr. Bernhardt for help.
After having breakfast and bidding farewell to Danist, Shad took Mia to the tower in the snowy mountains. Unfortunately, Margaret had not yet replied with information about the intelligence base of the Scholar's City agents. So Shad wrote a second letter and asked Margaret or Sylvia to forward it to Mr. Bernhardt.
Although Armand Bernhardt should no longer be in Willendale, his family's butler should know his exact whereabouts.
The meeting time arranged with that chaotic witch yesterday was 10 a.m. It was still early, so after returning home, Shad hurriedly jumped into the carriage and went to Old John's pawnshop.
During the month and a half of vacation, Shad often came here to supplement his coursework with materials, so Old John, who was reading the newspaper behind the counter that morning, wasn't very surprised to see Shad appear.
"The newspapers are full of victories and great triumphs every day, but when you look at the front lines, they haven't changed at all since the start of the war last month."
As he spoke, he placed the newspaper on the counter, and Xia De smiled and said:
“Boosting morale is also important during wartime, and the same thing is being done in Carsenrick.”
He didn't talk much about this topic:
"Old John, I'm here to ask for your help again. Do you have any [active metals] here?"
"I remember you said you were from the history department, so how come you would be using such relics?"
The old gentleman behind the counter asked, but he didn't really expect Shad to answer:
"This relic is indeed very rare. I don't have it myself, but I know who does—no, not Edmund of Coldwater Harbor. Do you know about the failed experiment of the [Church of Creation]?"
"I know a little. Apparently, the mechanical floating city exploded."
"No, no, it's far from being a mechanical floating city. The things that exploded back then were probably less than a quarter the size of this shop. Anyway, after the accident, [Active Metal] became a controlled material, and the Church of Creation itself was buying it back at high prices. However, we have a member in our secret order who is skilled in mechanics, and he may have some stock on hand."
Old John rummaged under the counter and found paper and pen, then wrote down the address, name, and letter of introduction for Shad:
"You could try your luck with him. He lives in Arcadia, the 'City of Scholars' in Carsonrick, which is next to the Church of Creation. I heard that it's been quite... well, you know. What's with that expression?"
Old John asked in confusion, and Shad shook his head:
"Nothing much, just wondering what the church discovered about [Active Metals]. Also, do you have [Blood Essence of All Things] here?"
The old man was very surprised:
Why didn't you ask me if I had the Philosopher's Stone?
"So, Old Man John, do you have the Philosopher's Stone?"
The old man was so angry he laughed:
"Of course not. I'm not an alchemist. Why would I store such priceless alchemical materials? Besides, I've heard that the church, academies, and the Prophet's Association are all spending Philosopher's Stones to ask you to transform your destiny into runes. You don't lack Philosopher's Stones, do you?"
During the month-and-a-half-long vacation, various parties did indeed approach Shad several times regarding this matter, and Shad did indeed accumulate some Philosopher's Stones as a result. As for the success rate of transforming the Arc of Fate into spirit runes, the calculation showed it to be approximately fifty percent, a success rate that all parties were quite satisfied with.
"In short, I can't help you with the [Blood Essence of All Things], but if you're willing to wait a long time, I can keep an eye out for news for you. I actually suggest you go ask the vampires if they need my help in making connections. There will be a brokerage fee this time."
Shad declined Old John's business offer, but before leaving, he did purchase materials from Old John to learn the "Bubble Charm." The "Bubble Charm" wasn't a very complex spell, and the learning ritual didn't have any special time or place requirements. The biggest trouble in purchasing it was actually the "Bubble Pods" that would allow Shad to blow bubbles.
This could be considered a special type of plant material, but its uses were extremely limited. Old John searched the warehouse for a long time before finally finding a small box of dried specimens:
“This thing has been here with me for almost three years. It’s not very useful and has very little value. If it weren’t for you, and someone else had asked me, I probably wouldn’t have wasted my time going through the warehouse.”
The total price of the other materials that Shad bought was £13, while Old John only paid 1 shilling for that small box of bean pods, which also shows that the price of these bean pods was indeed very low.