Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 931 - 931: The Folklore Scholar's Inspiration

After Iluna finished the written record according to standard procedure, she dilly-dallied as if she didn't want to leave, but since there was no reason to stay, she was eventually escorted to the door by Shard and the professor. However, upon saying goodbye, Shard casually mentioned:

"I still have to go home for lunch with Mia."

Iluna blinked, waved at him with a smile, and then walked briskly into the fog.

The professor didn't catch the meaning behind Shard and Iluna's conversation. Once the door closed again, he shook his head and sighed:

"Although Tobesk is the capital of the Kingdom, the resolution rate of such theft cases is still very low. I think rather than hoping the police will catch the thief, I should keep an eye on the black market dynamics myself. Maybe I could buy the vase back soon."

"Professor, I've heard it's a series of thefts, Riddlevitch Field is taking it seriously."

"Oh, Detective, taking it seriously doesn't increase the case resolution rate. The antique tapestry I reported stolen ten years ago still hasn't been found. I guess Riddlevitch Field probably doesn't even have the file I reported back then."

Professor Manning said with some dissatisfaction, then looked at Shard:

"Detective, how about I entrust this theft case to you? I've heard you're a very skilled detective with a hundred percent success rate."

"Where did you hear that from? I remember, I didn't boast like that in my ad in the 'Steam Bird Daily.'"

Shard asked curiously, and Professor Manning invited Shard to the study to talk:

"That's what people are saying. Yesterday I attended an academic conference, and I even heard about your activities at the Esberg Family and Royal wedding banquet on Tuesday... One-penny Detective, right?"

Professor Manning teased with a smile:

"That was really a clever math problem; I was fooled at first too. Oh, the folks at the club are now saying that Princess Margaret of Carsonrick was quite impressed with you. I suppose that isn't just a rumor?"

Although Tobesk is large, its upper society is actually quite small.

Shard came to visit Professor Manning regarding Professor Drake from Huntington City. Professor Manning had a pretty good memory, and although he hadn't communicated with Professor Drake for many years, he still remembered the history professor:

"Kansas Drake has a high talent in history and folklore; he can be considered a scholarly authority in Carsonrick."

Professor Manning spoke highly of Professor Drake, which surprised Shard, who had thought Professor Drake was just an ordinary Academy professor.

"His talent lies not only in academic achievements but also in... acumen."

Sitting on the study's sofa, Professor Manning furrowed his brow, trying to articulate his thoughts:

"Detective, you should understand that the word 'acumen' is not quite accurate, let me think... he always perceives what others cannot, always first to notice what's wrong at an excavation site... what word should I use?"

"Lucky?"

"No, no, it's not just luck, it's a kind of talent."

Professor Manning frowned, trying to find a more suitable adjective.

"Strong inspiration?"

Shard said, and as he spoke, he was also surprised.

Professor Manning clapped his hands with a smile:

"Yes, yes, Professor Drake is the kind of person with very strong inspiration. Sometimes I would write to consult him. It's a pity that after that incident, he didn't have any more academic achievements. I can understand, especially for a folklore scholar, one cannot make new discoveries by just sitting at home and in the office... Detective, has your writer friend in Huntington City mentioned Professor Drake's health conditions?"

"His complexion is not very good; he can only move around in a wheelchair. Professor Drake believes he doesn't have much time left. I think he's not mistaken; after all, he is getting old."

Shard shook his head, and Professor Manning seemed somewhat disappointed but quickly asked:

"Is his situation... similar to when I encountered that pen?"

He knew Shard had means beyond ordinary people.

"It could be, but I'm still investigating. Professor, please tell me more about Professor Drake's strong inspiration."

Professor Manning picked up a teacup and thought:

"We scholars who study history and folklore may sometimes encounter some ancient murals or carvings; it's normal. When staring at strange ancient relics for a long time, dizziness can occur... Drake is the type who can quickly notice something wrong with those ancient relics, understand their meaning, and be the first to faint."

Shard pursed his lips and nodded:

"Then, let me propose a hypothesis. If a photo contains an image of a terrible monster, and under high levels of inspiration... never mind, this issue isn't important."

Shard shook his head, unable to determine the 'inspiration threshold' needed to trigger the photo's curse. After all, his own inspiration for anomalous phenomena far exceeded that of ordinary people.

The two then chatted about Professor Drake's past before Shard suggested looking at letters from several years ago. These old professors were meticulous in letter collection. Professor Manning's academic correspondence was arranged by date, making it easy to find.

There was a lot of correspondence between Professor Drake and Professor Manning just before the incident. The professor handed the stack of letters to Shard, allowing him to take his time to review them and return them later. As compensation for lending these letters to Shard, he wrote a letter to Professor Drake, which Shard was to pass on via his 'friends' in Huntington City, encouraging the professor to find more joy in life:

"I remember Drake has children, but they're probably not living with him. He could actually develop some other hobbies, like having a cat like you, which is good for maintaining enthusiasm for life."

Professor Manning dripped molten wax onto the envelope's seal and impressed his stamp on it. Only after the red wax dried did he hand it to Shard.

"Raising a cat?"

Shard did not comment on it.

After saying goodbye to Professor Drake, it was just past eleven. Before heading home, Shard took care of some other errands around the city.

On Tuesday night, having newly acquired the second Spirit Rune of the Four Rings, Desecration [Thunder], he intended to search the Black Raven Library for some Arcane Technique related to this Spirit Rune.

Currently, he only mastered [Thunder Spear], but the 'Book of Pink' mentioned another Arcane Technique, [Weak Paralysis Spell], associated with [Thunder] that he could learn. Although Iluna promised to provide Shard with some Arcane Technique related to lightning, Shard still planned to search the library himself, in case of unforeseen discoveries.

The Black Raven Library is also located in the University District, very close to Cat Tail Alley where Professor Manning resides.

Shard changed his coat for disguise in the maze-like alleys and donned a mask before knocking on the library's side door in the alley. The dripping steam pipes wasted hot water just as in summer, but the trash in the alleys had significantly decreased, perhaps due to the library staff's intervention.

Shad frequently visited, so the tattooed man with an anchor on his arm who guarded the door let him in without much interrogation.

Walking on the moisture-swollen floorboards, Shard followed the man through dimly lit corridors to a room. Along the way, he brushed past a person in a black robe. According to library rules, both intentionally avoided each other's gaze to prevent being suspected of peeping at the other's identity.

{Margaret Anjou.}

"Just passing by, and you can tell who it is?"

Shard asked in wonder in his mind but did not turn his head.

{Spirit's features, soul's features, along with the traits of alchemical items and relics carried. It's easy to distinguish.}

"I see... it seems Her Highness the Princess's trip to Tobesk is not leisurely."

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