Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Putting on his coat, hat, and picking up his cat, Shard quickly made his way downstairs. After opening the door, he saw an exceptionally old carriage parked outside. The metal decorations on the carriage were all rusted, and the driver dressed in black seemed to be one with the carriage, with fine cracks all over the reins in his hands.

The carriage was entirely made of wood, but there wasn't the usual smell of rotting wood. Instead, there was an earthy scent common in cemeteries. As Shard stepped onto the black iron stairs extended from the carriage, he heard the entire compartment creak, which made him particularly concerned about the safety of the journey.

The driver, who was certainly not human, did not converse with Shard. However, the Saint Byrons Emblem hanging inside the compartment, the travel bookshelf prepared by the Academy, and the teapot and snack tray fixed in place, were all of the Academy's style, so Shard wasn't worried about getting on the wrong carriage.

The interior decoration of the carriage was exceptionally exquisite, comparable to the private carriages of nobles. The inside of the compartment was lined with soft cushions to prevent collision, and the seats were antique cushioned sofas fixed to the floor. There were four small and exquisite bronze gilded kerosene lamps hanging on all four sides, but as the carriage started, the lights went out.

A white oak coffee table was placed between the two sofas, with a tall round table with brown lacquered legs on one side. When attempting to pick up a teacup, he noticed that it seemed to be firmly attached to the tabletop; although it could be picked up with effort, there was no need to worry about tea spilling onto the expensive red cashmere carpet due to bumps.

"This is really nice. It seems this is a means of transport used by important figures from the Academy... It looks like I didn't get on the wrong carriage, but such a big adventure due to a misunderstanding isn't the kind of thing I usually encounter. Iluna is more likely to run into things like this."

He thought to himself, holding the cat that wasn't too keen on going out, and then noticed that the windows were tightly closed, and the curtains were nailed directly to the carriage. As the carriage began to smoothly move, Shard knew that his journey had officially started.

Despite Shard having strong spatial talent, he lost all spatial perception just five seconds after the carriage started. He couldn't distinguish north from south or east from west, nor could he construct their current location in his mind based on his memory of the terrain near his home.

All he could hear was the whirring wind howling outside the carriage, but listening closely, it distinctly sounded like a giant creature wailing in the distance.

The jostling of the carriage caused Shard and Mia, who was held in his arms, to resonate in sync. This jostling greatly intrigued the cat, and for a while, Shard felt like not only the carriage was vibrating, but Mia was actively vibrating as well.

Fortunately, this vibration lasted less than half a minute before it ended.

Once the ride smoothed out, the kerosene lamp on the round table in the carriage lit up first, illuminating the roll of parchment hanging over the table, inscribed with floral lettering detailing Shard's itinerary.

The "inexperienced" Shard and the cat examined the illuminated interior of the compartment, but soon Shard's interest turned more to the outside:

"What do you think it looks like outside now?"

"She" chuckled and replied:

[Maybe you could try to peek through a crack.]

Of course, Shard was just curious and didn't really attempt to investigate what was going on outside.

He poured himself some tea and cut a red apple for Mia. As the night snack for the man and cat was nearly finished, the thirty-minute journey was nearing its end.

Without any warning, Shard sensed that the world outside the carriage was returning to normal.

Sure enough, after the kerosene lamps in the carriage went out again, the jostling resumed, and Shard confirmed that Mia was deliberately vibrating along with the carriage's jostles, as the cat's vibrating was certainly at a different frequency from his.

With the final jolt, the carriage settled firmly on the ground, the kerosene lamps lit up again, and the carriage drove a short distance forward before coming to a slow stop.

"We're here."

Without Shard needing to open the door himself, someone opened it from the outside:

"Are you Mr. Shard Suren Hamilton?"

A young man with messy light brown hair poked his head in from outside, and Shard nodded immediately:

"Yes, I am."

"Oh, welcome to Saint Byrons!"

The young man in a robe spoke in somewhat unrefined Delarion, and Shard, holding the cat, jumped down from the carriage, then looked up in amazement at the vivid Star River above, with stars so bright as if they could be plucked by hand.

The outdoor temperature is slightly lower than Tobesk, but there's no snow here. The air is exceptionally good, especially for Shard, who lives in the "City of Steam," Tobesk; the air here is as fresh as a forest.

The night is tranquil, and gas lamps with the Saint Byrons Emblem illuminate the carriage, which stops at a semicircular square. In the center of the square stands a massive stone statue shaped like an open book, and the square itself serves as the front platform of the towering, brightly lit giant library.

The library is situated at the high point of the architectural complex, with white stone steps cascading down from the semicircular square. The steps are evenly divided into different sections by metal railings decorated with vines. Looking downward, the classical castle-style buildings stand under the tranquil night sky, their spires and classical bridge structures complementing each other.

Looking far into the distance, street lamps outline the city's silhouette extending towards the ice plains, with old-world castle buildings and classical structures standing here on the Far North ice plains as if they were from the last Era. On the horizon are faint shadows of glaciers and mountains, and under the splendid Star Ocean is not even a trace of clouds.

"Surprised?"

The young man who came to greet Shard asked with a smile. He introduced himself as a fourth-year student from the History Academy, appointed by the professor to guide Shard:

"The Saint Byrons Integrated Academy is truly an Academy City."

"Has this library building always been here?"

Shard asked curiously.

"Yes, it's been here since the founding of the Academy. It's one of the few buildings that has never had major changes. After all, the library holds the oldest ritual circles and large-scale alchemical building techniques, which subsequent members of the Academy have been unable to replicate."

Shard nodded, facing the night wind, holding a cat, and looking at everything in the distance:

"Before countless suns and moons alternated, they too stood here and saw all of this..."

This was the second time Shard, truly with his own body, set foot on the land of Saint Byrons. This land and this city had long established a connection with him at the other end of time. Having recently met with Miss Feliana and Miss Orland, thinking about breathing the same air across time, he felt an indescribable melancholy.

"Mr. Hamilton, let's head into the library first. The administrators, as well as the Dean and Vice Dean of the History Academy, are waiting for you."

Although he had entered the Saint Byrons Integrated Academy's grand library several times through projection, this was the first time entering through the entrance. Before entering, Shard politely inquired if he could bring pets into the library, and the response was that it was fine as long as Mia didn't run around.

The library doors were five giant double metal doors forming a wall, similar to those Shard had only seen at a church before. On the central door, the Academy's motto was carved in ancient language from the Late Fifth Era, while the others were inscribed with the library's rules in Delarion and Carsonrick.

Upon stepping inside, it was as if transitioning from winter to warm spring. The marble floor was so polished it could reflect light, and a red carpet stretched toward the depths of the library, while the entrance hall's area almost matched half of Saint Delan Square.

Of course, the library was quiet at this time; though Shard could see the enormous star map rotating on the ceiling and candlesticks floating above the bookshelves, it seemed there were only a few people in the library, and it was only 8:30 PM.

"Exam week just ended, so except for a few, not many come to the library at this time. After all... I suppose you understand."

The young man leading the way said, and Shard thought about asking him about his year-end exam results but felt that such a sudden question might be inappropriate.

As they proceeded, it felt like venturing into an ancient maze constructed of bookshelves. Yet it was entirely different from Sir Plisha's library maze because there were traces of "life" everywhere here.

The ancient library, even in the Sixth Era of today, still exudes vitality, passing knowledge and wisdom to the younger generation. The wish Miss Orland made in the Gadis Library had already become reality in Shard's eyes; she had indeed helped Miss Feliana build one of the greatest libraries above ground.

The meeting place was still at the library's center, under the high dome where the rotating astrolabe floated. Previously, meetings always had a chair and a red sofa facing each other across a coffee table, but this time four red sofas surrounded the table.

The young student leading Shard left after guiding him into the space between the bookshelves, and upon entering, Shard saw four people waiting for him on the sofas.

The Red Moon Witch, Miss Danester, was still the same, seated alone on one of the sofas, even in the same position.

Professor Garcia, the Vice Dean of the History Academy, who had assisted Shard many times, sat with another middle-aged man whose hair was graying. The latter wore a monocle, and upon looking at Shard, Shard understood that he was the current Dean of the History Academy, Professor Odias.

The two professors sat on the sofa to Miss Danester's left.

Upon first meeting Professor Garcia, Shard noticed his somewhat pointed ears, which now seemed to signify Elven Lineage.