“Detective, you have now resolved the incident caused by the Poet-level relic and helped solve the problem of the former detective’s death. So, let’s return to the original topic.”
The blue-eyed doctor on the single-seater sofa looked at Shard:
“What is your view on Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy now?
Since the awakenings of Ring Warlocks only last 72 hours, the main training method of the Orthodox Church and the three major academies is actually to recruit from core believers and affiliated industries. This makes monitoring easier. However, both sides do not mind recruiting fresh blood unrelated to their own factions, though the training is different from those who are inherently trustworthy talents.”
“Can you give examples of the treatment ordinary people, originally unrelated to the mysterious, receive after joining the church or the academy?”
Shard thought for a moment, chewing over the implications of the words, feeling that not being fully trusted made sense.
“Of course, for the Orthodox Church, those Ring Warlocks who are not devout believers are not allowed to leave their diocese within the first ten years of successful employment, and their support from the church will be limited. It takes at least 20 years to be fully trusted.
As for the three major academies, the conditions are more complicated. We use correspondence courses to train talents who were not part of the mysterious world initially.
All external students receive education through correspondence courses, cannot directly contact the academy, and certainly cannot enter it. According to the region, correspondence Ring Warlocks are divided into different groups, each with 3 to 7 people. When a group includes at least one six-ring warlock, one five-ring warlock, one four-ring warlock, and meets the condition of having more than 5 people, the group as a whole can pass the test and officially enter the academy. The entire group must progress together, with no one left behind, ensuring mutual supervision and accountability.”
The doctor explained, making Shard raise an eyebrow:
“If I join the Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy?”
Dr. Schneider nodded, acknowledging Shard’s assumption, and pointed to himself:
“Then our group would once again have five Ring Warlocks. Currently, we have four. The specific information of others cannot be disclosed before you join. But I promise, we will wait until you meet the three-ring condition before we conduct the formal admission test. After all, we are still far from meeting other conditions.”
That’s why Bill Schneider was so eager to guide Shard into the academy. ‘Wild’ talents are extremely hard to find, just slightly less difficult than finding a needle in a haystack.
Seeing Shard still in thought, the doctor continued, “Mr. Hamilton, I am very satisfied with you – your background, your origin, and your attitude towards the mysterious. A few hours ago, when we saw that miserable scene, the compassion and feigned calmness you showed were admirable. Please carefully consider my proposal. The conditions here are quite good.”
“I don’t understand why the Orthodox Church and the academy are so vigilant about people like us?”
Shard remained hesitant; it was challenging for an outsider to trust others easily in the early stages of entering this world.
“You haven’t become a Ring Warlock yet, so you don’t realize how dangerous this world is. The world is like a mad ocean, while the world of normal people is just a small isolated island. Ring Warlocks can dive into those deep seas, gaining more but also becoming more prone to madness and being twisted by whispers from evil beings or malice from nature. Although we have ‘another self’ to resist those distortions and oddities together, Ring Warlocks without systematic training from a young age are more likely to lose control with a single misstep, which would be quite terrifying.”
The doctor gave a simple introduction, seemingly afraid to elaborate too much. Shard felt that the worldview of this world probably wasn’t just steampunk and mysticism but also included elements of agnosticism or Lovecraftian rules.
“So, is it possible to naturally become a Ring Warlock without guidance and training?”
Shard asked once more.
“Absolutely not. You don’t understand Ring Warlocks or what this is about. We mentioned in the morning that within the 72 hours of the Ring Warlock talent awakening, without guidance, many situations can occur. Most cases result in madness, some in death, and a very small probability of becoming something strange—flesh-piled monsters, screaming spirits. These are terrifying entities that would give you nightmares just by looking at them.”
Hearing this, Shard thoroughly grasped the current situation. He straightened up and summarized, “My time is running out. I must make a decision quickly. Moreover, if I choose not to join Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy, you definitely won’t let me leave with today’s memories.”
Shard looked at the doctor, and the blue-eyed doctor cautiously nodded.
“I mentioned at the beginning that students of the three major academies would hide their identities wherever the Orthodox Church exists. Yes, if you refuse, I will use some inconvenient means to erase your memories. I excel at manipulating emotions and dreams, so I am also good at altering memories. Of course, it’s easier because you are just an ordinary person. It wouldn’t be so easy with a Ring Warlock.”
Shard didn’t think the doctor was threatening him but saw these measures as necessary for self-protection. Shard understood that no one should have to cater to him.
“If you erase today’s memories, I wouldn’t know about the 72-hour limit.”
He further analyzed.
“Yes, I suppose Tobesque City Asylum may have a new guest. But don’t worry; I have acquaintances in all the mental asylums in Tobesque City. Detective, I was joking; let’s keep it light.”
The doctor cautiously judged.
“I won’t force you to join the Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy, but as adults, we have to bear the consequences of our choices. Besides, becoming a correspondence Ring Warlock offers more freedom than joining the church. As an ordinary person who is not a believer, once you enter the church’s training system, you will be taken care of, but your freedom will be restricted.
However, correspondence Ring Warlocks are different. As long as you pass exams each semester, earn enough compulsory credits, complete practical tasks, and earn the required practical credits without committing crimes like murder or arson, the academy doesn’t care what we do.
Now, do you understand the difference between academy-trained Ring Warlocks and church Ring Warlocks?”
“Understood.”
Shard nodded. Indeed, from what the doctor said, the academy seemed to have more advantages.
“The three major thaumaturgy academies are Saint Byrence Comprehensive Academy, which specializes in the containment and use of [Relics]; Zarathustra Academy of Literature, specializing in the thaumaturgy of elemental runes, essentially the magic used in stories; and Serkes Advanced Medical College, which knows a bit of everything but excels in alchemy.
Mr. Hamilton, this is not just my opportunity but also yours. Being able to enter the Ring Warlock training system through official channels rather than cults or secret societies, do you know how rare this opportunity is?”
The doctor spoke again, his profession making him adept at persuading others.
Hesitating, Shard nodded once more. Despite the perceived dullness of the original host’s brain, he, as an outsider to the world, though only in his twenties, had his own judgment.
“Then, how can you prove that everything you said so far is true? So far, all the information I’ve received is from you.”
Shard asked seriously.
Although questioning the doctor, Dr. Schneider was actually pleased. This meant the young man before him was interested.
“I can apply to the academy for that Poet-level (Level 5) [Relic] to prove my words. But if I do, then the academy will know that we have discovered a new talent here. Although the academy won’t force you to join, they will definitely record your identity information. So, do you want to come into contact with the Poet-level [Relic] the ‘Saint Byrence Dream’?”
“Can I consider it? Give me two hours? No, one hour. I want to think carefully about what happened today.”
The information was overwhelming, and Shard couldn’t make a decision immediately. But he leaned toward believing the doctor, so he asked for some time to think.
“No problem. After all, this information is too much for ordinary people. You can consider it here or leave for a while. I also have some small affairs to handle. So, let’s meet”
The doctor looked at the clock in the corner of the room, with a heart-shaped metal piece at the bottom of the pendulum in its glass case.
“At two o’clock this afternoon, we’ll meet here.”
“No problem. I’ll stay here.”
Shard said. It made no difference where he thought. If the doctor wanted to harm him, he would have done it earlier at the asylum, which would have been an ideal place for murder.
“If you stay here, there are some academy recruitment materials that can’t be taken outside, but you can look at them here. I’ll return after handling my affairs. If you need anything, you can ask Mrs. Clara for help.”
Mrs. Clara was the middle-aged maid who served tea earlier.
