The doctor handed Shard the document, which was a formal explanation of the tuition fees for higher education institutions. The printed version even featured a sun pattern in the upper right corner and three gears in the lower left corner as page decorations. Even ordinary people wouldn’t find it unusual.
Compared to the knowledge offered, the tuition for first-year correspondence magicians was very cheap, only 50 pounds. For reference, even middle-class families typically paid around 100 to 150 pounds annually for boys attending a secondary boarding school.
Shard still looked troubled. He didn’t have 50 pounds, or even 5 pounds, to his name.
But there were many relics belonging to the detective in his house. Selling all of them could probably get him 50 pounds, especially since some commissions were nearly complete. So Shard had a way.
“Do I need to provide the money immediately?”
This was the most troublesome issue.
“The academy needs the gold pounds upfront, but other currencies are acceptable, though you’d need to ask about the exchange rate. Of course, if you can’t come up with the money right away, the academy offers loan programs, but the interest might cost you.”
Dr. Schneider explained. Miss Louisa, with her hands resting on her knees, kindly added:
“In my opinion, our group can lend you the money. We have the funds. After all, apart from wealthy people like the doctor, no one can produce such a large sum of cash at once.”
The blue-eyed doctor scratched his nose, looking a bit embarrassed.
“I did the same thing back then. It’s quite common. But consider if you can handle that loan.”
The blonde lady kindly reminded him.
“The loan for tuition doesn’t accrue interest, but starting from the loan date, you’d need to pay back 10 pounds the first month, and 20 pounds each of the following two months.”
The doctor added:
“You don’t need collateral. I’ll guarantee within the group. I know your identity information; you wouldn’t be able to leave anyway.”
The doctor knew Shard had just recovered from “blind folly” and was aware of his situation.
Shard breathed a sigh of relief, thinking his luck was indeed good. He didn’t forget to thank them, realizing he had met some good people:
“I’ll repay the loan as soon as possible. Mr. Schneider, Miss Louisa, please allow me to thank you again.”
At this point, he remembered something. Because of the interest-free loan, he decided to place more trust in Dr. Schneider and the group writer. Thus, he took out his notebook.
Carefully peeling back the leather cover, he took out a card from the gap.
On the front of the card was an image of a woman holding up a silver moon. This was the former detective’s most prized relic, the “Sun 3” Rod card. Shard carried it with him, knowing his home lock could easily be broken with an ax.
“Is this valuable?”
“A special series Rod card?”
Before Shard could offer the card, Miss Louisa recognized it but shook her head, signaling Shard to hand it to the doctor:
“I don’t play cards often, so I’m unaware of the value of such items. Let the doctor take a look.”
“It is indeed a Rod card, with a special pattern and even special effects. Is this genuine?”
The doctor curiously took it and examined it under the warm yellow gaslight on the wall. He didn’t reveal Shard’s identity or background, so he explained the basics to him:
“Although I’m not a collector, I know some nobles and enthusiasts who crazily pursue these special Rod cards. The special patterns themselves are very valuable, and if they have special rules, that kind of obsessive collecting is stronger than a man’s desire for a beautiful woman. I can’t understand that behavior. Last year, at an auction not far from where you live in St. Dlan Square, there was… wait, is this a Silver Moon from the founding series?”
The doctor suddenly asked in surprise.
“What?”
Shard didn’t understand. The blonde lady showed interest and got up to look at the card.
The doctor placed the card on the table between the three of them, introducing the Rod card to Shard and Miss Louisa, who didn’t know much about it:
“Look at the top center of the card; there’s a vertical line. This represents a card from the founding series of Rod cards. Allegedly, the founding series cards were issued 300 years ago, with 13 different images, each having a unique rule. The ‘Silver Moon’ is one of them, hence called the Founding Silver Moon. In the Rod card system, each founding series card has extraordinary effects.”
“Though I don’t play cards, I assume the rules must be extraordinary.”
Dorothy Louisa, who had already read the effects, remarked. The doctor also looked closely at the card’s effects. He wasn’t a gambler or a Rod card enthusiast, but he knew how terrifying a card that could adjust numbers from 1 to 5 would be under rules like “21.”
“Is this genuine? It must be valuable, right?”
The blonde lady asked, and Shard was hopeful too, but the doctor shook his head decisively:
“Impossible, absolutely impossible to be genuine. Each founding series card is worth more than a street in St. Dlan Square, even more. A card like that could never be real. The founding series were issued 300 years ago, and they’re either destroyed or in the vaults of great nobles or family collections, never to be seen easily.”
He knew Shard’s background, which guided his judgment.
“Is it valuable even if not genuine?”
Shard agreed with Dr. Schneider’s assessment but still asked. He didn’t believe it was genuine either, considering it’s an antique from 300 years ago.
“Not worth a penny. People only support original cards. Especially those special series Rod cards—using counterfeit Rod cards will get you shunned by all enthusiasts. So counterfeits aren’t valuable, though this one is quite good.”
The doctor regretfully handed the card back to Shard:
“I’ll lend you the money first, but you might want to get this founding Silver Moon authenticated; it might be worth a try.”
“Where can I get it authenticated?”
Shard got interested.
“I know this. The Prophecy Association specializes in this.”
Writer Miss Louisa mentioned, and the doctor nodded in agreement. He gave a more detailed explanation, knowing Shard didn’t understand:
“The Prophecy Association handles the issuance of Rod cards. They also provide authentication services for special cards. It costs 5 pence per card for authentication, quite cheap. If genuine, the Prophecy Association issues a certificate. To participate in official Rod card tournaments with special cards, you must present a certificate.”
Rod cards were more popular in this world than Shard had imagined. But it wasn’t too surprising, considering it was just a card game. In the steam era, with more leisure activities than in previous centuries, such special entertainments were normal.
The doctor continued:
“The Prophecy Association is also an organization of magicians, but less formal. They work with academies and churches, recognized by us, and even have some ties to our group. Initially, their main business was divination. Around the 15th century of the Sixth Epoch, they introduced the special Rod series for divination purposes, but their main business shifted to Rod cards.”
The doctor pursed his lips, though his expression was hard to interpret:
“The association makes a fortune hosting all kinds of Rod card games. Printing cards is like printing money… cough, not that I envy them. They still offer divination services and are involved in publishing and newspaper distribution. The well-known local newspaper, the Three Pence Daily, is run by them.”
The newspaper’s name was indeed concise.
“In Tobesque, a city like this, the Prophecy Association has many branches and agencies. There’s a legitimate one near St. Dlan Square. Living in the city center is advantageous. Even if there’s a small chance your card is the legendary founding Silver Moon, there’s no need to worry about leaks. It’s a well-organized entity.”
The doctor joked.
“If the card is genuine, be sure to tell us. It could make a great story.”
Miss Louisa joked as well. Her attitude toward the stranger Shard was quite welcoming, likely hoping to complete the group of five.