Chapter 1310: Chapter 1310: Dream of the Moon
"Shard, even though you are not a student of the Astronomy College, astrology is still a required course for both the third and fourth years. This is because of your Silvermoon Core Spirit Rune. Different lunar phases correspond to different powers of the moon; the waning moon phase corresponds to the power of healing, acceptance, recovery, and dreams, hence the Dream of the Moon. This is quite a complex Arcane Technique and is unique to the Saint Byrons Library, not found elsewhere. This time, I’ll only provide you with three sets of ritual materials, but you’re unlikely to succeed. Therefore, before the arrival of spring, gather the materials yourself and repeatedly attempt the Arcane Technique until you fully master it."
The teacher’s tone was quite stern at this moment:
"When the first Randall Flower of the Randall Valley in Carsonrick blooms, and spring arrives on the Old Continent, I will have you come to Saint Byrons again and show me your progress. If you haven’t reached the level I expect, Shard, prepare yourself to face a mountain of knowledge and an ocean of learning for the rest of this year. If you fully master the Dream of the Moon, perhaps I can grant you some reward."
She smiled and winked at Shard, and Shard understood this was definitely not a joke.
Arcane Technique—Dream of the Moon corresponds to March, the Moon, the Dream, and Meditation Spirit Runes. From the description of the Arcane Technique’s effects and learning the ritual, this is a relatively typical High Ring Sorcery, meaning it is suitable for learning at the High Ring level. It seems Miss Danester indeed has high expectations for Shard.
The effects of the Arcane Technique are quite complex. In brief, it means entering a semi-meditative state after falling asleep to reach the moon in the Astral Realm in your dreams. After completing a six-hour full sleep cycle, the technique removes curses, negative statuses, heals damaged spirits, and slightly heals soul damage. Moreover, once fully mastered, the Arcane Technique can significantly enhance meditation effects and increase psychic resistance. Each complete lunar phase cycle can enhance the spirit’s limit and recovery speed, as well as strengthen all moon-related Arcane Techniques.
Of course, the most peculiar effect is that when the Arcane Technique is fully mastered, the aging speed of a mortal soul during sleep will approach stagnation. This almost touches upon the realm of time, and this near-stagnation of soul decay means the soul can carry time for longer.
Naturally, to achieve such effects, Dream of the Moon must be cultivated to an extremely advanced level.
And since Sister Delphine had given Shard access to the library of the Spiritual Practice Order, Shard knew that the Order also had similar Arcane Techniques, though with some different emphases compared to Dream of the Moon.
Compared to Arcane Techniques, it looks more like a meditation skill. And learning Dream of the Moon, aside from the most basic Ritual Circle, comprises mostly various spices and incense to aid in better sleep and reaching a deeper meditation state.
"No problem, I will start learning right away."
Shard noted down the ritual, and the materials would be conveyed to him later through that sheet of poem draft paper.
"I have another question. Do you know what the Sand of Time dyed by the night is?"
Shard asked again, but unfortunately, even the librarian Miss had not heard of it. The power of time within the Sand of Time made it resistant to contamination from other forces, so to have the night ’dye’ such a relic was basically impossible.
The conversation with Miss Danester continued from that morning until nearly noon. The librarian Miss systematically analyzed the knowledge Shard currently needed to learn and listened to Shard’s analysis of the sublimation incantation "Shadow of Silvermoon guides the ultimate direction" that he ’unexpectedly’ acquired.
She did not comment on which sublimation incantation Shard should use, as that was his own choice.
After ending the projector ritual, it was noon. Shard then took Mia to find Dorothy to have lunch together, expressing to Dorothy his worries about being too lax in his recent study state.
The Golden-haired Girl looked at him while eating, and only spoke after Shard finished:
"I don’t feel like you are being lax, but rather it seems as though you are being chased by some monster, endlessly running forward."
She petted the cat who was eating, then Mia hissed at her.
"Shard, there are times when it really feels like you’re trying to become the perfect saint."
Her green eyes were filled with concern:
"Seeing you occasionally stop to rest would actually make me happy."
Shard blinked his eyes:
"Me? Perfect like a saint? That must be an illusion, my desire is stronger than anyone’s."
He didn’t quite feel that way but, to break Dorothy’s worry, he slightly leaned forward and whispered something in the ear of Miss Writer. The small ear near the golden hair strands immediately turned red, and those green eyes looked at Shard with some reproach:
"Goodness, you actually... did you sneak a look at those illegal books of Angelina that Lecia confiscated? Or does Little Angelina still have some hidden? Really, I wonder which maid helped her get those books."
It seemed both she and Lecia were quite aware of what kind of content was in the illegal publications collected by the Little Princess.
After speaking, Dorothy glanced around, then whispered:
"It’s not that it’s impossible... but for your final idea, you’ll need to wait until Luviya returns, and consult her opinion first."
When Shard arrived in Randall Valley City that afternoon, it was already one-thirty. Entering the nave of the Church of the Forgotten, he happened to see Circle Sorcerers of the Golden Dawn repairing those damaged stone chairs.
Miss Lathis and Miss Benanis were also there, the former sitting beside her father, bowing her head in silent prayer, while the Grand Witch was spinning under the beam of sunlight. The moment she caught sight of Shard with her peripheral vision, she immediately blushed and stopped, without mentioning what she was just doing.
"Good afternoon, Shard."
She greeted Shard as he was about to go looking for her:
"Could you notify the Church that tomorrow night, Thursday night, something big will happen near Eldron Lake? I don’t know exactly what it is, but it’s certain to be something significant."
"Should we inform through the Council’s channel or anonymously through the black market?"
Miss Benanis didn’t ask about the source of Shard’s information.
"Anonymously through the black market, but it needs to carry enough weight to convince the Church."
If the information is passed through the Council’s channel, it’s possible the local demon will find out and deduce that "John Watson" is connected to the Witch Council.
"No problem."
Now, Shard had three tasks left to do, which was to visit the locations of three auction items. Since it was already afternoon, he went straight to the Osenfort Estate, sincerely hoping that this time he’d be able to get the statue.
He rode out of the city, galloping along the familiar road, which he now knew well, thus reducing the time it took compared to the previous two visits.
He arrived at the estate near three in the afternoon. The old and isolated estate still looked just as eerie. Today, Ston Osenfort was not home again, and the old butler welcomed Shard at the door, already aware of the purpose of his visit.
Haila Osenfort once again welcomed Shard as the lady of the house. With a distant expression, she led Shard to the room where the stone statue was kept. After unlocking the glass cabinet, Shard finally obtained the statue.
He originally intended to make up an excuse to stay at the estate for a while and look for more clues. But before Shard could say anything, the woman with the black veil invited:
"Mr. Watson, would you like to have afternoon tea before you leave?"
Shard naturally wouldn’t refuse.
A long table that could seat eight people was placed behind the sofas by the fireplace in the living room on the first floor, with one person sitting on each short end and three on each long side.
This was also where the family ate, not because the estate didn’t have a dedicated dining room. With only an old butler and a maid as servants, there was no need to use the dining room.
The maid went to prepare tea and snacks, while Haila Osenfort sat at one end of the long table, and Shard sat diagonally from her on the long side. Taking advantage of the private moment, Shard wanted to ask some questions involving the secrets of the Osenforts. But before he could speak, the noble lady wrote in the air again, conveying a message to Shard:
[Let’s not talk about those topics today.]
Although unsure why, Shard nodded.
"Did you meet my husband yesterday?"
She asked.
"Yes, I met him at the Mason and Enriques’ wedding banquet. He showed me some... quite remarkable skills, and we even saw an undead."
Shard briefly described the story between the two living people and a ghost. After listening, the woman with the veil lowered her eyes and remained silent. Shard then expressed his thoughts:
"Today in the city, I inquired around; Miss Mason and Mr. Enriques’ wedding concluded smoothly without mention of ghosts. It seems the young couple chose to keep it a secret, wanting to maintain their marriage or some other decision. I’m not here to judge right or wrong, just to ponder the story."
Haila Osenfort softly said:
"It’s just the current situation. In reality, their story cannot be judged by hearsay alone. Maintaining marriage and emotions comes with a price."
Shard, not expecting her to speak, nodded somewhat surprised:
"Yes, madam. Although I’m not yet married, I do agree with that statement. I’ll continue to pay attention to their ongoing story. I have always believed that marriage is the process of two different individuals becoming one. The passion of emotions often has a time limit, and when that inevitably fades, life’s trivialities will make both parties aware again of their differences... However, your relationship with Mr. Osenfort seems quite good. I heard he even renovated this ancestral estate for your marriage."
As the clattering sound came, the maid pushed a cart over. After she served the tea, Haila Osenfort nodded:
"Ston indeed loves me, giving me his entire heart."