Chapter 3900: The Anticipated Future

Daniste answered Xia De's question:

"The origin of 【Active Metal】 is currently unclear. One theory suggests it is a special material formed from the corpse of a powerful metallic lifeform that died during a mythological era. In the current Sixth Era, this material can only be found in the ruins of a few dangerous ancient alchemist laboratories in the material world."

"Around the early Steam Era, the 【Church of Creation】 discovered the special uses of this material. Steam equipment mixed with 【Active Metal】 could always perform at its best. Although the Church wouldn't be crazy enough to use relics to manufacture civilian steam engines, this metal plays a significant role when designing and testing advanced equipment prototypes in their laboratories."

Xia De ate his scrambled eggs:

"So, if I want to obtain 【Active Metal】, I can only go to the 【Church of Creation】?"

The sorceress shook her head. She didn't look very hungry; the food on her breakfast plate was much less than Xia De's:

"I haven't finished yet. Seven years ago, in 1848, a major incident occurred: a massive explosion at a 【Church of Creation】 testing ground. It is said that at the time, based on the design concept of steam-powered airships, they wanted to design a 'mechanical floating island' that could rival the floating island where the Zhalas Academy is located."

"The device exploded during the lift-off test. Fortunately, they had chosen an overseas island as the testing site. I don't know the specific reason for the experimental failure, but since then, they have refused to share any 【Active Metal】. I have discussed this with the professors, and we all believe that the followers of the God of Creation discovered a greater secret regarding that Keeper-level relic during the failed experiment."

"I see... Does the Academy have any 【Active Metal】 in stock?"

"Yes, but you cannot use it. Although relics are not easily destroyed, they can go out of control."

"Three years ago, a professor at the School of Psychology borrowed the last portion of the metal for an experiment. The experiment failed, causing the relic to go out of control. The negative characteristic of this relic is the activation of machinery. That accident resulted in the metal still coexisting with a large piece of steam equipment in the form of a mechanical lifeform. It is currently contained in Level 2 of the library."

"According to the accident investigation report from that year, if you can wait another 20 years, that metal should return to a usable state."

Xia De let out a long sigh:

"Alright, I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Are there any other ways to obtain 【Active Metal】? Preferably something I can get within a week."

Daniste offered a suggestion:

"I can help you ask the Zhalas Academy and the Schluch Lake Higher Medical Academy, but as far as I know, after the 【Church of Creation】 tightened control over this relic, their stocks are also low."

"You can try asking the ancient Ringed Shushi organizations you know. 【Active Metal】 is a very practical relic; perhaps one of your friends can provide you with some."

Xia De then thought about visiting Old John in a while. Although the 【Light-Guiding Yinxiu Society】 is not a research-oriented Ringed Shushi organization like the 【Truth Society】, they are dedicated to preserving the sparks of civilization and might also store some of these valuable relics:

"Then, do you have any suggestions regarding 'flesh corruption' potions or incantations?"

"There are many suggestions; the problem is how you want to choose. After all, most intelligent life in the material world today exists in the form of flesh and blood, so there is a considerable number of potions and incantations targeting flesh. Your 'Corrupting Blood Mist' is actually already quite powerful."

"I want to learn flesh corruption incantations associated with the 'Red Moon'."

Xia De said, and Daniste smiled:

"That's fine. I will help you pick one out, and I will notify you once I find a suitable one. Growth and corruption have always been two sides of the same coin; understanding flesh corruption will also help you understand flesh creation."

Since "flesh creation" was mentioned, Xia De looked at the egg on the table again:

"Then what about the proposal I mentioned last night—burying it in the soil as a seed? We can get a flower pot, and you can water it every day. If there's no effect in a week or two, we'll think of other ways."

Daniste was indeed a bit hesitant:

"That would be a bit disrespectful to the teacher, wouldn't it..."

But there were no other options now, so the sorceress nodded:

"Alright then, we can try it. Although I can't imagine how such a large egg could sprout, the proposal does make sense... Xia De, does it need fertilizer?"

"It probably shouldn't need it for now. It's better to wait and see. If the egg really shows other changes in the soil, we can make other plans then."

Daniste nodded and tilted her head to look at the "Moon Egg," with an expression Xia De couldn't decipher.

Xia De continued to eat his breakfast with his head down, thinking about his plans for the day. Exploration of the new city had begun, and Miss Feilian had invited him to see her injured follower. Xia De felt that his vacation was officially over.

Suddenly, he felt something rubbing against his leg under the table. Considering that besides himself, only Daniste was at the table, Xia De looked at her again:

"What's wrong?"

The eighteen-year-old red-haired sorceress, who looked like she had already eaten her fill, rested her chin on her hands and looked at Xia De:

"I was thinking about the teacher. When the teacher is truly resurrected, perhaps there will be mornings like today, where the three of us and Little Mia chat and eat breakfast in the tower."

Xia De smiled:

"There will be such a day. You're looking forward to it too, right?"

"Yes... I'm looking forward to seeing what the teacher will look like when she also wears the beautiful exotic clothing you conjured up last night."

"Daniste~"

The learning ritual for the "Bubble Curse" shared by Gina was quite simple, so Xia De didn't bother Daniste with this matter. As for the 【Essence of All Things】, unfortunately, the Academy didn't have it either. This precious alchemical material, like the 【Philosopher's Stone】, wasn't something you could get just because you wanted it, so Xia De still had to seek help from Mr. Bernhardt.

After finishing breakfast and saying goodbye to Daniste, Xia De took Little Mia to the high tower on the snowy mountain first. Unfortunately, Margaret had not yet replied regarding the information on the agent stronghold in the Scholar City. So Xia De wrote a second letter, asking Margaret or Miss Lu Weiya to forward it to Mr. Bernhardt.

Although Armand Bernhardt shouldn't be in the city of Willowdale now, his family's butler should know his specific whereabouts.

The meeting time agreed upon with that chaotic Great Witch yesterday was ten o'clock in the morning. It was still early, so after returning home, Xia De hurriedly jumped into a carriage and went to Old John's pawnshop.

During the month-and-a-half vacation, Xia De often came here to replenish materials to complete course assignments, so Old John, who was reading a newspaper behind the counter, wasn't surprised to see Xia De appear this morning:

"The newspapers are full of victories and great triumphs every day, but when you look at the front lines, there's no change at all from when the war started last month."

He said while putting the newspaper on the counter, and Xia De smiled and said:

"Boosting public morale during wartime is also important. Karsenrick is doing the same thing."

He didn't talk too much about this topic:

"Old John, I've come to ask for your help again. Do you have any 【Active Metal】 here?"

"I remember you said you were from the School of History. Why would you need this kind of relic?"

The old gentleman behind the counter asked, but he didn't really need Xia De to answer:

"This relic is indeed very rare. I don't have any, but I know who does. No, no, not Edmund from Coldwater Port. Do you know about the failed experiment of the 【Church of Creation】 back then?"

"I know a little. It's said that a mechanical floating city exploded."

"No, no, it wasn't even close to a mechanical floating city. The thing that exploded at the time was probably not even a quarter the size of this shop. Anyway, after the accident, 【Active Metal】 became a controlled material, and the Church of Creation itself has been buying it back at a high price. However, there is a member of our Yinxiu Society who specializes in machinery, and he might still have some stock."

Old John rummaged under the counter for paper and a pen, and wrote down the address, name, and a letter of introduction for Xia De:

"You can try your luck with him. He lives in the 'Scholar City' of Arcadia in Karsenrick, which is adjacent to the Holy See of the Church of Creation. I heard that because of the refugee problem recently, it's very... what's with that expression?"

Old John asked suspiciously, and Xia De shook his head:

"Nothing, just wondering what the Church actually discovered about 【Active Metal】. Also, one more thing, do you have any 【Essence of All Things】?"

The old man was very surprised:

"Why don't you ask me if I have a 【Philosopher's Stone】?"

"Then, Old John, do you have a Philosopher's Stone?"

The old man was so angry he laughed:

"Of course not. I'm not an alchemist; why would I store such a priceless alchemical material? Besides, I've heard that the Church, the Academy, and the Prophet Association are all spending 【Philosopher's Stones】 to ask you to turn fate into Spirit Runes. You shouldn't be short of 【Philosopher's Stones】, right?"

During the month-and-a-half vacation, various parties had indeed approached Xia De several times for this matter, and Xia De had indeed stored some 【Philosopher's Stones】 because of it. As for the success rate of turning the Arc of Fate into Spirit Runes, it was calculated to be about fifty percent, and all parties were satisfied with this success rate.

"Anyway, I can't help you with 【Essence of All Things】, but if you are willing to wait a long time, I can keep an eye out for news for you. I actually suggest you go ask the vampires. Do you need me to help you make an introduction? This time, I'll be charging a broker's fee."

Xia De refused Old John's business invitation, but before leaving, he bought the materials needed to learn the "Bubble Curse" from Old John. The "Bubble Curse" is not a very complex incantation, and the learning ritual has no special requirements for time or location. The biggest trouble in the purchase was actually the "Bubble Pods" that allow Xia De to blow bubbles.

This is also a special plant material, but its use is too narrow. Old John rummaged through the warehouse for a long time before finding a small box of air-dried specimens:

"This thing has been sitting here for almost three years. It has few uses and very low value. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have wasted time rummaging through the warehouse if anyone else came to ask."

The total price of the other materials Xia De bought was 13 pounds, while Old John only asked for 1 shilling for that small box of pods, which also shows that the price of these pods is indeed very low. ===== CHAPTER 3901 =====