Chapter 95: The Library and the Philosopher's Stone

Since he had obtained the first spirit rune, Xia De naturally wanted to try to master the secret art corresponding to 【Gluttony】. The doctor and others also agreed with this idea. Even if a Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi's energy is limited and it is impossible to deeply and thoroughly understand and dig into every spirit rune, mastering at least one secret art for each spirit rune is considered the usual practice of the academy school.

"The way we obtain spells and secret arts is not just the expensive St. Byrons Library."

Miss Annette said, stretching out her hand to gesture:

"Tobesk is the most important city in the Old Continent. Countless Ring Mages mingle here, spontaneously forming a black market of a certain scale, as well as trading channels. You probably already know that you can buy 【Relics】 from Old John's side. In fact, we also have channels to directly purchase secret arts, spells, and even books that, after reading, might possibly yield spirit runes."

She looked at the doctor on the bed. After the doctor nodded, Miss Annette took paper and pen to write down an address. After confirming that Xia De had memorized it, she burned it with a flame from her fingertips:

"You just need to go here. The membership fee is 1 pound. I think this shouldn't be very difficult for you."

"Yes, there has been a large income recently."

Xia De said, thinking of yesterday's wallet, and then thinking of Sparrow's secret. He planned to talk to Miss Annette alone about divination after the meeting ended.

The address Miss Annette wrote down was the "Black Raven Library" located in the Tobesk University District, very close to the apartment Miss Louisa rented.

On the surface, this is a private library and club for university professors. One needs to obtain the owner's permission and pay a certain membership fee to share the books inside.

But in reality, the Black Raven Library is engaged in the preservation and collection of knowledge related to Ring Mages.

They themselves possess a certain amount of occult knowledge and open it to trusted Ring Mages who have been introduced, but most importantly, they provide a platform for local Ring Mages to anonymously trade books and knowledge-based commodities.

There are many similar places in Tobesk, thus constituting private trading venues for Ring Mages of various sizes, but this library has the best reputation, so Miss Annette recommended Xia De to go there.

"Remember to wear a mask and wear inconspicuous clothes. Old John's side is absolutely trustworthy, and he has a deep friendship with us, so it doesn't have to be so troublesome. But the Black Raven Library is a bit different; we are only considered regular customers, so it is best not to expose your identity."

Priest Ao Gu Si exhorted. Xia De carefully memorized the information, while calculating in his heart how many gold pounds he should take out to purchase knowledge.

He actually still owed the orange cat Little Mia at home 10 pounds. This remittance from Ms. Gao De was used by him to purchase the already shattered Relic 【Silver Moon Orb】. Plus the 40 pounds of tuition owed to the group, calculating this way, Xia De's current debt had reached as high as 50 pounds, and yesterday's inheritance from Mr. Sparrow was clearly not enough.

Fortunately, the monthly debt of 20 pounds can be repaid at the end of the month, and he also saved a deposit last month, so his financial situation is actually quite okay.

Originally, after discussing these matters, today's meeting should have ended, letting the doctor slowly recuperate. But Doctor Shi Nai De announced another matter to the group, forcing them to stay:

"Regarding the fake Philosopher's Stone, I have not given up. After my injuries heal, I will launch another operation. In Lake View Manor, 【Mercury Blood】 lost important members, the Heart Collector and 'Lady Lassoya', and the organization's leader, 'Silver-Eyed One', is also seriously injured. I heard the news that the Orthodox Church is truly angry this time, even wanting to transfer a new 13th-Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi from the Holy See. Now is a good opportunity."

"Bill, for those five credits, it's not worth it. Don't forget the 【Blood Spirit School】 that might still exist."

Priest Ao Gu Si advised, but the doctor shook his head:

"Of course, it's not just for five practical credits. You probably haven't seen the bounty order; this mission was issued by Professor Rogers of the Mechanical Academy. I want to learn a very important secret art from this professor. This time is an opportunity."

The doctor himself is skilled in mind and dream abilities and belongs to the Mechanical Academy. It seems he has been preparing for this matter for a long time.

"Moreover, the 【Fake Philosopher's Stone】 itself is also very important. The academy bounty order only requires obtaining 3 fluid ounces; we can keep the rest ourselves. Do you know the characteristics of this Keeper-level Relic?"

He looked at the four. Xia De and Professor Ao Gu Si both shook their heads. Miss Louisa thought for a moment:

"I once took an elective course on 'Dangerous Alchemical Counterfeits'. I remember... the Keeper-level Relic 【Fake Philosopher's Stone】 is a red liquid substance. It is a failed counterfeit of the most dangerous Sage-level Relic, the 【Philosopher's Stone】, and it is rumored to have been made by a great alchemist during the chaotic era of the 4th Era."

"The fake Philosopher's Stone cannot be directly touched; it is highly toxic, and once the counterfeit touches the real Philosopher's Stone, the counterfeit will turn into clear water. Although it is a failed counterfeit, it also inherited part of the characteristics of the real Philosopher's Stone. An equal amount of 【Fake Philosopher's Stone】 can be converted into an equal amount of gold, but using it this way is really a waste. The most important characteristic is..."

"The fake Philosopher's Stone can be used as a near-universal ritual supply, replacing some important ritual supplies that cannot be found. For example, in rituals to summon evil gods, 【Mercury Blood】 and the cultists who believe in the Lord of Blood Feast could not easily gather the ritual supplies, so they must have used the 【Fake Philosopher's Stone】. This is the result the society investigated yesterday."

Miss Annette added.

"A Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi's advancement requires ritual assistance. The ritual materials for low-level Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi advancement are very common, but I am starting to prepare for the 5th Ring to 6th Ring promotion. Some materials can be obtained through smuggling from the New Continent, some materials can be purchased from the academy, but some materials are really difficult..."

The doctor looked at the other four. Of course, they had no reason to object anymore.

But this matter was not urgent. Doctor Shi Nai De would not know if he could recover until at least Saturday. And before that, the doctor could only spend the week lying in bed holding a book.

"This month is the exam week. Reading a few more books now, maybe you can try to pass the exams for those theoretical courses. Speaking of which, Doctor, how is your study of 'Ether Mechanics' going?"

The blonde writer joked, and the others revealed smiles. Only the doctor leaned against the head of the bed sighing with sorrow. He did not like lying in bed all the time, and he liked "Ether Mechanics" even less. ===== CHAPTER 96 =====