Chapter Twenty: The Founding of Silvermoon

The document the doctor handed to Shade was a formal explanation of the tuition fees charged by a prestigious higher education institution. It was printed on the same type of paper, even adorned with a sun emblem at the top right corner and three interlocking gears at the bottom left as decorative elements. Even an ordinary person would find nothing peculiar about it.

Compared to the knowledge offered, the tuition for the first-year correspondence course for the Circle Mages was surprisingly inexpensive—only fifty pounds. From Shade’s preliminary understanding, even boys from middle-class families attending a moderately ranked boarding school on this world paid around one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds annually.

Despite this, Shade still looked troubled. Forget about fifty pounds, he couldn’t even come up with five pounds in cash.

However, there were many relics left by the detective in the house, which, if sold, would easily amount to fifty pounds. Moreover, several commissions were about to be completed, so Shade actually had some options.

“Is immediate payment in cash required?”

That was the real difficulty.

“The academy requires payment in gold pounds, but other currencies are acceptable—though you’d have to check the exchange rate. Of course, if you can’t pay right now, the academy offers loan programs, but the interest might be burdensome.”

Dr. Schneider explained this, while Miss Louisa, placing her hands on her lap, kindly added,

“However, in my opinion, our group can lend you the money. We have those funds. After all, aside from wealthy doctors, few people can produce such a lump sum in cash at once.”

The blue-eyed doctor adjusted his glasses and looked a bit embarrassed.

“I was in the same situation before. It’s quite common. But you must consider whether you have the capacity to bear this debt.”

The blonde lady offered a kind reminder.

“The loan for this tuition is interest-free, but starting from the day you borrow it, the first month requires repayment of ten pounds, and then twenty pounds each month for the following two months.”

The doctor added,

“You don’t need collateral. I’ll personally guarantee you within the group. I know your identity, so you can’t just disappear.”

The doctor was aware that Shade had just recovered from a period of “blind foolishness” and understood his situation well.

Shade finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed his luck was truly favorable. Naturally, he didn’t forget to express his gratitude. He had really met some very good people.

“I will repay as soon as possible, Mr. Schneider, Miss Louisa. Please allow me to thank you again.”

At that moment, he suddenly remembered something. Due to the interest-free loan, he decided to place even greater trust in Dr. Schneider and the writer in the group. He carefully took out his notebook.

Cautiously peeling off the leather cover, he retrieved a card from the slit.

The card’s front depicted a woman sitting sideways, holding a silver moon aloft. It was one of the most precious relics left by the former detective—the “Sun 3” card from the Rod deck. Shade carried it with him because he knew his door lock could easily be broken with an axe.

“Excuse me, is this valuable?”

“A special series Rod card?”

Before Shade could hand over the card, Miss Louisa instantly recognized it but shook her head, gesturing for Shade to give it to the doctor.

“I don’t play cards often, so I’m not sure of its value. Let the doctor have a look.”

“It is indeed a Rod card, not only featuring a special design but also a special effect. Is this genuine?”

The doctor took it with curiosity and examined it under the warm yellow glow of the gas lamp on the wall. He didn’t intend to reveal Shade’s identity or background to Miss Louisa, so he explained some basics.

“Though I’m not a collector, I know some nobles and enthusiasts who obsessively pursue these special Rod cards. The unique designs themselves are valuable, and if they come with special rules... such obsessive collecting is even stronger than a man’s desire for a beautiful woman—I can’t understand it. I heard last year, at the Biford Auction House not far from where you live at St. Derlan Square, there was... hmm? This is the founding series Silver Moon?”

The doctor suddenly asked with surprise.

“What?”

Shade didn’t understand, but the blonde lady was intrigued and stood to get a closer look.

The doctor placed the card on the tea table between the three and introduced it to the two who were unfamiliar with Rod cards.

“Look here, at the upper center of the card’s front, there is a vertical line. This indicates it is from the original founding series of Rod cards. It is said that the founding series, issued three hundred years ago, consisted of thirteen cards, each with a unique design and special rules. The Silver Moon is one of them, hence called the Founding Silver Moon. Moreover, under the Rod card rules, each founding series card has extraordinary effects...”

“Though I don’t play cards, I believe the rules on this card are indeed remarkable,” Dorothy Louisa said, having read the effect ahead of time. The doctor lowered his head to examine the card’s effect. Though not a gambler or Rod card fanatic, he knew how terrifying it would be to have a card that could adjust numbers from “1” to “5” under rules similar to blackjack.

“Is it genuine? It should be quite valuable, right?”

The blonde girl asked, and Shade also hoped so, but the doctor decisively shook his head.

“No, absolutely not genuine. A founding series card is worth as much as a whole street around St. Derlan Square, or even more. It’s impossible for this to be genuine. The founding series was issued three hundred years ago; such cards are either damaged or locked away in noble tombs or family collections. They never appear casually.”

He understood Shade’s background, which informed his judgment.

“If it’s not genuine, is it still valuable?”

Shade agreed with Dr. Schneider but still asked. He didn’t believe it was genuine, after all, it was a 300-year-old antique.

“Not worth a penny. People only support authentic cards. Especially for these special Rod cards, using counterfeit ones will lead to rejection by all enthusiasts, so fakes are worthless... but this counterfeit is actually quite good.”

The doctor handed the card back to Shade with some regret.

“I’ll lend you the money first... but you might want to get this founding Silver Moon card appraised, try your luck.”

“Where can I get it appraised?”

Shade’s interest was piqued.

“I know that—the Prophets’ Association. They specialize in this.”

Miss Louisa said, and the doctor nodded, adding more details because he knew Shade probably didn’t know.

“The issuance of Rod cards has always been organized by the Prophets’ Association, so they also provide appraisal services for special cards. The appraisal fee is five pence per card, quite affordable. If genuine, the association will issue a certificate. Anyone wishing to enter official Rod card tournaments with special cards must present such a certificate.”

Rod cards were more popular in this world than Shade initially thought, though not astonishing for him, since it was merely a card game. In this relatively more liberated steam age, some special entertainments were normal.

The doctor continued,

“The Prophets’ Association is actually also an organization of Circle Mages, but less formal, cooperating with the academy and the church, recognized by us, even somewhat connected to our group. Their original business was divination; around the 15th century of the sixth era, to promote divination, they introduced the special series of Rod cards, which soon became their main business.”

The doctor pursed his lips, unclear what feeling he was expressing.

“The association makes a fortune hosting various Rod card tournaments. Printing cards seems like printing gold pounds... cough cough, I’m not envious of this business. Of course, the Prophets’ Association still offers divination services and also engages in book publishing and newspaper distribution. The locally well-known ‘Threepenny Gazette’ is operated by them.”

The newspaper’s name was certainly concise.

“The Prophets’ Association has many branches and offices in large cities like Tobesk. There’s a decent one near St. Derlan Square. Ah, it’s good living in the city center. Even if, against the odds, your card really is the legendary founding Silver Moon, there’s no need to worry about news leaking. It’s a very reputable organization.”

The doctor joked.

“If this card is genuine, be sure to tell us. It might make a great novel subject.”

Miss Louisa also joked, her attitude toward the stranger Shade was quite good—likely happy to have the group reach its five-member count.