While Dr. Schneider was talking, he took a sip of the black tea, then looked inside the cup with some surprise:
“This black tea is very good.”
"Church and college?"
Shad didn't bother to think about the former detective's taste in black tea or what kind of person he was. He was digesting this information.
"Yes, the church can also train ring sorcerers. In fact, the formal channels for training ring sorcerers, at least in my opinion, are the five orthodox churches and the three major thaumaturgy academies. The training methods of other evil god churches, secret societies, ancient organizations and messy groups are either irregular or full of hidden dangers. So, it is really lucky that you happened to meet me during the awakening of your talent... It is lucky for both of us."
"Then the Church..."
Compared to the academy whose origins were unknown, Xia De was actually more interested in the church that could cooperate with the official Kingdom. The doctor could see this idea, and he smiled and shook his head to show his understanding, and explained:
"The academy and the Orthodox Church are not in a hostile relationship. We even cooperate with each other occasionally. It's just that the church doesn't like the students of the academy, whether they are correspondence students or regular students. They think we are... ...dangerous trouble makers."
He raised his eyebrows slightly, and seeing that Xia De didn't ask, he continued:
"So, the existence of us, the academic ring sorcerers who are taking correspondence courses, is not illegal in itself, but we usually do not let the church know our identities and existence. I know that you may be interested in the church, so please answer my question-"
The doctor smiled:
"Joining the church requires a completely clean background. Even if you don't have a criminal record, you still need a complete life trajectory to make sure you are not a dangerous person. Can you provide it?"
Bill Schneider is a psychiatrist himself, and at this moment he seems to be consulting the patient about the situation.
"Have you investigated me?"
Xia De blurted out the words, but immediately regretted saying it:
“It would be abnormal not to investigate.”
Thinking in my heart.
"It's just some basic information. After all, the college needs to confirm the identity of the students when recruiting them. I can't recommend dangerous people to the college. But because we are only studying by correspondence, do you understand what correspondence means? So the identity requirements are not as strict as those of the church."
Dr. Schneider smiled and looked at the young detective sitting opposite him:
"When a ringmaster awakens, probability affects people's minds, so you will change from the original Shade to the current Shade. After investigating your identity, I finally understood why you looked so scared and confused about the world when I saw you yesterday. For you, the moment you awakened your talent was the real 'awakening', right?"
He probably misunderstood Xia De, who had an IQ problem, and became the reason why Xia De became what he is now, but Xia De was also happy for him to think so, so he pretended to be seen through and nodded:
"If I take this explanation to the church..."
"Of course you can, but I would rather you learn more about the academy first and understand what a 'ring mage' is. Wouldn't it be better to make a decision this way? I believe you can understand that at least I'm not a bad person."
Doctor Schneider said, and Shade nodded again. What the doctor said made sense. He answered very seriously:
"Very well then, thank you, Dr. Schneider, I would like to learn about these things first."
The doctor took out his pocket watch and took a look:
"We don't have much time. The duration of talent awakening is about 72 hours, but it fluctuates with individual differences. In order to prevent missing the time..."
"What would it be like to become a ring sorcerer if you were not guided during the awakening?"
Xia De interrupted the doctor embarrassedly:
“I’m a little curious about that.”
The doctor shook his head indifferently:
“Being curious is a good thing, it means you are not averse to ring sorcerers and the occult.
People like you who know almost nothing are more suitable for guidance. People are afraid of the extraordinary and the mysterious, but you did not show any rejection, but were just curious, which made me very happy. As for your question... I don't have specific data, I can only tell you that if the ring warlock's talent is not guided during the awakening period, there is a high probability that he will go crazy, and a small probability that his head will explode. Yes, have you seen the scene of a hammer smashing a watermelon? Pink and white flying everywhere. "
The doctor asked politely.
"No need to describe it, this metaphor is so vivid, I can almost see the scene."
Xia De said immediately that he felt a little uncomfortable in his stomach because he didn't eat breakfast.
"Well, of course, there is a smaller chance that something strange will happen, but we can talk about that later. Anyway, first let me give you an introduction to the Ringwitch. A simple explanation won't be very vivid, so please follow me."
The doctor stood up.
"Where to? To St. Byrons Comprehensive College?"
Xia De raised the college admissions documents in his hand.
"Of course not. We, the correspondence students, are only eligible to go to the academy hidden in the northernmost ice cap of the old continent after the fifth grade. The address of the academy is a secret and is related to some subspace entrances and alien species attached to the material world. Before that, we have to continue our lives and study within our own scope. Remember, Mr. Hamilton, we are receiving adult education and we are correspondence students of the academy."
That is to say, even if Shad joins the academy, he does not need to go to a secret place like Hogwarts to study. This has its pros and cons, but at least he can gain more power while being freer.
"Now, I'm going to take you to find the person who killed Sparrow Hamilton."
The doctor made a please gesture.
"What?"
Xia De stood up suddenly. This was something he had not expected.
"Yes, I discovered this when I was investigating your identity. Since you have been surrounded by extraordinary and mysterious beings, why don't we take this opportunity to help you solve this problem? You are probably also worried that the person who killed the original Hamilton detective will implicate you."
It must be admitted that even though the original detective promised not to implicate Shad, Shad was still worried.
"This is not a very troublesome matter, and the other party seems to have not deliberately concealed the traces of his actions because Sparrow Hamilton is just an ordinary person. Now come with me, I think we can solve this matter before lunch. By the way, do you have a pistol?"
The doctor asked again.
"No."
Shad shook his head.
"Then please don't stand in front of me. I promise that as long as you are behind me, there will be no danger today. After all, the opponent is not a ring warlock."
Before he died, Sparrow Hamilton said the other was.
"Ordinary people can't tell the difference, and tend to regard anyone who can use supernatural powers as a ring wizard. But for a formally employed ring wizard, it is easy to tell. After all, that person doesn't have a wheel of fate, no accumulated spirit, and can't feel the four elements of miracle enlightenment and blasphemous whispers. He is just a lucky person who occasionally got a relic..."
The doctor paused and changed his words:
"No, it's the unlucky guy."
"You seemed to have mentioned a lot of nouns just now."
Xia De said that he had actually heard about the four elements and the relics, but there was no need to show it at this time.
"It's okay, we can talk while we walk."
The profession of detective is very dangerous. According to the doctor's investigation, the former detective Sparrow Hamilton encountered an accident during a detective activity.
Probably to prevent Shad from investigating, Sparrow Hamilton deleted all records of the commission before his death, but the doctor's intelligence network completely restored the incident.
"Come to think of it, you figured out the whole thing in one night?"
Xia De did not forget to ask, but the doctor did not answer vaguely, but said that he would tell him after the matter was over.
“It’s right here.”
The two set out from the square in a carriage (the doctor paid for it) and after nearly two hours' journey, they crossed the city and got off the carriage at the embankment of the Auselle River.
As the capital of the Northern Kingdom, Tobysk has a well-developed water system, and inland shipping supports the prosperous steam industry and commercial trade here.
There are many rivers running through the city of Tobysk, among which the Osel River is the one that flows through the northern part of the city. It is now the flood season in summer, and the river is turbulent.
This area is close to the edge of the city. The doctor said that the city hall has plans to build a new factory area nearby, relying on the river traffic of the Ausel River to find new development opportunities for the city of Tobysk, and to use it to connect with the industrial areas in the north of the kingdom, and also serve as a supplement to the kingdom's steam locomotive railway network.
But at least for now, there are still large areas of wasteland nearby. After getting off the car and looking around, in the hazy fog, only the buildings of Tobysk City can be seen in the distance.
"In order not to disturb him, we will start walking from here. I noticed that the boots you are wearing are very suitable for long journeys. Mr. Hamilton, you probably haven't had breakfast yet. I will treat you to dinner after this matter is resolved."
The doctor said, carrying his briefcase, and walked into the grass beside the road with Shade who was holding a notebook. Soon, they saw a small path.