This time, the library giant Alex didn't immediately produce a book or paper title. Instead, after hesitating for a few seconds, he asked, "Mr. Evans, do you also need the data and conjectures that have been proven wrong?"
"Naturally. As an elemental mage, I'd like to have a clear and complete picture of how elemental magic has developed since the Archanist concepts were first proposed. Whether something has been proven wrong or affirmed, everything has value for study and exploration—at the very least, it helps avoid making the same mistakes, doesn't it?" Lucian voiced his genuine thoughts.
The short old man beside them let out another lecherous hehe laugh. "If you just want a complete picture of elemental magic's development, then I'd recommend *A History of Elemental Magic*—a book edited by the Grand Archanists, revised once every decade. The last revision was four years ago. There are similar works too: *A History of Necromantic Magic*, *A History of Astromancy*… and *A Complete History of Arcane and Magic*."
"You could have mentioned these books from the start…" Lucian said with an exasperated expression.
Meanwhile, Alex had already begun listing titles:
"*A History of Elemental Magic*, authored by the Supreme Council."
"*A New System of Elemental Theory*, authored by Grand Archanist Yalolan Hathaway Hoffenberg."
"*The Atom–Molecule Theory*, authored by Grand Archanist Oliver Constantine."
"*A Survey of Several Methods for Determining Atomic Weights and the Latest Table of Atomic Weights* and *The Octave Law Table of Elements*, authored by Grand Archanist Fernando Balista."
"*The Law of Multiple Proportions in Magical Potion Experiments* and *A Spiral Pattern Diagram of Atomic Weights*, authored by Ninth-Rank Archanist Ravingdi."
"*On the Common Properties of Certain Metallic Elements and Concepts for Improving Corresponding Magic*…, authored by Seventh-Rank Archanist Gaston."
…
"*On the Laws Between Elements Based on Their Common Properties, with Speculations*…, authored by Fourth-Rank Archanist Ulises."
"*A Comparative Study of the Properties of Mithril and Silver and Determination of Atomic Weights*…, authored by Fourth-Rank Archanist Timothy."
…
"*On the Determination of Properties of the New Element 'Morse'*", authored by Fourth-Rank Archanist Meredith."
………
Not all of the titles Alex recited were the latest works. Rather, following Lucian's request, they were listed from largest to smallest in scope—from systems and commonalities down to individual elements. Many of the elemental property determinations in those papers had been completed decades ago.
"Heh heh, there are Mr. Ulises's papers." Upon hearing Ulises's paper titles, something stirred in Lucian's mind, and he turned his head to smile at Lazar.
This time Lazar showed no trace of fear—only admiration and a sense of shared pride. "Yes, that's a paper Mr. Ulises wrote when he was still a First-Rank Archanist. Although his explorations and predictions of elemental properties were later overturned by newly discovered elements, at the time they caused a tremendous sensation. His willingness to think outside established frameworks, his bold speculations—they were truly admirable. He inspired many Archanists to dedicate themselves to exploring elemental laws, including even Grand Archanist Balista himself and Ninth-Rank Archanist Ravingdi. If Grand Archonist Hathaway hadn't been exploring extraplanar spaces at the time, she might well have joined them."
"But from the book and paper titles, it doesn't seem like there are any conclusive findings on elemental laws." Lucian casually brought up what he was most interested in.
"Because they've all been overturned."
The one speaking was the short old man in his vivid crimson-red robe. His expression was uncharacteristically serious. "Ever since spectral analysis was introduced into the discovery of new elements, nearly ten more types have been identified. Their emergence overturned every prior Archanist's conjectures and predictions about elemental laws. Many of the books and papers just listed contain extensive discussion of this. Young man, this is a serious field of inquiry."
Lazar wore a look of regret. "Indeed. Even the Element Octave Table that Grand Archanist Balista devised, drawing inspiration from the octave law, was overturned. After that, due to a certain new discovery, he joined the exploration of electromagnetic fields and temporarily abandoned this line of research. That officially marked the failure of the quest for elemental laws. Similar research has now essentially come to a standstill."
"Regarding the failure, some Archanists believe it's because not enough elements have been discovered yet—much like a mathematical equation with too many unknowns cannot yield a solution. The laws simply can't be found for now; one must wait patiently for more elements to be uncovered. This view is quite popular among high-rank elemental Archanists, particularly those represented by Ninth-Rank Archanist Ravingdi. Other Archanists believe there are no laws between elements at all—that their shared properties are mere coincidence. For instance, the fact that they are all metals. This view hasn't gained the endorsement of any high-rank Archanist, but it's quite prevalent among mid-rank and low-rank Archanists."
"Oh? Then what view does Mr. Ulises hold?" Lucian asked with curiosity. What did the genius mage who had first begun exploring the laws between elements think now?
Lazar furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. "I've heard that Mr. Ulises has been researching the newly discovered elements. It seems he hasn't given up on finding elemental laws, but there hasn't been any progress. There are signs he may be shifting to a different research area."