——Thanks to Wudao Longchang Yishanren and Dushu Buxie Xiezi for becoming Alliance Leaders.
These past two days we've charged into the top fifteen of the monthly ticket rankings, the top eight of the weekly recommendation rankings, and even made it onto the long-absent weekly clicks chart. Thank you all so much.
But my updates have been pretty fierce too — another 4,500-word mega-chapter. Today alone I've put out the equivalent of five updates and 15,000 words. I'm coughing up blood from the exhaustion! Please show your support!
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"I believe nothing possesses periodic laws naturally. Stars appear periodically at different positions in the night sky because they are subject to gravitational forces and follow fixed orbits. So what is the cause of the periodicity of the elements?"
Lucian's low, grave voice echoed through the hall. The question, aimed at the very essence of things, pierced the hearts of every Archanist whose sensitivity had been dulled by years of past experience. Yes — why should the elements exhibit periodicity? It was as thought-provoking as asking why ordinary people walk upon the earth rather than float in the air!
After touching lightly upon this territory that could open a terrifying Pandora's box, Lucian wisely pulled back. Before the Archanists could fully react, he displayed a handsome, gentle smile: "I am a latecomer who has only recently encountered Arcane studies and the current state of Magic. I can only pose questions but lack the knowledge and ability to explore them. I hope you predecessors on the path of Magic will find something of value."
Any shift in understanding needed to happen gradually. Lucian had no intention of watching the vast majority of members in the organization he had just found as his protector start exploding one after another. Although, fantasizing about the most extreme scenario was oddly thrilling — himself delivering a speech up on stage, then suddenly an enemy agent in the audience shouting to the heavens, followed by their head exploding, then a few more sentences, and another enemy agent coughing up blood and bursting… and thus achieving victory.
Lavendi, standing beside him, was the first to applaud. Known for his explosive temper, he was remarkably gentle as he said: "Your question is a rare one that isn't stupid. Your speech, though brief, was the most valuable part of today's entire conference. This could become a new research direction in the field of elemental Magic in the future."
Under Lavendi's lead, the Archanists all expressed their respect with applause. This "Annual Conference on Elemental and Alchemical Magic" had been the most rewarding one they'd ever attended!
"All right, Evans, if you have more questions, save them for tomorrow. I want to re-refine my collection of magical mineral samples that match the predicted properties using a new method. Hopefully that will add enough weight to confirm the correctness of the periodic table of elements." Without waiting for any response from Lucian, Lavendi immediately packed up his alchemical hut and headed to the detached villa behind the estate to conduct his experiments in peace.
Gaston, Ofri, Timothy, Larry, and the other Archanists all rose to their feet as well, eager to take their leave and throw themselves into Magic experiments, hoping to verify the periodic table by refining and separating the magical mineral samples they carried.
Anyone who had been invited to attend the "Annual Conference on Elemental and Alchemical Magic" shared at least some love for and devotion to Arcane and Magical research. Moreover, this was a momentous event that would go down in history.
Leandru, seeing this, also excused himself by saying he needed to conduct experiments and hurried away to avoid Lucian.
In less than five minutes, every Archanist who had attended the conference in the hall had departed, leaving Lucian standing alone on the stage.
"The reason these gentlemen the Archanists have achieved what they have is inseparable from their love and devotion to Arcane studies and Magic." Lazarus walked over, deeply moved by the scene before him. It had left a profound impression.
Of course, everything he had experienced today had already left him with one profound impression after another!
Lucian answered him with a smile: "A person doesn't need to be particularly clever, but they must never be lazy."
In the distance, Rebecca and the other junior Magicians had their eyes unmistakably fixed on this spot, but being unfamiliar with Lucian, they were a bit too shy to approach for the moment. They could only channel their admiration, curiosity, envy, and astonishment into their gazes.
"So now only I get to share in the joy of your success. Lucian, congratulations — I believe I'm witnessing the rise of the next winner of the Holme Crown Award." Lazarus felt a deep sense of pride in his ability to identify talent, and moved to embrace Lucian in congratulation.
Lucian stroked his chin: "Nothing has been officially decided yet. Oh, by the way, Lavendi — do you know where I can find a Magic laboratory?"
"Er, what do you want to do?" Lavendi asked, confused.
Lucian looked at him with a smile: "Why, to continue experimenting, of course. I bought quite a lot of magical mineral samples."
"No wonder you were able to produce research results so quickly — you're the same kind of monster as they are…" Lavendi was nearly rendered speechless, but he still told Lucian the location of the empty Magic laboratory.
Watching Lucian's retreating figure disappear down the stairway, Lavendi looked down at his own outstretched hands: "That guy — I wanted to celebrate with him, and he just dumps me and dives straight into a Magic laboratory. You're never going to be popular with girls!"
"Lavendi, could you tell us a bit about Mr. Evans?" Turning around, Lavendi found Rebecca and several beautiful junior female Magicians approaching him with slightly flushed faces, inquiring about Lucian.
He couldn't help but curse under his breath: "Scoundrel!"
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While the Archanists were all busily conducting experiments, someone seized the opportunity to pass along information.
Inside a Magic tower in Alligator, Roderio studied the intelligence report in his hands with meticulous care, then abruptly slammed it down onto his desk. With a mix of vexation and fury, he muttered: "What exactly have I been doing?!"
Since the periodic table of elements was a work of summary and synthesis, Roderio didn't suspect any deficiency in Lucian's abilities — he had genuinely been conducting research to verify elemental properties all along.
But his scheme not only had failed to uncover which mid-tier Archanist of the Element Will the boy was closely connected to, it had actually given him legitimate cover to receive the Element Will's protection openly!
Most importantly, the boy had actually produced a research achievement that was both sensational and significant. Just writing down properties on elemental cards could produce this kind of result? Roderio had a nagging feeling that this achievement was going to accelerate the Element Will's rapid development considerably.
As for how it might cast doubt on his own measured atomic weight data for Terminic, Roderio wasn't particularly concerned about that.
Roderio closed his eyes, then opened them again: "Truly an Arcane genius. Though, if he didn't have this kind of potential, the Professor wouldn't have taken him as a student in the first place. Adol, you no longer need to track and monitor Evans. With results like this, who knows whether the Grand Archanists might be observing him covertly. If they discover you, Duchess Heather has never been one to show mercy."
The undead Adol beside him let out a cackling laugh: "Following a little brat around all the time was getting boring anyway."
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In the faint light of dawn, Lucian — who had slept only a short while — rose and came to the main hall of the estate. Quite a few Archanists had already gathered inside, their expressions showing a trace of fatigue; clearly, none of them had rested well either.
"Lucian, how did it go? Any discoveries?" asked Lazarus, who had come early to tidy up the conference venue. If there were discoveries, as a friend he would feel both happy and proud — it seemed Lucian was destined to become someone important.
Lucian shook his head: "My Magical strength is far too weak. I had to rely entirely on the alchemical circles, Magic Circles, and equipment in the laboratory. I could barely run a few experiments in one night and found nothing."
"What a shame. Same here," another Archanist chimed in.
Discussing non-classified Arcane and Magical research topics was the Archanists' tried-and-true method of socializing.
After a while, Gaston, Ofri, Larry, Timothy, and the others arrived in succession, and the Archanists took their seats one by one.
Though Leandru arranged it with every reluctance in his heart, he still added a seat for Lucian in the second row.