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Throne of Magical Arcana · Chapter 364

Chapter 12: Drummond's Visit (Second Release)

January 17, 2020 · 5 min read · 1,070 words

The evaluation from the other Illusion domain review committee member, Ceni, was far more concise: "This paper confirms the existence of self-generated bioelectric currents and electromagnetic brain waves in the human body and their connection to hallucinations, constituting pioneering and groundbreaking work in the field. However, since it cannot be strictly extended to other illusion domains, and lacks decisive, logically airtight multi-faceted evidence, it is highly controversial and discussion-worthy, making its importance difficult to assess. I recommend a reward of twenty-five Arcane Score and three hundred Arcane Points."

"Combining the fairly consistent evaluations from both committee members, the verdict on Lucian Evans's paper is as follows: It constitutes pioneering and groundbreaking work in the fields of brain waves, human alchemical substances, and hallucinations, is highly discussion-worthy, and carries a certain degree of importance. However, it cannot yet be generalized to other illusion domains. The paper demonstrates clear logic, rigorous experimental design, and accurate magical analysis, but many crucial points remain vague. Reward: twenty-eight Arcane Score and three hundred Arcane Points."

Seeing this review conclusion, Lucian couldn't help but smile. Although the Illusion domain committee members didn't seem particularly fond of such papers and had given a rather low Arcane Score reward, receiving three second-tier evaluations on his first semi-original paper was quite impressive. Strictly speaking, this was a matter of having found the right direction—pioneering quality and high discussion value came naturally, while the breakthrough lay in connecting the application of brain waves to illusion with specific magical structures, partially bringing illusion into the Arcane system in the strict sense.

saw that Lucian's smile held no trace of disappointment, then shook his head: "The Illusion domain committee members are too rigid and conservative. They don't like papers like yours or Lady 's. Even when evaluating strictly by the standards, they give the lowest score within the acceptable range. Normally, your paper should have earned at least forty to fifty Arcane Score, and Lady 's at least eighty."

"How many Arcane Score did Lady ultimately receive?" Lucian had been mentally prepared for this and wasn't particularly angry. Committee members' personal preferences causing variance in rewards was almost inevitable—as long as the evaluation tiers didn't get "confused" across different levels, it was fine. After all, Arcane Score primarily came from citations.

had deep connections in the Mage Management Department and knew many things. While maintaining his serious, stoic expression, he lowered his voice: "Fifty. Outrageous. If Lady weren't a High-level Mage, they probably would have given the minimum of forty."

Lady belonged to the High Tower—she was a sixth-level Archanist and seventh-rank Mage, specializing in both Astrology and Illusion. However, she had been unable to become a voting core member of the High Tower due to lacking the highest honor in her corresponding domains, nor had she been elected to the Arcane Review Committee. Her student was , whom Lucian had met before.

"Looks like it'll be rather difficult for Lady to win the Wreath of the Wizard," Lucian remarked casually.

fixed his pale gray eyes on Lucian intently. Only after confirming that Lucian truly had no ambitions regarding the Wreath of the Wizard did he speak: "That's precisely why the recipients of the Wreath of the Wizard have always been fewer than those of the other awards, and most of them are members of the Wizard's Home. Their award-winning achievements are mostly minor innovations or applications building on the various theories of the three great schools of the ancient Magic Empire."

"However, Lady 's experiment was extremely rigorous this time. All the evidence and magical supporting materials were complete, and the logical reasoning was airtight and flawless. If the Wizard's Home doesn't award the Wreath to her and , then this highest honor would become a laughingstock, and no other arcanists would take it seriously again."

Sometimes, presenting awards was also a matter of "political" considerations. Lucian shook his head with an amused smile. When the time came for him to pursue the Wreath, which direction should he take? Ideally without straying from his current research focus.

Lucian, who was always a penny-pinching hoarder, would occasionally let his thoughts drift to such matters, though never too seriously.

……

Upon returning home, Lucian had just handed his top hat to the butler to hang on the coat rack when a visitor arrived.

"Mr. Drummond?" Lucian heard the servant's announcement and was momentarily confused—he didn't know any Mr. Drummond.

quickly whispered beside him: "Master, he's the editor-in-chief of Arcane."

Right, the editor-in-chief of Arcane! Lucian clapped his hands together, remembering who Drummond was. For every Archanist who aspired to publish in Arcane, he was a figure who had to be etched into memory. Only someone like Lucian, who currently had no trouble finding places to publish, would forget.

"What does he want with me? , how do you know about him?" Lucian asked, puzzled. Drummond was a seventh-level Archanist and eighth-rank Mage, the editor-in-chief of Arcane, a past recipient of the Arcane Scepter Award—the gap between them in both arcane standing and magical power was vast. For him to visit in person?

answered with the meticulous precision of most butlers: "Master, when I served as assistant to Ivanovsky, the most important thing to remember was the complex web of connections at every turn. So after arriving in Allingham, I made sure to ask Mr. about two hundred notable figures worth knowing, so I could provide answers at any time."

"Excellent." Lucian praised with satisfaction—that was a proper butler—then rose to greet Drummond at the door.

Drummond wore a dark vest and suit jacket, a matching top hat, and carried a black cane. His entire bearing was gaunt and stern, his black eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"Lord Storm Ruler once guided me on matters regarding force fields. He is a truly exceptional figure, having achieved distinction across many arcane domains. Evans, I am truly glad that you've become his student." Drummond didn't put on airs, immediately using the Storm Ruler connection to bridge the gap between them.

Lucian bowed and replied with humor: "Having to endure the Professor's thought storms every morning, the time always feels rather lengthy."

Drummond blinked, but quickly grasped what the unusual phrase "thought storms" meant, and chuckled softly: "Not many people are willing to stay near Lord Storm Ruler when arcane and magical matters are being discussed."

End of chapter 364