Hearing Lucian's words, Nesica and the other gentlemen managed to hold back, but Milena and Mabel burst out laughing. Serves you right for roaring like that!
Levsky's paper presented an entirely new geometric system, containing a vast number of derived propositions. Its length far exceeded that of an ordinary paper — it was practically a book. Though Lucian had omitted many parts during his explanation, delivering the entire thing in one continuous roar was no less than a grueling battle. Even with a Knight's body, his throat could hardly emerge unscathed.
This was a perfectly reasonable deduction, but because they had been stunned by Lucian's aggressive momentum and his tempestuous barrage of roaring, Milena and the others hadn't thought about it at all. They had subconsciously assumed he was some sort of "powerhouse" like the Master of the Storm — someone who would never be troubled by too much roaring. But now, Lucian's wry smile in reply made them feel that their "psychological trauma" had been somewhat compensated. It also made them start thinking of Lucian as relatively approachable and easy to get along with — at least in private, he wasn't a fierce, intimidating Archanist.
"Need me to lend you a healing potion?" Milena asked with a suppressed smile.
Lucian shook his head, his voice still very soft, a faint hoarseness detectable beneath it. "It's fine. I'm a Second-level Knight — I'll recover on my own in an hour or two."
Phew. Nesica let out a sigh. "Committee Member Evans, you only saw Levsky's paper for the first time a few days ago, didn't you? And yet you found two different methods of proof — especially the second one, which was elegant and concise, conclusively demonstrating the compatibility of Levskian geometry with Tower geometry. It leaves us no further grounds for dismissal, no way to continue letting arrogance and prejudice blind our eyes. Your talent in the mathematical sciences is truly hard to believe."
"In truth, it's the research all of you have done over these past few years in differential geometry, surface theory, and related areas that gave me a solid foundation and inspiration. Without that, even if I could view Mr. Levsky's paper without prejudice — examining its content purely from axiomatic assumptions and deductive reasoning — I couldn't have completed the proof so quickly. It's like how, without a foundation and the help of Arcane Magic, we cannot build a tower." Lucian offered a modest remark. He certainly couldn't say it was thanks to the great mathematicians of Earth.
To be precise, based on the previous pace of research, roughly four or five years after Levsky's death — someone who had been unable to advance to the mid-tier — someone would have begun to take his paper seriously and propose the proof. What Lucian had done was "return" to him the honor and status he deserved at the most opportune time, rather than waiting until after his agonizing death.
Lucian's attitude dissolved the faint discomfort and indignant embarrassment that had been lingering in Milena and the others' hearts. They apologized sincerely once more.
Nesica watched Levsky gradually growing calmer and let out a sigh tinged with frustration. "What a shame. Levsky's new geometry, your new geometry, Committee Member Evans — neither has any practical Archanist significance yet. They can't be published in the journal *Arcane*. This is a regret we mathematical Archanists often face. Ah well, they'll have to be published in the High Tower's *Stellaris* journal instead."
This was a world where theory had to be linked to practical application before it would be taken seriously. Calculus was called a world-changing achievement precisely because it could accurately handle the computation of complex structures within spell models, greatly simplifying the construction process for mages, dramatically reducing the demands on spiritual power, and enabling mages who would originally have needed ten or twenty years to advance to the mid-tier to do so in just five or six. Some geniuses had even achieved the terrifying record of going from an official mage to a mid-tier mage in a single year. Of course, in the process of exploring the mysteries of the world, calculus also played an enormously important auxiliary role.
Similarly, complex functions had become the core of mathematical research within the Council over the past few decades because they could describe and compute spiritual force fields. Every valuable paper on the subject had a chance of appearing in *Arcane* or the journal *Arcane Magic*.
For Levsky's and Lucian's new geometry, although mathematical models already existed, it seemed to have no connection to Archanist exploration or Arcane Magic research. It was more like pure self-amusement within the mathematical sciences — there was essentially no hope of it appearing in *Arcane*.
Lucian said half-jokingly, "Perhaps some aspect of the world actually takes on the form described by the new geometry, rather than the intuitively perceived Tower geometry. When that day comes, *Arcane* might just publish a special supplementary issue to honor the vital role the new geometry played in approaching the truth of the world."
Although Lucian could use the direct paper-publication quota granted to him by *Arcane* to publish his own paper, he couldn't do the same for Levsky. So it was better not to use it at all — they would both be published in *Stellaris* instead. In the future magical world, that particular issue of *Stellaris* would be remembered by every Archanist for these papers establishing the new geometric system.
"I hope so," said Milena, Mabel, Sargeiro, and the others. None of them believed Lucian's joke, offering only their sincere wishes. Even according to Chairman
The mathematical committee members present, with the exception of Ross — a firm supporter of the Council faction — were all senior members of the High Tower. They had the authority to decide on the publication of *Stellaris*. After a brief discussion, Milena turned to Levsky and Lucian. "It's currently the beginning of the month, and the latest issue of *Stellaris* was just published not long ago. However, in recognition of the outstanding contributions you, Levsky and Evans, have made to the field of geometry, and because we'd like your papers to be seen by as many Archanists as possible as soon as possible, we're planning to release a supplementary issue. You have no objections, do you?"
In the minds of many Archanists, a supplementary issue seemed rather informal.
Levsky had no objections whatsoever. Having passed the review, received such high evaluations, earned so many Archanist points, and risen in one leap to become a Fourth-level Archanist — with hopes of also receiving the Archanist Scepter Award — he was already thoroughly satisfied. He didn't mind the format of a supplementary issue at all. For him personally, having his paper seen by other Archanists sooner and having his new geometric system accepted by them more quickly was what truly mattered. This was one of his ideals: to have his new geometric system — his "child" — receive genuine, widespread recognition.
But he didn't answer directly. Instead, his gaze turned to Lucian. Whatever Committee Member Evans decided, he would follow. The years of grievance and suffering being rewarded was all thanks to his help — help in every sense of the word.
Upon hearing the word "supplementary issue," Lucian suddenly had an idea. After a brief silence, Milena, thinking he was reluctant, quickly added, "Both of your papers are very long. Together, they're equivalent to a thick book. If we wait until next month's regular issue, there won't be room for any other papers. So it would still have to be a supplementary issue. Besides, having only your two papers in a single issue of *Stellaris* — that would be a first since the age of calculus. It's an honor."
Lucian smiled and waved his hand. "I'm not rejecting the honor. I've just thought of another approach. Since there's a supplementary issue, why not establish a companion publication under *Stellaris*, dedicated to purely mathematical research papers? That way, *Stellaris* could focus on papers in the field of stellar and divination magic, sparing it the constant criticism that mathematical papers are taking up space meant for blessing, prophecy, and curse magic papers. And the companion publication could accept more purely mathematical papers, encouraging Archanists to research mathematical knowledge."
Starting a brand-new journal would involve complicated procedures, and there was no guarantee it could attract enough purely mathematical papers. Initially serving as a companion publication would bypass much of the bureaucracy, and when there weren't enough papers, the issue could simply be thin — no one would mock it, since it was only a companion publication.
"A companion publication — that form doesn't have a precedent. How would its impact factor be determined?" Nesica asked, both intrigued and serious. He was an authority in the mathematical sciences and naturally hoped for a journal truly dedicated to mathematics.
Lucian explained the format and advantages of a companion publication, concluding, "As a companion publication, its impact factor would naturally follow that of the parent journal, adjusted down one level accordingly. *Stellaris* is at 2.5, so this one would be at 2.0."
"We're very interested. We'll submit the application to the committee tomorrow. Committee Member Evans, Mr. Levsky — would you be willing to place your papers in the companion publication rather than in *Stellaris*? That would mean an impact factor 0.5 points lower, and slightly fewer Archanist points from citations." After a brief consultation, Milena smiled in agreement and turned to the two of them.
Lucian answered with a calm smile. "I have no objections. Being one of the very few papers in the inaugural issue is an honor in itself."
Levsky nodded as well. "I have no objections either. My new geometric system doesn't yet have specific Archanist or Arcane Magic applications, so the chances of it being researched and cited will certainly be few. The loss of Archanist points will be negligible. I'd rather exchange that for the distinction of the inaugural issue."
"Thank you both very much. The first issue of the new publication will consist of exactly these papers — just enough!" Milena said with a gentle smile. "Oh, and Mr. Levsky, I wonder if you might be willing to serve as the editor-in-chief of this new journal? You are an outstanding Archanist and an exceptional talent in the mathematical sciences."
Levsky considered for a moment. Compared to other duties, being editor-in-chief of a purely mathematical journal was better suited to him — it would leave more time for researching mathematical knowledge, exploring the Archanist world, and advancing his magical strength. He gave a slight nod. "Thank you for the invitation. I hope I can do the new journal justice."
Milena's gaze shifted to Lucian. "As a member of the Archanist Review Committee, Evans, you wouldn't be able to serve as editor-in-chief. However, in recognition of your contributions to the field of geometry, we'd like to invite you to serve as honorary editor-in-chief, with absolute authority over publication decisions. Would you accept?"
"No problem," Lucian replied with a smile. Was this a small remuneration from the High Tower?
Nesica interjected, "Committee Member Evans, would it be possible to place your brief speech from earlier on the front page of the new journal? We'd also like that sentence to serve as the journal's motto."
"It would be my honor." Whenever a brief answer would suffice, Lucian kept it brief to avoid straining his throat.
After the discussion concluded, Milena realized they still hadn't named the new journal. She looked at Lucian with a smile. "Evans, since this was your suggestion, you should do the honors with the name."
The other committee members all nodded in agreement.
Lucian thought for a moment, then said in a very soft voice, "Mathematics is the most beautiful and essential language of nature — the universal rule underlying all domains. So the new journal shall be called..."
"*Nature*."