Douglas's demiplane was vastly different from the Lord of Dead Souls' "Land of Eternal Rest," Fernando's "Thunder Hell," and Hathaway's "Elemental Paradise." When Lucian stepped inside with Norman, the Affairs Committee member who served as his guide, he felt no sense of entering a demiplane at all—as though this were simply a part of the main material world, all things operating according to the same laws, ordinary on the surface yet concealing profound mysteries within.
Although every Legendary magician's demiplane took on a different appearance due to differences in their understanding of the world, their preferences, and their areas of expertise, each invariably possessed extremely distinctive properties. Douglas's demiplane was nothing like that. In the distance rose tall, verdant mountain ranges; nearby lay a dense black forest and crystal-clear lakes transparent as mirrors; around the magic tower stretched carpets of lawn. There was no discernible difference from the main material world—it looked like some scenic overlook, with nothing special about it whatsoever.
"Master's ideal is to perceive the true nature of the world, so the closer a demiplane is to the main material world, the better it is for him," Norman explained with a smile. He had a young, refined appearance.
Lucian nodded slightly and swept his gaze across the seemingly boundless demiplane once more. "No wonder His Excellency the Chairman named his demiplane 'Linsord.'"
"Linsord" meant "the truth of the world" in the ancient language of the Sylvanas Magic Empire, which was why Douglas's demiplane was also called the "Realm of Truth" or the "World in the Mirror."
After passing through the magic tower's gates—guarded by two Mithril Golems—Norman led Lucian into a small sitting room where a man and a woman were already seated as guests. Inside, a vivid red carpet covered the floor, and sofas, coffee tables, and several rows of bookshelves were arranged in a casual manner. It was messy yet quite comfortable, without strict formality—apparently a private space where Douglas entertained close friends and juniors, not a formal reception hall.
"Master, the Storm Dominator, and the Prophet are still conducting the final tests. Let's wait a moment," Norman said, noting that only the two guests were present. Then he introduced them to Lucian: "These two are both Master's students. They happened to be around—not away on any errands, and with no research they couldn't temporarily set aside—so they've come specifically to witness this historic moment. If Master's artificial planet can orbit the world and be observed from the astrological towers on the ground, his celestial motion system will receive powerful corroboration. He'll no longer have to endure the constant questioning he faces now."
At this, Norman grew excited and agitated, feeling indignant on behalf of the questioning his master had suffered for centuries. He nearly forgot to continue the introductions. Fortunately, he caught himself in time and pointed to a middle-aged man whose hair had already gone grey at the temples:
"This is Altier. He's been with Master longer than any other student and specializes in astrology, force fields, light and dark, and transformation."
Altier had a gaunt face with prominent cheekbones, narrow eyes, and thin lips. He wore badges indicating he was a Level-8 Archanist and a 9th-Circle magician, yet he was neither a member of any committee nor of the Supreme Council. He gave a slight nod and said flatly, though with a touch of sharpness:
"I'm not the student who's been with Master the longest. There's another fellow who's older than me and studied under Master even longer."
At these words, Norman and the other woman both looked quite awkward, unsure how to respond. Lucian, however, understood immediately. Altier must be referring to "the Sovereign of Control," Brooke, the author of "The Goddess's Poetry"—rumor had it that he and Chairman Douglas had become estranged over the wave-particle debate about light.
For Norman and the other student, who were "not that old" and had never personally experienced the affair, this was merely a record in ancient texts, a legend from poems and stories. They had no visceral connection to it and found it difficult to generate extreme hatred or loathing. But for Altier, who had very likely studied alongside Brooke under Douglas for a long period, this was naked betrayal—despicable conduct worthy of contempt. No wonder he showed Brooke no respect whatsoever.
Seeing that Lucian maintained his smile and didn't question Altier's "rudeness," Norman quickly pointed to the young woman:
"This is Luciana, also Master's student. She specializes in elemental magic, astrology, force fields, summoning, and transformation, and has also done deep research in mathematics. She should have quite a bit in common with you, Evans."
Luciana's flame-like hair set off her skin, lending it a luminous, delicate quality. She was of medium height, with an exotic bearing, and appeared to be under twenty-five. Yet the badges on her chest—Level-7 Archanist, 8th-Circle magician, member of the Archanic Review Committee—powerfully contradicted this visual impression.
Before Lucian could answer, Altier smiled faintly and said:
"Luciana, what's the value of studying these new geometric systems that have no practical arcanic or arcane magic significance? Time is precious for everyone. Even though our lifespans are quite long, the world is vast and boundless, profound and mysterious. Even spending centuries might not bring us any closer to the truth. We simply can't afford to waste time. If Master's artificial planet experiment succeeds, it will be a major breakthrough for the astrology and force fields disciplines. There'll be plenty for you to research then."
He dismissed the new geometric systems entirely.
Norman, standing to the side, nodded almost imperceptibly, seeming to agree with Altier's words. But he couldn't bring himself to do what Altier did—openly criticize Lucian's new geometric systems as useless and accuse Luciana of neglecting her duties, right to their faces.
"It's my hobby, and a way to relax in my spare time," Luciana retorted coldly. She simply enjoyed researching things filled with mathematical beauty and didn't actually believe these two new geometric systems had any real arcanic or arcane magic value.
"This gentleman needs no introduction, I presume? In recent years, the most celebrated genius arcanist in the Parliament—Lucian Evans. His talent in elemental magic, thermodynamics, and mathematics is beyond the reach of anyone else." Norman hastily changed the topic and introduced Lucian to his two fellow students.
Altier pointed at the sofa: "Evans, sit down. Before Master and the others come down, we can discuss and exchange ideas on arcanic and arcane magic. Although I don't have deep knowledge of elemental magic, I do know that the electrons you discovered are the cause of lightning. Heh—doesn't the electromagnetics school operate on a wave foundation?"
When he wasn't discussing things he despised, he was reasonably normal.
"In fact, the electromagnetics school has always maintained that electric current is an outward manifestation of charge movement—it simply hadn't been linked to microscopic particles before," Lucian answered impartially, casually taking a sip of the lemon red tea a servant had brought him.
"Regardless, particles are the true nature and foundation of the world!" Altier declared with a touch of fanaticism. "As long as Master's artificial planet experiment succeeds, Brooke will have no grounds left to question Master's celestial motion system. The reason the planets couldn't be discovered must be due to other factors! And once that happens, Master's experiments on the speed of light will forcefully prove that the aether medium doesn't exist. Without a medium, the wave theory of light is like a building with its foundation dug out—it can no longer dominate the minds of the Parliament's archanists and will come crashing down."
"Light and spiritual force are particles, and must be particles!" Norman frowned and interrupted Altier's reverie with clear disapproval. "Setting aside whether Master's experiment has succeeded—even if it has, it can only strongly support the theory, not conclusively prove it. Other theories incorporating aether could still explain the results. And the diffraction of light, the bright spots in Brooke's shadow—these are phenomena the particle theory currently cannot explain. We can't be too optimistic."
"Norman, well, well—I see now. You actually support the wave theory, don't you?" Altier flew into a rage. "Why is it that light diffraction and similar phenomena only count as 'strong support' for the wave theory and not conclusive proof? Could there not be other explanations incorporating particle theory?"
The accused Norman grew somewhat irritated: "Haven't all the various theoretical explanations proposed over the past few decades been proven false? Altier, open your eyes—blinded by jealousy as they are—and look. See how many archanists in the Parliament still support particle theory. If you want to overthrow the wave theory, start by using particle theory to explain diffraction!"
"Jealousy? I'm jealous?" Altier pointed at himself in furious disbelief. "Would I be jealous of that bastard Brooke? I'm simply trusting my own judgment!"
Luciana also joined the fray: "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Norman. I'm one of that very, very, very small minority of archanists who support particle theory. A theory that can't even verify its own foundation—hmph—being popular doesn't make it right."
"Indeed, when many theories have been overthrown in the past, truth was held by the few. But particle theory can't even explain experimental phenomena—on what grounds should archanists believe it?" Norman inadvertently revealed his true leaning.
"You traitor!" Altier's narrow eyes flew wide open with rage.
"I'm simply upholding the truth!" Norman retorted without hesitation.
The three of Douglas's students fell into a fierce argument over wave theory and particle theory, completely forgetting Lucian's presence. Lucian wiped the slight cold sweat from his forehead, worried they might come to blows and he'd be caught in the crossfire. When he saw Altier and Norman both red-faced and neck-bulging, he thought to himself:
"Arguing about wave theory and particle theory in the Magic Parliament is genuinely a dangerous thing to do…"
"Norman, are you still researching the problem of the Prime Mover? How presumptuous—even Master couldn't solve it, and you dare to tackle it?"
"Hmph, what I research is my own business, and Master has been paying considerable attention to this issue as well. It concerns the ultimate destination of his theoretical framework. Altier, don't think I don't know—you're secretly researching it yourself! Take a look in the mirror first!"
The argument grew more and more heated. Almost simultaneously, all three turned to look at Lucian:
"Evans, what do you think about wave theory and particle theory?"
"Evans, I heard the artificial planet experiment was your idea—to help Master prove that 'aether' doesn't exist?"
"I believe every archanist who specializes in elemental magic is a firm supporter of particle theory."
Lucian felt as though he'd been shot while lying down. He was about to choose his words carefully when Douglas, Fernando, and the Tower's "Prophet" descended the stairs.