"The Astrologer" Annonis produced a peculiarly shaped bracelet that appeared to have a pocket-watch-like object embedded in it, and said solemnly: "We thank Mr. Lucian Evans for proposing the mathematical model and proof method for Lie Geometry, freeing us from arrogance, shallowness, and prejudice, allowing us to glimpse the beauty of mathematics from an entirely new angle, and demonstrating both the necessity and sufficiency of correct axiomatic postulates and rigorous, self-consistent logic. It takes a genius Archanist like him—one bold enough to overturn common sense, overturn experience, and overturn intuitive understanding—to accomplish such a contribution.
"Equally, we thank him for constructing an entirely new geometric system that has made the field of geometry more complete. We hereby present the twenty-second Archanist Scepter, 'Evans Geometry,' in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the mathematical sciences."
Since Lucian already possessed the Sun Scepter, he had the Tower fashion the Archanist Scepter into a bracelet-style accessory—a "wristwatch."
Accepting the silver-gray watch adorned with diamonds set in the golden ratio and engraved with patterns reminiscent of astrological charts, Lucian, following Annonis's instructions, inscribed his Spiritual Mark upon the Sun core encircled by the houses of the ecliptic.
"Archanist Scepter 'Evans Geometry'—a Seventh-Perfect Grade item. Requirements: Sixth-Ring spiritual power and initial materialization of the Cognitive World."
"This distinctive and elegantly designed bracelet has two arcane effects permanently inscribed: it enhances the accuracy of astrology; and it allows the wearer to sense their natal star without entering a Meditation environment, thereby heightening danger premonition."
"As a product of the Tower's alchemists, it also has powerful stellar and destiny forces permanently inscribed: twice daily it can cast the Fifth-Ring spell 'Doom Curse,' twice the Fifth-Ring spell 'Star's Blessing,' and three times the Seventh-Ring spell 'Destiny Interference.'"
"In January of the year 820, this Archanist Scepter is presented in gratitude for Mr. Lucian Evans's immense contributions to the mathematical sciences and the far-sighted vision he put forward."
"The flow of time is independent, absolute, and mathematical. Destiny is the same—we can observe it, reference it, prophesy it, and exert interference within certain limits!"
"—Cassias Annonis"
Having donned this "collectible masterpiece," Lucian turned to look at the Archanists gathered below, and said meaningfully:
"From the ancient magic empires to the Council, spanning several centuries, there have been many instances where initial results went unappreciated, only to shine brilliantly later when Archanists encountered difficult problems.
"Our research should not only possess practical arcane and magical significance—we should also encourage those Archanists with the capacity to delve deeper into the mathematical sciences and produce results ahead of their time. That way, when we face future explorations, we will have the right tools at hand, and we can maintain our pace of development."
Nishka, Mirina,
Lucian did not stop despite their well-meaning smiles. He continued: "The Council Chairman's artificial planet experiment proved the correctness of his celestial movement system and the vastness of the cosmos, while the opening of the microscopic gate has shown us a smaller, more intricate world. One is vast beyond imagination, the other minuscule beyond imagination—both already exceeding the range of our current magical means of observation. During this time, you have all surely experienced the frustration of having theories and ideas but no way to put them to the test?"
This was currently the two hottest fields in the Council aside from the wave-particle debate. Every mage present had attempted some research in these areas, and hearing Lucian's words, they all nodded in empathetic agreement. Magical observation of both the macroscopic and microscopic worlds had indeed reached a bottleneck.
Lucian maintained his warm, easy smile throughout: "Therefore, we can only rely on mathematical means—observing what we can, then summarizing and verifying phenomena through induction. Mathematics will shine with unprecedented brilliance in these macroscopic and microscopic domains, illuminating the darkness ahead of us!"
Lavendie listened to Lucian's speech with a grave expression. While similar sentiments had been expressed before, this was the first time anyone had explicitly articulated the polar concepts of the macroscopic and microscopic worlds and used them to delineate the domains of magic.
Lucian's expression suddenly turned serious: "We exist at a normal scale, with orders of magnitude separating us from the macroscopic and microscopic worlds. We may discover that our intuitive understanding, experiential summaries, and theoretical foundations—things we take for granted—will simply fail to apply in those two domains, giving rise to phenomena and theories so far beyond imagination that they cannot even be described, bordering on the stuff of myths and legends."
"In such moments, the only thing we can rely on is not our eyes, not our ears, not our souls, not past experience, theory, or bold imagination—but mathematical tools!"
The Archanists applauded with smiles, expressing their respect for the award recipient and their pensive consideration of the macroscopic-microscopic distinction—but they paid little heed to Lucian's final, seemingly baseless and far-fetched prophecy. The mathematical sciences were a near-abstract world; it was understandable that previously unimaginable new geometric systems could emerge there. But in the real arcane and magical world, how could phenomena and theories truly beyond imagination, utterly indescribable and bordering on myths and legends, possibly arise?
Although Transmutation, Summoning, and certain Illusion schools could not yet be incorporated into the current arcane framework, they believed that with a deeper understanding of the body, further exploration of the absolute concept of space-time, and more advanced research into electromagnetic waves, these magic systems that still bore the colors of antiquity would inevitably be brought into the fold.
In Brook's words: "They must be incorporated into the arcane system, and they shall be!"
In that moment, they forgot Lucian's energy quantum theory—the hypothesis they had deliberately set aside and shelved—the one that seemed to carry the power to destroy the arcane world.
……