"Monday: The Holm Crown Award for the year 822 is no longer left unawarded. The thirty-second ring has finally been given to Mr. Jerome, who discovered X-rays last year. He is the second member of the Atomic Research Institute to receive the Holm Crown Award, following Committee Member Evans."
"Within the Atomic Research Institute, Mr. Jerome is absolutely not the eye-catching type. He lacks the dazzling brilliance of Committee Member Evans, the eloquence, open-mindedness, and active engagement of Mr. Lazar and Mr. Roche, and the solid foundation and enterprising drive of Evans's students like Annick, Leiliana, and Springer. So how did he achieve today's success? How did such an honest, unassuming gentleman in everyone's eyes become a fourth-level Archanist, a third-circle mage, and the thirty-second owner of a Holm Ring?"
"On this topic, we interviewed Mr. Jerome today... Hello, Mr. Jerome. You've just heard our question—what are your own thoughts on this?"
With his distinctive light blue hair and deep blue eyes from the Soral Islands, Blake listened with both envy and curiosity. Apart from X-rays, the news from the Atomic Research Institute in recent years seemed to have nothing to do with Jerome. He was forever the co-signer on achievements, his own experimental papers holding little value and attracting no attention. Yet now he had suddenly burst into brilliance, claiming the highest honor in the field of elements—leaving countless Archanists shocked, envious, jealous, and yearning.
After the serious, clear female voice fell silent, a rich baritone answered: "Actually, in many people's eyes, I'm not an exceptionally gifted Archanist. Setting aside someone as brilliantly talented as Evans, I can't even reach the level of Roche and the others. Likewise, many Archanists believe I was simply favored by the Goddess of Luck—that my discovery was nothing more than chance, an accidental yield from a mislaid fluorescent plate."
The young mage Blake nodded slightly. While he couldn't say he was jealous, he did think the same. You could tell from Jerome's paper in last year's issue of Arcane—his discovery of X-rays was more about luck. It was an accident, not the product of theoretical preparation or directed research.
"Then what do you think yourself, Mr. Jerome?" asked the Alen Weekly News Review's host, Lark, her serious demeanor giving way to a faint smile.
Jerome smiled. "They're right, and I admit it. But I need to add that before discovering X-rays, I had already conducted experiments on cathode rays for one thousand two hundred and twenty-seven consecutive days. When Lazar, Roche, Springer, and the rest felt there was nothing more to be gained, I kept going—still using my spare time to continue.
"I never expected any major discovery. I simply felt there was still much I didn't understand about electrons and cathode rays, much data I couldn't interpret, so I persevered. My talent barely meets the standard. The only things I can rely on and take pride in are diligence, persistence, earnestness, and patience.
"Perhaps Archanists like me can't propose groundbreaking, wildly imaginative theories, but I believe we can lay the most solid foundation for the edifice of Arcane, refine its details, and we have just as much of a future in the realms of Arcane and magic."
These words were plain and ordinary, hardly thunderous, yet they set Blake's blood surging. He murmured to himself: "Diligence, persistence, earnestness, patience..."
"Diligence, persistence, earnestness, patience..." Lark savored the words, then laughed brightly. "Thank you, Mr. Jerome, for sharing the secret of your success. It's restored my confidence once more. Is there anything else you'd like to say?"
"Well, first I'd like to thank Mr. Evans. His talent in the Arcane field is unparalleled, and being by his side always allows me to learn a great deal. Regardless of how others attack him over his light quantum hypothesis, I believe his theories are well-founded and well-supported. I also want to thank him for opening the Atomic Research Institute to us so we can use it in our spare time, and for encouraging me to keep going whenever I was tempted to give up. That's why I chose the letter x from his suffix for the name of the rays."
Jerome spoke with deep emotion. "Second, I'd like to thank my wife, Vera. Her gentleness and care banished the fatigue of my tedious, repetitive experiments. Her love and encouragement fill me with strength every day. Without her support behind me, I never could have come this far. This Holm Crown ring belongs half to her."
"What a wonderful man! I hear Mr. Jerome's wife, Vera, has just given birth to their child. Let's wish them an even happier future," Lark remarked with admiration. "Regarding this topic of the Holm Crown Award, we've also invited Lord Morris, Archmage and President of Elemental Will. Lord Morris, what are your thoughts on what Mr. Jerome just said?"
"Diligence, persistence, earnestness, and patience—regardless of one's natural talent, these are all virtues worth promoting." Morris's voice was deep, rich, and magnetic, brimming with the charm of a mature man.
Lark chuckled softly. "Lord Morris, our program has received numerous letters from Archanists this week. They all share one question about this Holm Crown Award: why wasn't it given to Mr. Evans?
"His paper on radioactive elements, which earned him the Frost Medal, should by all rights have been enough to win two Holm Crowns—one for proving that electrons are part of an atom's internal structure, and another for revealing, through the emission of a new element, the mysteries of material transformation and the microscopic world. It set our hearts racing, as though we had grasped the true face of matter and stepped into the forbidden domain of the gods. So why didn't such an important paper receive the Holm Crown Award?"
Morris was silent for a moment, then spoke in his deep, measured tones: "Proving that electrons belong to an atom's internal structure was a supplementary component of the discovery of electrons. After discussion, we concluded that since Evans had already received the 'Electron' ring, this achievement should not receive another Holm Crown Award."
"The emission of a new element does indeed touch upon the mysteries of material creation and transformation, but it remains speculative for the time being. When Evans discovers that radioactive substances transform into different elements due to the radiation of a new element, this Holm Crown Award will undoubtedly belong to him. I hope he will propose a comprehensive theory of atomic structure and material transformation by then." That way, only one award would need to be given...
Lark made a soft, pleasant intake of breath and smacked her lips. "But that's still hard to accept. Mr. Ulysses was able to earn the thirty-first Holm Crown Award just by precisely measuring the electron charge. So why can't proving that electrons belong to an atom's internal structure qualify?"
"I've seen from certain Archanists' letters that they suspect you, Lord Morris, are reluctant to part with the materials—believing that Committee Member Evans has already received three awards and shouldn't be allowed to drain Elemental Will's treasury any further. That's why you vetoed his fourth Holm Crown Award. Regarding these rumors, wouldn't you like to set the record straight, Lord Morris?"
"These are baseless, utterly absurd accusations. Our meetings to discuss Holm Crown Award recipients are fair, just, and transparent. At the time, Evans himself participated in the discussion and raised no objections." A trace of anger crept into Morris's voice. He paused. "The scheduled guest time is up. I won't continue with this ridiculous interview—unless you can show a bit more 'sincerity' in your reservations next time."
Somehow, Lord Morris's tone struck Blake as rather evasive. The young mage stroked the stubble that had just begun to grow on his chin, still engrossed in the broadcast.
"...That covers Wednesday's news. Let's see what happened on Thursday?"
"...An arcane steamship on Parliament patrol and a Church of Truth airship clashed again along the coast of the Tempest Strait. As the location of the Mysterious Space draws closer to being pinpointed, such frictions are escalating with each passing day. We must be prepared."
"Since the fall of the ancient magic empires, we mages have been in a state of retreat and decline, on the verge of complete extinction. It wasn't until the establishment of Parliament that our situation began to improve. This is an irreconcilable conflict between us and our enemies. Every mage of sound mind should recognize this. Any attempt to play both sides is exceedingly foolish."
"We have no more room to retreat. Behind us lies Alen!"
...
"...Supreme Council member and President of Elemental Will, Lord Donald, led nearly a hundred elemental mages and necromancers from Parliament on a friendly visit to the Elven Court and the Druid Council of Strup Forest. They were warmly received by the Legendary Druid, Lord Malfario. Both sides exchanged views on the recent situation, reached consensus, and together held a grand 'Spring Planting' ceremony at an estate near Strup. The improved alchemical product 'Golden Kela No. 822' appeared before the world for the first time."
"...Supreme Council member and Grand Archanist, Lord Storm Dominator, submitted a paper. In experiments bombarding metal foil with helium atom streams, he discovered that a small number of particles were deflected at extreme angles, thereby overturning the atomic structure model proposed by Lady Hathaway—the model with electrons embedded in the atomic nucleus... He believes that the internal structure of an atom should resemble the celestial system proposed by Chairman Douglas, with electrons orbiting the nucleus the way planets orbit the sun... The macroscopic world and the microscopic world display a startling similarity!"
Blake sat bolt upright, shaken and stunned. The interior of something as minuscule as an atom actually possessed the same structure as a vast galaxy?
This world was too wondrous, too incredible! Yet this theory was so elegant, so symmetrical! Could it be that within the tiny atom lay a miniature replica of the real universe? Could life similar to humans but impossibly small exist atop the electrons? The "Magic Sprite" theory that had flourished during the height of the ancient magic empires?
The true nature of the world was truly captivating!
"...However, Supreme Council member and Grand Archanist, the Lord of Dominion, pointed out that when electrons orbit the atomic nucleus, since they carry a charge, they must radiate electromagnetic waves and lose energy. Therefore, this structure absolutely cannot exist in a stable state..."
Could that be? Blake considered for a moment—it did align with the predictions of classical electromagnetic theory. A trace of disappointment crept into his heart.
"...Lord Storm Dominator stated that this is merely a preliminary model that still requires refinement. However, judging by the attitude of Archanists in the elemental faction, even this model has more than enough qualifications to win next year's Holm Crown Award."
...
"...Saturday: According to reliable sources, the Lord of Dominion, who returned a year and a half ago, has already improved the Magic Circle, establishing the foundation for conducting precise light quantum experiments. Almost simultaneously, Mr. Roland, member of the Arcane Review Committee and recipient of both the Silver Moon Medal and the Frost Medal, also revealed to the public that after three years of attempts, he has completed his own improvements and is about to use experimental results to refute Committee Member Evans's light quantum hypothesis."
"According to our investigation, Archanists who support wave theory are extremely excited and elated, unable to conceal their joy, while those who support particle theory are worried and nervous, unwilling to respond."