Chapter 366: Light Can Be Dissected!

Light can be dissected!

Before the students in the audience could digest this massive and astonishing piece of information, that shocking miracle appeared before everyone's eyes!

Only to see pure white light passing through the prism, instantly split into a brilliant seven-colored light band, precisely projected onto the wall on one side of the podium!

"Saint Xisi above!"

"This, how is this done?!"

The lower-grade preparatory students let out exclamations of disbelief, thinking that this Prince had cast some exquisite illusion in a calm manner.

However, some senior apprentices and Mages had solemn gazes, and with their eyesight, they could clearly see—that prism was clearly ordinary glass, not containing a trace of magic power, and even less a mysterious magic prop.

As for the magic Prince Kelin just used, it was just an ordinary lighting spell, not adding any other spells.

Luo Yan smiled in his heart, taking in the reactions of the students in the audience, and was not surprised at all that they would have this reaction.

He discovered this problem as early as in Deadwood Port.

Although the God of Machines brought the steam engine and telescope after the Enlightenment Era to this world, he didn't tell the people of this world why the telescope could see the distance, and how to see farther, why the steam engine could run, and how to run faster.

The people of this world hadn't experienced the long process of natural science discovery, and the existence of transcendent power greatly dispersed the energy of smart people, so that the humans on this planet, although possessing the technical legacy of the industrial era, and even "magic-energy technology" beyond the industrial era, the progress of civilization instead stayed in the early Renaissance period still shackled by theology and monarchical power.

Now—

He wanted to make up for this lesson for the flowers of the Empire!

"Light of different colors has different 'refractive indices' in the same medium, which is something I... accidentally discovered when I was in the Jana Continent."

Luo Yan simply threw out a new term, and then cast his gaze toward a magic tower looming in the distance outside the window.

"This also explains why the telescopes we improved by adding more lenses always have blurry images when observing stars at extreme distances, and the edges are accompanied by colored halos... because light of different colors cannot perfectly converge at the same point."

Pausing, he continued.

"As long as this point is understood, we can easily design telescopes that see farther and clearer."

Luo Yan didn't tell these magic apprentices how to solve this problem, but he believed that as long as the principles were understood, wanting to solve the problem would be easy.

If he told them everything, wouldn't there be less fun in exploration and discovery?

Before the students could fully recover from the new term "refractive index," he beckoned to the assistant, signaling the latter to push his carefully prepared props up, and continued to demonstrate a series of experiments including light refraction, pinhole imaging, etc., playing with light and shadow in the palm of his hand with those various props.

Exclamations echoed continuously in the classroom, whether it was preparatory students who had just entered the Academy or Teaching Assistants who had been in the Academy for many years, they all widened their eyes.

Especially those students specializing in the illusion school, they were completely shocked by this means of controlling light and shadow "without relying on any magic power."

Although they couldn't understand what significance these technologies had, nor could they understand how to exert their role in actual combat, this was undoubtedly a violent impact on their worldview!

It turned out that light and shadow could only be controlled through magic power.

It turned out that simple tools could do things not inferior to transcendent power!

After successfully grabbing everyone's attention, Luo Yan waved his hand, signaling the Teaching Assistant on the side to push away the props on the podium.

His gaze slowly swept across the audience, from the most focused faces in the first row to the blurry figures on tiptoe outside the corridor, with a smile on his face.

Not many people left.

It seems this lesson of his was quite successful.

Of course, it was also thanks to the identity of the Prince, if someone else stood here, I'm afraid they wouldn't have the patience to listen to him talk about so many things unrelated to magic.

Looking at the apprentices who were digesting that massive amount of information, Luo Yan slowed down his speaking speed, making that easygoing tone become solemn and full of power.

"... Although I am a transcendent, I still have to say that things that transcendent power can do can also be done by mortal power."

"Even, mortal hands can create things that transcendents haven't imagined, as long as you dare to assume and verify... that is completely possible."

Kurs, sitting in the lecture hall, curled his lips in disdain, in his view, this Prince was simply standing and talking without back pain.

The nobles of the Empire didn't need to worry about soul level.

They not only had the top talent from birth, even in the next life they had the opportunity to become the strongest, and didn't have to pay anything.

As for mortals...

Aren't they just grass in the fields, sheep in the sheepfold?

Kurs didn't doubt at all that the only value of their existence was to serve elites like himself, and the reason they ended up like this was nothing more than their own lack of effort.

Of course—

Not everyone thought the same as him, for example, Finn sitting next to him, his eyes glowing with light.

Mortal hands can create things that transcendents haven't imagined...

Isn't this talking about himself?

Although he awakened transcendent power, compared to those truly noble mages, it was no different from mortals.

Moreover, he came from the fields.

Actually, Kurs sitting next to him was also, just hadn't become a mage master yet, and had forgotten where he came from.

"... I don't deny that you are on the right path to break the shackles of soul level and pursue higher-level power, this path is condensed with your blood and sweat, you shouldn't give up easily."

"But I still want to tell everyone present—that is not the 'only' way to become a legend, nor is it any unchanging truth!"

"Today's lesson is just throwing a brick to attract jade, compared to teaching you how to throw fireballs more accurately and cleverly, I want to open a window for you more."

"Perhaps through this window, you can see the scenery I missed on the journey."

"Doing what you are good at to the extreme can also become a legend!"

The classroom was silent, followed by the sound of whispering.

Prince Kelin's declaration was like a giant rock thrown into a lake, setting off endless ripples in this large classroom gathering thousands of people.

The students were immersed in the brand-new path he depicted, unable to calm down for a long time. Some people left with disdain, but more people started to think about how they should face the future after passing the apprentice assessment.

Seeing that the course was about to end, Luo Yan raised his hand with a smile, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Before class ends, I still have a small piece of homework to assign to everyone... or, you can also treat it as a meeting gift I give you."

His tone was relaxed, as if talking about the weather.

The students immediately sat up straight, picking up their quill pens one after another, preparing to record the Mentor's requirements.

They initially thought it would be some profound theoretical derivation, or complex instrument production, or repeating the experiments demonstrated in class just now—

However, the few sentences Prince Kelin said next made everyone's pens stop in mid-air, losing their words for a moment.

"I need you to go back and think about three questions—Why is the sky green? Why is water ice? Why is steel soft?"

"Hand the homework to this Teaching Assistant gentleman next to me, his office is in..."

Luo Yan, who said this, looked at the stunned Teaching Assistant, who hurriedly caught up with the Prince's words and said, "On the 2nd table of Room 111 on the 20th floor! You hand the homework to me, and I will send it to the Prince!"

"Very good," Luo Yan nodded, smiling and making a joke, "The only flaw is that you should call me Sir or Mentor."

"Yes..." the Teaching Assistant said with a red face, he didn't pay attention just now because of nervousness, and said his inner thoughts.

The entire lecture hall fell into noisy discussion, not noticing this little episode on the podium.

The students looked at each other, their faces full of incredulity.

What kind of question is this?

Is it a joke?

The sky is blue, water is flowing at room temperature, and steel is synonymous with hardness.

The questions raised by this Prince Mentor completely violated everyone's basic common sense, so they couldn't help but start thinking about whether there was any deep meaning they ignored.

Just when the whole audience was confused and in an uproar, Luo Yan cleared his throat and threw out an explosive reward that caught everyone off guard.

"This course of mine has four credits."

He stretched out four fingers and announced with a smile, "For the above three questions, as long as someone can give me a satisfactory answer, I will directly reward him with one credit!"

Never had any professor or mentor been so generous.

If the previous questions made the classroom fall into dead silence, then this sentence simply detonated the entire volcano!

"One credit?!"

"Did I hear it right? Just answer one question?"

"Is the Prince serious?!"

The students went completely crazy!

You know, in the Academy, every credit is hard-won.

They must pass countless boring theoretical written exams, defeat magic constructs in magic duels, and even risk their lives in the annual, dangerous "Sage Trial" illusion labyrinth to gain the favor and affirmation of the Mentor.

Never had any Mentor given credits so "absurdly," actually giving them in the first lesson!

The strange questions that were confusing a second ago, under the heavy reward of "one credit," instantly became the most fascinating ultimate mystery in the world!

Huge interests drove everyone's brain to start running at high speed, the entire lecture hall turned from silence to boiling, full of excited discussion and various wild guesses.

Whether they were truly out of longing for science or out of desire for credits, at least this fanaticism was real.

Standing on the cusp of the noisy crowd, the corner of Luo Yan's mouth couldn't help but raise a mysterious smile.

Very good.

This is the effect he wanted.

The seed named "Enlightenment" has been planted, it just depends on how many buds can grow on this barren snowfield and bloom into beautiful flowers.

As long as there is one, it's not a loss.

That night, in a private study on the top floor of the Tower of the Grand Sage, the fire in the fireplace was jumping quietly.

This is Professor Alistair Thorne's study, rather than a scholar's research room, it is better to say it is a collection hall of a noble.

What fills the bookshelf is not books, but little things from behind the Void, including unknown metal creations and skeletons of alien beasts.

The thick dark carpet absorbed all the sounds, and the air was filled with the smell of expensive and intoxicating incense.

Skain was standing respectfully in front of the desk, reporting everything that happened during the day to Professor Alistair sitting in the huge back chair.

He repeated every detail of Prince Kelin's class with a refined and emotionless tone—from the rainbow refracted by the prism, to the trick of pinhole imaging, and finally that impassioned speech and three strange questions.

Alistair had been listening quietly, his slender fingers tapping the table lightly, the look behind the lens deep and calm.

After Skain finished reporting, this Professor of the Source Magic School let out a low and disdainful laugh.

"Interesting."

He was even more certain of his judgment of Kelin—that was a straw bag who loved to show off and enjoyed the worship of mortals.

As the first lesson of coming to the Academy, he didn't show his profound knowledge to win over truly capable Mentors, but instead performed tricks for the apprentices.

Things that could be done with a spell were done with a pile of various props, isn't this a clown's trick?

Especially the name of this course, it was actually called the ridiculous "Science."

Wanting to create a school in the Academy is not something that can be done by throwing out a concept full of gimmicks and unknown, and then giving the apprentices a few lessons.

While Alistair was mocking, he couldn't help but ponder in his heart, Hector Ren, that stubborn old man, was so hard-working to help Kelin fight for the "Void," probably because he saw the quality of this Prince who was unlearned and loved to show off.

After all, a person who loves to show off will soon get tired of boring theoretical research, and when the time comes, the "toys" that Kelin plays with and throws away will naturally be cheaper for Hector himself.

If there are no accidents.

Thinking of this, the corner of Alistair's mouth hooked into a deeper arc.

He could actually push the boat with the current and help Hector in the Council.

Anyway, with Hector's status and ability, he couldn't keep the treasure in his hand at all. In the end, the "toy" that this Prince Kelin played with and got tired of would still fall into his hands.

Who would think that the Void resources in their hands were too many?

"Professor," Skain saw that he was in a good mood, and asked cautiously, "Regarding the three strange questions raised by the Prince at the end... are there any deep meanings we failed to notice? Please give some pointers to your loyal servant."

Alistair glanced at him contemptuously, as if looking at a child who asked a stupid question.

He took off the monocle he was wearing, wiped it slowly with a silk handkerchief, and said lightly.

"When the aurora appears at night, the sky will turn green. Water freezes when it is cold enough, naturally it is ice. Steel is burned to the extreme, isn't it soft molten iron?"

He put the glasses back on, his kind gaze carrying a few traces of mockery. "Such simple questions, also need me to teach you?"

"No, of course not, Professor." Skain lowered his head, answering with a humble posture, "I just wanted to ensure your plan is foolproof..."

Alistair waved his hand, "Go down, such small things don't need to be reported to me specifically, I'm not interested in his 'game', come find me when there is more worthy information or new progress."

"Yes, Professor."

Skain bowed and retreated, leaving the study silently, and closed the door for Alistair.

His expression was respectful, but in his heart, for the first time, he had a trace of doubt about the seemingly impeccable answer of Professor Alistair.

Is it really that simple?

Whether it was those three questions, or that Prince...

The thought of doubt was like a tiny seed, falling into the garden in his heart that was trimmed neatly by authority and obedience.

Night fell, and the dormitory area of the Academy was brightly lit.

The three strange questions raised by Prince Kelin were like three magic spells, stirring up unpredictable winds and clouds in the hearts of all students.

In the eight-person dormitory for preparatory students, the noise almost overturned the roof.

The young people were in groups of three or five, arguing fiercely about "Why is the sky green," and all kinds of wild guesses emerged one after another.

They didn't catch Prince Kelin's class, but still heard these three strange questions from other students.

"That was a credit..." the freckled young man sighed, "If only I had heard that there was such a class earlier."

"Yeah, it's a pity," the wealthy young man smiled, looking at Barrett's direction without a trace, but didn't say anything.

He didn't blame this brother for not telling them at all, after all, they weren't familiar with each other. However, relatively speaking, in the future if there were any good things, he and others wouldn't take this guy with them.

Because they weren't familiar.

Not knowing what the roommates were discussing, at this moment, Barrett was burying his head in the small table full of books, thinking hard.

As a loyal believer of Prince Kelin and a former teammate, he firmly believed that the Prince's question was by no means a joke, but a puzzle hiding the "only answer."

He followed the most direct logic and started to crack them one by one.

Why is the sky green?

This is easy to solve!

In the extreme north, or when the weather changes, green aurora will appear in the sky. This is the proof that 'the sky is green'!

He had already seen the aurora many times on the way to the Tower of the Grand Sage!

As for why water is ice?

This is also easy to answer, there is cold and biting water everywhere on the vast snowfield.

The only thing that troubled him was, why is steel soft?

His old man is a blacksmith, he of course knows that iron can be burned into water, but if 'molten iron' is called steel, what is the difference from pointing at a deer and calling it a horse?

He thought about this question for a long time, and finally, before the dormitory lights went out, he wrote a 6,000-word paper, arguing with impeccable logic that steel is soft.

Looking at his labor results, Barrett breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a trace of pride for his "quick wit."

This credit, he had it in the bag!

At the same time, in another noisy dormitory tower, Ilara was also sitting at a small desk thinking.

Looking at the white paper in front of her, she didn't write for a long time, those three questions hovering in her mind like ghosts.

As a sober realist, she instinctively felt that things weren't that simple. The wisdom Prince Kelin showed in class was by no means someone who would use brain teasers to tease students. These seemingly absurd questions must hide deeper logic behind them.

But what is it?

She thought hard but still couldn't think of the answer, and finally sighed lightly, writing down the answer in her heart.

【Respected Mentor Kelin:

The sky can be green, but this doesn't mean the sky is green. Water can freeze into ice, but this doesn't mean water is ice. Steel will soften under the burning of fire, but we won't call it steel... perhaps you want to ask about molten iron?

Perhaps this isn't the answer in your heart, but please forgive the student's shallow knowledge, this is the only solution I thought of after thinking for a long time.】

After writing the last word, Ilara exhaled lightly, as if unloading a heavy burden.

She knew that such an answer full of philosophical speculation rather than factual statement was likely not to get that "free" credit.

＿co

But...

So what?

Not long after, the dormitory lights were about to go out.

The roommates stopped talking, and she hurriedly climbed into bed, drilling into the fragrant and soft quilt.

However, she closed her eyes for a long time, still unable to fall asleep.

Just because a familiar and distant voice kept hovering in her mind, even entering her dream—

"That is not the 'only' way to become a legend, nor is it any unchanging truth..."

"Doing what you are good at to the extreme can also become a legend!" ===== CHAPTER 367 =====