Chapter 412: Law of Conservation of Magic Energy

As the storm of the Labyrinth Trial came to an end, the depressed Aofeiya finally recovered her usual liveliness and cheerfulness.

As Aofeiya's best friend, Ilana was the first to notice her difference from usual.

One afternoon, the two sat on a bench in the back courtyard of the Great Sage's Tower, and Ilana, who was concerned about her, finally couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Aofeiya, did you... encounter any good things recently?"

"Sort of." Aofeiya stretched, saying in a chatty tone, "There is a... um, someone I have admired for a long time, I recently discovered that I know a little more about him."

Ilana looked at her in surprise, feeling even more curious in her heart.

"... Is it because of something?"

Facing her best friend's question, Aofeiya smiled slightly.

"Secret."

Secret?

Ilana tilted her head in confusion, but seeing that Aofeiya didn't intend to continue this topic, she didn't pursue it further.

The leisurely time entered the end with the bell of the end of the lunch break, and the two stood up and followed the crowd, rushing into the busy Great Sage's Tower.

Although the turmoil in this Gao Ta was far from over, it did not affect the magic apprentices busy with their studies, nor did it affect the Prince who had no intention of pursuing fame and fortune.

Ever since the hearing completed the investigation, the research in the Magic Science Laboratory and Kelin Tower returned to the normal track.

Although during this period many ambitious mages tried to advise Kelin through the "Void Asset Restructuring Committee", urging him to seize this once-in-a-lifetime power vacuum to expand the influence of the "Science" school in the Great Sage's Tower, they were all politely declined by Luo Yan.

From the beginning, he never thought of making the Science school big and strong.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have carefully selected every apprentice in the Magic Science Laboratory, and would have let all those ambitious guys in long ago.

The Great Sage's Tower is not short of ambitious people who are not appreciated, but explorers who crave truth are the real treasures buried in the shadows.

That is what he truly wants to take away.

As for those dregs—

Let them stay here.

Prince Kelin's "content with the status quo" posture made many ambitious people gathered around him feel disappointed, and many even distanced themselves from him because of this.

And this "sense of relaxation" that exceeded everyone's expectations also made Uliyer, who was ready to take the move, feel like a punch on cotton.

In order to face the challenge of the Science school, this "Alisite II" had painstakingly made many preparations, but now it seems these paving stones have become his solo show.

Prince Kelin didn't take the move at all.

Want to take over Alisite's legacy?

Then take it.

Days passed, and good news seemed to come from the Brass Pass. As the war stabilized again, the Great Sage finally returned.

All professors and masters looked forward to the Great Sage returning to preside over the overall situation, especially Professor Heketuo, who was inexplicably implicated, just waiting for the Great Sage to preside over justice for him.

Luo Yan was not interested in this at all, but was excited about the good news from Alberto, the shopkeeper on Craftsman Street.

After more than half a month of tossing and turning, this craftsman finally contacted his master, James Wali.

This Silver Tier mage, because his theories were not valued, and he could not make a breakthrough for a long time, had to regretfully leave the Gao Ta and went to a Baron's territory in the Luo De Kingdom to serve as the lord's family tutor and bodyguard.

Now that he learned that an Imperial Prince had come to the Academy, and this Prince had a strong interest in his research, this disheartened scholar saw the hope of his career glowing with a second spring again, and immediately resigned from that high-paying job and rushed back from the Luo De Kingdom.

Obviously, compared to secular interests, he cares more about the exploration of truth and the unknown.

Since this Mr. James was no longer a master of the Great Sage's Tower, re-handling the entry procedures required a certain amount of time, so Luo Yan did not meet this "legendary" scholar in his laboratory, but in his private study.

That was a middle-aged man with a monocle and a square face. He wore a simple, white-washed magic robe, and was slightly hunched due to years of desk work.

When he walked into the study, his steps were a bit cautious, and he held an old felt hat tightly in his hand, seemingly not knowing how to place it.

"High, Highness."

Luo Yan was very familiar with that uneasy look.

When Tichi met him at the beginning, it was the same, it was the hesitation of wanting to bet everything including his life, but not knowing where to start betting.

"Mr. Wali, please sit."

Luo Yan stood up from behind the desk with a smile, personally pulled out an armchair for him, and then his right hand flicked gently, and the teapot flew above the teacup.

"The journey was exhausting, try my treasure, I hope this cup of hot tea can dispel the wind and cold of the North for you."

A steaming cup of clear tea was sent before him, James was flattered and waved his hands repeatedly, but finally took it.

"I dare not accept, Highness, you are too polite..."

"No need to be cautious, in the Mage Tower, I am just a mage chasing truth, no different from you."

Luo Yan sat back in his position and opened the conversation in a gentle tone.

"Your student Alberto often mentions you to me, he speaks highly of your talent, especially your ideas about 'Artificial Mind' and 'Autonomous Magic Puppet Core', I am personally very interested. As a result, I looked through your research, but didn't find the follow-up, which is really a pity."

Hearing his research being mentioned so clearly by an Imperial Prince, a light flashed in James's eyes, which were slightly dim due to frustration.

His tense shoulders relaxed a bit unconsciously, and he responded cautiously: "That... those are just some immature fantasies."

Pausing, he gripped the teacup tightly, and said embarrassedly again.

"As for no follow-up... that is indeed because it wasn't finished, making you laugh."

"Any great creation originates from a seemingly unrealistic 'fantasy' at the beginning. If it can't be realized today, it doesn't mean it can't be realized in the future."

Luo Yan smiled slightly, didn't continue this topic, but handed the manuscript draft of Ilana that was rejected by the "Sage Newspaper" to him.

"Speaking of which, it's presumptuous, one of my students completed a paper, but encountered some... obstacles when submitting. I know a little about arithmetic, but magic theory is really not my specialty, I wonder if I can ask you, a real expert, to help correct it?"

This humble statement made James's nervousness completely dissipate, replaced by a touch of being respected and trusted.

He solemnly took the manuscript paper, initially just reading it politely, but the moment his gaze swept across the first page, his expression froze.

He adjusted his glasses, his nose tip leaned close to the manuscript paper, almost sticking to the paper.

His eyes moved rapidly word by word, his fingers trembling across those complex formulas, muttering to himself in his mouth.

"Incredible..."

Luo Yan was not surprised by his shock, just smiled and drank a sip of hot tea.

"High, Highness, can I borrow a pen?" James looked up suddenly, his excited eyes looking like a believer who had seen a miracle.

"Of course." Luo Yan nodded slightly, his magic wand waved gently, and a quill pen flew out of his drawer and landed before James.

Along with it floated a sheet of manuscript paper.

"Thank you!" After James thanked him with a red face, he hurriedly took the manuscript paper and pen, and began to calculate at the desk.

Time passed second by second.

Luo Yan estimated that he probably needed some time to understand the complex differential and variational theory, so he prepared to suggest he take it back to read slowly.

However, just at this time, James suddenly stood up with a "swoosh", his excited face full of uncontrollable shock.

"Too incredible... Highness, are you sure this was really written by your student?! Not written by yourself?!"

"I just did some auxiliary work, not worth mentioning."

Putting down the teacup in his hand, Luo Yan looked at his excited appearance, raised his eyebrows with interest, and asked knowingly.

"However, you would think so highly of this paper is also beyond my expectation... can you tell me what is so special about it?"

"Special? Highness... this is more than special! This is simply an epoch-making achievement!"

James's face was flushed with excitement, he pointed to the formulas on the manuscript paper, and said quickly in a voice that was almost trembling.

"For thousands of years, every mage on the Aosi continent has known that the higher the magic, the more magic power it consumes, and the greater the miracle you want to borrow from the gods, the greater the price you have to pay! However, this experience, which is obvious to all mages, has never been explained axiomatically, nor has anyone been able to prove, or calculate it!"

He took a deep breath, his tone full of infinite admiration for the author of the paper.

"But the 'Path Optimization Equation' in this paper did it! It proved from the mathematical level that 'Magic Energy Conservation' is not just our intuition, but an objectively existing axiom in the universe! It turned a vague concept into a set of mathematical formulas that can be precisely calculated! Although I haven't fully understood how this formula was calculated..."

When saying this, James's face was a bit embarrassed, he had studied all his life, trying to prove the conservation of magic energy from a mathematical sense, but he didn't expect that when someone put the answer before him, he couldn't understand what was written.

Of course.

Through a few sets of simple data, as well as the formula usage method introduced in the paper, he could see at a glance that this formula was not made up.

James's eyes flashed with fanatical light, looking at Luo Yan almost pleadingly: "Highness, please be sure to tell me, which expert wrote this paper?"

Although very happy that the apprentice he taught could be so evaluated, James's fanaticism still made Luo Yan feel a bit embarrassed.

He coughed gently and said.

"Expert... she probably can't be counted as one yet. Mr. James, as I said before, she is an apprentice under my door."

"App... apprentice?" James's expression froze instantly, almost subconsciously blurted out, "You mean, a magic apprentice? Completed... the project I left in the laboratory?"

"Yes."

Luo Yan nodded gently, a smile in his gentle tone.

"And, strictly speaking, she is currently only a preparatory student."

"Preparatory student?! Saint Xisi above..."

James was completely shocked.

He looked blankly at the manuscript paper in his hand, then looked at the calm Prince before him, only feeling that the academic cognition he had established for decades was completely subverted at this moment...

However, that shock and ecstasy did not last long.

As those drifting thoughts flew back to the present, the flush on James's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep helplessness.

Luo Yan blew the tea leaves floating in the cup and asked casually.

"What's wrong?"

James sighed heavily, put the paper back on the table, smiled bitterly and said.

"I... just feel a bit regretful."

Pausing, he looked at the paper on the table with complex expression, and continued.

"Even this great achievement that is enough to stay in magic history is not enough to move the reviewers of the 'Sage Newspaper'... I think, my return probably has no meaning."

Completing the Law of Conservation of Magic Energy is his lifelong pursuit.

And the formula established in the paper before him not only perfectly filled the missing puzzle of the "Law of Conservation of Magic Energy", but also provided a theoretical basis for further energy conservation and "transformation between different forms of energy".

If even such achievements are not enough to enter the eyes of the reviewers of the "Sage Newspaper", then no matter how hard he tries, it seems to be in vain.

Looking at the depressed James, Luo Yan didn't comfort him, just thought for a moment and said.

"Truth will not become truth because it claims to be truth, and a Sage will not become a Sage because he claims to be a Sage. Mr. James, I told my student to believe in her own judgment when she feels lost, and be herself... Now, I want to give this sentence to you."

"Since you recognize that this is an amazing work, I think... completing it will be more meaningful than complaining and frustration. What do you think?"

James was slightly stunned, and a glimmer of light rekindled in those eyes that were dim due to disappointment because of this sentence.

Complete it...

Isn't he just returning to complete that unfinished research?

If it were for secular interests or people's pursuit, he could get more with his magic in the Luo De Kingdom!

Why come back here?

He looked at the young Prince before him, his expression touched as never before, and suddenly stood up from his chair.

Looking at the surprised Prince Kelin, he bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Highness, you let me, who was once lost, find the direction of life. I think... this must be God's will."

Looking at the serious expression on James's face, Luo Yan nodded with relief, and continued looking at those pious eyes.

"Being able to help a promising scholar is my honor, I believe the Great Sage's Tower in the future will be different because of your return today."

"Perhaps, although I don't have such great ambitions," James grinned, paused for a moment, and continued with a serious tone.

"Although I am disappointed with the Great Sage's Tower, if it is you... I am willing to follow you for life!"

Looking at the oath of loyalty, Luo Yan smiled.

"I am very happy you think so, but... to be honest, I probably won't stay here for long."

James looked up in surprise.

"What?!"

Wait—

Didn't you call me back?

What does it mean not to stay for long?!

James of course couldn't question the Prince like this, but the astonished look clearly wrote this sentence on his face.

Luo Yan sighed and said softly.

"The situation has changed, the letter you received arrived too late, and many things happened during this time. But don't worry, although I may not stay here for long, I can definitely handle your re-entry procedures before I leave... and the Magic Science Laboratory, that is your original laboratory, you can continue your research there, even if I am not here, it won't have any impact."

He intends to let Miss Kastelion take over the laboratory.

That guy is not the material for being a scholar like himself, but as a lord, providing shelter for scholars is more than enough.

For this, he spent a lot of time cultivating the "bond" between her and other apprentices, and now this work has been completed.

Not knowing what happened during this time, James just looked at the Prince blankly, and it took a long time to spit out a sentence.

"But... why?"

"Similar reasons to you," Luo Yan looked at the unchanging snowfield outside the window, "Perhaps I will pass by here again, but I ultimately don't belong here. Either I leave myself, or... just wait for others to drive me away, why not be decent?"

He didn't explain further, just took out a beautifully made business card from his arms.

On the front of the business card was written "Luokesai Kelin" in hot stamping process, and on the back was a brief but accurate map of the Jiana continent.

"Our world is very vast, the northern wilderness is just the tip of the iceberg, if one day you really can't mix here, you can also take your project to Kumu Port to find me."

Luo Yan smiled, putting the business card into James's trembling hand, "Hand this business card to the Viceroy there, he will take you to see me."

Pausing, he changed to a serious tone and continued.

"Before that, I hope you can stay here, continue to complete your theory, and give some guidance to my students who are not yet mature from the perspective of a mage."

"'Science' can have no Kelin, but it cannot have them... well, you may not know what science is, but you can ask my students, they will tell you."

James really didn't understand this word he heard for the first time, but he could feel the unprecedented serious entrustment in the Prince's voice.

He took a deep breath, placed his right hand that usually used the magic wand on his chest, and saluted solemnly like a knight of the Luo De Kingdom.

"Highness, I am willing to swear in the name of Saint Xisi! I will definitely complete your entrustment and continue to move forward along the path you pointed out for me!"

"Swear in the name of your surname." Luo Yan nodded with a smile, looking at those pious eyes and continuing.