Chapter 209: Mage Assembly Part 4

<Why Is Modern Magic So Inherently Unstable?>

The title alone was like a slap across the face to most mages currently studying modern magic.

Naturally, those affiliated with the academy couldn’t help but lose their composure.

“Did he really just say that in front of all of us?”

“He’s just some lowly mercenary mage!”

“This is exactly why we should never accept outsiders from outside the Towers!”

Jun had already anticipated reactions like that.

Even he knew that provoking people this directly would bring nothing good.

Even Laness and Velles had expressed concern over his approach.

– There’s no time. Not for mages, not anymore.

At first, neither of them understood what Jun meant.

Why would he do something that would turn every mage against him?

Was it just defiance?

Some kind of shock therapy to change how mages were perceived?

Jun didn’t answer.

He only said…

– The Imperial Family is starting to move.

That was all.

The meaning behind it was still unclear, but Laness accepted his reasoning.

After all, it was unusual for not just one, but three members of the imperial family to descend into Blackout. That alone was enough to raise eyebrows.

Still, the backlash is intense, just as I expected.

At this rate, forget presenting his thesis. He might not even make it off the stage in one piece.

In the end, it was Laness who spoke first.

“Quiet.”

With just that single word, the hall that had been roaring with noise instantly fell into cold silence.

Of course, not everyone was so easily silenced.

“Lady Laness! Isn’t this going a bit too far?”

A mage stood up, glaring at Laness and shouting across the room.

The one who had relentlessly bombarded the fire-suppression spell with questions earlier was a middle-aged mage named Heger.

“You honestly think it makes sense for a wandering mage to present that kind of thesis at a mage assembly?”

“I’m well aware the title comes off as arrogant. In fact, I even read the whole thing.”

“And yet you let it pass?!”

“Yes. So shut up and listen.”

“Y-You—!”

He looked like he was about to spit out a string of curses, but given who he was speaking to, he bit down hard on his lip instead.

After all, it wasn’t as if Laness was the only seventh-circle mage present today.

Many others were Tower Masters or held positions close to that level. But even so, none of them were in a position to speak over Laness with such authority.

“Damn it!”

In the end, Heger had no choice but to sit back down, grumbling under his breath.

Well, that calmed things down a bit.

Jun gave a slight bow of thanks to Laness and continued his presentation.

“Well, things have gotten a bit heated. And I think that’s understandable. A title like this… of course you’d see it as an insult. I won’t ask for your understanding. As a fellow scholar researching the field of magic, I had my own share of concerns about presenting such a bold thesis to the esteemed seniors gathered here today.”

No. He hadn’t been worried in the slightest.

If anything, he had been waiting for this moment.

“Still, the reason I decided to go through with this presentation is because, from the perspective of an outsider like myself, the formulas used by modern mages seem dangerously unstable.”

“And what makes you think that?!”

The shout, more like a rebuke, rang out again.

It was the middle-aged mage, Heger.

“I was just about to get to that. Please, take a look at this.”

With Laness’s help, Jun activated an artifact he had prepared. A clear hologram projection appeared above it.

“This is a data graph from the mage assembly held annually in the Empire. As you can see, this particular one is from 30 years ago. It shows the number of theses presented at the assembly, along with the number of times investment plans were launched based on those presentations. It was a time of remarkable progress.”

At Jun’s words, a few mages began to nod unconsciously, as if recalling the past. But once they realized they were agreeing with his point, their expressions quickly soured.

“Back then, it felt like new techniques were being revealed every single day. And countless people showered those mages with praise.”

Even so, as Jun spoke, the audience once again found themselves pulled into the memory of those times.

After all, it had truly been a golden age for mages.

“And now, take a look at this.”

The hologram shifted again, this time showing a graph plummeting downward.

“This graph shows the trend over the past 30 years. As you can clearly see, new innovations have sharply declined. Likewise, research projects backed by the imperial court or private investment have also dropped off significantly. Why do you think that is?”

The same older mages who had just been reminiscing were now quiet….until Heger raised his hand to respond.

“It’s only natural. Magic has become more advanced and refined with time. Back then, we didn’t even have solid frameworks, and plenty of accidents occurred because of it.”

Perhaps it was the sweetness of nostalgia, but Heger’s tone was slightly lighter than before. Still, the hostility lingered beneath the surface.

His words practically said, “What would someone like you even know about this?”

“Yes, you’re right. Modern magic has indeed been developed with a focus on stability. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. No matter how important progress may be, it could never be more important than human life.”

Jun paused for a moment before continuing.

“But don’t you think something feels off? As I explored the various layers and fields of Blackout, I encountered traces of ancient technologies clearly more advanced than what we have now. And records of them aren’t even that rare; you can find evidence almost anywhere. How do you explain that?”

“That’s…”

Perhaps it was the sudden mention of “ancients” that threw him off, but Heger couldn’t find the words to answer.

So Laness spoke up in his place.

“It’s because the technology of the ancient races was also unstable. To this day, modern humanity has yet to fully uncover the reason behind their downfall. That’s why we’re cautious not to blindly follow in their footsteps.”

“Y-Yes! That’s exactly why!”

Heger belatedly shouted in agreement, but this too had been a trap laid by Jun and Laness.

Realizing it too late, Heger wore the expression of someone who knew he’d been played by the two of them.

Not that it mattered.

Jun smiled and spoke again.

“Yes, that’s true. The cause has yet to be discovered. But that doesn’t explain why the progress of magic is stagnating.”

It was an extremely arrogant statement, but the mages gathered in the hall found it hard to argue.

After all, the data was right there, showing a clear graph of the slowing progress in magic.

They wanted to tear into him on the spot, but Laness’s presence kept them in check.

“What is magic? It is the act of bending reality and performing miracles. Naturally, even the smallest mistake can lead to irreversible consequences. That sense of caution is something we mages must always carry with us.”

Naturally, Jun referred to himself as one of the mages, blending himself into their ranks.

Then, he looked around at the entire assembly.

“But that’s all there is. Now, let me ask again…what is a mage? As I said before, we are those who bend reality and perform miracles. Therefore, we must observe, question, and interpret every phenomenon. But look at modern magic. Using the excuse of danger, we cower in fear, choosing only familiar paths instead of seeking fundamental solutions to the problems we face.”

“Then, boy. What exactly is this ‘problem’ you’re talking about? From the way you speak, it sounds like you believe there’s a fundamental flaw in modern magic.”

Laness followed up with another question.

Jun responded without hesitation.

“Yes. There is a fundamental flaw. And most of the seniors here are turning a blind eye to it.”

“She asked you what that flaw is, didn’t she?!”

Now practically screaming in desperation, Heger shouted, but Jun still responded with a calm and composed demeanor.

“Fear. Even with the possibility of a new path lying ahead, we walk only the familiar one. A well-paved road, refined over centuries. I’m not saying that path is wrong. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right one either.”

“What did you say?”

“That path is simply the one many mages have walked before. And yet, new paths must have been discovered over time. Have any of you ever truly questioned whether the road laid out before you is the correct one?”

“Th-That’s an insult to the ones who came before us…”

“Do you really think they would feel insulted? That just the existence of a different path that they didn’t create would be an affront to them? Do you believe the pioneers who gave birth to countless mages would think that way?”

“No…”

Once again, Heger trailed off, at a loss for words.

He looked around nervously, checking the reactions of those around him.

When was the last time he had been pushed back like this, even in a debate?

In fact, calling this a debate didn’t even feel right.

Jun hadn’t offered any concrete solutions. All he had done was point out, “There’s a problem with all of you.”

And yet, no one could refute it. Deep down and just like the graph laid out before them everyone could clearly sense that the progress of modern magic was indeed slowing.

That bastard…

Finally cornered, Heger shouted out in frustration.

“Then what have you brought with you that makes you so damn arrogant?!”

And that question was exactly what Jun had been waiting for all along.

“Yes. I do have a solution. It’s not yet complete nor fully refined. But I’ve succeeded.”

“S-Succeeded in what?”

“Are you curious to know what it is? I’ll prove it to you right here.”

“H-How dare you!”

“How long must we sit here and listen to this madness?!”

His attitude wasn’t just disrespectful….it was outrageously arrogant. The mages, unable to bear it any longer, erupted in anger once again.

If Jun hadn’t been associated with the imperial family…no, even if Laness weren’t present at this very moment, he might have already been beaten senseless, had both legs broken, and thrown into the gorge below.

And yet, Jun still wore a relaxed smile as he turned to the crowd and asked,

“Is there anyone here willing to prove that I’m wrong?”

No….more precisely.

His words were aimed at a single person.

None other than Heger.