Chapter 10

This class was held in a massive classroom that could accommodate up to three hundred people. In the center of the classroom stood a high platform with over ten wide and comfortable seats, forming a stark contrast to the crowded seats on both sides. When Grey entered the classroom, he was immediately directed to the central platform. Instantly, hundreds of gazes fell upon him, making Grey feel extremely uneasy. The students seated in the classroom ranged from young children of seven or eight to elderly magicians over eighty years old. This was a semi-public course, and any mage who had served Dark Blue for a year was eligible to attend. The central platform was exclusively reserved for the personal disciples of Lianna Morninglight. Therefore, when Grey sat down, he immediately became the focus of attention, with envious, jealous, and resentful glances all around.

Apart from Grey, there was another teenage boy and girl sitting in the central area. They were only a couple of years older than Grey but were already sixth-level and fifth-level magicians, respectively. Lianna Morninglight had a total of twelve disciples, with Grey being the thirteenth. Currently, only three of them were still studying in Dark Blue, while the rest had already begun their journey across the continent or even other planes, with the most outstanding among them already dominating their own planes.

Just as Grey sat down, the main door of the classroom was pushed open, and a short, fat, balding magician walked in. Popovich, a sixteenth-level Grand Magician, was not particularly outstanding in terms of magical power within Dark Blue and could only barely be classified as a powerful figure on the entire continent. However, Popovich was not known for his magical prowess but rather for his theoretical contributions to the understanding of the world system.

Popovich was unremarkable in appearance, and his face with a large nose and round chin even looked somewhat comical. However, the students in the classroom were all aspiring to make further progress in the magical world, and the opportunity to sit in Dark Blue and attend classes was not easily obtained. Therefore, the classroom immediately became quiet, awaiting the master's speech.

"The world of magic lies in reality. When you observe the world, what you see and hear is not reality but rather the image of the world projected in your consciousness through your perception! This process is inevitable, and it may seem unimportant, but it is precisely due to the existence of this process that there is an inevitable gap between the world we perceive and the real world. So, how can we reduce this error? It relies solely on your way of thinking! It can even be said that a magician's way of thinking determines what kind of world they see."

After pausing to allow the apprentices and magicians, who were either confused or contemplative, to jot down what he had said, Popovich continued, "In the coming time, what I can teach you is not powerful eighth-level magic, nor is it possible to be ninth-level magic, because I don't know it!"

The classroom was silent, devoid of the laughter that Popovich had anticipated. Faced with these students who had a correct learning attitude, serious expressions, and sufficient respect for their teacher, he could only helplessly rub his bald head and mutter, "A group of uninteresting folks. Alright, let's get to the point. I will teach you the way of thinking. Don't underestimate it. In fact, it is the cornerstone of everything and determines what kind of achievements you can ultimately attain in the world of magic. The correct way of thinking can allow you to see closer to the reality of the world, thereby making correct decisions at important junctures and avoiding making decisions that you will regret for the rest of your life like a headless fly. Important choices include not only magical experiments but also the choice of magic in combat."

"To summarize my system in one word, it is top-down. You must remember to understand the world before you can understand yourself. If you start from the self, as advocated by some guy in this magic tower, you will only see a small area around you. This determines that your lifelong achievements will be limited. How can a sparrow be compared to an eagle?! So, never be like that guy. That way of thinking is simply like a prairie vole!"

After fiercely criticizing "some guy in this magic tower" for over ten minutes, Popovich finally began the formal content.

"Primitive Force is the foundation of everything. Our world is built upon the foundation of Primitive Force and gradually expands with its expansion. Primitive Force is immense, and so far, we have not found a way to utilize it. We can consider Primitive Force as an origin point, and our world, as well as the countless possible worlds, are hung on this point."

"Rules constitute the framework of our world, while countless dimensions form its flesh and blood. Rules are superior to dimensions but based on them. Each dimension is the embodiment of one or several rules. The more rules a dimension can carry, the larger and higher it stands in the world. A perfect dimension with multiple rules, such as the one where the Noland continent under our feet resides, is a high-level dimension, also known as the primary dimension."

"Speaking of which, you will understand that rules and dimensions are completely integrated. To become strong, one must follow the rules, not the other way around. Violating the rules will inevitably lead to punishment. Don't think that you can disregard the rules when you become powerful. Unless you think you can confront the entire dimension, you might have a chance to alter or even break the fundamental rules. Beneath the fundamental rules, there are derivative sub-rules, which are what you can fantasize about! Note, fantasize! The term 'fantasize' means an ideal that you are unlikely to achieve throughout your life. Miracles always exist, but don't expect them to happen to you! Now you should understand the importance of comprehending the world. Strong individuals will utilize or even challenge derivative rules, while only fools would attempt to alter fundamental rules."

"Rules determine the basic characteristics and power systems of dimensions. In the unlikely future, you may also conquer across dimensions. At that time, analyzing the derivative rules and power systems of dimensions will be your top priority. Only after completing this step can you adjust your combat mode, reallocate resources, and maximize the utilization of the dimension's environment instead of being restricted by it. And in this process, there is one most important thing. Do you know what it is?"

Popovich spoke excitedly and soon became thirsty. After pouring a whole jar of magical purified water into his mouth, he roared fiercely, "The Dragon of Eternity and Time!"

The Dragon of Eternity and Time holds an almost supreme status on the Noland continent, ranking above many deities. Its power is incredible, requiring no faith and being unpredictable. The Dragon of Eternity and Time possesses its own temple, the Eternal Dragon Temple. The Eternal Dragon Temple is almost the most important location on the continent because it is the only place where communication with the Dragon of Eternity and Time is possible. The location and number of Eternal Dragon Temples are fixed, unchangeable, and unaffected by changes in time and space. The Eternal Dragon Temple existed on the continent even before the oldest racial civilizations were recorded. The magical civilization of the Noland continent, regardless of race and location, is deeply influenced by the Eternal Dragon Temple. It is under its guidance that humanity has developed from a weak race that could only rely on reproduction to survive into a magical civilization that is comparable to elves and dragonblood dwarves, and has built three vast and powerful empires. Other races are also deeply influenced by the Eternal Dragon Temple. The capitals of the six empires, which encompass all the races on the continental surface, are all built on discovered Eternal Dragon Temple sites.

"This old dragon is almost an existence that transcends the rules, leaving its claw prints in countless dimensions! When you enter a new dimension, the ultimate goal is to find the traces it has left in that world. Whether it's a female dragon, an egg, or something else. Even if it's just a pile of dragon feces, finding it will allow you to immediately understand the rules of the dimension and become a true powerhouse among dimensions! Compared to this old dragon, those so-called deities are just parasites on the rules. Those who control fewer rules are weak deities, while those who control more rules are powerful deities. You see, the world is so simple!"

"Top-down, always top-down!" Popovich was so excited that his face turned red, and the chaotic magical elements made people worry that he might explode due to magical power in the next moment. However, his voice became even higher: "Origin, world, rules, dimensions, power, and then individuals. It's as simple as that! When you learn to think correctly, you will find yourself standing on the dragon's horns of the Dragon of Eternity and Time, looking down on countless dimensions from a high vantage point! Those so-called sword saints and paladins, those so-called legends, are nothing more than specks of dust in the world system. Of course, the great Lady Lianna Dawn is an exception. She's the boss, a special one!!!"

Finally, Popovich waved his short and stubby fat hand, shouting with the rhythm and determination of drum beating, "Thought determines everything!"

Each word was like a hammer, heavily striking Gray's consciousness, making him dizzy. This was not because Popovich's discourse was deafening, but because he used a technique similar to mental impact, forcibly suppressing the students' consciousness with the strength of a sixteenth-level mage to enhance the teaching effect. By the time most of the classroom had slightly recovered from the dizziness, the magical bell began to ring, signaling the end of the class today.

"That's all for today. Let's curse someone in this magic tower together! Class is over!" Popovich picked up his thick magic book and directly used an eighth-level magic teleportation spell to leave, fully demonstrating the great power of a sixteenth-level mage.

After returning to his living area, Gray could not calm down for a long time. He frantically read through all the books assigned by Popovich, and it was almost dawn when he finished. Popovich had opened a door for him, revealing a corner of the world's secrets. This feeling was just like when he first opened the holy scripture in the attic of his home.