Chapter 67: The Times Have Changed
Although KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World didn't have much impact on these seasoned Mages with fully-formed worldviews, they still couldn't contain their laughter throughout the movie. The Grand Lecture Hall, a symbol of cutting-edge knowledge, was as lively as a marketplace.
When the hour-and-a-half film KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World concluded, Edward quickly coughed twice and spoke up:
"Esteemed top Mages of the empire, this is the result of my alchemical research: a technique capable of recording real-life images and reproducing them using Magic Stones. While I've applied this technology to making films, I believe all of you are aware of its true potential."
"For instance, the current means of recording knowledge is mainly through books or letters. However, this form of record-keeping has certain limitations—not only is it prone to loss, but mere written descriptions often leave people confused."
As Edward spoke, he casually pulled a book from under the desk on the stage and showed it to the audience. Hearing his words, some of the Mages in the audience immediately understood his intent.
As expected, after placing the book back, Edward continued:
"But if we use this Magic Stone I've invented to record knowledge, first, it is far more durable than paper and books, making it much safer and more stable. Second, it allows the user to clearly record every step and detail of their experiments. Upon review, they can even spot flaws they previously missed. Even when performing dangerous alchemical procedures, you won't need someone constantly by your side to take notes. All you'd need is an apprentice to set up the Magic Video Recorder nearby."
"Moreover, for the many instructors at the empire's magical academies, these Magic Video Recorders and Imaging Crystals could be used in teaching, greatly increasing classroom efficiency and reducing costs."
As Edward explained, he gently picked up the Magic Video Recorder he'd placed beside him earlier. After recording some content with the Imaging Crystal from his pocket, he replayed the scene.
At this moment, every action Edward had performed on stage earlier was clearly projected once again. Even the Mages who were still dazed after the movie now displayed shocked expressions, deeply contemplating the potential changes this technology could bring.
"So, does anyone have any questions?" Edward asked.
Seeing the silent lecture hall, Edward, realizing that he had said enough, nodded toward Hohenheim, who still hadn't fully recovered from the spectacle, and returned to his seat. Even Roy shot him a surprised glance, but Edward didn't react.
After all, he had long prepared for the day he'd face the empire's highest academic conference—it just came sooner than expected.
Before long, it became clear to everyone present that this groundbreaking invention held tremendous significance.
They also realized the vast potential within the field of Alchemy, a discipline that had long been dismissed as useless magic.
As everyone marveled at the invention, Hohenheim returned to the stage for a final summary:
"As previously announced, the Alchemy Tower will become a branch of the Imperial Mage Academy. Edward Durin's title of Grand Mage is hereby reinstated, and he will serve as the Head of the newly established Alchemy Academy."
With this statement, everyone in the room understood—the times had changed.
This wasn't merely the rise of a powerful new mage, nor was it just the birth of the first Academy Head under the age of twenty.
From this day forward, the very definition of magic had shifted!
Alchemy, long regarded as a fringe and discredited magical discipline, would officially be recognized as a part of magic.
Yet, the seemingly small decision would ignite a series of unprecedented and unexpected transformations, not just for those present, but for the entire world.
...
Ska was the Alchemy Tower Master, a subdivision of the Imperial Mage Academy. After his talented brother passed away, Ska took over the management of this centuries-old tower. However, unlike his brother, Ska possessed little talent for Alchemy, or magic itself for that matter. To this day, he was only a mid-level, third-tier Mage.
But this did not deter him from inheriting his brother's legacy, devoting himself to preserving and passing down the knowledge of Alchemy his brother had researched for a lifetime.
Since taking charge of the Alchemy Tower, Ska had diligently done everything in his power to ensure that any student even remotely interested in this non-mainstream subject had the opportunity to learn it.
Of course, most students had little interest in Alchemy, a subject that couldn't directly enhance their abilities. They preferred to spend more time meditating to strengthen their mental power rather than delve into the seemingly pointless art of alchemy.
Ska, more aware of this reality than anyone, simply remained in the increasingly desolate tower day after day, waiting for the next heir to arrive—a hope that seemed vanishingly small.
But as fate would have it, he did find hope—hope that, in hindsight, seemed almost blindingly bright.
That young man named Edward Durin, the boy whose magical talent shocked everyone, unexpectedly came to this tower after enrolling at the academy, fully dedicating himself to a path that appeared to hold no future.
At the time, despite facing resentment from the entire Imperial Mage Tower and the potential threat of the tower's demise, Ska chose to gamble. He resisted external pressure and passed on the remaining brilliance of Alchemy—his brother's legacy—to that boy who would one day shine too brightly to ignore.
As everyone had predicted, the Mages did not recognize the achievements of Alchemy. When Edward attempted to force the tower to reconsider its stance, even though he was a prodigious young mage destined to become the next Arch Mage, the head of the Mages, the empire's current Arch Mage Hohenheim, expelled him from the magical community entirely, stripping him of his titles and leaving no room for hope.
At the time, Ska was wracked with guilt, blaming his stubbornness and faint hope for ruining the young man's promising future. If only he had stopped Edward from continuing his research into Alchemy or prevented him from opposing the Mages, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way...
However, to his amazement, Edward did not lose heart after being expelled. Instead, he invented the Magic Video Recorder and Imaging Crystal, which had only been theoretical ideas before, and returned to that very lecture hall—once a symbol of his failure—to overturn the entire field of magical studies.
After leaving the Grand Lecture Hall, Ska did not immediately go to claim the glory of becoming Deputy Head of the Imperial Mage Academy or Master of the Alchemy Tower. Instead, he returned to his office at the top of the Alchemy Tower, slowly opening a hidden drawer. Inside lay an old, yellowed book, resembling a diary.
With determined resolve, Ska gently took out the book, turned around, and headed toward the nearby teleportation array.
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