595 Unexpected Debate (1/2)

Inside his office…

Marcus picked up the issue of 'Nature' that had fallen on his desk and began to read Dieppe's paper carefully from beginning to end.

This time, he was more focused and devoted more attention to it than when he first reviewed it. It was not until a long while that he finally tapped the table with his black gloves. ”If electrons are regarded as quasi-waves, it will be possible to explain the energy levels and the orbits of electrons in the new alchemy. No wonder His Excellency Lucien Evans attached such great importance to Dieppe's hypothesis.”

It was what he was thinking and nobody could hear it. Even though Marcus, who hated the light quantum theory, was unwilling to call Lucien as Excellency, he couldn't help but recall the great significance of the theory of relativity when it explained the electromagnetic phenomena in the motion system; as well as its awe-inspiring description on the nature of gravity when he thought of the name, and therefore added Excellency subconsciously.

”In any case, this assumption is still too bold. It has to be confirmed by experiments.” Marcus put down the journal and left the office, ready to return to his own magic tower. ”The authority and pillar of the particle theory actually require the idea that electrons are waves to modify the energy levels and the orbits. This is the best irony. Didn't he see this coming when he proposed the light quantum theory?”

For the arcanists who were often shocked, they wouldn't have survived to this day if they blindly believed other people's opinions without confirming them. Therefore, although Lucien was an absolute authority, Marcus wouldn't believe his opinions easily. Everything must be based on experiment phenomena and data.

The sole influence of Lucien's note was that the attention for the paper had been raised to the highest. That was the closest path to the reality of the microworld.

If he could devise and complete the experiment, confirming electrons' nature of waves, he would receive unimaginable returns and probably share Evans Prize in Arcana with Dieppe!

His strength, fame, future, and position would all improve significantly!

Inside the magic tower…

Yana looked at 'Nature' before him in amusement. ”I didn't see it coming that His Excellency Evans would give such a high remark. Is it an encouragement that we should keep an open mind?”

”Electrons are waves… This is truly an epoch of fantasies. Thirty years ago, whoever claimed that atoms were waves would've been mocked by every arcanist, including even those who believed in the nature of energy. But right now, tsk…”

He was not laughing at anyone but merely expressing his shock. Then, he was in deep thought, searching for the possible ways of devising an experiment.

Even the sorcerers of the school of electromagnetism who were glad about Dieppe's assumption were rather hesitant. It was needless to say that the arcanists found it unacceptable.

In the headquarters of the Will of Elements…

Larry, K, and Gaston were also confused when they read 'Nature' of this issue. After a while, Larry smiled bitterly, ”Am I too conservative, or is the world changing too fast for us to follow?”

”I believe that nobody in the Congress could follow it.” Gaston shook his head. ”Lucien must've seen the dawn of the distribution of electrons in the new alchemy from this hypothesis, but as he said himself, experiments were still vital. Since there are still no experiments, it remains to be seen whether or not electrons are waves.”

Said Gaston as Larry and K listened, and it felt extremely weird. Why could such a question as 'are electrons waves?' have possibly been asked?

It was as weird as somebody asking 'are humans made of waves?'.

K nodded and scratched the back of the chain. ”If we alter our opinion just because of a hypothesis and Lucien's confirmation, our opinion will be barely an opinion. Also, all the current experiments prove the particle nature of electrons. There's no doubt about that.”

”That's the attitude we should hold.” Said Gaston approvingly, but he also frowned. If the problems in the new alchemy could be resolved if electrons were regarded as waves, the hypothesis would also be partly true.

Also, it was impossible to perfect the new alchemy based on the hypothesis so soon, and there was no sign that the wave experiments about electrons could be improved. Regardless, Gaston began to worry about which of the two fundamental theories in the field of elements and matter he should abandon; the particle theory, or the new alchemy?

”This is truly an era with so many changes and peculiarities that we can barely adapt to it.” Sighing, Gaston decided to depend on experiments. He had to be prepared for the outcome that the particle theory or the current model of the new alchemy was wrong. As a result, his strength would probably halt until he found a new path.

Larry also sighed. ”If it is confirmed that electrons are waves, I won't be able to understand this world. What exactly is the wave-particle duality, and why? Am I too stupid, or is this world too crazy?”

...

In Atom Institution…

Lazar, Heidi, Annick and the rest of them were all stunned, with 'Nature' in their hands, not in their working state at all.

At this moment, Lucien, who had just come in, awakened all of them. They surrounded him, and Heidi asked impatiently, ”Master, do you agree with Mr. Dieppe's hypothesis that electrons are waves?”