596 Unique Landscape 2 in 1 (1/2)

”Indeed there aren't any.” Lucien admitted 'frankly'.

Hathaway was silent for a while as if she were organizing her thoughts. ”I think that your remark was too high and would result in reckless and impractical illusions. Although, it is possible to infer certainly imposed quantizations naturally if the hypothesis that electrons have the nature of waves is applied to the model in the new alchemy; remarking a hypothesis that is not based on any experiment or phenomenon will not help build up a serious and down-to-earth atmosphere.”

Her words were not very organized, but Lucien managed to follow. Since some of the problems in the new alchemy could potentially be resolved if electrons were considered waves, she was not as stubborn about Dieppe's hypothesis as he imagined, and she was already more or less prepared. After all, the perfection of the new alchemy was more important; it was the direction of her future road.

Also, she described that electrons had the nature of waves instead of saying 'electrons are waves'. It was clear that she ascribed it to the special quality of certain particles, exactly like the supporters of the particle theory's explanation on the image of interference and diffraction of light quantum. While those speculations were full of contradictions and received no attention, Hathaway could certainly learn a thing or two from them.

What she really wanted to disapprove was Lucien's remark, which she believed was too high. It must be noted that any bold, unbelievable hypothesis in the past was based on the discovery of problems and flaws, which prompted the connection in thinking. For example, Lucien's light quantum hypothesis was based on the fact that the wave theory of light could not explain the photoelectric effect.

Dieppe's hypothesis this time, on the other hand, was purely the product of a broadened mind. The wave-particle duality of light was suddenly extrapolated to all the microscopic particles, but it remained to be seen whether or not light was made of particles, and there was no sign that it was not the unique feature of light. How could the duality be extrapolated in the world of particles so recklessly and blindly?

Most importantly of all, the hypothesis could only resolve the puzzles in the new alchemy so far, unlike the light quantum hypothesis which explained the photoelectric effect clearly and fitted all the existing experiments even though no pertaining experiments were made. Therefore, Hathaway didn't think that Lucien should give such a high remark to the paper. It would encourage other arcanists to propose purely theoretical and imaginary hypotheses about the phenomena that had absolutely no problems before, and the atmosphere of careful exploration, research and application would be completely ruined.

To put it simply, she felt that Lucien's over-compliment on Dieppe's hypothesis would result in a trend of speculative arcana studies.

Everybody in the Highest Council was well aware of Hathaway's language abilities. Fearing that Lucien might not get the point, Oliver even specifically added, ”When you remark Dieppe's paper as utterly ungrounded, the other arcanists will feel that it is an opportunity they can take advantage of because they can accuse that a classic theory is wrong without discovering any problem first. Then, based on the hypothesis, they can get a correct deduction in mathematical methods. As for how ludicrous the final result may be, they wouldn't care about it at all.”

”For example, I can make accusations about you being a spy of the Church without any proof. When I have that premise, I can explain everything you have done with it. Then, through the rigorous but partial deduction, I prove that you published the disruptive papers with the purpose of blowing up the heads of more sorcerers or even to directly kill us the members of the Highest Council so that the Congress of Magic can be eliminated. Don't you think that it is preposterous? Why did you encourage such an action?”

Lucien said carefully, ”I gave the hypothesis that electrons are waves such a high remark because I was inspired by it and saw the dawn of resolving the problems in the new alchemy. If the hypothesis can resolve the problems in the new alchemy, it will be proved at the same time.”

”Also, if photons can boast the nature of waves, why can't electrons, neutrons, and protons? In the microscopic domain, such a hypothesis has its own logic and is not purely based on imagination.”

Lucien always had his own persistences when it came to arcana discussions. He could not acknowledge that his remark was too reckless, or that Dieppe's paper was too bold and impractical just because of the accusation of two grand arcanists. That would've been unfair to both himself, who wrote a professional and authoritative remark, and to Dieppe who had such hard work.

He insisted on it even though he hadn't confirmed it with experiments. The theory that deserved his remark must have its merits. However, if its flaws were pointed out, or if it was disapproved by experiments, he would certainly not be too obstinate to change, either.

”Since when has light been acknowledged as particles?” Vicente, the middle-aged pale man wearing a black cloak, said coldly, with crimson fire bouncing fiercely inside his eyes.

Looking at the Lord of the Undead, Hathaway said, ”Admit it or not, the photoelectric effect and the Brook scattering experiment are right there indicating everything clearly.”

”But I think the scattering experiment and such can also be explained from the perspective of waves. For example…” Oliver spoke what was on his mind, constructing special waves that could show the nature of particles.

Douglas, on the other hand, frowned and said, ”No experiments and theories can support your idea so far.”

”It's a possible direction to work on.” Said Brook concisely.

…

For a moment, due to the argument of the wave theory and the particle theory, the whole conference room of the Highest Council was filled with noise. Gradually, the argument grew more and more intense, and they even had emotional fluctuations.

”Construct your special composite waves first, Oliver.” When Klaus talked, countless spots of light were appearing on his back and forming the illusions of different alchemical items. There were golems, puppets, floating cities, alchemical fortresses, magic steam trains…

Oliver shook his finger. ”However you view it, this is also one way to explain the photoelectric effect and Brook's scattering experiment. Also, before you discuss my question, you'd better take another look at the particle theory. Perhaps, there have never been any particles. They're just the special forms of waves.”

Scenes of destruction were created around him one after another, enshrouding the conference room in the air of the end of the world.

”If particles are all waves, are the elements made of those particles waves? Are the lives made of those elements waves? To be more exact, are we waves?” Vicente did not quite agree with Oliver about the conclusion. As an authority in human body and soul, he found it hard to believe that bodies were waves. How could the body, which could be felt so real, be waves?

Peaceful, everlasting black monuments were growing on the carpet in the conference room. The silence of death covered everything.

Oliver waved his hands, hinting that his words were not considerate enough. He said again, ”To be honest, although I appreciate Dieppe's hypothesis, and I want to give him the high remark that he has opened a corner of the captain that covers our world, I am not convinced that electrons are waves up until so far.”

While talking, he used magic to construct the movement of electrons inside the cloud room. The bright white drops of fog constituted the spectacular traces of electrons, filled with the air of dream and astonishment.

”I am not bold enough to believe that the electrons are waves when they have the distinctive tracks of particles. However, since Lucien agrees with Dieppe's hypothesis, does it mean that he also agrees that wave is the nature of light?” As he talked, Oliver looked at Lucien.

He was attacking Lucien's light quantum theory with his own remark.

”As I said, electrons perhaps will behave as waves under special circumstances, like when they are bound around the atomic nucleus.” Hathaway took Lucien's side this time.

Hellen was one of the few legendary sorcerers whose cognitive world did not surface as projections. She had been listening to the argument of the supporters of the particle theory and the sorcerers of the wave theory in silence. At this moment, she couldn't help but interject, ”As a matter of fact, I have been quite confused ever since the light quantum hypothesis was proved. Why does the light show both the nature of waves and the nature of particles? Should we view the problem from an even higher level as Evans said before?”

”It can be explained from the perspective of waves…” Oliver reiterated his opinion. Nobody could become a grand arcanist without insistence.

Seeing that the two sides were about to start a 'frank and friendly conversation' again, Douglas hurried to hint them to shut up with his gesture. The extraordinary views in the conference room were immediately gone, turning it from hell back into the real world.

”The competition of the particle theory and the wave theory has lasted a long time. There's no need to waste our time on it today. Since Lucien insists that his remark was appropriate, and it is not the result of the paper's review, after all, I don't think there is any need to discuss it any further, right?” Douglas looked around at everyone.

Oliver nodded slightly. ”I'd like to ask something else. I believe everybody else is also curious. Lucien, in your mind, is light waves or particles?”

”Also, is electron waves or particles?” Added Vicente coldly.

Hathaway, Hellen, and the other grand arcanists also looked at Lucien, rather curious about his real stance in arcana.

Lucien had been observing the conference room that was completely different from any meeting ever since the extraordinary views appeared. That was the unique landscape that would only appear during the assemblies of the Highest Council.

At this moment, hearing their questions and sensing everybody's look, Lucien did not refuse to answer. Instead, he looked at his teacher who was slightly abnormal in concerns, before he asked back solemnly, ”What is a wave, and what is a particle?”

Huh? The members here were at least ninth-circle arcanists. Not expecting that Lucien would ask about such elementary concepts, they were all more or less stunned.

”Lucien, this is not your teaching moment, although you were nicknamed 'Professor'.” Said Oliver, who felt he was humorous.

There was nothing but two crimson flames in Vicente's eye sockets and a thin skin that covered his cheekbones on his face, making it hard to tell his real feelings. ”The definition of wave and particle can be found in any introductory books of arcana. Our time is too precious for that. If you don't want to answer the questions, just remain silent.”

”Wave is a phenomenon. It is definitely based on the summary of the actual waves in nature and applied to arcana studies. The specific definition is…” Hathaway did not bother Vicente and briefly described the definitions of wave and particle.

Smiling, Lucien said, ”It is very obvious that the definitions of wave and particle come from us. They come from the empirical conclusions we drew on the world of reality that is readily observable.”

”What's the problem with that?” Crossing his fingers, Brook stuck his hand to his chin, as if he had guessed something.

Douglas, Bergner, and Hathaway seemed to have remembered something and were deep in thought. However, Hathaway's face barely changed, and it was unnoticeable if she was not carefully observed. Fernando, the Lord of Storm, remained as silent as before.

Instead of giving a straight answer, Lucien looked at everyone and said, ”I would like to tell a story first if you don't think it's a waste of your time.”

”Not a problem at all.” Oliver had always been tolerant about stories.

Now that he had spoken, the other members of the Highest Council certainly would not object to such a small matter. Besides, they believed that Lucien was not telling a random story to distract them from the current subject but definitely had his own purpose. Furthermore, the previous arguments and questions were all about arcana but not against Lucien personally. As long as the question could be explained clearly, did one story really matter? It wouldn't hurt even if he had to tell ten of them!

”A long, long time ago, there was a king who hunted a dragon. Delighted, he put his trophy outside of his palace as a symbol of his bravery so that every noble and civilian who passed by could see it.” Lucien spoke unhurriedly. ”One day, a group of blind people, who never knew anything about dragons before, learned of the matter. Curious about what dragons looked like, they came to the palace together and touched the dead body of the dragon.”

Hearing that a group of blind people tried to figure out what dragons looked like by 'touching', Oliver, Klaus, and other members of the Highest Council, who were relatively open-minded, all smiled. The rest of them, on the other hand, speculated what might happen.

Lucien went on. ”One of them touched the wings of the dragon under the assistance of the guards. He immediately declared joyfully, 'Dragons are terrible, gigantic bats!'”