749 The More Essential, the Simpler? (1/2)

In the Month of Beginning (January), Holm, being close to the north, was still cold. Snowflakes were flying, and the freezing wind was blowing like knives.

The magic tower of the Allyn branch of the Moonsong League, however, was as warm as spring, making every sorcerer who walked in feel comfortable from the bottom of their heart. Although they were protected by the magic effects, it was still not the best experience to be blown by the wind.

”Hi, Julie, Happy New Year. Has today's 'Arcana' arrived?” That was the only thing that could motivate the arcanists to come to the magic tower against the cold wind at the beginning of a new year.

Julie, a female apprentice who was working as the receptionist, had a flushing face. There was no telling whether it was because of the different temperature or for other reasons. She said, ”Neither 'Arcana' nor 'Magic' is here yet.”

After that, she asked with her voice lowered and her eyes glittering, ”Gentlemen, did you hear anything about the cosmic observatory?”

”What cosmic observatory?” the few arcanists asked at a loss. Had they been outdated after only spending a new year holiday?

Julie said in excitement, ”Words came from the Atom Institution that Mr. Evans established a cosmic observatory in space so that the arcanists who are not magically capable enough can also study the cosmic rays and the unknown mysteries in the vast space.”

”What?” One of the middle-rank arcanists failed to control himself. His voice echoed in the hall as if it had been enhanced with sound spells.

”Is it really possible to go to space for studies?” Another arcanist sounded suspicious and unconvinced.

Julie nodded her head hard. ”Ms. Heidi and some other people have already been there!”

The loud arcanist believed that Julie would not lie to him about that, so he raised his head and looked at the ceiling in a daze, as if he could see the boundless cosmos through it and the magic tower.

”The cosmos…” He was almost sighing because most arcanists barely had any opportunity to visit the cosmos in their entire life even though they all craved to do so. Little did he expect that they would have such a privilege now. The grand development of arcana had indeed presented miracles one after another!

Another arcanist asked anxiously and eagerly, ”Can we apply to use the cosmic observatory? Or is it only reserved for the arcanists of the Atom Institution?”

Before Julie replied, a clear and steady male voice had come from the entrance of the magic tower. ”Of course you can. Mr. Evans has made it clear to the Magic Research Board in his reply that there will be two openings for arcanists who are not associated with the Atom Institution every time the cosmic observatory is opened. However, the candidates must submit their experiment plans first and be strictly vetted. The resources of the Congress of Magic are not to be wasted by arcanists who are merely going up there to experience the cosmos.”

The arcanists in the hall turned around. Some asked in excitement, ”Is it true, Mr. Jurisian?” The others bowed dutifully. ”Happy New Year, Mr. Jurisian.”

It was exactly Jurisian, who had reached the seventh circle, who walked into the magic tower.

”If you don't trust me, you can ask the Magic Research Board yourself.” Jurisian smiled.

At this moment, the arcanists were already back to themselves. Someone asked concernedly, ”Our experiment plans will be closely related to our own arcana studies. Will other people be inspired by those?”

He spoke very subtly, but his actual meaning was very clear. He was worried that other people would see through their studies from the experiment plans they submitted and steal their achievements by completing their experiments earlier than they did.

”Rest assured. All the experiment plans have copies like papers. They will also be reviewed by the members of the Magic Research Board. There's no need to worry that somebody else will steal your achievements,” Jurisian replied with a smile. He was one of the senior-rank sorcerers of the Moonsong League with the most friends. That was why he had been admitted by the Affair Committee.

Phew. The few arcanists were relaxed, their worries gone. Some of them began to consider what kind of experiment plan could win the approval of the reviewers, and some others continued asking, ”Mr. Jurisian, does the League have any intention to build our own 'cosmic observatory'?”

Jurisian smiled. ”I'm not very sure. Such things can never be decided so quickly. However, it is absolutely certain that some legendary sorcerers and archmages believe that 'cosmic observatories' are useless because they can work on the space themselves. Some others believe that it is inappropriate to build too many of them all at once, which would be a huge burden on the Congress of Magic's stock of resources. Unless Mr. Evans' 'cosmic observatory' reveals its value, it should not be blindly promoted.

”Therefore, although Mr. President, the Lord of Storm, and the Lord of Elements support the cosmic observatory, probably only another one will be built by the Tower for the time being.”

”The other Excellencies' concerns are valid. After all, nobody knows if the cosmic observatory is useful. Recklessness is not the Congress' style.” One of the arcanists nodded in approval.

Right when they were about to bid Jurisian farewell, something beeped on the reception desk before Julie.

”Hello?” Julie picked up the phone. ”Huh, have 'Arcana' and 'Magic' been delivered?”

The arcanists who were about to leave stopped and waited for another ten minutes patiently, before they bought the journals from Julie.