870 Speech (2/2)

In an even louder voice, Douglas continued his speech magnificently, ”Are earth, fire, wind, and water really the most basic elements in the world? If they are, how do they stick together to form everything we know? And if not, what are the real magic elements?

”What is the nature of the soul?

”Is the soul different from consciousness? If so, in what form does consciousness exist?

”Do we need any 'tools' to illustrate and build magic models?

”Does God exist? If God exists, what is His nature and form of existence? In what form does Alterna, the ancestor of vampires, exist? Why can they remain undead?

”Why do the sun and the moon exist in this world? Why do they rise and set every day? What power motivates them in their operations? Those phenomena seem natural in the material world, but if we ask more whys, we will realize that we haven't figured out the reasons behind them yet. Are those reasons, laws, and knowledge concerned with magic? Can we combine them with magic and help us explore the nature of the magic world?”

As he raised his questions, both the experts on the stage and the sorcerers down below changed their faces, switching from disdain and amusement to concentrated consideration. The questions about the rise and setting of the sun and moon hit them like lightning. They trembled and did not know how to express their feelings.

Yes. Why are they like that?

Why have I never considered those questions before?

What secrets do those phenomena, which seem to be the unquestionable law and nature of this world, contain?

Fernando clenched his fists; his red pupils full of excitement. He looked at Douglas' shadow and never felt that the guy was taller!

Similar questions had occurred in the studies of every sorcerer now and then, but having been used to such phenomena, they never considered those questions as something worth paying attention to, and they never asked the questions so deeply. At this moment, when they listened to Douglas' enlightening speech, they all felt that the mist before their eyes was driven away by sunlight. So, our studies on magic and this world are still so shallow! There are still so many whys that need addressing!

They felt that a new gate had been opened before him, vaguely revealing what appeared to be a new field of magic. More and more people were shivering in contemplation. Even Owen, who had been angry about Douglas earlier, no longer found the guy nefarious anymore. He felt that the guy's whys were extremely charming!

More and more questions popped up in his head. What is lightning? Why can't metal stop it when wood can? Why is mankind divided into different genders? Why can't human beings float in the sky instead of being stuck to the ground?

Erica covered her mouth, believing that Mr. Douglas had surpassed Mr. Fernando and become the greatest hero in her mind! So, the magic research beyond battles could also be so attractive and astounding!

”What is up? What is down? Why is the sky? What is the earth…” Fernando murmured, full of doubts about the things that he thought he had understood perfectly.

Holding his forehead, Douglas slightly bowed. ”As long as we can figure out those questions, I believe that magic will develop much faster. The mysteries that we figure out will work on us and fortify us. Perhaps our development will be no slower than the Church's!”

After he backed off, the hall was still in utter silence. It was not until one minute later that the warmest welcome that never appeared even when the leaders of the magic organizations spoke burst out!

Douglas could see clearly that the sorcerers down below were excited, if not demented. The ubiquitous despair and depression just now were dissolved. He could only sigh about that. It was the first time he had introduced his opinions publicly and systematically and raised the questions that he had considered for a long time. Back when he was in Antiffler, even his teacher and his classmates were unwilling to pay attention to his thoughts in that aspect, much less other people.

It seems not bad… As a regular human being, Douglas felt delighted.

Owen, Erica, and the other sorcerers started to feel that the darkness around them was fading. They were desperate earlier because they thought that magic had been developed to the maximum but still could not compare to the divine power and the Church. They were hopeless because they could not see the light. Now, Mr. Douglas' questions had opened a boundless world. The development of magic had just begun and was far away from the limits! The future was not entirely hopeless!

Arnold and the rest of them had placed their hope on the Silver Moon, the vampires, the dragons, and the other exterior forces, which more or less boosted the morale, but it was not nearly as inspiring as giving the future to themselves.

However, was it really possible to answer those questions?

After the excitement, worries and suspicions surged in the hearts of the sorcerers, as could be seen from their faces. Douglas was not surprised at them. He never thought that everybody could be gathered after a speech. That would have been a fantasy!

The meeting ended in such an atmosphere. Amanata, Congus, Nielson, Priscilla, and the other archmages looked at Douglas in a slightly different way now.

Douglas rose with a smile and said to Arnold, ”Mr. President, I would like to take part in the mission to assassinate Alfonsol. After that, I hope that I can spend some time in Allyn.”