Chapter 630: That Fleeting Spark

Alexander maintained a smile, looking politely at Goldolo.

Goldolo felt slightly embarrassed; losing his composure and shouting in such a setting was quite beneath the dignity of a wizard. He lowered his voice and said, “This major sounds high-end, but it’s actually a dead end. Frontier theory has already reached a state of near-perfection. In fact, one could say that ever since Lord Ace proposed General Relativity, there haven’t been any new breakthroughs in mechanics.”

Alexander’s smile remained as he spoke in a warm yet firm tone, “I want to research the most cutting-edge foundational theories, and I want to combine that with theoretical mathematics.”

Goldolo grew anxious. The two of them had worked incredibly hard to test out of their rural planet. If Alexander chose this major, he would likely be impoverished for the rest of his life. Worried for his friend’s future, Goldolo pulled Alexander aside and whispered.

“Alexander, let me show you the latest statistics.”

With a wave of his palm-sized wand, a holographic projection emerged, displaying precise statistics on employment thresholds and salary packages for different majors, as well as their growth rates over time and capability tiers.

“The data is crystal clear. Magical Dynamics, Magic Computer Applications, and Magical Architecture are the disciplines with the widest application prospects and the highest incomes. Magical Finance also has bright graduation prospects, and even pure Liberal Arts Management has a massive demand.

“Among them, the cross-disciplinary major of Magic Computer Applications and Dream Research sees graduates earning 700,000 magic tokens a year! Do you know what that means? 700,000!

“Virtualization, ultra-high-speed information exchange, and entertainment—this major is the true trend of the era. Haven’t you noticed? The material production resources of our world are already vastly abundant. Even the most ordinary mortal can use the Magic Net to become a Mage Apprentice and cast simple tricks.

“Do you know what that signifies, my senior Alexander?”

Alexander looked a bit lost. He saw the scorching fire in Goldolo’s eyes and his focused expression—the kind that would likely enchant any young witch.

Shaking his head, Alexander spoke honestly, “I’m not entirely sure. I haven’t studied societal development deeply.”

Goldolo tossed his golden hair back, looking quite dashing as he said, “Let’s do this together, Alexander. I believe the biggest window for the future is Supercomputer Application Magic for dream immersion.

“Let me tell you, this great Wizard World of ours—the Wizard Multiverse created by the Firelinker and Creator, Ace—has 120 million stellar systems in its interior. Among them, habitable planets number as many as 90 million, and the population has reached 2,000 trillion.

“70% of the population is concentrated on bustling metropolis planets. Even those without magical talent can obtain supernatural power through the paths of Warriors or Mages. One could say we already have the possibility of achieving universal supernatural status.

“The only limit is education. As long as education keeps up, universal supernatural status isn’t a dream.

“Warriors aren’t very popular right now; Mages are in high demand. More and more mortal universities are forcing the cultivation of Mages. Although their potential is lower than that of wizards, they are still spellcasters.

“Do you know what this implies? The total population of spellcasters like Mages and wizards now accounts for 20% of the total population. This has already created an immense demand: immersive virtual dreams.

“That is my dream: to develop a low-threshold terminal for immersive virtual dreams, so more people can link into ‘Fantasia’!”

Goldolo talked at length, and Alexander’s expression grew more bewildered. He knew of the so-called Fantasia—the Dream Realm created by the great Lord Ace. Guided by the Great Source of Dreams and the Magic Net, it was virtually omnipresent.

Legend had it that the original prototype of Fantasia was the wizards’ subconscious sea. From the conscious sea created in its likeness, dream magic gradually developed. Some believed this belonged to the domain of divine laws, but regardless, the dream world of Fantasia was almost equivalent to another world—an incredibly wondrous alien world.

Alexander said somewhat confusedly, “I’ve only heard of Fantasia. Apparently, only Golden Wizards can use the threads of the Magic Net for soul resonance to leave a true spirit mark there, allowing them to enter in real-time.

“The legend says Fantasia is a vast dream world. Compared to our physical Wizard World, it is nearly infinitely vast, with 13,000 stars. Even with sub-light-speed navigation and curvature jumping, a round trip would take over a dozen years.

“Many wizards treat it as a testing ground. Difficulty aside, even if you let mortals link into Fantasia, what would they do? Experience the life of a wizard?”

Goldolo’s eyes sparkled with the light of his dream. He said in a voice bordering on a whisper, “We can add a selection interface. Through my terminal, you could choose to link into Fantasia, or enter various dream spaces attached to it—specialized world projects!

“Initially, every wizard had their own dream space in Fantasia, but resources and space were extremely limited. But thanks to Lord Ace open-sourcing the entirety of Fantasia, we can use super magic computers to build imaginary-number space servers and graft them onto Fantasia, becoming small worlds dependent on it!

“Our terminal would be a selection interface. Users can choose to enter Fantasia or choose other customized small worlds. This is the future!

“For those who love learning, we can create a paradise of study. For those who love entertainment, we can provide sensory games of all kinds.

“I think the gaming market is massive. Mortals are too insignificant in this world; many are ordinary and lack the ability to climb the peaks. In a virtual world, they could obtain much greater enjoyment, more possibilities…”

Looking at the animated Goldolo, Alexander’s eyes grew more perplexed. He wasn’t stupid; he easily understood the future Goldolo described. In the current Wizard World, one could build a career, earn massive amounts of magic tokens, and win social status by filling certain gaps based on current societal development.

With fame and profit, power can be built up even through sheer accumulation. Becoming a Legendary Wizard only requires enough resources. If one cannot take a step further, they can undergo a Lich transformation ritual before death to live longer.

If they are unwilling to become a Lich, they can use the human weak-entropy stabilizer produced by Betty’s company to freeze their life state, achieving a form of agelessness.

But these are not what I want. I only want to see the future of magical mechanics.

“Goldolo, the future you describe is good, and I believe you can fight for it. But I have my own expectations and thoughts for the future. I yearn to explore the truth. I want to know where the path of magic lies. I want to study the most cutting-edge foundational theories, even if it only means pushing a decimal point from 6 digits to 10.

“Lord Ace said that the thinking wizard is the measure of all things. Though I am untalented, I still wish to measure all things!”

His voice wasn’t loud, but his attitude was gentle and firm. Alexander’s clear eyes stared at Goldolo, making the latter feel an inexplicable sense of shame.

Many words regarding money, status, and fame could not be uttered. Goldolo knew Alexander’s magical aptitude was ordinary, so he could only say one last thing:

“We are all wizards; everyone yearns to pursue the truth. It’s just that the vast majority of people, including you and me, do not have high magical aptitude. To study frontier magical theories, one must have immense power. Mythical Wizards can directly observe molecules, Ninth Ring Legendary Immortal Wizards can observe atoms, and Tenth Ring Legendary Immortal Wizards can even know the internal structure of atoms through the feedback of the Great Source!

“This is exploring the microscopic world; you must have enough strength, or you fundamentally cannot observe it. And the macroscopic world—or rather, dimensions—who but an Immortal Legend can catch a glimpse of that vast, boundless ocean of four-dimensional curvature?

“Do you think I don’t want to? But I don’t have the aptitude. Only by earning enough tokens and gaining status can you build up your strength and possibly improve your aptitude. Face reality!”

Goldolo’s words were earnest. He held Alexander’s hands, his eyes misting slightly. He yearned for it too, but he was more rational.

Alexander gently pushed his hands away and said softly, “Perhaps so. But I still want to try. Even without aptitude or strength… humanity is human precisely because we can use and create tools. Perhaps I can find a way to let ordinary people observe what is truly inside an atom?”

With that, he walked straight to the registration desk and wrote down his information. In the field for his major, he wrote stroke by stroke: “Theoretical Research in Relative Mechanics.”

Goldolo followed closely behind, filled out his form, and wrote: “Magic Computer Applications and Dream Research.”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

This was a portrayal and microcosm of many ordinary wizards in the Wizard Multiverse. Perhaps years later, they would forget their dreams and live unsatisfying lives, or perhaps they would draw closer to their dreams step by step. Who could say for sure?

The Wizard World had achieved its acceleration, constantly nearing the Realm of True Names through sub-light-speed navigation at 40% light speed. The Named Ones of the Realm of True Names, currently embroiled in internal strife, all observed this phenomenon.

Eventually, His Majesty Eternal Night chose reconciliation, reaching an unconditional peace with the Outside. A meeting was held in the Mansus with the eight Outer Lords of Time represented by Ace.

“You won, Usurper. You got what you wanted.”

Eternal Night of the Midnight Hour appeared as a cold, elegant beauty dressed in a long, black evening-gown-like dress. She looked incredibly arrogant, her face like frost.

Ace looked at her and the 17 Lords of Time behind her, suddenly remembering the words of a Named One in the Outside that day.

“Did you steal Eternal Night’s underwear too?”

He chuckled. That Named One was truly bold; no wonder Eternal Night had exiled him.

Seeing Ace’s smile, Eternal Night’s expression became even more unpleasant. This was a slight and an insult to her. She wanted to sweep away in anger, ignoring the call of the Mansus Great Source, and continue the conflict until one side was destroyed.

But she couldn’t. Although she was a woman with an emotional temper, she knew the priorities. If the internal strife continued, the arrival of the enemy might signal the destruction of the Realm of True Names.

“His Majesty the Lord of Gems, Outer Primordial Lord of Time, such an attitude is quite beneath Your dignity. We were not defeated; we even hold the advantage. We are choosing peace for the sake of the world. Please remain serious; this is a matter of mutual respect!”

These righteous words were uttered by the Radiant Sun of the Tenth Hour.

Ace smiled and said warmly, “I laughed just now because Her Majesty Eternal Night is exceptionally beautiful, nothing more. For the sake of the Realm of True Names and the will of the Mansus, let us cooperate.”

Ace extended his hand. Eternal Night hesitated for a long time before her pale hand grasped Ace’s right hand. In an instant, the Source Power boiled. At the moment these two holders of the God King status cooperated, the Mansus seemed to cheer, and a pink aura seemed to spread.

Ace’s expression turned odd, while Eternal Night’s face flushed red. She threw Ace’s hand away and said, “We are both supreme; we shall be Dual Emperors. I shall be the Primordial Empress of the True Position, and You shall be the Gem Emperor.”

The Mansus’s cheer just now was actually a “push for marriage.” The union of two Primordial Lords with God King status would truly unify everything. But Eternal Night could not accept that; she made her own demands.

Ace had no intention of accepting either, but he wasn’t satisfied with the title. After a long argument, Eternal Night’s title became “The Great Primordial,” and Ace’s became “The Great Outer Primordial.”

The Peacock Gate merged once more, the chronarchy was reconstructed, the Inner and Outer realms fused, and the Mansus trembled.

The two Thrones of Time merged. Ace and Eternal Night were jointly called the Primordial. A magnificent Temple of the Chronarchy emerged, and the group of Lords of Time entered. On the highest platform stood two divine thrones.

One was ornate and solemn, facing the seats of the various Lords below. The other was smaller and to the side, though still magnificent.

His Majesty Eternal Night stepped onto the platform and naturally sat on the main throne. Ace walked alongside her and sat in the side seat.

Since the two were unwilling to enter a great and sacred God King marriage, it had to be this way. The other Lords of Time also took their seats, and a phantom of a clock emerged.

“Respected Great Ones, the Mansus has reflected the Clock of the Chronarchy. With the fusion of the two realms, the chronarchy shall consist of 24 hours. In other words, two Lords of Time will lose their seats.”

Aside from Eternal Night and Ace, the strongest here was the Radiant Sun. He was the first to rise and speak.

Instantly, the Lords began to stir. Not a single Lord of Time wanted to give up their power and position. Had they not been forced by the pressure of external invasion, they would never have merged.

Eternal Night fell silent as well. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the ornate armrest, her moist red lips parting and closing. She breathed several times, wanting to speak yet hesitating.

“Let us vote. Select two Lords from among you to serve as the non-existent 25th and 26th Hours—the Virtual Hours,” Eternal Night finally decided.

This made the Lords even more anxious. No matter who it was, no one wanted to become a Virtual Hour; it meant having the title but no power.

Ace suddenly laughed loudly. “There are 24 Lords below the stage; is that not exactly Night and Day and the Mansus? As for us two Great Ones, why not take a step back and become the Virtual Hours? This does not diminish our glory as Great Ones, so long as every Lord of Time swears a vow to us to permanently split two-tenths of their status-based gains and offer them to us.”

Every Lord of Time would lose 20%, and Ace and Eternal Night would gain 240% each. This was a standard Prisoner’s Dilemma. Eternal Night wavered, and ultimately, all the Lords of Time chose to agree.

Though they lost some resources, no Lord of Time was excluded from the chronarchy. As for Ace and Eternal Night, their status was higher; becoming the 25th and 26th Hours was actually trivial.

A smile appeared on Ace’s lips. Regardless, the Lord of the Midnight Hour had changed.

Time flew by, and 30 years had passed. The Wizard Multiverse and the Realm of True Names finally met. Artificial sub-planes were manufactured into world-class spears, piercing straight toward the Realm of True Names, locking the two worlds together as their gravities captured one another.

“Massive star-shift phenomenon detected! The galaxy within the world is beginning to move slowly toward the Realm of True Names!”

“This is a normal phenomenon. No need for alarm; it’s pure gravitational pull. Continue observation!”

“The Magic Net has spread along the chains and is accelerating the binding of the opponent’s world.”

“The opponent’s Lords of Time have dispatched! Strategic nuclear fusion warheads, Level 1 preparation!”

“Legendary Wizard Imprisonment Group, prepare! Sub-space-time Mythic Lock, activate!”

…

Various streams of information zipped through. Over a thousand sub-planes emerged outside the Wizard World—the fruit of the Wizard World’s last 30 years of labor. There were now 1,200 Legendary Immortal Wizards. The only problem was that a second Tenth Ring Wizard had yet to be born.

Based on General Relativity, the wizards still found it difficult to construct Tenth Ring spell models. The difficulty stemmed from observing four-dimensional space-time; even though the Level 5 runes regarding space-time curvature were shared, it remained immensely difficult.

Constructing a spell model in a four-dimensional state was more difficult than condensing a Sovereign Law.

All 26 Lords of Time dispatched. In a world-war, no one could choose to retreat. The Radiant Sun whispered, “Be absolutely careful of their terrifying magic. That pitch-black hole with a crescent halo… once captured by it, only destruction awaits!”

Just then, Ace’s true body appeared. He wore a pure black wizard’s hat and a magic robe patterned with dark gold stripes. A Tenth Ring hexagram badge was pinned to his chest, and Level 5 runes orbited his body.

Ace extended his right hand. Tens of thousands of high-dimensional rifts emerged, and a micro black hole gradually condensed in his hand.

“It’s him! Be careful, scatter!”

The Radiant Sun transformed into a streak of light, taking the lead to break formation. The other Lords followed suit, scattering in all directions. Ace suddenly hugged Eternal Night tightly and locked eyes with his true body. The true body threw the black hole, striking the two Great Ones directly while they were bound by gems and unable to move.

In an instant, they were sucked into the black hole. The hole grew larger and larger, absorbing the thousands of sub-planes the Realm of True Names had arrayed outside its world, transforming into an incredibly terrifying void.

Before the Lords of Time could finish scattering, the black hole compressed and suddenly transformed into a white hole. All matter and energy erupted outward, instantly submerging them. It was too fast; no one could react in time.

From a macroscopic Astral Plane perspective, it looked like a single point releasing a fan-shaped burst of high-energy radiation. Streams of neutrons, protons, and electrons destroyed everything—or rather, reduced everything to its base components. Even the crystal wall of the Realm of True Names was mostly melted away.

(Chapter finished)

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