Shatuo cleared away the dishes and chopsticks, then came out of the kitchen and sat beside Reilo.
After putting away the books he'd been reading that morning, Shatuo took out a quill and a blank sheet of paper and began sketching.
"Modern Natural Science covers countless specialized fields, but broadly speaking, its research can be divided into six major areas."
This was Reilo's first real exposure to modern Natural Science. He listened intently as Shatuo explained, taking out the Ice Fire Bird notes his martial aunt Lianyi had given him and carefully writing everything down.
"First, there's the study of basic mathematics, used to derive the Natural Laws. Then there's the study of natural specimens, from which scholars infer Evolutionary Esoteric. After that come the mysteries of Human Potential, the field of mental powers, Alchemy, and Practical Technology. Each duchy has its own areas of focus."
As he listened to Shatuo's explanation, Reilo reflected on some of the information mentioned in Evolution's Profound Meaning.
Shatuo continued, "Of the six fields, the most scholars study Natural Law and Evolutionary Esoteric. Whether it's the Pioneer Gauss Adolf, who studied the foundations of mathematical logic, or the Pioneer Antonio, who studied the mysteries of evolution, both laid an exceptionally solid theoretical foundation for later scholars. As a result, many advanced scholars have emerged."
Of the three great Pioneers in human history, one had been burned to death by The Church. The remaining two's standing in the eyes of countless scholars was easy to imagine.
But why was a scholarly work like Evolution's Profound Meaning part of his family's inheritance?
As far as Reilo knew, the book's author was Antonio, and it had been published by the Grand Natural Academy. Tens of thousands of copies had been printed. There was nothing special about the copy he owned.
Could one of his ancestors have had some connection to Pioneer Antonio?
After a pause, Shatuo continued, "In recent years, though, the Balda Duchy's Academy of Natural Sciences has grown steadily stronger. They've recruited many students, and quite a few geniuses have emerged. My mentor says they may well produce the fourth Pioneer in human history. So, junior, I'd recommend choosing your field from among Natural Law, Evolutionary Esoteric, and Human Potential."
Under Shatuo's gaze, Reilo gave serious thought to the direction his future studies should take.
Natural Law was, without a doubt, what he'd traditionally understood as elemental magic. Its path of study and advancement was based on Mathematical Foundation. Evolutionary Esoteric, on the other hand, was somewhat like transformation magic, with a path of growth rooted in the dissection of specimens.
As for the study of Human Potential, could it be a version of warrior training for mages?
"Senior, which academy did the Pioneer who published Heliocentric Theory come from? What mysteries did he study?"
"Shh!"
At Reilo's sudden question, Shatuo raised a finger to his lips.
"Junior, try not to bring that up again. You might draw The Church's attention! That incident was what led to The Church suppressing the once-powerful Utolan Natural Academy. Even the Royal Family came under the Church's surveillance, and now it's the weakest of the six academies."
Despite his warning, Shatuo lowered his voice and added, "Pioneer White Niven came from the Utolan Natural Academy. He studied Cosmology. Unfortunately, after that incident, the research of this great Pioneer was banned in its entirety along with his Heliocentric Theory, and was completely lost..."
"Ah!"
Reilo nodded solemnly and took a deep breath. "In that case, I'll follow my mentor's lead and choose to study Evolutionary Esoteric!"
As Shatuo had expected, a smile of approval appeared on his face when he heard Reilo's chosen field.
"Good. I was worried you'd choose to study Human Potential."
Reilo looked puzzled.
"What's wrong with studying Human Potential?"
Shatuo's expression turned solemn.
"According to my mentor, scholars in the Balda Duchy have clashed more and more with the Holy See in recent years. Their theory of Human Potential claims that anyone can surpass their limits and become a true god if they fully unlock their potential. It's nearly identical to the claims of the ancient Evil Witchers, and The Church has started taking notice. If things go badly, they could face a heresy crackdown by The Church, and the Royal Family wouldn't escape unscathed either. This is no joke!"
"Yikes... Humans can become gods by unlocking their potential? Those scholars are truly mad!"
Reilo had read the Festival of Light thoroughly. Every word praised the unique nature of God, the Creator of Light: majestic, holy, and beyond all resistance. He'd never imagined that anyone would dare to say something so openly challenging the authority of the Creator of Light. He couldn't help exclaiming in astonishment.
"They really are mad!"
Shatuo extinguished the Crystal Lamp and shook his head, worried for those scholars and their plight.
"Junior, before you learn the basic principles of Evolutionary Esoteric, you first need to understand the fundamental philosophy behind scholars' existence."
Reilo sat up straight and listened carefully.
Shatuo recalled the first lesson his mentor, Gubo, had taught him years ago. His gaze gradually grew hazy with reverence.
"A scholar's studies—the 'magic' that ordinary people call it—aren't supernatural powers. Scholars believe that in this infinitely vast universe, composed of space and time, there must be an objective Law of Truth. Nothing can alter it through an independent will. Even the Creator of Light worshipped by The Church cannot affect its workings. We call it the Law of Truth, and the discoveries made through studying the laws of this world are what we call modern Natural Science!"
Shatuo looked proud.
"Scholarship, magic—these are simply the power of the Law of Truth that scholars acquire as they explore Natural Science!"
"The power of the Law of Truth?"
Reilo recalled the boundless praise in the Festival of Light for God, the Creator of Light: the beginning and source of all things, omnipotent!
He himself had once summoned a faint trace of Divine Power and felt its boundless, overwhelming force. It was like the eternal will of the world, beyond the reach of any mortal creature.
And scholars believed there was a Law of Truth that even the Creator of Light couldn't affect?
If that was the case...
Shatuo hadn't spelled it out, but Reilo understood what he meant: this world wasn't ruled by the Creator of Light, but by the Law of Truth!
But saying such things was far too disrespectful to the Holy See. They couldn't be spoken openly, and had to be expressed in a more tactful way.
Reilo grasped the implication. Meeting Shatuo's warning gaze, he nodded seriously without saying anything.
Shatuo continued, "And on this foundation, scholars exploring Natural Science eventually discovered the first eternal truth: Conservation of Energy!"
Seeing the confusion in Reilo's eyes, Shatuo pressed his dark lips together.
"Broadly speaking, Conservation of Energy means that the world is governed by balance. Force is reciprocal; power never comes into being without a cause."
Reilo still didn't understand. "What does balance mean? What kind of balance?"
"Hmm..."
Shatuo spoke with firm conviction, one word at a time. "To achieve any goal, you must pay some other price! Every form of energy can be explained by this Law of Truth! That includes the scholarship of any scholar, the way other species exist, natural phenomena, and even the great gods!"
"Gods?"
"Yes!"
Shatuo said firmly, "A god's power doesn't come from nowhere. Beneath their seemingly omnipotent appearance, there must be some Source of Power, and they must pay some price for their Divine Power! Even gods can fall!"
"Yikes..."
Reilo sucked in a breath. He was stunned that such blasphemous, arrogant words had come from the honest, taciturn Shatuo. He hurriedly said, "Senior, you really shouldn't say such blasphemous things. You could get yourself into trouble."
"Uh, you're right, junior."
Shatuo stopped talking about the gods and thought for a moment before giving an example. "The birth of every field of scholarship must obey Conservation of Energy and its balance of costs. The same goes for Clerics. When they summon Divine Power..."
"I know what Clerics pay!"
Reilo cut in suddenly, his voice solemn.
"The price Clerics pay when they summon Divine Power is their own lives!"