Ch. 161A Fanatical Atmosphere Like a Religion
Summary
- Plot and events: More than one hundred Wizards from twenty-five teams prepare to sail aboard a massive flying ship toward the Twin Continents for the Great Summons. Three Formal Wizards, including Jindeli, lead the operation. Their stated goal is to defeat the Sogra King, whom they accuse of disrespecting and slandering Wizards. Meanwhile, in Twin City, the Sogra King has assembled three thousand knights, fully aware that his forces are destined to lose. He views the coming battle as part of a larger “drama” directed against the ancestors who created the Centennial Plan. He asks a mysterious figure called “Instructor” whether the Wizards of Blackwind Isle are in position.
- Character developments: Leo is impressed by the enormous amount of power required to keep the ship airborne, reinforcing his awareness of the vast gap between himself and Formal Wizards. However, he becomes uncomfortable when Jindeli uses magic to force the young Wizards into chanting slogans. Leo recognizes that his participation is involuntary, revealing both the danger of Formal Wizards and his distrust of their methods. Jindeli is shown to be domineering and obsessed with morale and ideological unity. He briefly tries to exclude Leo’s four-person team because Leo is Prossian, but another Formal Wizard reminds him that the Tower Master’s rules protect the team and forbid hindering Prossians before the prophecy ends. Formal Wizard Brock confidently predicts that his son Banville will win the Great Summons and claim the Genius Wizard Title.
- Significant themes: The chapter contrasts the Wizards’ claimed devotion to truth with their authoritarian behavior. Jindeli describes Wizards as enlightened seekers of truth oppressed by corrupt royal powers, but he simultaneously uses mind-affecting magic to create religious, fanatical obedience. This exposes the hypocrisy and dangers of ideological propaganda. Other themes include the immense power imbalance between Formal Wizards and apprentices, prejudice against Prossians, obedience to institutional authority, and the tension between public narratives and hidden political schemes.
- Character interactions: Jindeli delivers a rousing speech portraying Wizards as superior to kings and nobles, then magically compels the assembled Wizards to repeat his declaration that they “command the power of truth.” The other two Formal Wizards tolerate but do not enthusiastically support his theatrics, reminding him that the Tower Master may punish delays or violations of the rules. Jindeli and Brock discuss the likely winner of the competition, with Brock boasting about Banville’s abilities. At Twin City, the Sogra King consults the Instructor about the readiness of the Blackwind Isle Wizards, suggesting that the impending conflict involves a deeper plan than a straightforward invasion.