"Science describes the laws we observe. Magic comes from the magic power drifting through the world. The food we eat becomes our strength and stamina. Ice and snow melt in warmth..."
On a Qinglang morning, water dripped from the eaves outside the window.
Spring had quietly arrived.
"...Plants thrive when fertilized. All of this knowledge is science. As for how to master it, I'll give you two weapons."
The classroom was quiet. Everyone listened intently.
"One weapon is called Mathematics. It will help you use your Wisdom. The other is called Literature. It will teach you how to think."
"Let's start with Mathematics. Here's the simplest problem: what is one plus one?"
Annan gave the "students" below the lectern a chance to answer. Mr. Victor and the others said nothing, clearly not because they didn't know.
"I have two apple pies, and I eat them both, so there are none left!" Martin was the exception.
"One Luoxi and one Xiluo make two... The answer is two!" Luoxi said.
"But one Krian and one Mina make three, four, five... The answer is ten!" Krian puffed out his chest.
Answers flew around the room, most of them one, two, or three.
"What about two plus two?" Annan raised the difficulty a little.
"Four!"
"Still none left!"
"I can accept one plus three, but two plus two is out of the question..."
"What about four plus four?" Annan asked.
"If I get carried away eating, I could still leave none."
"Eight fingers..."
"Why can't it be one plus seven..."
Annan waited for the noise to die down. "What about eight plus eight?"
This time, their ten fingers weren't enough to help them answer. Only a Cavern Dweller with four hands proudly called out, "Sixteen!"
"Seven, because I can only eat nine," Martin added.