Alternate Committee Member Gallo

Sky City, Nevis, headquarters of the journal Runes.

Inside the building, the rooms were bright and spotless, the desks and chairs neatly arranged. With soft sounds from a small teleportation Magic Array, manuscript after manuscript materialized within it. Meanwhile, several alchemically crafted machines resembling fax machines operated continuously nearby.

They kept producing copies of submitted papers, which invisible servants then distributed to different desks according to their numbers, awaiting review by the mages of the editorial department.

Several smartly dressed High Mages were taking a break from their work.

"The new issue of Arcana is out. Have you read that study on oracle-bone characters?"

"Of course. I waited days for it and read it as soon as it came out. I have to say, it's brilliantly written."

"I heard someone named Roland wrote it. He's only an Apprentice Mage!"

As arcane researchers, these High Mages paid considerable attention to new developments. After all, such things largely represented the power they could come to wield.

The topic gradually drew the interest of their colleagues nearby. Someone came over and joined them. "I've been busy since yesterday and haven't had time to read it yet. What exactly is that paper about? And what's this ora... Oracle? It sounds rather odd. It's always struck me as something in the style of the ancient peoples."

Someone who had read it explained, "It takes the perspective of the ancient peoples to give a complete, systematic account of a new writing system. It even covers the origins and development of writing.

"But honestly, I personally think 'square characters' might be a more appropriate name for it."

"'Square characters'? That does sound reasonable."

"This writing system uses several principles for forming characters and has both semantic and phonetic features. It's completely different from Elvish Script, Abyssal Script, Sena Script, Atrelin script, and all the rest. Even the dictionary that comes with it is a tough read."

"Thankfully, it hasn't been added to the official curriculum, so we don't have to make a special effort to learn it."

At that, everyone chuckled.

New languages and writing systems emerged in Atrelin every year, including some widely recognized as works of genius.

But how many could gain popularity, win growing public acceptance, and eventually become the mainstream endorsed by the authorities? Even if one reached that point, it would probably take hundreds or thousands of years.

Just then, several more manuscripts appeared.

Unlike Arcana, which stood in a class of its own, papers here were reviewed by High Mages, since there were more staff available and a relatively stable editorial team.

The Tower Spirit did not handle review assignments here. The mages taking a break only noticed the manuscripts when they returned to their desks.

"'Improvements to Light Spell Scrolls Based on Research into the Magical Adaptation of Oracle.' This paper-come take a look..."

Everyone gathered around. The title alone made them perk up.

"Well, speak of Oracle and here it is! Why even bother submitting anonymously? Roland obviously wrote this!"

"Quick, let's see what he wrote."

Just then, someone nearby made another discovery: two more papers had appeared.

"This one analyzes runes, morphology, syntax, and semantics in Oracle-Bone Magicalization. It establishes standards for assessing improvements."

"This one is about improving the Copying Spell. It's closely related to his paper too."

They exchanged speechless looks, suddenly realizing something. Shock appeared on every face.

"This... he may really have started adapting it for magic!"

At that same moment, elsewhere in the city, in a small hall decorated with understated luxury.

Gleaming silverware graced a long table, and crystal glasses reflected an enchanting radiance beneath the magical lamps and candles.

The air carried the faint fragrance of fine wine, mingled with the soothing scent of books and ink and soft music.

On either side of the table, several mages belonging to Grand Mage Watson's faction lounged casually in exquisitely carved, high-backed chairs, discussing Oracle.

"How could those shortsighted opportunists understand Professor Watson's painstaking intentions?

"He doesn't want this shoddy writing system brought before the public, where it would further disrupt the already battered Atrelin script!

"Everyone, protecting civilization is everyone's responsibility. Let's find the flaws in this writing system together and give it a proper critique!"

The leadership of Atrelin, the Arcane Empire, had long acknowledged the dismal state of its own writing system and had made numerous targeted attempts to improve it.

After all those attempts failed, they had resolved to phase out Atrelin script entirely and introduce a new, practical magical writing system suited to the current level of arcane development and its future direction.

Yet in the thousands of years since the relevant ideas were first proposed, countless High Mages, Grand Mages, and even legendary mages had taken part without producing any tangible results.

With that historical inertia behind them, they naturally would not readily accept a new language or writing system, especially one supported by Grand Mage Lunifis and the other reformists.

Now, they all took out magnifying glasses and began carefully studying the freshly acquired journal.

"Hmm? It actually abstracts and simplifies two-dimensional pictures directly into character roots. Whether characters, words, phrases, or sentences, whether content words or function words, monosyllabic words occupy almost the entire core of its common vocabulary..."

"And these tables of heavenly stems and earthly branches-it can actually use writing to construct expressions relating to astronomy and celestial configurations?"

"Wait, take a look at the information density of these square characters. I just made a simple assessment of this writing system as an information medium and found that it has not only an extremely high information density, but also remarkably high recognition efficiency and speed.

"This... setting magic aside, it really does seem almost flawless!"

They could not help exchanging incredulous looks.

"Heh. So what? Can we really set magical adaptation aside?"

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

Everyone turned toward the speaker, a mage dressed in something resembling a formal suit, his hair meticulously combed.

The mage was handsome and haughty. Standing straight, he carried himself with the lofty pride of a cedar, his gaze sweeping calmly over the people around him with barely concealed conceit.

Everyone his gaze fell upon involuntarily felt they were being scrutinized from on high, yet they were accustomed to it.

For he was one of Grand Mage Watson's prized students, Alternate Committee Member Gallo Orgoglioso.

"No matter how flawless it might otherwise be, with that fatal flaw, it will never catch on!

"Rest assured, something cobbled together by an Apprentice Mage is no cause for concern."

Gallo raised his stemmed glass to his lips and took a sip, speaking dismissively with a faint smile.