The next day.
A vehicle driven by magic power slowly stopped before the theater. This steel vehicle that didn’t need any horse to drive it captured many people’s attention.
But, more of the people gathered at the entrance of the Weissenasche Theater were focused on the cinema posters hanging outside.
Today was the day for the premiere of the new movie ‘Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale.’
“Lord Fritt, there’s nowhere to park the vehicle outside the theater’s entrance,” The driver of the arcanotech vehicle told the middle-aged man seated behind.
“Nowhere to park?”
The middle-aged man called Fritt raised his top hat and turned to look toward the theater’s entrance.
The street in front of the Weissenasche Theater was completely crammed full with all kinds of carriages. There were also a whole lot of people standing on the flight of steps and the street leading into the Weissenasche Theater.
Merely from seeing the scene on this street, one could imagine how ‘lively’ the theater was.
“A year ago, there would be a lot of empty seats available for every single performance held in the Weissenasche Theater,” The vehicle driver took a glance at the massive crowd gathered outside the Weissenasche Theater, “But, ever since movies came to be, one will have to wait for a very long period of time just to purchase a ticket. Lord Fritt, if you’re interested in the new movie, my suggestion would be to come back in a couple days.”
“Regretfully... I did not come here to watch a movie.”
After giving that answer to the driver, Fritt got out the arcanotech vehicle. His attendant who was seated in the back with him also promptly got out to keep up with him.
“Lord Fritt, that over there should be Sir Weissenasche’s carriage,” The attendant walked over to Fritt and pointed to a horse carriage at the back of the row of carriages parked before the Weissenasche Theater..
Fritt pulled down the front end of his top hat. Leaning on a crutch, he started to walk toward that carriage. Once the driver of the carriage recognized who this middle-aged man was, he immediately opened the door to the carriage.
“My apologies, Mister Fritt. As I had to participate in a lecture at an advanced magic academy at the last minute, my schedule ended up being packed. As such, I can only speak with you here.”
Sir Weissenasche was sitting in the carriage. He watched as the middle-aged man and his assistant climbed up the carriage.
“To decide to change out talks to this place, Sir Weissenasche, your intention is to refuse my funding?”
Fritt removed his top hat to uncover his face.
“About that... Mister Fritt, I’ve already informed you clearly through our letter correspondents. I... am not the inventor of movies. I am unable to sell it to anyone.”
Sir Weissenasche cannot remember how many times he had refused this persistent merchant with those very words.
Truth be told, Sir Weissenasche hated these ‘talks’ about money, especially with merchants who weighted everything with money.
“Then... where will I be able to meet the inventor of movies? Or should I say, Joshua?” asked Fritt.
Fritt had already made his investigations before coming here. Sir Weissenasche was nothing more than the admission ticket that would allow him to interact with the person behind the scenes, Joshua.
“Normally, Mister Joshua is not fond of being bothered by anyone. But, you’re in luck today. If you don’t mind, do you want to proceed to Lursk Advanced Magic Academy with me? Mister Joshua is going to give a lecture there today. Anyone can participate in his lecture.”
“Lursk Advanced Magic Academy? I’ve provided financial aid to many students there. All those students are geniuses. Now that you speak of it, I am indeed free today,” Fritt took a glance at his wristwatch and agreed to Sir Weissenasche’s suggestion.
Then, after being invited by this middle-aged merchant, Sir Weissenasche abandoned his horse carriage and got onto the embodiment of the beginning of a new century, the arcanotech vehicle. Together, they began to proceed toward the Lursk Advanced Magic Academy.
...
Inside Lursk Advanced Magic Academy.
Ciri’s elder sister Hyrlan was carrying with her a pile of books in preparation to participate in a special lecture. The topic of today’s lecture was related to ‘programming.’
Ever since she saw a new announcement post on the school’s announcement board, she was unable to contain her excitement all day. Her friend Sansa was unable to understand why she was so excited.
“Hyrlan... does ‘programming magic’ really exist?”
Sansa was holding the announcement post she ripped out from the announcement board. She was extremely skeptical toward the content on the post.
“Of course it does. The magic network you’re using is created through the ‘programming’ system of magic,” said Hyrlan.
“But, the requirement written on the announcement stated that one needed to know at least a hundred runes from the order system,” Sansa pointed to the requirements on the post. She was baffled by it, “That is a requirement that only rank seven mages could accomplish. Right now, all I know are thirteen runes from the Holy Light system.”
“Even for me, I only know twenty-seven runes from the Order system. But, isn’t the desire for knowledge the driving force behind a mage’s growth?” said Hyrlan.
“But, Hyrlan... if you are to spend this time to research arcanotech devices, you will be able to enjoy a much more prosperous life. Take a look at Lesker’s class, many of their arcanotech inventions received investments. One seemed to even begin mass-production,” There was a great amount of admiration in Sansa’s tone.
Recently, a craze for inventions soared through all of Norland’s magic academies. Ever since the World Expo ended and the young mages saw the prospects of the arcanotech devices, a large quantity of them, with the capital support from merchants, began to throw themselves into the creation and research of arcanotech devices. Furthermore, most of them succeeded in creating viable products.
“But, I’m more interested in programming right now,” said Hyrlan.
“Mmmm... I guess you’re someone chosen to begin with. As for me, I can only stay at the patent office as an ordinary examiner. It would appear that I’ve not managed to pass the Lord’s trial.”
Sansa recalled how the arcanotech device Hyrlan created, the drafting machine, had received the financial aid from a kind-hearted person.
Right when the girl from the Nation of the Holy Church complained about how mediocre she was, a poster suddenly floated to her hand.
She subconsciously grabbed onto the poster. She opened it and read the contents...’Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale’ screening today.
“I remember now! Hyrlan... today is the premiere for the new movie! Let’s get Belle and go watch it together!”
“Ahh, I... won’t be going. Sansa, Belle’s, wait no... Ynor’s class should be ending soon.”
Hyrlan revealed a wry smile and refused her close friend’s suggestion.
It was hard to imagine that, a few months back, Sansa was someone who firmly believed demons to be ruthless and cruel monsters.
But now... not only does Sansa have a succubus as a close friend, she even idolizes the movie characters played by demons.
If the missionaries from the Nation of the Holy Church were to know about this, she would be sent to be burned by fire.
This miraculous transformation was all brought upon by the Chaos Demon who created the ‘magic network.’ Hyrlan yearned for the world of the magic network. She yearned to personally join in the creation of the magic network.