Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the main hall of the master of the tower, a smiling beauty was preparing refreshments. She had a slightly stiff expression and silver-white hair, and was wearing the black and white long gown of a maid.
As she placed the drinks on a table in the middle of the hall, she spoke with a slight mechanical delay, “Your black tea!”
Lu Zhiyu took the tea from Eva. “Thank you!”
Bohr sat on the side, nodding at Eva. His appearance hadn’t changed much. He was still wearing the same black-framed glasses and long blue robes. His gaze had sharpened, however, perhaps revealing him to be a bit more world-weary these days.
“So, it’s already possible to engage in regular conversation and identify mannerisms?” Bohr asked Lu Zhiyu.
Lu Zhiyu nodded. Since Eva had been made, Lu Zhiyu had dressed her in bionic skin, and had customized her outer appearance into her current form.
Lu Zhiyu sipped the hot black tea. “As soon as some common sense and basic knowledge has been entered into Eva’s memory, she’ll become truly alive. She has a well-developed brain that can process information and independent thinking capabilities.”
“But, she isn’t without her flaws! No, it shouldn’t be called a flaw per se, but she is still a little different from human beings. As a lifeform, she is far closer to perfection than humans. But, this sort of perfection can actually be a flaw. The emotions of alchemical life are far colder and reduced, when compared to humans. Perhaps the structure of metallic cells weakens the desires of its lifeforms. Because they don’t need to eat, they receive no pleasure from eating, and therefore, they posses no desire to do so. Also, without possessing the normal vulnerabilities to disease and death, they have no will to pursue longevity and strength. Likewise, without pain and pleasure, it is impossible to have joys and sorrows, or feelings such as love, affection, and friendship. Hence, without ambition, there is no motivation to move forward in life.”
Bohr nodded. “Instructor is quite right. Weak beings often drive the advancement of life. Overly perfect creatures can often stagnate on the path of evolution, due to their perfection. The two-sided blessings and curses of every trait are worthy of our careful considerations indeed.”
Lu Zhiyu looked at Bohr. “There’s no comprehension in your words. You’re just parroting me! Don’t flatter me with small talk. You didn’t come to me about this matter! After all, you’re not Akkad! That rascal! He keeps heading over to see me, while his eyes are really only glued on Eva!”
Bohr laughed. “When you gave that lecture on the basics of mechanical alchemy a few days ago, Akkad was completely enthralled. But, compared to your achievement with the life alchemy dolls, that information was nothing.”
“He is also making his own mechanical dolls, but it seems that he is still far from making them move. So, alchemy life is out of question at the moment. Hahaha, no wonder he’s always heading over here. To him, Eva is the most beautiful woman in the world. Yet, it seems that Eva simply ignores him!”
Bohr, upon remembering Akkad’s antics over the past few days, was unable to hold back his laughter. Lu Zhiyu also laughed. “He can’t even walk yet, and he wants to learn to run! First, he should understand the basics, before delving deeper. Well, even if I explained Eva’s creation process to him right now, he wouldn’t understand any of it. So, tell me about your matters. What do you want?”
Bohr was silent for a bit, before speaking. “Uruk wants to establish a wizard school for the orcs, while Wofter and Wendy want to return to the elf continent to establish a wizard tower for the elves.”
Lu Zhiyu nodded, looking at Bohr without any change in his expression. “So, what are your thoughts?”
Bohr immediately responded, “I think this is a very meaningful moment for all wizards. I believe that they can guide their students down the road of wizardry. So, I think this is wonderful.”
Lu Zhiyu quipped back. “But if this occurs, Uruk, Wofter, and Wendy will no longer be mentors in the Wizard Tower, and they will definitely bring a large number of their wizard followers with them when they leave. Such a mass exit might drastically weaken the power of the Wizard Tower. The Wizard Tower would then be divided into three factions. Your power as the Deputy Master would also be reduced. Are you willing to follow through with all of this, now that you have considered all of that?”
Bohr nodded seriously. “As long as it will benefit the development of our civilization as wizards, I am completely willing.”
Lu Zhiyu was relieved. “It seems like you all had this idea, even before I came back. Why wasn’t it implemented before now?”
Bohr stood up and gave a Lu Zhiyu a salute. “Our knowledge was given to us by you, Instructor. You also established the tower, so we felt that your opinion and approval on this matter was essential, before we proceeded.”
Lu Zhiyu was very pleased at this answer. He gestured for Bohr to sit. “My thoughts are the same as yours, Bohr. I don’t have the time to manage the affairs within the Wizard Tower, but I still hope to see advancements to our culture. Bohr, you are better at those matters than I am. I also know how much time and effort you have spent in managing the Wizard Tower these past years. Many wizards oppose your rule, as they feel your policies are too weak and peaceful. They want to influence the world, acting as more forceful masters.”
He continued. “They are moving in secret, with many schemes, manipulating the situations in the human world. But Li Weisi’s folly, as well as the power of the Church of Light, cow them into inaction. Since you have also been mediating these tensions, there thankfully hasn’t been anything too horrendous happening. Right now, wizard culture needs to develop slowly, rather than jumping out recklessly, competing for dominance of the world.”
Bohr heard Lu Zhiyu’s words and felt extremely moved. Many of his ideas were opposed by everyone, including his classmates. Yet, Instructor Anthony understood and supported him. Bohr was silent for a long time, then he spoke again.
“Li Weisi has been dead for decades. The new generation of wizards has long since forgotten the things of the past. The emergence of blood wizards has enabled the wizards to become far more powerful. This power is a great temptation, and I can no longer suppress the ambitious ones. Recently, many strange events have occured within the Kingdom of Mara. I suspect that the wizards, who are scattered outside, are involved. So, I have sent people to investigate.”
Lu Zhiyu patted Bohr’s shoulders. “The power of wizards can promote the progress of civilization, if it is used for good. It can also destroy the sources of civilization, if it is used for evil. There is no evil in the power itself, or in its development, but I hope that civilization will continue to advance, instead of devolving. I even hope to see the civilization of wizard culture appear in Maria’s World one day.”
Bohr’s eyes also lit up with desperate ambition. “A civilization that belongs to us wizards? I vaguely remember Li Weisi mentioning this in the past. Will I really be able to witness it?”