858 Pearl on the Crown of Magic

After being stunned for almost a minute, Fernando asked in a hurry, “Douglas, what mathematical problem are you working on?”

He had never been embarrassed when it came to asking other people what he did not know, and he was most earnest when it came to the things he was interested in. Magic knowledge and mathematical problems were certainly among them.

Having set up alarm magic circles around, Douglas had known about it when Fernando entered the place, but instead of greeting the visitor, he continued dwelling in the ocean of mathematics. It was not until Fernando opened his mouth that he finally raised his head and answered, “The calculation of the area and volume of irregular objects, as well as the corresponding problems.”

The quill in his hands did not stop when he answered the question. So, his words were quite literal.

Fernando immediately looked shocked after he heard the reply. His red eyes were like two scorching suns. “The calculation of the area and volume of irregular objects? Are you studying the curves?”

It was a fundamental problem in analyzing the complicated magic models that had upset generations of sorcerers. It was the most brilliant pearl on the crown of magic. However, the research so far could only be applied to special conditions but could not be extrapolated. Many sorcerers were so frustrated that they even questioned the possibility of a solution. They stated that it was better to devote their attention to the studies on the improvement of spiritual power. The progress wouldn’t be fast either, but at least the returns would be obvious.

That was the reason why Fernando was so shocked. From the paper, the strange symbols, and the graphs of curves, he could tell that Douglas went further than anybody else in that regard!

If the problem could really be solved, the difficulties in analyzing and engraving magic models for the low rank, the middle rank, and the high rank would all be significantly lowered, and the sorcerers would be much stronger in twenty years!

Douglas was woken up from his research and smiled. “Yes. Although I’ve always been mocked for being impractical, I couldn’t stop myself from studying it. I feel that it contains the most beautiful view in the world.”

“What’s your perspective?” Fernando blurted out. He then realized it was inappropriate. “If you do not want to answer, you are free not to. I’m just curious.”

He had always been respectful of other people’s secrets and would never snoop on them, which was a serious issue that might cause sorcerers to kill each other. However, “please tell me” was clearly written on his face.

Douglas chuckled. “It’s not a big deal. I’ve been troubled by some problems too, and I need someone to talk to me and inspire me. Well, I’m working from the perspective of infinite division and recombination…”

Not intending to keep it to himself, he went on eloquently. Although Fernando couldn’t understand most of it, he managed to follow with his basic understanding of mathematics. Now and then, he asked about the parts that he did not understand, which made Douglas even more enthused.

“What does this symbol mean?” Fernando had already approached Douglas. He pointed at a certain symbol on the manuscript.

His eyes glittering, Douglas said, “It’s a symbol that I defined. It denotes infinity…”

Just like that, the two of them were so dedicated to the discussion of mathematics that they forgot about Lauren who was outside.

It seemed that few people had ever talked with Douglas about the problem that he was most proud of. So, he was extremely thrilled. His previous warmth and gentleness were replaced by the excitement on his face. He went on talking like the most talkative old man.

“What are you doing?” Lauren waited for a long time outside, only to receive nothing, but he did not find any sign of a battle. The Secret Eye reported that Fernando was alive too. Therefore, he emboldened himself and walked in full of suspicion, only to discover what appeared to be a scene from when he studied in the magic tower before.

Douglas’ cheeks were particularly red. “We’re discussing mathematics.”

“I can see that.” Lauren smiled. “But don’t we have more important matters to discuss?”

“What is it?” Douglas calmed himself down from the heated discussion.

After a brief silence, Fernando said, “We are going to attack the Inquisition in this place to kill a high-ranked night watcher and a traitor. However, safety matters most. We should not take any risks. We would evacuate in case of an anomaly.”

Lauren looked at him in surprise. That was not what Fernando said during their discussion. He did not mention the latter half of the sentence.

“I need detailed information including the comparison of our strengths, the distribution of the divine power circles, etc. before I decide to join you or not,” Douglas said prudently.

Lauren hurried to introduce the situation in the city and spoke of their conclusion.

Douglas nodded. “Based on your intelligence, the odds of success are rather high, because the night watchers couldn’t expect that we are audacious enough to attack them at all. However, it is also very dangerous. If we are slow, and the Church activates the divine power circles and the transmission circles in reaction, we will be in serious trouble.”

The Church had set up plenty of facilities to defeat the Magic Empire. The churches of such a big city must have transmission circles that led to the capitals of the major countries. Heart of Time, the Sword of Truth, the Grand Cardinals, and the other legendary experts could arrive in several minutes. If they were stopped by the divine power circles, they would be in grave danger.

“Lauren will interfere with the church with magic items, but he will only buy two to three seconds for us. We have to seize the opportunity to escape.” Fernando introduced their plan.

“That will do. Even if we run into a gold knight, I’ll still be confident enough to get away from the battle, unless he is immune to Time Stop.” Douglas revealed that he was capable of “Time Stop”, one of the trickiest ninth-circle spells.

“I’m going to attack the Inquisition with you.” Fernando released some suppressed fury.

After they made the detailed plans and the backup ways to escape, Lauren asked Fernando in a low voice, “Why did you stress that safety matters most and we should not take risks?”

Fernando was very solemn. “Because I believe that Douglas is much more valuable than the Inquisition, this city, and even the whole Union. Of course, that is not including me.”

Lauren looked at his friend in shock again. The guy had always preferred sarcasm to compliments, but he had given Douglas such a high remark! Even though his compliment at the end exposed his nature, it was still rather unbelievable. Was the Sun rising from the west today?

What happened before he came in? Had Fernando been controlled?

Holding back his surprise, Lauren asked carefully, “Where do you see that?”

Fernando replied angrily, “Everywhere! Here, here, and here!”

He pointed at the papers on the ground and told Lauren about Douglas’ research in a low voice.

“If he succeeds, wouldn’t it be much easier for me to become a senior-rank sorcerer?” Lauren observed in excitement. He had always admired and trusted his friend’s judgment.

“Who knows? There are still plenty of problems. Chances are that it will be unfinished by the time he meets the Goddess of Magic.” Fernando couldn’t help but mock Douglas.

…

The horizon was crimson at sunset, and the city gate was about to be closed.

On a hill nearby, Fernando prepared his spell in a temporarily-established ancillary magic circle.

“Has he really improved the spell?” Douglas asked Lauren curiously.

Lauren said proudly, “Yes. In the entire Union and the other organizations that I’m familiar with, nobody controls the spell so perfectly that it’s almost natural.”

Fernando was suddenly covered in electricity. The sky within dozens of kilometers became dark, with clouds slowly appearing.

“Let’s go into the city. A storm is coming in three hours.” Fernando walked out of the magic circle. At this moment, the clouds were still not too many.

It was “Weather Manipulation”, a seventh-circle spell!

A thunderstorm would cover most of the traces of magic waves!

After they snuck into the Inquisition, since the sorcerers who had betrayed them often practiced magic, they wouldn’t fear that they might be sensed by the defense circle of the whole city.

Douglas looked at the sky, somewhat shocked. The regular “Weather Manipulation” should have created thunderstorms or blizzards very quickly under appropriate weather conditions. Everybody could tell that those phenomena were caused by magic. Nobody had ever changed it bit by bit, as if it were a regular weather change, like what Fernando did.

Only in such a way would it escape the attention of the keen night watchers and red robes.

Lauren stayed out of the city to watch over the magic circle. He would also fly to the top of the city after the storm arrived, monitor the church, and disrupt it with magic items and bolts of lightning whenever it was necessary. On the other hand, Fernando and Douglas went into the city before the gate was closed. They hid in a fairly clean tavern.

More and more clouds were gathered, and the air was getting damper and damper. Everybody sensed an upcoming storm. So, few people were on the street. Even the patrolling soldiers were considering where they should hide from the rain.

Pa!

A bolt of lightning struck in the dark sky, raising intense thunders.

Douglas and Fernando looked at each other and nodded. They left the tavern and strolled toward the Inquisition.

BOOM!

The bolts of lightning and thunder broke out nonstop. By the time they reached the Inquisition, torrential rain was already pouring.

The Inquisition was an inconspicuous two-floored tower. It seemed plain, but it gave a gloomy and horrifying feeling. It was the nightmare of sorcerers and ordinary people.

“Based on our previous files, the main part of the Inquisition is below the tower,” Fernando reminded him.

Hualala.

As the rain poured down, everything became dark, and all their senses were blocked.

Douglas and Fernando moved faster as if they were in a hurry.

“What are you doing?” asked a night watcher who was pretending to be the janitor.

“Sir, we have important leads about the sorcerers!” said Douglas in a panic.

The night watcher was not surprised. He observed the strangers carefully. Recently, many people had come to the Inquisition at night to confess their secrets.

The moment his eyes net Douglas’ eyes, he seemed to have sunk into a boundless cosmos. He appeared rather agitated. “Why didn’t you come sooner? I’ll lead you to the captain!”

The vague magic waves were drowned in the storm.

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