[67] Times Have Changed

Chapter 67: Times Have Changed

While "Konosuba: God Blessings on This Wonderful World" didn't significantly influence these seasoned mages with established worldviews, the mages in their seats couldn't contain their laughter during the movie, transforming the lecture hall, representing the forefront of knowledge, into a lively marketplace.

After the one-and-a-half-hour movie ended, Durin quickly cleared his throat and began, "Esteemed mages of the Imperial Empire, what you just witnessed is the result of my alchemical research—an ability to record real-life images and reproduce them using magical crystals. Although this technology is currently only used for filmmaking, I believe many of you understand its true potential."

"Let me provide a simple example. Currently, knowledge is primarily recorded through books or letters, but this method has its flaws. It's prone to damage and often lacks clarity in conveying information."

Casually pulling out a book from under the lectern, Durin showed it to the audience. Hearing his words, some of the mages present grasped his intentions.

As expected, Durin continued after returning the book, "However, if we were to use the magical crystals I've invented to record knowledge, it would offer several advantages. Firstly, it's less susceptible to damage compared to paper, making it far more secure and stable. Secondly, it allows users to record every step and detail of their experiments, even identifying previous mistakes upon review. This means even risky alchemical experiments wouldn't require someone constantly monitoring and recording data; a mere apprentice could manage the magical recording device."

"Additionally, for many instructors at the Imperial Mage Academy present here, the magical recording device and imaging crystals could be used for teaching in classrooms, significantly enhancing teaching efficiency and reducing classroom costs."

Durin then retrieved the magical recording device he had placed nearby, inputted its content into an imaging crystal from his pocket, and played it again.

Subsequently, Durin's actions on stage were clearly displayed once again.

Even some mages who hadn't yet recovered from the movie were now showing expressions of astonishment, deeply contemplating the changes this technology could bring.

"Any questions?" Durin asked, seeing the silent lecture hall, knowing he had said enough. He nodded to Hohenheim, who was still somewhat lost in thought, before returning to his seat.

During this process, even Roy gave him a surprised glance, but Durin didn't react. After all, he had long been prepared to face this top academic symposium in the empire, just earlier than expected.

And soon, as everyone present was stunned by this groundbreaking invention and realized the vast potential of Alchemical Magic, no longer dismissing it as useless, Dean Hohenheim returned to the platform for his final remarks:

"So, as previously announced, the Alchemy Tower will be separating from the Mage Tower to establish itself as a formal mage institution. Durin Edward's status as a Grand Mage is now acknowledged by the Mage Tower, and he will lead the newly established Alchemy Division at the Imperial Mage Academy."

With these words, every mage present understood—times were changing. It wasn't just about the emergence of a new powerful mage or the youngest branch head in the history of the Imperial Mage Academy.

From this day forward, the definition of magic itself would change! Alchemical Magic, long rejected by mages, would officially be recognized as part of magic!

Simultaneously, this seemingly minor decision would unleash a tremendous change that no one, not even the entire world, could have predicted.

...

Scar served as the steward of the Alchemy Tower, a branch of the Mage Tower. After his talented brother passed away, Scar assumed the stewardship of this tower with a centuries-old history.

However, unlike his brother, Scar lacked significant talent in Alchemical Magic, or even in magic itself—remaining only a third-tier intermediate mage to this day.

Nevertheless, this didn't deter him from carrying on his brother's legacy, passing down the knowledge of Alchemical Magic that his brother had dedicated his life to studying. Since becoming the tower steward, Scar had diligently worked to ensure that every student with even a slight interest in Alchemical Magic had the chance to study this unconventional discipline.

Yet, most students showed little interest in Alchemical Magic, viewing it as a futile pursuit that wouldn't enhance their abilities. They preferred spending their time meditating to enhance their spiritual power rather than learning about a technology with no apparent future prospects.

Fully aware of this reality, Scar continued to spend his days in the increasingly deserted tower, awaiting the arrival of the next inheritor with little hope.

In reality, Scar did indeed receive the hope he had been waiting for, a hope that now seemed even more dazzling than he could have imagined.

That hope came in the form of a young man named Durin Edward, a youth with talents in magic that astonished everyone. After enrolling, he unexpectedly ascended to the top of the Alchemy Tower, representing Alchemical Magic, and wholeheartedly embraced this seemingly hopeless path.

At the time, despite facing criticism from the entire Imperial Mage Academy and the possibility of the Alchemy Tower disappearing altogether, Scar chose to take a gamble. He resisted the pressure from the outside world and did his best to pass on the glory of Alchemical Magic, the only legacy left by his brother, to this now seemingly overly dazzling young man.

As expected, the Mage Tower did not recognize the achievements of Alchemical Magic. When Durin attempted to forcefully change their perception, despite being a genius youth with the hopes of everyone, despite becoming a Grand Mage before the age of twenty, and being almost guaranteed to become the next Archmage, the current Mage Tower Master, and Imperial Chief Archmage, Hohenheim, expelled him directly from the Imperial Mage community. Durin not only lost all his dazzling aura but also was left without a shred of hope.

Upon learning of this, Scar was overwhelmed with self-blame. He believed it was his stubbornness, his faint hope, that had led to the destruction of the young man's future. If he had prevented Durin from continuing his research in Alchemical Magic, if he had stopped him from opposing the Mage Tower for the sake of Alchemical Magic, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way...

However, beyond his imagination, the young man did not despair after being expelled from the Mage Tower. Instead, he single-handedly invented the magical recording device and imaging crystal that had once been just a concept, and he used them to overturn the entire world of magic within the very lecture hall that had once symbolized his failure.

After leaving the lecture hall meeting, Scar did not immediately go to claim the glory of Vice Dean and Official Tower Master. Instead, he returned first to the top-floor office of the Alchemy Tower and slowly opened a hidden compartment in the room.

Inside the compartment lay an old and yellowed book, resembling a diary.

Without hesitation, Scar carefully retrieved the book, turned around decisively, and headed towards the teleportation array not far away.