Qianqian glanced around at Horn and Grampwen, letting out a soft sigh: "This matter was originally quite distant for you, but you’re about to join us soon, so there’s no harm in telling you.
Inside the circles of witch affiliates or wizards, there are two mainstream thoughts regarding the understanding of the extraordinary nature, the theory of Magic Power and the theory of Mana.
The Magic Power school believes that the source of all extraordinary phenona, what is it? It is existence; everything originates from existence. It is tangible matter, Magic Power.
For example, Jeanne’s lightning, according to the Magic Power school, is composed of Magic Power, so they call this extraordinary power of witches Witchcraft.
The Mana school believes this source, if there is existence, cos from non-existence; it is intangible energy, spirit, Mana, or Spiritual Power.
Extraordinary abilities exist inherently, and Mana rely drives them, like using a flint to ignite a torch; they call extraordinary powers Spells."
After listening to Qianqian’s words, both Grampwen and even Jeanne looked puzzled, while only Horn fell into deep thought.
"So, Sister Qianqian, which theory do you lean towards?"
Qianqian fanned herself with a feather fan: "I lean more towards the Mana theory; the Magic Power theory is too ancient, unable to explain many phenona...
Um, I should tell you, discussing this among ourselves is fine.
But if you ever encounter a wizard gathering or unfamiliar wizards, it’s a slippery slope you can’t even touch."
"Why?"
Qianqian laughed heartily: "There’s a joke in our Secret Faction that to eliminate the wizards, just send an undercover agent, raise this question at every wizard gathering, and within three months, the wizards would destroy themselves in an internal war.
Any dispute over magic inevitably leads to debates, even fights."
"Why? Isn’t it just two theories?"
Horn was the first to answer before Qianqian: "This is a narrative dispute; the two understandings of the source of the extraordinary must extend to two entirely different worldviews and a series of corresponding extraordinary laws.
Resources are limited; giving to one ans not giving to another.
Whichever school, both will think the opposite view is a disgraceful waste, a vile interference to themselves.
Moreover, they possess force themselves. If it weren’t for the Church’s pressure, I guess they might have already resorted to internal warfare."
Qianqian gave a surprised glance at this young farm boy.
Though forced into it, this farr posing as the son of Miseria indeed had so ability.
These words, when he entered the field back then, were asked of his witch master Catherine, and the answer wasn’t much different from what this farr said.
Co to think of it, a truly clueless, incompetent farr couldn’t have organized an uprising of over a thousand people and managed it so orderly.
Compared to Qianqian’s surprise, Horn’s face remained calm, though he was even more surprised inside.
Because from his narration just now, these wizards seed to have realized the connection between phenona and essence, not viewing spells themselves as a black box or divine gift, but starting to explore their laws.
In other words, they already had the germination of rational thinking—doubt.
From Qianqian’s statents, perhaps specific spells still remain a black box.
But in the taphysical essence of spells, philosophical thought developnt began to erge.
Horn initially thought they were just charlatans.
Underestimated you.
But regardless, with extraordinary force being a dominant capacity factor in this world, despite the risk of discovery, Horn was unwilling to give it up.
"Brother Qianqian, you spoke of this Mana, can I feel it? Why, even though I’ve beco a witch affiliate, can’t I feel it?"
Qianqian massaged her temples, walking forward a bit before answering: "Generally speaking, the first generation of witch affiliates don’t have this problem. They, like witches, equate spells with Mana.
If your Mana is so weak that you can’t even feel it, then the ditation thod to enhance Mana becos just empty talk."
At this point, Qianqian seed to think of sothing, and he took out two sli cocoons from the collar of his riding outfit.
Seeing that deflated chest, the surrounding Imperial Guard was greatly disappointed.
Qianqian ignored them, pulling out a thin, copper rod as long as an elbow and as thick as a finger from the cocoon.
"What is this?" Receiving the thin copper rod from Qianqian, Horn waved the Imperial Guard to stop and asked in confusion.
"This is mountain copper, an alchemical product." Qianqian took the copper rod from Horn’s hand, "It’s a tool that can help you enhance your Mana."
He handed the mountain copper to Grampwen, who was watching with interest, and signaled him to try bending it.
Grampwen gripped both ends of the mountain copper rod, let out a roar, and his arm veins bulged, his face turning visibly red.
Yet the mountain copper rod remained completely unmoved, without even a trace of bending.
Taking back the mountain copper rod from the bewildered Grampwen, Qianqian held one end and pinched the other with his fingers, gently pressing down. The mountain copper rod bent into a ninety-degree angle.
Then, with an upward toss, the mountain copper rod bounced back like rubber, quickly returning to its original upright form.
"This is the nature of mountain copper, only those with Mana can bend it." Catching the mountain copper rod, Qianqian handed it to the curious Jeanne, "Soone with Mana will soften it upon contact, seeming to press it down with a hand, but actually bending it with Mana.
This is a way to train Mana; like muscles, Mana strengthens the more you exercise."
While Qianqian spoke, over there Jeanne had already twisted the mountain copper rod into a δ shape, imitating Qianqian by tossing it upward.
The mountain copper rod in mid-air suddenly crackled with a few sparks before continuing to revert to its original form.
"As expected of a witch, huh?" Qianqian softly sighed, "Just pressing down to that extent was already my limit..."
"Then what’s with the sparks?" Jeanne asked curiously.
"Mountain copper possesses Mana conductivity. For a witch, spells equate to Mana. You can think of it as the mountain copper releasing your Mana."
Jeanne nodded in a daze, handing the mountain copper rod to Horn: "Brother Horn, you give it a try."
As Horn held the mountain copper rod, he felt sothing was off the mont he grasped it.
Why does it feel like liquid once I hold it, completely different from the rubber-like elasticity from before?
Watching Horn with a smile, Qianqian advised, "Your Mana is too weak, probably only able to bend a little, not too much..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw Horn gently press with his index finger, and the mountain copper rod folded into a sharp angle.
Blinking, Qianqian lifted his bangs that blocked his vision with both hands, leaning closer to confirm he hadn’t seen wrong.
As for Horn, he gripped both ends of the mountain copper rod with one hand, continuously twisting and coiling it.
The object that was harder than steel in Grampwen’s hands turned to clay in his.
When Horn placed the mountain copper rod in his palm, it was no longer a rod but should be called a mountain copper spring.
Imitating Jeanne and the others, Horn tossed the mountain copper into the air.
Under the gaze of everyone around, the mountain copper rod seed pulled by an invisible force, twitching and spinning madly.
Upon hitting the ground, it still writhed, leapt, and stretched like a dead fish, bouncing around.
"This, this is impossible..." As if struck by a huge shock, Qianqian ignored Jeanne’s stopping and bent down, rushing towards it.
He reached out, seemingly intent on retrieving the mountain copper rod, not noticing there was a slanted stone directly ahead.
"Watch out."
"Qianqian, get out of the way!"
"Clang—"
Qianqian and the mountain copper rod fell flat to the ground simultaneously.
"Quick, call a physician!"
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