The paper looked wrinkled, but that was only because of the paper itself. The edges of the paper were sewn together with fine golden threads, which meant Khael had been taking good care of it.
But could this paper really be a treasure?
Angor looked at the paper carefully.
It would be fine if the paper was a letter filled with emotions. But it was not a letter. There were barely any words on it.
There was only a simple formula written on the paper.
Angor glanced at it and knew that it was a modified version of a basic space formula. Such formulas were quite common in the wizarding world. Sometimes, they could even create an entire "new world" using the formula. Now, a modified formula was no longer called a "modified formula". It was a new kind of theorem.
This was the concept of a tree of knowledge.
Many new ideas, new fields, and even new "frameworks", "sides", and "factions" were all sprouted and extended from the original seed of knowledge.
Similarly, when a person began to study a basic formula, he or she would continue to extend it until a new formula was created. This was the so-called "branch effect".
"Is this your modified formula?" Angor considered. "Bazzle's Two-Faced Formula?"
Khael was holding the paper in his hand with a gloomy look. No one knew what he was thinking about. He only looked up when he heard Angor's voice.
Khael forced a smile. "As expected of you, sir. You can tell that this is … a modified version of Bazzle's Two-Faced Formula."
Khael felt a gust of hot air behind him. He turned around in confusion, only to see Vay's face close to his. Their faces almost touched.
"Why are you here?" Khael stepped back out of reflex and tightened his grip on the crumpled paper.
Wai also stopped and scratched his head in embarrassment. "Did I scare you? Sorry. I'm just curious, is this piece of parchment your treasure? "
Instead of replying, Kael asked, "Where's your crystal ball?"
Vale pointed at the Casket of Sisya in the distance. "I threw the crystal ball into the casket, and then a woman's voice came from inside. She said that my crystal ball was a treasure, and then she gave me this."
Wa Yi opened his palm, and immediately, a rune surrounded by red light slowly rose from his palm.
"This is the ticket?" Karel was confused.
Wa Yi: "I think so. Actually, I'm not too sure either. Anyway, it gave me this. I used my spiritual power to sense it. It seems to be some kind of energy structure without a physical body. "
"What were you and Lord Chaowei talking about just now?" Vay looked at the parchment in Kael's hand. Is this parchment your treasure? "
"He didn't say anything. His Lordship merely pointed out the original form of my transformation."
Kael paused for a moment before continuing, "Yes, this parchment is my treasure, but I don't know if it will be recognized."
"Ordinary kraft paper, ordinary ink, and a row of … uh, I don't understand the formula. Is this formula very valuable? "
Kael shook his head. "… Worthless."
"Since it has no value, why did you call it a treasure?" Vail was puzzled.
Kael opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"Like I said, Silesia doesn't only define treasures based on their value. More importantly, it means something to the trader. Just like your crystal ball, isn't that the case? "
Wa Yi considered. "You're right. I was being rude."
Kael quickly waved his hands. "No, it's not like that. My parchment is really ordinary. It can't compare to your crystal ball."
Kael: "This parchment is actually …"
Before Kael could finish, a lazy voice came from not far away. "Isn't this the parchment you always hang on your 'research wall'? I thought it was some kind of amazing research, but it turns out to be a useless formula. "
There was no doubt that the speaker was Dorcas. Dorcas was the only one who had access to Kael's laboratory and was so familiar with Kael.
Hearing Dorcas's words, Wa Yi frowned, "Your words are just as vicious as before."
"You misunderstood Mister Red Sword, Wa Yi. I was the one who told Mister Red Sword about the 'useless formula'."
Wa Yi: "Huh?"
Kael lowered his head and began to tell the story of the parchment with a red face.
To put it simply, it was the story of a silly boy who made his fortune.
When Kael was still a mortal, he loved to explore history and went to many places that were rumored to contain ruins. Kael's luck was pretty good. Among the many fake ruins, he found a real ruin. Moreover, this ruin belonged to an Extraordinary.
Normally, the ruins of supernatural beings were always dangerous. But Kael was truly the epitome of a "foolish boy blessed by the heavens."
The remains of an Extraordinaire had once belonged to a light Magus who had secluded himself in a quiet room.
Not only did Kael not encounter too much danger, but he also obtained some wizard's legacy. Luckily, he also became a talent without a guide.
Later on, Kael met his current mentor, Aesos, while pursuing the path of the supernatural, and officially stepped onto the path of the Magi.
The parchment in Kael's hand was something he found in the light wizard's meditation room.
After looking at it, Aesop told Kael that it was a variant of Bazeer's two-sided formula. Aesop then explained what a variant was and how it could expand into a "new world".
It was Aesop's words that ignited Kael's passion.
He believed that the variant on the parchment could be derived and eventually become a new formula!
A new josephine named after his Cael!
Aesop didn't know where Kael got his confidence from, but he felt that this would definitely form a "new world". Perhaps he thought that this was his first fortuitous encounter, so it came with a beautiful filter?
Aesop didn't think that Kael would be able to research anything, but he didn't stop him. Instead, he gave him a lot of help.
This was because the process of research was actually a process of broadening one's knowledge.
Perhaps this variant wouldn't be able to grow into the "new world" that Kael hoped for, but it could become a stepping stone for Kael to become an outstanding researcher.
This was indeed the case. In the process of researching this variant, Kael became a student that even Aesop was proud of.
There was only one thing that gave Aesop a headache. It was that Kael seemed to be obsessed with the variant on the parchment.
No matter where Kael went or what he did, he would bring this parchment with him. Whenever he had the time, he would research it. Aesop had also secretly expressed that the variant on the parchment might not be able to derive a new formula, and advised Kael to give up on it.
On the surface, Kael listened to Aesop, but as long as Aesop wasn't around, he would still secretly research it.
Even when Kael was exploring ruins, he would take the time to think about it.
Later, when Kael settled down in the Sandworm Market and had his own laboratory, he would take the time to research it every day. Because of this, even Dorcas had seen this parchment countless times.
However, Kael had never been able to find anything.
Was Kael stupid and ignorant? To be able to join an academy as a wandering Magus meant that he definitely wasn't stupid.
In fact, Kael already knew that the variant on the parchment might be wrong, but he couldn't help himself from looking at it.
Aesop believed that Kael was obsessed with it.
Kael, on the other hand, believed that his obsession had become a daily habit.
Kael also knew that the parchment was already a "stepping stone" for him. It was time to give it up. However, it was hard to give up a habit that had lasted for decades. Besides, this habit also helped Kael become a real researcher. He didn't want to give it up.
Besides, the parchment itself was very important. It was a witness to Kael's journey from being a mortal to becoming a superhuman.
Kael couldn't make up his mind to give it up even if he wanted to.
But this time, maybe it was because Angor didn't change his expression when he gave up two important coins that touched Kael's heart.
Kael wasn't like Wai, who suddenly became Angor's fan. Still, Kael had to admit that Angor was definitely a god-like figure among the younger apprentices.
Despite his young age, Angor had already reached an unimaginable level. Kael even knew something that the others didn't — Angor was an expert in spatial studies.
Even if Kael didn't say it out loud, he still admired Angor from the bottom of his heart.
Of course, Kael saw Angor's every move.
If Angor could give up the valuable coins so decisively, why couldn't Kael do the same?
Just like Angor said, "Saying goodbye is also a form of growth."
For growth.
Kael decided to take a step forward this time.
…
The others who heard Kael's story also felt a little emotional.
They didn't think that a variant spell on a parchment could become Kael's obsession.
"But is his obsession really attached to this parchment?" Wai muttered, "Shouldn't his obsession be Kael's inner demon? Does it have anything to do with this parchment?"
Kael didn't answer. Instead, it was Angor who answered Wai's question. "Let Sisya decide if it's a treasure or not."
He paused for a moment before speaking to Kael again. "Whether or not this piece of parchment becomes Sisya's treasure has nothing to do with whether you can cut off your obsession or not. The most important thing is your own decision. "
Kael nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, sir. I understand. I've always known that it's the beginning of everything. If I want to end my old habits and start a new life, I have to give it up first. I didn't want to do it before, but now … I think I've figured it out. "
"I guess I shouldn't have said too much."
Kael knew Kael better than anyone else. Both Wai and Angor were worried for nothing.
Kael waved a hand. "No, sir. It's because of you that I've figured it out."
Kael lowered his head and spoke in an almost inaudible voice, "We have to say goodbye in the end."
With that, Kael bowed to Angor and slowly walked toward Sisya's Chest.
A few seconds later, Kal-El returned to the room.
He left very slowly, but when he came back, he strode like a meteor.
The parchment was no longer there, and a red rune similar to Wai's floated above Kael's palm. This meant that the worthless parchment in their eyes was indeed a treasure in Sisya's eyes.
Kael didn't seem to be reluctant to part with the parchment like everyone expected. Instead, he looked thoughtful and … relieved.
It was something that couldn't be faked. Kael knew himself very well. He knew that the obsession wasn't in his heart, but in the parchment. With the parchment gone, the obsession, or the inner demon, would slowly dissipate as time passed.
It could be said that this time, Kael had truly been freed from the demons of the past.
"Did Sisya say anything to you after receiving the parchment?" Wai asked curiously.
Kael rubbed the bridge of his nose with his index finger and said embarrassedly, "All I heard was' silly 'and that was it."
"So, you were scolded by a box?" Wai asked.
Kael chuckled awkwardly.
"Don't forget, Wai. You were kicked out right away. You don't have the right to laugh at others. "
"I was kicked out the first time because I wanted to help everyone with their experiments. Didn't you see that just now? Besides, you don't have the right to criticize me. What kind of treasure do you have? "
Angor also looked at Kael's treasure.
Apart from Count Black, Dorcas was the only one who didn't take out a "treasure". Count Dark did not want to pass the test. He only wanted to talk to Sisya. However, if Dorcas did not give up his treasures, he would have no choice but to hide in Angor's Exile Space.
Under everyone's gazes, Dorcas humphed. "Of course I do. Look, here it is."
After Dorcas finished speaking, he took out a cane that was faintly glowing from his pocket.
Angor frowned at the sight of the cane. "The Holy Cane of Light from Ashillia Academy?"
The biggest difference between an alchemist apprentice and an alchemist was that apprentices could only follow the rules, while real alchemists could create their own items.
By following the rules, an alchemist could pick up the wisdom of their predecessors and use the alchemy blueprints created by their predecessors to craft something.
From imitation to creation. This was a process that most alchemists would go through.
Ashillia Comprehensive Academy had many alchemy blueprints open to the public for beginners to imitate.
The rattan staff in Dorcas' hand was one of the basic staff blueprints of Ashillia Academy.
It was called "Holy Cane of Light", and its designer was the famous "Light Walker" Gandalf, who was also one of the pillars of the current research department.
Dorcas nodded. "That's right. This is the Holy Cane of Light. It's considered a treasure, right? "
The first part was in response to Angor's question, while the second part was directed at Wai.
Wai looked at him strangely. "According to Sisya's standards, it should be a treasure. But … are you sure you want to give it away?"
"Of course!"
"Aren't you afraid that —"
Dorcas quickly cut him off. "What's there to be afraid of? It's mine when it's in my hands. That's the rule of free wizards!"
With that, Dorcas turned around and walked toward the Chest with the cane in hand.
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