The Heroes Who Illuminate the Beacon of Knowledge
A week passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, we roamed Libertas and enjoyed ourselves to our hearts' content. True to its reputation as the heart of the North, the region offered no shortage of sights. The Northern Grand Temple, the central hub of the North's many faiths. The magic towers, large and small, serving as the headquarters for Northern mages. The grand plaza sprawling around a massive fountain. Countless other facilities besides. And as the city gradually took on a festive atmosphere, the days felt all too short.
"The crowds have grown enormous now that the festival day has arrived."
"It's because the number of regular escort convoys operating on the day has increased."
I explained to Adela, who was looking around with curious eyes, as we walked the streets. Even without the festival, the influx of people had already swelled the numbers, but on the actual day the city had become a sea of humanity. Still, it didn't feel as suffocating as the cities from my previous life, so we wandered at a leisurely pace and took in the academic festival.
The academic festival ran for a total of five days. From the first to the third day, participating scholars spread throughout the city to present their prepared research to the public. The audience listened and voted for their favorites on the third day, accounting for forty percent of the total score. On the fourth day, presentations were given to visiting nobles for another thirty percent. The final thirty percent came from evaluations by fellow scholars on the fifth day, after which rankings were determined. This system stemmed from the academy's slogan—"Let us research knowledge that benefits the people"—which was why scholars had stationed themselves in every corner of the city.
"With this circuit, I say, it can absorb ambient mana and reduce existing mana consumption by a full five percent...!"
"The Northern ecosystem is extremely dangerous, yet equally fascinating. Among its wonders, I have extracted a regenerative salve from the sap of plants growing in Nepentula territories...!"
"Ancient technology remains largely incomprehensible in many respects. However, through continuous research, our Golem School has managed to partially replicate their methods..."
Scholars delivering speeches could be seen everywhere. Having sharpened their blades for this very festival, their presentations flowed without hesitation, drawing large crowds eager to hear them. Among the listeners, merchants seeking investment opportunities appeared from time to time—after all, pearls could occasionally be found in the mud.
Neon, who had been watching the scene with intrigued eyes, suddenly wore a worried expression.
"But doesn't this mean scholars who lose out in political struggles or lack influence get pushed into the back alleys?"
"No need to worry about that. Various rules are in place to ensure fairness."
"Besides, this event is sponsored by the Grand Duchy of Libertas. I needn't explain what happens to anyone who tarnishes the Grand Duke's name."
Defying the Grand Duchy—which handled sponsorship relays, maintained public order, and mediated disputes—was something even a three-year-old child wouldn't dare attempt. Moreover, as the academy's greatest patron, it enjoyed the scholars' absolute support. To uphold fairness, the academy assigned fixed points to each presentation venue and distributed high- and low-value locations evenly. For instance, if someone presented in the bustling city center on the first day, they would be assigned a quiet alley or outskirts on the second and third days. Of course, even those areas saw plenty of foot traffic during the festival, but the more people, the better the impact. Thus, scholars chose their venues with great care.
Having listened attentively to every presentation, I wore a satisfied smile.
"This year's festival has some truly substantial content."
In recent years, the festival had lacked groundbreaking announcements, but it seemed everyone had spent the intervening years honing their work, and this year the results were pouring forth. Yet among them all, one presentation stood out as the star of the festival: the joint announcement by Urek and Delian, who had secured prime spots in the commercial district from the very first day.
"You've all heard of ancient civilizations, I presume. The ruins of antiquity have yielded countless artifacts that even modern technology cannot replicate."
"I've spent fifty years studying the Northern ecosystem as a scholar, and even now, as I continue fieldwork, what fascinates me most is the principle by which high-ranking monsters exert dominion over nature."
Urek spoke of the ancient civilization that had existed only as hypothesis until now. Delian addressed the phenomenon of high-ranking monsters dominating nature—a trait particularly concentrated in the North. Their presentations drew such crowds that the commercial district felt cramped. Everyone knew who the true protagonists of this festival were.
"As a scholar of Mysteries, I have encountered diverse forms of knowledge and gleaned clues about ancient civilizations while investigating ruins throughout the South."
"Their method of dominating nature is profoundly alien—too raw to be called a Mystery, yet its mechanisms defy magical explanation. Still, I have grasped a thread."
There was a peculiar magnetism in the two scholars' voices. One could feel the will of pioneers who ventured into unknown fields and sought to render incomprehensible knowledge comprehensible. As their presentations continued, the audience became utterly absorbed. Honestly, most of the content went over my head. Though they had tried to explain it in accessible terms, the subject matter itself was simply too specialized. Yet I instinctively understood that their work was extraordinary.
And when they reached the climax of their presentations, the crowd felt it.
"Ancient civilizations did exist. I have identified the approximate locations of ruins bearing their traces."
"The dominion high-ranking monsters exert over nature is not a natural occurrence. There must have been the intervention of a Mystery, or some other external factor. Understanding this could allow us to build an effective system to resist their natural domination."
A historic moment was being forged right here. These men were the heroes illuminating the beacon of knowledge in this world.
Following Urek and Delian after their presentations, I joined them at a nearby restaurant. Because the venue was close, the two scholars had noticed each other during their talks and expressed interest. Though sunset was still hours away, everyone held a cup of wine, buoyed by the excitement of their presentations.
"I heard your presentation well. It was certainly fascinating content."
"Yours was equally intriguing. Though fewer than in the North, high-ranking monsters do exist in the South as well."
The group gathered around the two scholars laughed and chatted boisterously, savoring the festive atmosphere. Even amid the drinking, Northern and Southern scholars could occasionally be seen deep in discussion. In that lively setting, Neon voiced a question that had been bothering him.
"Come to think of it, you predicted we'd place third. With content like that, shouldn't we be aiming for first?"
Neon's question seemed reasonable. Evidence proving the existence of ancient civilizations ought to have been enough to contend for first place. Yet Urek shook his head as if the idea were absurd.
"While ancient civilizations are remarkable, they don't align with the festival's purpose. We'll likely lose points on that front."
"True, it's an impressive presentation, but it's not the sort of content that would benefit ordinary people."
"If the excavated civilization contained extraordinary technology, it might be different, but we can't assume that at every turn."
I nodded at Urek's words. The academy's slogan itself was to research knowledge beneficial to the people, which differed greatly from the festival's scoring criteria. The topic would interest nobles and scholars far more than common folk. That was why Urek had aimed for third place rather than first, taking all factors into account. With a presentation this significant, he had calculated that even a mismatch with the festival's theme would still be worthwhile.
"Still, it doesn't matter. While ranking is one goal, securing a powerful patron like a noble is far more important."
Urek downed his cup cleanly, and a sudden question occurred to me.
"But why present in the North instead of the South? Since your base is there, wouldn't it have been far more advantageous to present in your home region?"
Wouldn't presenting in the South, where he was from, have offered better cost-effectiveness? The others in the restaurant seemed to share my doubt, their gazes turning toward him. Urek answered with a bitter smile.
"Southerners react sensitively to Mysteries. While they can utilize them effectively, the side effects are correspondingly severe."
"If a Mystery phenomenon causing mild hallucinations occurs across an entire region, Southerners take it so seriously that large-scale chaos can erupt."
"That's why Southerners approach the investigation of phenomena deeply tied to Mysteries with extreme caution."
Silvia added her explanation to Urek's words, and the situation became clearer. Since Southerners found it difficult to resolve such matters themselves, they sought help from people in other regions. If mutual benefit arose in the process, cooperation was only natural. Delian, for his part, already seemed intrigued by Urek's plan and was subtly showing interest.
"Your argument was most fascinating. How about we discuss ancient civilizations further at a later time?"
"A visit from an outstanding scholar is always welcome."
It seemed the day would soon come when scholars from both regions would collaborate to form an ancient civilization excavation team. The two groups of scholars proved surprisingly compatible, deepening their friendship over drinks late into the night.
"Then I wish you good results."
"The same to you."
We stayed together until late and parted cleanly. After all, the festival had only just begun; celebrating the first day's results would have been premature. Building on the first day's experience, both groups achieved enthusiastic responses on the second and third days as well. Judging by public reaction, a top-tier ranking seemed all but assured. And when their efforts brought the festival's excitement to its peak—
"Thank you for your patience! Now that the academic festival's fervor has been ignited by the efforts of renowned scholars, we shall commence the unlimited duel prepared for your brief enjoyment!"
"""Waaaaaaaah!"""
At last, our turn to take the stage had arrived.