Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Indeed there aren’t any.” Lucien admitted ‘frankly’.
Hathaway was silent for a while as if she were organizing her thoughts. “I think that your remark was too high and would result in reckless and impractical illusions. Although, it is possible to infer certainly imposed quantizations naturally if the hypothesis that electrons have the nature of waves is applied to the model in the new alchemy; remarking a hypothesis that is not based on any experiment or phenomenon will not help build up a serious and down-to-earth atmosphere.”
Her words were not very organized, but Lucien managed to follow. Since some of the problems in the new alchemy could potentially be resolved if electrons were considered waves, she was not as stubborn about Dieppe’s hypothesis as he imagined, and she was already more or less prepared. After all, the perfection of the new alchemy was more important; it was the direction of her future road.
Also, she described that electrons had the nature of waves instead of saying ‘electrons are waves’. It was clear that she ascribed it to the special quality of certain particles, exactly like the supporters of the particle theory’s explanation on the image of interference and diffraction of light quantum. While those speculations were full of contradictions and received no attention, Hathaway could certainly learn a thing or two from them.
What she really wanted to disapprove was Lucien’s remark, which she believed was too high. It must be noted that any bold, unbelievable hypothesis in the past was based on the discovery of problems and flaws, which prompted the connection in thinking. For example, Lucien’s light quantum hypothesis was based on the fact that the wave theory of light could not explain the photoelectric effect.
Dieppe’s hypothesis this time, on the other hand, was purely the product of a broadened mind. The wave-particle duality of light was suddenly extrapolated to all the microscopic particles, but it remained to be seen whether or not light was made of particles, and there was no sign that it was not the unique feature of light. How could the duality be extrapolated in the world of particles so recklessly and blindly?
Most importantly of all, the hypothesis could only resolve the puzzles in the new alchemy so far, unlike the light quantum hypothesis which explained the photoelectric effect clearly and fitted all the existing experiments even though no pertaining experiments were made. Therefore, Hathaway didn’t think that Lucien should give such a high remark to the paper. It would encourage other arcanists to propose purely theoretical and imaginary hypotheses about the phenomena that had absolutely no problems before, and the atmosphere of careful exploration, research and application would be completely ruined.
To put it simply, she felt that Lucien’s over-compliment on Dieppe’s hypothesis would result in a trend of speculative arcana studies.
Everybody in the Highest Council was well aware of Hathaway’s language abilities. Fearing that Lucien might not get the point, Oliver even specifically added, “When you remark Dieppe’s paper as utterly ungrounded, the other arcanists will feel that it is an opportunity they can take advantage of because they can accuse that a classic theory is wrong without discovering any problem first. Then, based on the hypothesis, they can get a correct deduction in mathematical methods. As for how ludicrous the final result may be, they wouldn’t care about it at all.”
“For example, I can make accusations about you being a spy of the Church without any proof. When I have that premise, I can explain everything you have done with it. Then, through the rigorous but partial deduction, I prove that you published the disruptive papers with the purpose of blowing up the heads of more sorcerers or even to directly kill us the members of the Highest Council so that the Congress of Magic can be eliminated. Don’t you think that it is preposterous? Why did you encourage such an action?”
Lucien said carefully, “I gave the hypothesis that electrons are waves such a high remark because I was inspired by it and saw the dawn of resolving the problems in the new alchemy. If the hypothesis can resolve the problems in the new alchemy, it will be proved at the same time.”
“Also, if photons can boast the nature of waves, why can’t electrons, neutrons, and protons? In the microscopic domain, such a hypothesis has its own logic and is not purely based on imagination.”
Lucien always had his own persistences when it came to arcana discussions. He could not acknowledge that his remark was too reckless, or that Dieppe’s paper was too bold and impractical just because of the accusation of two grand arcanists. That would’ve been unfair to both himself, who wrote a professional and authoritative remark, and to Dieppe who had such hard work.
He insisted on it even though he hadn’t confirmed it with experiments. The theory that deserved his remark must have its merits. However, if its flaws were pointed out, or if it was disapproved by experiments, he would certainly not be too obstinate to change, either.
“Since when has light been acknowledged as particles?” Vicente, the middle-aged pale man wearing a black cloak, said coldly, with crimson fire bouncing fiercely inside his eyes.
Looking at the Lord of the Undead, Hathaway said, “Admit it or not, the photoelectric effect and the Brook scattering experiment are right there indicating everything clearly.”
“But I think the scattering experiment and such can also be explained from the perspective of waves. For example…” Oliver spoke what was on his mind, constructing special waves that could show the nature of particles.
Douglas, on the other hand, frowned and said, “No experiments and theories can support your idea so far.”
“It’s a possible direction to work on.” Said Brook concisely.
…
For a moment, due to the argument of the wave theory and the particle theory, the whole conference room of the Highest Council was filled with noise. Gradually, the argument grew more and more intense, and they even had emotional fluctuations.
“Construct your special composite waves first, Oliver.” When Klaus talked, countless spots of light were appearing on his back and forming the illusions of different alchemical items. There were golems, puppets, floating cities, alchemical fortresses, magic steam trains…
Oliver shook his finger. “However you view it, this is also one way to explain the photoelectric effect and Brook’s scattering experiment. Also, before you discuss my question, you’d better take another look at the particle theory. Perhaps, there have never been any particles. They’re just the special forms of waves.”
Scenes of destruction were created around him one after another, enshrouding the conference room in the air of the end of the world.
“If particles are all waves, are the elements made of those particles waves? Are the lives made of those elements waves? To be more exact, are we waves?” Vicente did not quite agree with Oliver about the conclusion. As an authority in human body and soul, he found it hard to believe that bodies were waves. How could the body, which could be felt so real, be waves?
Peaceful, everlasting black monuments were growing on the carpet in the conference room. The silence of death covered everything.
Oliver waved his hands, hinting that his words were not considerate enough. He said again, “To be honest, although I appreciate Dieppe’s hypothesis, and I want to give him the high remark that he has opened a corner of the captain that covers our world, I am not convinced that electrons are waves up until so far.”
While talking, he used magic to construct the movement of electrons inside the cloud room. The bright white drops of fog constituted the spectacular traces of electrons, filled with the air of dream and astonishment.
“I am not bold enough to believe that the electrons are waves when they have the distinctive tracks of particles. However, since Lucien agrees with Dieppe’s hypothesis, does it mean that he also agrees that wave is the nature of light?” As he talked, Oliver looked at Lucien.
He was attacking Lucien’s light quantum theory with his own remark.
“As I said, electrons perhaps will behave as waves under special circumstances, like when they are bound around the atomic nucleus.” Hathaway took Lucien’s side this time.
Hellen was one of the few legendary sorcerers whose cognitive world did not surface as projections. She had been listening to the argument of the supporters of the particle theory and the sorcerers of the wave theory in silence. At this moment, she couldn’t help but interject, “As a matter of fact, I have been quite confused ever since the light quantum hypothesis was proved. Why does the light show both the nature of waves and the nature of particles? Should we view the problem from an even higher level as Evans said before?”
“It can be explained from the perspective of waves…” Oliver reiterated his opinion. Nobody could become a grand arcanist without insistence.
Seeing that the two sides were about to start a ‘frank and friendly conversation’ again, Douglas hurried to hint them to shut up with his gesture. The extraordinary views in the conference room were immediately gone, turning it from hell back into the real world.
“The competition of the particle theory and the wave theory has lasted a long time. There’s no need to waste our time on it today. Since Lucien insists that his remark was appropriate, and it is not the result of the paper’s review, after all, I don’t think there is any need to discuss it any further, right?” Douglas looked around at everyone.
Oliver nodded slightly. “I’d like to ask something else. I believe everybody else is also curious. Lucien, in your mind, is light waves or particles?”
“Also, is electron waves or particles?” Added Vicente coldly.
Hathaway, Hellen, and the other grand arcanists also looked at Lucien, rather curious about his real stance in arcana.
Lucien had been observing the conference room that was completely different from any meeting ever since the extraordinary views appeared. That was the unique landscape that would only appear during the assemblies of the Highest Council.
At this moment, hearing their questions and sensing everybody’s look, Lucien did not refuse to answer. Instead, he looked at his teacher who was slightly abnormal in concerns, before he asked back solemnly, “What is a wave, and what is a particle?”
Huh? The members here were at least ninth-circle arcanists. Not expecting that Lucien would ask about such elementary concepts, they were all more or less stunned.
“Lucien, this is not your teaching moment, although you were nicknamed ‘Professor’.” Said Oliver, who felt he was humorous.
There was nothing but two crimson flames in Vicente’s eye sockets and a thin skin that covered his cheekbones on his face, making it hard to tell his real feelings. “The definition of wave and particle can be found in any introductory books of arcana. Our time is too precious for that. If you don’t want to answer the questions, just remain silent.”
“Wave is a phenomenon. It is definitely based on the summary of the actual waves in nature and applied to arcana studies. The specific definition is…” Hathaway did not bother Vicente and briefly described the definitions of wave and particle.
Smiling, Lucien said, “It is very obvious that the definitions of wave and particle come from us. They come from the empirical conclusions we drew on the world of reality that is readily observable.”
“What’s the problem with that?” Crossing his fingers, Brook stuck his hand to his chin, as if he had guessed something.
Douglas, Bergner, and Hathaway seemed to have remembered something and were deep in thought. However, Hathaway’s face barely changed, and it was unnoticeable if she was not carefully observed. Fernando, the Lord of Storm, remained as silent as before.
Instead of giving a straight answer, Lucien looked at everyone and said, “I would like to tell a story first if you don’t think it’s a waste of your time.”
“Not a problem at all.” Oliver had always been tolerant about stories.
Now that he had spoken, the other members of the Highest Council certainly would not object to such a small matter. Besides, they believed that Lucien was not telling a random story to distract them from the current subject but definitely had his own purpose. Furthermore, the previous arguments and questions were all about arcana but not against Lucien personally. As long as the question could be explained clearly, did one story really matter? It wouldn’t hurt even if he had to tell ten of them!
“A long, long time ago, there was a king who hunted a dragon. Delighted, he put his trophy outside of his palace as a symbol of his bravery so that every noble and civilian who passed by could see it.” Lucien spoke unhurriedly. “One day, a group of blind people, who never knew anything about dragons before, learned of the matter. Curious about what dragons looked like, they came to the palace together and touched the dead body of the dragon.”
Hearing that a group of blind people tried to figure out what dragons looked like by ‘touching’, Oliver, Klaus, and other members of the Highest Council, who were relatively open-minded, all smiled. The rest of them, on the other hand, speculated what might happen.
Lucien went on. “One of them touched the wings of the dragon under the assistance of the guards. He immediately declared joyfully, ‘Dragons are terrible, gigantic bats!’”
“No, dragons are huge lizards!” Another one of them who touched the scales of the dragon argued. Before he became blind, he had once caught a lizard and felt its scales.
Most of the members in the Highest Council were amused after hearing the first guy’s declaration, but they all became solemn after the second guy’s reply. Douglas, Hathaway, and the rest of them who were more or less prepared nodded their heads.
“There’s no need to talk about the answers of the other blind people now. I only want to ask one thing: are dragons bats or lizards?”
“Neither.” Hellen basically understood what Lucien meant but still replied carefully.
Lucien smiled, “Therefore, light and protons are neither waves nor particles for me. The only thing that can be confirmed is that they are matter. Of course, I prefer to call them particles.”
“Neither waves nor particles?” Oliver frowned and asked, “Are you suggesting that they are actually something else?”
Looking around in the conference room, Lucien said, “We cannot see the electromagnetic waves including the invisible light, nor can we see the particles in the microscopic scale. When we study those aspects, we are like blind people. So we can only depend on the phenomena we can observe, instead of imposing the empirical definitions and concepts on them.”
“Take light for example. If we do not consider it as waves or particles in advance, we can describe it in such a way: this matter shows the obvious features of waves as well as the features of particles, its frequency is to a certain degree, and its speed is different in different mediums. It is not important what the matter that boasts such qualities is called. It can be defined as anything. As for why it shows both the features of waves and the features of particles and how the two categories of features are combined on it, that’s what we should study on our next step. Everything must be based on experiments and actual phenomena.”
“We are arguing here before we have applied the conceptions and definitions of the past to the microscopic domain mechanically, which is the place closest to the truth of the world. I once said that our experience would deceive us. This is one of the examples. On the other hand, such deceptions are not only reflected in our studies but also in our interactions with other people.”
After saying that, Lucien looked around at the members of the Highest Council who had different expressions before he said solemnly:
“Only if we learn to temporarily abandon our previous concepts and depend on the actual phenomena and the experiment results can we ‘see’ the truth of the world in the microscopic domain.”
After Lucien finished his talk, the conference room was caught in a weird silence. Everyone thought about different things.
“But how are we going to study the microscopic domain if we don’t have any concepts? We have to process and construct the experiment phenomena and results into a system.” Oliver agreed with him, but he was still very suspicious about it.
Lucien replied simply. “With mathematical tools.”
“How do we know what mathematical tools to use if we don’t know what it is?” Vicente did not quite agree with him.
“We can apply the previous conceptions and definitions that can be directly observed, to the experiment results, and cannot apply them to those which cannot be observed. However, we can run deductions based on the experiment results, propose speculations and hypotheses, and then testify them with strict experiments later.” Lucien expressed his opinion. He had formed and fortified the idea because of the influence of weird things such as magic, soul, and feedback in reality and his studies in the quantum theory.
“So, you are still guessing that electrons are waves? But there are no experiments that can confirm it.” Vicente went on. After a huge detour, they returned to the original subject.
Douglas nodded his head and said, “I think that Lucien does have a point. We see an object when the light is reflected into our eyes on its surface. The magnifying magic is based on the same optical mechanism. However, light can interact with electrons and result in their ‘transition’, which means that their status is altered. Therefore, up until now, there is barely any way for us to directly observe the microworld, and we can only conclude based on the experiment results before we explain the conclusions. It’s true that we cannot introduce too many previous concepts when we explain the conclusions, which will restrain and blind our minds.”
“However, the assumption that electrons are waves is still too impractical. At least, no experiments so far have any sign to prove it. They show the features of particles without any exception.” Oliver shook his head, and Hathaway, as well as the other grand arcanists, agreed with him. At the very least, the nature of particles was the obvious experiment result, and it was difficult to associate waves with the distinctive traces.
However, they also preliminarily accepted that the previous concepts could not be blindly applied to the microworld in arcana studies.
“Can we only see the truth of the world if we abandon the previous concepts?” Said Brook in mixed feelings. “But since we have been learning arcana and receiving conceptions and definitions since childhood, it is possible that we apply the previous concepts to our studies without us knowing it. Besides, it is possible that introducing the previous concepts will make things easier.”
Douglas looked at his pocket watch and said, “It’s already late. Lucien has also expressed his opinion. You may talk in private.”
“Yes, I’ll try to reconstruct the model in the new alchemy with the notion of electronic waves and build its wave function to see if I can resolve the problem and confirm the hypothesis.” Brook was rather interested in the direction as if he had found a way to reshape his cognitive world.
Oliver also nodded. “I’ll also put my thoughts into the concept of electron waves and try to establish their wave function. Let’s hope we can get something.”
Hathaway didn’t say anything. She was always silent if she could.
Vicente smiled at the Lord of Storm in a mocking smile, “Old pervert, why didn’t you say anything today? Did you not want to roar at him because he’s your student? That’s very unlike you, who has been very insistent in truth in the field arcana.”
It was not until he said that that the other members of the Highest Council realized that the Lord of Storm hadn’t spoken anything so far! In the past, when such arguments took place, the conference room would definitely be swarmed with thunder, lightning, storms, and roars. Why was it so unusual today?
Fernando seemed to be holding something back. After a glance at Vicente, he glared at Lucien, “Bring it out. They should be braced for the blast now.”
“Bring what out?” Lucien pretended that he did not know what Fernando was talking about.
“Bring what out?” The other members of the Highest Council were full of suspicion.
Fernando roared aloud all of a sudden, “I knew you completed the experiment when you gave the remark! Bring it out! Show us what the truth of the world is, and how the previous concepts should be abandoned!”
“You think we can’t take such a hit from a realm that is full of unknowns?”
The experiment had been completed? Oliver, Klaus, and the rest of them looked at Lucien in shock. Was it really completed? Then, didn’t Lucien’s attitude suggest… How was it possible?
Even the legendary sorcerers like Hathaway and Hellen, who were usually nonchalant, were more or less surprised, which finally made them look like human beings that were made of flesh and blood.
Douglas looked at Lucien solemnly, “If you have completed it, just bring it out. Nobody here is so narrow-minded and stubborn.”
He added in his heart: that is, most of the supporters of the wave theory are not. The rest of them were more or less mentally prepared because the hypothesis seemed able to resolve part of the problems in the new alchemy.
Lucien looked at them in silence. After they all nodded in approval, he took a deep breath, before he brought out a huge monocrystal and established the magic circle casually, so that the image could be directly manifested.
Brook did not say anything. Raising his hands, he launched the electron currents.
Time seemed to be frozen. There was nothing but depression and silence. Soon, the magic circle glowed and displayed the classic image of the diffraction pattern of X rays!
In everybody’s eyes, the image was so familiar and beautiful, but also so astounding and unbelievable!
“This is…” Many people exclaimed what was on their mind subconsciously.
BOOM!
Lightning was dancing, and thunders were rumbling. A black storm consumed the sky.
The dark magnetic field around was twisted, and the invisible electromagnetic waves were more disordered than ever.
Stars arose and emitted dazzling brilliance, twisting the space around them and releasing gravity.
White, black, gold, silver… Elements in different colors gathered into a tide that looked like an ocean.
In the peaceful and quiet land of eternal sleep, black tombs rose aslant, brimming with the stink of death.
The dark universe was vast and boundless. One planet perished after another, caught in the infinite waves of destruction.
Snowflakes fell down. The temperature of the whole room dropped by almost a hundred degrees. Transparent ice was everywhere.
All the extraordinary views surfaced and churned the conference room, congregating into a terrifying scene where light in different colors weaved and where destruction and death danced together!
BOOM!
In the illusionary sounds of thunder and destruction, they turned around and looked at Lucien at the same time, only to discover that Lucien was still standing there with his hands in the pockets of his double-breasted suit. He repeated what Brook said in an extremely low voice:
“Only if you abandon your original concepts can you see the truth of the world.”
