Eleanor's Choice
The final blow from Judge Silas, which he poured all his strength into but was swallowed and transformed by the formation as if it were child's play, not only drained his own life and faith, but also seemed to have robbed the last bit of confidence from all the dissenting voices in the room.
An eerie silence fell over the plaza, broken only by the low hum of the slowly rotating composite array in the air and the faint, agonizing groans of Silas on the ground. People stared at the former Inquisitor, limp as a rag doll, his faith utterly shattered, their eyes filled with complex emotions: shock, lingering fear, and a touch of indescribable pity.
The Inquisitors, once representing the authority of the Vatican and wielding the power of purification, are now like a spineless mangy dog, paralyzed by the very "heretic" forces they despise, their desperate attacks becoming nourishment for their adversaries. This scene is filled with a poignant irony.
The remaining members of the courtroom exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with confusion and helplessness. Their commander had fallen, their faith had suffered an unprecedented blow—what should they do? Continue to carry out the now-ridiculed "purification" order? Or…
Just when the atmosphere was tense and no one dared to break the balance, a figure resolutely stepped forward.
It is Professor Eleanor Silverstalk.
She took a deep breath, pushed up the glasses on her nose that symbolized rigor and rationality, and walked firmly to the center of the square, to Ling Yao's side, facing the audience, especially the bewildered members of the court and the council.
Her face flushed slightly with excitement, but her eyes were exceptionally bright and determined, a light that shone from having found the truth she had pursued all her life and was willing to give everything for it.
"Everyone! Please hear me out!" Eleanor's voice, amplified by a simple amplification spell, resounded clearly throughout the square, drawing everyone's attention.
She first glanced at the unconscious Silas on the ground, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a stronger emotion: "The tragedy of Inquisitor Silas stemmed from his fear of the unknown, his lack of confidence in his own beliefs, and his absolute rejection of 'difference'!"
Her gaze swept over the judges, still clad in black robes: "You believe in the Holy Light, and you pursue order and purification, which is not wrong in itself. But have you ever considered what the essence of the Holy Light is? Is it to reject those who are different and destroy those who are different? Or does it bring warmth, hope, and life?"
She pointed at Ling Yao, her voice suddenly rising: "You have all witnessed the power that Ms. Ling Yao has displayed! Has it ever brought chaos and destruction? No! It saves people from the brink of death, connects people across vast distances, transforms barren environments, and can even use weapons of destruction to perform acts of redemption! The order, wisdom, and respect for life itself it contains are no less than any dogma, and are even more profound and extensive!"
"You keep calling this heresy, this evil! Tell me, what exactly are the criteria for judgment? Is it simply because it differs from the magic system you are familiar with? Or is it because it exceeds the scope of your 'Holy Scripture'?"
Eleanor's tone sharpened, carrying the earnestness and questioning characteristic of a scholar: "If we are condemned as heretics and purified simply because we are 'different' and 'unknown,' then where is the truth we seek? Where is the courage to explore the unknown? Where is the driving force for the progress of magical civilization?!"
Her words came like a barrage of bullets, striking not only the judges but also everyone present who had once harbored doubts.
"Look around you!" Eleanor spread her arms, pointing to the vibrant spiritual plants in the plaza, to the still-abundant pure energy in the air, to the mercenary Ling Yao had pulled back from the brink of death, and to the child whose life had been saved by the flying sword. "This is the result of the 'evil' you wanted to purify! If this is evil, then I beg for more of this kind of evil!"
Her speech resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom nodded and whispered in agreement.
"Professor Yinrui is right!"
"Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean it's bad!"
"What we need is understanding and learning, not rejection and destruction!"
Amidst the questions and the clamor of the surrounding crowd, the judges instinctively lowered their heads, some even quietly loosening their grip on their weapons. The very foundation of their faith had been shaken by the facts.
Eleanor took a deep breath and made her final statement, her voice filled with strength and determination: "I, Eleanor Silverstalker, Professor of Potions at Rockefeller School of Magic, swear on my life's academic reputation and my soul! The Eastern metaphysical system I have witnessed is by no means an evil heresy! It is a profound, vast, wise, and beneficial new system of knowledge! It deserves our understanding, research, and study, setting aside our prejudices!"
She turned abruptly to face the former dean and council members on the judging panel, and bowed solemnly: "Your Excellency, Dean, and fellow council members! I earnestly request the academy to formally recognize the legitimacy and academic value of the Eastern Metaphysics system! To rescind all unreasonable accusations and restrictions against Ms. Ling Yao! And to establish a dedicated 'Eastern Metaphysics Research Institute,' appointing Ms. Ling Yao as the chief mentor to systematically conduct research and teaching!"
These words caused another uproar in the audience!
To directly demand official recognition and the establishment of a research institute by the academy? That would be the highest level of academic accreditation!
The old abbot, Maurice, stroked his beard, his brow furrowed, caught in a difficult dilemma. Eleanor's speech was sincere and well-reasoned, and public opinion at the scene was almost unanimously in her favor, but the pressure from the Vatican...
Just then, a loud voice rang out from the mercenary area: "The Iron Shield Mercenary Group supports Professor Yinrui's proposal! Ms. Lingyao is our savior! Her knowledge is truly invaluable! If the academy won't accept her, our mercenary group will raise funds to invite Ms. Lingyao to be our advisor!"
"And so do we, the Knights Academy!" Karl Iron Shield and his classmates stood up and echoed loudly, "We believe in Ms. Ling!"
"And us too!"
"We support it too!"
More and more people are standing up in support, and the outcry is growing louder and louder. Public opinion is boiling!
Finn, watching from the audience with great enthusiasm, seized the opportunity to shout again: "The Eastern Metaphysics Research Institute is about to be established! The first batch of students will be given priority admission! Sign up quickly! First come, first served!"
The untimely advertisement drew laughter from the crowd, but it also eased the tense atmosphere considerably.
Faced with the overwhelming public opinion and Eleanor's resounding request, and after glancing at Silas on the ground, who no longer posed a threat, the old headmaster Maurice finally made up his mind.
He stood up, cleared his throat, and his booming voice echoed throughout the room: "Silence!"
Once the square had quieted down a bit, he looked around and finally his gaze settled on Ling Yao and Eleanor. He slowly said, "Professor Yinrui's words are indeed reasonable. Academic disputes should be based on facts and truth, not prejudice and fear."
"Today, Ms. Ling Yao, through her irrefutable demonstration, has proven the value and potential of the Eastern metaphysical system. I, Maurice, Dean of Rockefeller School of Magic, on behalf of the School's Board of Trustees, hereby declare—"
He paused, then raised his voice slightly, filled with determination: "Effective immediately, all charges and restrictions against Ms. Ling Yao are hereby revoked! The academy officially recognizes Eastern metaphysics as a legitimate and highly valuable unique academic system!"
"Professor Yinrui's application has been approved, and the 'Interdisciplinary Magic Research Institute' will be established immediately, with Professor Yinrui serving as the dean and Ms. Ling Yao serving as the chief consultant and special mentor! We will fully support the comparative and fusion research between Eastern metaphysics and the existing magic system!"
As soon as the old dean finished speaking, the entire hall erupted in thunderous, sustained applause and cheers! This time, it was a true victory celebration!
Eleanor was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes, and she bowed deeply to the dean once again.
Ling Yao stood aside, watching everything unfold, her face remaining expressionless. She merely nodded slightly, accepting the arrangement. To her, it was simply a change of location to continue her research and recovery, and having an official identity would save her a lot of trouble—it seemed quite good.
Her gaze swept over the unconscious Silas on the ground, then at the bewildered members of the Inquisition, and she added calmly, "This man's heart meridian is damaged, and his power is completely gone. Take him back to heal."
This seemingly casual remark effectively sealed Silas's fate. A former Inquisitor who had lost his power and whose faith had crumbled was no longer a threat.
The members of the court were overjoyed and quickly lifted the unconscious Silas, then slunk away from the square without even looking back.
The last obstacle was also cleared.
Sunlight bathed the square, and the air was filled with a misty, ethereal atmosphere. Newly sprouted grass swayed gently in the breeze, and everything was brimming with hope and vitality.
Eleanor walked to Ling Yao's side, her eyes filled with boundless anticipation for the future: "Miss Ling... no, Professor Ling! We did it! The research institute! We have our own research institute now!"
Ling Yao glanced at her, then at the cheering crowd below the stage and the distant blue sky, and unusually added:
"Um."
"It's just the beginning."
The spread of the Way is a long and arduous journey.
And today, we have finally taken the first step in this world.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
