"Why?" The two of them were shocked, clearly not expecting Richard to say that. In their eyes, if there was no need for agreement, why would Richard even bother explaining?
Richard looked at the two of them and said, "Harry, and Cathy, you need to understand something. That is, ideas are meant to expand your horizons, not to limit them. The things I tell you about, whether it’s ’Monism’ or ’Dualism,’ are summaries made by others.
They may be right, they may be wrong—it’s not important. What’s important is what you take from them. Then, use what you’ve learned to deduce and verify, and gradually come up with conclusions of your own.
Remember my words, connect it to reality, apply it in practice. If an idea can’t do that, then it will always just be an idea, mere talk, useless and even troublesome."
Seeing the two still confused, Richard pursed his lips and said, "Then let me tell you a fable: There was once an astronomer, ah, that is, an astrologer. He often went out into the fields at night to observe the stars. One night, while heading to the fields to watch the stars, he accidentally fell into a deep pit and got hurt, yelling out loud.
Just then, a passing hunter heard his cries and rescued him, then curiously asked why he had fallen into the pit. Since the pit was very obvious, even a fool would have walked around it. The astrologer grimaced and said as if it was only natural, ’All my energy is spent on observing the stars, such a big deal, why should I bother with whether there’s a pit on the ground?’
After hearing this, the hunter replied, ’I don’t know if observing the stars is useful or not. But if you can’t even see a pit on the ground, the next time this happens and no one saves you, you’re definitely going to starve to death.’ The astrologer suddenly had nothing to say."
Harry and Cathy, after all, were just children in their teens. Even if their minds were much more mature, they were still kids. They couldn’t help but laugh out loud after hearing Richard’s fable, then pondered thoughtfully afterward.
Richard said, "See? Everything I tell you is just a tool for you to use. How to use it, which tool fits best, that’s for you to test and choose.
To fell a tree, what is the best tool? A knife, a dagger, or an axe? Don’t just listen to what others say, you must think and try it yourself. Aside from facts, don’t blindly believe anything else, or else that’s superstition.
For example, do you think I am better than your teacher Vici? It’s hard to say, maybe your teacher Vici has hidden strengths and could easily defeat me. Then, would you still think that the knowledge I teach you is better than what teacher Vici teaches you?
So, remember this phrase, ’The facts prove everything.’"
"The facts prove everything?"
In the evening after school, within Ash Academy, Bobbobovic listened to the narration of Harry and Cathy with wide eyes, "Did your teacher Richard really say that? He even said that I might be able to defeat him? Interesting, very interesting. According to him, if I really can defeat him, that would prove I am better, and what I teach is more beneficial to you. So..."
Harry looked at Bobbobovic worriedly and quietly asked, "Teacher Vici, what are you planning to do?"
"Nothing... nothing much," Bobbobovic waved his hand and continued, "Right, you guys go back first. I just remembered some urgent matters to attend to, see you tomorrow."
After saying that, Bobbobovic almost shooed Harry and Cathy out of the academy and then closed the academy’s gates.
Outside the academy gates, Harry and Cathy exchanged glances. Harry said worriedly, "Teacher Vici won’t go and pick a fight with teacher Richard, will he?"
"Maybe," Cathy pondered.
"What should we do?" Harry became anxious. "Should we quickly go and warn teacher Richard, tell him to hide?"
"Idiot, teacher Richard won’t listen to us," Cathy said. "Let’s go tell Father instead, let him decide what to do."
"Alright then," Harry agreed, nodding his head. He took Cathy’s hand and walked towards a carriage at the side, ready to return to Marquis Vian’s residence in Jialan City.
As they settled into the carriage and it started moving, Harry suddenly blurted out, addressing Cathy, "Wait, did you just call me an idiot?"
"Yeah, what about it?" Cathy replied with a roll of her eyes, her expression a bit provocative.
"I’ve told you many times, I’m not an idiot, I’m your brother!" Harry’s veins throbbed at his temple.
"That makes you an idiot brother," Cathy dismissed.
"Then you’re the idiot’s sister, little idiot!" Harry shot back.
"You’re insulting me?!" Cathy was furious.
"You started it!" Harry stood his ground.
"Humph, just wait, I’m going to tell Mom you bullied me, see how she deals with you!" Cathy played her trump card, usually effective, yet unexpectedly it backfired this time.
"Go ahead, see if I’ll lend you pocket money next month." Harry said, "Anyway, I know you’ve almost spent this month’s allowance on all sorts of useless things. Let’s see what you do before the middle of next month." With that, Harry turned his head haughtily to look at the passing scenery outside.
There was a silence, then a pair of small hands landed on Harry’s shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. The voice softened and stretched, "Brother—I know you’re the best. You still need to lend me some pocket money, otherwise how could you bear to see me go hungry next month?"
"You’re not to tattle!" Harry said sternly.
"Okay, but you need to lend me half." Cathy seized the opportunity to make her demand.
"You’re crazy, half?! At most twenty percent!" Harry retorted.
"Forty percent!" Cathy, unwilling to give in, continued to haggle.
"Thirty percent!" Harry conceded.
"Thirty-five percent! My expenses are high, you know that." Cathy wheedled further.
"Alright, fine, thirty-five percent," Harry sighed, reluctantly agreeing.
The carriage rattled on, and it didn’t take long for Harry and Cathy to reach home. They quickly ran towards the study of Marquis Vian.
Inside the study, after listening quietly to the two, Marquis Vian confirmed, "You mean, your teacher Vici is going to cause trouble for your teacher Richard?"
"Perhaps," Harry wasn’t sure but added, "However, to avoid that actually happening, I think, Father, it would be better if you thought of a way to stop it."
"Why?" Marquis Vian suddenly laughed, "Whether it’s Vici or Richard, they are just your teachers. They teach you knowledge, but what they do or any conflict they have, we shouldn’t interfere."
"But..." Harry said, "But what if they really start fighting?"
"You’re afraid that your teacher Richard will get hurt?"
"So you’re afraid that your teacher Vici will get hurt then?"
"A bit," Harry admitted softly but clearly, "After all, teacher Vici is just a First-level Wizard, while teacher Richard is a Third-level Wizard. If they really fought, teacher Vici would be beaten badly, right?"
"It seems like that, yes," Marquis Vian spoke thoughtfully, "but in reality, it’s hard to say. Your teacher Vici is much smarter than you think, and he definitely wouldn’t do something he’s bound to lose. Moreover, his power might not be limited to just a First-level Wizard."
"Hmm?" Surprised, Harry and Cathy listened.
Marquis Vian reminisced slowly, "You might not know what your current place of study, Ash Academy, used to be."
"What was it?" Harry and Cathy asked.
"That was a covert base for the Blood Teeth Thief Group, and there were real wizards in the Thief Group. But since your teacher Vici took over, not a sound was made—as quiet as a mouse. Even, since taking over, the Blood Teeth Thief Group has vanished from around Jialan City like they never existed. Many suspect it has something to do with your teacher Vici, but there’s no evidence," Marquis Vian explained.
Shocked by what they had heard, Harry and Cathy showed expressions of astonishment.
After a while, Harry spoke, looking at Cathy, "Could it be that teacher Richard was right? That teacher Vici is hiding his true strength?"
Cathy’s expression turned odd, unsure of what to say.
At that moment, Marquis Vian slowly added, "Whether your teacher Vici is hiding his true capabilities, I’m not sure. But if he really wants to test his skills against your teacher Richard, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. You two shouldn’t make a big fuss over it. Actually, if they really tested their skills against each other, it would further validate their respective strengths, which would be beneficial for your learning."
After saying this, Marquis Vian smiled meaningfully.
Harry and Cathy were still in shock from the previous conversation and hadn’t recovered.
Ash Academy, at the top of the attic.
A huge box lay on the ground, pitch black and seemingly very heavy, wrapped securely with multiple iron chains.
On top of the box, there was a pale blue pattern resembling a small, delicate bird.
Bobbobovic was currently staring at this pattern, lips pursed, holding still without moving.