NOVEL WEB Chapter 43
“Can you even imagine a world without the Four Great Powers?”
The students paused for a moment, contemplating those words.
A world devoid of Mana, Demons, Divine Power, and Aura.
And the results of that imagination were as follows.
‘…Can such a thing even exist?’
The Four Great Powers are the foundation of this world. They are the source of all Mysteries and the forces that sustain the world.
This was common sense for the humans of this world. One student raised his hand and spoke.
“I don’t think such a world would exist. If it did, wouldn’t it be a world that has perished?”
“Hmm, I see you think that way. What’s your name, student?”
“My name is James.”
“Very well, James. Then how do the Four Great Powers constitute and maintain the world?”
“Well…”
This question left James momentarily speechless. It was common knowledge that the Four Great Powers form the foundation of the world, but nobody knew how they actually constituted and maintained it.
It was merely a notion passed down from several great figures who had reached the peak of Mysteries, and from the priests who worshipped the Gods.
“It’s alright if you can’t answer. It’s common sense in this world that the power of the Transcendents comprises all things. The sun and moon in the sky are said to be raised by the Goddesses of the Sun and Moon, are they not? Perhaps only the Transcendents know the answer.”
“Yes…”
“However, I still want to assert that the world is not constituted solely by the Four Great Powers.”
-?!
At that statement, everyone present was taken aback. That comment was, in some ways, akin to heretical thinking.
Yujin continued.
“Of course, one might think: isn’t this a heretical idea? But if that’s the case, I have a question. Let’s assume all things are composed of the Four Great Powers. Why do all things in the world not possess the aura of Mysteries?”
-……
The students began to murmur, glancing at each other with astonished expressions due to Yujin’s unusual statements in a world where Transcendents and divine beings actually exist.
It could easily be seen as blasphemy. Therefore, no one had dared to question it before, for fear of being branded a heretic.
Clap.
“Silence.”
The room froze.
As Yujin clapped and spoke, all the students couldn’t help but stop and close their mouths.
For reasons unknown, Yujin had a presence that commanded respect, making it impossible to disregard his words and actions carelessly.
Then he turned to Yulian, who had asked the very first question, and continued.
“Yulian.”
“Y-yes!”
“Why is it that we call Mysteries, Mysteries?”
“…Huh?”
“Students. We call phenomena caused by the Four Great Powers ‘Mysteries.'”
And indeed, that was the case. In the Maze Academy where Yujin played, phenomena arising from the Four Great Powers were several times described as ‘Mystery.’
“Why are they called Mysteries? If the Four Great Powers sustain and constitute everything and exist everywhere in the world… Why are phenomena caused by them not called natural laws, but rather ‘Mystery’? Have any of you pondered this?”
-……
Yujin wrote a letter on the blackboard.
[Singularity]
Having said that, Yujin turned back to the students.
It was a continuous series of shocking statements. If there had been any theologians present, they might have felt great anger and discomfort toward Yujin’s words.
Nevertheless, Yujin continued.
“I believe that the Four Great Powers themselves are something detached from the original laws of the world. Hence, they are termed as Mysteries, and I assert that something existing without the Four Great Powers also exists.”
“Are you denying the main premise that the Transcendents created the Lower Realm in the doctrine of polytheism?”
Yulian, who had asked the very first question, stammered out the inquiry unconsciously.
Polytheism referred to the largest religion in this world, which worships the actual gods.
Its scale could be said to spread across the entire world. Even in the eastern continent, which exists on the opposite side, polytheism has taken root in various forms.
What Yujin had just said could easily be seen as a challenge to polytheism. But Yujin smiled gently and replied.
“Yulian, has there ever been a single instance where the Transcendents publicly acknowledged that they created the Lower Realm? Or is there even one line of history indicating such?”
“Well, that was stated by the First Pope and the Saints…”
“But they are not the Gods.”
…!!!
The students’ faces turned pale at those words. What Yujin had just said was a direct contradiction to the authority of those who wielded the power of the Gods!
Even Reina gazed at Yujin in shock.
Yet Yujin continued speaking with composure.
“Everyone assumes it’s a given. The great Transcendents created the Lower Realm, and we say we live in this world by their grace. However, I would like to ask the Transcendents of the Maze or the divine Gods up in the heavens once: Did you truly create this Lower Realm? Excluding the evil demons who always lie, of course.”
Of course Yujin already knew the answer. After all…
‘No Transcendent has created the Lower Realm. The Lower Realm has always existed entirely on its own.’
That was the declaration made by Tiamat, the leader of the Dragons, a faction of the Transcendents, affirming that the Lower Realm had existed independently from the Transcendents all along.
‘Will the Gods respond the same way?’
‘I can’t even imagine them spewing such lies because of the doctrines made by mortals. Rather, they’d find it even more disgraceful to mouth such lies, being bound by the authority created by mere mortals. They would see it akin to being no different than demons. They despise deception greatly. The doctrines of mortals simply do not care to correct their delusions.’
‘I see.’
Anyway, according to Yujin’s belief, the Lower Realm was not created by the Transcendents, nor was it the common sense that the Four Great Powers constituted all things.
Yujin’s assertive outcry left the audience in stunned silence.
Yujin’s declaration was shocking, to say the least. In fact, it would not have been surprising had someone reported Yujin to polytheism.
However, that could not happen because of one reason: Yujin’s reputation was too high, and he himself was a Great Mage who had reached extraordinary realms.
There’s a significant difference between the words of a beggar no one has ever heard of and those of a renowned figure who has achieved greatness in a field. Yujin was genuine in his achievements as a Great Mage renowned for his accomplishments in Space-Time Magic, and his words carried immense weight.
The students began to reconsider what he had said. Could it really be that Yujin’s words were correct? After all, what Yujin stated was not completely absurd.
It was also true that there were contradictions in the fact that the Four Great Powers constituted all things and that no one knew how the Four Great Powers actually formed and sustained the world. Everyone just accepted it because it was a world filled with Mysteries where Transcendents exist.
Could the reason Yujin was able to achieve such great feats, such as Space-Time Magic, be attributed to the very mindset that allowed him to delve deeper into the truth of the world without worrying about the Transcendents and their followers’ gaze?
As Yujin glanced down at his wristwatch, he spoke.
“Originally, I had planned to explain more about my answer regarding the Four Great Powers, ‘Singularity,’ but… it seems we’ve talked too long, and time has slipped away. I can’t hog the lecture all to myself, and there isn’t enough time for questions either… Let’s continue the rest in the next class. So, Professor Sahart?”
“Ah, yes?”
“You can start the lecture now. I was supposed to introduce myself and take a few questions today, but it seems I’ve taken up too much time. I apologize.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine.”
Professor Reina casually shook her head in response.
“Ahem, well then… Everyone, let’s begin the lecture. Please open your textbooks.”
-……
The students didn’t respond. They opened their textbooks in a daze, stealing glances at Yujin.
Thus, the lecture period, much quieter than usual, passed by…
“Well then, good job, everyone.”
-……
By the end of the lecture, the students filed out, looking somewhat dazed.
Yujin watched as the students left through the door and then turned to Reina.
“…I should be going now. Professor Sahart, I’ll step out for a moment.”
“Ah, just a minute…!”
After the morning lecture ended, Yujin said this to Reina and left the room. Reina attempted to stop him, but…
“…What the.”
As she attempted to grab him midway through the door, he had already vanished without a trace.