Chapter 1232
Gullard was shaking all over with anger. Huffing, he snatched up the stack of manuscript paper, immediately took out a bunch of quill pens and another pile of paper, and sprawled on the deck to start calculating.
With his head buried in calculations, Gullard worked for several minutes before Wattby sneered with undisguised contempt.
“Gullard, you fool. With your intelligence, I doubt you can even solve this, let alone figure out what this formula is actually for, right?”
Gullard said nothing, which only made Wattby more smug.
“Let me tell you, once I succeed, I’ll name this formula the Wattby Formula. Its algorithm can drastically reduce the computational workload for alchemists, preventing countless errors that crop up in tedious calculations. If my research succeeds, every alchemist will be able to go further on the path to truth—more easily, too!”
Leon paused at Wattby’s words, then quietly shook his head.
Is a new algorithm really so easy to achieve? How naïve. In alchemical calculations, speed isn’t the most important thing—accuracy is. Absolute accuracy is everything. Chasing speed is a fundamental mistake.
A thousand years later, eighteen hundred years later, thirty-five hundred years later, five thousand years later...
Again and again, new algorithms chasing speed have appeared—and without exception, they all failed. For basic calculations, these algorithms do reduce the workload, but when it comes to advanced work, the error rate becomes so high that no alchemist can accept it.
The intention was good, but unfortunately, he forgot what matters most in alchemy...
Leon didn’t say a word, just watched quietly. From just a few exchanges with Gullard, it was clear—this was a pure alchemist, and his foundation was solid. The questions he asked went straight to the heart of the matter. With Gullard’s skill, he’d reach the advanced algorithms in ten minutes at most. When it came time to compare results, the flaws would be obvious.
“Gullard, you fool, still calculating? How is it? My algorithm is practically a revolutionary masterpiece, isn’t it? Isn’t its efficiency way higher than that old-fashioned method you’re using?”
Wattby kept taunting Gullard, but Gullard acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing. Off to the side, Rafael was starting to get restless.
Damn it, what’s Gullard’s result? Could Wattby the idiot really have developed a new algorithm? If he actually beats us, we’ll never be able to show our faces in Skyhold Fortress again.
The creators of Skyhold Fortress, losing to the hypocrites of the Hardwick Family—and not just any of them, but Wattby, that stupid and detestable bastard. Last time at the gathering, even our teacher said he wished he could get rid of Wattby. Damn it, if the Hardwick Family weren’t in the Andalusia Kingdom, we’d have sent the main city rolling over to crush those hypocrites ages ago.
If Gullard can’t find the error, then what? Are we really going to let that bastard Wattby give a victory speech as soon as we enter the Odin Kingdom?
Just as Rafael was about to say something, Leon shot him a look.
When Rafael saw Leon’s reassuring glance, he suddenly understood and calmed down.
If Archmage Leon tells me to relax, then there’s no problem. That’s right—Gullard might be eccentric, but his skill in alchemy is formidable.
Wattby, that idiot—there’s no way he could’ve developed a faster, more efficient algorithm. Gullard will definitely find the flaw...
Fifteen minutes passed. Gullard was still sprawled on the deck, calculating at breakneck speed. Wattby and the Hardwick Family members he’d brought were already grinning in triumph.
“Gullard, it’s fine. You don’t need to keep struggling. Only those of us who devote our entire selves to alchemy can grasp true truth—there’s no doubt about it. People like you, who’ve strayed from the path, are just—”
Wattby wore the smile of a victor and began his victory speech. But before he could finish, Gullard—who’d been silent on the ground—suddenly cried out.
“Ha! I found it! I knew it—there had to be a mistake. That’s right, I knew it! There’s a flaw here!
Wattby, you idiot, are you trying to doom every alchemist? Look, look—using your formula’s algorithm, it’s only suitable for apprentice-level calculations. When you reach Grandmaster-level work, the error rate is three percent!
Damn it, and for Creator-level calculations, the error rate jumps to seven percent! My god, seven percent!
Even an apprentice knows what a seven percent error rate means—it’s total failure, absolute disaster!
Wattby, you’re trying to ruin every alchemist! You sly bastard!”
Rafael folded his arms and sneered.
The Hardwick Family—what a disgrace to alchemists, coming up with such a devious scheme. They’re trying to ruin every alchemist before they even leave the apprentice stage.
Wattby’s expression shifted. He rudely snatched Gullard’s calculation papers. The more he read, the darker his face became—Gullard’s process was painstakingly detailed, but that meant it was thorough. Every detail was accounted for, and the results were plainly written on the page.
Faced with Gullard and Rafael’s counterattack, Wattby suddenly let out a cold laugh.
“Gullard, so what if it’s wrong? The path to truth is paved with errors. Finding truth is all about eliminating mistakes.
Oh, Rafael—so you’ve advanced to Creator now? No wonder you dare talk to me like this. When I reached Creator, you were just a little apprentice. And now you think you can criticize me?
Don’t tell me you’ve never made calculation errors? Every study is built on mistakes that pave the way to the right answer. One mistake—so what? Even the three closest to truth at Astral Academy made plenty of errors in their lifetimes, didn’t they?”
Wattby looked proud, turning his blunder into a normal part of research. Gullard, never good with words, was left speechless—there was no way to argue with that logic.
Rafael’s face didn’t look much better, either.
“Master Wattby, that’s just sophistry—pure nonsense…
Wattby sneered at the pair.
"What? Am I wrong? Alchemists making mistakes in their research is perfectly normal—no one can avoid it. Is that a crime?"
Wattby’s stubborn justification made Gulud’s face flush with anger, while Raphael was at a loss for words.
Then, suddenly catching sight of Leon, Raphael anxiously tugged at his sleeve.
"Archmage Leon, what do you think? Say something! This guy is just... just..."
Before Leon could respond, a young Title Archmage standing behind Wattby suddenly sneered and spoke up.
"What’s this? A young Title Archmage dares to butt into a Worldshaper’s research?"
As he spoke, he unleashed a trace of extraordinary power, pressing it down on Leon as if intending to silence him with sheer force.
Raphael’s expression shifted, immediately readying his own extraordinary aura to strike back.
"Stibei, you idiot! Are you looking for death? Is this the Hardwick Family’s attitude?"
Wattby also released his extraordinary aura, blocking Raphael’s, his face twisted in a cold sneer.
"Raphael, do you think that just because you've broken through to Heaven-rank, you can act all high and mighty? We're discussing matters between Creators here, not between mere mages.
Tell your family's juniors to keep quiet. They clearly lack manners, and a little lesson is well deserved..."
Raphael's extraordinary aura was blocked by Wattby, while Gulud, still only a level-nine titled Archmage, was completely unable to intervene.
With Wattby's support, Stibei's extraordinary aura suddenly intensified, pressing down on Lin Yun.
Gulud was furious, but completely powerless to intervene. Sweat broke out on Raphael's forehead as he looked at Wattby and Stibei as if they were already dead men...
Damn it, these two idiots—especially that Stibei—do they really think the Hadeward heir can do whatever he wants...
Idiots, provoking Lord Mafa—damn it, Wattby, you fool, I'm actually trying to save Stibei!
They're both guests invited by the Starry Sky Academy—I can't let Lord Mafa kill these two idiots. Lord Mafa's temper isn't always the best, please don't kill them here.
Damn, the two of them together probably wouldn't be enough for Lord Mafa to kill. If they die here, how am I supposed to explain to Starry Sky Academy? Even if I wish they'd get themselves killed, it can't be here...
Raphael and Wattby's extraordinary powers grew stronger, their auras locked in a stalemate. Raphael couldn't speak, so he glanced at Lin Yun, praying he wouldn't lose his temper and kill them both...
Lin Yun didn't reveal a trace of power, appearing as if truly suppressed by the extraordinary aura. Suddenly, he turned his head and glanced at Stibei. In that instant, the young Heaven-rank powerhouse felt as if a god or demon had opened its eyes and was staring at him. A terrifying pressure weighed down, and within Lin Yun's gaze, starlight flickered—deep within the starry sky, a pair of pitch-black eyes seemed to be watching him.
In that instant, the Heaven-rank powerhouse couldn't help but feel death's touch—one second and that dreadful force would shred his soul.
Stibei cried out, instinctively retreating a step, withdrawing all his extraordinary power to protect himself. Only after stepping back did he realize it all seemed like an illusion.
Lin Yun still stood there quietly, his robe untouched by the wind, his expression unchanged.
Stibei exclaimed in shock, and Wattby stopped confronting Raphael.
In an instant, Raphael breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began introducing Wattby.
"Wattby, Stibei, you'd better show some respect. This is a guest invited by Starry Sky Academy—Lord Mafa Merlin of the Merlin Family, a powerful Creator!"
Raphael's tone carried a warning, but he truly meant well for them...