Director Edward

Chapter 197: "Fate/Zero" Setting Collection (3)

At the top of the Tower of the Mage, several archmages had just finished reviewing Durin's setting collection, and their expressions turned complex.

After all, leaving aside the fantastical stories in the "Fate/Zero Heroic Spirits Setting Collection," the charm displayed by the movie itself had already completely won them over.

Not to mention, the strange and peculiar magical alchemical tools in the "Steins;Gate Setting Collection" vividly demonstrated the foreseeable future of magical alchemy studies.

From any angle, magical-alchemy studies appeared destined to become a rising star in academy.

Therefore, when faced with Durin's seemingly anticipated smile, the archmages all sighed, apparently reflecting on the unpredictability of life.

They had always thought Durin was engaging in foolish pursuits, yet here he was, carving out a new path. This irony was not lost on the archmages.

On the other hand, after reviewing the setting collection, Dean Hohenheim contemplated for a long time before speaking slowly:

"It seems my previous idea is indeed quite necessary."

"What idea?"

Not privy to their prior discussion, Durin looked puzzled. Dean Hohenheim glanced at him before slowly stating:

"I previously proposed that the Imperial Mage Academy should establish another branch to admit individuals who are intelligent and talented but lacking magical aptitude. Moreover, in the future, the academy will incorporate magical alchemy studies into the general curriculum for all students, integrating this discipline into the core courses."

"What?"

Even Durin was taken aback by such an astonishing proposal.

He understood the longstanding traditions of the Imperial Mage Academy and the Tower of the Mage, as well as the staunch principles adhered to by the mages who hailed from the tower.

If his previous stance in supporting magical alchemy studies felt like a slap to the face of the founding mages, then Dean Hohenheim's decision was akin to overturning the very foundations laid by those original mages.

No one had expected that Hohenheim, known for upholding old traditions, would make such a groundbreaking decision.

Seeing Durin's surprise, Dean Hohenheim calmly said:

"What you have achieved proves the future of magical alchemy studies and presents a vision of a future that no one had previously imagined. I believe in this future; it's worth pursuing. For that, sacrificing some ancient principles doesn't seem like a significant loss."

"Do the other archmages agree with this?"

In response to Durin's surprise, the other archmages remained silent, but their silence spoke volumes—they supported the proposal from the highest level of the Tower of the Mage.

It was unimaginable that this ancient institution, with a thousand-year legacy and little change over the centuries, would undergo such a significant transformation today, all due to a movie he had made.

Durin couldn't help but feel a mix of absurdity and a sense of unbidden achievement.

Yes, this was the future he had yearned for, something he had consistently adhered to in his heart: influencing the world through film and advancing it with magical alchemy studies.

Now, as this change and development unfolded before him, Durin felt a deep-seated exhilaration.

On the other side, Dean Hohenheim calmly stated:

"However, don't celebrate too early. Although all the archmages present have agreed, every change in the Tower of the Mage must be voted on by all members in the Grand Hall. Until the official conclusion is reached, no one knows the final outcome."

"Moreover, if we are to admit ordinary people to the academy, how the standards should be set, how to ensure the selection system's fairness, and how to integrate the magical alchemy courses into the core curriculum for each discipline are all matters to consider. Especially the latter; if the proposal passes the Grand Hall, the Alchemy Tower must immediately submit a report on this!"

In response to Dean Hohenheim's remarks, Durin casually smiled and said:

"Don't worry, I'll leave these minor details to Scar. I need to start filming a new movie."

"A new movie?"

Suddenly, all the archmages' ears perked up at this.

Faced with their eager gazes, Durin quickly took his leave, not daring to linger.

As Durin stepped out of the Tower of the Mage, he instinctively reflected.

"The world is finally beginning to change!"

Fortunately, this change was heading in the direction he hoped for.

....

At the Edward Tavern, the patrons, having finished reviewing the setting collection and boasting about it among themselves, began to leave one by one.

Emperor Hubbard, Princess Amy, and the knights initially intended to wait for Durin to discuss future matters, but after waiting a long time without his arrival, they decided to depart.

Before leaving, the emperor specifically left a message for Winry and Zat, asking them to convey it to Durin.

As the tavern gradually emptied, its members began to take it easy.

At that moment, a petite figure quietly slipped in from outside.

Upon seeing the Headless Knight standing at the bar, she instinctively jumped back in surprise, only to recover after a moment.

"Oh, Juno, you're back! Was the movie good?"

The girl's surprised expression reflected her astonishment at being spotted. Meanwhile, Wiz smiled and said:

"I saw you at the cinema earlier. Who was that old man next to you? Your relative?"

"That old… he's my grandfather…"

"Oh, I see. Why didn't you invite him to visit us?"

"He's only here for half a day; he's leaving by carriage back home this afternoon."

"Is that so?"

The tavern patrons didn't doubt Juno's words at all, or perhaps they were simply too indifferent to question them.

After all, a small beast-ear girl who often seemed confused and spoke absentmindedly didn't project much of a threat.

Even if there were a real danger, the tavern's combat strength could easily handle most situations.

At that moment, while everyone was chatting and sharing their impressions of the movie they'd seen earlier, a magical circle suddenly flashed, and Durin appeared on the scene.

"Hey, so you're all here."

Upon Durin's arrival, the patrons instantly forgot their earlier frustrations about the story's interruption and nodded in acknowledgment of his presence.

Winry quickly approached and spoke:

"Lord Edward, a friend of General Wilhelm asked me to relay a message to you."

"A friend?"

"Yes, a tall elderly man with white hair; his build doesn't match his age at all."

"Oh, I see."

Realizing whom she meant, Durin inquired:

"What did he say?"

"He said that some issues must be resolved eventually, and the spread of the film can no longer be limited to the Southern Region."

"This…"

Upon, Durin's eyes instantly lit up.

He realized that what he had longed for had finally arrived. The goal of spreading movies across the entire Empire was about to take its first steps!

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