Scientific Wizard

"Professor Lynn, what should we do now?" 

Once the security team had withdrawn, Pierce, Darren, and the rest wore expressions of deep concern. Even though Lynn had handled the attackers, no one knew if another assault would follow, nor could they be sure they wouldn't become the next targets.

"How about we hop on an airship and head back to Iyeta Harbor?" Lydia suggested, raising his hand high.

The suggestion seemed to brighten everyone's spirits. Fleeing was undoubtedly a viable option; surely they wouldn't all be pursued if they returned to Iyeta. However, Philip, Kevin, and Theodore shook their heads. Lynn had only recently been honored and swiftly became a prominent figure in the magical world after being appointed as a Council member. If they were to flee in fear after an attack during such a critical time in Greenville, it would be a severe blow to Lynn's reputation.

Being a Council member didn't just represent authority but also came with corresponding responsibilities.

"Perhaps we could strike first and eliminate those Cult of Apocalypse wizards," Elok suggested enthusiastically.

Compared to Philip and the others, Elok was full of vigor, believing in tit-for-tat retaliation. Yet, the most crucial aspect was his long study of magic without any chance to showcase his skills.

"No, we do nothing. Strengthen the estate's defenses and leave the rest to the Council's investigation," Lynn shook his head, vetoing their suggestions.

The soul restraint found in the attackers' minds indicated that this matter likely involved a powerful wizard, one Lynn couldn't presently contend with.

However, as Philip and the others thought, leaving now would mean abandoning most of the progress made in the recently published Universal Gravitational Theory.

Lynn reassured the others and then, along with the remaining professors, strategically placed trigger-based magic around the estate to prevent further intrusions.

While the attackers weren't particularly formidable, their ability to evade visual magic was unsettling. Once their deception was uncovered, they weren't much more challenging to deal with than regular wizards.

The consecutive attacks on council members hinted that complacency had settled in the wizarding world, leaving them defenseless and vulnerable.

Regarding the dagger capable of dispelling the Mage Shield, Lynn claimed it as a spoil of war. Simultaneously, the idea of developing a heat-sensitive magic piqued his interest.

While using magical wave echoes for location identification was a viable method, Lynn couldn't constantly release this magic.

***

In the following days, while Lynn pondered how to unravel visual magic, completely engrossed in the arcane sea, unaware of the attacks in Greenville, Tike and others had successfully solved all fifteen arcane math questions.

The challenges ranged from testing computational ability to pure logical deductions, but mostly involved deducing formulas based on mathematical deductions.

Contrary to Lynn's estimation, these wizards managed to solve all the questions in less than three days. Lynn then handed over the corresponding Arcane Ring as promised.

"Finally done." Inside a small hut in Greenville City, Tike pushed the torn Introduction to Arcane Mathematics and Advanced Arithmetic aside, gazing contentedly at a parchment that elegantly detailed the answers to the fifteen arcane math questions.

To derive these values, he dedicated a relentless three and a half days to the task, deeply immersed in the exploration of the unknown. He was equally astounded by the immense logical aspect of arcane mathematics.

Tike felt he had touched upon something called 'arcane mathematical thinking'—searching for corresponding patterns, summarizing them into arcane formulas, and ultimately solving problems.

It resembled the research and development process of magic.

For the first question, he spent ten hours, five for the second, and merely four for the third. Once the thought process was triggered, seemingly intricate problems became significantly simpler with a different perspective.

However, despite having all the answers, Tike remained full of questions. He was impatient to have a proper exchange with a true master of arcane mathematics.

He was even more curious about the kind of challenge that could perplex a master of arcane mathematics. 

Tike neatly collected the papers on his table, disregarding any grooming, quickly cast a dust-cleaning spell, meditated for an hour to replenish some energy, and hurried towards Lynn's estate.

To his surprise, the one receiving him was Elemental Studies Professor Philip from Iyeta Academy. After inspecting Tike's papers and confirming the accuracy of the answers, Philip handed over an Arcane Ring.

Tike accepted it, feigning indifference, and casually inquired, "I wonder how many people solved it before me."

Seventy-five hours for fifteen questions. Tike felt his speed was unparalleled, owing to his early exposure to arcane mathematics compared to everyone else.

However, Philip hesitated, seemingly unsure how to respond. Finally, he gently replied, "Sir Tike, this is the twelfth Arcane Ring I've distributed."

The twelfth? Tike's lips twitched involuntarily. Did that mean he was the last one?

How was that possible?

Tike was at a loss. Lynn had been clear that the Association of Arcane Mathematics sought formal wizards to research a challenging arcane math problem, likely for computational assistance, ensuring the eventual recognition of their research findings. It was unlikely that the self-proclaimed grand wizards would deign to participate.

The remaining formal wizards specializing in calculations, whom Tike knew somewhat, like Ellison, who had calculated pi to the ninth digit, or Alva, deeply immersed in alchemical geometry... Their talents were undeniable, but there was no reason they should have been faster than himself, who had ventured into arcane math earlier.

After pondering, Tike concluded that perhaps his extended meditation for energy restoration had consumed too much time, causing the delay.