Suddenly a disheveled middle-aged man appeared on the podium. He arrived silently, not startling the students.

In the first row a few eyes widened abruptly. Anxious and frightened, they hastily reminded those behind them.

“Vice-headmaster Porter! It’s the vice-headmaster! Hush, stay quiet! Don’t get thrown out.”

Immediately a phenomenon could be observed. A murmur ran through the crowd, starting from the first row and expanding upwards like a wave. Wherever it passed all students became obedient and quietly stared at the front.

A few moments later the arena was perfectly quiet. Ported cleared his throat before straightening his body and beginning to speak:

“Welcome students.

Today I’m forced to hold my annual lecture so let’s get it done with.”

Many students felt incredulous but didn’t dare to interrupt.

“Well, don’t worry. I will still do my best. After all, you all are our precious seeds. Who knows which of you will grow to be the next genius researcher produced by our forum.

But even the highest tree needs solid roots. It can only grow on fertile soil enriched by expansive knowledge.

Thus, let us look at the foundation of not only our world, but all worlds today!”

The vice-headmaster’s voice echoed in the stands, miraculously reaching every student. Tepo understood that this was an ability learned after deep immersion in one’s own force.

“Students, can anyone guess which foundation I am talking about?”

Porter signaled one of the many students raising their hands.

“The void, sir!”

“Nice try but don’t bite of more than you can chew.”

“Supportive forces, sir!”

“Correct. And especially the Force of Natural Perception.

This ubiquitous force is commonly acknowledged as the driving force of our world.

It grants many materials their properties, leading to the formation of spells. It challenges our cores to grow, being vital in our climbing through the ranks.

As long as the existence of a Force of Creation is not proven, many even regard the Force of Natural Perception as the creator of worlds.

But how does this force even work?”

“Everyone, take a look at this.”

With those words the vice-headmaster took out a pile of blue sand, sparkling mysteriously under the sunlight.

Suddenly the man’s image enlarged. Even the object in his hand followed suit. His body reached the height of a small tower.

Many students were startled as the giant reached out with his hand, letting it glide above the student’s hands.

“Don’t lose your heads. Activate you [Scan] and analyze the material in my hand. Does anyone know it?

Yes, you?”

Tepo was surprised as he was chosen but he answered calmly:

“Efaunium, sir.”

“Exactly. A pile of Efaunium. What happens if I infuse force into it?”

“It explodes, sir.”

“Right.”

Suddenly a loud bang startled everyone. Porter didn’t change his expression as the material in his hand exploded all of a sudden.

Everyone knew that Efaunium was a prominent material to make weapons, its might considerable. Thus, the students couldn’t help but marvel as the impact didn’t spread past the podium on the ground.

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Only now did many even understand that the vice-headmaster never really moved and only projected an image to offer the students a better view.

“Look closely. I deliberately protected this single grain of Efaunium. What can you discern?”

“Its spellcircle changed, sir!”

“Correct. But why?”

This question left many of the newer students confused, needing someone experienced to answer.

“Because in most people’s perception a pile of Efaunium is different from a single grain.”

“Right. Now, what happens if I infuse force into this single grain?”

“It floats, sir.”

Satisfied with the fast answers, Porter nodded his head as the grain suddenly levitated into the air.

“Now the spell attached to this material suddenly changed. If you use your [Scan] again, you will see a different spell. The former six-runed explosion type changed to a three-runed flight type.

This is the Force of Natural Perception’s doing, giving everything its perceived attributes!”

Many new students were astounded, looking at the grain like it was a miracle of nature.

Although everyone had heard about the Force of Natural Perception before, they never thought about it this deeply.

Only at this point did they get a clearer understanding of how this force influenced everything.

“Let’s move on to a second example I prepared for you today.”

“Take a look at this.”

With those words Porter took out a white claw from an unknown beast. Its tip appeared dull, and its surface showed many cracks.

“Without using your scan, what do you think this claw can do?

Yes, you, in the first row?”

“Sir. I suspect it can stab things.”

Low chuckles spread among the students.

“Ok. How about a bit more specific? You?”

“Sir, maybe this claw can form a vortex of fire and lighting with every attack.”

“Good, nice imagination. Let’s test it.”

Porter smiled as he raised the claws and infused his force. But nothing happened.

“Well, a pity. But what if I tell you, that this other claw can do what your peer suggested?”

Suddenly the vice headmaster took out a second, identical claw.

“During my demonstration, please use your [Scan] on the first claw.”

After reminding everyone, Porter repeated the experiment.

Suddenly the students shouted in surprise as a massive vortex of fire and lightning erupted from the second claw.

But a moment later they were left speechless as the first claw, which didn’t hold any spell so far, formed a spellcircle from one moment to another. With runes orderly inlaid, and even filled with two complete six-runed spells.

“Surprised? Can anyone explain it?”

The venue was covered in awkward silence. Only a few of the most experienced students would be able to give the answer, but those weren’t present, most of them already too busy with their own research.

“Naturally, this is also the effect of the Force of Natural Perception.

In fact, both these claws are from the same completely unknown beast which I caught secretly from a dungeon.

Thus, they were perfectly untouched by the Force of Natural Perception, not able to form any spells.

Now, during my second demonstration, I once more conjured an image for you to see.

In reality, the claw didn’t move at all. But since so many of you naively trust me, your opinions prompted the Force of Natural Perception to act and directly influence this material, letting it form a spellcircle.

This is the method used by famous craftsmen to produce outstanding wares.

If you ever see them advertise their creations, chances are high that the desired abilities only exist because of the advertisement and not the other way around.

Now, if you wanted to change the spell held by this claw again, you would need to convince an even larger audience and sway their opinions.”

The students looked at the two claws with various emotions, needing some time to process the information.

***

While Tepo was listening to the lecture, change was gradually brewing in his home world.

Within the Tamed Storms Kingdom there was an enormous city. It was entirely built on a brown cloud with an earthen texture.

In a large circle around the city, the permanent storms were weakened greatly, allowing ships to traverse easily.

This was Tamed Storms City, the capital of Tamed Storms Kingdom.

A large enclosure containing multiple mansions rivaling small castles stood in the center of the city, serving as the residence of the royal family.

Right now, all the important ministers and officials of the kingdom gathered in an opulent room within one of the mansions.

Two long tables stood facing each other below a majestic throne occupied by an old man emitting a regal aura.

At the head of the table a surprisingly chubby man in impressive white armor stood up, his face grim as he almost shouted:

“That’s it! We can’t endure anymore! My soldiers have suffered enough, and for what?! I agree with the chief adviser.”

Two people stood next to the throne with straight backs. One was the blond Crown Prince Nouram Subire, while the other was the trusted chief adviser Niphanat.

Niphanat, dressed in a noble green jerkin, nodded his head:

“Thank you, general Irveth. Indeed, over the last few years our forces were continuously provoked by the Hurricane Kingdom, clashing almost once a day.

The mental strain on our soldiers is enormous.

Just recently we received a report that the Hurricane Kingdom tried to assassinate one of our promising vice-captains within a dungeon.

But this wouldn’t be such an issue if they didn’t use what we expect to be a so-called Dark Bomb.

These have appeared in several recent clashes.

Let me remind you that Dark Bombs are one of the signature weapons of the Dark Hurricane Empire, the superior force of our neighboring Hurricane Kingdom.

This, together with other clues, led us to believe that either of the two countries is prepared to deal with us.

Up to this point in time, we are still confident that our strength trumps our neighbor’s. But should they receive more backup from the empire we might be in a disadvantaged position.

Thus, I called for this assembly to implore all of you to order a preemptive strike!”

As the chief adviser’s speech ended, chaotic murmur spread amongst the ministers. Only now did reality settle in. The purpose of this assembly was to discuss a war!