The term illusion refers to a discrepancy between perceived reality and objective or physical reality

Illusions reflect unusual aspects of adapting to the natural world, implying that illusions are simply an information processing characteristic.

Odin was a bit confused after he read about illusion initially but with boundless amount of information provided by ominira, he comprehended it rather easily afterwards.

He also came upon a theory called “Bayesian inference” which made him progress by a large margin.

It was a theory that explained the relationship between illusion and adaptation.

Adaptation is a short-term learning process involving gradual improvement in performance in response to a change in sensory information.

While learning about illusion, Odin also came across many terminologies such as information codes, neurons, DNA, and many more which he barely managed to learn using the search function.

Bayesian inference is used to describe the way the nervous system combines this sensory information with our prior knowledge to estimate something in the environment. For example, the position or other characteristics like color, distance…

Bayesian inference can also be used to show how information from multiple senses can be combined for the same purpose.

A great example of that is how we instinctively know the location of our body parts without even looking at them. When we perform any regular activity like eating and walking, we aren’t actually controlling our body with a conscious mind, right?

It is known as proprioception. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to walk, run, eat, sit and the likes without thinking in advance.

Our brain gets information from every cell about surrounding pressure, temperature, and even mechanical forces acting within our body like shear force, stretching, compression and so much more, all performed without us thinking about it.

But leaving them aside, the focus here is on the word adaptation.

Think about it, how does a baby learn how to walk and talk? Obviously by thinking and adaptation. When we are performing a new activity for the first time, we are thinking about it while in the act.

But as we get used to it over time, we eliminate the ‘thinking’ part. This adaptation is one of the fundamentals for the law of illusion.

How is that? It is very simple.

A person uses Bayesian inference to create an estimate that is a weighted combination of his current sensory information and his previous knowledge.

Although it may sound complicated, it’s very simple.

Odin related it to his experiences of the past. When he played dodgeball as a kid, he would sometimes react even before the ball was thrown, why? Because of the previous reason.

He still remembered when an elder taught him how to mine. He didn’t even look at the stone ahead and instead looked at him and his group while explaining the do’s and don’ts of the underground mine.

His work was so perfect that he couldn’t match that efficiency for years.

When Odin himself was able to achieve such a feat, he understood how that elder did it. After working for a long time your arm knows where to strike, your eye knows where the vidre stone is with just a sideways glance.

It was because of the repetition and pattern recognition by humans. But what if the pattern was changed? What if Odin or that elder were at another mine with different tools and ores to mine, Would they be able to do the same? Obviously not.

This is where illusion comes into the picture.

But unfortunately, Odin hit a bottleneck after that as he had no idea about how to use this knowledge in a practical way. The same thing happened with World Resonance.

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He felt like he was just a step away from achieving it, but no matter how much he pondered he couldn’t progress further.

‘Seems like there’s only one way left’

Odin then ate his lunch which was delivered to his room by sister and prepared himself. He wanted to make full use of the increased experience rate as it would still work so long as he remained in the Lv10.

After a short nap, he touched the page of ominira which had a key drawn on it.

[You have used the permanent dungeon key “The Ironclad keep” (Outskirts)]

He vanished just like the last time, but unlike previously, the position of the hunter and the hunted had been changed.

….

City lord’s mansion.

Located in the heart of Mizar City, one could easily spot the grand city lord's Mansion. It is a huge structure spanning approximately a square kilometer. It’s imposing appearance carried an air of antiquity, a reminder of a forgotten era before the apocalypse.

Inside the mansion, secured within its sturdy walls, lay the City Lord's Hall, where the lord performed his duties and affairs. The hall was decorated with curtains that had intricate designs, and chairs exported from the heart of The Empire, Gerad.

As night fell on Mizar City, The City Lord gazed out of his window, his sharp eyes looking at the beautiful garden below. Shadows danced and flickered in the candle's glow, and fireflies danced amid the quiet night. The City Lord patiently waited for the arrival of his subordinate from the underground mine, today he was going to receive the latest report on his investigation.

Moonlight enveloped the room, and the city lord could hear the distant sound of footsteps echoing through the corridors. The City Lord's presence served as a deterrent to any thoughts of criminal activity, yet some people still dared to cause trouble in his reign.

His reputation was ruthless throughout Mizar City, and over time his existence created a sense of fear and awe in the people.

The City Lord stood tall, his gaze fixed upon the map of Mizar as he sat down. Chandelier’s light shined down on the bright red spot marked on the map, and the yellow light gave a majestic appearance to his Azure robe.

The City Lord knew the importance of his vassal’s loyalty had in keeping the city’s order. They were the foundation of his city, The most peaceful city in The Noah Empire.

He sat there thinking about the current state of his city, and his brows furrowed as he thought about the incident a month ago.

Although by now he looked like a middle aged man with wisdom and dignity, only those who were alive in his youth knew how crazy this man can be when provoked.

Even the current Emperor wouldn’t mess with him lightly, so when some ruffians caused the peace of the commoner’s district to crumble, his bloodlust was slowly growing since last month.

Knock… knock…

“Come in”

“Yes my lord” Replied a man in a blue and golden guard outfit. He had thin face and mustache, and a look of respect was present in his visage.

“Report me on the incident,” said the lord.

“Yes lord, so what happened is–” the man started talking about the happenings in the underground mine.

“So you are telling me that you found these notes on the body of a slave in the underground mine?”

Questioned the man in a not-so-surprised tone. He had already expected something like this

“Yes my lord” replied Shane. Although He was acting all high and mighty in front of Lucas, in front of this man who was on the verge of becoming an archmage, he dared not show any lack of respect.

“He must be rather talented if he became a mage apprentice using just these notes. a pity that he died in your hands.”

Shane didn't speak anything in reply, he knew well enough that he was only supposed to talk in front of lord if he was asked a question. He was not qualified to share his opinions and have a conversation with him.

“What did the intelligence department say about it?” Asked the man.

“They said that these notes should belong to someone whose level is at least mage. Based on the spell structures present, the person should be a junior mage with water and earth elements.”

“It is very rare to find those two elements in our city, don't you think so?” asked the lord with a smirk. He had almost figured out the identity of the ‘ruffians’

“It is as you said, my lord” replied Shane.

The man then looked at him and said, “You may leave now.”

After Shane left, the man looked out of the window and murmured to himself,

“What a smart fellow, to know of his place in front of me. He would surely go ahead in his career if he was a Minister. Unfortunately, cowardliness and eloquence will get you nowhere on the path of Magic.”

He was also thinking about the place where the mage apprentice could have come from.

He then called for his butler by ringing the bell.

“What can I do my lord” asked a man who arrived in front of the door.

He was wearing a common butler outfit with black coat and white shirt underneath. But anyone knowledgeable could tell with one glance that he was a mighty warrior.

“Go and find the root of this, Dale. And remember not to reveal your identity.” He then threw a piece of paper towards the butler and the butler left with a bow without replying anything.

‘I hope that I am wrong, but it is most likely the traitors from Adele. However, even if they are from that place, if they are here to make a mess in my city, I will let them know that I, Frietz Miller, am not a person to be trifled with.’

The window’s glass reflected his noble and refined appearance in the moonlight, but his hawk like eyes had a look of a predator. He was the strongest person living in this city, and all lives are like livestock in front of him.

However, he had no idea that from this livestock, an apex predator was about to awaken.