Above the mage!

Chapter 617 Let's Go to the North (Part 2)

“Jaber, stop what you’re doing. This mage has something important to ask you.” Eli quickly stepped forward and gently patted the man’s shoulder.

The man then slowly turned around, revealing a striking face.

His skin was pale from long periods without sunlight, his cheeks were sunken, his cheekbones were prominent, and he looked exceptionally thin.

But what's most striking is his eyes.

Those were exceptionally bright eyes, like two burning stars, with an almost fanatical focus.

The whites of his eyes were covered with blood vessels, clearly caused by long-term sleep deprivation.

He was Jabil, the inventor of the gas stove.

Upon seeing Gaode, Jaber's eyes showed no surprise, only a brief moment of bewilderment, as if he were puzzled by the arrival of a stranger.

His fingers curled up unconsciously, clearly indicating that he was not good at socializing.

"A mage?" His gaze swept over Gao De, finally settling on his extremely youthful face, a hint of speculation flashing in his eyes. "You're... here to see the breathing furnace?"

His voice was still hoarse, but it was clearer than before.

Jabir remembered Eli telling him that he had been out there trying to sell their breathing furnaces, but had been turned down every time.

The nobles and merchants either scoffed at it or offered it a pittance; no one truly appreciated his breathing furnace.

Eli nodded repeatedly, saying, "Jabil, this is Mage God. He admires your invention, and... he knows where to make the breathing furnace truly useful."

Jaber's eyes suddenly lit up, like torches suddenly igniting in the darkness.

He stood up abruptly.

"What did you say?" He took two quick steps forward, almost touching Gao De, his hoarse voice filled with barely suppressed excitement, "You're willing to use my breathing furnace?"

Looking at the pure expectation in his eyes, Gao De couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

The image of Jaber before him was exactly the same as the academic madman he had imagined.

Eli seemed afraid that Jabir's performance would displease God, so he quickly explained in a low voice, "Mr. Mage, Jabir... has been different from others since he was a child."

His father was a wandering alchemist who had no formal apprenticeship and was self-taught, relying on a tattered ancient book to teach himself alchemy. He opened a small alchemy workshop in the town and barely made a living.

From a young age, Jaber tinkered with machines alongside his father, displaying an astonishing talent in alchemy.

"Unfortunately, his father was killed in the workshop when he was twelve years old, after failing to refine the Philosopher's Stone. All that was left was that tattered ancient book and a pile of unfinished products." Eli's tone was tinged with regret.

“After his father died, Jaber became an orphan. The townspeople thought he was a weirdo and no one wanted to take him in.”

“My father met his father a few times back then and thought he was a promising talent, so he sponsored him to continue his research until my family… fell into decline.”

Jabil lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously digging into the edge of the wooden table. "Mr. Tucker is a good man and is willing to sponsor my continued study of alchemy, but those orthodox alchemists are unwilling to accept me."

They said my knowledge was unorthodox, and that the machines I tinkered with were craftsmen's toys, not alchemists', unworthy of serious study.

His voice carried an undisguised resentment: "But they don't understand! Mechanics and alchemy are not contradictory! Magic can not only be channeled through runes and spells; machines can also be carriers of magic!"
"The reaction array of the breathing furnace was designed by me based on ancient records and mechanical principles. It uses magic to activate phlogiston and a piston to convert energy. This is far more efficient and cheaper than simply using magic!" "Moreover, ordinary people don't need to learn magic or consume expensive magic crystals; they can obtain a continuous source of power simply by turning a lever! Isn't this an advancement in alchemy?"

When talking about his invention, Jaber's eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed again.

Clearly, Eli's inability to market the breathing furnace and the lack of recognition and success he had never received had a significant impact on Jabbar's confidence.

“Your invention is indeed very valuable,” Gao De said slowly, his tone filled with sincere appreciation. “In fact, its value far exceeds your imagination.”

"The reason those people laugh at you is not because your invention is crude, but because they are short-sighted and cannot see the revolutionary significance behind your creation."

Jaber paused for a moment, then looked up blankly at Gao De's young face.

People who crave affirmation may feel a sense of insecurity and disbelief when they actually receive it.

He subconsciously shook his head: "No...it's impossible. They are all learned alchemy masters. They said my stuff is useless...that it can only be used for low-level manual labor. This is an insult to alchemy."

That's because they didn't see the value of your knowledge and your inventions.

"But that's actually a good thing, because if they see the value of your invention, that would be a terrible thing for you."

"It's like your breathing furnace."

"It achieves efficient energy conversion and stable output. Once it is widely adopted, it can replace hundreds of thousands of workers. This will overturn the current dynasty's system and bring turmoil to the dynasty." God paused, his gaze falling on Jaber's puzzled face.

"Huh?!" Jabil's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief. "I... I just wanted to make a furnace that would save labor, I never intended to revolutionize anything..."

"You didn't think of it, but its very existence is a kind of subversion."

Gao De's voice carried a hint of solemnity, "The Plantagenet dynasty cannot tolerate it, just as it cannot tolerate any change that attempts to break the rigid class system. You and your breathing furnace will be regarded as heretics and cruelly destroyed by them."

There was a brief silence in the room.

Jaber lowered his head, his heart filled with deep confusion and unease.

He then looked up at Eli, seeking his support.

Facing Jabir's gaze, Eli sighed softly, "Jabir, I know this is hard to accept, but what the mage said is true. He has enlightened me. Our breathing furnaces are destined to have no place in this land."

"This land cannot contain your creations because the changes they bring are too advanced and pose a threat to the stability of the dynasty."

Looking at Jabir, who was in a daze, Gao De slowly said, "The only place that can accommodate you and your inventions must be a new land full of change."

"Only on such land can your talent be put to good use, your creations be promoted, and truly help those who need them."

"And on this continent, there exists such land."

Jaber suddenly raised his head, a glimmer of hope rekindling in his eyes. He asked urgently, "Where? Master, where are you talking about?"

Gao De looked at the flame of hope in his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke softly.

The sound, like the whisper of a demon or the guidance of a god, echoed in the small room:
"Let's go to the North."

(End of this chapter)