Albert College

It was past three o'clock in the morning, and the college was too quiet, most of the people fell asleep, only Caesar and Ebner were sitting at the desk, one was reading and the other was bored.

"Advanced Magic Circle Recognition" is a good book." Caesar opened the book less than 2 minutes before Ebner tried to start a conversation.

"Basic books, the author's point of view is too old-fashioned, not interesting, but it's okay to pass the time. Anyway, you are here, I don't want to read a book seriously." Caesar didn't even lift his eyes .

"Traditional? I thought James' views were authoritative." Ebner continued the topic persistently.

Caesar glanced at him indifferently, put down the book in his hand and said: "The basic principle of the magic circle is to capture the elements in the space and display them in a certain structure. This is basically the principle of all existing magic. But that It shouldn't be the essence of magic, it's always been there, and we've only made the tip of the iceberg out of it with the help of tools, and made it work for me. People took some sticks and set them on fire, thinking that all the trees in the world grew like that It's too superficial to conclude that it looks weak when it breaks at once."

"Of course." Although discussing this kind of issue while enjoying the rare world of two people is a bit unpleasant, Ebner nodded cooperatively: "The age of the ancient gods is gone, and we will never be able to reproduce the glory of that time. But they Leaving us with some mysterious little gifts, perhaps a little dangerous—in fact, according to my research, some magics even have life."

"A theory I haven't heard before." Caesar turned his head with interest, completely forgetting what he was still angry with before, and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Ebner was very happy that he had attracted the other party's attention. He raised the corners of his mouth happily, and after sorting out his thoughts a little, he replied: "I believe you have heard of many magical creatures, such as the ghosts and world fish that you have encountered before. Although they also exist in this space, their body composition is completely different from ours. Generally speaking, they are actually just a bunch of elements that are more closely composed. Compared with living things, they seem to appear through certain methods Magic. But contrary to the theory, they are not simple accumulations, magical creatures can move freely, and a small part of them have simple thinking and intelligence. In other words, they are actually living magic.

Interesting isn't it?If it is reasonable to extrapolate, is the demon god of that era also the same thing? "

"... Powerful power, huge elemental composition, and endless knowledge contained in it." Caesar lowered his eyes and fell into deep thought.His tone was a bit unusual, Ebner squinted his eyes and stared at him, then said seriously: "It is also knowledge that has been lost, this world is balanced, if something is too powerful, it will be destroyed. Demon God It will not and should not appear in this world again."

"Maybe so." Caesar opened the book again and replied noncommittally, as if he had lost interest in it.At such times, Ebner always felt as if he was blocked by an invisible fortress, so before Caesar had finished arming, he took the time to say: "As far as I know, you seem to be blocked by Abigail Hiber Adopted by reason? That's a stingy and nervous old man, if you have any difficulties, I will be happy to help you."

"Do I look so pitiful?" Caesar asked back.

"In fact, you look so thin that I think Hebrew is deducting your living expenses."

"Thank you for your concern, but I am living well." Caesar snorted coldly and replied.

"Indeed, if you spend 24 hours a day in the library and always forget to eat, I believe you must not be short of food expenses." Caesar rolled his eyes, and Ebner paused depressedly, and then continued: "Please forgive me, Actually, I don't want to accuse you of bad living habits-although it is really bad, I just try to politely invite you to breakfast, lunch, or dinner or something, and I know a lot of good restaurants."

"I'm surprised that you still know things like euphemism and politeness." Caesar replied mercilessly: "I want to emphasize that my living habits have nothing to do with you, anyway, it doesn't matter when you eat as long as you are not hungry. "

Ebner sighed helplessly for his stubbornness, and said, "I don't understand why you are so desperate. You have a very good talent for magic, but it doesn't mean that all your life should be centered on it. Adopt You were just a nobody in Hebrew before, but in recent years you have become one of the leading figures in related fields, he is stealing your research, isn't he? If this is a deal, then you do Enough is enough, you can free yourself from it all, and there are so many other things worth putting your energy into."

"Because then I will be happy?" Caesar looked straight at him, his long soft black hair was draped over his shoulders, and his fair face had a sense of transparency under the candlelight, so it looked extraordinarily delicate and fragile, but in his dark eyes But shining with an indescribable light, so firm, so proud.Ebner looked at him and realized that he might never really understand him.

Caesar smiled, and he said in a calm tone: "No, I have made a choice a long time ago. I obtained the conditions for studying and researching from Hebrew, and he obtained fame, fortune and wealth from me. Fair enough, because those things meant nothing to me, and what I expected never changed. The lost, known, and unknown knowledge... I never cared if others understood."

"I respect your choice." Ebner leaned back, leaned on the back of the chair and looked at the ceiling, was silent for a while, and suddenly murmured: "But the crowd is like a pile of stones, with too prominent edges and corners It hurts people, and being out of touch with traditional values ​​just makes you feel out of place."

"So what?" Caesar asked disdainfully.

He has experienced those barriers, but those things in exchange for loneliness are enough to make up for everything.As long as one can pursue magic for a lifetime, there is nothing in this world that needs to be confused by it.

"I have seen a kind of fish once." Ebner said suddenly: "It went through thousands of dangers and went upstream just to leave the sea to lay eggs upstream, and then died exhausted after that. I used to like this creature very much , it is like fireworks, once blooming is all the meaning of life, so it is extraordinarily dazzling and beautiful. 'Madman' is usually a compliment word in my dictionary..." Ebner continued on his own : "But Caesar, I'm worried now..."

He stopped, because Caesar had already refocused his attention on the tome in hand, and it seemed that the words just didn't reach his ears at all.

Ebner looked at him without saying a word, the corners of his mouth couldn't help twitching.

Caesar Vallière was such an unkind fellow, not to mention very likable.But Ebner thought, what a strange thing, he couldn't let this man go.

Carefully moving the chair, he sat down next to Caesar, then pulled a corner of the blanket over his body.Caesar did not refuse this time.So the two sat side by side in such a quiet way, the flame of the oil lamp on the table jumped a few times from time to time, the light and shadow flickered, and the overlapping shadows on the ground shook accordingly.

The sun is about to rise, the dark blue sky outside is slightly red, the thin morning mist is lingering, and the air is slightly cold and fresh.

Looking at the light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Ebner narrowed his eyes, showing a different, faint, soft smile, and said softly in a voice that would not be noticed by the person next to him: "I want to I'm going to fall in love with you, Caesar, and this time for real."