I Pioneered Scientific Magic - Chapter 316 (Patreon)

Chapter 316: Fundamental Constants of the Interstellar Universe!

The voices within the hall continued, a steady stream of discussions. Those wizards adept in transfiguration were particularly excited, for Lynn and Sanchez undoubtedly illuminated the path for optical research.

By altering various creatures, studying their perception of light, even dissecting to locate the elusive light-sensitive cells, a comprehensive report could secure that coveted Morning Star Medal, wouldn’t it?

"If only I had pursued transfiguration exclusively!" Elok sighed. While more adept in elemental and alchemical studies, transfiguration was a passable skill for him.

Regretfully, the easily attainable Morning Star Medal seemed to slip away! Yet, nearby, Pearce, skilled in transfiguration, wore an expression of profound concern. The competition for this medal was staggering; it wouldn’t take long before the halls were inundated with magical theories, leaving slim chances for success.

On the dais, Glenn and others exchanged glances. They hadn’t delved into transfiguration and feared lagging in their research on non-visible light.

Lynn, taking into account the non-transfiguration-oriented wizards’ enthusiasm for optics, paused before continuing, "Aside from seeking non-visible light, you could approach this from another angle… such as measuring the speed of light!"

Measuring the speed of light?

Raphael and the others were momentarily stunned. Light, ubiquitous yet mysterious, fascinated many. However, since they couldn’t perceive the ‘light element,’ observing and measuring it remained a challenge.

Over a decade ago, the legendary Lady Aurora conducted an experiment. She positioned a wizard a kilometer away and used magic to reflect light onto another person, gauging its speed based on arrival time.

However, light was incredibly swift. Even the legendary witch couldn’t discern such minute differences in reaction time. She estimated light’s speed to exceed a thousand kilometers per second, requiring measurements from even farther distances.

But this posed a secondary problem; light diffused, weakening over longer distances, rendering precise measurements impossible. Some suspected light to be instantaneous!

However, this experiment unexpectedly revealed something: the speed of sound ranged between three hundred to four hundred meters and fluctuated based on geographical differences.

Sanchez elaborated on Lady Aurora’s experiment in detail to Lynn.

"A kilometer? That’s too close. Without more specialized equipment, failure was expected…"

Lynn didn’t know the specific speed of light in this world yet, but it surely wasn’t slow. According to past data, a kilometer was merely a fraction of a fraction of a second, beyond the measurement capabilities even for legendary wizards.

After pondering, Lynn addressed the assembly of wizards. "I have some ideas about measuring light speed, but they need verification, which will take a few days. It might fail even after this symposium. During this time, if anyone accurately measures the speed of light, I will propose to the council to award them a Silver Moon Medal!"

"A Silver Moon Medal? Master Lynn, isn’t that too extravagant?" Sanchez interjected hastily.

Awarding the Silver Moon Medal had two conditions: proposing a theory significant enough to alter a mainstream magical system or making a substantial contribution to the wizard community or council.

During the previous symposium, when Lynn proposed the law of universal gravitation, there were plans to award a Silver Moon Medal. However, legendary Chancellor Harof vetoed it. Lynn’s subsequent calculations regarding the planet’s speeds, proving its rotation and revolution, overturned everyone's worldview, earning the more prestigious Crown of Daylight Medal!

Measuring light speed alone, without analyzing its nature, felt sufficient with a Morning Star Medal…

"I don’t believe it’s excessive. A legendary wizard within the Society of Mystical Arts once said that compared to optics, existing magical theories are merely rudimentary descriptions of macroscopic phenomena. Optics unveils the microscopic reality, a crucial key!" Lynn emphasized solemnly.

The speed of light differed from sound, air resistance, or gravity, variables changing with planetary shifts.

Similar to Lynn’s earlier calculation of the gravitational constant, yet to measure absolute zero, the Hubble constant, Planck constant, and others… These values weren’t confined to a single planet but governed the universe—a constant within humanity’s observable and cognitive range!

The speed of light was especially crucial; numerous famous formulas revolved around this constant!

One such example was the renowned equation, E=mc^2!

E denoted energy, m represented mass, and c was the speed of light. This formula encapsulated the mystery of mass-energy conversion, applicable to nuclear blasts and even more potent antimatter annihilation!

Nevertheless, whether the theory of invariant light speed held universally required experimental verification.

Lynn had been eager to calculate these fundamental constants but had previously focused primarily on the kingdom’s war, delaying these pursuits.

Starting with optical research, they were peeling back the layers of the real world. Moving from the ordered macroscopic realm to a chaotic and enigmatic microscopic domain.

Lynn’s straightforward words unsettled the wizards present. Centuries of magical development in the wizarding world reduced to ‘rudimentary and simplistic’ by an outsider was disconcerting!

"Is this legendary sage from the Society of Mystical Arts perhaps delusional from researching light?" sneered a prominent wizard in the audience. Lynn’s disregard for existing magical theories didn’t sit well; after all, light, while mystical, was just one piece in the mosaic of magic… 

The theory of light elements within the wizarding world, after decades of development and refinement, had a basic framework, awaiting final validation.

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