Lynn stood quietly to the side, listening carefully for a while before finally understanding the core of the argument between the two Second-Level Wizards.
The beautiful wizard wearing black-rimmed glasses was named Millie. She advocated for the war fortress to develop a diversified battlefield strategy, with a focus on building up mechanical legions and winning through sheer numbers.
The other, a tall and rugged-looking male Wizard named Vincent, firmly insisted on strengthening the fortress itself and concentrating resources on individual Wizards to create elite combatants.
The two stood their ground, neither able to convince the other.
"Faced with the goddess army, we need enough mechanical puppets to stall the battle!"
Millie declared firmly. "You all saw it during the retreat of Fortress No. 13, if it hadn't been for the hundreds of thousands of mechanical puppets sent out to delay the enemy, we wouldn't have made it out!"
Vincent let out a cold snort and shot back without hesitation:
"Exactly the opposite. It was because we relied on those puppets that we suffered such heavy losses!"
"Have you considered that in that very battle at Fortress No. 13, we lost over a million mechanical units? And what was the result? The goddess army still broke through our defenses!"
"Do you know why? Because among their ranks were those damn knights! Coupled with their strange and unpredictable divine magic, our long-range attrition tactics were completely ineffective!"
"You don't win a battle by stacking up numbers. The true key to victory lies in individual combat strength!"
"That's why we need to concentrate all resources on strengthening individual Wizards, so our warriors can hold their ground on the front lines instead of cowering behind machines!"
Millie's expression darkened at his words, but she didn't back down.
"Your thinking is far too idealistic! War isn't a series of one-on-one duels we need a broader perspective!"
The two of them argued heatedly, faces flushed with frustration, refusing to yield.
Normally, the strategic direction of a war fortress wasn't exactly top-secret.
After all, large-scale troop movements were hard to conceal there wasn't much point in keeping them hidden.
Still, matters like strategic deployment weren't usually debated so openly in public.
The fact that such a scene was unfolding now clearly showed that Millie and Vincent had already discussed this many times before without ever reaching a consensus. That was likely why their disagreement had finally boiled over in front of an audience.
As their emotions continued to escalate, the situation grew increasingly tense on the verge of erupting into a physical confrontation…
"You two."
A calm, steady voice broke the tension in the air.
Several other Second-Level Wizards arrived quickly on the scene. One of them stepped forward and said in a firm tone:
"It's normal to have disagreements during planning, but I hope you won't take it too far."
"This isn't the first time you've argued. If this continues, the commander may have to step in and settle your dispute personally."
Millie and Vincent exchanged glances, both still visibly displeased. But they each let out a cold snort and temporarily suppressed their anger.
"Alright, the show's over. Back to your posts."
Another Second-Level Wizard waved a hand, dismissing the crowd of First-Level Wizards who had gathered to watch.
Lynn narrowed his eyes slightly as he observed, deep in thought.
Unlike the other First-Level Wizards who began to disperse, he had no intention of leaving. On the contrary, he quietly took a step forward, eyes shining.
This was a golden opportunity.
Just moments ago, he had been wondering how to make contact with the leadership of the mechanical division. And now, the very core members of Fortress No. 13's mechanical department were right before him.
If he missed this moment, it might be several times harder to approach them later on.
Taking a deep breath, Lynn quickly weighed his words and then stepped forward decisively.
At that moment, the Second-Level Wizards were still trying to calm Millie and Vincent, hoping to defuse the conflict while dispersing the remaining onlookers.
After all, this debate concerned the fortress's future strategic deployment. While not the highest-level secret, it still wasn't something to be discussed openly in public.
They had assumed all the First-Level Wizards would follow orders and leave. After all, even if it wasn't a formal command, an order from a superior in the military still carried considerable weight.
To their surprise, one First-Level Wizard not only remained but dared to walk straight toward them.
"Hmm?"
The Second-Level Wizard who had been dispersing the crowd frowned, a flash of irritation in his eyes.
"Someone doesn't know their place?"
His gaze turned cold as he released the pressure of a Second-Level Wizard. It bore down on Lynn like a heavy, invisible mountain.
But Lynn was already prepared.
"Void Tranquility!"
"Echo of Vitality!"
Two spells activated in an instant, and he neutralized the oppressive force with his own calm and resolute will.
At the same time, he stepped forward and stood firmly within speaking range, his voice steady and unhurried:
"I believe… neither of you are wrong."
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire scene fell silent.
This heated argument had originally been a clash between two Second-level Wizards yet now, a mere First-level Wizard had dared to interrupt?
For a moment, not only the Second-level Wizard who had just unleashed his pressure, but even the rest of the senior wizards all showed faint displeasure on their faces.
Millie and Vincent, their dispute abruptly interrupted, instinctively turned to look at Lynn.
Fortunately, at the same time he spoke, Lynn had already taken out an intricately crafted mechanical token and held it up for all to see.
In an instant, all the sharp gazes shifted to the token in his hand.
A membership token from the Institute of the City of Machines!
The air itself seemed to freeze for a moment.
Lynn stood under the scrutiny of several Second-level Wizards. Though the pressure was immense, the token he held was weighty enough to have the desired effect.
"A research institute membership token?"
Millie adjusted the black-rimmed glasses on her nose, her gaze flickering with surprise and a hint of suspicion.
Vincent, beside her, raised his brows slightly, thoughtful.
As central figures in the mechanical division of War Fortress No. 13, they were intimately familiar with the workings of the Institute of the City of Machines.
Even the lowest-level members of the Institute weren't just ordinary First-level Wizards.
Since this young man held a legitimate membership token, he was no longer seen as a junior subordinate but a peer with academic standing.
That alone was enough to subtly shift their attitudes toward Lynn.
Millie let her gaze linger on him for a moment before lifting her chin slightly and speaking coolly:
"Wait a second... Name, rank, and position. Let me see. Since when did our Fortress No. 13 gain a new Institute member without me knowing?"
Though her tone wasn't exactly harsh, her keen eyes studied him carefully clearly skeptical.
Vincent didn't speak, but a similar probing look was visible on his face.
Lynn had anticipated such scrutiny and responded without hesitation:
"Lynn Cole. First-level Wizard. Formerly served in the Seventh Assault Squad. I just returned from the battle against the Goddess' army...
The squad originally had eight members. I'm the only one who made it back."
His voice was steady and concise. When mentioning the battle, he deliberately emphasized being the sole survivor, sketching out his wartime experience and contributions with clarity.
His words immediately softened the expressions of the Second-level Wizards.
Surviving a battle of near-certain death and contributing meaningfully to the war effort was enough to earn him a degree of leniency for his earlier "impertinence."
However, Millie was not satisfied with just that. She frowned and waved a hand dismissively:
"I wasn't asking about that. I want to know... about your paper."
She paused, then gave a light snort and muttered to herself:
"Forget it, I'll look it up myself."
With that, she lightly tapped the bridge of her black-rimmed glasses.
A faint stream of data light flashed across the lenses. In just a moment, her voice rang out again:
"Lynn Cole, First-level Wizard. Primary author of A Study on Improving the Adaptability of Interdimensional Purification Devices to Metallic Structures in Divine Civilizations... Already in practical application."
As her voice fell, even Vincent's expression shifted slightly. The scrutiny in his gaze gave way to recognition and curiosity.
While the Institute had strict requirements for membership, demanding meaningful contributions to the field, it wasn't an inflexible ivory tower.
For true mechanical prodigies, exceptions were made. Freedom was granted to allow their growth.
Lynn's membership, in truth, had been granted more through Grand Witch Chris's influence than through his academic prowess.
But at this moment, in the eyes of Millie and Vincent, he was undoubtedly being seen as a mechanical genius.
"You're reckless! You joined an assault squad?!"
Once Millie confirmed his identity, her tone immediately turned concerned with a hint of scolding.
Vincent, meanwhile, remained silent, but his gaze had softened.
"You heard the argument between Millie and me just now."
Vincent paused, his eyes now gleaming with interest as they settled on Lynn.
"You've experienced battle firsthand so tell me, what's your opinion?"
With Lynn's unexpected involvement, the tension between Millie and Vincent had eased.
Now, both of them were genuinely curious about this newly revealed Institute member.
The other Second-level Wizards around them also turned their attention toward Lynn.
But this time, their gazes no longer held pressure or suspicion only curiosity.
After all, becoming a member of the Institute was no small feat for any mechanical wizard.
That a mere First-level Wizard could become a member of the Institute meant he possessed exceptional talent in mechanical studies. Perhaps… he truly did have some constructive insights worth hearing.
Yet now, under the gazes of so many Second-level Wizards, Lynn felt even more pressure than before.
After all, earlier, all he had to do was present his membership token to dispel their doubts.
But now, things were different.
These Second-level Wizards were willing to listen to him speak only because they assumed that Lynn, who had dared to interrupt the argument between Vincent and Millie, must have something truly worthwhile to say.
If all he offered were common opinions, he would undoubtedly disappoint them.
Fortunately…
Lynn did have some rather unconventional ideas.
These thoughts weren't entirely born from his observations, but had been revealed to him by the otherworldly entity known as "Qi." They were highly challenging in terms of feasibility bordering on impossible.
Still, he had decided to present them now, as a show of sincerity as his true academic contribution without holding anything back.
But before he could speak his mind, Lynn knew he needed to set the stage.
A story that would lend weight to his words and make his upcoming insights more persuasive.
So, in a calm and natural tone, he began recounting his experiences since arriving in this realm.
He spoke of stepping onto the battlefield, of fighting for his life, of facing knights clad in heavy armor who charged through armies like unstoppable juggernauts.
He described the chaos and terror of confronting the Goddess's army.
He deliberately emphasized the sights and horrors he'd witnessed on the battlefield, lending gravity to his account and making what he was about to say feel more authentic and credible.
The Second-level Wizards nodded occasionally as they listened, clearly acknowledging Lynn's firsthand war experience and growing more curious about what insights he might offer.
Then, just as they were fully drawn in and waiting for him to speak his mind, Lynn finally said:
"I believe… both of your ideas have merit."
The atmosphere stalled slightly. A subtle shift passed through the expressions of the Second-level Wizards.
Millie raised an eyebrow. Vincent's gaze flickered thoughtfully. It was a diplomatic answer, but undoubtedly the safest way to begin.
After all, their disagreement wasn't about right or wrong it was a fundamental ideological divide over the future direction of mechanical wizardry.
Even Vincent wouldn't outright dismiss Millie's viewpoint he could only argue that her approach didn't suit the current state of the war fortress.
Lynn's "both are not wrong" was a balanced response, perfectly measured and without flaws.
Then, he slowly followed with a weightier statement:
"In fact, during my time on the battlefield, I made a small discovery."
His tone was steady and unhurried, as though recounting something utterly mundane. But beneath that calm, there was a subtle sense of pressure.
He paused, then added:
"Perhaps it was a coincidence. This phenomenon may not be easily replicated."
"But I believe the matter is important worth bringing up for discussion."
"And that is…"
He swept his gaze around, making eye contact with each of the Second-level Wizards before finally delivering a statement that would shake everyone present to the core:
"I discovered… the Goddess of the Weave's magical network it can be completely suppressed."
"If that happens, all mages who rely on the Weave for spellcasting… will lose the ability to cast altogether."
In an instant, the air seemed to freeze.
Every gaze snapped into sharp focus.
Even Millie and Vincent showed visible shock expressions the likes of which had never graced their faces before.
The surrounding Second-level Wizards couldn't help but gasp, their looks shifting from disbelief to outright astonishment.
Suppress the Weave?
It was true that the mechanical wizards' "Otherworld Purification Devices" could affect the environment, gradually transforming it into something compatible with wizardkind.
But the Goddess's mages had always found ways to restore the Weave afterward.
To completely shut down the Weave rendering all Weave-based spellcasters powerless…
That was the stuff of fantasy!
And yet, Lynn's voice brimmed with certainty.
To lend credibility to his claim, he had prepared supporting material.
Lynn opened his palm to reveal a shard of stone cracked and glowing faintly with a soft, bluish-green light.
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