Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 204

#204. Imitation and Creation (3)

“To explain it a little academically, the artificial sun is made of a mineral called terranot that has the property of emitting a certain color of light when mana is absorbed. However, the light lasts very short.”

According to Solitaire, numerous priests of the sect have attempted to breathe light into an artificial sun.

But none of them lasted more than a few seconds.

“Although there is a limit to the amount of mana that can be used by humans, I have heard that there are some who are born with a special quality. They are said to be able to maintain semi-permanent light with a small amount of mana. According to the old revelations, they are said to reside in the lowest places.”

He said that this was because the church mainly had branches in high-numbered sectors.

The search for a person who would become a saint or saintess, along with relief for the poor, was said to be the main activity of the religious order.

“What exactly do you mean by specific qualities?”

“There are many qualities, but one is essential.”

Solitaire paused for a moment to refine his sentences before speaking.

“The ability to care for all things unconditionally. That is the most important quality.”

“Anyone can worry.”

“It’s not easy. As you said, anyone can worry, but it’s almost impossible to extend that worry to everyone around you.”

“Then exploration would also be nearly impossible.”

“I can’t tell you the details, but I’m not giving up hope because the church has a special method.”

To summarize Solité’s words, it seemed that the qualities of a saint and the perspective from which one views the world were extremely important.

Ray looked at the bowl of solitaire.

Overflowing red, orange and yellow emotions.

“I think you have enough qualities to be a saint.”

“yes…?”

Solitaire seemed genuinely taken aback by Ray’s words.

“I am a fool. A saint must be someone who truly cares about all things in the world and who has no hesitation in going down to the lowest places to comfort the hungry and shivering. Just like the warm sunlight that reaches every corner of the world.”

Well, I guess that’s right.

Solitaire stared intently into Ray’s eyes.

Ray felt like something was being read this time too.

“You really think so. Ah! Ah! I sincerely apologize. I keep doing things I shouldn’t have done… .”

“Do you happen to be able to read minds or thoughts through the eyes?”

“Huh…? Oh, how did you know?”

“That’s how I feel.”

“… You have great insight.”

Solitaire calmed down her surprised feelings and explained.

“It may be hard to believe, but I can discern truth from lies through a person’s eyes. If I concentrate, I can even outline their thoughts. That’s why I try to avoid prolonged eye contact as much as possible. I have to make eye contact for a few seconds, and I also have to show my will. However, sometimes my ability manifests unconsciously… … .”

Ray tilted his head.

“Is it really necessary to try so hard to avoid displaying one’s abilities?”

“It’s a matter of morality. Spying on other people’s thoughts is no different from theft.”

Reading minds is theft.

For a boy who had enjoyed many advantages from guessing other people’s thoughts through their emotions, this was a very new perspective.

“But it’s strange. I’ve never heard of it before, and I’ve never told anyone, but I can tell you, my little teacher, without any hesitation. How should I put it, it feels like I’m meeting an old friend.”

“… … .”

No matter how much the boy thought about it, the young man in front of him seemed like a strange person.

He changed the subject and asked another question.

“But the artificial sun, why is it made of red, orange, and yellow? The white inside is obscured, so it is barely visible. Sunlight is white.”

“Well, it’s a matter of perception. Depending on how you look at it, sunlight can appear red, orange, or yellow.”

“No. The sun is exactly white.”

“Teacher, your sun is white. I will respect it.”

“It’s only white.”

“My sun is orange.”

As the young man and the boy were bickering quietly, a voice was heard from behind.

“We’re having an interesting conversation.”

“Oh, Bishop.”

When I turned my head, I could see an old man dressed in priestly attire.

Thanks to his sharp eyes and upright posture, he didn’t look old at all.

“The young gentleman is right about the colors of sunlight. The source is white light, and all other colors are just branches extending from it.”

“Bishop, I’m sorry. I should have responded to your call in a hurry, but after talking for a while… … .”

“No. There is still time before the other high priests arrive.”

The bishop, who had been comforting the flustered Solitaire, turned to Ray and said.

“Young gentleman, you have great insight. Nice to meet you. This old man is called Cardio and does some work here.”

The hand of a bishop asking for a handshake.

The moment the old man appeared, Ray’s entire body was tense to the max.

This was because all four rings on the opponent’s chest were filled with blue mana.

‘The mixed ring of the Nambit Dawn Society.’

A fleeting moment.

Countless thoughts flashed through my mind.

Could this be the envoy from the Nambit Dawn Society who is scheduled to visit the mansion?

How did a person from the Nambit Dawn Society end up holding the position of bishop of the church?

If there were another holder of a mixed ring here now, how many would they be?

One thing that was certain was that, judging by the emotions of the vessel, the other party thought of him as an ordinary little boy.

The mana of rings and jewels has always been inactive.

There is no need to draw attention by revealing that you are a wizard.

“This is Ray.”

“That’s a good name.”

A brief moment of holding hands.

Ray could see the blue mana flowing towards him through his palm.

The blue mana moved nimbly throughout the body, but without finding any traces of mana, it returned to its original owner.

The hand was cut off.

Solitaire explained about Ray.

“I am a little teacher whom I met on the street. I was deeply impressed by the painting you were drawing, and I invited you to visit the cathedral for a further conversation.”

“Hmm? Are you saying that you were impressed by someone else’s painting?”

The bishop, with a dubious look on his face, turned to Ray and said.

“If you don’t mind, may I look at the artwork?”

Ray handed over the sketchbook, as it was not difficult.

Palak─

“Hoo… This is… .”

“Isn’t the painting style very unique?”

“That’s right. Is this a painting of a desert with a sandstorm?”

“This is a painting that captures the street scene.”

“Then this must be a pedestrian.”

“No. It’s a car.”

That’s a fountain.

Ray repeated to himself.

‘Remove them both.’

The bishop, who had been exclaiming in admiration, said as he closed his sketchbook.

“It was an impressive piece. The composition, the use of line, the control of thickness. Nothing was stable, but it was a painting that showed more possibilities than anyone else’s work. I think I understand why you asked to talk more.”

“I got exactly the same impression.”

“Everyone recognizes a good picture. Thank you, little gentleman, for drawing such a wonderful picture. I hope you will keep this unsullied imagination alive in the world.”

Ray felt a bit confused when he received his sketchbook back.

Is it possible that the doctrines of the church are distorting our aesthetic sense?

It seemed like this bishop wasn’t normal after all.

‘Or am I just really good at drawing?’

If you think about it, the reason Veronica got angry was simply because the picture didn’t match her face.

Greene has yet to give a detailed critique of the painting.

In other words.

The story was that he may have been seriously underestimating his own abilities.

After a moment of thought, Ray nodded and came to a conclusion.

‘I have a talent for drawing.’

Then Solitaire, who had just finished talking to the bishop, spoke up.

“The meeting will not take long. I will show you to the reception room, so would you like to rest and wait there? Or I will send someone to you, so you can go and see other parts of the cathedral.”

Ray answered with the arrogance of a master.

“I’m fine. I’ll wander around alone. I want to enjoy the paintings more.”

“All right.”

The bishop and the archpriest disappeared down the corridor leading to the hall.

Ray, who had been looking at the back of the figure for a moment, turned his gaze to the artificial sun.

[Never enter.]

A shortened guide sign.

Ray, using a stealth spell, disappeared from everyone’s awareness and crossed the line and entered.

The artificial sun seen up close was even more crude in shape.

If you infuse mana into a lump of ore like this, will it really glow?

Ray, who was reaching out towards the artificial sun, soon changed his mind and stopped.

I would have tried it if it weren’t for the bishop with the mixed ring, but I couldn’t risk it now that I knew the enemy was nearby.

Ray stepped out of the line and explored the cathedral.

I also took a good look at the religious paintings lined up on the wall.

I also watched someone playing the piano in a corner of the cathedral.

When he entered the chapel and heard the preacher say that God is a warm being, he rebutted by saying that God is a gloomy being.

Of course, since the hiding magic was maintained, the culprit was blamed on someone else.

“It’s blasphemy!”

“Catch the author!”

“This ungodly man!”

I left the chapel, leaving the noisy scene behind.

Once again, no one with a mixing ring was seen in an accessible location.

‘Judging from the contents of the letter, it seems that the Nambit Dawn Society is not a group with many members.’

On the other hand, the influence of the Solar Church is great.

It would be the most reasonable inference to conclude that some members of the Nambit Dawn Society had infiltrated the leadership of the sect.

But for what purpose?

Ray looked back at the contents of the letter Binjin had received from the Nambit Dawn Society.

“… In the end, the most inferior of the world will become the most superior. Like the sun that rises from the darkest and lowest horizon of the world’s dawn, but eventually rises to the brightest and highest point, looking down on everything on earth.”

…the sun is also mentioned here.

I had a strong feeling that it wasn’t just a coincidence.

The main goal of the Nambit Dawn Society is the resurrection of that unidentified person.

Is it possible that they are trying to use something from the church to achieve that goal?

I don’t know.

However, one thing was certain: they had to keep their eyes on the bishop and prepare thoroughly for the envoys of the Nambit Dawn Society who would soon be visiting the mansion.

*

As the days grew colder, the world became increasingly colorless, but Ray’s sketchbook was filled with more and more colors.

“The feeling of the picture changes depending on the thickness of the line. The combination of colors is also important. You must practice thoroughly. Imagination built on soft ground without a foundation will inevitably be shaken.”

From Greene I learned several technical methods related to the basics of drawing.

“Imagination is already abundant in Ray’s mind. Let your imagination run wild wherever your hand takes you. Don’t be bound by theories or laws or anything. Rather, I think that if you get caught up in methodology, the colors of Ray’s world will fade.”

Solitaire taught me how to maximize my current style through my imagination.

Square. Square.

In the tower, in the mansion.

On the street, in the wilderness.

The boy’s hands, which moved pencils and brushes, never stopped for a moment, and the sketchbooks that ran out of paper piled up by the dozens every day.

The boy’s lines became more elaborate as the days passed, but when I looked at the finished picture, I didn’t feel that way at all.

This was because it reflected the boy’s intuition regarding the world.

Delicate yet jagged lines.

Coloring with unclear boundaries.

A crushed and distorted object.

Each element came together to create a very dreamy feeling.

Square. Square. Palak─

Although he drew anything he saw, the boy’s favorite subject matter was natural phenomena.

Rain, snow, clouds, wind, lightning.

The various phenomena resulting from the chemical reactions of mana were in themselves extremely fascinating to the boy.

The dynamic movement gave me great satisfaction just by watching it.

Kwarrung──!!

Every time the color of mana reflected in the eyes is expressed as paint on the drawing paper.

Woohoo.

The mana inside the jewel and ring mixed and separated like paint repeatedly.

As if they were protesting that they too could become like that.

and.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a painting like this.”

“I had expected it to some extent, but I didn’t know that this kind of result would come out in such a short period of time.”

At some point, Greene and Solitaire realized.

That Ray’s paintings were becoming something they could not evaluate.

This was especially surprising for Solité, who thought of Ray as just another lower-class boy who was not tainted by the times.

Square. Square. Palak─

Regardless of the reactions of those around him, the boy’s work continued unceasingly.

Square. Square. Palak─

Build an accurate image of the world.

Square. Square. Palak─

I kept repeating the process of adding my imagination on top of it.

And mid-December.

One day when snow was pouring down.

Three visitors arrived at the mansion’s front door.

Ain, dressed neatly, opened the door to the mansion and bowed deeply.

“Come in. The Master is waiting inside.”