Exploring Technology in a Wizard World

Chapter 110: Chapter 109: You, Be More Rational
 

In the room, Gro and Richard talked.

Gro looked at Richard with slight excitement, “Lord Richard, I really didn’t expect you to actually come to Cuijin City.”

“I said I would come,” Richard replied, “According to what you said, this place has access to wizards from the continent, some talented people who can take a ship to the continent in search of a way out, right?”

“Uh, indeed,” Gro spoke, “Although Cuijin City isn’t a coastal city, the largest river of the Kingdom—the Jade River—passes right by. So, some people from the continent, um, mostly wizards from wizard organizations, would first travel by large ships to the estuary, and then transfer to smaller boats to travel up the Jade River into the heart of the Kingdom. They test children or young people in the large cities along the way, and those who qualify are allowed to board the ships, returning with them to the large ships at the estuary, and together head to the continent.”

“That is exactly why I came,” Richard said, then asked, “How often do the wizards usually come?”

“Uh, it doesn’t seem to be set in stone,” Gro thought for a moment, “Sometimes it’s once a year, sometimes once every year and a half, and sometimes two full years go by.”

Richard’s eyes flashed, “Then how long ago was the most recent visit?”

“It seems…” Gro hesitated for a moment, thought carefully, and then replied, “About nine months ago.”

“So, that means I could meet the wizards from the continent as soon as three months from now or, at the latest, after a year?” Richard murmured.

Gro spread his hands, “It seems that way.”

“Alright then,” Richard said, showing slight resignation but without many options, “In that case, I will settle down in Cuijin City, and if you hear any news about wizards, please let me know. Ideally, I hope to successfully pass the wizards’ tests and go with them to the continent.”

“Are you sure you want to go to the continent?” Gro asked, frowning heavily, “I’ve heard that the continent is very chaotic, full of various wizard battles, and ordinary wizard apprentices can only become cannon fodder, with no safety guaranteed at all. Moreover, if you pass the test and follow the large ship to the continent, you’ll have to join their wizard organization, and you’ll lose your freedom. Not knowing exactly what kind of organization they are, you can’t predict what you might have to go through.”

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Richard laughed lightly, “Don’t be so pessimistic. I don’t necessarily have to join any wizard organization. I just want to take this opportunity to go to the continent and learn about the real wizard world, to see the true face of the current world.”

“Oh, okay then,” Gro replied, “I’ll try to keep an eye out for more information about the wizards for you.”

“Good,” Richard nodded, then took a potion bottle from his breast pocket and handed it to Gro, “This is Ether, um, the same kind that I gave you before which helps with meditation. I think you must have nearly finished the last bottle, so you can continue to use this one as thanks for gathering information for me.

However, be careful not to use it too frequently, as it could potentially become addictive. Of course, it’s still best if you could learn to meditate independently with the help of the Ether.”

“Uh, got it,” Gro said, taking the potion bottle, showing little reaction on his face.

Richard frowned slightly and looked at Gro, “You… seem a bit off.”

“Hm? What’s off?” Gro’s eyes flickered.

“At least, you’re different from when you were in the forest,” said Richard, “Back then, you really wanted to become a wizard, and you couldn’t wait to try the Ether Potion I gave you. But this time, when I gave you another bottle, you don’t have that same excitement.”

Richard analyzed, “If something like this happens, either my potion is useless, which I know isn’t the case because I’m very aware of its effects, or there is some issue with you personally that has greatly reduced your drive to become a wizard.”

“Uh, well…” Gro looked at Richard, hesitated, then finally let out a sigh, “Alright, it doesn’t hurt to tell you. Initially, I wanted to become a wizard because I was worried my older brother would kill me, and I wanted to protect myself. But now I’ve realized, just like you told me before, my brother doesn’t want to kill me. He was just tempering my character, preparing to let me take over a remote and barren territory—to ‘exile’ me there.

Then, I discovered that my talent for wizardry isn’t very good, almost non-existent even. Despite having your potion, meditating is still quite difficult.”

He paused briefly, and Gro spoke with an air of disenchantment, “Besides, I once had a conversation with my teacher that made me feel there’s really no need to become a wizard. It’s better to just muddle along until death.”

“Hmm? What did you talk about with your teacher?”

“Uh, actually it wasn’t much of a conversation, it was mostly him talking,” Gro said, his face clouded with the memory, his eyes full of pain, “My teacher said that life is meaningless for many people, like me. Living only to die. Wanting to become something like a wizard is just making trouble for oneself, better to live a simple life and be done with it…”

It took some time before Gro finished speaking, and Lord Richard could see that Gro had been greatly influenced by what he called his “teacher’s teachings.”

It’s no wonder, without having established a well-rounded worldview, perspective on life, and value system, hearing such words can easily lead to a negative mentality.

After Gro finished speaking, he looked at Richard, unable to hold back, his eyes filled with a hint of faint hope, “I admit some of what my teacher said makes sense, but it still feels somewhat off. Lord Richard, what do you think?”

“I think…” Richard spoke up, nodding his head, “Actually, what your teacher said is quite correct.”

“I…” Gro was dumbfounded, feeling as though his last hope had also collapsed, “You can’t be serious, you…”

“Many people’s lives are indeed meaningless,” Richard said indifferently, “Most people live ordinary lives, blunderingly existing, then die. Unless someone is truly exceptional, possessing wisdom, talent or determination not found in ordinary people, along with a stroke of luck, and a certain strength or background, then they can accomplish great things that otherwise would not have been possible, and have an impact on many people, making their life meaningful.

To live a meaningful life is very difficult, just like how many people struggle to accept their own mediocrity. People often spend the majority of their life before they come to terms with this reality in their old age, and then settle down. Your teacher obviously understands this; he taught you what you might otherwise not have realized until decades later, allowing you to see through the life you have ahead, to feel disheartened and uninterested in everything, which is quite normal.”

“I…” Gro was utterly despondent, “So, does that mean my life truly has no meaning? Then, is it right for me to muddle along without making an effort to become a wizard apprentice?”

“Not necessarily,” Richard spoke.

Gro’s eyes brightened slightly.

“Life is hard to find meaning in, because meaning is often attributed by others’ evaluations, but… life can be interesting, interest is the true feeling in one’s heart. A person has many troubles in life, faces many constraints. But within certain limits, there is still a choice to be made, such as what profession to pursue, how to do something well.

For this, you can choose the one you like most, or the one that interests you. It might make no difference or meaning in the eyes of others, but you know very well that it’s not the same.”

“So you’re saying…” Gro’s eyes shone brightly, “My teacher might be right, but he’s not comprehensive. My life may be meaningless, but it can still be interesting. In that case, it’s better for me to try to become a wizard after all, right?”

Gro looked towards Richard.

Richard spoke calmly, “Actually, becoming a wizard is not the only choice; you can find more pleasure from other aspects of life. Like poetry, like wine and women…”

“That’s…”

“Although last time we parted I wished you well in becoming a wizard. Considering the frankly limited wizard talent you confessed to just now, in my view, becoming a wizard may not be the best choice for you,” Richard said calmly, “But in the end, living doesn’t have to be meaningful or interesting, what’s most important is to be rational, and not to obsess over things needlessly. Otherwise, in the search for that sliver of meaning or interest, life can be very bitter and exhausting.”

“I…” Gro looked at Richard, suddenly finding himself speechless.

Hey, are you trying to encourage me or are you crushing me?

Although… my wizard talent is really rather poor, did you have to spell it out so clearly?

I, I, I…