Chapter 559: A New Line of Thought

Sparks of radiant energy leapt between the rune mechanisms, while surging magical power was channeled from the central power spine into each arcane engine. Accompanied by a sharp whistle, the massive train—stretching hundreds of meters long and composed of four power carriages along with countless intricate linkages, control systems, and energy supplies—began to slowly move forward along the experimental platform.

From the observation tower a hundred meters away, Rebecca and the technicians watched intently, scrutinizing every detail of the colossal, complex, and precise mechanical beast. Their eyes followed each rotation of the wheels, every rumble echoing from within the train’s body.

After traveling several dozen meters, one of the power carriages in the middle deliberately reduced its output as planned.

According to the design, the linkage mechanisms before and after that carriage should immediately respond. The misaligned rune triggers would redistribute energy among all the power carriages and disengage the faulty carriage’s axle transmission to prevent it from destabilizing the entire train or damaging the linkage’s mechanical structure.

But then, a sudden, deafening noise erupted from the connector between the second and third power carriages. Amid the roar, a bright arcane flame burst forth from the magical obelisk atop the carriage. Instantly, the power spine connected to the obelisk exploded in a flash—magical energy, unable to be released, erupted violently from all the rune plates. Within moments, two carriages were engulfed in a massive blaze.

The fireball soared into the air above the platform, slowly coalescing into the word “Embarrassing.”

In this virtual testing ground—where cost and consequences were no concern—this little special effect served as a sharp warning and motivation for everyone involved.

Countless bright, ethereal lines flickered and danced across the platform. The destroyed carriages and the fireball froze midair, their structures clearly displayed in decomposed detail. From the distant observation tower, Rebecca scratched her head.

“Good grief,” the young marquise wiped cold sweat from her brow. “Thank heavens we’re only doing this here…”

Beside her, Kamail sighed helplessly. “If this had happened in reality… Lady Hetty would have lost her mind.”

Rebecca grimaced, unwilling to imagine her aunt’s wrath and the punishment that would follow. She waved her hand. “Let’s check the cause.”

The upper section of the observation tower detached and descended to the frozen wreckage on the platform, carrying the entire technical team.

In this virtual reality lab, everything was remarkably convenient.

The two project leaders, accompanied by technicians, began analyzing the failure. They observed carefully, calculated, hypothesized, debated, and verified. For the birth of something entirely new, human intellect converged—not based on power or status, but purely on knowledge and truth. The whole team sprang into action.

At the edge of the crowd, Daniel—participating in the “Cecil-style research” team for the first time—watched the scene with some bewilderment.

Since becoming a servant to the “Outsider Wanderer,” this was his first team activity. Yet the atmosphere and style were nothing like he had imagined.

He had pictured a gloomy, oppressive group or a tightly controlled, ruthless organization—secret societies were often like that. Or perhaps a tense, mysterious environment filled with forbidden and heretical knowledge—typical of cults. But he never expected this.

These people seemed simply driven by a pure thirst for new knowledge, exploring technical possibilities. Within this “esoteric faction” founded by the Outsider Wanderer, the motivation to seek truth was even more straightforward and sincere than in the illustrious Royal Mage Association.

Having spent his youth and middle age in the Royal Mage Association, then over a decade as a cultist in the Sleeper’s Sect, Daniel was unaccustomed to such purity. In fact, no mage or scholar of this world and era would be. Yet watching these people argue passionately over a technical problem, rejoice over a few calculations, he felt no resistance.

He even found himself recalling his youth—the first time he encountered the mysteries of magic. In his faded, distant memories, only those days retained a hint of warmth and color.

The unknown and the pursuit of knowledge—nothing was more captivating.

By the experimental platform, Rebecca held a twisted, deformed metal part close to her eyes, shaking her head. “The linkage’s mechanical structure is flawed—too complex, which reduces reliability…”

Suddenly, she noticed Daniel standing nearby and beckoned him over. “Master Daniel, what do you think?”

Startled from his thoughts, Daniel approached, replying, “No need for ‘Master.’ Just call me Daniel.”

Though young, Rebecca was one of the Outsider Wanderer’s earliest emissaries and a blood descendant of the current vessel the Wanderer inhabited. For reasons unknown, their master treated her as a true heir, protecting and cherishing her. Knowing this, Daniel naturally showed her respect.

Besides Rebecca, Kamail—the ancient archmage—was no ordinary figure either. A survivor from a thousand years ago, a great mage of the Gondor Empire, even one who had transformed himself with divine power. Not to be underestimated.

Compared to such figures, Daniel’s background as a senior mage from the Royal Mage Association seemed insignificant—even if he had trained a legendary prodigy. Did the Outsider Wanderer lack legendary power?

Rebecca, innocent and straightforward, had no idea what the old mage was pondering. She simply asked, “Daniel, which part of the magic train’s design do you think is flawed?”

Daniel glanced at the complex, astonishing mechanical construct before him and smiled wryly. “Honestly, I still don’t fully understand its principles… I can only help build the virtual environment.”

Daniel was an expert in dream magic and virtual reality, serving as a consultant to help Kamail and Rebecca create the lab environment. But when it came to arcane machinery, though he knew a bit, he was no match for Rebecca’s expertise.

Rebecca hadn’t expected a definitive answer from him. She sighed, “Both approaches seem problematic…”

“After distributing power, issues like overload and interference in high-output engines were solved, but the mechanical complexity and control difficulty skyrocketed,” Kamail said gravely. “To ensure multiple power carriages run synchronously, maintain control, and automatically balance the system if some carriages fail—shielding the faulty sections—with current technology and materials, we can’t build a reliable control mechanism.”

A technician nearby muttered, “The train chassis is limited; we have very little room to work with…”

“On one hand, we can’t build large power units; on the other, the mechanical structure is too complex and unreliable,” Rebecca tugged at her already messy hair. “Maybe we need to rethink all the parameters…”

Daniel silently observed. Though new to the project and unaware of all its secrets, he understood Rebecca’s frustration.

A project’s calculations might be flawless, but when applied to reality, errors and surprises always emerge. This was a universal challenge in turning ideas into physical products. His own research on non-implant neural interfaces had been stuck in this phase for over a decade.

He looked up again, studying the bulky, overcomplicated arcane machine.

It was truly incredible—an incredible concept.

Before encountering the Outsider Wanderer’s knowledge, he never imagined magic could be applied this way. Nor that when ordinary people entered the supernatural realm, society itself would be turned upside down.

Every arrival of the Outsider Wanderer carried a mission: creation, destruction, conquest, or salvation.

So this time… was the mission to build a world propelled by arcane technology?

He longed to see what Cecil looked like after magic machinery had become widespread…

“Daniel? Daniel?” Rebecca noticed the old mage had zoned out and asked curiously, “What are you thinking about?”

Snapping back, Daniel blinked and looked at the train, now bloated and complicated from repeated modifications. Then he casually said, “Does the magic train’s power have to be on the train itself?”

“The power has to be on the train—where else would it be?” Rebecca replied matter-of-factly. “Wait, you’re saying the train’s power doesn’t have to be on the train?!”

“Ah, I was just wondering aloud,” Daniel hurried to clarify. “I don’t know its architecture well…”

“No, no, we listen to whoever has a good idea,” Rebecca interrupted. “You said the power might not be on the train… Could it be on the tracks?”

Listening to whoever has a good idea…

For the first time in decades, Daniel heard those words.

They made perfect sense.

“I don’t know the magic train’s design, but as an outsider, I know the goal is to transport large amounts of cargo from one place to another,” Daniel said thoughtfully. “Whether the power is on the train or the tracks doesn’t matter—as long as it works. From what I see, the train’s mechanical systems have already exceeded what the chassis can handle. Forcing all that into the train sacrifices reliability. But if the power isn’t on the train… we have many spells to move objects externally. For example, we could install repulsion devices or traction spells on the tracks.”

Rebecca and Kamail exchanged a glance, both eyes lighting up.

Kamail’s spark was brighter.

“Power on the tracks—that’s a thought I never had,” Kamail said excitedly. “But if the power’s on the tracks, can the train still control forward, reverse, and braking? Remote control via the magical obelisks? Or… would all control be handed over to the track operators?”

“The latter isn’t safe. The train itself must have a way to control power—at least braking. After all, it will carry people someday. No one would ride a metal box pushed along the tracks with no way to stop if something goes wrong,” Rebecca pondered aloud. “Maybe we can separate the power system? Or… ah, I have an idea!”

She suddenly looked up at the arcane technicians around her, who all wore thoughtful expressions.

“Everyone, get to work—we’re doing this again!”

(End of chapter)