The Cornflower Witch

Book 3: Chapter 30: The Triple Greatness of the 'Puppetry School'

The ultimate form of the Sensory Link Technique? Sylutia pondered this question carefully.

The other party would not ask this question without basis. And according to the foundational concepts and framework the professor had just explained, the Sensory Link Technique was also meant to allow an individual to transcend the shackles of life and attain greater freedom.

Following this line of thought and imagination, if she could see what a puppet sees, and that puppet could also react according to her will, then the puppet would be a part of her. This also meant she would no longer be confined to a single body and identity, able to gain more life experiences and accomplish more of what she wanted to do.

"Based on what you said before, I guess the ultimate form of the Sensory Link Technique you mentioned should be the master simultaneously possessing multiple bodies and identities, simultaneously perceiving and acting, greatly expanding the limitations of life," Sylutia answered.

Hearing this answer, the other party's eyes flickered slightly. Then, the door to the room where the two were located was pushed open, and another 'Professor Fucalin' walked in.

"That's right. It seems you weren't spacing out just now and really listened to what I was saying," this Professor Fucalin said as she entered, sitting down with the one from earlier in the room. But this wasn't the end.

The cabinet in the room opened by itself, and a third 'Professor Fucalin' emerged from inside, straightened her clothes and hair, and similarly came to stand before Sylutia.

Three identical Professor Fucalins sat on the sofa opposite Sylutia. Their actions were all different: one was looking in a mirror and combing her hair, one was picking up a cup to pour tea, and one was taking out paper and pen, quickly sketching and writing on it.

Soon, three cups of hot tea were placed on the tea table. The three simultaneously picked them up, took a small sip, then tilted their heads slightly and smiled at the young girl.

"How do you feel seeing the three of us?"Sylutia's eyes widened slightly, a faint light swirling within them as she continuously analyzed the three Professor Fucalins before her, trying to find differences.

"It's very surprising..." She suppressed the shock in her heart.

"Is this some kind of secret technique?"

"Correct. This is the 'Dream Phantom Substitute', the ultimate application of the 'Sensory Link Technique' I just explained to you."

"Of course, its use isn't just to bluff people." After saying this, the three put down their teacups and stood up. One of them held her hands in the air as if grasping something, and a long sword fell into her palm which she then brandished. The one in the middle slightly spread her hands before her, and a virtual spellbook appeared out of thin air. The last one raised a finger, and three fireballs of different colors materialized, rotating around her.

"Three people, using three different ultimate skills, dealing with three different scenarios, solving three troublesome problems. This is the 'Triple Greatness' of the 'Puppetry School'."

"Hedra, do you want to learn it?" The professor with chestnut-red short hair asked with a smile.

"I..."

Sylutia suddenly realized that refusing an invitation could be so difficult. Clearly, she had come to the Mage Alliance carrying a mission, but now it seemed she was facing her greatest challenge. It was as if a little voice in her mind was telling her to accept it. To fulfill her mission, she didn't necessarily have to rigidly join the 'Mithril Clock' school. An opportunity like this, if missed, would probably be hard to come by again.

She shook her head, trying to shake off that tempting voice. Sylutia took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down first.

So impressive, this professor. Without using any passionate words or promises, merely by showing that beautiful ideal vision and the faintly visible, miraculous path, one couldn't help but be drawn in, deeply fascinated. If she had awakened in this life not in the position of the Hidden Grove Alliance, but on the Mage Alliance side, she probably would have already immersed herself in it long ago.

"I'm afraid I can't learn it," Sylutia said, closing her eyes, then opening them and answering honestly.

"Oh? Why is that?" The other party didn't get angry immediately but asked for the reason.

"Because the elders in my family hope I enter the number one school in the Alliance. Only then can I fulfill a long-cherished wish," she chose to reveal part of the truth.

"Can this not be changed?" The three of them rested their chins on their hands in thought, though their postures were all different.

"It probably cannot," Sylutia shook her head, feeling that she was being too greedy.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you." The other party was a professor of the college, who had come specifically to guide her. They surely hoped she would join. Such warm hospitality—she wasn't a fool, of course she could see it.

"Hmm, it seems there's no way then," seeing this, the other party could only sigh.

"However..." The three of them turned around from the sofa and walked over again.

"You really are a simple child. It's rare to see such an honest student as you," Fucalin's eyelids lowered slightly, and she wagged a finger lightly before her eyes.

"Although I cannot teach you the secret art 'Dream Phantom Substitute', the 'Sensory Link Technique' must still be imparted."

"Study hard, Hedra. Although this is a secret art with wide dissemination, truly mastering it is not common."

Afterwards, Professor Fucalin explained the theory, effect principles, and various application methods of this secret art in detail to Sylutia.

"...For example, if you attach the Sensory Link Technique to your bird, it can be used for reconnaissance, surveying from a high altitude."

"On a smaller scale, it can also be attached to small puppets and objects for surveillance, preventing people from entering your room to steal things."

"However, it also has certain limitations. It cannot be too far away. If it's too far, you can only have a vague, fuzzy sensation—that's what I meant earlier about monitoring use. You can only sense that the door in front of it opened and closed, but it's hard to see specific objects clearly."

"I understand," Sylutia nodded.

"Are there any other solutions to this limitation at present?"

"There are, but the difficulty is not something ordinary mages can access. Let me think... at the very least, you need to be Fifth Tier to touch deeper-level applications," Fucalin shook her head.

Afterwards, Sylutia continuously experimented, constructing the spell model for the 'Sensory Link Technique', until she finally succeeded in casting it on the bird, making it fly up and see the books and paper pages on top of the bookcase.

"Not bad, not bad."

The three Professor Fucalins applauded, looking at the black-haired young girl before them with both affection and regret.

Facing such gazes, Sylutia felt very embarrassed, as if she were a bad person who had let others down.

"Third Tier," suddenly, Fucalin uttered these two words.

"Huh? What?" Sylutia turned her head, looking at the professor with confusion.

"What I mean is, when you reach Third Tier, come to Rorik College again. I will teach you the 'Voice Hearing Technique', a secret art that allows puppets to hear and produce sounds," the other party said, sitting on the sofa and crossing her legs, speaking as if making a certain decision.

"Consider it a reward for me to verify whether you studied seriously. Oh, right, at that time, you still have to participate in the competition held by the college. If you rank in the top four, I will tell you the knowledge of the 'Voice Hearing Technique'."

"Knowledge is dangerous. It cannot be easily imparted to ignorant people, otherwise it will distort its original purpose, violating the initial wish and philosophy."

"Do you know why each college only teaches low-tier secret art knowledge to the outside world? It's because once precious high-tier knowledge spreads, where it will be used afterwards is unknown."

"The original things in nature have already been tempered through time, reaching a balance. But the new things we create are different. No one knows exactly what changes they will bring."

"The establishment of the Mage Alliance was not smooth sailing. Six hundred years ago, during the 'Peak Seizing War', the Alliance split into two parts for civil war. After the war ended, nearly five hundred high-tier mages were executed, and thousands of official mages were imprisoned for life. Since then, schools were formally divided, colleges separated, and the unrestrained exchange and fusion of technology ceased."

"If you want to learn the secret arts of two major schools simultaneously, there is only one path: win the championship of the triennial College Grand Competition and gain the recognition of the Alliance Council."

"Let me add one more thing. The results of the College Grand Competition directly affect the ranking of each school within the Mage Alliance and the most tangible competition for benefits. Therefore, they will inevitably select the strongest young people from within their factions to participate. There is no room for any softness. Sometimes, contestants even die during the competition."

"Geniuses and victors are beyond reproach. At that time, whether it's the school you choose or the school you originally came from, they will regard you as their pride."