One-Eyed Monster

These three questions hit Kuren like heavy blows, leaving him slightly taken aback.

These three questions were not just blows, but also resounding cries. Each blow was accompanied by a cry, and not only did Kuren fail to counter, but he was also momentarily stunned by these outbursts.

Indeed, why was all this happening?

It was evident that Igor had done a great deal of homework for this challenge; he had come prepared. Kuren, though momentarily caught off guard, composed himself and realized these questions were, in fact, within his expectations.

Of course, these three blows did cause a minor injury. While the damage was negligible, the pain was tangible. This pain brought with it a hint of humiliation. He had always regarded Igor as a naive child who understood nothing, but now it seemed that innocent children were not necessarily ignorant.

Regardless, this innocent child had taught him a lesson. This innocent child had made him realize that the world was not as worthless as he had thought; at the very least, these seemingly foolish children appeared rather wonderful.

Igor awaited Kuren’s reaction. He felt that these three questions—no, these ten-odd questions—were each a bombshell. Surely Kuren wouldn’t nitpick them to this extreme?

Weren’t these questions obvious enough? Clearly, they were. They seemed like inquiries but were actually rhetorical, self-answered. The answers were already embedded within the questions; it was just that many people had not yet realized it.

Igor had gone to such great lengths merely to explain his original point about naturally understanding the magical arts. Although his explanation was complex and verbose, it at least showed his sincerity.

He wasn’t being deliberately flippant. He answered as frankly as possible, addressing what was asked. Moreover, he had provided numerous examples to justify his answers, which, combined, made his statements quite persuasive.

”They, ah... they are all just trying to make what they present more vivid and impactful,” Kuren replied to Igor. His emotions had been churning for some time. The feeling was like being suddenly defeated on a battlefield—partially disillusioned, partially gloomy, but mostly suffused with frustration and helplessness.

”Exactly! Whether Painters or Wandering Bards, they all strive to make their creations come alive before others. The same applies to Wizards. Every spell they cast is an expression of their utmost effort. What they aim to convey clearly stems from their own will,” Igor said. He sensed something a little off about Kuren but, busy with his speech, didn’t dwell on it.

”Stems from their will?” Kuren echoed, a hint of confusion in his voice upon hearing Igor’s explanation. He had never considered it that way, but Igor’s words sparked new connections for him. ”Your explanation is quite novel—so novel it’s actually rather exciting.”

”This...” Igor clearly hadn’t expected Kuren’s reaction to be like this; it was entirely different from what he had imagined.

”Your explanation is unique, yet irrefutable. All magical arts in the world, including the Dark Arts, were not inherently evil when they first appeared; their original intentions were good. This perspective is quite intriguing. It means that for those things that make the world ugly, the fault lies not with the magic, but with the person using it!” Kuren increasingly felt like a Scholar. For such words to come from his own mouth... it struck him as extraordinary.

”Indeed, just as Senior Kuren says, all magical arts and techniques are meant to serve people. Painters always want to share the scenes they witness, to show people what is beautiful and what is ugly. They aim to present the most original essence, to let people see what they have seen,” Igor continued, picking up the thread of conversation and once again using examples, this time focusing on Painters.

”And Wandering Bards wish for the stories they’ve witnessed to be profoundly shared with others—sharing, yes, that’s it, sharing!” Kuren clenched his fists, a surge of excitement coursing through him. He hadn’t felt this thrilled in a long time; Igor had truly struck a chord.

”Wizards are the same. Their original intent is also to share. This is quite obvious and logical,” Igor stated casually. He still appeared somewhat listless, as if this discovery was hardly worth mentioning.

Igor really didn’t understand why Senior Kuren was so thrilled.

Kuren, however, felt the Inner World had completely transformed. Initially, I thought Igor’s rich imagination was responsible for the Inner World’s dominant bright colors, rather than my own subdued palette. But now, thinking about it, that wasn’t the case at all!

Igor was undoubtedly the master of this Inner World; that had to be the main reason Kuren couldn’t perceive his thoughts.

Once he understood this, everything naturally fell into place. This was clearly a confrontation in the Inner World, not guidance of any sort!

That sense of defeat, shame, helplessness, and fear... all stemming from the pressure exerted by his opponent.

It was unbelievable! This Igor was far from innocent!

Kuren’s thoughts were in a tangle, and he’d completely lost his usual composure.

He laughed bitterly, a self-mocking sound. How naive I was to consider myself a guide, even planning to prepare a grand gift for Igor so he’d be better prepared for the harsh world...

Now it all seemed so redundant. I really was foolish and naive.

Igor had completely trapped me in this fog, and only now were my eyes truly opening...

Kuren wanted to fight back, but he knew that if the Inner World was fully controlled by someone else, his chances of resistance were slim. The only thing I might be able to do is disturb his state of mind, make him uncomfortable.

This was a negative emotion, spreading through Kuren, triggered by this new discovery.

This discovery caused Kuren, seasoned by his years, to lose his usual calm, gradually, step by step, heading down a path of no return.

”Senior!” Igor suddenly called out in mid-air.

Kuren looked up. He noticed that all the previous Soap Bubbles had vanished. Now, what appeared in the Inner World was his own blue sky, white clouds, and vast, azure sea!

”Senior, I can see what you’re thinking, and I am truly not what you believe me to be,” Igor said, his head hung low. He hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point.

”I now also understand what it means to control the Inner World. I will now relinquish this control so you can explore my thoughts. I know doing so might not dispel your doubts, but I swear, I’m not a bad person!”

Kuren closed his eyes. He was in the Inner World, yet he also felt as if he were in the Outer World. This unprecedented feeling... it’s like...

It seemed to be a new extension of the World Setting Technique...