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(Image source: Generated by Disco Diffusion AI)
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Xin-Cheng Liu was already crouching on the “sea,” trying to scoop up some water, but it was as if a thin invisible film covered the surface—everyone could stand on it, but no one could get a single drop.
Professor Hong-Tai Luo walked calmly across the waves. “Don’t worry, this isn’t a real ocean. Try using Script-reading to observe.”
As he walked, he explained, “Script-reading is the ability to see a thing’s narrative when you focus your attention. The description of this sea is actually quite simple. If you’ve ever seen the real ocean, you’ll know its narrative should be chaotic and complex.”
Yay crouched down, examining the “sea.” She saw only a few scattered, orderly words: “Marelin High’s Forest Classroom stands above an endless ocean, but the sea cannot swallow them.” She recalled that both the principal and Director Lin could summon things by writing a narrative. It seemed this ocean was created the same way. But she couldn’t help but wonder—why could teachers use Story-Commands, but not students? What was the difference?
She focused harder and noticed faint, shifting words under the water’s surface. As her mind conjured up images of the sea, those words shimmered like ripples in the waves.
Professor Luo continued, “How is it? Can you see them? Those transparent, blurry phrases? They’re the invisible ‘shared understanding’—the basis for this kind of simple Story-Command, or ‘fame-source.’”
He smiled at the class. “Of course, everyone’s image of the sea is different, so you’ll all see it a little differently. But if someone doesn’t know what the ocean is, they’ll see exactly what I—the one using the Story-Command—see.”
He grinned. “Anyone want to share what their ocean looks like?”
The class started to warm up.
“I see a calm blue sea, with a white boat in the distance.” “I see shipwreck treasure!” “It smells salty—the wind stings my face.” “There’s a shark behind you, teacher!”
Yay originally saw only a sparkling expanse of deep blue and the soothing sound of waves. But hearing other students’ descriptions sparked her imagination: now there were fishing boats, and seagulls flying overhead. When a whole school of fish swam by, she suddenly thought—if Gummy were here, he’d be chasing those fish for sure. Realizing she’d forgotten Gummy, her face fell.
“What’s wrong?” Yuni noticed her troubled look.
“Gummy… I left him in the Personal Study.”
Yuni looked puzzled. “Yeah, wasn’t that on purpose? For his own safety.”
Yay paused, then quickly nodded, “Oh—right! Good thing I didn’t bring him.”
Yuni’s suspicious look faded. Yay hurriedly turned her attention to Xin-Cheng Liu, who was practically lying on the water with excitement.
“What do you see?”
“A great white shark!”
Yay sweatdropped. She thought there’d be treasure—turns out it was just a shark.
Through this, Yay finally understood why the teacher said a fame-source Story-Command would appear differently to everyone. Even something as familiar as “the ocean” would look different depending on each person’s interests and imagination.
But this also made her uneasy—was a Fame-Source Story-Command really such an unpredictable kind of magic?
Professor Luo reminded them, “Think about it—where do your ideas about the ocean come from? Photos? TV? Experience?”
Yay checked her own vision of the sea—it really did come from travel shows, pictures, and her own memories, all mixed together.
“You can see how Fame-Source Story-Commands are easy to create, but can vary a lot, right? Don’t worry—we also have Genesis-Source Story-Commands.”
“Genesis-Sources are harder. You’ll learn to build those over the next two years.”
He glanced at his watch. “Almost time to end. Remember to take everything with you—just a friendly reminder, if you leave something behind, you might not be able to leave the classroom.”
“What happens if we do?” asked Xin-Cheng Liu.
“Hehe, try it and see!” Luo replied, looking mischievous.
He added, “So, how was class today? Anyone so overwhelmed they’ve got a stomachache?”
Some students laughed.
“Story-Commands are pretty abstract, but you’ll get the hang of them. For now, just get the basic idea.”
Though Professor Luo had just mentioned the class was ending, he launched into another long summary. Only when the bell finally rang did he reluctantly announce the class was over.
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