Chapter 4760: What!? I

The Lochagoi radiated profound power at THE Intermediate Depth!

Even though their power seemed to be merely Intermediate, their foundations were astonishing enough that they could likely stomp on a Fundamental Depth entity like Gal’Thûrak if they ever met one outside in the Wastes. Their Weight within the domain’s limitations was suffocating, the result of Merit accumulated through eons of contribution and victory.

They all stood or sat in circular formation on flat seats of polished stone. Their eyes were set on two entities floating at the very center of the clearing.

And that clearing...

It looked like an infinite sea of blue-gold swirling plasma!

Dense Logos swam through it like fish through water. Philologies formed and dissolved in patterns that spoke of potential waiting to be shaped. The very air thrummed with The First Tongue’s authority, creating an environment where debates could manifest visually for all to observe.

The two Lochagoi debating floated above this sea at this moment.

Their current challenge seemed to be forging the longest combination of Logos to form a Philology that would remain stable while being the longest. A test of linguistic construction, of understanding how meaning built upon meaning without collapsing under its own weight.

One competitor was an entity that looked like a massive humanoid bear.

His fur was silver-white, his form powerful despite the scholarly toga draped across his broad shoulders. His eyes burned with concentration as Logos after Logos connected beneath him, his Philology growing longer with each addition. Sweat beaded on his brow. His paws trembled with the effort of maintaining stability.

The other was a woman.

She wore a Glossarian toga with casual elegance, as if such garments were merely extensions of her natural authority. Vibrant spectacles sat upon her nose, their lenses inscribed with Phonemes that likely enhanced her perception of structures. Her hair was dark and flowing, her features sharp with intelligence.

And her eyes held a light of profound arrogance.

She knew she was winning.

At this moment, she added another Logos onto her extremely long Philology!

HUUM!

The construct buzzed with energy that made nearby observers wince! It stretched across the plasma sea like a bridge of pure meaning, each component word connecting to the next in chains of logic that defied what most considered possible!

And yet it remained stable!

Her Philology held firm despite its impossible length!

The bear competitor tried to match it. His massive paws shaped another Logos, attempting to add it to his own construct...

BZZT!

His Philology fizzled!

The connections between Logos broke down catastrophically! Meaning collapsed into meaninglessness! His entire construct exploded into fragments of failed language that dissolved into the plasma sea below!

All those in the surroundings rose up and cheered!

The sound was thunderous, hundreds of voices celebrating the victory they had just witnessed! Hoplites stamped their feet! Lochagoi nodded with respect! The entire Logoseion vibrated with the energy of philosophical triumph!

A booming voice echoed out from everywhere and nowhere, the voice of the Logoseion itself announcing results!

"Victory to Theoris the Articulate!"

The woman with the spectacles smiled with satisfaction that bordered on smugness.

"Lochagos Theoris has demonstrated superior Philological construction! Her chain of 47 stable Logos exceeds the previous record by 3!"

The crowd cheered again!

"She has earned 1 MERIT POINT for this victory!"

Upon her toga, the number shifted.

Where it had displayed CDXLVII(447), it now displayed CDXLVIII(448).

448 Merit.

She was close to becoming a Polemarch.

"Lochagos Theoris indicates she wishes to continue for another debate!"

The booming voice carried challenge across the Logoseion.

"Will anyone else step up and stop her chain of victories?"

...!

At such words, Ophelia turned her head toward Noah.

She wanted to explain something.

But...she blinked.

Noah was no longer standing beside her.

Her eyes opened wide as she followed his signature through the crowded Logoseion. She found him already floating up toward the center of the domain!

He was rising to accept the challenge!

...!

Ophelia’s eyes opened wide with shock!

The surroundings quieted down again as everyone noticed what was happening. A Hoplite. A brand new arrival with Zero Merit displayed upon his toga. Rising to face a Lochagos with nearly 450 Merit who had just broken a record in Philological construction.

And then, in many areas, smiles and laughter broke out!

"Big guy, you look grand and all, but you might be in over your head! Sit back down!"

A humanoid Hoplite shouted from below while he smiled and laughed with other Hoplites around him. They weren’t being cruel. They were trying to save this foolish newcomer from embarrassment!

Noah paid no heed to this.

Amidst the buzzing discussions, he came to float at the opposing side where the defeated bear Lochagos had just stepped down from. The plasma sea swirled beneath him with eager anticipation. The Logos swimming within it seemed to gather closer, as if recognizing something in this new challenger.

He looked toward the entity opposite him.

Theoris the Articulate gazed back with an imperious expression.

Her eyes behind those vibrant spectacles held contempt that barely acknowledged his existence. He was beneath her time. He was beneath her notice. He was a Hoplite with zero Merit daring to stand where Lochagoi competed!

From the surroundings, the deep voice boomed out again.

"Interesting."

The word carried weight that silenced the remaining whispers.

"Sometimes, knowing one’s place is critical for survival. The wise understand their limitations. The foolish overreach and are humbled. This is the natural order of growth."

The plasma sea pulsed with blue-gold radiance.

"Yet the debate between a Hoplite and a Lochagos is always allowed. It serves to show the immensity of some compared to others. It serves to show some just how distant they are from true glory."

The voice seemed almost sympathetic.

"Perhaps this Hoplite seeks to learn through failure. Perhaps he wishes to understand the gap that separates him from greatness. Such humility, even when disguised as arrogance, can be the first step toward genuine advancement."

A pause.

"Very well."

HUUM!

"This debate shall proceed."

The plasma sea between Noah and Theoris began to churn with increased intensity!

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