The class was held in an enormous lecture hall large enough to seat three hundred people. At the center was a raised platform with a dozen wide, comfortable seats, contrasting sharply with the crowded benches on either side. As Richard entered, he was guided directly to the central area, instantly drawing the attention of hundreds of eyes. The students ranged widely in age, from seven- or eight-year-old children to elderly mages in their eighties. The class was semi-public; any mage who had served Deepblue for over a year could attend. But the central platform was reserved exclusively for Helen Su's personal disciples, making Richard an immediate focal point—receiving gazes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

  Besides Richard, there were two others on the central platform, a boy and a girl slightly older than him. They were already Level 6 and Level 5 mages, respectively. Helen Su had accepted a total of twelve students before Richard, making him the thirteenth. Currently, only three students, including himself, were studying in Deepblue. The others had already begun journeys across the continent or even other planes, with the most outstanding among them dominating their own planes.

  Richard had barely sat down when the main door opened, and in walked a short, pudgy, balding mage. Popovich, a Level 16 archmage, was not particularly outstanding within Deepblue, barely ranking among the strong on the continent. However, he was renowned not for his magical power but for his theoretical contributions to world systems.

  Popovich's appearance was unimpressive, even comical, with his large nose and round chin. Yet, those gathered were all aspiring to advance further in the magical world, recognizing the rare opportunity of studying in Deepblue. The room fell silent immediately, awaiting the master's lecture.

  "Magic is about truth. When you observe the world, what you see and hear is not reality itself but an image of the world projected into your consciousness by your perception. This process is inevitable and seemingly insignificant, yet precisely because of it, there will always be discrepancies between the perceived world and the true one. How do we reduce this error? Only through our way of thinking! Indeed, a mage's way of thinking determines the world he sees."

  Popovich paused briefly, allowing students—some confused, others thoughtful—to absorb and record his words, before continuing:

  "In the coming lessons, I cannot teach you powerful Level 8 spells, let alone Level 9, since I don't even know them myself!"

  Silence filled the room, completely devoid of the laughter Popovich had expected. Faced with such earnest and respectful students, he rubbed his bald head awkwardly, muttering, "What a humorless bunch. Alright, let's get to the point. I will teach you how to think. Do not underestimate this—it’s the cornerstone that determines your ultimate achievements in the magical world. Correct thinking brings you closer to reality, guiding you to make informed decisions at crucial moments rather than stumbling blindly into lifelong regrets. Such decisions include magical experimentation and spell choices in battle."

  "To summarize my system in a phrase: top-down. Remember, understanding the world first allows you to understand yourself. If you adopt the viewpoint advocated by a certain individual in this tower, starting from yourself outward, you'll only ever see a limited area around you, thus restricting your lifetime achievements. Can a sparrow ever compete with an eagle? Avoid such limited thinking at all costs—it’s akin to a prairie gopher’s perspective!"

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  After fiercely criticizing "a certain individual in this tower" for another ten minutes, Popovich finally began his lecture:

  "Primal Force is the basis of everything. Our world is built upon it, expanding as the Primal Force itself expands. Its immensity remains beyond our control. Imagine the Primal Force as a single point, with our world and countless others hanging upon it."

  "Rules construct the framework of our world, while planes are its flesh. Rules supersede but rely upon planes. Each plane represents specific rules; the more rules a plane holds, the larger and higher-ranked it is. Perfect planes, bearing multiple rules—such as our very own Norland—are advanced, often termed 'primary planes.'"

  "Thus, you see that rules and planes are inseparable. To grow powerful, you must follow the rules, not break them. Violating fundamental rules brings inevitable punishment. Unless you're confident you can challenge an entire plane, never attempt to alter fundamental rules. Secondary, derived rules, however, are open to your wildest imaginations—but beware, these remain mere fantasies! Miracles exist, but don't expect them personally! Understanding this, the strong utilize and challenge derived rules; only fools meddle with fundamental rules."

  "Rules define a plane's basic characteristics and its power systems. Should you ever undertake the unlikely venture of conquering other planes, analyzing their derived rules and power structures becomes your highest priority. Completing this analysis allows you to adapt combat methods and reallocate resources, exploiting a plane's environment rather than being constrained by it. Amid this endeavor, do you know what's most essential?"

  Popovich, increasingly enthusiastic, paused to quench his thirst by gulping down an entire flask of magically purified water before shouting passionately:

  "The Eternal and Time Dragon!"

  The Eternal and Time Dragon enjoyed nearly absolute supremacy in Norland, revered above many gods. Its power was inconceivable, transcending worship and comprehension. The dragon had its own temple—the Eternal Dragon Temple—whose locations and numbers were fixed, unaffected by time or space. Even before ancient civilizations recorded history, these temples existed, guiding the rise of Norland's magical civilization. Human kingdoms and other races alike built their capitals upon discovered temple ruins, developing into powerful empires.

  "This ancient dragon surpasses rules, leaving traces across countless planes! When entering a new plane, your ultimate goal should be locating its remnants—whether a dragon, an egg, or even mere droppings. Finding such traces reveals the plane's rules immediately, elevating you instantly among the true powerhouses of interplanar existence! Compared to this ancient dragon, those so-called gods are mere parasites upon rules. Weaker gods control fewer rules; stronger deities command more. It's as simple as that!"

  "Top-down, always top-down!" Popovich, flushed and animated, seemed dangerously close to a magical eruption, yet his voice rose to a crescendo. "Origin, world, rules, planes, power, then the individual—it's truly this straightforward! Once you master proper thinking, you'll find yourself perched atop the Eternal and Time Dragon's horn, overlooking countless planes! Those so-called Sword Saints, Paladins, and Legends amount to less than dust in the grand scheme. Of course, the great Helen Su is an exception—she’s our boss, uniquely special!"

  Finally, Popovich punctuated each word emphatically, his stubby fists pounding rhythmically:

  "Thinking determines everything!"

  Each phrase struck Richard's consciousness like a hammer blow. Popovich had employed a method akin to mental shock, using his Level 16 strength to forcibly enhance the lecture's impact. As students recovered from their dizziness, the magical bell rang, signaling the class's end.

  "That concludes today's lesson. Together, let's curse that certain individual in this tower! Class dismissed!" Popovich grabbed his thick spellbook and vanished via an eighth-level targeted teleportation spell—a dramatic display of a Level 16 mage’s power.

  Back in his quarters, Richard couldn't calm his racing thoughts, feverishly reading the assigned books until dawn. Popovich had opened a new door, revealing glimpses of the world's secrets—just like the first time he had opened the sacred texts in his attic at home.