"This is a hypothesis formulated specifically to explain the photoelectric effect and does not possess the universality a proper theory should have. It cannot explain other phenomena of light and even directly contradicts diffraction patterns and the like. Moreover, there is no precise experimental evidence to corroborate this theory, which forces one to suspect that it will forever remain merely a hypothesis — a rigorously derived, elegant, and beautiful hypothesis that nevertheless does not correspond to reality."
"Archanists have proposed many hypotheses of this kind. But when a hypothesis lacks universality and cannot explain other phenomena, it usually means the direction of the hypothesis is wrong. I hold the same view regarding this paper."
"I believe that Mr. Lucian Evans himself harbors similar sentiments, recognizing the contradiction between this theory and Lord Brook's electromagnetic system, as well as its contradiction with numerous classical optical patterns. That is why he reluctantly appended a passage at the end, declaring that this is merely a treatment of instantaneous values, and that the overall situation still exhibits wave-like characteristics."
The more Roland wrote, the angrier he became. If not for his wariness of the Storm Master, for the fact that Lucian was a fellow committee member like himself, and for the status Lucian had forged through his honors and Archanist standing, he would have loved to launch a direct personal attack — just as Neshka and the others had done to Levsky — to knock some sense into him and pull him out of this absurd dream of quantization, forcing him to open his eyes and see the solid, well-established arcane system for what it was.
Taking a deep breath, Roland wrote again: "Furthermore, this hypothesis — a variant of the particle theory — starts from the premise of energy discontinuity, which strikes one as patently absurd. Even Archanists who support the particle theory would not endorse it in the slightest. Of course, Mr. Lucian Evans has laid out his reasoning in its entirety and provided us with considerable inspiration, offering at least a 'temporary' and elegant explanation for the photoelectric effect. Therefore, my assessment is as follows: 'A paper possessing considerable discussion value — and, for the time being, only discussion value. A modification of the assessment may be applied once precise experimental results become available. Currently, I recommend a reward of one arcane point and five arcane score points.'"
In this final summary, Roland was both careful and cunning, not daring to reveal his leanings too openly. After all, Lucian Evans was no Archanist without backers or standing — if he caught Roland in a misstep, Roland could easily lose his position on the review committee.
The reason he allowed the paper to pass was that the particle theory still had a certain number of supporters. If he rejected this paper outright by citing its contradictions with Brook's electromagnetic system and classical optical patterns, the particle-faction committee members would retaliate by rejecting every wave-theory paper that didn't conform to the Douglas light-speed experiment and the photoelectric effect. Roland had been forced into a degree of compromise, suppressing his distaste to pass this variant of the particle theory — even though the wave theory had already seized dominance, the particle theory was still stubbornly holding its ground, refusing to concede defeat.
Having finished his review, Roland picked up his pipe, took a puff, and let out a cold laugh: "Whether you want other Archanists to see this paper or not, I've already decided to recommend it to Drummond for publication in Arcane, as a semi-discussion piece. Lucian Evans, are you ready to face the criticism and attacks of thousands upon thousands of Archanists?"
"The energy quantum hypothesis went largely uncontested because no alternative theory could be found to explain it, so most Archanists simply shelved their objections and let it be forgotten. This time is completely different — you've dared to declare war directly on one of the two great arcane systems, which means you've made enemies of the vast majority of Archanists! With classical theory on our side and experimental imagery to back us, I refuse to believe no one will speak up!"
Spreading out a fresh sheet of paper, Roland wrote a recommendation letter to Drummond, sealed it, and sent it on its way. Then he rose to his feet, pacing back and forth across his study with his hands clasped behind his back, muttering in a low voice: "The best approach is still to refute him with experimental results and imagery. That would be the decisive evidence, leaving Lucian Evans no room whatsoever to argue his case, laying bare his weakness and helplessness before every last Archanist."
…………
Within the Silver Moon Song Alliance's Allente branch, a middle-aged man with a peculiar appearance was reviewing a paper. Numerous tattoos in the pattern of electric arcs adorned his body, and fine tendrils of current sprouted from his smooth, oval scalp, giving him the look of someone with a dense head of silvery-white hair. His eyes were narrowed slightly, and from time to time sparks of electricity flickered from their depths.
"So Lucian Evans has finally revealed himself as a supporter of particle theory? Or perhaps he intends to use this as a springboard to promote his quantum hypothesis?" The seventh-tier Archanist and eighth-ring mage, Texeira, allowed a mocking smile to curl at the corner of his lips. "Well, whatever his purpose, this paper is utterly worthless beyond its ability to explain the photoelectric effect. It's clearly nothing more than a cobbled-together result, stitched from disparate theories solely to account for the photoelectric effect while ignoring everything else. Hmph — he can only get away with proposing something like this when precise experiments are impossible to conduct. Otherwise, the experimental imagery would blow his head clean off."
"For the sake of all the words and formulas he bothered to write, I'll grant the paper its discussion value. Heh — I wonder how that mad dog Altier will react?"
Texeira rewrote his inner monologue into formal language on the paper and concluded: "…It cannot be denied that this paper possesses a certain degree of discussion value, offering direction and inspiration for our understanding of the photoelectric effect. I recommend a reward of two arcane points and six arcane score points."
He had previously had no particular grudge against Lucian, but now, finding himself confronted by Lucian's attack on the electromagnetic system — the very foundation of his own understanding — from the standpoint of particle theory and quantum hypotheses, his contempt was palpable.
If not for the many preceding achievements Lucian had to his name and the rapid rise in his magical power, Texeira would have seriously questioned whether Lucian's true Archanist caliber was really as fearsome as rumors claimed.
Setting down his Feather Pen, Texeira turned his attention to the data on the photoelectric effect — a phenomenon that had been plaguing him of late. The more he read, the more his brow furrowed: "If I plug in Mr. Lucian Evans's hypothesis, the photoelectric effect actually does seem to have a reasonable explanation… and it aligns remarkably well with the arcane ideal of elegance, directness, and beauty."
"How can this be? A hypothesis completely at odds with classical images, yet capable of explaining the photoelectric effect — a phenomenon that contradicts the wave theory?"
…………