CHAPTER 341: CHAPTER 169: KING OF KINGS! SWEEPING ACROSS EUROPE (END OF VOLUME 1)

Learning magic was even more difficult than Duncan anticipated.

He could easily manipulate elemental powers, such as wind, fire, and lightning, but when it came to transformation series and summoning series spells, he learned very slowly. The magic system of the Middle Ages was still in chaos. The powerful wizards of the Ancient Mythical Era were often born with such powers, and historically, there were few examples of mortals becoming powerful wizards through learning.

But now, there was finally a beginning. The Wizard Academy concentrated the supernatural power of all Europe; they were analyzing Celtic runes, Rune Runes, and Runic Language, trying to build a brand-new spell-casting system that would allow mortals with weak magic power talents to master spells.

This is an investment in the future.

Duncan withstood the Great Retreat of the Mythical Era, so there was a certain possibility of developing a magic civilization, as long as it wasn’t a thorough End of Dharma Era. Even if most of Europe turned into Death Magic Zones, the legacy could still continue on the Great Britain.

Duncan now had a clearer understanding of the Middle Ages.

The entire European continent was constantly becoming ’death magicified,’ resembling vitiligo, as Death Magic Zones kept expanding across the continent. But as long as not everywhere became a Death Magic Zone, there was a possibility of rebooting the Elemental Tide one day in the future, akin to the world experiencing a grand miracle of Spiritual Qi Revival.

The most important thing in the current era is to continue the supernatural system.

Don’t let all roots suddenly vanish.

As Duncan walked out of the room, he saw a sword inserted into the academy’s rockery, which was precisely the Sword in the Stone that Merlin carried with him.

It seemed Merlin had sensed Duncan’s gaze, and he explained softly, "I am now the head of the academy."

"No need to carry it around all the time."

It’s a bit of a shame.

Duncan reached out and pulled out the Sword in the Stone. Initially, it wouldn’t budge at all until he summoned the power of a giant to remove it. The sword had spells on it, but they were forcefully broken by the giant power.

He casually swung it and asked, "Does it have a name?"

Merlin slowly replied, "Sword in the Stone."

Duncan chuckled and said, "That’s not a good name. Let’s just call it Lion’s Heart Sword in the future."

In fact, Gryffindor’s Sword would have been more suitable, but on second thought, better not.

The two strolled along the moat.

Gazing at the scenery around them, Duncan softly asked, "When do you plan to recruit students?"

Merlin answered, "It’ll probably take a few more years."

"The academy is working hard on analyzing the Runic Language, but the Celtic and Rune Runes have been fully sorted. If there are any wizards with basic knowledge, they can learn at any time."

Duncan pondered for a moment before saying, "Replicate those sorted rune scrolls and send a copy to Rome."

Merlin respectfully responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

It’s not only Duncan who needs to learn; his own martial strength is already at the ceiling level, making it difficult to breakthrough even if he learns spells. It’s nearly impossible to reach the specialization degree of the Crow Queen, Merlin.

In fact, Duncan is leaving it for his future descendants.

The bloodline he inherited comes with a Mana Bar; in a world with supernatural powers, the emperor must be aware of these. In case his descendants are interested in magic, it’s convenient to learn directly. If necessary, Duncan will establish a special organization independent of the Wizard Academy to oversee supernatural power.

The church has the Demon Hunter Brotherhood, and Duncan plans to incorporate them.

He’s playing a long game now, placing pieces here and there, and whether they succeed is not important, but as long as one tradition can last a thousand years, he will have gained.’

Duncan stationed in the British Province for almost half a month.

Upon returning to Rome, the task set for the human form increased with the job of learning the Celtic and Rune runes organized by Merlin. However, clearly, with another task in hand, the human form’s time for dealing with political affairs reduced. Fortunately, everything was gradually getting on track, and Duncan broke the convention by employing a large number of scholars. In the past, only those of noble birth could serve in key official positions, but now anyone with knowledge equally has a chance.

In early March 454 AD, the Emperor of the Empire, upon returning to Rome from the British Province, officially issued a ’Call for Talent.’

This stirred the entire empire’s domain.

Previously, the empire’s officials were basically monopolized by the nobility; without a noble background, even those with competence could only serve as advisers or minor officials. But this time, Duncan didn’t stick to convention; regardless if they were Romans, Britons, Celts, or Germanic, as long as someone had talent, they could take up middle and lower-level official positions.

He had already initiated educational reforms, so he had to open up channels for upward mobility; without growth opportunities, talented people rebelling would be even more formidable.

In the future, he intends to attempt to reform the imperial examination system, selecting officials in a similar manner.

The empire’s domain was too vast; grassroots officials at least had to be delegated to towns. As for villages, there’s no managing them at all.

In the subsequent month-plus, Duncan reduced the power of provincial governors, increased local courts, established an imperial court in Rome. Provincial governors retained only administrative powers, could somewhat command local garrison troops, but the imperial legions set up a separate military department, independent of the political and legal systems, thus limiting the military power of provincial governors.

This was the separation of military from politics.

In the past, the empire had persistent issues with warlords dividing territories, yet now the emperor became the greatest warlord himself.

After wrapping up all these, the imperial center began steadily issuing new legal provisions; a small portion of the ’Empire Code’ was already completed, and many legal provisions were gradually being implemented.