Chapter 193: The Screening of "Steins;Gate" Comes to an End! (1)
"Whaaat?! Is that it?!"
"What the hell? So frustrating, it's infuriating!"
"Ahhh, what is this Frost Film Festival? Forget it, just call it the Frost Month of Canceled Shows! Not a single story ends properly — it's so torturous!"
"I'm going crazy! Three movies in a row and none of them have concluded at a crucial moment, I really can't take it anymore!"
"Is that it for these two films? I strongly urge Director Durin to add more!"
"I need to see the continuations of 'Fate/Zero,' 'KonoSuba,' 'The Garden of Sinners,' and 'Steins;Gate' immediately! Otherwise… otherwise, I'll just refuse to leave the cinema!"
"This is ridiculous, just kill me already!"
"…"
Suddenly, all kinds of wails erupted in cinemas across the southern region.
Most of the audience were unable to accept Durin's abrupt cliffhanger, and they were so infuriated that they felt like rioting.
"Why did it end? Are we only going to see the rest of the story in the spring?"
At the back of the cinema, Princess Amy expressed her distress. Being still quite young, her emotions were vividly apparent, as her face displayed her discomfort.
Emperor Hubbard, while not showing his feelings as overtly, was equally frustrated. After all, the story had reached a critical juncture, and even he found it unbearable to leave it unresolved.
As for the other knights, they were in evident agony, wishing they could see the continuation of the story at any moment.
But no matter how they felt, the movie had already concluded. The first Frost Film Festival had only rushed to screen two films and two series, given the unfamiliarity of the organizers.
This level of entertainment was merely a drop in the bucket for the long, cold half-month of the Frost Film Festival. Many viewers would likely have to rewatch the same films or series just to endure the bitter winter.
Fortunately, entertainment was quite scarce in this world, so even rewatching the same movies or shows was something most people could accept.
Meanwhile, after watching "Steins;Gate," all the viewers began to entertain thoughts about the future.
Though, constrained by the limitations of their time period, just the act of imagining was already a remarkable step forward.
After all, even the emperor of the Human Empire had never considered what revolutionary changes the future might hold.
But now, everyone began to realize that this world was indeed starting to change.
...
Imperial Mage Academy.
When the movie "Steins;Gate" came to a complete end, and there were clearly no previews to follow, many of the mages initially expressed the same pain and helplessness as the audience in the southern region. However, they quickly shifted to discussing the plot.
"The style of this movie 'Steins;Gate' is really hard to grasp! At first, I thought it was going to be a film about mages, then I thought it might be an exploratory thriller, and unexpectedly, it turned into a fantasy film about time travel. The moment the SERN organization appeared, it instantly became an action movie."
"Right? It's hard to imagine what Senior Durin has in his mind. The movies that were initially screened in the southern region, like 'KonoSuba' and 'Goblin Slayer,' were, in a sense, based on reality. But then, whether it was 'Fate/Zero' and 'The Garden of Sinners' that share the same worldview, or 'Steins;Gate' with its entirely new setting, they've completely exceeded normal expectations."
"Especially 'Steins;Gate.' The way it portrays that fantastical timeline feels like I'm really looking into another world. The attention to detail makes it seem almost real."
"I really want to pry open Senior Durin's mind and see what other wild and imaginative ideas he has in there."
"It's exactly that kind of person who can create such extraordinary films and series, not to mention revitalize magical alchemy."
"This world is becoming more and more exciting!"
"…"
The students shared their thoughts, most of whom had never met Durin but had heard rumors about him. Now that the movies created by Durin were on the verge of truly changing this world, anyone could sense the tidal wave of change akin to a butterfly effect gradually forming.
...
On the platform of the Imperial Mage Academy.
"This movie is truly unique, even unbelievable, but since it was created by Durin, it's not that surprising," Scar said, a deep shock evident in his eyes.
Although he hadn't actually participated in the filming of "Steins;Gate," he often received requests from Durin for prop production.
Whether it was the functional phones used in the movie, the oven that served as an important tool for time travel, or the computer equipment, almost half of the props in "Steins;Gate" were crafted by Scar, the Master of the Alchemy Tower, at Durin's commission.
However, even as the creator of these props, he never imagined they would play such incredible roles in the film.
Every prop's use was so perfectly timed, as if they were indeed everyday items from a real world.
Not to mention, there were the modern scientific theories intricately woven into every detail of the movie, embedded within the concept of time travel.
Watching "Steins;Gate" nearly redefined Scar's understanding of the world, his perception of magical alchemy, and his vision for the future.
On the other side, facing Scar's astonishment, Durin simply said calmly, "I actually didn't intend to create 'Steins;Gate' so soon. After all, I believe there are still too many unresolved issues in our empire, and it shouldn't be so hasty to propose ideas about the future."
"However, after careful consideration, I think that ideas about the future should be presented sooner rather than later, because this world has already begun to change irreversibly."
"Magical alchemy is destined to change this world and to shatter many old conventions. Therefore, in order for everyone to keep up with the times, we need to transform people's mindsets!"
"Only when thoughts move in alignment with or even ahead of the times will people find it easier to accept new things and changes, rather than choosing to resist the emerging era."
"Of course, I also know that there will be those who cannot accept this and will try to stop the oncoming tide of change, but their fate will inevitably be like attempting to stop a chariot with their mere arms—crushed to pieces!"
As Durin's voice gradually faded, it struck like a thunderclap, resonating in the hearts of all the instructors around them, causing them to immediately widen their eyes in astonishment.
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