Amidst the countless gazes in the assembly, Lynn confidently stood up and walked towards the stage.
"Professor, he should be able to handle it, right?" Elok murmured, looking concerned as the wizards from the Astrology School, appearing numerous and domineering, seemed intent on pressuring others.
Phillip also had some concerns; he had initially wanted to accompany Lynn, but Lynn had gestured for him to stay back.
Yulande couldn't contain his impatience upon seeing Lynn ascend the stage.
"Mr. Lynn, I've read your theories. According to your theory, all celestial bodies, including the land beneath our feet, revolve around the sun, correct?"
"More precisely, it's the planets within this star system that revolve around the sun," Lynn corrected Yulande's statement.
Yulande didn't pay much attention to this distinction but rather expressed his regret, "But I've noticed you seem to have overlooked a critical issue."
"What issue?" Lynn asked, puzzled.
"Since you mentioned in the 'Magic Daily' that the time it takes for our land to revolve around the sun is three hundred and sixty days, precisely one year, how do you explain the phenomenon of day and night? It can't be that we only experience one day and night in a whole year, can it?" Yulande questioned.
According to the theory of astrology, the sun's rotation around the land caused the cycle of day and night due to its gravitational pull.
Lynn found this quite amusing and explained, "It's quite simple. That's because our planet, in addition to orbiting the star, is continually rotating. This is what creates the alternating day and night that we observe."
Lynn extended his hand, conjuring two different-sized water spheres in the air. The smaller one rotated around the larger one while spinning, symbolizing one complete cycle of day and night.
"Rotation?" Yulande was momentarily surprised by Lynn's unexpected explanation, but he soon chuckled.
"I must say, your theory is intriguing. However, if, as you say, our land is in constant motion, rotating around the sun and even moving with it, then why aren't we flung away?" Yulande's tone grew more intense, resonating throughout the hall.
The wizards present were now engaged in heated discussions, and even those who had initially supported the idea of a rotating planet began to waver in the face of this sharp questioning.
After all, Yulande's argument was easy to imagine. For instance, placing a grain of rice on a sphere and rapidly spinning it—the grain of rice would inevitably be thrown off.
Furthermore, their land was enormous, and any movement it made would generate tremendous force. Even if they were lucky enough not to be thrown off, they would undoubtedly sense the movement.
Phillip was anxiously fidgeting, resembling an ant on a hot pan. It was as if the person targeted on stage was himself.
Lynn's expression remained unchanged as he asked with a sly smile, "Have you ever ridden in a carriage, Mr. Yulande?"
"Why are you asking about that?" Yulande hesitated.
Lynn didn't answer but turned to the wizards in the seminar. "I believe you all have also noticed that, during carriage rides, we only clearly feel our bodies swaying back and forth at the beginning and end of the journey. At other times, we mainly feel the bumps caused by the uneven road."
"That's because, while traveling, we are inside the carriage, moving along with it due to friction. Of course, because the carriage's speed varies, it's not very intuitive..." Lynn explained. He then turned to a few senior wizards. "I think this is something that Master Raphael and Master Ogest, who have ridden airships, might have a better understanding of."
All eyes in the room immediately turned to Raphael and Ogest. After a brief contemplation, they both nodded in agreement.
Unlike carriages, airships floated completely, and with the wind-blocking magic formation applied, their travel was incredibly smooth. They hardly felt any movement.
"It's the same for this planet." Lynn continued. "As the free-fall experiment showed earlier, the resistance we feel is based on the elements. Under the influence of gravity, all elements and matter change position along with the planet's rotation. That's why we don't perceive our own movement. If one day it suddenly stops rotating, we'd probably all be thrown off..."
Lynn said in a teasing manner.
"Nonsense." Beside Yulande, a red-haired witch loudly rebuked, interrupting Lynn. "Lord Harof has been to the top of the world. If our land were truly rotating, then over such a long time, Lord Harof would have long since been carried away by the land's rotation to another place."
"The gravitational influence extends far and wide, madam, much more than you can imagine. Even if we were to ascend tens of thousands of meters into the sky, we still wouldn't escape its control," Lynn stated casually, then looked at everyone, speaking loudly.
"Just as we cannot perceive that the planet beneath our feet is round, the planet's rotation speed is quite slow relative to its massive size. We, minuscule as dust, are like ants burrowing in a hill. To it, this hill is the entire world."
The discussions in the hall grew increasingly intense. Some people were very receptive to Lynn's theory, as it provided a plausible explanation for the cycle of day and night.
However, many still held deep reservations. According to Lynn, they don't perceive their own motion because they move with the planet? It was just too absurd.
Not at all magical.
"Where's the evidence? What do you have to prove that our land is rotating? All of this is mere conjecture on your part." Yulande scoffed sharply. "According to your theory, when we sleep at night, we're also hurtling along with this land..."
"Then, when you're in a carriage, do you move by yourself?" Lynn asked with a smile.
"Of course..." Yulande hesitated for a moment. He had wanted to say that he didn't move, but upon careful consideration, he realized that he did indeed move with the carriage.
This conflicting sensation left Yulande, who didn't know what a reference frame was, perplexed. In the end, he could only conclude that he didn't move and that the carriage carried him.
However, this conclusion inadvertently supported Lynn's theory of planetary rotation. Yulande wrestled with this for a while before finally remaining silent.
"As for evidence of planetary rotation, I certainly have it." Lynn paid no mind to Yulande's inner turmoil and turned to the members of the Iyeta School, saying, "Jenny, Elok, and Pierce, bring everything you've prepared."