“Categorically, yes, that’s what it’s supposed to be. But there are many variations of earth attributes that I don’t think should be called that. It seems strange that a man with magical power over plants and I share the same attribute. I think it’s no longer possible to apply the classifications based on those of the Astra Empire era.”

I see.

There were various types of magical attributes such as earth, water, fire, wind, ice, light, darkness, thunder, and holy, but these were the general classifications during the ancient Astra Empire era.

It would be impossible to shake it because of its great authority. Even if something didn’t seem to fall into any of these categories, they would force it into one of them.

Even the magical attribute of Selene-san, the Maiden of Death, [Death], would not exist in the ancient Astra classification.

So, even if someone had [Death] magic power currently, it would have been mixed up with one of the others.

I once read in a comic book that something similar happened in my previous life, and that Aristotle of Ancient Greece promoted the theory that the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind to either make up the world, which led to a long period of blind faith and [no dissenting opinions]. I heard that Aristotle’s authority was almost divine.

“You are right. Maybe someday the classification of magic by attribute itself will no longer be done.”

Isaac’s eyes widened, and he chuckled when Ekaterina said this, bearing in mind that the smallest unit of matter was proven to be the atom and the theory of the four elements disappeared.

“That’s a bold thing to say. That’s the kind of thing I love. I’ll definitely come to the Imperial City one of these days. I’d love to see your workshop and talk with you a lot.”

The next day, Ekaterina went to visit the mountain temple.

Accompanied by Forli, the Chief Forester, and Aaron, the Chief Miner, Ekaterina entered the inner sanctum of the temple, led by the priests who admired her beautifully dressed, but modest, figure as a sign of respect to the gods.

In addition, Isaac, whom she thought was planning to follow her, said.

“Ah, I won’t be following. I don’t understand God’s jokes.”

He seemed to be immersed in his research today, saying that he was not sure about what that was all about. I wondered if he was close enough to the Gods for them to make jokes with him.

In the ancient stone temple, there was a row of magnificent carvings, each depicting a mountain deity who presided over the mountains of Yurinova, some in human form, others in the form of animals such as wolves and boars, and others in more peculiar forms.

In the center of these deities stood an old man with white hair and beard, who appeared to be an elder.

When I was told that this was the mountain god of the old mine, the image of the god flashed in my mind.

It was a manifestation.

The light flowing out of the statue transformed into the figure of an old man who was the exact duplicate of the statue. The humans bowed in reverence to the divine authority that filled the place.

Then a voice called out to me.

“Yurinova’s Child, you may look up. The rest of you, too, make yourselves comfortable.”

The voice was kind, but old beyond measure.

Ekaterina looked up.

“It is with great pleasure that I am pardoned to see you. I am Ekaterina Yurinova.”

“You are a beautiful girl. Greetings, my dear.”

The smiling old mine God looked like a gentler version of the gray wizard from the Hollywood blockbusters in my previous life, impenetrable and dignified, yet still very much like a good-natured old man.

Another statue of the god was also illuminated, and two more gods descended.