Karl's recitation of philosophical passages, imbued with a unique beauty, slowly ceased only after all the attendants had taken their places.
After listening to the recitation, the participants instinctively applauded. The applause wasn't enthusiastic, but its prolonged nature truly conveyed a sense of admiration.
With impeccable etiquette, Karl bowed in turn to guests in all directions. After completing his bows, he said, "Then I leave the management of this beautiful time to all of you."
Fulen was very surprised. This meant all the preparation he had done for so many days would be for naught. Could it be that the philosophy salon was just a name? However, Fulen quickly overturned his conclusion.
A person dressed in a red garment, neither a robe nor a suit, yet resembling a combination of both, stood up and walked to a prominent spot in the room. When most people could see him, he spoke loudly, "Thank you, Viscount Karl, for the opening remarks. What I wish to share with you all today is Mr. Gekayi's discourse on the dialectics founded by Emperor Rosell..."
After this gentleman finished expounding his views, Kvedo enthusiastically began discussing them with Fulen and Erich. This made Fulen secretly glad that his preparation had indeed not been in vain, and he then discussed his learning outcomes from the past few days with Kvedo and Erich.
While discussing, Fulen thought with great discomfort, "Tsk, it doesn't matter if you don't understand philosophy at this philosophy salon, as long as you're not afraid of social death, and it's social death with good friends. Tsk, it's really difficult."
At a philosophy salon, people can tolerate the remarks of those who are not overly intelligent, but they cannot tolerate those who know nothing about philosophy participating. At the salon, one can argue incessantly or happily reach a consensus, but if you have no understanding whatsoever, not only will your relationships with friends deteriorate, but you will also fall into the eyes of those with ulterior motives, and in their gossip, a large part of your social circle will be invisibly lost.
After all, no one likes a person who is not striving for improvement, even if he is a friend. Unless they are close friends, friends with shared interests will always last longer. However, conversely, salons also have many good aspects.
Fulen watched Karl come to their table. After greeting Erich, he sat next to Erich and naturally joined the discussion among the three of them.
It proves that when discussing things, working, or playing together, relationships always progress quickly. On Earth, this includes mobile games, online games, and various non-utilitarian private gatherings and games. In the current continent, in Trier, the most popular social activities are salons: literary salons, philosophy salons, and political and economic salons, among others.
During the discussion among Fulen, Kvedo, and others, Fulen also learned the addresses and basic information of the other people at his table during breaks in the discussion. Although their camaraderie was not that of old friends, it was no longer a casual acquaintance; instead, they had become friends who generally understood some information and ideas.
After discussing for a while, Karl, though somewhat reluctant to leave, finally remembered that he was the initiator of this salon. So he went to other tables to socialize. After Karl left, some people who were not hosts but were still very devoted to philosophy began to join the discussion of Fulen and others.
During the subsequent process, someone would occasionally go to a place where everyone could see them and start a new topic, and some people keen on socializing would also, on a whim, go to a table they had never been to and start a new discussion. Even Kvedo couldn't help but join in, leaving his table to talk with others.
Although Kvedo wanted to invite Fulen to go with him, Fulen politely declined. After all, he had only studied philosophy for seven or eight days. It would be fine to just talk with others, but if he were to engage in inquiries with his own insights, Fulen believed it would be better not to make a fool of himself.
In fact, Fulen had experienced a similar feeling during his exam-oriented education. Although he might not lose points because of it, if Fulen were to teach others, it would undoubtedly be a joke. And if Fulen were to create a set of questions, it would truly be a torment for him.
Learning does not equal understanding, and understanding does not equal complete digestion. Learning is something that is easy to pick up but difficult to master, and as an Apprentice, one should advance step by step, without Pride.
After Fulen deeply understood and agreed with this statement, he suddenly closed his eyes. Although others were currently discussing things with Fulen and the others, Fulen instinctively closed his eyes because he felt the potion inside him beginning to show signs of large-scale loosening.
During the time Fulen's eyes were closed, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. Then, quickly regaining his composure, he apologized to the others, "I'm sorry, I felt a bit unwell just now, but I'll be fine immediately."
The person who had just been discussing philosophical questions with Fulen and the others felt a bit awkward, then quickly said, "It's fine. If you're not feeling well, you can go to the washroom. I remember the washroom in this cafe isn't far from here."
Erich, however, felt something was off. He looked at Fulen with a gaze that seemed capable of dissecting a person like a surgical knife, then suddenly asked, "Then why, if you were unwell, did you start smiling just now?"
Fulen was choked and felt a bit uncomfortable. Then he forced a smile and said, "I remembered something happy." After speaking, he felt as if he had told a joke, and the forced smile on his face became much more genuine.
Then Fulen quickly stood up and said, "Oh dear, I suddenly feel a bit unwell again. I should go to the washroom. Apologies."
The nearby waiter, hearing this, stood out at just the right moment, gesturing for Fulen to follow him. When Fulen returned, the person who had just arrived had already left, and Erich said with clear apology, "I'm sorry, I was a bit curious just now." After Fulen replied that it was fine, the two continued their philosophical discussion with the other guests.
After the coffee and desserts on the table were refilled a few times, the guests gradually grew tired of discussing. Kvedo also returned to his seat. At this point, the atmosphere of departure became much more apparent.
Karl then stood up and said to everyone, "Gentlemen, time flies. Although I am reluctant to part with you wise individuals, beauty is always fleeting. I hope we can discuss philosophy together again next time. So, gentlemen, farewell. As always, if I hold a salon, I will send invitations to your residences."
After bowing two or three more times, Karl watched the guests leave and nodded in acknowledgment.