A lecture hall at the Imperial Academy of Magic.
Scratch, scratch.
A pen nib glided across the paper, overlaid with Isaac's voice.
"Here, this term is once again replaced by the product of mass and gravitational acceleration... which means mass is being brought in to define mass again."
Isaac stood at the lectern and pointed to the kilogram prototype as he spoke.
"It's convoluted through several steps, but in the end, it's a circular argument. Like the question of whether the chicken or the egg came first."
The students let out gasps of awe.
"Ooooh..."
"Then how are we supposed to set a standard? If it's circular, we won't be able to know anything in the end..."
Isaac continued.
"To prevent the confusion caused by this circular argument, the Empire distributed a 'kilogram prototype' to each territory. It's a physically established, unchanging standard. For the detailed alloy manufacturing method, please refer to the following paper."
Tap, tap. Tatak.
As Isaac spoke, notes appeared on the blackboard. The students were engrossed in Isaac's explanation. In the very front row of the lecture hall, the top scorer on the pop quiz, Iapetus—no, 'Yavet'—was the same.
He was staring at Isaac with wide, curious eyes. Isaac avoided Yavet's gaze and said.