Research Life of a New Professor at Magic University - Chapter 2

She didn’t even turn away as she spoke or to avoid eye contact.
Arien only focused on me.
Confusion was plainly evident on my face.
Seeing this, Arien began to stutter slightly as she started to explain.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that on purpose. I was just waiting because you weren’t saying anything. So, I, um…”

It’s probably best not to worry about it too much.
How one chooses to live is one’s own freedom.
Especially for an elf like you, who can afford to live ten times more leisurely than a human.

“It’s okay. Actually, I’ve been pondering where you should begin. It’s not an easy topic to tackle, and I’m not sure how long it will take until we see any significant progress.”

“I’m prepared for that. I know it’s an uncertain endeavor.”

So you do know?

I’ve seen too many cases where people say they’re prepared but deep down harbor thoughts like, ‘But I’ll be different!’ or maybe, ‘It’s suited to my talents, unlike those with poor intellect.’

But anyway, since it’s none of my business to meddle, I should stop prying.
It wouldn’t be good to scare her off now.

Anyway, it’s commendable that she’s mentally preparing, even if just in words.
If an elf says there’s no certainty, it could take decades, even with modest expectations.
She probably won’t even notice about a few extra years in graduate school.

“Hmm… First, we need to get the equipment. I haven’t brought anything because I didn’t know what research you would conduct.”

“……”

“Now that we have a rough idea, we should at least get the basic equipment and materials.”

“Um… Professor?”

I paused and looked at Arien’s face, which seemed somewhat puzzled.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Oh, um… Well… Is this… normal?”

“What do you mean? Ah, usually, ordering supplies is the assistant’s job, but I’m taking care of it this time.”

Did it seem too obvious that I don’t trust the elf with spending the money?
But it seems that wasn’t what Arien was talking about.

“Well, I thought I’d at least start with whatever materials we have. I was wondering if it’s okay to decide based on my research. Aren’t we supposed to work on your research together, Professor?”

Professors don’t usually tailor their research on students’ topics like this, but it wouldn’t have been the first.

Although I wanted to say something, how can I explain I didn’t have any plans?
Anyway, my case is somewhat unique.

“That’s alright if you feel that way. I’ll be conducting my research separately. It doesn’t require a lot of materials.”

“Oh? What kind of research is it?”

“Sorry, but I can’t tell you that. It’s a research you couldn’t assist with anyway.”

In academic circles, those who prioritize gossiping about others’ work over their own are considered more important.

Rumors about me have already spread among those who prefer to speculate rather than research.
They say I secluded myself after acquiring a grimoire to work on deciphering it secretly.

Though it’s a public secret, a secret is still a secret.

Therefore, if someone approached me with ulterior motives, this would be their aim.
But as I spoke and glanced around, Arien seemed unlikely to be one of them.

“It can’t be helped. It’s not a field where someone fresh out of university can make an impact. And since there’s no certainty about when you’ll see results for your topic, I’ll pursue my research alongside it.”

“Yeah, I understand. I’ll actually consider it fortunate to have started in the field I wanted right from the beginning.”

Alchemy studies are the best bet for steadily securing research funds.
The timing might be the only issue, but I was planning to invest in alchemical experiment equipment anyway.
It might be tough for the person conducting the experiments, but it’s their chosen path, so it’s not my concern.

That settles it.

Anyway, that elf won’t threaten my safety or steal any research secrets.
Who doesn’t have at least one secret or hidden agenda they wouldn’t openly discuss?
Being wary of everyone you encounter is an endless task, so it’s better not to bother.

Even if she were plotting something, it doesn’t matter.
If she’s too busy with futile endeavors, she won’t have the time or resources to cause trouble.

Sigh… I didn’t want it to be this way, but it’s inevitable.
Honestly, I wanted to treat my first apprentice well.

“So, what should we do now, Professor? I’m a bit embarrassed, but I haven’t really thought about what I want to do or how to go about it.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Plenty of scholars waste over a year without settling on a research topic.”

Even if they had did, it was usually on a compromise.
While praising it verbally, they must have sweated profusely, trying to find a way to discard the plan.

Aspiring researchers who are passionate say things like, “I’m going to do the research I want!”

Freedom is essential, but you need money for it.
I’m sorry, but for at least the first 1-2 years, “Is it good for securing research funds?” will be the most common phrase.

“We’ll put off deciding what to research and how to conduct experiments for now. It’s okay to take our time. Graduate students have plenty to study, so there’s no need to rush into experiments.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard to repay the opportunity you’ve given me.”

“Good. By the way, your major was in natural sciences, right? You probably didn’t have many opportunities to lead experiments.”

Since she was an elf, I went for the safe bet of natural sciences.
But it was hard to imagine someone studying that at a magic university.
If I had the opportunity to receive education from elves, I wouldn’t major in something like “human history.”

“Yes. I’ll work hard to make up for what I lack.”

“Experimentation is important, but you must also study theory diligently.”

“Actually, during my graduate studies, I planned to focus more on alchemy-related courses.”

“No. I meant potionology. Basic-level knowledge won’t cut it if you ever want to assist with my research. Especially in potionology, you’ll need to read research papers.”

“Ah…Well, if it’s necessary, then I will do so.”

“Right. Sometimes, you’ll need to use magic in potion making, so studying potionology will also help.”

The last remark was just to seal the deal.
From my experience, it was somewhat helpful, but it wasn’t something that had to be done deliberately.

“There’s really so much to do. But then again, I’ve heard that doctoral and even master’s programs keep humans busy, too… Oh, sorry.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t mean anything bad by it.”

“So, where should we start then?”

Huh? Come to think of it, I haven’t told her anything.

“Should we start with the basics of experimental methods? Or maybe studying what’s necessary for your research, Professor? Or perhaps…”

“For now, no experiments. It’ll be tough until the semester starts.”

“Is that so?”

“There’s a lot to prepare. It’ll be exhausting.”

“Does it really take that long to order experimental equipment?”

“No. I have to prepare for classes.”

Many people think that professors’ primary job is teaching.
But in my opinion, it’s not the most important.
It’s just the one that consumes the most time.

More important than that is securing projects to get the university’s funding.
Delivering excellent research results to make the founders and sponsors proud is also crucial.

Lecturing is more of a bothersome additional duty for me.
But I can’t just ignore it; what a dilemma!

“Oh… Right. I have forgotten the obvious. So, what should I do in the meantime?”

“Naturally, you should prepare for class.”

“Huh? No, I meant what I should do. While you prepare, I…”

“Right, what you should do is also prepare the class materials.”

For professors, lecturing is just a bothersome and unimportant additional duty.
Fortunately, there are slaves…I mean, assistants who are good at taking on the annoying tasks for professors.

“Me? Oh… But how can I…?”

“I don’t mean for you to stand at the lectern. I need your help. It’s too much for me to prepare the materials for two lectures alone.”

Thankfully, she seemed to understand.
Actually, if she didn’t, what could she do?
Her faith was already sealed.

“Got it…However, I’m sorry, but I haven’t taken this course before, so I might not be much help. I hope you understand.”

“Oh, that’s okay. You don’t have to be an expert to prepare for a class.”

“I see! Since you’re an expert, I’ll…”

“I haven’t taken this course either.”

“…What?”

Professors also have careers and ranks.
It’s perhaps natural to pass on the “bothersome and unimportant tasks” to newly appointed, inexperienced professors.
There is no consideration for individual aptitude or ability in such tasks.

Actually, it’s already a considerable consideration that a newly appointed professor has only been assigned two lectures.
Well, it’s less consideration and more likely quickly filling the vacant positions.

“It’s not even related to my major. But luckily, I self-studied during my doctoral research, so I have a rough understanding.”

“Rough understanding…! Is that okay? We have less than a month left until the semester starts!”

“Two weeks. The first class is in ten days.”

“Exactly! No, what should we do… At a time like this…”

“First of all.”

I spoke, handing her the textbook on the adjacent subject while she still seemed stunned.

“You should at least grasp the content, too.”

Oh, my heart…! I didn’t want to do this to her.

This elf was acting so strangely earlier…

I have no choice but to get her busy to eliminate the doubts constantly rising in my heart!

My chest hurts doing this to her.

“……”

“You have until tomorrow.”

For the first time since we met today, Arien’s gaze left my face.

It shifted to the textbook I handed her, but more precisely, the side of it.

Hmm… I glanced at it briefly before she arrived; it had about 800 pages.

Feeling reluctant to look at it, I stood up from my seat.

Then, without looking back, I walked into my office.

Hang in there. Everyone goes through this at some point.