Research Life of a New Professor at Magic University - Chapter 3

The workload was too much, especially since it was only for preparing materials for class.

Although I’ve been told to study, I must be selective about my first research.
It should be a topic that isn’t too difficult but will be helpful for future research.
Above all, it should secure research funding, and it would be even better if the experiments were relatively inexpensive.

I must prepare a research proposal in advance, purchase equipment and materials for experiments, organize the layout of the acquired items….
Usually, these tasks would be done by students, but I couldn’t trust the elf, so I had to do it myself.
It seems like I’m pampering the graduate student too much.

Come to think of it, it’s been a few minutes since I entered my office, but I haven’t heard any noise outside.
I guess she must be working hard as well.

With that thought in mind, I got up and heard the creaking sound as I sat back down.
Accepting reality is taking too long. That’s why elves are…

Anyway, I should start filling up this empty laboratory.
I received 150 gold coins as settling-in funds for the research lab.

Immediately upon taking office, I spent 20 gold coins organizing, repairing, and modifying the research lab.
The research lab also covers Arienael’s tuition fees, which amount to 10 gold coins per semester, so it’s 20 for a year’s tuition.
Since the assistant who doesn’t have any income also needs some living expenses, I’ll need to allocate an additional 5 gold coins.

I also used 10 gold coins to fill the office bookshelf with needed books and references.
So far, I’ve spent 55 gold coins.
With 95 gold coins left, I still need to equip the laboratory with experimental equipment, materials, and other items.

“Let’s see… First, a large iron cauldron and three small pots…”

These are essential if the main experiment is potion-making.
The results may vary depending on the quantity made at once, so there should be at least two sizes. Multiple small pots are needed for repetitive experiments.

It’s not just about having cauldrons and pots; you must also prepare for heating and smoke emissions.
Additionally, we also need beakers, flasks, and empty vials for reagents.
For items like cauldrons, even if they’re secondhand, I’ll have to haggle to keep it within 40 gold coins.

And there’s the versatile alchemy workstation, priced at 25 gold coins.

“I shouldn’t incur any losses by bringing this in.”

Potion-making isn’t just about making potions; its applications are truly vast.
From material processing to item crafting, enchanting, and more…
It may be difficult for specialized tasks, but it’s equally versatile.
A research lab that conducts experiments directly should have almost everything necessary.

Even the classes I’m assigned to handle magic ingredients, so it’ll be helpful for class preparation.
Maybe I could even test things out before practical classes.

Furthermore, attention should be paid to the layout.
It’s better to place the space for boiling reagents outside.
The office, filled with books and papers, should remain dry.

As for equipment, let’s move on to materials.

First, there’s the mana stone used for injecting mana from the outside. It’s a versatile material used everywhere.
Since there’s no money, I’ll have to settle for low-quality ones. Quantity over quality for now.
Investing 10 gold coins in cheaper options should last for about two months.

Additionally, several types of commonly used herbs, catalysts, reagents, and other materials should be stored properly. This will also cost around 10 gold coins.
While the research topic hasn’t been decided yet, having nothing feels too overwhelming.

Sometimes, experimenting with the materials at hand can spark inspiration.
If you wait until everything is decided, you’ll waste months just passing the time.

“I’m left with barely 10 gold coins.”

There are likely many items and materials I haven’t included in my calculations. If the research direction becomes more specific, I’ll need to invest in rarer materials.
If I delegate analysis tasks, I’ll have to pay fees and might even need to buy more equipment.

I’ll have to borrow from other labs if I lack materials or equipment.
It’s not only embarrassing but also burdensome personally.
It’s better to avoid such situations if possible.

I’ll also need manuscripts and scrolls for my personal research.
What’s currently on the bookshelf is inadequate.

One of the reasons I chose this school among many other jobs is precisely because of the library.

A university library boasting a long history and extensive collection.
Universities with libraries of this magnitude are rare.
Moreover, with such a long history, it’s often difficult to find books like ancient manuscripts elsewhere.

Such libraries have different levels of openness depending on security grades, so external visitors’ investigations are limited.
Naturally, even students can only access a portion of it.

Even professors have limitations; for books in restricted areas, the higher the security level, the more restrictions there are on borrowing periods and frequencies.
Therefore, it’s better to have frequently used books on hand rather than constantly renewing rentals and depleting the limited borrowing opportunities.

Considering all this, it’s evident that 10 gold coins won’t suffice.

So, the immediate task is clear:
I need to write a research proposal as soon as possible and secure funding.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s from the university, a wizard tower, or a workshop,
Maybe I could be sponsored by the government, a guild, or commissioned by a noble.

Even if mana stones run out in two months and other materials are insufficient, the first task I propose as a professor should be my research, not Arienael’s.

I pulled open the desk drawer.
Inside lay an old book with a sinister appearance wrapped in an unpleasant grayish cover.
It was a grim-looking ancient book plundered from a cult group dealing with aberrations.

From what I’ve gathered, this grimoire deals with creatures from other dimensions, blasphemous rites, and curse magic.
I estimate it covers at least a dozen different topics.

If I were to translate and publish this content, I’d likely be interrogated by inquisitors within a week. Instead of being able to conduct research, I’d be busy defending myself in church trials. Giving away such a secret in a place already under suspicion is foolish.

So, it’s better to interpret each piece of information I’ve gathered in detail and present it as research findings without disclosing the source or specifics.

Usually, I couldn’t write a research proposal like this.
Asking for research funding without any evidence and expecting support to invent new spells would be met with ridicule.
But those who know about my ‘evidence’ will gladly sponsor me.
This is the reason for keeping the deciphering of the grimoire a ‘public secret.’

Now, how should I frame the topic?

I’m more confident interpreting curse spells than summoning rituals or occult ceremonies.
As a specialist in spellcraft, it goes without saying.

So, the nominal research topic will be ‘Deciphering Ancient Curses of Unknown Origin.’

Noble conspirators, scheming mages and wizards, and craftsmen seeking any means to make money will gladly support me for a few years of knowledge dominance.
They might even pay extra for exclusive rights if the results are satisfactory.

Ah, but if that happens, I’ll have the research funding but won’t produce any paper results.
Visible research achievements are necessary to maintain and advance my position as a professor. Enhancing my reputation is a bonus.
If I don’t, I won’t attract any more research assistants–or, should I say, slaves.

So, for the first task, I should submit something modest, even if I don’t receive much funding…

The more I ponder, the more my head hurts, so I think I’ll call it a day here.
Besides worrying about money and research, there’s a mountain of tasks to tackle.
Going through each item in the catalog and checking prices is mentally and time-consuming.

Glancing over, I notice a pile of unopened letters in the corner of my desk.
It’s always such a hassle to go through accumulated mail.
Hmm… it’s bothersome indeed. I’ll read them later.
Just by looking at the senders’ names, I could take my time replying to them.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll need to start preparing for classes as well.

While I can delegate theory classes to Arienael, it’s still too early to make her prepare for experiments.
It might be the first time a student majoring in natural sciences has tried such experiments.
Of course, she can learn, but she isn’t just learning; she’s in a position where she needs to assist me or other students.

Glancing at the clock, I realize it’s already past dinner time.

With that thought in mind, I rise from my seat and step out of the office.
Arienael is as expected, gazing at the book I gave her with a tired expression.
She seemed too exhausted even to turn her head as she surely wouldn’t have missed me entering with the elves’ hearing ability.

I’d like to tell her to take a break since she’s worked hard today, but it can’t be helped.

Glancing that the majority of the pages were still on her right, it’s clear she hasn’t even made it halfway through. Tsk tsk tsk.

“Arienael?”

Only then does Arienael’s head turn towards me.

“It’s the first day, so if you’re okay with it, would you like to have dinner together?”

“Sure… that sounds good…”

What could have drained her energy like this on the first day?
I’ll let her decide since it’s the first day and I’ve already offered dinner.

“Is there anything specific you’d like to eat?”

“I can’t think of anything in particular.”

“Then, is there any food you’re particularly averse to?”

“Mmm, not really.”

I’ll have to be considerate and accommodating, given the circumstances.

“I don’t mind, so feel free to decide based on your preferences, Professor.”

Choosing a research topic is such a headache, and it’s even more annoying to delegate everything like this. Just to have responsibility pushed back to me?
I should research how to cure people of this remedy.

“So how about near the back entrance…”

Wait, hold on.

“…?”

“…?”

“Professor?”

“…Ah, my apologies. Do you like fish dishes? There’s a nice restaurant a bit further down from the back entrance. Let’s go there.”

“Yes, sounds good.”

Usually, in situations like this, I’d recommend something bizarre enough to be barely edible.
If I take them to a giant insect cuisine restaurant near the school’s back gate, I won’t need to decide what to eat again.

But what are elves’ food preferences, anyway?
I do know some elves, but I’m not close enough with any of them to discuss such matters.
During my studies abroad, I once saw an orc tearing into meat with its bare hands, skinning and eating it raw.
Maybe elves like insects?

“Do you have any aversion to meat?”

Some people have a preconceived notion that elves, living in forests and communing with animals, wouldn’t eat meat.
Of course, that’s not true. But still, it’s an excellent opportunity to learn about their dietary preferences.

“Just because we’re elves doesn’t mean we’re all vegetarians. Only a few elves consider all animals as friends and can’t bring ourselves to eat them.”

The prompt response indicates it’s a frequently asked question, and before I could brush it off, an unexpected continuation follows.

“And besides, seafood isn’t our friend anyway. We don’t see them, so they never end up on our plates.”

Ah, right. They’re a ‘Forest’ race.
I never would have reached such a realization alone.

Although this meal was somewhat obligatory, I found myself looking forward to it a little.