Research Life of a New Professor at Magic University - Chapter 4

The journey wasn’t short, but there wasn’t much opportunity for conversation.
I was busy responding to people who greeted us as we passed by.

It was much less than usual, but I didn’t get to ask Arien much about Elven’s culinary preferences before we reached the restaurant.

“Seems like people are looking this way.”

Hearing that, I looked around. Despite being in a corner, we seemed to gather some attention.

I could guess the reason.

“Elves aren’t common around here. After four years at the Magic University, I’d think you’d be used to this level of attention.”

“Well, yes, but it seems more intense than usual.”

“That’s probably because of me.”

“Ah, quite confident, aren’t you? Seems like you’re quite used to it?”

My academic achievements were indeed something to boast about.

This elf still didn’t know how fortunate they were to work under such an exceptional professor.

Boasting would seem rather conceited, so I just ordered my meal without responding.

Arien chose lobster stew and salad. I added chicken stew and grilled fish to my order.

“So, is it alright for us to eat meat?”

“…Are we still on that topic?”

Arien seemed slightly annoyed, but I couldn’t suppress my curiosity.

“Yeah. If it’s not found in the forest, then it’s okay?”

“Generally, yes? Even the sensitive ones eat crops just fine.”

Indeed, elves could communicate with plants as well. It seemed odd to treat animals differently.

“What about freshwater fish living in streams or swamps? Are they considered part of the forest or separate?”

“…Do we really need to go into that? If you meet an elf who doesn’t eat meat, ask them. I’m not a picky eater, so I don’t know.”

“Even though cows don’t live in forests… Why avoid beef?”

“Can we get this stew?”

I couldn’t probe further as it seemed clear she wanted to stop.

A bit disappointing.

Even after finishing the meal, the conversation continued for a while.
Since it also served as a greeting, learning about each other was better than just eating and leaving.

“You’re not older? Are you serious?”

“Do you not believe me? I’m not senile.”

Maybe it’s because of your white hair.

“I mean, your peers–other humans aren’t much different, right? You’re surrounded by people much older than you.

“Yeah. I graduated from university while people my age were just entering it. I also got my degrees faster than others in the class.”

“Wow.”

“You look surprised.”

“Of course. I’m just wondering what I was doing at that age.”

“Anyway, isn’t it not really that age for elves?”

“Heh, do you have to put it like that? Also, our growth isn’t much different, so I was already an adult by then.”

Contrary to the calm and quiet first impression, Arien didn’t shy away from personal conversations. She used jokes and banter just like humans would.

“I’m getting curious. What do elves do at that age?”

“Anyway, if you’re an adult, it doesn’t matter how old you are. In my case, I was shooting arrows every day.”

“Hunting?”

“It was more like scaring away humans who came to log in the forests. I practiced a lot to make sure no one got hurt.”

Why does my spine suddenly feel cold?
Without realizing it, I glanced at Arien’s back and shoulders again.
Thankfully, they’re not carrying anything now.

“I’ve always been curious: Why don’t elves go to school much? The academy is too human-centric, so I understand that. However, there must be a lot to learn at university. In reality, there are other species…well, non-humans are still in an overwhelming minority. Yet elves seem to avoid going to university and don’t seem to engage in research much, despite being proficient in magic.”

“Usually, there’s no need to learn. It’s a waste of time.”

“But not learning causes problems. Just listening to what you said seems to prove that. Is spending a few years learning in a thousand-year life really a waste? If elves were a race that hated acquiring knowledge, they wouldn’t have developed speech.”

“Listening to you, that does make sense, doesn’t it? I’m not sure of the exact reasons. Indeed, many of us don’t go, but it’s not forbidden or anything. It’s not like we have an aversion or hatred towards it.”

Although rare, there are definitely elves engaged in magical research.
We didn’t have a relationship where we’d exchange casual conversations, so I didn’t ask.

“I still have a guess, though.”

“What is it?”

“Elves don’t stick to one path for too long. So, pouring a lot of interest and passion into one field of study for a long time doesn’t really suit our nature.”

“Is it just individual differences?”

“No, it’s not. All the elves I know are like that. To us, humans seem more amazing. How can they dedicate over fifty years to one field… and that’s in a life that doesn’t even reach a hundred years.”

“I didn’t know that. From a human perspective, elves seem to know so much. They have many skills. Even with so much time, it’s hard to imagine how they master all that.”

“That’s right. There are many versatile elves, aren’t there? It’s just inevitable. After doing one thing and learning a bit about it, they move on to something else, then another, and once they’ve learned that, they look for something completely different again. Since they never delve deep enough, technological advancements are all credited to humans, and our culture remains the same for thousands of years. Being praised by humans for knowing a lot about such topics is embarrassing.”

If only she could stop terrorizing people with her bow.

That aside, the conversation was more interesting than I expected.
Looking back, many things make sense. Elves learn quickly and are talented, but reaching the highest level in any field is incredibly rare.

This applies not only to academia but also to combat.
Swordsmen or mages are obviously out of the question, and even the most exceptional spirit summoners are not elves.

Then, it must be difficult for her to continue researching until she achieves her goal.
I should provide her with plenty of study materials regardless of the field.
Customizing education according to racial characteristics…
Even I feel grateful for my consideration, and as if she suddenly remembered, Arien asked a question.

“So, why did you decide to study magic?”

Asking the obvious. It’s a frequently asked question, and the answer is always the same.

“Because I like research.”

“But to study magic, you must learn a lot, right?”

“That’s right. Where else in the world can you find a job like this?”

Arien had the same expression as others who heard my answer. A bored face. A face that seemed to say, “I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Then why specifically at the university? You can do research not only at the university. In fact, it’s been said that talented mages often do research in towers rather than… Ah, sorry.”

There are many jobs where you can continue magical research without taking a professorship at a university.
Some work under kings or nobles, and others join guilds.
If you want to earn a lot, you can work at workshops or, like Arien said, even join research institutions like Magic Towers.
Even joining the army or an adventure party provides some research funding.
Some even set up their laboratories and conduct research alone.

“Those guys probably don’t have any talent other than mana manipulation.”

“Isn’t the amount of mana a talent in itself?”

“It’s just one aspect of talent. You know that magic isn’t something you can use just by having mana, right? Plenty of wizards can’t even develop a simple potion and end up outsourcing that work to other wizards.”

“But not everyone is like that, right? Many people have created powerful spells like the archmages leading their Tower.”

“That’s true, but they’re generally too closed-off. It becomes a constraint on creativity. If you want to focus solely on research, university is the best option.”

Investing in anything other than research is a waste of time.
Yet, I’ve spent too much time setting up my lab and securing research funding.
But it would have been the same elsewhere, so I shouldn’t complain.

“Many wizards can’t even explain what they’ve done themselves. Some have peculiar constitutions, and there are spells that only the inventor can use. No matter how useful they are, you must find other ways to use them if you can’t publish them as research papers. That’s why many wizards go to Towers to hone their own skills. Perhaps this is where the misunderstandings come from.”

“It’s fascinating. Wizards really are different depending on the person?”

“That’s right. There’s no job as difficult as characterizing a wizard. So let me ask you something.”

“What is it?”

I’m curious why she came to my lab.
However, the mood didn’t seem right, so I asked another question.

“I already know why you came to university and pursued a master’s degree. But why did you choose a major in natural sciences? Shouldn’t you have gone for alchemy instead? And why would a forest race like elves choose natural sciences?”

“Oh, that. At first, I wasn’t trying to find the answer in potion recipes. I approached it as a way to improve my affinity with the forest.”

“Doesn’t seem to have worked out very well.”

“No. The more classes I took, the less likely it seemed from this side. And there’s a lot of misinformation in human knowledge. Most of it is human-centric and doesn’t really help.”

“What about healing magic? Elves don’t react to divine power much, but isn’t herbology similar? Wouldn’t it be an easier path?”

“It might sound funny, but… it’s because I didn’t want to waste what I learned in natural sciences. The botany courses I took were generally not great, but there was a lot I didn’t know about herbalism to take it. Potions are the only way.”

“Got it.”

I couldn’t understand her.
Why did she come to my lab in the first place?

I do have some expertise in potion brewing, but that’s information Arien couldn’t have known beforehand.
I wanted to ask more directly, but I couldn’t risk it.
If I make a small mistake, there’s a chance she might interpret it as a hint to leave.

As we converse, darkness has already enveloped the outside.

“It was nice meeting you, Arien. And once again, welcome to the lab.”

“Thank you, Professor. I’ve learned a lot, even just for a day.”

“Since I took away your time for dinner, I’ll extend the deadline slightly.”

Arien’s expression darkened rapidly, perhaps as she remembered the pile of textbooks she barely touched.

“Does tomorrow night see good?”

“Wait, Professor, was it originally due in the morning?”

“It was. You originally had a day from when I handed you the book.”

Arien’s black eyes, unable to hide her dismay, lost their liveliness noticeably.
Despite that, it feels like we’ve become more comfortable with each other.

But if I’m not careful, it might come off as condescending.
Maybe I’ve been too kind.