Research Life of a New Professor at Magic University - Chapter 7

“Indeed! It’s fortunate that those foolish heretics haven’t realized this dreadful method. Those ignorant fools possess the capability to destroy the world yet remain oblivious to it. When you think about it, it’s quite simple, but Professor Atwell didn’t overlook it.”

“……”

“Truly, you should be proud. Haha, saying this makes me feel like I’ve raised you. Sorry for being sentimental just now.”

“……No, it’s not th–”

“Wait… So, did you resign from your position as a professor at the Imperial University because of this? Was it for the sake of this research?”

“That’s…”

“There are unpleasant rumors circulating. They say a lunatic wizard is hiding and planning research that will endanger the world. However, they believe that it’s more dangerous in the hands of Professor Atwell.”

“Right. I’ve heard similar rumors. They say the Professor went mad after discovering some suspicious grimoire.”

“…Is that so?”

“But the reality was quite the opposite! It would have been catastrophic if such items fell into the wrong hands. Revealing the book’s contents and conducting research right in the heart of the Imperial Capital would have been too risky.”

“Please, just stop it already! I’m already feeling sick inside, and being praised by two people isn’t helping.”

“By the way, didn’t you recently admit an elf as a master’s research student? Could it be… was that also to recruit manpower for botanical research?”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. It’s a well-known story among the faculty that an elf graduate student was recruited into Professor Atwell’s lab without an interview.”

“Professor Atwell. It seems I’ve misunderstood you. I apologize once again.”

“…It’s alright.”

“Of course, I can’t disclose everything we discussed here to everyone. But today, the whole world owes you a great debt, Professor. I, at least, will never forget this.”

“Yes… Thank you…”

*

What followed proceeded swiftly.

The Dean declared he would personally allow the research.

He even apologized for the inadequate research funding.

In addition, Inquisitor Prudence indicated the church would make efforts to support the research with a modest grant once it progressed further.

Many other words were exchanged, but the details didn’t register in my mind.

I had to concentrate on maintaining a calm demeanor.

It wasn’t until I left the Dean’s office and arrived back at my research lab that I could regain my composure.

When I entered, Arien struggled to write on a paper detailing the class contents.

Upon seeing me enter, Arien looked up with a slightly tired expression.

Then, she suddenly widened her eyes.

“What’s the matter, Professor?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Your expression seems really grim. Is something serious happening?”

“No, it’s nothing…”

Let me correct myself. I couldn’t regain my composure even after arriving at the research lab.

“You mentioned meeting with the Dean about the project proposal. Was it rejected?”

“No, everything’s fine. He said it should go smoothly.”

“Really? That’s great! But… aren’t you happy about it?”

“Of course I am! I said it went well, so why do you keep asking? Have you even been working on the class materials properly?”

“W-why are you getting upset?”

Arien briefly made a face as if saying, ‘Why is he like that?’ Then she buried her nose back into the papers on her desk.

“If I were in your position, I wouldn’t have done it…”

“What do you mean?”

“Because you’re betraying humanity.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Starving peasants and causing famine worldwide… that’s betrayal.”

“Why are you suddenly saying this?”

“Even if we make money from such things, I can’t have peace of mind.”

Arien scowled again and gave up on further conversation.
I had to sit in my office chair for quite a while to calm down.

Even if I had known beforehand, my actions would have been the same.
Ultimately, I quickly obtained research funding and even gained the church’s trust.

After stealing the occult books from the heretics, I was in a tight spot.
After repeated religious trials, I had to return on my vacation to win the favor of the church and destroy the heretical organization.

“If they had realized it themselves, they would have gladly informed the church to gain their trust…”

In fact, I might have subconsciously calculated up to this point.
Couldn’t the current situation have turned out better?

Even if I had sold that spell to nobles or necromancers, it would have been difficult to utilize.
However, the ripple effects would be so significant that I wouldn’t have been able to ignore it either.

*

Lost in various thoughts, I haven’t done anything for three hours, even after returning.
It was a fatal waste of time amidst the busyness, but my mind didn’t even have the opportunity to consider that.

It was Arien’s knock that halted the storm of negative emotions.

“…What is it?”

Though unintended, my tone came out somewhat irritable. However, Arien seemed unfazed.

“Someone’s looking for you, Professor. Seeing the carriage outside, I think it’s a merchant.”

Ah, I forgot. The experimental equipment and materials I ordered must have arrived now.

A goblin and an orc delivered the experimental items.
The goblin, who didn’t even come up to my chest, handled the payment settlement while the orc checked each item meticulously.

As the goblin confirmed the settlement, I checked multiple times to verify that he was indeed a goblin, but there were no problems with either of our eyes.

Once the check was completed, the burly orc unloaded the goods.
Three small cauldrons and even a balance scale were brought down simultaneously.

The orc seemed slightly uneasy when lowering glass products like hourglasses, beakers, flasks, and test tubes, but his skilled technique was much more delicate than I had anticipated.
Indeed, I shouldn’t hold too many prejudices against races.

The orc could move the versatile alchemical experiment stand, but the large cauldron was too much.
Ultimately, I had to use telekinesis magic to move it to the designated spot.

Arien watched with a slightly admiring expression as I effortlessly moved the large cauldron without using magical tools.

What has this world come to?
The assistant sits at the desk while the professor does such mindless labor.

I don’t know who the professor is here.
It’s humiliating to hire different race students.

When I didn’t say anything, Arien seemed to think it was okay to take a break and started examining the delivered items.

“Wow… I’ve always been curious, but are these large cauldrons used often? It seems like they’re standard in alchemy research places.”

“They’re not used often, but they need to be available. Making potions is a complex task. So, even if you use the same ingredients and techniques, the results can vary depending on whether you use a small or large cauldron. Think of it like cooking. The taste differs when you cook one serving of something versus cooking ten servings at once.”

“I never thought about that. Why are those flasks shaped like that? What’s the difference between the round ones and the triangular flasks? And why does that test tube look…”

As I answered, Arien continued with her questions, almost asking about each item that came in.
She seemed so curious that I felt mentally exhausted, wanting to ignore her and not answer. But I couldn’t.
If Arien remained ignorant, it would only be a loss for me.

Answering Arien’s relentless questions, I felt like I might collapse from exhaustion.
Hmm, it seems like she’s using this as an excuse to take a break… Wait a minute.

“Is this herbs? What are they used for?”

“The red ones are obviously used for making stamina potions—you know, the ones adventurers always carry around. Dried herbs are used to make the base potion solution.”

“Base potion solution? Are you researching stamina potions then?”

“I’ll explain in detail later. It’s also good for testing effects, and there’s a lot of interest in researching stamina potions. You’ll also need to learn it to make healing potions.”

“That’s true, but is it okay to do it like this? Oh, by any chance, have you come up with a research topic?”

“It’s more about learning than producing results. So, we should start with cheaper materials. And while each potion has its own effectiveness and properties, there are still some commonalities.”

“What’s this strange powder?”

“It’s an alchemical catalyst. There are many types, but I bought the most versatile one commonly used in potions.”

“And considering the price too–”

This could go on forever, so I briefly interrupted and pointed to the stone workbench.

“More important than those things is this alchemy workstation. We need it for simple material processing, synthesis, decomposition, and analysis of results. Each specialized equipment would be better, but our lab doesn’t have the budget for that.”

Arien looked at the alchemical workstation, which had various patterns, runes, circuits, and measurement devices drawn on it.
Different circuits operate depending on how magical power is injected.
There’s also a tool for quantifying the intensity of magic.

“Let’s stop examining the equipment here. Prepare the data or finish up. Once we start the research, you’ll have to keep dealing with it whether you like it or not.”

“Sigh… Okay, got it. It’s almost done now. I think I can deliver it as planned tomorrow.”

“Good. I had something to give you.”

I went into the office and pulled out about ten sheets of paper. I had it prepared before meeting the Dean.

“…What’s this now?”

“Research papers you need to read. Knowing them beforehand will be very helpful before starting experiments. Now that you’re a graduate, don’t think like an undergraduate; You should study whenever you have time.”

“I’m studying all day long!”

“That’s just preparing for class. Are you really studying?”

Arien’s expression seemed like she was witnessing the trees dying of thirst.
Despite my effort to find research papers for her, her reaction was unexpected!