Spirit Taming

Chapter 103: Doc

"Hello, are you three here for a beast analysis, to have an egg analyzed, to purchase a bred beast from the academy, or something else?" The student at the front entrance was clearly stuck with an annoying assignment. They had to see every single person that tried to walk inside the research building.

"We are actually here for classes." Clark and the girls handed out the invitations causing the boy to become wide eyes.

"Someone actually approved of you to come here for classes? That never happens outside of the second year exams. You three must have spotted. Just come on in. I will show you around." The student cut himself off since he was sure the professors would explain.

"The best way for all three of you to have classes here is to make sure you come clean and with extra uniforms. Not every task is going to dirty your clothing, but some of the beasts here will act differently if you smell. It depends on your beasts or what you eat, so I recommend you maintain a high level of cleanliness." This made a lot of sense. Some beasts were more likely to go wild.

"Should we bring anything else?" Clark wanted to be as prepared as possible in the future.

"You will catch on when you have a class schedule set up. You might decide not to be around beasts at all and just focus on recording knowledge or analyzing materials. It's pretty normal for some people to be completely focused on growing unique materials or preparing storage procedures." The student seemed to enjoy the tour more and more since he was not used to doing so.

"I can just focus on Materials if I want? Does that mean I won't have the same professors?" Maria didn't want to miss out on the classes that Clark and Isa would be taking.

"No, you will have the same professors but in different orders. Every professor here has the basics memorized so they can set foundations. After that, you have the chance to find them in the professional studies." The way it was set up meant that every student would start at the same point and grow in their own direction. Clark liked the sound of it a lot.

"If I bring in beasts, materials, and eggs of my own, will the academy take a hold of ownership?" Isa was not going to let the academy take away potential business and profits.

"No, you will have to pay a fee if they stay here or require unique settings. Whether it's beasts, eggs, or materials. But that's it. You own what you own and you can even rent spaces to use analyzing other peoples' beasts.

Just don't be upset if you get something wrong and have your grades deducted while also paying them back." The student seemed to think a little more before giving them an additional warning.

"Try not to think yourselves master appraisers or something. The students that rush in to material analysis and stuff always dig themselves early graves. Try and learn more before you rush in to it. And please, try and read from the research theory library section in the main library." This advice was something Clark was definitely going to take. He wanted all the information he could get.

"Doc? Are you in here?" The student stopped and opened a door to a very large room. One that wouldn't be seen as a normal office anywhere. Clark could only really compare it to his previous life's memories and the one or two offices he had seen in this world. So he might just have a biased opinion.

"Yeah yeah. Who let what beast out again? I don't need to fill out the paperwork if it's the saw tooth ants. We can just let the other beasts eat them. It's not worth the trouble." the man that spoke had blended in to the background. He was wearing an all white uniform with too many pockets.

It was clear that he carried many materials for multiple beasts.

"I have three students that had invitations."

"Invitations! Ha! Good. come here and go back to whatever you wanted to study." Clark saw the man turn around and realized it was the professor he had seen before. "You three are the only ones that noticed my small tricks. And if I didn't see you do what you did for that girl and the flurry fox, you are wrong young man."

"I didn't think anyone had cared to pay attention to that." Clark was a little embarrassed. He hadn't wanted to be thanked or even seen.

"Knowing that the imp has a knot on the top of its egg is a small detail that not many spot. You get a bonus for that. You will be able to start the analysis classes and even have a discount on labs. You, I expect you to be more involved in the trade and procurement of beast eggs? The Rolly family has brought me some interesting things, that brother of yours is a little tough to handle though."

"I apologize for my brother's rough attitude. He likes the wild and won't let his employees take over. If he spent some time resting he may relax a little. I do hope to be involved but I have my analysis specialist and his scheduling assistant. The pair will help me start my own analysis business." Isa showed off her skills. It was stunning to see the change in her personality.

"Spoken perfectly. I like the polite attitude. We will work together after you learn some more. Beast analysis takes a lot of knowledge. Now, you seem like you will have to work a little harder. But if you can make sure that this one and that one aren't working to death, I think you will be in charge."

Maria's jaw dropped. She couldn't imagine being in Charge of Isa, much less Clark. But when the professor addressed as Doc looked at her she felt that he was right.

"Enough prattling. You three will be joining the basics classes. I want you to see how the professors here learn about eggs, beasts, and materials. From there I want you to choose your own path. I rarely invite first years. I did invite you three though so I will be backing you.

I hate being called professor. That was my mother. I am Doc and just Doc. Let's get moving."

They walked out of the large lab in to the hall. "Down that way are the beast cages. Some are underground for safety and research. I will not allow you there until you have gone through the safety lessons necessary. The basts here are dangerous." Clark wanted to get permission as soon as possible. He wanted to go and discover what he could learn.

"The labs you see are more advanced than most alchemy labs where potions are made. They will one day be different I am sure. The more we study beasts the more forging and science expand. I wonder what the world will look like in a hundred years… will we have horses pulling carts? Beasts using magic to make our water run? Or will it all change in to those strange gear works being experimented with?

So many unknown topics."

"That hall is dedicated to material research and next to it material storage. Some materials that beasts need are incredibly dangerous. For example, the death bell is a flower with a decaying aura. It only survives on decaying corpses while causing anything that smells its pollen the same fate. It can only be worked on when a wind manipulation is in place."

"All three of you understand? The materials can be just as, if not more, dangerous than the beasts here." Doc waited for all three of them to give their affirmative. He would not let them go if they did not grasp this fact.

"Good. Now we will watch a beast analysis. I just had a guest come from the military. They have been promoted recently so they are allowed to have their beast's growth plans guided by the academy. The city government rewards those who have certain promotions with this allowance. Nova academy is required to help due to our expertise and standing within the city."

They walked in to a large open laboratory similar to the one they first met Doc in. However, there were five students standing against the wall watching a professor. The man in full soldier dress uniform was looking at them with a confused face. But when he saw Doc he was more relaxed.

"Congratulations on your promotion. I have been told you would like us to take a look at your Burst shell turtle?" Doc seemed to already know what he was going to do but let the man shake his hand. "My three new students will be watching closely so they can grasp what it means to analyze a beast. Please feel free to let them ask you any questions they have about your beast.

The tamer always has a few secrets." Doc laughed while he pushed a table of tools to the side. "Now bring her out."