novelraw Chapter 16: Royal Research Institute
Chapter 16: Royal Research Institute
Over the next ten days, Fischer finalized the draft of his soul theory paper but did not publish it immediately. Instead, he wrote a very brief letter that only copied the paper’s title and signed his name. The recipient was Mr. Damian, the principal of the Royal Academy.
Fischer believed Damian would be interested in the content and would immediately arrange for someone to contact him.
During the remaining time, Fischer casually finished another paper about the current state of the demi-human society in the Southern Continent. He wrote this one more informally because demi-humans were not a mainstream research topic and hardly anyone paid attention. If Fischer hadn’t published it, the author would likely have been mocked by other scholars for being “unprofessional” or “wasting effort.”
After spending two or three days on this paper, Fischer submitted it to the New Academic Society. The chief editor, upon seeing Fischer’s title, didn’t bother reviewing it but passed it to a scholar who specifically handled Fischer’s works, instructing him to schedule it for publication in the "Nary Journal" under the “Social Science Column.”
As Fischer predicted, three days after sending the letter to Principal Damian, a Royal Academy courier arrived at his door, inviting him to the academy for a detailed discussion about the paper.
Fischer guessed they received the letter the next day, but at that time, they were probably still agitated about Fischer’s appointment at Saint Nary University. Receiving this letter then was like forcing them to swallow a fly—neither wanting to invite Fischer nor wanting to refuse.
The Royal Academy hadn’t produced any decent research results for a long time. Although Fischer feared being overshadowed by other scholars, they desired this achievement even more, so the invitation was expected.
Fischer changed into his going-out clothes but bumped into Martha downstairs, who was about to leave. She leaned on her cane and surprisingly wore her reading glasses, putting on her shoes while gazing out the window.
“What’s up, Martha?”
“I heard there was a murder near Karen Street not far from here. The police have sealed off the area. I’m planning to take a look.”Seeing the excitement and curiosity on her face, Fischer sighed helplessly and smiled,
“There’s no need to go so far just for something like that.”
“Nonsense! My cane moves faster than young people’s feet, and we’re out of butter at home. I have to go to the market anyway.”
Martha’s almost toothless mouth opened in response to Fischer’s words. She waved her cane to show she was still sharp and firmly decided to go out, pushing the door open with her hands behind her back.
“Don’t see me off. I’ve walked this street more times than you’ve gone to the restroom, and I know everyone around here. Maybe I’ll stop by Liya’s house; I heard her daughter had a girl, her second child... Oh my, you’re already 28 and don’t have a kid—no, not even a wife! How is that possible?”
She muttered as she walked briskly toward the other end of the street without looking back, waving at Fischer. Her movements were surprisingly agile as she gradually disappeared into the distance.
Fischer, being the subject of her nagging, could only watch her leave and then shook his head helplessly. He headed toward the other street to catch a tram. His previous trip to Saint Nary Academy was special; he had no choice but to take a carriage.
If he took a job there, with the high salary, he might be able to afford a carriage ride every day.
Compared to the suburban Saint Nary University, the Royal Academy was located in the busiest part of the city. Carriages came and went continuously at the academy gate every day. Fischer, familiar with the place, casually passed through the huge archway in front of the academy and entered the Royal Academy grounds.
“Going to the Pink Pavilion today?”
“I’ve made an appointment with Professor Kadel. He’s coming too.”
“The smell of tobacco is too strong; I can’t stand it...”
“Just try it more.”
“Shh, it’s Fischer!”
Many researchers wearing black formal robes who recognized Fischer greeted him or deliberately walked away with caution. Fischer only nodded in response. Occasionally, voices of conversation could be heard, but they fell silent when Fischer passed by.
Even if they thought Fischer Benavides was pretending to be aloof, they still didn’t dare to be rude in front of this cold-faced gentleman. After all, even the principal had been insulted by this guy, so they didn’t want to bring trouble on themselves. It was good enough to loaf around and meet performance targets every day.
“Mr. Fischer, Principal Damian is waiting for you in his office.”
The Royal Academy’s principal lived in a separate courtyard. In front of the courtyard stood a huge gryphon emblem symbolizing Saint Nary’s national crest and representing the Gryphon Party’s powerful influence in the parliament.
The Royal Academy was the Gryphon Party’s stronghold. Most of its members graduated from this academy. The alumni association was like a private Gryphon Party meeting every year, so Fischer never attended.
Led by a servant, Fischer crossed the tranquil courtyard and entered the reception room of the house, where he saw an elderly man wearing a classic vest. He looked older than Kennen, whom Fischer had met before, but his face was much younger. Through his shirt, his sturdy chest muscles were visible.
This was Damian, the principal of the Royal Academy, an elder of the Gryphon Party. He was also the director of the military academy. Princess Elizabeth was his student.
The king had three sons and two princesses, so Elizabeth was also called the “Eldest Princess,” overseeing royal military discipline.
“You went to teach at Saint Nary University?”
Damian kept staring at the letter Fischer sent, with the title about the magic soul source theory glaring at him but making it hard for him to look away.
“Everyone knows the Gryphon Party blocked Saint Nary University’s recruitment, including His Majesty the King.”
Fischer naturally took off his coat and hat, leaning his cane against the door. He sat in front of Damian, reaching to pour tea but found the pot empty—nothing at all.
They could skip formalities between each other.
“Are you here for the royal family?”
“I’m here for myself.”
Damian was silent for a moment, then shook his head. He knew this student very well and understood Fischer despised the Gryphon Party’s control over the Royal Academy. So he didn’t try to persuade him but only discussed this “deal.”
“Where’s your paper? I need to review it.”
Fischer handed over the copy of the paper in a parchment bag. Damian took out the pages and put on glasses, frowning as he read carefully. He scrutinized every word of Fischer’s lengthy paper. The room fell into silence for a long time. Fischer took advantage of this to go to his room and boil water for tea.
The more Damian read, the deeper his frown grew. He called out to a servant outside,
“Go, call Helson here.”
Helson was the director of the Royal Academy’s Magic Department and Fischer’s personal mentor.
Fischer brewed tea for both himself and Damian. Not long after, a short old man in a black robe walked in. His face was covered with a beard, resembling a wizard from a fairy tale, only missing a twisted tall hat. Yet his expression was kindly, his eyes squinting in a constant smile.
“Teacher Helson.”
Fischer stood and bowed slightly to the old man, who kindly waved his hand and smiled at Fischer,
“Benavides, it’s been a long time since I last saw you. By the way, are you married? My granddaughter is also at marriageable age, 24 years old, loves drama and...”
“Helson...” Damian coughed, changing the topic, “Fischer provided the theory that magic power originates from the soul and offered proof. The theory itself is sound, but the proof method needs your help. Come take a look.”
“Oh! So it’s for serious business. My goodness, I’ve been so busy with her matchmaking recently. Let me see.”
Helson patted his head, his fingers adorned with nine magical rings, making him look even more like a wizard.
He took the manuscript and read quickly. Soon, he nodded and told Damian,
“The method is theoretically feasible. I’ll give it a try.”
Without putting down the manuscript, two of his rings lit up. He carved a series of dashed lines in midair. Magical engraving without a physical medium sounded mystical, but this was the power of Helson’s rings.
One ring’s core was “Air” directed magic, and another was “Trace” effect magic. Using magic to carve magic could work but wasn’t as strong as proper engraving.
A universal magic with the “Soul” core was soon engraved. Fischer suddenly recalled the terrifying entity he saw when he previously tried this in the void. He was somewhat afraid Helson might be entangled by that thing and suffer an accident. Although it seemed the entity’s gaze was focused only on Fischer, Helson was almost 100 years old, and anything happening to him would be terrible.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
Fischer found an excuse to leave temporarily. The restroom was far outside the courtyard, ensuring maximum safety. He stayed there for a while and returned when the time was right. Outside the room, he heard Damian shouting,
“Helson! Helson!”
No way, was it really a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Fischer hurried back inside and saw the black-robed old man Helson lying peacefully on the ground, as if he had died on the spot. Damian’s face had turned pale, and his hands were ready to perform CPR.
“What happened?”
“How would I know? Helson collapsed right after releasing your magic! Your proof is flawed!”
Fischer didn’t argue but focused on saving the old man first. Before they could start, a series of green glowing rings appeared one after another on Helson’s body—thirteen rings in total!
Thirteen rings magic: Resurrection.
The moment the halos lit up, Helson suddenly opened his eyes and gasped,
“My goodness! It’s the soul! I can feel the soul! Fischer, you truly are a genius. I can feel the soul!”
He sat up abruptly, and his sudden “resurrection” startled Fischer and Damian, who both stepped back. Excited, Helson shouted to them, “Haven’t you seen others come back to life? What’s the big deal?”
“...”
“...What just happened? Is Fischer’s proof magic flawed?”
“No, no, it’s not the magic’s fault. I really felt my soul. My magic circuit could detach from my body! But after leaving my body, I felt a strong suction trying to pull my soul away! Luckily, I carved a resurrection spell on my necklace.”
“Wait, suction outside?”
Fischer recalled that when he tried, the strong suction came from inside his body during soul separation. Why was it reversed for Helson?
Looking at Helson’s aged face, Fischer suddenly realized it was because of his age. The older you get, the weaker your body’s pull on the soul.
He shared this insight with Helson, who pondered and agreed it made sense.
“Haha, the older you get, the weaker your body... But your proof method is sound. As long as the directed magic can be released, that proves everything. Just some narrative details need fixing. I’ll help you revise it later.”
Fischer smiled and nodded in agreement.
Helson would help revise the paper. When published, his name would definitely be on it, but Fischer wasn’t worried that Helson was doing it just to claim credit. It was Fischer’s theory that attracted him.
No doubt, Helson was no ordinary person.
He was the chairman of the Nary Magic Association, a lifetime member of the World Magic Association, and the only “Grand Magician” recognized by the royal family nationwide. Decades ago, he helped Miles create gravity magic and designed the universal sigil for proof rings. Half the magic theories nationwide were summarized by him, earning him the title “Magician of the Century.”
With such a scholarly giant, there was no need to worry about his motives. Having him on your paper was already a boost. Others wouldn’t dare challenge it. Once published, it would be unstoppable.
His visit to the Royal Academy to see Damian had this sole purpose. Once Damian approved, the matter was settled.
Damian sighed in relief, looked at the paper in his hands, then glanced at Fischer with a faint smile and suddenly said,
“You must credit the Royal Research Institute’s assistance for me to allow Helson to sign for you.”
This was the beginning of conditions. As mentioned before, Fischer’s visit was essentially a “deal.” He needed a powerful backing, and the Royal Academy needed academic achievements.
However, there was room to negotiate. Crediting the Royal Research Institute would make it seem they contributed a lot, which was obviously them trying to profit from Fischer. He wouldn’t agree to that.
Fischer shook his head and said,
“Only a special acknowledgment to the ‘Royal Research Institute’.”
“Okay, but you must concurrently serve as a research advisor for the Royal Academy.”
This would bind Fischer into the Royal Academy’s research faction, making him the first author and a research advisor. That would give the Royal Academy some reputation.
“No way. At most, I’ll be a nominal advisor. I don’t have time to deal with those frivolous researchers.”
“...”
After that remark, Damian fell silent, as if defeated by the rebuttal. After a long wait, he reluctantly nodded in agreement.
This surprised Fischer. He thought Damian would haggle many times, not agree so easily.
Damian’s gaze was deep as he shook his head at Fischer,
“Besides the nominal position, I want you to give a speech at the autumn semester’s opening ceremony.”
“A speech?”
This was completely unexpected by Fischer. Giving a speech wouldn’t improve the Royal Academy’s reputation; it was an “ineffective offer.”
While Fischer was puzzled, Damian sighed,
“Researchers’ apathy and laziness haven’t been a problem for a day or two; it’s a habit formed over years, even decades. I’ve tried many methods—paper performance, attendance systems, rewards—but none worked. The Research Institute is still Nary’s highest academic hall. Even though the Gryphon Party founded it, they can’t just watch it decay like this.”
“Instead of that, why not perform that harsh scolding you gave at the graduation ceremony again? I’m tired of keeping a pathetic facade for those maggots.”
At these words, Fischer was stunned, looking at the old man silently for a long time. Helson beside him kept smiling, as if unsurprised by Damian’s words.
After a long silence, Fischer finally nodded,
“I understand. Then it’s as you said: the acknowledgment at the end of the paper, nominal title as Royal Academy research advisor, plus a speech at the opening ceremony, and I want Teacher Helson’s signature.”
“Deal.”
Damian nodded and extended his hand to Fischer,
“Pleasure working with you.”
Fischer shook Damian’s hand, finished the last cup of tea, then picked up his coat and hat. After greeting the smiling Helson, he prepared to leave. Before leaving, he seemed to remember something and looked at Damian,
“By the way, do you want to review the speech draft?”
Damian’s face darkened. After opening his mouth, he frowned and said,
“No need. Speak freely.”
Fischer laughed, put on his hat, and left Damian’s residence.
Only smiling Helson and Damian, who had just started drinking the tea Fischer poured, remained in the room. After a few seconds, Helson sighed and said,
“Honestly, I think he and my granddaughter would be a perfect match, even a match made in heaven.”
“If you mean your 200-pound granddaughter, then please shut up.”
“She’s kind and lovely. I always remember how she used to follow me around when she was little!”
“Yeah, that’s because you kept feeding her tasty treats and made her fat!”
“...My goodness, Damian, you’re so cruel. I’m going to draw a circle to curse you!”