Chapter 48 Scholars

As soon as Dean Rabelais was out of everyone's sight, he became full of energy. He spat out the button that the traitor had stuffed into his mouth, and straightened his wrinkled coat with a fierce face.

"You little bastard, you've been out for so long and you haven't even received a single letter."

Nova ignored him, held the other person's wrist and counted his pulse. He found that there was nothing abnormal except that the frequency was slightly faster, so he felt relieved.

"According to the original plan," he replied coldly, "by the time the letter reaches you, I will be back soon. There is absolutely no need to send a letter."

"Can't you just find a magic shop and spend some money to rent a two-way crystal ball? I'll kill you! At worst, I'll reimburse you when you come back!" The old man was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. "If it weren't for that noisy assistant Oswin, I wouldn't have known my student almost died at sea!"

"...You should save that little money for your retirement." The black-haired young man was silent for a moment, turned his head slightly away, and pursed his thin lips: "I'm fine, don't worry."

Originally, he hadn't intended to tell the man about this, lest it upset the old man's fragile heart. He'd casually mention it after the man returned and everything was settled. But plans couldn't keep up with changes, and he couldn't keep it secret after all.

"Where's the nitroglycerin I prepared for you?" he asked, slightly reproachfully. "I told you to carry it with you. If you feel any discomfort in your heart, take it sublingually immediately..."

"It's in my trouser pocket, I know." The old man rolled his eyes at him: "Besides, I'm teaching you a lesson, why are you changing the subject?"

This time the student was completely silent, and let him scold him with his eyes downcast. He looked thinner than before he left, with a faint dark spot under his eyes, and his face was so pale that he looked sick. The old man was both angry and distressed when he saw it.

The education system of the Silver Iris Empire is somewhat different from the one Nova was familiar with.

Basic education, including spelling, grammar, simple arithmetic, and a brief introduction to theology, was provided by priests in church schools and generally lasted only two years. Although tuition was high, even the most affluent of the common people would send their children to school, hoping that they would find a more respectable and well-paid job after graduation.

If one wanted to continue studying in a particular field, they would need to apply to one of the specialized academies under the Oakenseller Society. For example, Evergreen College trained therapists and pharmacists; Farga College specialized in law, taxation, and literary logic; Starry Sky College studied mathematics and astronomy; and Miugana College focused on drama, music, painting, and sculpture. Furthermore, there was the only comprehensive university, White Tower University, which was directly administered by the Oakenseller Society. Its president was Mr. Owl, the president of the Oakenseller Society.

As for the St. Bartolomeo School of Sorcerers where Percy is, it is a special product born out of cooperation between the society and the major temples. We will not discuss it here for now.

The educational journey at Baita University is a long one. Upon enrollment, students aged between fifteen and seventeen must first complete three years of introductory courses, passing the required examinations and earning a Bachelor's degree. They then choose a research direction, study under a mentor, and pursue advanced courses for four to six years. Finally, they must defend their dissertations and receive recognition from at least four-fifths of the faculty before earning a Bachelor's degree.

If you want to continue your studies, you must publish a certain number and quality of papers, conduct multiple defenses, and be certified by more than three of the five presidents of the Okunsele Society. Only then can you be considered a "doctor". This process takes at least six years, and at most a lifetime.

Nova Brody, from enrolling at the White Tower University School of Theology to earning his doctorate, took only five years—including completing at least one year of introductory courses due to the school's strict regulations. With the strong recommendation of Dels Rabelais, the dean of the White Tower University School of Theology, he became the youngest professor at the university. Even in the history of the Okunsele Society, he was considered a truly extraordinary talent.

What shocked the academic community even more was that this young scholar actually put forward an unprecedented and incredible view: he believed that social reality would affect theological theory, and based on this as the core argument, he proposed a completely new historical perspective, giving it a meticulous and complete framework system - the other party called it the social historical perspective.

This novel, even blasphemous, viewpoint and system would clearly change the entire history of theology with tangible force, influencing future generations for thousands of years. Some despised him, some hated him, but many scholars also regarded his teachings and theories as the golden rule—so much so that even before he officially became a doctor, the Okunsele Society invited him to join.

However, this person had no interest in the Okensele Society. He even attacked the president of a certain institution during a public doctoral defense, before a large group of his students and disciples, and harshly criticized his knowledge, opinions, academic accomplishments, and even academic ethics. Yet, every word he said was well-reasoned and thought-provoking, with some even secretly taking notes. As a result, the prominent figure was unable to utter a single word of rebuttal or defense, and was left red-faced with rage. Later, he secretly made trouble for him.

If it weren't for this bad temper that was inherited from him, how could this child have been so miserable earning that pitiful salary? The old man looked helplessly at the student he had brought up with his own hands. Aside from being a little taller, he was still the same as when he first enrolled, cold and stubborn, like a prickly stone.

Before he could secretly advance the travel allowance, this guy ran away without saying a word and didn't even get on a good escort ship. As a result, he suffered a lot.

"You'll be grading the papers for the late spring exam," the old man snorted coldly, slapping the man hard on the back, causing him to stagger. "Don't frown. I know you hate reading that academic garbage."

Dead kid... huh? The force coming from my hand doesn't seem right.

Azuka, who had caught up, calmly withdrew his hand.

Seeing the teacher's strange expression, Nova took the initiative to introduce him expressionlessly: "Azuka, a Karakite. I met him on the way back. He will also be my future teaching assistant. He is very compatible with my recent research topic."

The blond boy paused and showed a well-behaved smile that was very pleasing to the elders. Combined with his handsome face, it was enough to make people dazed.

But the old man obviously didn't buy it and was looking at him with a critical and vigilant look.

"I've already picked out a few senior students for you," he frowned. "They're all honest, hardworking, patient, and meticulous. Why do you have to pay for an off-campus teaching assistant?"

Just by looking at that face, you can tell that this person is troubled and cunning. With his student's dull appearance and limited understanding of interpersonal communication, he will be bullied and taken advantage of without even realizing it.

Nova thought about it for a moment and realized that if he used the "lifesaver" rhetoric again, he probably wouldn't be able to fool the other party. So he simply answered with confidence: "He and I got along very well, so I want to open a backdoor for him."

Dean Rabelais: “…”

If he didn't know his student's character very well and thought that he was probably married to academics for the rest of his life, he would have suspected that the other party was "lusting at his beauty."

Because his excuse was so impeccable, the God-Favoured One successfully returned to White Tower University. Along the way, he saw that when the students and teachers passing by saw the professor beside him, without exception, they all had distorted expressions as if they had seen a ghost. Some even turned around and ran away at the sight of him - they were obviously students from the seminary.

For the one favored by God, this was the first time that someone—or rather, not an enemy—had fled after seeing his face. It was truly novel and interesting.

The professor didn't think anything of it. After returning to his teacher's dormitory, the first thing he did was to take out his spare glasses and put them on his nose. Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief when he had a completely clear vision.

"We still have to go through the procedures with the General Affairs Office. You can live with me before the dormitory is approved. I'll take you to buy some daily necessities later. You also need to go and get your identity verified. Do you want to sleep on the floor tonight or share a bed with me?" He asked with a frown as he packed his luggage.

Fearing someone might damage his treasures, Nova hadn't left a key to his dorm with the cleaner. While he was gone, a layer of dust had accumulated in the room, covering the small bird and animal skeletons on the desk, the glass covers covering the delicate instruments, all sorts of bizarre seed shells and feathers, and countless books piled nearly to the ceiling—it was clear the place needed a major cleanup.

After a long moment without receiving an answer, Nova turned his head, somewhat perplexed, only to be met with a pair of clear, deep blue eyes. Dust danced around the God's Favored One, resembling flowing mist under the sunlight.

That breathtakingly beautiful face also had something flowing in it that he couldn't understand but subconsciously wanted to step back from.

"It looks very good." The other person gently touched the side of his eye with his right hand, with the same smile on his face as always, but it seemed more... gentle?

It's so gentle that it's creepy.

"What are you talking about?" Nova frowned and nodded at his glasses - the frames were thin, the most ordinary and cheap style, even a little old-fashioned. "If you like them, go buy them yourself. This is the only pair I have."

“…”

The other party seemed to sigh softly: "I'm not talking about this... Do you know that myopia can be cured with magic?"

The other person's attention was quickly diverted. "How does it work? Reshaping the cornea to reduce refractive power? Have there been any clinical trials?"

The Savior watched his nemesis in silence.

The lenses half-hid the other person's overly sharp and cold pupils. After the coldness was reduced, he stood in the shadow divided by the sunlight, and his whole body revealed some of the melancholy, mystery and innocence of a scholar, presenting a weird and innocent beauty.

It was obvious that the other party felt safe and relaxed because of the familiar environment. The corners of his mouth and eyebrows were very soft, and his whole body was relaxed like a small animal returning to its nest. You couldn't help but feel the urge to stroke the lazily spread, warm fur.

...What he actually wanted to say was that he was very happy to hear the other party integrating him into his life little by little...regardless of whether it was true or not.

The author has something to say:

Nitroglycerin: It is commonly used to treat and prevent coronary heart disease and angina pectoris and is a commonly used emergency medicine. Because the sublingual capillaries are rich, the drug can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream through these capillaries, helping to dilate the coronary arteries and relieve chest pain.