Chapter 72 The Perfect Candidate for Mentor (Part 3)

"Oh? Ah, that's right... You came late and haven't been assigned your own mentor yet."

The short, bald old professor touched his chin hesitantly when he heard this: "Aren't you going to Professor Moriarty?"

The moment he heard his words, Aiwass knew that he was probably having some difficulties.

Because Aiwass is very confident.

He performed very well, and Professor Budd's eyes showed obvious favor. He was definitely already full of favor, and even being invited to be an assistant teacher was not out of the question.

It's just a matter of recruiting a student. It's much easier than finding a teaching assistant.

——If he had a higher emotional intelligence, Aiwass should have changed the subject at this time.

But once Aiwass sets his eyes on something, he will not let it go easily.

He is very greedy. If it is right in front of his mouth and he can get it with just a little effort, why would he spit it out?

"...Because I don't think this is right. It wouldn't sound good if I told others about it... The other students would always look at me with some distance."

Aiwass pulled the blanket over his knees for warmth.

He placed his hands on his legs, leaned forward slightly, and said politely and earnestly, "Just like my older brother Edward. He didn't even get into the Royal Law University for this reason."

"I think being too close to family and relatives in a school environment is not a good thing. It's not conducive to personal growth and development, and it's also easy to cause conflicts with acquaintances."

"……Too."

Professor Bud nodded slightly in agreement. "Besides, James has taken a long vacation, and we don't know when he will be back. Besides..."

When the old man said this, his eyes subconsciously glanced at Aiwas's legs.

If Aiwass hadn't suddenly pulled the blanket, he would have almost forgotten that he was in poor health and had difficulty moving.

He did need adult care—Miss Lily, who followed him, was definitely not enough. She was only his peer, not his elder.

Although these students are all adults, they are still children to old Bud.

Professor Bud just glanced at it subconsciously and quickly looked away politely.

Because he didn't quite understand why Aiwass was in a wheelchair, nor did he know whether he could recover.

If none of the priests Professor Moriarty could find could cure Aiwass with his illuminati…perhaps his problem was actually quite serious. If that were the case, focusing on it would be disrespectful and perhaps even heartbreaking.

Aiwass noticed this and immediately guessed what Professor Bud was thinking.

This shows that the old man in front of us is still a thoughtful and gentle person.

Then I can’t let go!

Aiwass thought.

"Are you having any trouble?"

Thinking of this, Aiwass said earnestly, "I usually like to study imperial history, and you are the most professional scholar in this field!"

In fact, Aiwass did not know Professor Bud before.

But he was, after all, a "professor," and even employed by the Royal Law University. This meant he must have reached the pinnacle of his academic field. Aiwass's description was vague, without mentioning specific areas of expertise. Unless Professor Budd truly had no knowledge of imperial history, he couldn't be wrong.

If he really encounters that tiny probability, then he is unlucky.

But Aiwass was lucky.

Professor Bud rubbed his hands happily and said proudly, "Ah, indeed. When it comes to the history of the Hellassar Empire, no one knows more than me."

"Yes," Aiwass said, changing the subject. "I also think we need to study the Star Antimony Kingdom more. They may be the most formidable enemy—far more powerful than Iris."

"Indeed."

Professor Bard nodded seriously. "Many people of Avalon believe that the Star Antimony are dangerous and evil. That's because their demonology is a legitimate and prominent discipline. But in fact, from my point of view, 'practical alchemy', which has gradually lost its status in the Star Antimony, is actually the most worthy of attention."

After hearing this, Aiwass realized that Professor Bud was indeed a man of real talent and knowledge.

He happily continued Professor Budd's topic, "Yes, the essence of their alchemy is no longer to analyze everything, but to create things that can 'make money.' And it is precisely because of this change in purpose that alchemy has become spontaneously popular.

"Those who practice alchemy are no longer the royal alchemists, wearing yellow robes and holding high positions, who use the huge funds provided by the emperor to research things that are currently useless and whose significance is completely incomprehensible to ordinary people, and then occasionally come up with one or two things that are completely incomprehensible but very powerful.

"It could be that a barely literate person from a rural village or town... taught themselves alchemy and opened an alchemy shop, selling a few miscellaneous practical alchemical products. And perhaps they inadvertently invented something particularly useful.

"Besides sharing alchemy, they are completely different from orthodox alchemists. They have no intention of going far on the Path of Balance, and their entry into the supernatural world is solely to make money."

"You said it very well!"

Professor Bud nodded in appreciation and clapped his hands in joy.

He added with a beaming expression, "I think this is another way Valentine I understood the path of 'balance'—money is the bargaining chip for everything. This is also a way of analyzing and understanding the world. Not from an alchemical perspective, but from an economic, technological, and people's livelihood perspective..."

He talked incessantly, and Aiwass smiled and nodded, making a joke from time to time.

From Aiwas's perspective, it would be completely reasonable for the Star Antimony Kingdom to even directly flatten this continent.

Because Valentine I's vision, in terms of his time, has completely surpassed that of Avalon and Iris. The most likely threat to Star Antimony is the Narcissus Duchy, which is composed of a large number of spellcasters.

But now it has been destroyed by Xing Ti.

...It would be better to say that the reason why Xingti has not been able to annex the Iris Kingdom for so long is purely because the internal struggle has diverted its energy.

It was all thanks to those demonologists who seemed terrifying to people from other countries who were fighting for the right to speak for these practical alchemists; and the struggle within the aristocratic class, in turn, affected the promotion path of folk alchemists.

Haina on the side was a little hesitant.

If Aiwass couldn't find a mentor, it would be a bit troublesome. However, her mentor was her own swordsmanship instructor, so he definitely couldn't introduce her to Aiwass.

If Professor Bud still doesn't agree...why not go back and ask your supervisor if she can introduce you to another supervisor?

"...You're right. In my opinion, the peace and stability within Avalon is precisely because its community of transcendents is in a stable state. Her Majesty the Queen's 47th Special Pardon accepted transcendents from other paths, preventing us from lacking the skills of a particular path and causing overall backwardness. At the same time, maintaining the authoritarian path as the mainstream and giving preferential treatment to a small number of special paths ensures that they cannot compete for power...

"Fortunately, Her Majesty has realized this," Aiwass sighed. "If Avalon had waited another ten years to reform, I think it might have been too late."

In fact, it’s too late.

Aiwass added in his mind, but he didn't dare say it out loud.

Although Avalon and Star Antimony are enemies and the conflict is clearly intensifying, no one in Avalon truly regards Star Antimony as the source of the crisis.

Because the Star Antimony Kingdom obviously has a worse relationship with the Iris People.

Now Xingti has swallowed up the Black Hawk Principality and the Narcissus Principality. If it eats Iris, it will return to the original territory of the empire.

The previous improvement in relations between Avalon and Iris was largely due to pressure from Star Antimony—on both sides. Despite the fact that Avalon and Iris were already in a state of embarrassment, there were still many overly optimistic voices within Avalon. The most optimistic view was that they could even resume cooperation with Star Antimony and import large quantities of its alchemical products.

Because Avalon has a market and a large amount of gold reserves. And Star Antimony products are obviously overflowing... As long as they are still trading, Star Antimony should not invade.

As for the royal family——

In fact, with the development of Avalon, many knights already hope that there is no royal family above them.

“…Actually, I think it might be too late.”

But to Aiwas's surprise, Professor Bud muttered softly, "Too much..."

--Um?

Aiwass was stunned for a moment and looked at the old professor in disbelief.

Is the old man's vision so sharp?

"Haha, don't look at me like that. I was just saying it casually..."

Professor Bud also realized that he had said the wrong thing.

He quickly waved his hand and smiled, changing the subject. "Actually, I don't usually recruit undergraduate students. I'm just not very good at taking care of people... I've been a professor for over thirty years, and I only taught a few students when I was at Milton. I haven't recruited any students since I came to Glass Island."

"Of course, I still need graduate students. But you... aren't quite suitable."

That's really strange.

You praise me so much, and then tell me it's inappropriate?

Aiwass was actually interested and asked, "Why is it inappropriate?"

“Because you may only know me as a historian,” Professor Budd replied sincerely, “but I’m actually an archaeologist.

"You and the students in the Department of Individual Tactics only need to study Modern History. I will only teach this course for three months in the first semester of the first year, in departments 3 through 6, so you will almost be finished. In the second semester of next year, I will have to teach the second-year students of the Department of Humanities, General World History, Modern History of Avalon, and Genealogy of the Horasil Empire, as well as the third-year students, History of the Horus Empire, and the elective course, Ancient Horus.

"And during the third semester, I'm not at school. I'll be going abroad with my graduate students on archaeological expeditions... You still have classes, so obviously you can't come with me. But if you stay at school, it'll be like you don't have a mentor. But then who will take care of you?"

Professor Bud sighed. "I really like you as a student... but I can't accept you. It would be irresponsible of you."

Upon hearing this, Aiwass was slightly stunned, and then he was ecstatic.

Is there such a good thing?

Not in school for one semester every year?

——Then I’m not just having fun casually?

And there is also the opportunity to go abroad for archaeological research?

——Doesn't that mean I have access to prehistoric ruins from other countries in advance? Is that so cool?

(End of this chapter)