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Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Garrett Nordmark agreed to repeat the experiment as the host.
There was no choice; the Magic Council had been too generous.
His grades from last semester were straight A+, allowing him to exchange for two level-1 spells, three level-0 spells, and a 20-day library borrowing privilege. Considering that hosting the repeated experiment would consume time, these exchange rights could be exercised on any day of the next semester. After the repeated experiment, all materials, experimental animals, and equipment would belong to Garrett. If he could prove that bats could indeed spread diseases, the laboratory with many design requirements could also be his.
The paper he had written before was recommended to be published in the "Ordinary Mage Monthly." Of course, if Garrett was willing to wait, the results of the subsequent repeated experiments could be combined, and directly recommended to "Arcane" or "Magic." Naturally, rewards related to publishing papers would not be lacking.
After the training session, Garrett was allowed to stay at the Bridge Magic Academy for an additional three months, freely reading the library’s books (excluding magic that required money or contribution points).
"Teacher really values you." Magician Harvey ran errands with the note from the teacher, sighing to Garrett as he ran, "Independent hosting of a project... I only got this privilege after reaching level 5 this year. There are only two people in my group, much fewer than you!"
Garrett gave him a gentle smile. "Thank you very much for your concern, Magician Harvey." He said softly and quickly, "Forgive my boldness, but could you join my research group? We can share the first authorship; you know, this experiment requires quite a few people, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle it alone."
The red-robed magician hesitated for a moment. He shook his head, "No need. This experiment is not in my research direction. If it’s convenient, I can send an apprentice to work under your team? You decide on the authorship, three co-authors are also acceptable."
Garrett got the chance to use the resources of the Magic Council for another repeated experiment. Throughout the New Year holiday, from December 21st to January 10th of the following year, he was completely immersed in the experiment:
While others were celebrating the New Year, he was herding rabbits, weasels, pigs, sheep, and horses into the laboratory with a group of priests from the Nature Cult.
While others were studying new magic scrolls, he was measuring the body temperature of rabbits with a thermometer in one hand and a rabbit in the other.
While others were in the academy library, he had a pile of experiment records on his left and a pile of medical records from Elder Wood on his right, writing a paper with great effort, almost sticking his tongue out...
On January 11th, the training session resumed. Garrett’s seat was empty, with no sign of him.
On January 12th, Garrett still did not appear.
On January 13th, Garrett continued to be absent. However, his disappearance did not attract much attention. Garrett was busy with his own research, attending classes and leaving promptly after, never going to the library with classmates, let alone joining group research projects. He didn’t speak during class, left immediately after, and during breaks... oh, the teachers in the training session taught without breaks...
For a long time, most of the students in the training session had mixed feelings about him, oscillating between "Do we have someone like that in our class?" and "Oh, the one who was absent for three months last semester."
Oh, and now there was one more thing to add: "The one who had no grades last semester..."
Of course, he wasn’t the only one absent. Regarding students skipping class, some teachers turned a blind eye, some only scolded the children of familiar families, and some were extremely strict, unable to tolerate anyone skipping class for no reason. On January 15th, the Death Mage Edgar stood on the podium, his face cold, looking at the assistant holding a book, calling the roll one by one:
"Amanda Teder."
"Here."
"Kristin Price."
"Here."
"Corinne Franz."
"Here."
"Pedro Meyer."
"Here."
"Anthony Valentine."
"..."
"..."
"Anthony Valentine!"
"Forget it if he’s not here." Death Mage Edgar interrupted the assistant, his tone flat, showing neither joy nor anger. "Next."
"Yes. Jessica Atkinson!"
"Here!"
After the roll call, out of 80 students, surprisingly, 15 were absent — Garrett included, of course. Master Edgar looked at the assistant with a stern face, "No excuses, deduct one grade for all those who didn’t show up. Now let’s start the class—"
"Sorry, sorry, we’re late!"
A group of young boys and girls rushed in through the door, blocking the entrance in two rows. The blonde boy at the front had redness around his cheekbones and corners of his eyes, obviously still showing signs of lingering hangover. As soon as he reached the door, he bowed deeply:
"Your Excellency Archmage, very sorry! We’re just a little late..."
"You can be late for class in the academy!" Mage Edgar interrupted sharply, "If you can be late for a short distance like this, won’t you be late for a day on the battlefield? — Stand outside!"
"But, Master, I was late because I broke through to level 2..."
"I know you took ten days off." Mage Edgar’s thin face was cold, without any warmth. "I also know that you broke through to level 2 yesterday and celebrated with a group of people by drinking —
Don’t deny it; I saw you outside the bar! So what if you broke through to level 2? You are all elite individuals selected from various counties. The training session has been going on for half a year, and the Grand Mages of various schools have taken turns lecturing for half a year. Isn’t it natural for you to break through a level?
For such a trivial matter, you went out to drink! And even brought a group of people along! And dared to skip class! If this level of achievement satisfies you, you shouldn’t have come to the training session; give your spot to someone more promising!"
Mage Edgar looked at the skinny, seemingly skeletal figure with an astonishing lung capacity, scolding continuously for five minutes without stopping. Beside the Death Mage, a dark gold skeleton held a thick stack of paper, making a rattling sound with its upper and lower jaws, whether it was mocking or scolding along.
Anthony couldn’t lift his head under the scolding. Behind him, the group of boys and girls who had gone out to celebrate had all lowered their heads. Some had quietly moved to the side of the wall, standing close to it. Mage Edgar scolded with a burst of satisfaction and was about to start the class when another person ran to the door:
"Your Excellency Archmage, very sorry! I’m late—"
"Who are you again?"
Mage Edgar had already picked up the red pen, looking at the attendance list, ready to mark an X next to the newcomer’s name. The person bowed deeply:
"Garrett Nordmark. Very
sorry!"
The Archmage’s pen paused. He looked up at Garrett, from the flattened hair on his forehead (pressed by the surgical cap), to the faded mage robe (result of daily washing spells), and down to the mud on his boots. The more he looked, the more amiable his expression became. Finally, he waved his hand, pointing towards the inside of the classroom:
"Be careful not to be late next time. Come in and listen to the class!"
"Why is he allowed to come in and listen?"
Behind Anthony, a younger boy objected defiantly.
Anthony immediately nudged him with an elbow. The boy winced in pain, still looking disgruntled. In front and behind, the late boys and girls who were punished to stand outside all looked at Garrett, some bumping into each other intentionally.
Garrett walked through the peculiar gazes and quickly approached his seat. Just as he reached his seat, he heard someone whisper behind him:
"All late, aren’t they..."
Garrett sat down in his seat. Before he could even spread out his stationery, a large pile of papers fluttered like falling flowers, accurately landing on each person’s desk. Garrett lowered his head to look, and at this moment, Archmage Edgar’s hoarse voice sounded:
"Today, we will discuss a newly released paper. In the field of Death Magic, focusing on plagues, it was just approved by the review committee and will be published in the upcoming issue of ’Arcane.’ The author: Garrett Nordmark."
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