20: Chapter 20 Wizarding Journal

Ever since entering the Wizard Academy, Ross had only thought that wizards were simply good at utilizing knowledge and enjoyed researching.

In Ross's mind, Old Pulang had always been the image of an elderly, marginal lecturing instructor.

The courses he taught had always been basic, introductory ones such as "Magical Botany".

Never had he expected that this world would actually have such a detestable thing as academic papers.

Old Pulang, who originally wore a dusty, worn-out magic robe and a single monocle, suddenly became inexplicably annoying in Ross's eyes.

"I don't understand. Are you talking about an academic paper?"

"Is it the kind of paper that needs to be written following strict formats, detailed experimental data, and attention to various forms?"

Ross said with a slight hint of agitation.

Old Pulang was stunned for a moment.

He didn't understand why Ross was so excited upon hearing the two words "paper".

However, he didn't mind this; it must be a normal reaction for a young person after receiving praise from a wizard.

Thus, the wizard Old Pulang organized his words and said:

"Yes, that's right, Wizard Apprentice Ross."

"Your final report for Magical Botany has already exceeded my expectations."

"In fact, niche and obscure fields like mana microorganisms are actually very difficult to discover within Magical Botany. This is somewhat different from my research direction; I focus on breeding new varieties of magical plants."

"It was only when you asked me a question last time, and I recalled a paper on mana microorganisms research that I saw in a certain journal, that I remembered this niche direction."

Old Pulang felt a moment of unease. Admitting that his knowledge was insufficient to a Wizard Apprentice was still somewhat embarrassing for him.

It was just that this final report was truly written brilliantly.

Having been in Elius Wizard Academy for so many years, Old Pulang had never seen any Wizard Apprentice produce such an outstanding report in the field of magical plants during their tier-three Wizard Apprentice stage.

He calmed his tone and continued:

"However, none of these are problems. As far as I know, research like mana microorganisms is a niche, obscure, and even non-existent field of study even throughout the entire Elius Wizard Academy."

"At most, the Curse Department researches things like plague spores and plague microbiology."

"Although I don't know if it's your temporary luck or innate talent, the result is that your final paper can almost reach the point of publication."

"I wonder if you are interested in co-publishing a research paper on mana microorganisms with me?"

Ross carefully pondered Old Pulang's words and recalled inwardly.

Elius Wizard Academy was an elementary wizard academy, which he had known when he first enrolled.

Therefore, knowledge in some relatively niche magic research fields was quite rare, which was also within Ross's expectations.

Just as Old Pulang said, although Ross thought Old Pulang was merely a marginal teacher teaching botany...

..., in fact, only wizards with the strength of an Official Wizard could serve as lecturing assistants.

And they must have at least 5 years of course-teaching experience before being promoted to associate researchers.

Only upon reaching this level could one qualify for formal lecturing qualifications in a certain discipline.

As for some miscellaneous courses, some were taught simultaneously by 3 to 5 lecturing assistants.

And being able to teach "Magical Botany" also represented that Old Pulang's strength and level were actually basically up to standard.

It was just that, perhaps limited by his personal talent, he had not achieved rapid development on the path of wizards, leading to his current senile appearance.

However, this did not mean that he lacked corresponding connections, qualifications, and so on.

"Professor Pulang, of course I am very willing to accept your proposal."

"It's just that I still don't quite understand the specific paper-writing process and submission methods for the Elius Wizard Academy journal."

"In fact, I am extremely interested in the matter you mentioned."

After pondering inwardly, Ross replied like this.

Looking at Ross's hesitant appearance, Old Pulang initially thought that he didn't want to cooperate with him to publish such a paper.

He also knew that his strength among the many professors was not top-notch, and could even be said to be below average.

Although Wizard Apprentice Ross was only a tier-three Wizard Apprentice, in Old Pulang's eyes, his potential was enormous.

He had even worried that such a talented Wizard Apprentice would look down on an instructor like him.

He even somewhat regretted proactively bringing up this matter.

You must know that Old Pulang's age could make him Ross's grandfather. Being so proactive today was partly because this paper was extremely rare and precious...

...which would assist his research in the field of Magical Botany, and could also allow him to step into the research direction of mana microorganisms, enabling him to apply for more funding from the Wizard Academy.

Upon hearing that Ross had no intention of refusing, Old Pulang calmed his tone and said:

"The basic data, research direction, and methods of your final completion report are basically clear."

"As for the academy paper format and submission process, although you are not clear about them, I can help you solve these problems. If you agree, I can act as your co-advisor to help you complete this series of processes."

"However, some details or supplementary experiments require you to act as the experimental operator to provide some data and pictures. Of course, I will not bury your contribution; you will serve as the first author of the paper."

Hearing Old Pulang's words and observing his character in the botany class, it could be seen that he was actually quite honest.

It could even be said that he lacked some of the majesty of an adult wizard.

From Old Pulang telling Ross about the matter of the paper, it could be seen that this old wizard was basically a soft-hearted wizard.

Although Ross didn't know how troublesome writing papers was in the Wizard World, back on Blue Star, this was a hair-losing, annoying matter.

If Old Pulang could condescend to help him with this favor, Ross was naturally happy to see it.

"Of course, Professor Pulang."

"If you have any needs, you can contact me to provide you with relevant detailed information."

Seeing Ross's affirmative answer, Old Pulang heaved a sigh of relief.

He took out a copy of "Elius Wizard Academy Journal" and handed it to Ross.

"Alright, little Ross, this is also a good thing for you. The path of wizards has never been just about pursuing power."

"In fact, when you reach a tier-one Wizard Apprentice, you will find that it is almost impossible to break through to an Official Wizard by upgrading mental power through a Meditation Method."

"At this time, some external force support is needed to earn mana resources."

"If you can publish a research paper in the Elius Wizard Academy school journal while being a tier-three Wizard Apprentice..."

"...it will be extremely beneficial to your resume," Old Pulang smiled with satisfaction.