First Meeting (2)
That elf had been staring at me the whole time. It wasn't the absentminded kind of gaze where her mind wandered elsewhere. No, she was definitely scrutinizing me, observing. My bewilderment must have shown on my face because Arienael started stammering an explanation.
"Ah! Sorry. It wasn't on purpose. You just weren't saying anything, so I was waiting... and then..."
Best not to dwell on it. How she spends her life is her business. Especially for an elf—she could afford to take it ten times more leisurely than a regular human.
"Don't worry about it. Truth is, I've been agonizing over how to even start the research. Can't quite get a feel for it. And it's no small matter. Who knows how long it'll take just to squeeze out one little result."
"I'm prepared for that. I know it's an endeavor without a set timeline."
Really? I'd seen far too many cases where people claimed to be "prepared," only to secretly think, But it'll be different for me! or That's just for people who aren't cut out for it or are dumb. It'll be a breeze for me. But it wasn't my place to pry. Pushing too hard here might scare her off. Anyway, it was good that she at least said she was ready. For an elf to utter "no timeline," that probably meant decades at minimum, and a few extra years of grad school wouldn't faze her.
"Hmm... First things first, we need to get some equipment in here. I didn't bring anything in since I had no idea what kind of research you'd be doing."
"......"
"Now that we've got a rough direction, at least we can stock up on basic gear and materials."
"Um... Professor?"
I paused and looked at Arienael's face. She had a puzzled expression.
"Something to say?"
"Ah, well... I mean... Is this how it's usually done?"
"What? Oh, ordering supplies is normally the assistant's job, but I'll handle it this time."
Did I make it too obvious I wasn't trusting an elf with spending money? But Arienael's question went deeper.
"I figured we'd start with whatever materials were on hand. I wasn't sure if it was okay to tailor everything to my research like this. Aren't I supposed to be helping with your research, Professor?"
Professors don't usually customize a master's student's project this much. At least she'd heard that much. It touched me a little, but saying that without even knowing what my research was about?
Anyway, my situation was a bit special.
"That's fine. I'll pursue my own research separately. It doesn't need much in the way of materials."
"Pardon? What kind of research is it?"
"Sorry, can't tell you. You couldn't help with it anyway."
The academic busybodies—you know, the types who gossip about others' business like it's their real job—were already spreading rumors about me. Apparently, after acquiring a grimoire, I'd retreated to the countryside to secretly decipher it. It was an open secret, but a secret nonetheless. If she was approaching me with ulterior motives, that was the most likely target.
But when I mentioned it and snuck a glance, she didn't seem suspicious.
"Can't be helped. It's not something a fresh undergrad grad can touch. No timeline on results either, so you'll need parallel projects anyway."
"Got it. Actually, I'll count it as good luck. Starting right away in my preferred field and all."
For steadily securing grants, alchemy was tops. Timing was the only issue, but I was planning to order the equipment anyway. The experimenter might suffer, but it was her chosen path—what could I do?
Good enough. That elf wouldn't threaten my safety or steal research secrets. Everyone has secrets or personal baggage they can't blab about. I couldn't stay paranoid about someone I'd have to work with forever. Even if she was plotting something, it didn't matter. I'd just work her so hard she couldn't scheme or execute.
Whew... I didn't want to do this, but no choice. Truth is, I'd wanted to treat my first "slave" nicely.
"So, what now, Professor? Embarrassing, but I haven't thought specifics on what I want to do."
"Normal for a new master's student. Nothing to be ashamed of. Plenty of scholars waste over a year dithering on a topic."
It'd be troubling if she had planned it out. She'd have sweated bullets praising it verbally while plotting to scrap it.
Ambitious researcher wannabes always say, "I'll do the research I want!" Fine, but money doesn't grow on trees. Sorry, but for the next 1-2 years, "grant-friendly?" comes first.
"We'll figure out the topic and experiments later. We can decide 'together' nice and slow. Grads have plenty to study, so no need to rush into experiments."
"Thank you. I'll work hard to repay the opportunity."
"Good. Oh, right—your undergrad major was natural sciences? Bet you barely touched experiments."
Classic elf—straight into natural sciences. Coming all the way to a magic university for that. Weirdos. If I got the chance for elf education, I wouldn't pick something like "human history."
"Yes. I'll study hard to make up for it."
"Experiments matter, but buckle down on theory too."
"I was planning to focus on alchemy courses in grad school anyway."
"Not bad, but I meant spellcraft. If you ever want to assist my research, side-knowledge basics won't cut it. Especially formulas—you'll need to hunt down papers."
"Ah... Guess I have no choice if it's necessary."
"Yeah. You'll use magic in potion prep sometimes, so it'll help there too."
Last part was a throwaway. From experience, it helped a bit, but not worth forcing.
"So much to do. Makes sense—I've heard PhD tracks keep even humans swamped... Ah, sorry!"
"Forget it. Wasn't malicious."
"So, where do we start?"
Huh? Oh, right—I hadn't said yet. Answer was ready.
"Basic lab techniques first? Or studying for your research? Or...?"
"No experiments yet. Probably not till semester starts."
"That long?"
"Too much prep."
"Does ordering equipment take that long?"
"No. Gotta prep classes."
Lots of people think lecturing is professors' main gig. Not to me—it's the biggest time sink. More important is landing grants to cover the university's cut. Or solid results to impress founders and donors. Lectures? Annoying side task. Can't skip 'em, though.
"Ah... Right. Obvious, but slipped my mind. So what should I do till then?"
"Obviously, prep classes."
"Pardon? No, I meant my tasks. While you prepare..."
"Yeah, your task is class prep."
To professors, lecturing is a pesky, unimportant chore. Luckily, we have perfect slaves to offload it on.
"Me? But... how could I..."
"Not stand at the podium. I need help. Too much material for two lectures to prep solo."
She looked convinced. Good thing, since what could she do if not? I'd already bought in.
"Understood. Um... sorry, but I've never taken these courses. Probably won't be much help—forgive me."
"Nah, fine. Don't need expertise to prep lectures."
"Right! You're the expert anyway, so..."
"Never taken them either."
"...Pardon?"
Professors have seniority. Dumping "pointless chores" on the greenest newbie is natural. Personal fit? Nah. Me getting just two lectures as a fresh hire was generous. Or rather, they rushed to fill a spot.
"Unrelated to my major. Lucky I self-studied enough during PhD."
"'Enough'?! You sure? Semester starts in under a month!"
"Not a month—under two weeks. First class in ten days."
"Exactly! What do we... right now?!"
"First off."
Arienael was still dazed, so I handed her the major textbook nearby and continued.
"You need to grasp the content, even roughly."
Agh... Didn't wanna do this. But that suspicious vibe earlier... To quell the endless suspicions bubbling up, I had no choice but to grind her.
My heart ached.
"......"
"By tomorrow."
For the first time since we met, Arienael's gaze left my face. It shifted to the textbook I'd given her: Magic Tools and Materials.
Precisely, to its spine.
Hmm... Glanced at it before coming—about 800 pages.
Watching her, my heart hurt, so I stood.
Didn't look back as I headed to my office.
Hang in there. Everyone goes through it.