Demi-human Girls Completion Manual
Chapter 90 - 16. Royal Research Institute_3

Chapter 90: 16. Royal Research Institute_3

"..."

"What just happened, was there a problem with Fisher’s proof magic?"

"No, no, it wasn’t his magic that was problematic. I indeed felt my soul, my Magic Circuit was able to detach from my body! But I discovered that once it detached, a strong suction from outside tried to pull my soul away! Fortunately, I had engraved a Resurrection Magic on my necklace."

"Wait, an external suction?"

Fisher recalled that when he attempted it, there was a strong suction within his body as his soul left. Why was it reversed for Mr. Helsen?

Fisher looked at Mr. Helsen’s aged face and suddenly realized it was due to Mr. Helsen’s age―the older one gets, the weaker the body’s pull on the soul!

He shared this insight with Mr. Helsen, who pondered it for a moment and agreed there might be something to it.

"Ha, the older the body, the weaker it gets... But your method of proof is not problematic; if this Pointing Magic can be released, it already speaks for itself. However, there is a little issue with the narrative; I will help you revise it later."

Fisher nodded with a smile, agreeing.

Mr. Helsen would help revise the paper, and his name would surely be attached at the time of publication, but Fisher was not worried that he was participating merely for a share of the credit; it was Fisher’s theory that had attracted him.

For good reason, as the Mr. Helsen standing before Fisher was no simple figure.

He was the president of the Nali Magic Association, a lifetime member of the World Magic Association, and recognized by the Royal Family as a "Great Mage"—an honor only he held in the entire nation. Decades ago, he had helped Miles establish "Gravity" magic and had also helped design the "Universal Emblem" for proving Ring Head, with half the nation’s Magic Theory summarized and organized by him, earning him the title of "Century Magician."

Such a scholarly powerhouse needed no inspection of his motives, him appearing as co-author on your paper was an enhancement in itself; others wouldn’t even consider objecting, and upon publication, it would be overwhelmingly successful.

This visit to the Royal College to see Damian was for this very purpose, only needing Damian’s final nod to conclude the deal.

Damian breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the paper in his hand, then to Fisher with a faint smile and suddenly said,

"You must include ’assisted by the Royal Research Institute’ in the co-author section for Mr. Helsen to sign for you."

This was the start of conditions being set. As previously discussed, Fisher’s visit here was fundamentally to facilitate a "transaction"; Fisher needed a strong backing, and the Royal College needed academic achievements.

Yet there was room for negotiation. Saying it was ’assisted by’ the Royal Research Institute would suggest they contributed significantly to this research, clearly trying to take advantage of Fisher, which he could not agree to.

Fisher shook his head and said,

"It can only be credited with ’Special Thanks to the Royal Research Institute.’"

"Acceptable, but you must serve concurrently as a research supervisor at the Royal College."

This was to tie Fisher to the research ranks of the Royal College, ensuring even as the first author, he was a supervisor at the Royal Researcher, giving the Royal College a share of the fame.

"No way, at most a nominal position, I don’t have time to deal with those insipid researchers."

"..."

After this statement, Damian seemed to fall silent, as if reduced to having nothing more to say. After a long wait, he reluctantly nodded in agreement.

This was unexpected for Fisher; he had thought Damian would bargain much more, not so easily yielding to his terms.

Damian’s gaze was profound as he shook his head at Fisher,

"Besides a nominal position, I also want you to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the autumn term."

"A speech?"

This was completely unexpected for Fisher; a speech had no real benefit for enhancing the reputation of the Royal College, essentially an "ineffective offer."

Just as Fisher was puzzled, Damian sighed,

"The researchers’ indifference and laziness were not a matter of a day or two but a problem years and decades in the making. I’ve tried many methods—performance-based papers, strict attendance, and incentives... but nothing has remedied the situation. The Research Institute is still Nali’s highest academic hall. Even the Griffin Party that founded it didn’t intend for it to fall apart like this today."

"Rather than that, just repeat the scolding you did at the graduation ceremony; I have no desire to maintain a pitiful facade for that bunch of maggots anymore."

As he said this, Fisher was momentarily taken aback, gazing at the old man in front of him speechless for a long while, as Mr. Helsen kept smiling, seemingly unsurprised by Damian’s words.

After a long silence, Fisher finally nodded,

"I understand; as you said, a credit to the Royal College as a research supervisor, plus one opening ceremony speech, and I need Mr. Helsen’s signature."

"Deal," Damian nodded, extending his hand to Fisher,

"Pleasure doing business with you."

Fisher shook hands with Damian, drained the last cup of tea, grabbed his coat and hat, and after bidding Mr. Helsen a cheerful goodbye, he prepared to leave. Before going, he seemed to remember something and turned to Damian,

"Should I let you review the speech script?"

Damian’s face darkened, and after opening his mouth and then scowling, he said,

"No need, speak as you wish."

Fisher laughed, placed his hat on his head, and left Damian’s residence.

In the room, only the still-smiling Mr. Helsen and Damian, who began to drink the tea Fisher had poured, remained. After several seconds, Mr. Helsen finally spoke with a sigh,

"Truly, I think he matches well with my granddaughter, even perfectly so."

"If you’re referring to your 200-pound granddaughter, please shut up."

"She is kind and adorable; I always remember how she used to follow me around when she was little!"

"Yeah, and that’s exactly why you always fed her treats, causing her to get fat!"

"...My God, you are truly wicked, Damian, I ought to draw a circle and curse you!"