Apocalypse Forecast-Chapter 584 - 490: Power_2
Condra, already a bit drunk, couldn’t help but sneer.
"I’d like to teach more, but that would require the principal’s approval. Frankly, doing this kind of preschool-level work excessively is simply nauseating."
He glanced at Huai Shi, his expression growing peculiar. "You should be able to relate, right, young man? As far as I know, you have extensive knowledge of Metallography."
Huai Shi naturally knew what he was referring to.
One of the basic principles of Alchemy.
Everything has a price.
And knowledge is the most luxurious of all.
This was the standard of the Stone Pot Society.
Setting aside inherent talent and abilities, advancing in Alchemy required investment—a hefty one at that, like pouring money into a bottomless pit.
Moreover, even after spending a fortune, most of the time there wasn’t the slightest result.
This is the hidden meaning behind the name Alchemy—unless your talent is sufficient to conjure gold through Creation out of Nothing, it’s better not to choose this path of no return.
Unlike Scholars, Alchemy requires true geniuses, not masses of mediocre individuals.
Only the truly wise can grasp its essence.
As for someone like Huai Shi, who relied on his Soul Ability to accumulate proficiency, he had already reached his limit. Going any further would be nearly impossible without some other opportunity.
Because of this, only five or six students enrolled in Alchemy each year. Most of the others were professionals sent by the Stone Pot Society for targeted training, much like specialized staff hired by restaurants solely to slice green onions.
Apart from a few core disciples, the rest couldn’t even be considered students.
They were just part of short-term intensive training courses.
In comparison, the teaching outcomes of Scholars are truly quantifiable. As long as students achieve excellent grades, it’s not difficult for a teacher to secure a position in the teaching and research office.
Andrea shrugged slightly, casting a pitying glance at Huai Shi. "That’s your biggest problem."
Huai Shi’s two positions:
Main lecturer for Classical Music Appreciation.
Teaching assistant in Abyssal Botany—and one of several, at that.
Neither seemed like a role where one could showcase their talents in a short time.
Keep in mind, Abyssal Ecology is a major subject—a compulsory course that all students in the school must attend—and it utilizes one of the school’s largest classrooms.
And what Huai Shi, the teaching assistant, had to do was assist the true master of the classroom, the main lecturer of Abyssal Ecology.
If he was lucky, he might get to participate in preparing lesson plans. If not, he could be reduced to merely serving tea.
Getting on stage? That’s a pipe dream!
When students achieved good results, it was credited to the main lecturer. What did that have to do with you, the assistant?
Huai Shi wasn’t delusional enough to think he could replace the main lecturer and stage some unlikely coup. That would be ludicrous. His entire knowledge of Abyssal Botany came passively from Mountain Ghost, and his abilities were only slightly above average. How could he compete with professionals?
And then there was Classical Music Appreciation...
How do you evaluate it? How do you teach it?
Playing a recording for an hour each class also counts as appreciation. Am I supposed to have each student write a review to hand in the next session?
Students in the elective course only had two classes a month.
In a year, I won’t even get through Bach, let alone Haydn.
This is a problem.
Huai Shi stroked his chin, lost in thought.
No, this won’t do.
I have to shake things up.
As they watched him sink into contemplation, the expressions of his seniors became somewhat more satisfied.
Their main purpose for coming tonight wasn’t so much a warm welcome for Huai Shi as it was a courtesy to Andrea. At the same time, they also wanted to see if this Prince of Paradise, who had caused quite a stir a few days prior, was really just there to coast.
In a way, this was the department’s assessment of Huai Shi as a newcomer.
If he truly intended to do his job well, the veteran members wouldn’t mind lending Huai Shi, a newcomer, a hand.
But if Huai Shi was just there to slack off...
Well, goodbye then.
Best of luck with your career in the Astronomical Society. Just don’t go meddling in the affairs of the Ivory Tower.
Even if you manage to stay, you’ll just be a nobody.
Just do your four years quietly, then get out.
Huai Shi had, at the very least, delivered a perfect response in terms of attitude. They had said what they needed to. After lingering for a while longer post-meal, they all took their leave.
The last to leave were Professor Anton and Andrea.
The old man was quite drunk and took a long time to recover, so Andrea had to drive him home.
After Andrea went out to start the car, he put on his coat and turned back to look at the young man who had escorted him to the door.
Then, his expression became serious and solemn.
"Mr. Huai Shi, there’s something I feel I must say, even if it’s not what a guest should say, nor is it within the bounds of polite conversation."
He put on his glasses and spoke earnestly, "I hold no prejudice against you, and I truly believe in your talent. I wholeheartedly hope you can achieve something significant at the Ivory Tower—even if this is merely a short Chapter in your life. However, there’s one thing I hope you’ll understand: for many students, these five or six years at the Ivory Tower might be their most important chance to turn their lives around."
He said, "As teachers, we must make a difference."
Huai Shi, of course, wouldn’t refute the counsel of a senior.
Professor Anton’s words could be seen as expressing great expectations for his junior, and Huai Shi knew better than to fail to appreciate such consideration.
Moreover, Huai Shi felt a pang of guilt.
He believed he didn’t possess the talent to be a teacher; his arrival at the Ivory Tower was half due to being railroaded into it and half because he had nowhere else to go.
His efforts were also for the sake of Soloist’s Sky’s Command.
He accepted Professor Anton’s words from the bottom of his heart.
Without making any grandiose promises, he simply nodded earnestly.
"I will remember."
Professor Anton then smiled.
"Then, my apologies for the imposition today." He put on his hat and nodded in farewell. "I sincerely hope we can meet again. By then, I trust it will be to celebrate your formal acceptance into the teaching and research office."
"Farewell, Teacher Huai Shi."
"Goodbye, Professor Anton."
Huai Shi watched as the old professor’s car drove away, gradually disappearing from sight.
After a long while, he couldn’t help but sigh softly.
Looking up at the night sky above the Ivory Tower, he felt the pressure once more.
Become a qualified teacher, huh?
It really doesn’t sound easy.
Huai Shi thought for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh. "Well, in any case, I’ll try my best."
He turned and walked back into the house.
For the first time, he felt a genuine motivation for his work at the Ivory Tower.
In the car that was gradually moving away, Andrea cast a surprised glance at the old professor in the passenger seat. "You’re unexpectedly gentle today, Anton. I thought you were going to make things incredibly awkward for everyone."
"Why?" Anton asked back.
"Hmm? Aren’t you the one who most hates political interference in academia and dislikes those with ulterior motives?" Andrea said. "I remember at the meeting, you were the first to cast a dissenting vote, weren’t you?"
"What does an eighteen-year-old boy know about politics? And what impure intentions could he possibly have?"
Anton shook his head, sighing.
"I wasn’t worried about his intentions being impure, nor that he would accomplish nothing. What I most feared was someone bringing the crude practices and habits of an Astronomical Association Inspector into the Ivory Tower."
He fell silent for a long time, then said softly, "We are a school, Andrea. Even if it’s an organization of Sublimators, we are still a school. This is a place for teaching and nurturing, not a place for brandishing blades."
Andrea laughed out loud. "I remember you were a soldier before, right?"
"Ah, before retiring, I was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Russian Federation. So, by rights, I should be a believer in violence and blades," Anton said, his gaze softening as he looked out at the peaceful campus and the bright lights from the distant study halls. "But even if blades and might represent true Power, Truth must take precedence here. Otherwise, what would be the point of the Ivory Tower’s existence?"
"I can’t argue with you."
Andrea shook her head with a sigh. "So, what’s your impression of our Prince of Paradise?"
"He is stronger than I am."
Recalling the young man’s eyes, still untainted by violence and bloodshed, Anton smiled genuinely. "He will undoubtedly become a good teacher. Undoubtedly."
