A Non-combat Magic Artifact Researcher ー Actually Was an Extroadinary S-rank Mage～ Though He Worked Overtime Without Compensation and Contributed Greatly, He Was Labeled as Incompetent and Was Fired - CH 50

Ch. 50: The Mages Academy

Before I was fired, I was a Teaching Assistant.

You can say that going from a Teaching Assistant to a Professor is a great step up.

But for me, I really don’t know what the job would entail.

Besides that, I don’t even know where the Magecraft Artifact Research and Development Facility is.

I don’t know what the difference between that and the Magecraft Artifact Science Division is.

Werner: “……..I’ve never heard of that role before.”

Kraus: “I’ve heard that Sir Werner, you had many administrative and menial tasks pressed upon you, so I had the new President of the Academy create the role.”

Werner: “A new role?” Kraus: “Besides, you are currently the only member of the Magecraft Artifact Research and Development Facility team. But the Princess, her highness, can join your team as well.”

Looks like the Imperial Prince made this special Research Facility for Lotte.

Kraus: “In this role, you are not required to attend faculty meetings. You have no mandatory meetings or obligations either.”

Werner: “………..oh….”

Kraus: “And if you would like to teach a class, you may, but you are also excused from teaching classes. It’s that kind of role.”

The Imperial Prince is trying to give me a role as a member of the Mages Academy with only research as the only responsibility.

I’m very grateful for that.

I’m certain that he would one day become a great Emperor.

Kraus: “So how about it, Sir Werner? Under these conditions, would you be willing to do your research at the Academy?” Werner: “Thank you very much. That is a lot of consideration for someone like me….”

And this just shows how much the Lamette Kingdom is important to the Imperial Prince.

If the Galatea Empire invades the Lamette Kingdom, this Kingdom would begin lacking resources to import.

And we would also lose the geographical advantage of pincering the Galatea Empire between this country and the Lamette Kingdom.

That’s why the Prince wants to advertise publicly the close relationship between our country and Lamette.

And with that, the Princess would now be a disciple of a Professor rather than an unemployed man which would be considerably more respectable.

Kraus: “It’s fine. But please, please take good care of her highness, Princess Charlotte.” Werner: “Yes, your highness.” Satisfied with my reply, the Imperial Prince smiled and nodded.

<<<<>>>>

Once the meeting with the Prince was over, Hati and I got onto a carriage that would take us to the Mages Academy.

It’s because the Imperial Prince told us to go greet the new President of the Academy.

The Prince also told us that the new President would be in their office until this evening.

He even made an appointment on our behalf.

His highness really has gone above and beyond doing all this for us.

But ultimately, all of this pointed to how important Lotte was to this country.

I need to be sure to meet the Prince’s expectations as well.

<<<<>>>>

When we arrived at the Academy, we went straight to the President’s office.

On the way, Hati looked around at everything curiously.

Hati: “It is a very big place～”

Werner: “Yes, it really is. It’s bigger than the Palace.”

Recently, Hati would speak up even while we were in town.

Maybe I should be warning her not to do so, but I don’t want to nag at her constantly either.

I’m sure that remaining silent all the time would be stressful for Hati as well.

Besides, there was nobody else around who could have heard her.

Werner: “Hati, just in case, please stay quiet in the President’s office.”

Hati: “Hati knows that already. Seeing Dragons speak scares the humans, correct?”

Werner: “Well, yes. So please keep your voice down while we’re in town too.”

Hati: “Hati understands.”

As we walk slowly, we arrive in front of the President’s office door.

Werner: “I haven’t been here since I was fired.”

That was a very humiliating experience.

I knocked on the President’s door and spoke up.

Werner: “It’s Werner Strout.”

“Please come in.”

As we enter, I see the new President in their chair.

The new President was a white-haired, elderly, skinny woman in her 60’s.

It was a very famous academic that I knew from before.

Her specialty was Support Magic.

Before she became the President, she was the Head of Support Magic Studies.

When I was a student, I took a class of hers, and I read her papers too.

She is indeed an exceptional Magecraft Researcher.

Behind her glasses, the new President looked sharply towards us.

Werner: “It is a pleasure making your acquaintance. I have recently been allowed to begin my research at the Academy.” “……to be frank, I thought about refusing this at first. Even if it’s the Imperial Prince, I can’t have him placing his people in the Academy’s positions.”

Werner: “…………..”

“But if it’s you, Mr. Strout, I can make an exception. Besides that, the reason for your termination was way too unreasonable. What they did to you was atrocious. All the faculty here were protesting at your mistreatment.”

I didn’t know about that.

Even if the Faculty and Staff disagreed, the Head of Magecraft Science Research, who was my direct manager, and the former President of the Academy made the decision regardless.

It would have been difficult to try to overturn that.

“We welcome you, Mr. Strout.”

As she spoke, she rose to her feet and stretched out a hand towards me.

I took her hand and shook.

Werner: “Thank you very much.” “The Imperial Prince told me to let you do as you please. I would prefer it if you help us teach our students but…….I will not force that upon you.”

The President never smiled once during this conversation.

She continued to stare with her sharp eyes.

But this is how she always is. When I took her class, this is exactly how she always acted.

“But having the Imperial Prince fund your research and even create a position for you here, he must have high expectations for you.”

Werner: “Rather, because I am a disciple of Professor Kay, the Princess, her highness, was placed under me as a disciple. I believe it is because of that.”

“Hmmm, well, I personally think the Imperial Prince holds you in high regards.”

With that, the President looked at Hati who was sitting on my shoulder.

But she immediately turned away.

“As part of the Magecraft Artifact Research and Development Facility and a Specially Designated Professor, you have no standard obligations as other professors. You may do as you please.”

Werner: “I’m truly grateful for that.”

“Indeed. The fact that you are excused from all meetings is the dream of every researcher. I will guide you quickly to your new Research Facility. Come with me.”

And we left the President’s office and began walking.

As we walked, the President spoke again.

“I said Research Facility, but it only consists of one room.”

Werner: “Yes, that’s all I need.”

“…….and may I ask what is on your shoulder?”

Werner: “It is as you suspect. An infant Dragon.”

“……..a Dragon indeed. But would a Dragon’s child be comfortable around humans?”

Werner: “I believe she is a special case.”

“Hmmmm, well, a small Dragon is cute indeed.”

Hati silently wagged her tail.

She was happy about the compliment.

Before we entered the President’s room, I told her to remain silent, so she continued to not speak a word.

Werner: “Hati, you may speak.” Hati: “I am Hati! Pleasure to meet you.”

“…!! Oh my…….”

The President sucked in a sudden breath.

“How adorable. She can speak too.”

Hati fluttered her wings and landed on the President’s shoulder.

And proceeded to pat the President on the head.

Hati: “The President is cute too.”

“…..!!”

And the President seemed to have taken a liking to Hati.

After that, I was given a fairly large Research Lab.