Research Life of a New Professor at Magic University

The person sitting at the main desk was the Dean of Magic University.
As I walked in, he greeted me first.

“Oh, right on time.”

“Yes. It’s been a while, Dean.”

However, the other person in the meeting room wasn’t another dean.
You could tell at a glance that she wasn’t from the university.

The nun’s habit gave it away. Or was it a priest’s garment?
Around the woman’s chest in the black priest’s robe hung a hexagonal necklace symbolizing a deity.

She had an overall gentle impression.
With brown hair cascading down to her shoulders and large eyes, coupled with her young age, which was close to mine, she didn’t exude any intimidation in appearance.

But judging by her ability to stand firm and maintain a calm composure against the Dean of Magic University, she was clearly a seasoned individual.
Judging by the awkwardness of the Dean’s attempt to engage with me, the conversation earlier seemed awkward.
It also implied his failure to negotiate smoothly.

“Roger, this is Sister Prudence, a resident priest of the university. And Prudence, this is Professor Roger Atwell.”

“Nice to meet you. I came from the Papal See. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Of course. My ominous expectation wasn’t off the mark.

The hierarchy of the church clergy is fundamentally pyramid-shaped.
Since all dioceses are under the Pope, it’s only natural that all clergy belong to the hierarchy under the Pope.
However, when revealing their affiliation, it’s typical to refer to the diocese or church they belong to.

However, saying ‘came from the Papal See’ implies that she came directly from a department within the Papal See.
It was not a formal audience, and there was no reason for the Papal See to investigate someone like me who isn’t clergy.

There’s only one answer.
The Inquisition.

Most countries have an Inquisition Office in major territories, and in places where religious conflicts are frequent, there are even small outposts.
Bishops are not free from the influence of the local lords of the dioceses.
Therefore, reports from various Inquisition Offices are sent directly to the Papal See.

Because of this, people affiliated with the Inquisition always declared their affiliation as the Papal See, regardless of their workplace.
This was also a measure to challenge the authority of the nobility or influential figures.

Young inquisitors must uphold their nominal position and unwavering faith to confront authority and evil.
Unethical wizard who disturb the world with unethical experiments and research are also their adversaries.

“You must be from the Inquisition Office. What’s the matter?”

When people think of inquisitors, they usually imagine them wearing thick plate armor and wielding a fearsome mace.
However, the attire and equipment of inquisitors vary depending on their duties, especially among the clergy, where specialized expertise is required.

Disputes regarding magical research rarely escalate into armed conflicts.
Most fights were conducted through debates and document maneuvers.
Those who engage in such matters need knowledge rather than force.

Likewise, the priest serving as the university’s liaison officer for magical affairs would have risen to that position based on their knowledge of magic and theology, not combat abilities.
There’s no reason for such a person to wear cumbersome armor.

Observing the figure of the beauty dressed in neat black priestly robes, one could almost imagine her offering warm smiles in a monastery.
However, the inquisitor named Prudence opened her mouth with cold eyes as she looked at me.

“As you’re well aware, Professor Atwell, you’re quite known in the Papal See.”

“What have I done wrong?”

“Do you know how many major and minor religious trials you’ve been involved in?”

I had already given up counting.

“Seven… or was it eight?”

“…It’s eleven.”

Well, that’s quite a lot. But apart from that, I feel unjustly accused.

“But, as you know, all of them resulted in acquittal. Is it a sin to be wrongfully accused? Moreover, some were witnesses in court, not defendants.”

“Of course, the fact that you’ve been acquitted in all trials cannot be glossed over.”

Prudence and even the Dean sighed at this point.
It seemed as if they were asking me to listen carefully.

“But if someone frequents the courts so often in such a short period, it’s only natural for inspectors to take notice. There’s a high chance you’ll be scrutinized again. Professor, you know this best. I hope you won’t simply dismiss this as prejudice.”

That’s true. The frequency of visits to the courtroom had decreased during my doctoral studies as I focused on improving my theoretical knowledge.

“I’m here without following formal procedures for the same reason, Professor Atwell. Frankly, the Inquisition Office doesn’t want to summon you again.”

That explains it. I wondered why someone came without any notice.
Seeing how suddenly the meeting was arranged, the Dean must have known in advance, but there was no mention in the correspondence.
They must have wanted to avoid leaving a paper trail.

“The Church doesn’t enjoy taking away the time of wizards, either. We always hesitate to do so. It’s good for the Church and the world not to abuse prosecutions, and that’s especially true for promising researchers.”

I never expected to hear such warm words from an inquisitor.
Only for it to shatter so quickly.

“So, we hope for your cooperation, Professor. Please discard the research plan sent to the university as of yesterday. Perform research that is more wholesome and adheres to ethical guidelines.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

I spat out my words of refusal in an instant, and the stern expression of Inquisitor Prudence wavered slightly.
After all, it’s understandable that if someone is busy and makes an effort to come in person, only to be refused so decisively, it would shake them a bit.

“Professor Atwell, if you persist like this, the Inquisition Office will have no choice but to formally prosecute you.”

“Roger, as a member of the Department of Magic, such research cannot be approved. The Church opposes it!”

“I understand your concern, but this research is not problematic.”

“You’ve only recently taken up your post and are busy preparing your laboratory. If this goes to trial, regardless of the outcome, you’ll be the one to suffer.”

Writing it hastily last night because I found it annoying has led to even more trouble.
Now I had to explain a magical research plan in the presence of church officials. How annoying.

“No, I admit my explanation was lacking, but it’s not the kind of research you’re thinking of. Please look at the research topic.”

“We’ve already seen it several times. ‘Research on Vitality Absorption Magic on Collective Homogeneous Entities.’ There is nothing else we can mistake it for!”

That stings a bit. I guess I should have elaborated at least a little.
Even Prudence, who overheard the conversation between the Dean and me, hesitated.

“The subject doesn’t matter, whether it’s animals or not. Black magic or experiments on the human body all use the same excuse. Thorough investigation and review are necessary to approve this.”

“It’s not even animals. Conducting this experiment won’t involve shedding a drop of blood.”

“…Pardon?”

“I mean… I planned to do it with plants. When I say ‘homogeneous entities,’ I’m referring to clusters of plants.”

—

The uncomfortable chapter in the grimoire described various sinister rituals.
One of them was the ‘vitality absorption’ spell.
Although I haven’t deciphered it yet, the illustrations were so straightforward that I could recognize the spell at a glance.

Furthermore, the researchers themselves seemed eager to learn from the basics, as they annotated this part in the Imperial language.

A whole section was used to describe absorption spells from various creatures.
In that aspect alone, it seemed like a training manual for absorbing vitality from sentient beings with magical powers.

Among them, I needed to find something with no ethical issues, far removed from humanity, and with extreme and stringent conditions, meaning something with little practical value anyway.

Amidst this, I stumbled upon an absorption spell targeting ‘Sedentary Homogeneous Entities.’ Most conditions are met by plants. (TN: Sedentary is non-moving; homogeneous is similar; entity is an individual existence.)

The Dean and the Inquisitor visibly relaxed upon hearing the explanation.

“But what if several people are gathered and… uh… were sleeping?”

Inquisitor Prudence’s demeanor seemed to soften, and she even stuttered midway through speaking.

“No, even breathing will invalidate the target, meaning most animals are excluded, let alone humans.”

“But if that doesn’t work, wouldn’t it be the same for plants? They sway in the wind, and birds or insects might land on them.”

“Here, the criterion for ‘moving’ refers to self-propelled movement. It seems that willpower is essential.”

As the atmosphere loosened, the Dean seemed reassured and began addressing his curiosity.

“But does ‘homogeneous entities’ necessarily mean they must be of the same species?”

“Yes, that’s correct. If different species are interspersed among the clusters, the spell won’t activate, so its applications are limited.”

“Could it be used to exploit the vitality of trees in a forest?”

“No, unfortunately not. Such miracles are reserved for the Elves. As I mentioned, other types of plants would prevent the spell from functioning. Even having grass between the trees would disrupt the spell.”

“For now, it’s impractical…”

“Yes, perhaps with further development, some degree of interference can be ignored. However, no matter how much research is done, destroying a forest won’t be possible.”

“So, finding targets in a natural environment would be difficult. They must be gathered in an artificially created environment where only one species exists.

I wouldn’t have brought it up if it was not for the fact it was helpful for my case.

“That spell seems to employ a method I haven’t encountered in decades of research. Where did you learn about it?”

He asked a predictable question, knowing the answer himself.
Since it seems there won’t be a trial, I can answer comfortably.

“I can’t disclose that. There are many ways, such as discovering a mysterious book in some suspicious cave.”

Inquisitor Prudence seemed slightly uncomfortable at this point. She had to let it go without evidence, but she likely heard rumors about the magical tome I acquired.
The Dean was trying to boost my morale, but the reaction seemed to come from the other side.