Chapter 631: Quickly Publish the Paper to Anger Those Radiant Church Scum!
Garrett originally thought he finally had a chance to choose between "Magic" and "Arcane."
Well, although he still preferred "Arcane"... Both are top journals, "Arcane" leans towards theory, and "Magic" towards application. Generally, theoretical work always carries a bit more prestige than applied work.
It's similar to how the magical community values arcane levels more than magical levels, even though a high magical level means you can fight.
However, before Garrett could finish writing his paper, or rather, before he had even framed it out, he realized he had lost his choice.
"Is this your next paper?"
At the Monday meeting, the Lord of Thunder took the outline Garrett respectfully handed over and casually flipped through it. Hmm, this isn't about magic research again...
So, when will this kid do something proper?
Forget it. Forget it. Giving up. After all, you can't force a cow to drink water by pushing its head down. The research a mage does must be something they are interested in, otherwise, nothing good will come of it. Garrett hasn't been doing proper work these past years, but it hasn't hindered his progression. Let him be.
Regardless of the research direction, the publication of the paper must be managed. The Lord of Thunder flipped through the outline from start to finish, reading every word, and shook his head:
"Insufficient data."
"Yes. I have already collaborated with the Oak Grove Clinic to sort out data from the past few decades."
"Insufficient theoretical analysis."
"Yes. I will attach electrocardiograms, ultrasound images, and various records of heartbeats and breathing for analysis and classification."
"Too few references."
"...Where can I find references for this?! In this world, I've never heard of anyone else doing a C-section! I checked all the materials when I started this topic, and I've dug out everything I could from the Tower of Heaven's grand library!"
"You haven't dug deep enough," the Lord of Thunder glanced at his young disciple and said leisurely:
"Years ago, before the Radiant Church occupied the continent, the previous empire had a regulation that deceased pregnant women must have their bellies cut open to extract the fetus before burial. There were many handbooks and documents left from that time. Go find them."
"Ah... Oh!"
Years ago? How many years ago? A thousand years? In my impression, the Radiant Church has been ruling the continent and suppressing all other forces for at least a thousand years!
Where can I find records from a thousand years ago? Or should I go dig through the Black Crow Swamp?
The disciples held their breath, listening to the exchange between the Lord of Thunder and their junior, each casting envious glances. Indeed, being the youngest has its perks; the teacher never gave them such kind guidance...
If they were lucky, they might get a cold snort and a comment like "This is somewhat decent"; if unlucky, the teacher would find errors, and that would be it—a round of sarcastic reprimands accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder...
Afterward, when they took their papers back, they might find the erroneous parts burned to a crisp by electric currents. And being directed to references? Never! If they weren't left to dig through the grand library themselves, that would already be considered lenient!
...Of course, maybe it's because Garrett's research is in the medical field, which doesn't overlap much with the teacher's area of research...
If it were research on lightning, fire, sound waves, or force fields, and if mistakes were made, not scolding harshly might lead to accidents during experiments, possibly fatal ones.
"By the way, do you know how the Radiant Church views using spells to aid childbirth?"
"???" Do I need to write about that too? I haven't studied their doctrines at all!
"Research it and include it in your paper. A few comments on it would be good." The Lord of Thunder's lips slightly curled up:
"Move quickly. There's a spot for you in the issue of 'Arcane' the month after next!"
"...Yes!"
Well, the teacher is an editor for "Arcane." Given his status, it's natural for him to lean towards "Arcane." So, I need to write this paper well to avoid accusations of favoritism.
So how should I respond to "Magic"? Should I say that my teacher has already directed me to submit to "Arcane," and thank them for their invitation?
Garrett left the room holding his paper outline. A group of people held their breath until they stepped into the elevator, where a slender yet strong hand suddenly smacked Garrett on the back:
"Little Garrett, you must write this paper well! Infuriate those Radiant Church scum!"
"Phil... Philby Senior Sister..."
Garrett slowly turned his head.
Philby was the senior sister who researched electromagnetism and began studying Maxwell's equations as soon as she observed alternating current. When Garrett thought of her, only one word came to mind:
Unapproachable...
"Yes! Those scum dare to say that women suffering during pregnancy and childbirth is deserved! It's a punishment for their original sin!" A group of mages, especially female mages, chimed in around Philby:
"Their doctrine forbids using divine spells to aid women during childbirth! If they die, so be it!"
"One of my good sisters died this way! She bled to death on the steps of the Radiant Cathedral! After death, they even claimed her blood defiled the cathedral and fined her family a thousand gold shields!"
"It was after witnessing such events that I decided to escape to Nevis City! I didn't want to be denied treatment when pregnant and giving birth in the future!"
"Go read their sacred texts... The Tower of Heaven's library has a copy. It's in the first volume, third chapter. — 'I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain, you will give birth to children.' Hmph! What nonsense!"
"Pain during pregnancy is a punishment, pain during childbirth is a punishment, sickness and injury are all punishments, what do they need humans for? What do they need mages to study and change the world for!"
Garrett clenched his fist. Relieving humans from suffering is a healer's natural responsibility; this must be written in the paper!
"By the way, do you need any help with this research?" Philby elegantly brushed her curls:
"Manpower? Funding? Magical constructs? Or anything else? Or are there any other types of magic you don't understand and can't find anyone to ask? Just say the word! Senior Sister will help if she can, and if not, she can find someone who can!"
Uh, the manpower issue has been resolved;
Magical constructs, prenatal checks mainly rely on ultrasound and physical examination, surgery relies on surgical skills, which cannot be solved by magical constructs;
Drugs, hormones, synthesizing oxytocin, etc., I guess alchemy can't reach that level yet;
So what's left...
"Senior Brothers and Sisters, can you provide a strong magical energy source? Exporting meditation imagery, relying on my magical power, I can only manage three to five times a day. I can't find a grand mage to be on standby..."
The elevator fell silent. After a moment, Grand Archmage Bayer, the one who studies solar flares, muttered:
"To solve your problem... do we need to build a mage tower at the clinic?"