Chapter 205: Search |
Morale Support: Scherzo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/ScherzoTranslations
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Glancing at the catalog and the thesis Cedric handed over, Reiner quickly figured out which one was missing.
“Research on the Integration Equation of Curvilinear Motion, Thesis ID UTXA0096357, by Sirius Odman, classified under the Law Department,”
Reiner whispered as he looked at the catalog.
“Sorry, I don’t know what’s going on either. This should have been in the database, and the ID is indeed correct, but the thesis can’t be found.”
Cedric replied anxiously. It wasn’t just because Reiner couldn’t find the thesis, but also because as the person in charge of the archive, he had allowed a thesis to go missing during his tenure, which was a serious dereliction of duty.
“I’ll take a look at these few theses first, Mr. Cedric. Please inform me when the registration of those theses is complete. I’ll be waiting here,” Reiner retorted, then opened the first thesis in his hand without saying anything more.
Reiner read quickly. The quality of these graduation theses wasn’t high: many of them covered topics already researched by predecessors, and there were few noteworthy contents. In less than an hour, Reiner had finished reading all the theses.
“The central idea of Miss Sue’s thesis is the application of the three laws of Albeton in curvilinear motion. It seems that her inspiration may have come from that missing thesis.”
Reiner muttered to himself, tidying up the theses and placing them on the coffee table on one side, lost in thought.
“This thesis is obviously a graduation thesis of a student from the Astar Advanced Magic Academy. Why couldn’t it be found here? Since it’s not in the database, how did Miss Sue see this thesis?”
Various questions swirled in Reiner’s mind as he glanced at the catalog again, while Cedric hurriedly ran down the stairs.
“Committee member, the registration is complete. Here’s the list,” Cedric handed Reiner a document containing the corresponding theses and their IDs, enabling quick access to the respective theses.
“As for that missing thesis…”
Cedric hesitated, then leaned in close to Reiner and whispered, “I did some further searching and found out it’s actually a historical issue.”
“A historical issue?” Reiner found it strange that there could be such a situation with graduation theses.
“Yes, sir, it’s embarrassing to say, but about ten years ago, the management of the archive wasn’t as strict. There were incidents where money was exchanged for registering theses.”
Cedric explained that at that time, some nobles or businessmen paid ghostwriters to have theses fabricated to showcase their knowledge or for other reasons. These fabricated theses were registered in the archive, and naturally, there were also some such theses from the Astar Advanced Magic Academy.
Over time, this became a gray income for the archive and continued for several years.
“About three years ago, the school investigated this matter and cross-checked the lists, removing all the theses that had passed through by bribes from the archive.”
Cedric had obviously been questioned about this matter before and now appeared somewhat fearful.
“I think this thesis might be one of those.”
Hearing this, Reiner immediately asked, “So where did those removed theses go?”
Reiner didn’t understand why Sirius Odman would pay to “buy” his thesis into the archive, but from what was known so far, the ideas related to curvilinear motion in that thesis were worth exploring. Reiner felt he had to see what the thesis actually contained.
“Um, including both copies and originals, they were all destroyed.”
Cedric said, causing Reiner to feel a pang of surprise.
“Destroyed…”
Thinking about it, most of these purchased theses were likely hollow in content, shoddy, and, more importantly, not compliant with standards. Naturally, the school had no obligation to keep them, so destruction seemed reasonable and justified.
“I guess I’ll have to go and ask him in person.”
Shrugging helplessly, Reiner looked at Cedric.
“Do you know where I can find information about graduates, such as the student registration office or something?”
“Yes, it’s just north of the archive, in that five-story building. It registers all the information about graduates at the school and their subsequent whereabouts.”
Cedric hastily replied, afraid of delaying Reiner.
“Thank you.”
After packing up, Reiner double-checked the theses sent by the review committee and left the archive, heading north.
“Hopefully, Mr. Sirius Odman’s student records haven’t been cleared.”
Thinking to himself, Reiner felt something was amiss. He entered the modern-style building and quickly found the office managing student information.
“What, a graduate with an unknown graduation date?”
When Reiner explained his purpose and showed his badge as a committee member, the female mage who received him widened her eyes.
There was only her in the office. When Reiner knocked and entered, the mage seemed to be reading a kind of novel for women. She hurriedly stuffed a book into a drawer when she heard Reiner’s request, looking embarrassed.
“This may take some time, as we have a large number of graduates every year…”
She replied, but Reiner remained unmoved.
“It’s okay, I can wait.”
Reiner said, surprising the mage.
She stood up and went to the room next to the office. After about half an hour, she returned with a yellowed document.
“Sirius Odman, here’s his information.”
Reiner took the document and immediately began to read.
Sirius Odman had attended the Astar Advanced Magic Academy twelve years ago and graduated eight years ago, or more accurately, he didn’t graduate normally because his thesis didn’t pass the review. Therefore, he didn’t obtain the school’s diploma. As for his subsequent whereabouts, it was unknown.
“Whereabouts unknown?”
Reiner looked at the mage, trying to get an explanation.
“That’s normal. We only register graduates who have clear job placements or who have found mentors. Those who return to their hometowns or engage in independent research are considered ‘whereabouts unknown.'”
She answered, her expression suggesting it wasn’t her concern.
“Okay.”
It seems this is a dead end, Reiner thought.
But then the mage spoke up again.
“Perhaps you could ask his thesis advisor: he should know his whereabouts.”
At her words, Reiner glanced at the form on the student record. In the advisor column was the name Leo Bodoro.
If Reiner remembered correctly, that should be the name of the vice principal of the Astar Advanced Magic Academy.