Chapter 207: Principal Bodoro |
Morale Support: Scherzo
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If Leo Bodoro were to recall his teaching career, Sirius Odman’s name would always appear in the story.
Bodoro remembered vividly the eye catching genius that was Sirius when he first entered school.
Although he hadn’t published any academic papers yet, Sirius’s mastery of the curriculum, his understanding of spells, didn’t seem like that of a newly promoted low level mage. Many times, the sharp questions he raised in class could leave the professors, who boasted of their profound knowledge, momentarily speechless.
Such an outstanding talent would be earnestly nurtured by anyone, hoping he would achieve something remarkable.
In fact, in the first two years, Sirius did just that.
He excelled in various fields, diligently preparing his thesis, which was a study on Ableton’s laws of motion, a field rarely touched even by mid level mages. Apart from the discussions of a few masters, the rest were just some peripheral applications.
If this continued, Sirius should have been able to graduate from the Astar Advanced Magic Academy smoothly and move towards a more brilliant future.
But everything changed after the second year’s summer vacation.
“What? You want to change your research direction?”
Bodoro almost spilled the black tea in his hand, trembling slightly. He slowly put down the teacup and looked at the student standing in front of him.
Sirius Odman, though not handsome, exuded an aura of dedication and seriousness. The somewhat shy student adjusted his glasses and spoke.
“Yes, teacher. In the past two weeks of study, I suddenly found some inspiration. I think I may have found the clue to unify these models, but I need more time and effort to analyze it.”
Sirius felt somewhat guilty. After all, this was his caprice. He looked at his mentor, who had taken special care of him, and then spoke.
“In fact, I have completed the first stage of mathematical proof, but…”
“What? Show me quickly.”
Bodoro, still immersed in shock, snapped back to reality upon hearing Sirius’s words.
Sirius hesitated slightly and handed his manuscript to Bodoro.
The proof process was very simple, and with Bodoro’s knowledge, understanding it was not difficult.
But this intermediate mage, a professor at the Astar Advanced Magic Academy, remained silent for a long time without making any comments.
“However, it may involve a special mathematical tool that I created… called…”
“Sirius.”
Bodoro interrupted his student’s explanation.
“Are you serious? Are these really your words after careful consideration?”
“Teacher…”
Hearing his teacher’s doubt, Sirius wanted to defend himself but didn’t know where to start.
Because this theory was too avant garde, even Sirius himself had only proven it on paper, and there were no corresponding examples in practice.
But Sirius only knew one thing: this proof was correct.
“This is absurd, Sirius, and it’s meaningless. You know, mathematics is just a tool; it can’t even elicit feedback from the world.”
Bodoro reproached, feeling anxious. He worried that his student would be lost in fruitless pursuits that yielded no results, ultimately ruining his bright future.
“But this proof is correct, teacher. I remember you said in the first class at school that mages pursue concise and elegant theories, and this proof fits that description perfectly.”
Sirius, usually gentle and humble like the most inconspicuous student, seemed somewhat excited now. He argued, his face flushed.
“I know.”
Bodoro glanced at the manuscript again. Indeed, the proof’s reasoning and process were very clever. One could even say he had never seen such a perfect proof before. But the conclusion was too avant garde overshadowing everything before it.
“But what’s the point?”
With one sentence from his teacher, Sirius fell silent.
Sirius’s proof and results were of no use in any current magical models. It was a direction completely different from the previous mathematical systems, and it couldn’t even solve other mathematical problems through references.
Whether in magic or in mathematics, this theory was meaningless.
“Sirius, you know, although I encourage you to study mathematics and delve into the theories left by your predecessors, ultimately, everything must return to magic. If it can’t assist your magical advancement, if it can’t create new magic, then mathematics is just a string of numbers.”
Bodoro kindly urged his precious student.
“We shouldn’t delve into mathematics just for the sake of it: it will only lead us astray and waste time.”
Now he just hoped Sirius would give up these crazy thoughts and sincerely complete his initial thesis design. That research could change the magical means of constructing the entire law department, much better than the mathematical achievements before him. If he could get results, just the feedback from the world would be enough to benefit Sirius to the intermediate level.
But Bodoro looked into Sirius’s eyes, knowing it might be too late.
“But aren’t these correct? Is it wrong to study something that’s correct? Didn’t Lord Ableton spend years creating calculus?”
Sirius’s soul had long been imprisoned by the contents of this manuscript, and Bodoro saw it, that fanatical and stubborn look.
“It’s not wrong, Sirius, it’s just pointless.”
Bodoro shook his head.
“Lord Ableton created calculus, but the reason he created this mathematical tool was to solve problems in his own magical theory. That was meaningful. But Sirius, what magical problems can your theory solve?”
The teacher’s question left Sirius speechless. Indeed, his current research was of no help to any current magical models. Even with Sirius’s maximum imagination, he couldn’t guess which field it could be applied to.
“Sirius, I’m not saying your exploration sated by curiosity is wrong, it’s just that, for you, there are more important things to do. That is to improve your magical level, not to agonize over a meaningless mathematical problem. At worst, after you become a high-level mage, you can come back and study it again.”
Bodoro sighed helplessly. He stood up, patted Sirius on the shoulder.
“I heard from Lisa that you haven’t visited her all summer. She’s a bit upset. I have a meal voucher for Maria’s Restaurant. Take her out tonight, soothe her, and adjust your mindset.”
His daughter met Sirius before she entered school, when he hadn’t yet made his mark. They later became lovers. One was his beloved daughter, the other was a rising student. Bodoro was naturally very happy.
But if Sirius continued to be fixated on this meaningless mathematical research, Bodoro might have to consider their future.