I Have Signed a Contract with the Witch Queen

"However, except for a few outliers, the rest all have their own areas of expertise."

Like a competition over whose house was better, Chu Yuan immediately took over the conversation after the other finished speaking, giving Seymer no time to consider.

By the end, he probably felt he was being a bit long-winded, so he simply slapped his forehead and summarized.

These "outliers" naturally referred to Li Huai and Shang Chuan.

But he felt that wasn't quite enough, so he added another sentence.

"The papers in the Villa Forum number over eighty, covering fields from plants to animals, mana to magic, and machinery to the mind. Most of these papers are backed by solid real-world data and numerous examples."

Having said that, Chu Yuan leaned in and whispered to Professor Seymer.

"Only a small portion is speculative and still undergoing experimentation. If Professor Seymer joins us, I believe you could lay a solid foundation for those experiments."

"Hey!"

Seeing that Chu Yuan had shamelessly reached the point of academic bribery, Piamon couldn't care about anything else and rushed out to interrupt.

"Um, I am truly moved by everyone's enthusiastic invitations, but unfortunately, I have already joined the Witch Queen's Witch Academy as a teacher. I'm afraid I cannot join you."

Seymer very gentlemanly declined their invitations.

To be honest, he was tempted, especially when papers were mentioned.

However, he had his own research to attend to, and it wasn't as if the Witch Academy required no teaching at all.

Ultimately, Seymer still painfully turned them down.

"It's fine. If it's just the papers, I can print mine out for you. After all, these things are meant to be read."

Seeing Seymer's undisguised heartache after his refusal, Lan Qingyou, as the Dean of the Witch Academy, immediately fanned the flames from the side.

She actually hoped Seymer would join.

After all, the more scholars with different research directions gathered, the more diverse the problem-solving approaches would be.

But since he was unwilling, she wouldn't force it.

Moreover, Tarot Villa had already transitioned from its initial academic symposium phase into a group chat organization more akin to a 'group of lords.'

Everyone now had their own large estates and businesses. Except for a very few, the rest couldn't possibly spend massive amounts of time discovering, researching, and discussing as they once did.

In that case, there seemed to be no need to bring in more research-oriented talent.

Letting them study, teach, and research at the Witch Academy—a place with a much stronger academic atmosphere—was naturally the optimal solution.

"What about the rest of you? I wonder if your papers can be authorized?"

After finishing her statement, Lan Qingyou turned to look at the others.

After all, the papers on the forum didn't belong to her alone. Even if she were to act willfully, she couldn't just take others' papers for nothing.

"I don't mind."

"I have no objection."

"Didn't you say it yourself? Papers are meant to be read."

"Alright then. I won't take yours for nothing. If Professor Seymer or anyone else on my side writes new papers later, I'll upload them as well. What do you all think?"

Seeing that no one objected, Lan Qingyou raised the manuscript in her hand and stated her terms.

Other things were negotiable, but academic work that couldn't be quantified certainly couldn't be taken for free.

Naturally, no one opposed Lan Qingyou's terms.

After all, some of their papers were already somewhat 'outdated.'

Most importantly, they also wanted their research results to be seen by more people.

Although they hadn't read the thesis Seymer gave Lan Qingyou, they could already sense its profundity from his description alone.

If a professor-level figure like Seymer was willing to take a look, it was naturally an honor for them.

"By the way, Witch Queen, regarding the teacher recruitment you mentioned before, I've found over a dozen former colleagues for you. They are all professors of math, physics, and chemistry. I wonder if the Witch Academy still needs them."

"Yes, we always do. As long as they have their own theories, the Witch Academy will take them."

Hearing that new teaching staff was coming, Lan Qingyou immediately perked up.

"Exactly how many people are there? I'll have... Never mind, Professor Seymer, go find the Witch of Knowledge, Diana. The one you saw last time. You can talk to her about the subsequent reception and the planning for the shelter land."

"Alright, I'll go find Diana directly in a bit."

Seeing Lan Qingyou agree, Seymer breathed a sigh of relief.

He had given his old colleagues his word. If his previous promise fell through, his credibility would be finished.

Of course, those he could call upon naturally had their own respectable theories.

Otherwise, they wouldn't dare take on this job at the Witch Academy.

After all, the Witch Academy in the Abandoned Land was currently the only one on the entire Kalim continent.

If they wanted to continue teaching and spread their theories, this was naturally the best choice for these teachers.

"Are you leaving, Teacher?"

Seeing Seymer's words implied he was ready to depart, Alisa, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

"Yes. I'm currently holding a position at the Witch Academy in the Abandoned Land, primarily teaching the Applied Chemical Equations of the Kalim Continent major. If you need anything in the future, you can come find me there."

As he spoke, Seymer turned the back of his card toward Alisa.

"Let's add each other as friends first. We can contact each other through the cards later."

Because of the convenience of these identity cards, very few people still hovered around their magic desks.

Even specialized professionals like Shang Chuan were no exception, showing just how widespread the cards had become.

"Teacher, why not come to my Witch Academy instead? My academy is currently under construction and happens to be missing a Dean."

Thinking that if her teacher was going to teach somewhere, he might as well come to her school.

Thus, Alisa issued an invitation.

Although this so-called 'academy' didn't exist at all, that didn't stop her from inviting Seymer.

After all, weakening Lan Qingyou meant weakening all the Witches of the High Tower.

"No, I have signed a contract with the Witch Queen. She provides me with evolution items, and I help her teach students."

Although he was tempted by his student's invitation.

Seymer still shook his head and refused.

Credibility was one factor, the contract was another, and the papers were yet another.

But the most important thing was the lack of stress.

Compared to a position like Dean, which involved overseeing the big picture, a teacher had much more free time.