203 Submission (1/2)
Chapter 203: Submission
Translator: Kris_LiuEditor: Vermillion
”The original purpose of me doing this research was very simple. As a beginner in arcana, I was seeking a method to better remember the atomic mass of each existing element, so I started playing with cards. I wrote down the features of the elements on the cards and put them in order.
”Surprisingly, during my practice, I found a periodic cycle of repetition of these elements, and the periodic cycle also exists in Valence, discussed in the latest issue of Element. My assumption is that the cycle is created by the mass of the atom, following the order from small to large, and I wondered whether the nature of an element is decided by the mass of its atom, as well as whether we can find more hiding elements following this order. In order to verify my assumption, I did a series of experiments.”
This was the introduction part of Lucien’s research. After verifying that elements in this world could also be arranged following a periodic table, Lucien was almost certain that these elements similarly also consisted of protons and electrons. However, he did not have solid evidence to prove it. Therefore, Lucien decided to stick to atomic mass so far, or people would find it very suspicious when a young sorcerer was exploring something beyond his arcana level.
Following the introduction part, Lucian explained his methodology and theoretical framework for the arrangement, taking elements’ physical and chemical properties, the nature of their compounds, as well as the nature of their alchemical products into consideration, and then he put forward a table listing sixty-five elements in order and summarized.
”In this periodic table, each vertical line of elements have similar characters.”
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”I left some table cells blank, as there is no proper elements to fill in. Here, I suggest two possible reasons: one is that the mass of some atoms are wrongly weighed, or they are new elements that have not been discovered by us yet.”
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”As for the new elements that have not been discovered, here my bold hypotheses is that they are aluminum-like element and silicon-like element, and they can be possibly found in…”
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”Further researches need to be done for verification of my theories and assumptions.”
Lucien put down his quill and read the paper several times. Then, after giving the parchment a slight blow, Lucien put it in his storage pouch.
Lucien did not expect that the mistakenly weighed elements could be identified and corrected soon by other sorcerers, as most of them were contributed by quite complicated reasons, such as those isotopes that could not be separated properly. Although Lucien had figured out these elements’ true atom mass, he did not talk about it in this paper.
When he left the lab, it was totally dark outside as they were already in winter. Pocketing his hands in the jacket, Lucien walked back to his villa slowly, thinking of the next step of his plan.
At this time, someone behind him called his name, ”Mr. Evans, are you ready for next week’s teaching?”
It was Beate, who also just left the lab tower, and his tone was still not friendly.
”I’m sorry, Mr. Beate.” Lucien sent him back a calm smile, ”I’m not going back next Monday, and I already asked for the day off with the headmaster, as I need to renew my arcana badge on that day… You know, to put some more credits and points on it. Since Mr. Fernando cited my paper, I’ve got quite a few points now from other people citing me. Oh… sorry, I forgot that you never experienced something like this.”
Beate took a deep breath as his face turned purple, and then he said sarcastically, ”You’d better wish your good luck’s always gonna be there then, Evans.”
He was pissed off by Lucien’s show-off. After saying that, Beate left by the side way in the garden.
Looking at Beate from behind, Lucien slightly shook his head. Compared with the undead thing, in Lucien’s eyes, Beate was nothing important.
When Lucien came back to his place, his six students were still busy with doing their exercises. The lights in his place were all on, and in front of the apprentices, there were piles of paper.
”Mr. Evans… Ah… Good evening.” The apprentices’ eyes were red and their faces blushed as they were thinking so hard.
Lucien nodded, smiling, ”How’s everything going?”
”The questions are super difficult!” Heidi hurriedly answered, looking quite emotional.
The other apprentices all agreed.
”Those questions all require some skills in thinking.” Lucien grinned, ”Do it smart, not do it hard. All right… Let’s call it a day. Take the rest as the homework for this week and give it back to me next Saturday.”
Hearing that they were okay to leave, the apprentices were all quite happy and excited. While some showed their excitement right away, some tried to hide it.
Pretending that he did not see the students’ reaction, Lucien asked the housemaid to walk the young kids out.
When they passed through the gate of the villa, the apprentices looked back. The villa in the darkness was like a hiding monster, waiting for its prey.
Heidi shivered slightly and looked at the test paper in her hand, ”It’s almost too much for me… I’m feeling a bit regretful now for seeking Mr. Evans’ tutoring.”
”Mr. Evans’ method works well, though.” Surprisingly, it was Sprint who made this comment, ”We’re not real sorcerers yet. We should work hard like this. And Mr. Evans is a great teacher.”
Katrina and Annick nodded beside him.
Heidi whined, ”I know… I know… But I just want to have a real weekend! Mr. Evans is such a demon. I like him, I respect him, but I also hate him.”