The room had a deafening silence after Eli uttered these words.
Except for Zeke and Bramwell who already had a good idea of Eli's stern character, everyone else was shocked to see the young lady declare such domineering words.
However, thinking about what she had just said, they all agreed silently.
Eli entered the institute as a counselor with her identity as an inventor. She didn't enter here as an ordinary teacher nor a saint.
If they could accept those aggressive old fogeys and lethargic young maniacs from the research institute, why would they single out Eli who was the epitome of a successful inventor?
Eli swept a glance at the crowd who kept pondering about her words, seeing that they were in deep daze she added as a closing statement,
"Besides, the rumor was not even true at all. I have a strong sense of self-awareness. I know more than anybody else that if I had a role to play on my first day in the institute… bestowing mass punishment would never be a part of it! So go easy on the children, they are young. If any, it is not punishment that they need right now, what they need the most is guidance."
"Sigh.. Alright.. Now that you said it. Let's leave the matter at hand first." Bramwell helplessly closed the issue when he saw that Eli really didn't want them to pressure the students about the rumours.
He looked toward the bunch of teachers and sternly said, "Now that you know what really had transpired, I hold you accountable for educating the students!"
"Yes, Vice Chairman!" The teachers obediently responded.
Eli and Bramwell sung the same tune. What the students really need right now is guidance.
The Vice Chairman gave his word to hold them accountable for properly guiding the students in terms of their conduct, so they must comply.
"Alright. All of you are dismissed." Bramwell finally released the tensed teachers.
With a relieved expression they silently exited the meeting room in an orderly manner.
Outside the room, Alicia couldn't help but frown in dissatisfaction. She did not see the results she expected on Eli's conduct. She felt like she had underestimated the great inventor.
She thought that Eli would immediately explode upon hearing the rumours and would act unreasonable to the deans and Vice Chairman for all to see.
Who would have thought that she would act so dignified and domineering? There was even an air of nonchalance when she acted as if she doesn't really care if people slander her character!
Not getting the results she wanted she was extremely not satisfied!
She tried to calm herself down and re-evaluated her position. Now that she thought it through, she realized that there was a bright side in this situation.
Since Eli has an inclination to dismiss it as just the students' idle chat, Alicia could still use this chance to get close to her! If she didn't do anything to intervene with the rumour it will really eventually die down.
But that also means that Eli would not assume that it was deliberately done by someone to attack her!
If that's the case, she can use this opportunity to now act according to Empress Carolina's orders and get in Eli's good books!
Alicia's mood quickly improved by the thought of it. Remembering the opportunity she would get if she succeeded in roping Eli into Empress Carolina's faction, she couldn't help but be excited.
She decided to temporarily drop her plans to attack Eli and started to plan on how to interact with her more.
Back in the meeting room, the deans and Bramwell readjusted their moods for the next agenda of their meeting.
Their eyes now looked at Eli who was calmly waiting for them to signal her to start her report.
"Alright, Young Eli, may we hear from your proposal?" Bramwell finally started the second meeting.
"Okay," Immediately Eli stood up straight and took out clean sheets of paper and distributed it to the four, "I'd like you to first take a look at this proposal that I have prepared."
She gave them enough time to read through the sheets before starting her presentation.
"For the next six months, there were two major problems of the research branch that I'd like to help on addressing.
The first one, was the high drop rate of the research topics the branch has experienced for the last three years. The second one, was the disparity of the research topics and the researchers' academic specialties.
"Mmm.. go on.." Bramwell responded, clearly interested in the details Eli prepared in the proposal.
He couldn't help but be amazed that Eli took the effort to present this matter to them with data and analytical evidence, which was to this point, only a few from the research team could do.
"As you had already seen in this proposal, I would like to recommend a whole new structure of conceptualizing, approving, testing and presenting the future research and studies for the branch!" Eli explained intelligently how the modern research process worked.
Her words were succinct yet totally easy to understand. Eli explained each and every step of the process, along with the reason why it has to be done in the first place, from conceptualization to final defense.
She would occasionally see the four nod in agreement and only ask questions that would further deepen their understanding of the process, not to challenge it.
"Although, this would really be a big change on the way the Magical Research Branch would do things, I firmly believe that with these extra steps taken, we are able to help our researchers save their precious time and have them use it for their well being."
Of course, Eli didn't forget to emphasize how it is important to have rest and well being even for the researchers.
As one who was also a workaholic she had many regrets in life the moment she died. Fortunately for her, the Great One chose her to take on a new life.
But not all could experience the grace she just had.
For most of the researchers, they only had one lifetime. She wanted to atleast give them time to do the things they like beyond the four walls of the laboratory!
"What do you think?" Although the look of satisfaction and pride appeared in Bramwell's eyes, he still asked the three deans for their opinions.
He wanted the three to also step up and express their ideas. He hoped that they would also grow as the future leaders of the institute by letting them experience interacting with Eli in this environment.
"I am confident about the Counselor's proposal. If any, I would also like to suggest how to further integrate this in the current situation…" It was Athena who first voiced out her ideas and recommendations.
Soon, Eli and the deans immersed themselves in a deep discussion on how to further enhance Eli's proposal. Eli didn't mind them offering inputs to further improve her ideas.
In fact she was beyond happy to see them suggest and recommend.
For her, it means that they recognized the benefits of her ideas and were concerned on how to make it become successful upon implementation.
Moreover, she wasl learning from them too!
Bramwell couldn't help but smile upon seeing the four engage into a healthy brainstorming session. It was really a good decision to persuade Eli to propose this matter in the presence of the deans.
After wrapping up with the first matter, Eli then proceeded on explaining the second problem.
"The second matter is a bit trickier to solve. I must say, I am not really confident that the researchers would want to consider doing this proposal that I have."
"My only hope is that they would have a clearer mind from consecrating themselves to the temple activities." Eli explained with a big disclaimer, a flash of worry also appeared on her face.
"Do not worry, just tell us your idea and we'll work together from it." Simone, who now looked at Eli in a new light gently encouraged her.
"It's like this.. If you could look into the data I have presented on the fifth page, you can see the disparity of the research topics that the members had taken, over the proven talents they have on the records."
"Just like the team who was working on an enhanced magical sword that could be converted into kitchen and cutting tools…"
"For the members of this research team, one of them are well versed in agriculture while the other two were experts in casting magic. Another one displayed a high aptitude in making potions and only one actually had a background in design."
Remembering the information she found about these researchers, Eli couldn't help but feel helpless.
"But looking at the justification of their research, their motivation was purely because they were all foodies. They wanted to have a portable tool that is convenient for cooking, cultivating food and defending their lives."
"However, since they lack the right expertise on this matter. They were already stuck in this research for two and a half years!"
"Analyzing from how they approached their research, they focused more on the properties of a magical iron sword to shape shift itself."
"If only they focused more on reengineering the design of the battle tool, they could have progressed much faster, taking out 'magic' in the picture."
Eli wanted to tell them that in the modern world, there was a tool called swiss army knife, which already long evolved to not just contain blades and tools but also led lights and even USBs!
This tool didn't even need magic to be created. One just has to be imaginative and an expert in their own craft, like Karl Elsener[1]!
However, she chose to shut her mouth and remain lowkey.
She was just a consultant in the institute, she must only give some hints and guidance, but not answer the problems directly.
