After all, evaluating the entire Mage Tower and dedicating such a long time to guide Garrett was quite unusual. The old mage realized that Garrett's issues couldn't be solved overnight, so he redirected his attention. With a forceful cough, he turned to Mage Gelman, his expression serious:
"The cultivation and progress of a mage, in this regard, the comprehensive score"
The old mage deliberately drew out the suspense. When the people around were impatient, and the mischievous kid was about to roll his eyes, he reluctantly uttered a number:
Two low-level mages complained softly. If the score remained low, and they couldn't pass, the Mage Tower would lose research resources next year. At this stage, nobody would benefit.
The old mage had heard these complaints countless times. Considering Gelman was his own disciple, he glanced around, speaking earnestly:
"This is the responsibility of the supervisors. Either focus entirely on breakthroughs or allocate resources to train new mages. Every Mage Tower is a significant resource, and whoever the Magic Council entrusts it to, must make returns."
"This, you all must remember."
The mages nodded silently. Garrett swiftly calculated his current score. Not too bad, thankfully. As long as he scored 70 on the last item, he could pass this year.
However, the final task was magical research. There seemed to have been some issues between Elliott and Karen before... It appeared the progress wasn't smooth?
Garrett silently worried about next year's research funds. The old mage had closed the document in his hands and spoke seriously:
"I've checked before I arrived. Before my arrival, none of you had published anything in the journals or submitted any spell models to the council. So, does anyone have any submissions pending or unpublished? Show them to me."
The Magic Council evaluated research by the number of papers published?
How many journals did you all create, really?
Could it be fluffed up?
This senior who traveled through time, were you from a university's academic affairs office?
Garrett mused, not feeling that "papers" or "research" had anything to do with him, a mage apprentice. To his right, a few official mages exchanged glances, wearing uneasy expressions. After a moment of silence, Mage Karen took a step forward and spoke softly:
"I've made some progress in alchemy..."
Unfortunately, Karen's efforts in alchemy were ultimately deemed inadequate.
The young mage felt frustrated, facing examples brought up by the old mage but unable to retort. Next, Elliott tried to present his spell model, but it wasn't completed before and had resources cut off. In the end, it received an "inadequate" evaluation.
A moment of silence fell. The old mage looked around and urged:
"Any other achievements? If not, your progress so far can only merit a 50!"
Mage Gelman's expression darkened. Caught between embarrassment and failing the assessment, he struggled for a second, then gritted his teeth:
"Elliott! Bring that dictionary!"
Garrett's eyes flashed, looking down at the floor, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
In a Mage Tower, with one Archmage and two secondary mages, being forced to rely on a dictionary for the assessment was already pitiful. If it were known this result came from a mage apprentice, not only would Gelman look bad, but the entire Mage Tower's reputation might suffer.
The KPI sheet read: Resource deduction, salary deduction. Maybe his salary wouldn't be affected he hadn't received anything from the Mage Tower but if resources were cut, next year's development would be challenging.
Elliott hurried downstairs and, after a while, rushed back holding a book resembling an encyclopedia. The old mage flipped through it, silent. Page after page, eyebrow raised. When he reached the end, he turned to Elliott:
"Not mine." Elliott stated solemnly. Taking a step aside, he pushed Garrett in front of the old mage:
"It's his idea, and he organized it. I only followed the instructions to write an introduction, explaining the approach taken."
"An interesting little thing." The old mage smiled, stroking his beard. Beside him, the mischievous kid George wrinkled his nose as soon as he heard "dictionary" mentioned. When Garrett was pushed forward, he craned his neck to take a look, feeling a sudden surge of animosity. Despite holding back, he couldn't resist, stomping his foot and yelling:
"It's this book! Grandpa, you don't know, I caught this guy secretly copying books. But instead of kicking him out of the Mage Tower, Gelman not only let him stay but also said he instructed someone to organize it!"
"George!" The old mage frowned. "Say one more word, and you're out!"
The kid huffed heavily. Under his grandfather's gaze, he dared not speak further. The old mage turned back, smoothed his gray beard, and smiled at Garrett:
"This little thing is interesting, but it doesn't really qualify as a spell model or a creation of magic you understand, right? Just for this, I can only add five points. Do you have any other accomplishments?"
That would be fifty-five points... still ten points shy of passing. Mage Gelman was speechless. Elliott was speechless, and Karen remained silent, her vibrant blonde hair falling limp on her face, appearing dispirited. Apprentice mages required fewer resources, and this additional five points wouldn't help Garrett next year.
Garrett looked left and right, steeling himself, and raised a hand:
"Your Excellency, could I... submit the paper you asked me to write?"
The old mage couldn't help but smile. He accepted it and, scanning through, immediately nodded approvingly:
"Well written. Not a single formatting erroryour teacher has put in quite some effort."
I already knew that! Garrett silently grumbled. From graduating in postgraduate studies to becoming a senior resident, and from there to becoming an associate director, which step didn't require a paper!
This formatting abstract keywords, I could do this blindfolded!
The correct formatting, coherent sentences, for a novice, this level was enough to earn the old mage's favor. He skimmed through it, nodding occasionally, shaking his head at times, and midway through, cast a spell, reaching out.
"...Can't see properly!"
"Magic items have certain requirements." Garrett stood straight before him, chin up, assuming a posture as if defending his thesis:
"Please look from the second paragraph on the third page to the fifth paragraph on the fourth page, summarizing seven cases. The conclusion is that the observed subjects should be five levels lower than the grade of the magical item."
"...That's not useful, then!" As expected, the old mage promptly concluded: "In that case, I can't give you a high score..."
At least bump it up to 70!