BXBX NOVEL Chapter 150 The Eccentric Research Branch Is Back!
"Eherm!" Clearing his throat to break the long silence, Zeke took the responsibility to continue the conversation. "Counselor, I think this will be feasible. However, if this becomes successful, how are we going to execute the next step?"
"This is the hard part.." Eli frowned, still feeling uncertain with the appropriateness of the next step she had in mind.
"If you also see fit.. I plan to create two main specializations for the branch. As you already know, research is not only limited to topics which require our teams to create some new inventions."
"Proving and disproving theories, publishing of well defended discoveries were also possible too. Infact, it is equally important that we put resources to the research teams interested in theories."
"The more we discover, the more it can help us create new inventions and creations. As such, the main specializations I have in mind would be the Discovery and Invention Departments."
"These divisions would still be headed by the respective faculties carrying the same expertise. However, this will not limit the collaboration with each other...
"What I want to suggest for us to try now, is to refocus the researchers on their field of expertise first, before jumping on integrated projects that would require the help of other branches."
"Based on the profiles, there are researchers and faculty members who had higher aptitude in design and creation, while others were really talented in analysis and critical thinking... That is why, I thought it would be best to group them according to my proposed divisions."
Eli explained with nervousness, she didn't know what the deans and her Uncle Bramwell would think of her suggestion, as it would surely be drastic.
"This…" Zeke and the others contemplated for a good few minutes.
As good as Eli's proposal may sound, all of them, including Eli, knew that it would be hard for the branch to take this great change.
It was pretty easy for the higher ups to nod their heads. However, the researchers and faculty members, who were the reason for the branch's existence, would be the problem.
Now that Eli had given them the whole picture, from her first proposal to the next, the biggest change that they would do was to take away the researchers' freedom to choose their own topics to pursue.
Of course, with Eli's explanation, backed up with irrefutable data, taking away an extent of this freedom would be beneficial for the researchers.
But the researchers and faculty members may not look at this situation the same way as them.
They were eccentric people, willful and prideful especially on the work they have been doing.
Also taking into consideration the mass punishment given to them, it would be hard for Eli and the rest to convince the branch to do such.
"Sigh.. as expected, you also find that this would be hard." Eli knew the answers from their reaction. Although a little bit sad, she also knew that it was a hard change to swallow.
"I apologize... I would like to support you in this, but based on the research branch's personalities, they would surely give you a hard time." Zeke replied in an apologetic and concerned tone.
"It's alright, I guess, we take things slow. With the new way of approving research topics, coupled with the lesson plans I prepared to aid them for their research, the branch would still improve." Eli tried to console everyone, who were as helpless as her.
"Let's not be discouraged and hasty. It would also be hard to make everything change in a short period of time. The creation of two separate divisions can still be revisited after some time. As for everything else, we can proceed on doing that!" Bramwell advised as the most senior among the group.
He didn't think that Eli's idea was wrong, however, it is just that the time may be inappropriate for now.
Eli also understood Bramwell's intention, she nodded and joined the rest in replying, "Understood, Vice Chairman."
"Hmm… the research branch would likely come back in a week's time. Young Eli, do you need assistance in order to prepare the lesson plans for the new subjects of the curriculum? Please do not hesitate to tell us what you need." Bramwell asked Eli in a thoughtful tone.
"I have prepared the learning materials…" Eli took her space pouch again and showed another stack of papers.
This time, this was way more thicker than the proposal paper she distributed earlier.
"These materials were actually targeted on helping the researchers in hastening the accomplishment of their ongoing works. It is composed of multiple subjects, cramming principles from basic to advanced level. What I need is the assistance to reproduce these copies for the use of the branch." Eli explained.
Although her book of knowledge had a print function, it was too inconvenient for her to use it to mass produce copies. She would die of exhaustion if she insisted on making a copy for the entire branch!
Besides, creating this one set of learning materials literally fried her brains!
At the end of the day, she only took a ladderized engineering course because she could no longer pursue music, due to her Mum's circumstances and the great financial constraint.
Without the help of the book of knowledge, providing her endless information, she really didn't know how to accomplish these tasks.
Other than music, the only strength she had was her workaholic habit.
This honed her to be someone who was strong enough to survive in the middle realm of the corporate world - tempered by the pressure from the higher management and the stress in managing her subordinates at the rank and file level.
Without it, Eli would never have a motivation to even take the role of an 'inventor' much more an educator.
But who would have known?
Her experiences in her past life, which mainly includes her sufferings in the corporate world would enable her to do things beyond her imagination in this world.
What's better this time was that, she had people to rely on, like Zeke and the rest.
"That's easy! Let me help you arrange for this to be done!" Zeke enthusiastically volunteered.
He had an intense sparkle in his eyes as he eyed the stack of papers on the table. It was as if he was looking at a piece of decadent cake!
Bramwell, Simone and Athena couldn't help but twitch, as they could see that Zeke almost failed to stop himself from drooling.
However, they could understand why. Because they too were tempted to take the stacks of papers and confine themselves in their bedroom to read its contents!
It came from Eli, the famous inventor afterall!
"Eherm.. Counselor Eli, would you mind letting me have the honor to obtain a copy of this too?" Simone shyly requested a copy.
"Me too! Me too!" Athena also dropped the facade of a respectable dean and shamelessly clung to Eli's arms with pleading in her eyes.
"Erm.. I really planned to give a copy for you all too…" Eli was helpless when she saw the two deans begging. She looked at her Uncle Bramwell asking for help.
"Alright.. All of you. Young Eli has given her words. However, I trust that you don't let this material go public recklessly. Three of you, I task you to prepare the necessary documents to officially publish this book under Young Eli's name." Bramwell will not let Eli be short changed for everything that she did.
Now that Eli was also his godniece he would give her the treatment she deserved.
"Thank you, Vice Chairman." Fully understanding her Uncle Bramwell's order, warmth enveloped her heart.
In Prasinos, not one of the people around her had any blood ties with her, but they treated her so well, like a true blood related family!
That was also why she didn't want to do any half assed job as long as she knew it would help the people she cared for, may it be the Faraulds, the Forgeworns, the Silver Dew Elves and Leon's side of the Imperial family.
The meeting had consumed two hours of Eli's weekly committed quota, however, she knew that this time was well spent.
After the meeting, she collaborated with Zeke through the rest of the week for the preparations.
During this time, the rumours about Eli was still a popular topic, but slowly died down probably because Alicia didn't do anything to fan the flames or the faculty members also obeyed Bramwell's order to handle the students.
It was not long before the expected time of the research branch to return came.
Calmly descending from the steps of the majestic main hall, Eli walked alongside Bramwell and the three deans as they welcomed Mort and the research branch.
The temple wagons slowly lined up on the institute's gates and everyone watched as Mort and the research branch mounted off the wagons.
Mort was still the same, with his serene and holy aura, clad in a simple white robe and an unworldly expression.
Except when his eyes sweep a look towards Eli's direction, his eyes would look like he was disinterested in the mundane things of the world.
What was different this time was the appearance and expression of the ever eccentric members of the research branch.
They left the institute with submissive and aggrieved expressions a month ago, yet now…
Apart from their prim and proper look, which was already far from their usual panda eyes and unkempt facial hairs, their eyes were filled with an incredible fire!
Especially when they looked towards Eli. They seemed like they were holding themselves back to kneel in front of her!
Eli and the rest became really curious, why does it seem like these research maniacs became much more aggressive than before?