Throne of Magical Arcana - Chapter 189

Chapter 189: The Choice of Journals

After taking a look at Lucien, Eric continued to read the comment, “As for Mr. Jeffrey, his comment is ‘fascinating experiment design, cautious exploration and construction’, and he also mentioned the insufficiency of your knowledge and some shortcomings in the new magic you created. However, Mr. Jeffrey said ‘the purpose of the paper is not for showing how perfect this apprentice spell is, but for revealing other methods of application of sound wave, thus the paper is groundbreaking and insightful.’”

Lazar was also listening to the comment very carefully, and his eyes were shining with curiosity and excitement.

“‘However, it is undeniable that this paper still lacks depth of discussion, thus the paper might not be as sustainable as it could be. Of course, we must take the fact into consideration that the author’s only a sorcerer with no arcana level, and what he has accomplished is already very impressive. At the same time, this paper demonstrates to us that non-magical creatures are also worth careful investigation’.” Eric read the comment from Mr. Jeffrey slowly and clear, “‘What I have to point out here is that the author’s way of thinking perfectly accords with the precious features of a real arcanist when conducting a study, which is: keen observation, bold hypothesis, careful experiment-design, rigorous analysis, reasonable inference and application. To my surprise, this author does not have any arcana level. In all respects, four arcana credits and four arcana points are recommended to be given to the author’.”

“So what’s the final result then?” asked Lazar eagerly. He looked even more excited than Lucien.

“Combining the two board members’ judgements together, four arcana credits and five arcana points were given,” answered Mr. Eric.

Compared to Mr. Garfield, Mr. Jeffrey appeared to be more detail-oriented, or say, very throughout, despite the fact that both of them made very similar comments.

Meanwhile, his detailed description also gave Eric and Lazar a rough idea of the subject of Lucien’s arcana paper and his new magic.

“By studying the organs of bats, your paper discusses the role of high-frequency acoustic waves in locating and probing? Wow… That’s something… although observing creatures is your strength since you follow ancient magic system. I also often study bats as well, but I never tried to focus on anything else except their flying behaviors.” As a second circle sorcerer, when Lazar was trying to analyze one of the most important third circle spells, Fly, he observed most creatures that could fly, but never found anything like this. Honestly speaking, Lazar was very regretful.

However, Lazar also knew that this way of doing research was something that ancient sorcerers specialized in, so he still felt very happy for Lucien and sincerely embraced him, “Congratulations, Evans, you are the first person I have ever met that won so many arcana credits on the first day. I’m sure you’ll have an arcana level very soon.”

Many grand arcanists were able to get more than a hundred of arcana credits within one day because of their previous academic works, so getting seven credits in a day was nothing too surprising.

“Do you mind introducing your research to us a bit more in detail, Evans?” asked Lazar, “How did you develop your research based on those bats?”

Even Eric also turned around, feeling quite curious.

When Lucien was about to answer, Lazar joked, “Your paper has been reviewed by the board. Don’t worry that we’ll copy your work, haha. Besides, if your work is cited by someone else, you can earn more credits.”

“It’s actually not very complicated. Lazar, did you ever see bats flying in dark caves?” grinned Lucien, “But why they can do this without hitting anything in the darkness?”

In front of the two arcanists, Lucien’s short explanation was already enough. Eric touched his half-bald head subconsciously and said, “The results of some arcana studies look very simple, but without keen observation and an arcanist’s inquiring mind, they can never be found. I don’t know how many times I may have missed a lot of opportunities to publish great papers.”

Although Eric still doubted whether the new spell was actually invented by Lucien, or it was a unique spell invented by some ancient sorcerer from the ancient magic empire, no one could prove the fact.

“Wow… Lucien, that’s really, really, something! Maybe I shall raise some small creatures in my place, haha, and who knows what I can find.” Lazar was very impressed. Since Lucien did not try to hide his study from him, Lazar found Lucien even more trustworthy.

“As your paper is, like the two board members commented, ‘groundbreaking’, I’m sure you can publish your paper on a suitable journal. When more people start citing your paper, you can get way more arcana credits than what you have now,” said Lazar excitedly to Lucien.

“That’s right. About two or three months later after you publish your paper, you can look forward to getting more credits from other people’s work, haha.” Eric also found it pretty interesting, “If three months later, Evans, you haven’t passed our arcana assessment to get the one basic arcana credit, you would be the first sorcerer who has more than ten arcana credits but no arcana level.”

Hearing their comments, Lucien seized the chance and asked, “Then, which journal should I choose, Mr. Eric? Lazar? Personally speaking, I think the topic of my paper, sound wave, is quite limited, and maybe not many sorcerers would cite my work.”

“That’s right. Besides, after a period of time in which you can get a lot of credits, more and more sorcerers would start citing other people’s paper that are developed based on your paper, but not your original paper anymore. You will still have some credits coming to you from this paper, but surely it’ll get slower and more steady.” Eric nodded, “If you want to have your paper to be cited more often, of course, Arcana and Magic, these two journals are the most influential ones in this magic world, but in most cases, they only publish the most important studies from the greatest arcanists, so probably they’re not part of your choice by now.”

Lucien nodded. He knew that Mr. Eric’s suggestion was very reasonable.

“Then there are another forty-two different journals, including eleven journals belonging to different schools, seven sponsored by the divisions of the congress, three index journals, eighteen in the subdivision fields, three for junior arcanists. The other small ones have not been approved by the congress, and you will not get any arcana credits with them,” explained Eric.

“I see. Can you be a bit more specific, Mr. Eric?” asked Lucien.

“Both Element and Holm Journal are very influential, but they’re also very strict. Personally speaking, I won’t recommend you to try these two, Evans, because your paper might not be important enough yet.” As the director of Sorcerer Administrative Department, Eric analyzed carefully for Lucien.

“So I shall choose those ones in the subdivision fields?” Lucien tilted his head a bit.

“Sound Wave is obviously the most authoritative one for your paper among all of them, and it’s still relatively influential. Common Arcana, while being more influential than Sound Wave, is also stricter with reviewing the papers.” After pausing a bit, Eric continued, “If you send the paper to Arcana Discussion or Journal of Magic Research, the two comprehensive journals specifically for low-level arcanists, I’m sure that your paper would be published, but their influence is not that good at all. So, to conclude, to take risk or to play it safe, it all depends on yourself, Evans.”

Lucien nodded sincerely, “I understand. Thank you for your detailed explanation, Mr. Eric.”

“No worries. This is my responsibility.” Eric’s stubborn face had a bit of a smile on it, “It’s almost six now. Evans, take your time to think about it tonight, and try to send the paper tomorrow before the journal is published this month.”

Lazar also gave his suggestion, “I’d suggest Sound Wave. After all, it’s the most authoritative one in this field.”

“I hear you, Lazar. And I’ll definitely think about it,” responded Lucien. As he was saying, Lucien handed his arcana badge to Eric to activate it.

Taking over the badge, when Eric was just about to deal with it, he noticed the third folder in the cage which was ignored by all of them just now.

Confusedly, Eric opened the folder.

“What’s in there, Mr. Eric?” asked Lazar curiously.

Holding the folder in his hands, Eric’s face looked even more surprised than before. Turning around, Eric first took a deep breath and then said to Lucien, “Evans, Common Arcana wants to make an arrangement with you for your paper’s contribution. If you’re willing to send your paper to them, they promise that your paper would be among the first fifteen most important papers this month.”

As a level three arcanist, Eric never received any contribution invitations, but only many rejection letters.