Chapter 176 Murtada
"...Secret research? What topic did they apply for?" Harold asked with interest.
"Sorry, teacher, this is also confidential." Murtada lowered his head and said very nervously.
"Hmm? Impossible. No matter how secretive the research is, there is no such thing as not being able to tell the subject..." Harold paused deliberately, pretending to think seriously.
"If what you said is true... According to the fatwa, the research must be approved by the Fatwa Council, and all projects except those that must be kept confidential,
Including the name of the project, funding, main person in charge, participants, venue... all are recorded in the void so that the disciplinary officers can perform their duties. "
At this point, Harold let his tone take on suspicion and distrust.
"... they can't even reveal the research topic, they secretly recruit researchers and recruit scholars like you who haven't completed their studies...
I think it’s not that simple, the person who invited you to participate in the research may be conducting research that is prohibited by the Fatwa.”
Harold's eyes took on a scrutinizing tone, and his tone became serious.
"...Probably not!" Murtada replied subconsciously.
But he couldn't think of any words to refute the first two of the three questions Harold raised, so he could only explain the third point Harold raised.
"The person who invited me to join the research was a senior whom I respected. He knew the field I was good at and said that he didn't care whether I had completed my studies or not. They would announce my contribution after the research results were obtained.
I didn’t care about the extra allowance from the Faith Council and the authorship of the research results. I felt that participating in such a challenging research project would hone my abilities. The senior recognized my words, so he said he could make an exception and let me join.”
It would be enough if my father knew that I had contributed to this, Murtada thought.
An analogy is that if you have a goose farm or a pig farm, you can invite college students who have not yet graduated to participate in the development project.
If I encountered this situation, the first thing I would suspect is whether "that senior" is interested in my money, my connections, or my body (organs), and the second is whether they want to pull me in to do odd jobs.
Harold curled his lips, feeling that if the silly boy in front of him lived on Blue Star, he would definitely be deceived into joining a pyramid scheme organization.
Harold: "Your... uh, your simplicity... is indeed the reason why he likes you. This is also the best possibility, but there are many other possibilities.
For example, they may be short of money and want you to become an investor in this research, or they may just want to use an empty shell research to take away the investments of all participants.
Or their research is very dangerous and all participants are their test subjects, so they don’t care about your academic qualifications and research experience.
Or you have a wealthy friend or relative who wants to gain control of you by recruiting you into their gang and letting them pay to ransom you.”
Harold casually mentioned several possibilities, and deliberately arranged the order of words, putting the one he wanted to say most at the end.
Although he did not point it out directly, he also induced Murtada to consider his father who was the disciplinary officer through hints.
Sure enough, when Murtada heard this last sentence, his face suddenly became heavy.
Considering what Harold had just said, his predecessors might be conducting research that was forbidden by the Council of Ordinances, and he clenched his hands slightly.
If, as the teacher guessed, I was controlled as soon as I met with other researchers, what would my father do and think?
Would my father, who has always been strict with himself, break his principles for me? How important am I to him?
Murtada wanted to know the answer, but was also somewhat afraid to know it. Although he had this contradictory mentality, he became resistant to researching the "Garden of Silence" when he thought that his carelessness might implicate his father.
Moreover, Harold agreed to let him be his student, and the research on the "Garden of Silence" completely lost its appeal to him.
"Teacher, you are right, I thought things were too simple." Murtada said with great shame.
"Teacher, please teach me, what should I do?" Murtada turned for help to Harold, who looked very reliable.
"Tell me the name and appearance of the 'senior' who invited you to join the research. You don't need to do anything else. Eat normally, study normally, and finish your studies as soon as possible."
Harold smiled and said, "This matter should be left to the teacher."
Murtada looked away nervously, not wanting Harold to notice his hesitation. He felt that this senior and mentor, who was only two years older than him, was so reliable.
Not only did she take the time to analyze the pros and cons for him and consider everything from his perspective, she was also willing to take over the mess she had created.
Although he was only two years older than him, Murtada felt that Harold exuded the aura of a father.
He organized his words and said, "Thank you, teacher. I will study hard! I will write down the information about that senior for you."
Harold nodded and waited for Murtada to write down the senior's name and information in detail in his notes. He took the paper, glanced at it and put it in his pocket.
"Okay, go back and forget about this matter. I will solve it as soon as possible. If someone comes to you again in the middle, find a way to deal with it perfunctorily and then come to me immediately." Harold said.
Murtada nodded heavily: "Okay, I know what to do."
【Harold (character evaluation)
Murtada (about my mentor):
Since I entered the Ordination House, everyone has treated me as my father's son and held me to a higher standard. I feel like I am always living in my father's shadow.
At that time, I was nervous and sensitive. I felt that if I didn't surpass my father quickly, my existence would be worthless. Just when I was about to go astray, I met Harold, a famous person from Amyrido Academy.
He took me in as his disciple and asked me to farm, feed pigs and write reports for him. He didn't treat me as Tajie's son, he didn't even treat me as a human being.
Huh? You look a little strange, of course I am kidding! I am very satisfied with my life now. This is the first time I have a clear goal and know what I should do.
My mentor is very wise and patient with us, and I respect and appreciate him - it would be even better if he could pay me like other mentors in the Faculty.
After my relationship with my father eased, study and research were no longer everything in my life. I developed some personal hobbies... What the teacher said was right. You can't live without money. 】