The students jogged away from the pond area.
Before their figures had even vanished into the distance, Bruno impatiently sidled up to He Xi and pulled out the roll of paper he had stuffed into his robes earlier.
"What do you think would be a suitable name for the new research topic? <Communication with Magical Pets Without Magical Intervention>? Or <A Preliminary Study of Mimicking the Natural Vocalizations of Demonic Beasts>?"
He paused, then added, "Or perhaps <On the Feasibility and Practical Limits of Simulating Demonic Beast Vocalizations to Construct an Instruction System for Low-Intelligence Creatures>? It's a little wordy, but it sounds more academic. When we publish it..."
"Wait." He tucked the paper back into his robes and looked up. "Teach me a few pronunciations first. As the project lead, I need to personally vet this sort of thing."
"I have something to do today," He Xi replied calmly. "We can discuss teaching you the pronunciations later. First, give me the raw observation data and nutrient solution formula for the Mutagenic Spores you promised me."
Bruno's hand froze in midair.
"No! What if I give you the formula and you turn around and renege on our deal? At the very least, you need to teach me two command words first, to prove that ordinary people can indeed replicate this method!"
He Xi did not argue with him. He looked toward the greenhouse exit. "What were those students' names just now?"
"Connor, Mattis..." Bruno answered on reflex, then caught himself. "—Wait, why are you asking that?"
He Xi did not answer.
He had already turned and started walking in the direction the students had gone, his unhurried voice drifting back. "I wonder whether the academy has any special rewards for students who independently propose new research topics..."
Bruno stood rooted