The youngest associate professor

"Roughly speaking, it should take about a year. If that's not enough, we'll add more," Kronos replied.

Portland chuckled. "You don't even have a specific time in mind, yet you're calling me to talk?"

"Professor Portland, you know how it is. When it comes to digesting Potion, where can you find a definite timeframe? Who knows if it might suddenly get better or worse?"

"Actually, I really want you to get into Backlund University. I can help you get promoted to Associate Professor in a year. Once the Ironclad Project is made public, with your one or two years of experience, my recommendation, and your network, you'll have a chance to become an acting full professor in the engineering department when you're thirty."

"You should know that if you could reach that level, you would be a representative figure in the scientific and technological field of the entire Loen Kingdom, and the benefits to you would be immense. So why are you unwilling?"

Portland has brought up this old issue again, still hoping that Kronos can take this path.

Kronos didn't refuse directly, but instead asked, "Professor Portland, why don't you want to become a Artisan? You had the opportunity decades ago; if you had taken it, you might already be Demigod, and your lifespan would be greatly extended."

This is no exaggeration. For Scientists like Portland, this Pathway is inherently well-suited. If Portland had chosen to improve his abilities back then, he would have a real chance of becoming Demigod now.

Portland was speechless for a moment. Indeed, Kronos wasn't the only one so willful; he was like that too.

"Professor Portland, the world we live in is indeed governed by laws and regulations, but these things really don't apply to a High Sequence powerhouse. With your status, perhaps Demigod wouldn't bully you, but what if someone even stronger did? Let alone bully you, they could kill you outright and no one would hold them accountable."

"This is the essence of this world: might makes right. I've seen through this, which is why I'm so keen on improving my strength. Perhaps one day when I become Demigod, I'll consider going back to research."

Kronos wasn't entirely lying to Portland, but the level of Demigod needed to be changed to True God, someone who could survive the Apocalypse. Of course, reaching the level of the Great Old One would be even better.

Portland sighed. He was certain of Kronos's attitude, but he felt it was a pity to have lost such a promising talent.

Seeing Portland's attitude, Kronos joked, "Don't worry, I'm already Sequence 6. Maybe in a few years, I'll become Demigod."

Although Kronos was telling the truth, Portland naturally didn't take it seriously and just glared at Kronos.

"Alright, I'll help you put in a good effort. The most likely candidate is you to mentor graduating seniors, teaching them practical skills or something."

Kronos understood what he meant. It meant that senior students were no longer focused on coursework, but rather on how to turn the skills they learned into job skills.

This kind of course was very simple for Kronos. He simply took the students to his own Factory in batches to do some work. He didn't need to teach them too much knowledge, which also reassured the people on the Higher Education Committee.

"No problem, that's perfect. I'll just teach one class and then leave, so it won't have any major impact." Kronos agreed readily.

"But now there's a problem: it's already October, who are you going to teach?"

Kronos was a bit dumbfounded. Yes, the professors had already gone to teach the classes; how could he suddenly barge in?

Portland pondered the question for a moment, then looked up and said, "How about this: if you're willing to accept an honorary Associate Professor, you can hold that title. You can then provide practical training for senior students, and it will count as a shared course with the professors. Is that acceptable?"

In fact, this title is neither beneficial nor harmful to Kronos. It's still a professorship, which gives him a different social status than ordinary people. Even if it doesn't greatly help him digest Potion, it won't affect anything else.

So Kronos readily agreed, "I have no problem, Professor, then I'll leave it to you."

In less than five days, Portland sent someone to deliver Message to Kronos, since he was too busy to visit in person.

Kronos became Associate Professor at Backlund Technical College, not an honorary Associate Professor. This was the result of Portland's active efforts, as he was afraid that an honorary title would affect Kronos's Potion digestion process.

From the moment Kronos received the letter of appointment, he clearly felt that the speed at which he digested the Potion had increased, by at least one-third of what it used to be.

Kronos was overjoyed and immediately approved a large sum of money to rebuild a large materials Research Center next to the Walter Factory.

After all, we can't really let these college students go into the factory and work with the workers to press Smokeless Charcoal.

As for the small Laboratory that originally stood in the factory, it can still make do for a while.

This materials Research Center was originally part of Kronos's plans, it's just that it's being built a little earlier now.

So as soon as Kronos gave the order, construction immediately began.

It was just a two-story house, but after Kronos invested heavily, the construction team guaranteed to complete it in the shortest possible time.

The speed at which the Message spread was astonishing; before Kronos even reported to Backlund Technical College, his Message had already reached the college.

The news spread quickly throughout the college: the youngest Associate Professor in the college's history had arrived, with powerful connections and immense wealth, just there to gain seniority.

Kronos had no idea that such a "reputation" had spread before his own company had even made a public appearance, and of course, he didn't care much about it.

Kronos might have cared more about Backlund University, given its immense influence throughout the Loen Kingdom and even the Northern Continent. As for Backlund Technical College, it was practically invisible.

The reorganization may have made it much stronger, but to be honest, the most important reason for its strength is the addition of a great Scientists — Professor Portland.

But this great Scientists just happened to be one of Kronos's "backgrounds," his closest "best friend."

If Kronos were more popular at the academy, he might consider attending more classes and perhaps even mentoring a student he liked.

However, if it has such a "notorious reputation," then Kronos could simply provide a venue; after all, Kronos doesn't need to manage these students.

Therefore, Kronos devoted more of his energy to Scroll making rather than actually becoming a "teacher".

The result was that Portland wrote several letters condemning Kronos's irresponsible behavior.

After all, it was he who had pushed through all opposition to recruit Kronos, and now Kronos was just going through the motions; it was embarrassing for him.

With no other option, Kronos had to move from his Villa in the West Borough to his residence in the Saint George District.

Because it's too far from the West Borough, taking the Subway would be better, but Kronos's status dictates that he can't just casually take the Subway.

Taking a horse-drawn carriage would take up half a day round trip, which is a huge waste of time.

Kronos's residence in the Saint George District happened to be right next to the Saint Hilarion Church, not far from the Factory, allowing him to easily make connections at the Saint Hilarion Church.

To get close to the artifacts of Emperor Roselle, it's still necessary to maintain a good relationship with the Church of Steam and Machinery.

So Kronos's schedule changed. Every day after getting up at 7:30 and having breakfast, the first thing he did was go to Church to worship and then get closer to the Clergy.

After the service, Kronos would go to his materials Research Center to begin research and development and popularization of New Materials.

Around this time, Associate Professor from Backlund Technical College will gradually arrive here with their students.

Kronos asked Portland for a list, which was his preferred list of Associate Professor.

Kronos went through the list one by one, exchanging experiences and techniques, and also hoping to build relationships and eventually recruit them to the Research Center.

It's not about poaching, but about forging a bond—a bond not just with these Associate Professor, but more importantly with Backlund Technical College and later, Backlund Technical University.

If the university is willing, Kronos can also support this place to become Research Center under the Backlund Technical University; such a deep connection would truly be beneficial.

Through Kronos's tireless efforts, he signed three-quarters of the talents that the Professor Portland favored, and he also signed employment contracts with several other promising students ahead of schedule.

"I'm starting to regret it. In the end, the reorganization of our university has benefited you." This is what Portland said when he came to inspect the Research Center.

"What are you saying? It's mutually beneficial. It won't affect your university at all; in fact, it will increase your university's attractiveness to talent. Look at these Associate Professor; they're already receiving two salaries. Do other universities offer this kind of treatment? As for those students, they don't need to worry about employment even before graduation. Isn't that great?"

Portland was shocked. He never realized that Kronos was such a shameless person. He was the one taking advantage of the university, but in Kronos's mouth, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and he even made it sound so reasonable and convincing. Portland was almost fooled.