In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

But each time, she seemed uninterested, glancing at it briefly before leaving.

Why did I suddenly think of this today?

soon.

Rod immediately realized the reason: "Because of the missionaries?"

"Ah."

Cole nodded emphatically, a hint of regret in his expression, and said, "If I had power like you, my parents wouldn't have..."

The words are not finished yet.

A look of sadness appeared on her face.

It seems that the arrival of the missionaries has reminded her of the inhumane treatment she received in the laboratory years ago.

Rhodes neither refused nor immediately agreed, but instead used the same words as when Desia had taught him martial arts.

"My martial arts skills are all self-taught; I'm hardly a master. Are you sure you want to learn?"

Just like Rod back then.

Cole's answer was the same: "Yes, I want to learn."

Seeing her determined gaze, Rod smiled, patted Cole's head, and nodded, saying, "Okay, but let me make it clear beforehand, learning martial arts from me might be very tiring."

"I'm not afraid of being tired."

Cole wasn't frightened, nor did she shake off Rod's hand as she used to.

"Haha."

"Okay, let's start with the most basic physical training."

Rod laughed and agreed.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 61 The Exile's Gift

Ever since that day I promised Cole I would teach her martial arts.

Rod's daily life became much richer.

In addition to teaching Cole some of the most basic training.

The chicken coop and pig cages at home need to be cleaned, fed, ventilated, and have ice mist flowers added to maintain the indoor temperature.

The seeds planted in the experimental field have successfully sprouted.

The experiment of replacing the Blessing of Fertility with grass slime yielded very good results.

Needless to say, windbreaks are another important feature.

We spent so much Mora and time to acquire these date palms, and even applied Fertile Bounty to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. If they don't work, we'll have lost a lot of money.

The sand eel is also growing very well.

However, it is not yet the breeding season, so it is not the time to harvest sand silkworm pupae.

In conclusion...

Rhodes' money was well spent this time; the initial results were much better than when he was groping around aimlessly without any knowledge.

Candice was also very concerned about Rhodes's experimental field.

I always check on it several times a day during my patrols.

I heard it from the other guards.

Sometimes at night, you can see Candice resting under the date palm tree in the experimental field.

However, none of this is anything special; at most, it means that my efforts have finally yielded some results.

What truly made Rod smile from ear to ear all day long was...

It was a book that Adbay gave him.

There is no title on the cover.

Upon opening it, one finds a series of experimental reports and papers, with detailed and comprehensive content, ranging from the theory and experimental results of plant hybridization and grafting to the possibility and inferences of animal hybridization—all of which are the knowledge that Rhodes needs most right now.

"What are you looking at? This is your payment."

"I am indeed disabled now, but I'm not at the point where I can eat and drink for free."

"You've made a profit, kid."

"This is the result of more than ten years of painstaking research at the Academy of Teachings."

Adebay said this with great pride.

in those days.

He was passionate about botany, but because he didn't understand the intricacies of interpersonal relationships and spoke too bluntly, he repeatedly offended other scholars in the ecclesiastical academy.

This also meant that every time he applied for funding to conduct in-depth research, he was either rejected or only given a small portion.

When he finally finished his thesis after exhausting all his efforts, he was exiled to Aru Village by Hazard.

Adbay was originally the type to give up and do nothing.

Since you've all convicted me anyway, I might as well research whatever the Church forbids, and drive you sages and disciplinarians crazy!

With this rebellious mentality.

Adbay continued his unfinished research in the church in Aru village and expanded it into the theory of animal hybridization.

This is why Rod was able to see so many oddly shaped plants in his yard.

As for animal hybridization...

Due to the scarcity of available materials, Adebay's work is largely based on conclusions and inferences derived from theoretical research.

After reading through all the experimental reports and papers he had given me.

Rhodes was extremely shocked to see a deduction in it.

That means inbreeding is prohibited, whether among plants, animals, or humans.

That's a bit beyond the scope of the curriculum.

Although this was just a theory that Adbay deduced through observation and knowledge gleaned from the void during his hybridization experiments, it has not been truly verified.

However, his paper was well-reasoned and supported by detailed theoretical and experimental evidence for each experimental step.

Unfortunately.

At that time, Adbay was under the most severe suppression. After the paper was submitted, it disappeared without a trace. Not only did he not request funding, but he also received no other feedback whatsoever.

"Too——"

Is this even humane?

Even though he had already cursed the Order of the Church many times, and Rhodes himself was too lazy to curse them anymore, he still couldn't help but feel the urge to curse them out again.

What kind of bullshit academic research organization is this?!

Is this how it's researched?

Adbay's paper is so well-reasoned and solid. If he were given funding to conduct his research, he would definitely be able to develop a completely new theory.

The results of it?

Because Adbay has the personality of "turning the table when the leader serves food", this paper, which is definitely a heavyweight in the field of biological theory, was buried for nothing.

Annoyed.

The word "annoyed" doesn't even begin to describe it.

"These things are yours now that I'm giving them to you."

Adbay was pleased to see Rhodes's furious expression and generously stated that the papers he wrote at the Order of the Church had already been submitted and Rhodes could not publish them indiscriminately. However, the papers he wrote during his time in the desert had not yet been read by anyone and Rhodes could publish them at will.

As for the signature, just write "Rod".

"How is this possible!"

Rhodes disagreed with Adebay's words: "What's yours is yours. If I derive new results from your research report, that's mine, but these things are yours, and no one can take them away!"

"No one can take it away?"

"Hahaha--"

Upon hearing Rhodes's words, Adbay laughed so hard he almost fell over, as if he had heard an incredible joke. It took him a long time to recover before he said, "Silly boy, the Order of the Church has long since fallen from grace. It's no longer the Order of the Church that wholeheartedly followed Lord Tree King and devoted itself to academics. Can't take it away? Hmph, if your paper is outstanding enough, it might just be your classmate's or even your advisor's in the next second!"

Rod's breath hitched.

Academic plagiarism!

A chaotic phenomenon that has been impossible to eradicate, from the modern era to another world.

Then he suddenly realized why Adbay had said that, and immediately frowned and said in a deep voice, "You've been plagiarized?"

"hold head high."

"That was all a long time ago."

Adbay spread his hands, looking indifferent, and said, "At that time, I had not yet obtained the Tosata degree. Because of this, it was delayed for another year before I became a Tosata."

"That plagiarist?"

“He was Tasata then, and now he is Habantha.”

"I"

Rod felt a tightness in his chest.

A plagiarist became the Habantha, second only to the Sage in the Chancellery, while the true author was ultimately suppressed and exiled to Aru Village.

Outrageous!

This is absolutely outrageous!

Despite having already cursed it once, Rhodes still wanted to curse the Order of the Church again.