After glancing at Lucian, Eric continued reading aloud the rest of the review results: "Mr. Jeffrey's evaluation reads: 'A fascinating experimental design, rigorously exploring and constructing Arcane Magic. Although the magic constructed still bears many flaws due to limitations in the author's own knowledge and capability, this paper does not demonstrate how good this apprentice-level spell is, but rather that high-frequency sound waves can be utilized in such a manner—can serve as tools for positioning and detection. This opens up an entirely new direction for our research into sound waves. It is a paper of pioneering contribution.'
'However, owing to the simplicity of its exploration—failing to delve into the anatomical structures and positioning principles of bat organs, as well as the foreseeable paucity of follow-up developments based on these principles—the paper's importance is insufficient. Of course, for a magician without a formal Archanist rank, this is already an excellent achievement. This paper also demonstrates to us that ordinary creatures possess remarkable abilities and are equally worthy of study and exploration. We should not limit ourselves to their visible traits—running, jumping, agility, color-changing, strength—but rather observe more deeply.'
'Another commendable aspect is that the paper's author thinks in a genuinely Archanist mode: keen observation, bold hypothesis, experimental elimination, rigorous analysis, reasonable inference, and application. It is quite surprising that he has no Archanist rank.'
'Taking all factors into consideration, I recommend a reward of four Arcane Points and four Arcane Credits.'"
"Combining the evaluations of both committee members, the verdict on Lucian Evans's paper is as follows: 'Pioneering contribution, insufficient importance. Experiments are clear and rigorous, possessing value for discussion and further research. Reward: four Arcane Points and five Arcane Credits.'"
Compared to "Mr. Garfield," this "Mr. Jeffrey" was remarkably verbose, striving for exhaustiveness, yet his final review outcome was strikingly similar to Garfield's—clearly affording full recognition of the value of Lucian's paper.
At the same time, his detailed exposition allowed Eric and Lazar to gain a general understanding of the subject of Lucian's Arcane paper and new spell.
"Exploring the role of high-frequency sound waves in positioning and detection by studying bat organs? Evans, I know you've inherited ancient magic, so this is your area of strength, but I've studied bats myself too. It's a pity I was looking at their gliding ability and neglected everything else—I truly regret it." As a second-tier magician who had been attempting to analyze "Levitation," the most critical among the third-tier spells, Lazar had observed nearly every creature capable of flight. He smiled wryly and grumbled to Lucian.
At the same time, he no longer harbored the slightest doubt that Lucian had genuinely authored this Arcane paper—after all, this was the domain in which ancient magicians excelled. He sincerely embraced Lucian: "Congratulations. Evans, you're the first magician I've ever seen who accumulated so many Arcane Credits on his very first day. Once you've had some time to shore up your foundations in Arcane theory and magic, you'll surely earn a formal Archanist rank."
Many high-ranking Archanists, even without any new research achievements, could potentially earn over a hundred Arcane Credits in a single day from previously accumulated papers, so seven Credits in a day was hardly anything shocking.
"Oh, right—how do bats, high-frequency sound waves, positioning, and detection all connect?" After releasing Lucian, Lazar asked with boundless curiosity, while Eric, who had been reaching toward the iron cage, paused and turned back to listen, wanting to hear why Lucian had been praised for his "astonishingly keen powers of observation."
Just as Lucian was weighing his words, Lazar added with a teasing grin: "Your paper has already passed review, so you needn't worry about us stealing your ideas. Besides, if you can pique Mr. Eric's interest, he might actually go to the 'General Archanist Library' to look up your paper and write a new one based on it, earning you citation credits."
"It's actually quite simple, Lazar. You've seen bats fly in pitch-black nights or in caves, haven't you? Especially in caves—so dark, and yet so many bats darting about without ever colliding with each other or the walls." Lucian offered a few pointers with a smile.
Before two individuals who already held Archanist ranks, these few remarks were more than sufficient to make the point. Eric unconsciously smoothed the hair around his head—abundant on the sides, sparse in the middle—and said: "Some Arcane research results sound simple enough, but without keen observation, without the Archanist's inquisitive and exploratory mindset, you'd never discover them at all. I suspect that, without even realizing it, I've already missed numerous opportunities to publish high-evaluation papers."
He still harbored considerable doubt as to whether this Arcane research paper and new spell had truly been completed by Lucian alone—after all, this could well be a unique spell invented by some ancient magician of the Magic Empire based on bats, and Lucian might simply have studied the underlying principles and formatted them into a paper. But since that ancient magician wasn't about to climb out of a tomb to testify, who would care?
Lazar clicked his tongue in admiration: "I'm thinking about raising all manner of creatures at home, carefully observing their small habits and routines. Perhaps someday I too could—just like you, Lucian—earn a heap of Arcane Credits and high evaluations simply by passing a review. Hey, Lucian, you already have seven Credits!"
Since Lucian had made no effort to conceal anything, Lazar felt he truly was a friend worth knowing, and dropped the formal address of "Evans."
"Since your paper has been evaluated as a pioneering contribution in the field of sound-wave applications, Evans—if you submit it to a suitable journal, it will almost certainly be accepted. Once the Archanists who read your paper have had some time to research and explore the subject, the subsequent citation credits will become the primary source for elevating your Archanist rank."
"Probably in two or three months, their papers will start being published one after another. Heh, if within three months you still haven't earned basic Arcane Credits through our Archanist examination, you'll be the first magician in history with more than ten Credits but no formal Archanist rank."
At the thought of this, Eric's face contorted into what might generously be called a smile—clearly finding the notion quite amusing.
Hearing Eric's words, Lucian took the opportunity to return to the earlier topic: "My paper is limited to a narrow aspect within the field of sound-wave applications, so the number of citations is likely to be quite small. Mr. Eric, which journal do you think I should choose?"
"It's good that you can recognize this soberly, Evans. I was worried you might harbor unrealistic expectations," Lazar remarked from the side.
Eric nodded: "Moreover, once your paper accumulates a decent number of citations, subsequent researchers in this field will tend to cite the earlier papers rather than your original, so your citation credits will gradually decline, eventually settling into a state that is sporadic, sparse, but stable."
"If you want to maximize citations, naturally you'd choose a journal with large influence—one whose published papers are cited frequently. *Arcane* and *Magic* are the two most famous and influential journals in the entire magical world, but they've long been monopolized by Grand Archanists and high-ranking Archanists. For a lower-ranked Archanist, unless a paper is simultaneously pioneering, breakthrough, and of great importance, there's simply no chance of acceptance. Don't even consider them, Evans."
"As for the remaining journals, there are forty-two in total. They include the respective journals of the eleven major factions, seven journals run by regional branches of the Magic Parliament, three abstracting and indexing journals, eighteen journals focused on niche fields, and three comprehensive journals specifically targeting junior Archanists. As for those journals and newsletters run by a few magicians and distributed within small circles—those are for self-entertainment and mutual exchange. Although they're numerous, none have been approved by the Review Committee, and papers published in them don't earn Arcane Credits."
Listening to Eric's explanation, Lucian couldn't help but think: "The Magic Parliament still hasn't introduced an algorithm for measuring journal influence? But with so few journals, there's really no need for one—everyone has an intuitive sense of which ones matter."
"Journals like *Elements* and the *Holm Journal* also enjoy enormous influence, widely cited within their respective factions or regional branches. However, their acceptance criteria are equally strict, and the branch journals primarily cater to personnel within that branch. Evans, your Arcane paper's subject matter is too niche and not important enough, and you're directly affiliated with the Parliament headquarters, so getting published there is unlikely. Statistically, it's not worth the risk." As an executive of the "Magician Management Department," Eric offered his careful analysis.
Lucian nodded slightly: "Mr. Eric, are you suggesting I choose a niche-field journal?"
"*Sonic Waves* is the most authoritative journal in this field—not the highest in influence, but far from the lowest. The *Monthly Journal for Ordinary Archanists* isn't the authority in this particular niche, but as a comprehensive journal targeting mid- and lower-tier Archanists, its influence exceeds that of *Sonic Waves*. Both have fairly high acceptance standards, so your paper, Evans, has a good chance with both but also carries considerable risk."
Eric paused for a moment: "If you submit to the *Arcane Discussion Herald* or the *Monthly Journal of Magic Research*—those two comprehensive journals specifically aimed at ordinary Archanists—I can guarantee that your paper will be accepted, Evans. But their influence is the poorest."
"As for how to choose—whether to gamble or play it safe—that's entirely up to you."
Lucian said earnestly: "Thank you, Mr. Eric, for explaining all of this."
"It's my duty as an executive of the Magician Management Department." Eric maintained his deadpan expression, with a hint of what might be a smile. "There are still two or three minutes before six o'clock. Go home tonight and think it over, Evans. Try to submit the paper tomorrow so you catch the next journal publication cycle."
Lazar chimed in from the side: "I think choosing *Sonic Waves* is the best option. It is, after all, the authoritative journal in this field."
"Heh, I'll weigh carefully whether to gamble or play it safe." Lucian handed his Archanist emblem to Eric, asking him to activate it.
Eric took the Archanist emblem and was about to place it inside the iron cage when he noticed a sheet of white paper still inside. Puzzled, he pulled it out and opened it with curiosity.
"Mr. Eric, what is that document?" Lazar asked upon seeing that Eric appeared somewhat stunned.
Eric held the document, turned to look at Lucian, and drew a deep breath: "Evans, this is a solicitation letter from the *Monthly Journal for Ordinary Archanists*. They are guaranteeing that if you submit your paper to them for publication, it will be placed among the first fifteen articles in the journal."
He was already a third-rank Archanist, yet he had never once seen a solicitation letter in his life. Rejection letters for unpublished papers—those he had plenty of! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please head over to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation!)