'Ah…'
As he watched the seconds pass one by one, Shiro sighed inwardly on stage.
The power of money had already reached its limit. Fortunately, he still had psychic power to use.
'Mesprit,' Shiro called out in his mind. 'Influence the emotions of everyone voting in the hall.'
The moment he finished speaking, Mesprit, who had been floating invisibly in midair, flew toward the center of the venue.
As the four pink tails on its head swayed continuously, invisible psychic waves carrying the power of authority spread outward. Every person in the hall who was still hesitating suddenly seemed to gain enlightenment in that short moment... why fight against money?
At that instant, each researcher found the answer they believed in most.
Mesprit looked around once more and noticed many people had still pressed oppose. Without thinking further, it continued using its authority.
A subtle change quietly occurred in the hearts of those opponents as well... why oppose?
Wasn't Shiro the most suitable person to become a professor? No one was more talented than him. No one could produce greater academic achievements.
And most importantly... why fight against money?
Just because of Professor Oak? Plenty of people had flattered Oak for ten years and still failed to receive a professor title.
To forge iron, one must be strong oneself...
The many opponents instantly understood and immediately changed their previous decisions, switching all of them to approve.
"Final countdown! Five seconds, four, three, two, one! Time is up!"
The host pressed the stopwatch in his hand, and all the voting devices immediately dimmed. All voting results were instantly collected.
In the front row, Oak heard the firm sounds of buttons being pressed around him and could not help smiling.
How could these young researchers possibly oppose his decision?
This year's professor conferment would end the same as before. No one would gain anything.
Of course, at this moment Oak had already made plans. After presenting his own research and handling the aftermath, he intended to recommend a few researchers who pleased him...
Just as he was smiling and thinking excitedly, a cry of shock came from the stage.
"Huh?!"
The male host, who had originally been a researcher from Oak Research Institute, was utterly stunned. His jaw nearly dropped, his body bent forward because of the result in his hand, and his eyes widened like walnuts.
Shiro, who already knew the outcome, smiled and asked softly, "What is it? Is there something so surprising about the result?"
The audience below also stretched their necks and looked up curiously.
They had cast their votes, but only knew their own choices at most, perhaps the choices of those nearby. After hesitating for so long before making a decision, they naturally wanted to know what everyone else had chosen.
"Cough, cough..."
The host finally regained himself and hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, I lost my composure. I will now announce the result."
After saying that, he projected the result in his hand onto the screen.
Ding!
The screen flashed, and two large words appeared in the center: Approve, Oppose.
But what no one expected was that the number under Oppose was a clear zero.
Under Approve were one hundred and seventeen votes.
Everyone had pressed approve.
This abnormal scene deeply shocked the professors and researchers. Even Oak in the front row stood up in alarm, staring back and forth at the screen with wide eyes.
Oak felt dizzy, and his words became shaky. "Th-this is impossible. Was there a mistake? The devices malfunctioned, right? Were the numbers reversed?"
"Professor Oak..." Shiro smiled and shook his head. "Didn't you personally press approve right in front of me? Why are you so surprised?"
"I... I... I..."
Oak was left speechless.
It was true. He had pressed approve in front of Shiro to clear suspicion from himself. The problem was that the people beside him and the host on stage had all clearly seen it.
He could not even argue.
Below the stage, many researchers suddenly understood.
So Professor Oak himself had voted in favor. Then there was no issue... perhaps they had misunderstood his intentions earlier?
Oak was a good professor who supported newcomers!
"That still doesn't prove the devices weren't faulty!" Oak became anxious. "What if it affected the fairness of the vote?"
Shiro raised an eyebrow when he heard that, but said nothing.
Affected fairness? Whose fairness had been affected?
He turned to look at the host beside him. Normally, something like this should be handled by the host.
"Cough, cough..."
The host coughed twice again and signaled Oak with his eyes to sit down first.
But how could Oak listen to the hint of a mere young researcher? He stubbornly walked to the edge of the stage, clearly insisting on checking the voting devices.
"Ah..." The host sighed helplessly. "In that case, as per procedure, please have all professors and researchers who voted approve raise your hands."
Although voting was done through devices, the voters were still present in the hall. If there was any problem, such as incorrect numbers, it could be verified on the spot.
Only then did the flustered Oak react. His whole body felt numb as he returned to his seat in the audience, not even looking at the forest of arms rising behind him with swishing sounds.
There were still mocking gazes in the venue now.
Only this time, they were directed at Oak.
As long as someone was embarrassing themselves, it did not matter whether it was the genius researcher on stage or the old authority below. As long as there was entertainment, it was enough.
The host quickly picked up the microphone and shouted loudly, "Alright, on-site voting has officially ended. The final result... one hundred and seventeen votes, all in favor!"
"Congratulations to Researcher Shiro! He has received recognition from every professor and researcher at this year's Academic Summit and has successfully completed the professor conferment!"
After speaking, the host lowered the microphone and quietly explained a few things to Shiro.
The process for evaluating professors was decided by the academic world, but the official granting of the professor title was still handled by the League. Therefore, they would likely need to wait some time for the League's approval.
Normally, a newly appointed professor would also receive an honorary medal and a brand-new white coat issued by Oak Research Institute.
But this time, the Institute had prepared none of those things...
Shiro waved his hand, showing he did not care about such trivial matters. "I understand. Small things like that don't matter."
"Good."
The host let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you very much."
For a researcher who had gained everyone's recognition, if he started criticizing Oak Research Institute over a medal or coat in the hall, it would be hard to settle.
"It's nothing..."
After saying that, Shiro turned toward the audience. He bowed slightly, then waved his hand.
"Thank you, professors and researchers, for your support!"
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