"Not to discount the quality of your work, Miss Berg, but I prefer to make my own name in the field of Arithmancy and don't require assistance for the projects I choose to pursue. The only thing you'd really be researching are the concepts you stumble upon yourself," he explained, kind of surprised that she didn't accept his offer right off the bat. He knew she wanted to accept it, though, so he kept talking.
He returned her penetrating stare, choosing his words carefully. He answered slowly for maximum effect. "I understand how you feel, and if I could, I would give you a job tomorrow. Unfortunately, as a victim of those notions, you are somewhat stuck in your position as a student, and because of the responsibility you've already taken on as teaching assistant in other subjects, I can't offer you that kind of position with me. This is the closest I can do."
He hoped he wasn't losing her along the way, but he was a little worked up and could not stop his mouth. "Your thirst for knowledge reminds me of my own, so I'm trying to offer you this opportunity not because I think it's some game and want to see you jump through hoops, but because I know that your ambitions make you WANT to take this challenge. You WANT to beat me. And what I'm offering is the chance for you to do that. I'm not sure any other professor would allow you the chance to prove you might be better than them, because they're afraid of not being the authority."
"If I remember anything about Danson's background, it's that he's sort of a hermit. If he allowed you into his world of numbers, you must be qualified and I respect you for that. I'm hoping that in time you will be able to respect me for my qualifications as well, and allow me to teach you in the manner that I think will be most beneficial to you."