Wizard: Starting With Synthesized Gems - Chapter 523

Chapter 520: External Researcher and Meeting an Old Friend

On the wizard ship, Locke increased his magic pressure from 8100 to 8500. Because of the compression method, the backflow of the natural force plane, and a ring of crystallization stage three-eyed tiger-eyed cats that increased its own upper limit, Locke’s progress speed was very abnormal in the eyes of other wizards in the liquefaction stage.

Even for a wizard genius, it would take several years to jump from 8100 to 8500, but Locke skipped it directly.

This is the benefit of having compression and shortcuts.

At that time, the wizard’s airship had arrived above the Yunze Wetland. Locke looked at the shimmering surface of the Cloud Lake below the wizard’s airship. The Cloud Lake was like a mirror created by nature, reflecting all the light back to the sky.

Full of a sense of wonder.

The huge Cloud Lake covers the total area of more than a dozen wizard lands, shared by the Three Lakes Land and the Dragon Falling Land, resulting in the Three Lakes Land being long and narrow, which is essentially the shore of the Cloud Lake.

The airship would dock in a city near Golden Crown Mountain, so at this time Locke was sitting in a seat on the public library of the airship. He put down the book in his hand and was chatting with teacher Harun Vera through the gray mist slate.

This month’s Southeast published its own article, stating that the problem that had plagued Lilith’s cottage for over five hundred years had finally been solved, and the power of Mist had been proven to exist.

Harlan Vera raised a glass of wizard wine to Locke and expressed his gratitude. “Locke, on behalf of all the wizards in Lilith Hut, I thank you. Your article proves that Lilith Hut’s past claims are at least partially correct.”

“The power of Mist is indeed a special force formed by the superposition and combination of three permanent defense force fields.”

Because wizard wine is not allowed on the airship, Locke can only replace wine with tea, using a cup of duck head tea as a substitute.

Locke took a sip of duck head tea, and the fragrance lingered on his teeth. Special water element tides continuously impacted between his tongue and teeth, awakening the breath of life and creating a special tactile sensation.

That is mortal tea, which will not produce any tactile sensation.

Then, as he breathed, the fresh air lingered in his lungs, and the residual toxins from the medicine in his body disappeared. In addition, his perception and compatibility with the water and wood elements increased slightly.

Locke said to Harlan Vera: “I am also a wizard from Lilith’s Cottage. It is my duty to do something for my alma mater.”

Harlan Vera smiled and said, “Your article has indeed greatly enhanced the status and reputation of our Lilith Cottage in the Southeast Corner. If this article were published elsewhere, it wouldn’t have the same effect as it has now in Southeast.”

“‘Southeast’ is a monthly magazine, published every month, and is subscribed to by many wizards in our wizarding land. Your article is the first page of this edition, so many first-ring wizards in the Southeast Corner Region know about the power of Mist and that Lilith’s Hut possesses this power. This is a great improvement in the quality of our student enrollment.”

“You know, for a wizarding organization, the source of its students is the key to its future survival and prosperity,” Harlan Vera said. “The most confusing thing about it is that the quality of the students won’t affect our present, but only our future.”

“Secondly, the matter of Mist’s power has increased our status with the White Wizard Association. As an academy with a unique ancient heritage, we should definitely have some unique privileges. Protecting civilization and supporting the development of diversity have always been a major political correctness at the White Wizard Headquarters.”

Locke nodded.

Harlan Vera glanced at the duck head tea in Locke’s hand and asked curiously, “Locke, that seems to be a wizard green tea. It looks very unique. Just by sensing the changes in your magic pressure, I can tell that it is a unique and fine tea.”

Locke was stunned for a moment, then said, “Oh, Teacher Harun, this is a specialty of Yunze Wetland that the airship gave me. The Jinman Mountain I’m going to this time seems to be the best and most efficient agricultural area in Yunze Wetland.”

“There’s an independent wizard organization in Jinmian Mountain called Luxuqiao. Luxuqiao’s specialty is wizard tea. This is one of the famous teas they grow, called Duck Head Tea.”

“It’s really good. I’ve never seen a wizard tea that can completely eliminate the toxicity of potions in my body. It can also restore my life force and make me feel more comfortable than ever before. It seems to have restored something else in me as well. It also slightly improved my perception of the wood and water elements.”

The perception of other elemental particles is fine, but it is quite scary that duck head tea can enhance one’s perception of wood elemental particles.

His compatibility with the wood element composite particles is more than twice that of ordinary wood element sons.

After all, as the guardian of nature, I have natural and unreasonable preferences.

But duck head tea can actually temporarily improve its compatibility.

It is worthy of being the famous wizard tea of Luxuqiao.

Harlan Vera was also stunned when he heard the name of Luxu Bridge. “Luxu Bridge… I remember it too. It’s indeed a famous tea-producing area. I just didn’t know it had such a deep connection with Jinmian Mountain.”

“Golden Crown Mountain is also a very famous wizard organization among breeders. Lilith’s cottage has a lot of excellent magical plant seeds, which were also purchased from Golden Crown Mountain.”

“Golden Crown Mountain is best at cultivating agricultural-type magical plants.”

Harlan Vera smiled and said, “After you’ve seen the world, don’t forget to tell your seniors about the things out there at our sect gathering.”

“Among the formal wizards I’ve taught, except for a few wizards like Bazel, you are the one who has done the best.”

“Winning the Yunze Cup and reaching the Advanced Zhenzhi Academy are things that ordinary formal wizards in the Southeast Corner Region dare not even dream of. In a sense, you have already reached the pinnacle among those ordinary formal wizards remaining in the Southeast Corner Region.”

Locke remembered that Wizard Bazel was a second-ring wizard and basically would not come to attend their master’s gatherings, but every once in a while, he would ask someone to bring a gift to Teacher Harun Vera.

The wizarding world is a society formed by the bond of master-apprentice relationship, so the master-apprentice relationship is extremely valued here.

Locke said: “Of course.”

“Teacher Harlan.”

Harlan Vera said, “By the way, Dean Earl Thompson also wants to establish cooperation with you and invites you to join the Mist Origin Research Institute in Lilith’s cabin as an external researcher.”

“Actually, you don’t need to do anything. I just wanted to quote your article about the power of Mist.”

“We’ll give you 10,000 magic stones every month, which translates to one magic crystal card. That’s twelve magic crystal cards a year. As a condition, you need to answer a few of our questions using the Gray Mist Slate. It won’t take much of your time.”

Harlan Vera said with a headache: “Locke, I’m not here to persuade you. I’m just the senior wizard mentor of Lilith’s Hut. In this position, I can only try to make a proposal to you. You can refuse it.”

“I know that entering the Advanced Academy of True Knowledge doesn’t mean everything will be fine. Instead, it’s the beginning of a more difficult learning process.”

“So, if you feel embarrassed, you can refuse.”

Locke nodded slightly. It was obvious that after he published the article about the Power of Mist, it changed the dean of Lilith’s Hut’s original view of the Forest Sanctuary and the Power of Mist.

The other party probably wants me to help Lilith’s cabin and regain the forest sanctuary and the power of Mist.

However, this matter does not involve any conflict of interest for me, and it is even beneficial.

The reason is simple.

Lilith House was my origin, and I could never change that. Anyone who looked at my resume could immediately see that I had studied in Lilith House for four years.

And if the prestige of Lilith’s Hut can be improved, it will be beneficial to myself.

Therefore, Locke did not refuse immediately, but instead considered its feasibility.

Since he is no longer a student of Lilith Cabin, he needs to establish a sense of boundaries with Lilith Cabin and let Lilith Cabin understand what it can cooperate with him and what it cannot ask him to do.

This is also what I should do as a formal wizard – an adult in the wizarding world.

After some thought, Locke said, “Teacher Harlan, I know what Dean Earl is thinking. But studying in the Forest Sanctuary requires a huge investment of funds. Just building my own Forest Sanctuary cost me over one million magic stones.”

“This amount of money is not something that an ordinary formal wizard can come up with. Secondly, there is still a requirement for talent. This path is not suitable for all wizards.”

“But helping my alma mater regain the power of Mist would also be beneficial to me. However, I have two major requirements.”

Harlan Vera said: “Locke, please speak.”

Harlan Vera sighed, “You’ve truly grown up. Talking to you is like talking to a mature, formal wizard. The atmosphere becomes involuntarily serious. I can sense the independent will in your words, which is great. A first-ring wizard’s magic would appear fragile without this independent will.”

“Although I am also a believer in technology, I believe that only wizards with independent will can go further in the pursuit of truth.”

Locke nodded and said, “Teacher Harlan, my request to the academy is, first, if the academy wants me to help them regain the power of Mist and the Forest Sanctuary, they need to be prepared to invest a large amount of money, at least one million magic stones, and it may not be enough.”

“I’m only talking about training one wizard apprentice. If there are more people, the money will be more. It’s best to be prepared.”

“Secondly, I think giving me 10,000 magic stones per month is too little.”

“Even if it doesn’t take up too much of my time, I’m still not satisfied with this monthly salary.”

Locke said, “Let’s put it this way, Mr. Harlan, you should be able to understand me.”

Harlan Vera raised his lips and nodded. “Even if you didn’t tell me, I’m not satisfied with the price Dean Earl offered.”

“This makes my students’ time seem cheap. I also won’t let you sign a contract with this monthly salary, as that would affect the future cooperation between my other students and Lilith Hut. On this issue, my interests are completely aligned with yours, which is to try to get the college to give you a higher monthly salary.”

“Thirty thousand magic stones, one month, how about that?”

Locke thought about it. Although the Advanced Institute of Truth only paid him 20,000 per month, the situations of the two jobs were different.

The Advanced Zhenzhi Academy provides me with a platform that is half work and half study.

So giving myself 20,000 magic stones a month is already considered a generous condition.

If I really participate in the research institute of Lilith’s Hut as an external employee, it will be just a job, and the power of Mist is still a very important thing.

If Lilith Lodge is not my alma mater, the Forest Sanctuary and the Power of Mist are not the original things of Lilith Lodge, and I want to improve the status of my alma mater and further improve my resume, I will not even consider this cooperation.

Therefore, after thinking about it, Locke said, “Teacher Harlan, if you give me three magic crystal cards a month, I can accept it.”

“Just can you give me three magic crystal cards first.”

Locke coughed and said awkwardly, “To be honest, I only have 5,000 magic stones left on hand. I got this by selling some of my regular consumable potions.”

“Ahem…”

“I’m really short of money now. I spent all my money on building the Forest Sanctuary.”

Harlan Vera smiled understandingly and said, “It’s really hard to go out alone, and there’s no one to guarantee you a safety net.”

“I can understand you. As a young First Ring wizard, money will indeed be a big problem if you don’t stay in the Southeast Corner. When you go to a new place, you will need more money.”

“I will immediately transfer the magic crystal card to you through the local fairy family bank.”

Harlan Vera said: “If you still don’t have enough by then, you can borrow from me first.”

“Although I, your teacher, don’t have much savings, I can lend it to you first.”

Locke was touched. “Thank you, teacher. But don’t worry, I’m not that short of money. After I land, I can go to the Fairy Bank to collect the 60,000 magic stones from Madam Irina. I also have a partnership with the Plutarch family in the Six Towers, so I can receive some money there, but I’m just a little short of cash lately.”

“By the way, Professor Harlan, if I join the Mist Research Center as an external researcher, who would the academy want me to jointly train?”

Harlan Vera smiled and said, “Your suggestion is very reasonable. After all, the plan to regain the power of Mist has only just begun, and its success is still unknown. Furthermore, it requires special magical plants like the Hydra magical plant, so our academy should only train one wizard apprentice at first.”

“Well…it’s your old acquaintance – Albert.”

Locke was stunned. “Albert? It’s been so many years, and he still hasn’t become a formal wizard? Three years ago, when I first met him, his magic power was already 800, right? When I left, his magic power was 900…”

Harlan Vera’s image within the gray misty slate sighed. “Albert tried to break through last year and the year before, but failed each time.”

“He spent all his money and connections to get two bottles of advancement potions. Even Lady Morgana was a little…disappointed in him.”

“But Albert is, after all, a wizard candidate for Lilith’s Hut. The academy has invested a lot of resources in him. As an asset of the academy, the academy doesn’t want to give up on him. Therefore, they finally gave him a chance and let him join the Mist Power Reappearance Project.”

“As a condition, he also signed a number of contracts with the academy in advance. If he can really become a formal wizard, he will stay in Lilith’s Cottage for life.”

Harlan Vera said, “Besides the sunk cost considerations, Albert is currently a first-class wizard apprentice in the academy’s botany department, the closest to a formal wizard. Although he has failed to break through three times and his lifespan is running low, fortunately, his talent is not bad, and each failed breakthrough does not burn that much lifespan.”

“So, the academy believes he has one last chance to break through. If he fails again, there will be no chance.”

“Therefore, this Mist Project is his last chance. Of course, there’s also a benefit to failing to break through three times, which is that he was really close to success. He just didn’t know why he failed before.”

“You could say it’s just bad luck.”

Harlan Vera took a look and sighed, “Becoming a full-fledged wizard is so difficult. Sometimes, wizards who seem completely capable of success and will definitely succeed will get stuck at this point and never be able to move forward.”

“After wasting my whole life, I can only end up in a miserable and regretful way.”

Harlan Vera said, “The academy believes that if they try a different breakthrough route, perhaps abandoning the use of permanent defensive force fields like the Life Field and Oak Magic Armor and instead studying the Forest Sanctuary, they might be able to break through this time. Honestly, the academy doesn’t know why he always fails.”

Locke nodded slightly. Sometimes, becoming a formal wizard is really a bit mysterious.

Metaphysics means that there is no way to accurately predict the trajectory and conditions of every breakthrough.

Too many related parameters.

So, it’s just a matter of luck.

Obviously, Lilith’s House believed that Albert was very close to becoming a formal wizard, but for some reason he always failed to break through, and they really couldn’t give up this low-hanging fruit. Then, at this juncture, they published another article about the power of Mist, so Lilith’s House decided to optimize its assets and let Albert, a high-quality asset whose value was about to be destroyed, try to use the power of Mist to become a first-ring wizard.

Locke nodded. “Since we’re acquaintances, it’ll be much easier.”

“Teacher Harlan, I agree to this. You can send the contract over. I’ll contact Albert then.”

Harlan Vera nodded and said, “Well, okay. This is just a small matter. You should still focus on your own affairs. After all, it is just a small matter at the wizard apprentice level.”

“It’s just… Albert is a little different from before. You’d better be mentally prepared.”

Locke was silent for a moment.

Albert was originally a very optimistic person. After experiencing these series of blows, I think his personality will undergo a huge change.

Locke closed the gray fog slate. At that time, the airship had already arrived near the Golden Crown Mountain, which was extremely beautiful.

Jinmian Mountain is actually composed of four mountains, three small and one large.

(End of this chapter)