Wizard: Starting With Synthesized Gems - Chapter 769

Chapter 766 Dual Competition System, Key Laboratories, and the Uninvited Guest

Locke thought for a moment and asked his senior brothers and sisters, “Senior brothers and sisters, I have a question I’d like to ask you. Do you have any ways to reduce the production cost of imaginary roots?”

Senior Brother Georta, Wizard Heidegger, Witch Zoira, and Witch Fiona all looked at Locke with surprise.

Fiona the witch began, “It’s for your wizard shoes, isn’t it? Don’t be surprised, I’ve been paying attention to them. Or rather, pure magical plant wizard shoes are quite an interesting topic within the small circle of breeders in Cloud Swamp Wetlands.”

“Many wizards occasionally mention this in conversation,”

Locke said, bowing. “Indeed, Senior Sister Fiona.”

Fiona shook her head. “Well, there’s nothing we can do about that. Second-circle magical plants have never been considered readily replaceable consumables.”

“Wizard shoes, magic robes, wizard cloaks, wizard hats, magic gloves—these things are essentially consumables. The reason second-circle potions are so expensive is because they require second-circle magical plants and second-circle magical creatures.”

“The entire second-circle potion market was established and formed a stable flow of goods, all thanks to the achievements of the Great Void Exploration Era,”

said the witch Fiona. “Ordinary worlds cannot form a second-circle potion market as developed as the wizarding world…”

Fiona told Locke, “A single imaginary root is a massive spell, and its establishment cost must be high, certainly more expensive than the magical artifacts designed by magic weavers.”

“Making potions only requires specific parts of second-circle magical plants, but you’re using a magical plant to make wizard shoes, requiring an entire plant. Essentially, you’re selling the miracle of life, the greatness of evolution—second-circle magical plants,”

Fiona laughed. “So that’s difficult. But you can raise the price. But that brings another problem.”

Fiona raised an eyebrow.

“This way, your wizard shoes will only attract botanical wizards.”

Locke nodded; his senior sister Fiona had pinpointed the biggest challenge he was currently facing—how to reduce the cost of imaginary roots.

And that was almost impossible.

Locke spoke up, “Senior Sister Fiona, is there any way to create an artificial imaginary root? That would significantly reduce costs.”

Fiona frowned.

“Locke, listen to me. You’ve proposed something that sounds impossible to me, or rather, it’s a very serious project, at least a project funded by the Sun Ring Fund.”

“If my student had asked me this, I would have reprimanded him without hesitation, making him realize the importance of finding a balance between cost and ideals.”

Locke’s face showed a hint of embarrassment.

Fiona was reminding him not to let his ideas become too far-fetched.

Well,

even though these were his senior brothers and sisters, they were still unapproachable third-ring wizards in the eyes of outsiders.

Suddenly proposing the so-called artificial imaginary root to them was indeed challenging their sensibilities.

Fiona smiled, her expression softening. “But having ideas is a good thing. To tackle an even bigger problem just to sell wizard shoes is really… cough cough…”

Zoira chuckled. “Junior brother, don’t mind me. I used to be like that in our teacher’s lab; she’s always cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She said that because she was afraid you’d go down the wrong path.”

“It’s not that your idea is bad, the problem is the cost.”

Zoira became serious.

“Second-ring grants and journals are extremely difficult to obtain, and getting published is also difficult. Developing a second-ring project often requires over five million magic stones.”

“If the ambition is too grand and not feasible, you’ll miss many opportunities, which will actually harm your development.”

“Besides, there are far too many second-ring wizards who have gone bankrupt because of this. We’ve seen quite a few along the way.”

Zoira handed herself a business card.

“This is my business card, Zoina Botanical Museum. If you’re having trouble selling wizard shoes, you can come here to earn some extra money.”

Locke took the business card and thanked her, “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Witch Fiona smiled and said, “If you need anything, you can also come to my shop alliance to earn extra money.”

“We’ve all failed in our businesses many times before we finally succeeded. In my experience, second-ring wizards have basically gone bankrupt 1-2 times.”

Witch Zoina turned around and walked towards Witch Fiona, discussing the matter seriously with her. “I think that among third-ring wizards, everyone has gone bankrupt an average of 3-4 times.”

“However, I think not going bankrupt is the most terrifying thing. Such wizards are most likely to develop some kind of misunderstanding about themselves because of good luck, thus stepping into a pit that they can never climb out of.”

Two third-ring wizards walked to the other side of the room and discussed the matter.

They only exchanged a few pleasantries with Locke; the gap between them was too great, the difference in their ring levels was huge, and the age difference was also huge, making it difficult to have a proper conversation.

Senior Brother Georta patted Locke on the shoulder and said, “Junior Brother, the Second Ring Fund is extremely difficult to apply for; the application process is incredibly challenging. Even if you have a good idea, the Second Ring Fund application will be compared with the entire wizarding civilization’s fund application database. If there are similar applications, their technical approaches will be compared.”

“Both wizards will undergo a comprehensive evaluation to determine who is better suited to realize the idea. In this process, the more experienced wizard is more likely to be approved. Of course, less experienced wizards aren’t without a chance, but it will be much more difficult.” “

Therefore, to increase the chances of approval, you need to find something innovative.”

“But even if both are approved, the technical approach will still be compared. That is, the association will gradually provide subsequent funding and support based on the progress of both parties.” “

In other words, the application itself will undergo a comprehensive evaluation, and after approval, a similar comprehensive evaluation will be conducted. This is the dual competition system of the Second Ring Fund.”

“In this process, many wizards pour a lot of money into their research in order to outpace those with similar technical approaches, those whose technical approaches are replaceable, or those researching in the same ecological niche. If they ultimately lose the competition, they will go bankrupt. Many second-ring wizards have gone bankrupt because of this,”

said Senior Brother Georta. “Many projects for first-ring wizards are not actually obtained by them themselves. For example, I am sometimes invited to approve applications for first-ring and second-ring foundation projects from the association.”

“For a first-ring grant application, it’s just a matter of seeing if it’s even remotely interesting. If it is, it’s approved.”

“If among the grant applications in that batch, they’re truly terrible, then I’ll still hold my nose and pick one or two to approve.”

“I’ll also pretend they’re very well written, telling the association and the author of that application to try and find its few merits, and then use those as reasons to approve it.”

“But a second-ring grant is different. I need to compare other applications in the database to see if there are any with similar ideas, but with a better approach and better qualifications.”

“And your competitors are different. Every second-ring wizard is a genius! You need to defeat all applicants in the same field throughout the wizarding world.”

Senior Brother Georta said, “In addition, in second-ring grant applications, Sun Ring Wizards and Moon Ring Wizards have a significant advantage; they are more likely to get approved. They have qualifications, equipment, teams, experience, and the certainty brought by the completion of a large number of related projects.”

“Although Sun Ring Wizards also have a relatively independent Sun Ring Fund, they won’t let go of second-ring grant applications.”

“In short, second-ring grant projects are difficult to obtain. And if it’s not the association’s second-ring grant, those miscellaneous grants set up by various institutions are meaningless.”

“Because you can’t get access to key laboratories.”

Senior Brother Georta said, “The most important thing is actually access to key laboratories. The equipment in the key laboratories of major wizarding universities is expensive, and you need a grant project to apply for use. And if you want to build a key laboratory yourself…”

Senior Brother Georta smiled, “We third-ring wizards, and even those throne wizards, don’t need to fight to the death for a chance to build a key laboratory.”

“Some key data and sample libraries can only be obtained within key laboratories, and that information is not publicly available.”

“So, you should seize the two things you can obtain by trickery. The first is the special-level funding project, and the second is the key single-project sub-project. These two projects… can also get… the opportunity to use key laboratories.”

Senior Brother Georta patted Locke on the shoulder, “As someone who’s been there, my advice to you is to do everything you can to get these two projects.”

“It will definitely be of great benefit to you.”

“When a second-ring wizard applies for their first second-ring grant, they receive some preferential treatment. In other words, they get certain unspoken advantages during the application process. Of course, this is never explicitly stated in writing.” “

So, your first application is probably the easiest one to get approved before you become a moon ring wizard. Every time after that, you’ll be competing with your peers; your proposal will be reviewed by a large number of colleagues without your knowledge.”

“Junior brother, you must cherish your first application opportunity. Missing it would be a huge loss.”

Locke nodded; this was all experience.

These things, without explicit rules but still industry norms, are the most dangerous.

They’re either nonexistent or simply don’t exist.

Knowing these things is the greatest help you can have.

How much help can this bring!

At least it prevents you from unintentionally losing out on a second-ring grant project.

Senior Brother Georta said, “If you can get the two projects I just mentioned, it’s like having two more opportunities to use the key laboratory than other second-circle wizards.”

“This will make your growth faster than others. A higher growth rate is impressive in the eyes of grant judges who value seniority and future growth potential.”

“You’ll find it easier to get grants in the future.”

“It’s a snowball effect,”

Senior Brother Georta shook his head slightly.

“Although I think sometimes being too pragmatic can actually damage things.”

Senior Brother Georta turned and went to discuss things with Wizard Heidegger on the other side.

At this small banquet, only Locke and Trajan were sitting together.

Actually, in public, Locke and Trajan would never sit at the same table, because the difference between a Sun Ring wizard and an ordinary second-circle wizard is significant.

But right now, their close kinship undoubtedly brought them closer.

Wizard Trajan smiled and said, “Before, I was the one being reprimanded by my senior brothers and sisters. Now someone’s at the bottom, junior brother, so I like you.”

Locke remained silent.

Trajan poured a cup of peach blossom wine into the empty glass in front of Locke. “If you put something like an artificial imaginary root in your project proposal, it will definitely be rejected. Because it’s simply impossible to achieve. The Second Ring Foundation has a hidden rule, which is to emphasize feasibility.”

Locke nodded.

Whether it was a matter of prioritizing feasibility or a serious bias among the project judges towards seniority, readily assuming certain wizards’ projects were feasible while others were impossible, remained unknown.

Locke said, “I do genuinely want to create a pair of second-circle wizard shoes and build my brand. Senior brother, do you also think it’s unlikely?”

Turalyon hesitated, then added, “Actually, I think you’ve fallen into a cognitive trap, junior brother.”

Locke looked at him strangely.

Trajan the Wizard said, “There’s more than one way to reduce costs than creating an imaginary root. Perhaps there are other ways.”

“You can think about it.”

Locke fell into thought, then nodded, saying, “What my senior brother pointed out is that when someone thinks alone, they’re prone to mental traps and their thinking isn’t very active.”

“So, I should discuss this with more people.”

Trajan the Wizard smiled, pointing to his wizard shoes, “Look at these wizard shoes of mine.”

Locke looked at his wizard shoes, “Blue Ribbon?”

Trajan nodded, “It’s a subsidiary shop of Solas’s Barefoot, and a regular on the Arthas wizard shoe bestseller list. Oh, by the way, on the first-ring wizard shoe bestseller list, you seem to be close to taking down this shop alliance. You’re currently in the top two.” “

Blue Ribbon previously proposed a plan to monopolize the top three best-selling first-ring wizard shoes in Arthas each month for ten years, but now it seems a bit difficult.”

“There’s only one Sun Ring Wizard in the Blue Belt, who is also a formal wizarding mentor of the Rose Council. Junior brother, now you understand how many high-ring wizards you caused to suffer from nerve pain recently.”

“But I’m telling you this to tell you that in the world of wizarding shoes, supporting sports competitions and organizing contests are actually minor matters.”

“Do you know what the real big deal is?”

Locke was very clever. “It’s the planar explorers?”

Wizard Trajan nodded and said, “Yes. Most of the customers in the wizarding shoe market are actually planar explorers. Planar explorers consider wizarding shoes a consumable item. Traveling between different worlds is very dangerous for individual wizards.”

“Even if there is no direct danger to life due to the permanent defensive field, there are still other problems. For example, if we want to go to the Styx plane to find specific magical plants, then a single drop of Styx water is a vengeful spirit. Even a second-ring wizard, once trapped in it, is like a drowning person, unable to climb out, and eventually dies in it.”

Locke nodded in deep agreement.

“Yes, that feeling of being submerged is indeed very uncomfortable.”

He had been nearly drowned in the River Styx by the female leader of the Ghostly Cult using ritual magic, which borrowed the power of the River Styx.

Wizard Trajan chuckled, “I didn’t realize, junior brother, that your experiences are quite extensive. You’ve even been to the Styx plane, something I haven’t.”

Locke immediately recounted his ordeal.

Wizard Trajan nodded.

“Oh, so it was a simple matter of pulling your consciousness into the River Styx; your body never actually entered it. I was wondering. Even second-circle wizards dare not touch the waters of the River Styx. If you’ve truly entered the River Styx and emerged unscathed, then I… I really need to investigate what you are.”

Locke thought carefully for a moment, then realized that the ghostly magic he encountered in the southeastern region hadn’t actually pulled him into the River Styx, but rather fished his consciousness into it.

So that’s how it is.

Wizard Trajan pointed to the wizard shoes from the Blue Ribbon Shop Alliance.

“This is their second-ring magical artifact, a super item of the Sun Ring level, their most classic style, the [Blue Ribbon Wizard Shoes].” “

The wizard shoes have blue ribbons on both sides, allowing the wearer to control the winds of magic. Once activated, walking on them is like walking on blue ribbons fluttering in the air, and it grants me the ability to blink seven times within a fifty-meter radius in a short period.”

“But these are just bonuses. The most practical use of these trump card wizard shoes is their ability to quickly adapt to the world laws of various worlds and make corresponding changes, allowing me to walk on them.”

“In other words, even in the Chaos Sea, I can walk on these wizard shoes, though only for about half a minute.”

Wizard Trajan said, “The Chaos Sea will destroy the form of all things, returning them to their original state.”

Locke listened attentively, because the Blue Ribbon Shop Alliance, being a subsidiary of Solas Lightfoot, meant he was a future competitor.

This was his senior brother telling him about his experience using one of his future competitors’ trump card items.

‘Seven consecutive spatial blinks in a very short time.’ “

You can use any world’s laws to walk in extremely dangerous places. Even in a place like the Chaos Sea, where a second-ring wizard couldn’t stay for even a second, you can walk for half a minute by wearing the blue ribbon wizard shoes.”

Locke pondered seriously.

“In other words, as my senior brother said, the plane explorers are the biggest buyers of wizard shoes. Other wizards want to buy wizard shoes simply because they want a specialized magical artifact, but for plane explorers, wizard shoes are a necessity.”

“Without wizard shoes, it’s truly impossible to move an inch.” Trajan looked at Locke and said, “

Locke, don’t let your previous victory mislead you. The Solas Barefoot and Melochy Magic Step you face were once dragon slayers themselves. They weren’t established by a single administrative order from a high-ring wizard, nor did they exist based on past relationships or privileges.”

“These two shop alliances rose to prominence because countless magic weavers joined them for a noble ideal, and through technological advancement and keeping up with the future, they overthrew the then-corrupt shop alliances of Cloudswamp.”

“The Rose Council wasn’t one of the seven top academies back then; it rose to prominence later. So don’t underestimate them because of one victory. If you truly want to carve out a path in the wizarding shoe market, acquire more resources to support your research and magical level, you must take your opponents seriously.”

Trajan smiled.

“Face them squarely, and when you kill them, be even more ruthless.”

“Anyway, these guys have all turned into dragons. If it were the newly formed Melochy Magic Steps and Solas’s Lightfoot from three hundred years ago, they would probably hate themselves now too.”

Locke nodded, feeling that he and his senior brother truly shared the same vision: face them squarely, respect them, and then be even more ruthless when you strike!

Moreover, through his conversation with this senior brother, Locke discovered the true method by which the female leader of the Ghostly Holy Cult had pulled him into the River Styx.

That, however, was of little consequence.

After all, that was a long time ago.

Locke, however, gained an inspiration from this, a new idea: instead of necessarily reducing the cost of manufacturing imaginary roots to lower the cost of second-ring wizard shoes.

Imaginary roots are, after all, the most prominent characteristic of second-ring magical plants, and his understanding of them was still very superficial.

So superficial that when he proposed this idea to the witch Fiona, she dismissed it as a childish and immature thought.

Locke pondered. ‘

Both magical plants and I are living beings. My consciousness is pulled into the River Styx, and I feel like I’m destined to sink into it forever. If I could use this mechanism to pull the spirit of a second-ring magical plant into the River Styx, and then place an imaginary root in it, could multiple wizard shoes simultaneously share a single imaginary root within the River Styx?’

However, this would essentially create a fictitious imaginary root service center.

The key point is that the ability to cause the body to sink through a trace of consciousness is a characteristic of the River Styx; no other river possesses this ability.

After all, consciousness is just consciousness. Even if one’s consciousness sinks into the River of Abyss, one’s physical body should be unharmed.

Unless one’s consciousness returns to the body, bringing the abyssal energy back.

But here’s the paradox: at Locke’s current level, if consciousness can return to the body, it can’t be called sinking.

If it is sinking, then it can’t return to the body.

Therefore, the magic of the female high priest of the Ghostly Holy Cult back then, which could achieve its effect, probably utilized the properties of the River Styx.

Locke immediately decided to send his clone to find that female high priest again.

Perhaps, through Ghostly Studies, he could find a solution to the problem of not being able to reduce the cost of the Imaginary Root.

Of course, this is just an idea.

There is an insurmountable distance between an idea and a project proposal, let alone realizing this idea.

There are many problems involved.

Just how to make the Imaginary Root exist in the River Styx for a long time without being destroyed by the creatures of the River Styx is a problem.

Locke thought: ‘Now that I have this inspiration, firstly I have to thank my senior brother, and secondly I have to thank that female high priest back then for the magic she cast on me.’ “

When I get back, I’ll definitely pay a visit to express my gratitude.” Just like when I met Zoe the Witch again, she was very generous, giving me a second-circle wizard treasure map.

At that moment, the small house was suddenly enveloped by a powerful magical pressure. A terrifying, almost indescribable magical pressure descended from the sky.

Countless rose petals drifted down into the wizarding town.

Locke was stunned.

“That’s the Rose Witch’s magical pressure!”

“What’s she doing here?”

“Right. It’s a congratulatory gift.”

A voice drifted in from outside the wizarding town, filled with tension.

“Red Dragon Witch, I heard one of your apprentices has become a second-ring wizard. That’s truly something to celebrate.”

“Since your student has become a second-ring wizard, it wouldn’t be right for me not to come and see him. Coincidentally, I have a granddaughter who’s the same age as your student; let the young people get to know each other better. My granddaughter is about to become a star-ring wizard; she’s definitely a little bit more outstanding than your new student.”

“Of course, just a little bit.”

Next chapter, to be released before 1 PM tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)