Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 378: Acquiring Four Projects
Locke was moved by this application for three reasons.

First, this project is of very high quality and is almost complete. Apart from the lack of funding, there is nothing else to complain about.

Secondly, I really need a scouting-type magical plant. I struggled to find one when I was fighting the circus.

Third, the project application states that once this eye grass is magically grafted onto a wizard, it can connect with the wizard's vision and transmit the wizard's gaze.

This attracted him, since he had some spells that relied on his vision to cast, and if he could combine them with this magical plant, the prospects might be very good.

"With my help, this project will receive a large amount of funding and can be completed quickly. After they finish, I'll synthesize it to see if I can create a special formula to enhance the Eye Grass a second time, and then take it to other wizarding territories to compete."

Locke pondered, "This would be extremely helpful, both in enhancing my combat capabilities and in adding to my resume and qualifications."

There's no need to participate in the competition in the Land of Six Towers.

Even if you win the grand prize in a competition like this, it's best not to put it on your resume, as it can easily be misunderstood and make the whole resume seem like a flimsy attempt.

That's like lifting a rock only to drop it on your own foot.

Seeing Locke deep in thought, the old wizard, realizing he had misunderstood something, immediately spoke up, "I believe that you, Augustine Breeder, would definitely be interested in this project. If you can help me obtain the Association's first-ring grant, I will... give you the positions of correspondent and first author."

Locke nodded and said, "That's not necessary."

I could use the synthetic cube to synthesize even more powerful magical plants based on his research, but the prerequisite is that the other party needs to develop magical plants as soon as possible.

I'm quite interested in this magical plant that comes from underground mines.

As long as a new magical plant is synthesized, a new article can be published. Therefore, if one looks down on the other party's first work and communication on this magical plant, it will only tarnish the value of other achievements on one's resume.

A resume is not a collection cabinet where you can stuff in whatever good stuff you see.

It depends on whether it's suitable or not.

Locke said, "Let's see how each person contributes. Alright, I'll help you apply for this project proposal."

The old wizard's face showed disbelief. After all, in his eyes, it was only natural to hand over one's projects and articles to the family wizards. It was a pledge of loyalty, and both sides got what they wanted.

But the old wizard soon forgot all about that, because Locke had agreed, and he was so excited that his whole body was trembling.

"Thank you, thank you so much. I knew my research would be noticed."

"My name is Collins, and I am a teaching assistant at Magic Gem University."

Locke looked at him strangely. “Teaching assistant? Isn’t that for outstanding first-class wizard apprentices? How come you’re a teaching assistant? You’re a first-circle wizard; even if you’re not doing well, you should at least be a lecturer.”

This isn't the Starfield Sea or the High Heaven Plains, so a first-ring wizard is still quite valuable.

Starfield Sea is the core wizarding territory of the Eastern Boundary, while the Horizon of the High Heavens is the core wizarding territory of the Western Boundary. In these two wizarding territories, the number of first-ring wizards is numerous, which is indeed not a significant number.

The old wizard Collins said somewhat embarrassedly, "Oh, you must be a wizard from the outer wizarding lands. In our Six Towers Land, even the position of teaching assistant might not be available to a first-ring wizard."

“Teaching positions are usually held by family wizards. They are all relatives…”

Old Wizard Collins said, “Here, we common wizards have absolutely no chance. Family wizards can get funding even with a project application they write casually, even if they have no experience. But we ordinary people, no matter how outstanding our resumes are, have no chance at all.” “Sigh, it’s been so long, I’ve completely gotten used to this kind of life. There’s nothing wrong with it, everyone goes through this.”

Locke nodded.

Well, this magical wizarding region is just different from everyone else.

Next, Locke chatted with some commoner wizards and reviewed at least eleven project proposals during the banquet.

Some commoner wizards will show themselves multiple project applications, while others are not commoners but rather wizards from peripheral branches of various families.

This banquet was a perfect opportunity for capable and ambitious wizards to snag some great projects.

Locke approved three more projects related to potions. These projects all had one thing in common: apart from a lack of funding, they had everything else they needed and were close to completion.

All Locke had to do was apply for grants for them, and then they could share their research findings and all the raw data with him.

Locke plans to use the three potion projects that are about to be completed to increase his knowledge of potion science through in-depth participation, and at the same time use the Eye Grass project to increase his knowledge of finite element cultivation method.

'This trip was worthwhile.' Locke thought to himself, 'I didn't expect to gain so much. This land of six towers is practically a goldmine for these distinguished guests from prestigious wizarding families.'

“I can digest the resources that the family wizards can’t digest. There are a lot of commoner geniuses here who have been suppressed by the family wizards. These geniuses are capable, but not enough to break through the family wizards’ blockade.”

“If I join forces with them, I can accelerate my growth.” Locke looked at Senior Anthony. “I suppose that’s what Wizard Anthony did too.”

Locke spoke with the four civilian first-ring wizards with whom he had reached an agreement, exchanging information and agreeing to visit their laboratories the next day to check on the situation. Once he had seen them and confirmed that there were no problems, he would help them apply for funding.

Locke walked over to the wizard Anthony, who stopped talking to others and asked Locke, "Junior brother, how was the harvest?"

"Hmm, four projects. It seems you've reaped quite a harvest this time." Wizard Anthony thought for a moment and then said, "It's probably because you weren't too greedy, so when those commoner wizards from the Six Towers saw this, they took out their best stuff, hoping to get an opportunity from you."

"It's only because you're a super genius like me, Junior Brother. Otherwise, even the wizards from the wizarding lands outside would be tempted if they saw these free projects."

Locke laughed and said, "Apart from the Eye Grass project, the other projects are not bad, but they are not attractive enough to me. I would be too lazy to publish projects of this level under my name, so I don't need their communications or first authorship. I just use them for practice."

When the wizard Anthony heard Locke say that he didn't need it, he looked at Locke in surprise, then smiled and said, "That's true. You are different after all."

Locke asked, "Senior brother, is it possible to secure four grants?"

Wizard Anthony nodded. “Of course. If we don’t give you these funds, we’ll give them to those ridiculous project proposals that those absurd family scions come up with on a whim. Those projects are neither reliable nor meaningful.”

“They get the funds, but they just embezzle them and spend them on themselves, or even on entertainment. So, it's only four applications, and I can approve them all tomorrow.”

“The more projects you have, the better for me. The more the better, I fully support you, senior brother,” said Wizard Anthony. “But you should also take care to rest. With four projects, plus the work with Grand Wizard Sura, I don’t know if you can manage.”

Locke nodded. "Yes, thank you, senior brother. I understand. Senior brother, I'd like to go to my room to rest now."

Anthony smiled and said, "That's good."

Anthony immediately found a maidservant who was an elven wizard apprentice for Locke, and asked her to guide Locke, telling her that Locke could have any needs he had.

(End of this chapter)