Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 524 Receiving the Benefits of the True Knowledge Institute

Locke, along with wizards Daniel and Matthew, walked up to the middle of the mountain.

The buildings inside Golden Crown Mountain College are mostly in the style of medieval castles, but the interiors of these castles also feature various modern and bustling styles, such as Baroque, minimalist, and Gothic.

Locke followed the wizard Matthew through several buildings, the academy's architecture following the principle of blending prosperity, beauty, and nature.

The academy's buildings are entirely comprised of magical plant gardens of varying sizes, with countless gardens and many flower fairies fluttering above them.

There are rose fairies with rose wings, daffodil fairies with daffodil wings, lily fairies, bellflower fairies, and tulip fairies.

These special fairies, classified as flower fairies, became the most common servants, guides, and hardworking staff in the Golden Crown Mountain Academy, tending to the gardens.

The wizard Matthew was walking too fast through the corridors of the Magic Plant Garden when he almost collided with a rose fairy the size of a human hand flying towards him. To Locke's surprise, this flower fairy actually possessed magical pressure at the level of a formal wizard.

It's important to know that the Flower Fairy clan is different from the Wizard clan.

Wizards consider it normal to transcend the limits of their own race's soul and have complete methods for doing so. For a flower fairy to become a first-level being, she either needs to be born with the favor of nature's power or undergo a mutation due to some event.

Locke's gaze fell on the wings on the back of the rose fairy. Not only did she have her own pair of rose petal wings, but she also had a pair of pink peach petal wings.

Clearly, the magical plant peach petal wings that were modified later were the key to his advancement to the level of a formal wizard and the first breakthrough in the limits of his race's soul.

The Rose Fairy looked up and saw it was Matthew the Wizard, and immediately became furious. "How many times have you almost bumped into me this semester? Matthew? Why do you always walk so fast!"

The wizard Matthew felt somewhat aggrieved. "You yourself fly quite fast."

The Rose Fairy became angry and circled around Matthew's head. As the fairy flew, magical pollen fell, creating specks of starlight around Matthew.

Seeing that the Flower Fairy Margaret was angry, the wizard Matthew quickly pointed to the two wizards behind him and whispered, "These two are researchers who have just joined our Golden Crown Mountain."

"Mrs. Margaret..."

Margaret glanced at Locke and Daniel, the wizards behind Matthew, with surprise, and her pretty face immediately turned slightly red. "How rude of me, I thought they were two students, but they are researchers."

Margaret gave a slight bow to Locke and the wizard Daniel.

"I have been very rude to you both."

Locke nodded slightly, without saying a word.

Wizard Daniel exclaimed in surprise, "Formal wizard-level flower fairies are truly rare, and there are so many flower fairies around."

"I've never seen such a large group of flower fairies in the Fissioned Mausoleum."

Wizard Matthew explained, "Golden Crown Mountain has a special cooperative relationship with the Fairy Wilderness Plane, a relationship that has lasted for three thousand years."

"Therefore, we have a large number of flower fairies who serve us, and the academy is also responsible for providing resources and nurturing them. The [Peach Blossom Wings] behind Lady Margaret is one such cooperative project. It is a small project undertaken by our ordinary True Knowledge Academy, which has enabled seven students from the True Knowledge Academy to obtain their exit certificates."

Locke nodded slightly. It seemed that the exit requirements for ordinary True Knowledge Academy students were much lower than those for their advanced True Knowledge Academy students.

Although the [Peach Blossom Wings] behind Lady Margaret have the power to help the Flower Fairy achieve her first racial transcendence, if this contribution is divided into seven parts and ordinary students from the True Knowledge Academy can also participate, then this contribution does not seem so much.

Mrs. Margaret greeted Locke and Daniel, then happily flew away, leaving a trail of magical pollen in the air.

Watching Margaret's departing figure, the wizard Matthew shook his head slightly and said with a wry smile, "Madam Margaret, she had no bad intentions, she just wasn't paying attention to where she was going when she was flying."

"By the way, Mount Jinmian advocates the harmonious coexistence of civilization and nature, so there are many advanced treants and advanced fairies on Mount Jinmian. However, these are just minor issues, and you can easily manage them by paying a little attention."

"Our True Knowledge Academy is just ahead."

The three walked out of the garden and saw a majestic ancient castle in front of them. The castle was covered with green vines, and there were some special flower pots hanging on the castle, which were filled with magical plants.

Several wizards were standing on the castle walls, watering the magical plant pots, using anti-gravity boots made by alchemists.

Wizard Matthew explained, "Golden Crown Mountain is incredibly valuable, and the surface of this ancient castle is rich in magical energy, which is why there are vertical magical fields hanging on the castle's surface."

Wizard Daniel scoffed, "Vertical magic fields? That's just filling in the gaps."

Wizard Matthew rubbed his nose. "In Golden Crown Mountain, any area with a bit of special magical energy is definitely a scarce resource. Even these vertical magic fields are not cheap to rent. I remember that renting one acre for a year costs a thousand magic stones."

Wizard Daniel raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise on his face.

Wizard Matthew said, "Vertical magic fields are indeed one of the cheapest types of magic fields. I remember that the cheapest type of magic field is the discrete magic field."

“Underground magic fields used to be very cheap, but now the rental price has gone up because geothermal technology has been perfected. I remember that renting one acre for a year costs five thousand magic stones.”

Daniel asked, “Discrete magic fields? What are those? I have a bad feeling.”

The wizard Matthew explained to the wizards Locke and Daniel, "The area of ​​a magic field is not all in one place. Instead, it is divided into pieces, and all of them are counted as one acre and given to you. They may even give you a little more land. In addition, the price is cheap, so some breeders who don't have much money, or breeders who like to take advantage of others, rent these magic fields."

Locke understood; this meant finding some remote, obscure places where they could barely cultivate a magic field.

Discrete Magic Field... that's such a grand and sophisticated name.

Locke looked up at the sky above Mount Golden Crown. Mount Golden Crown Academy was more like a three-dimensional academy, with a large number of wizards in the sky, on the ground, and underground.

There are many cloud whales and rainbow finches in the sky, serving as mounts for wizards and even wizarding apprentices. In addition to these vehicles, which are made by weathermen using magic to collect natural phenomena, there are also some flying magical pets, such as radiant unicorns, griffins, chimeras, and dragons.

In addition, there are some flying magical plants, such as pumpkin hot air balloons, ginkgo flying wings, and so on.

Locke even saw a wizard in the liquefaction stage, with two rocket bamboos tied to his legs, moving quickly through the sky like a rocket soldier.

After greeting a tree-man at the entrance of the True Knowledge Castle, the wizard Matthew led the two into the True Knowledge Castle and went directly to the office of the True Knowledge Castle's personnel management department.

After the two completed the formalities and reported their arrival, the wizard Matthew said to them, "Then I will take you to the finance department to collect your benefits, and you will be officially considered members of our True Knowledge Institute."

"plz follow me."

The three walked through the granite corridor and entered an office on the third floor of the castle. The office was decorated with exquisite and gorgeous decorations. A soft and thick magical wool carpet was laid on the floor, and magical paintings hung on the walls, but they were not portraits, but landscape paintings.

Unlike the Six Towers, where people like to hang portraits on the walls, the Yunze Wetland seems to prefer hanging landscape-related murals on the walls.

Of course, occasionally there would be one or two personal portraits displayed alongside paintings of magical creatures, hanging on the wall.

The office director, a wizard at the first stage of crystallization, stood up to greet Locke and Daniel.

"Hello, Researcher Daniel, Researcher Augustine."

“You can call me Wizard Freud.” Wizard Freud looked at Locke with surprise. “There are only a handful of wizards who can enter our Institute of True Knowledge at the first stage of liquefaction.”

"It's really amazing."

Locke nodded slightly. In fact, even the wizard Matthew had mentioned this matter on the way here.

Even among ordinary researchers at the True Knowledge Institute, only a few are at the first stage of liquefaction.

The fact that he, as a researcher at the Advanced Institute of Truth, was not a wizard at the crystallization stage was indeed quite remarkable.

I still need to advance to the crystallization stage of the wizard as soon as possible.

The wizard Freud said, "We will send your monthly salary to your dormitories every month, according to the terms of the contract we signed earlier."

"Remember to keep your exact salary details a secret."

"Besides these, these things are for you."

The wizard Freud gave each of the wizards Locke and Daniel a badge. The badges were very unique in shape, looking like a dragon, but upon closer inspection, they were actually a mountain.

"This signifies your status as researchers at Mount Golden Crown. With the academy badge, you can freely enter and leave Mount Golden Crown."

"In addition, here is the key for you. The dormitories at Golden Crown Mountain are all protected by individual magic locks, which can only be opened with a magic key."

"By the way, according to the contract, in addition to providing a decent residence with a magical tidal gradient that meets certain requirements and has the required area, we also stipulate that we must provide a means of transportation."

“You two, please make your choice.” Director Freud handed a form to Locke and Wizard Daniel. “You can choose any of the means of transportation listed here. They will be provided to you for your use during your stay at the Institute of True Knowledge. You may use them freely, but you must not damage them or allow them to be stolen.”

"In that case, we'll have to lose money."

"There are magical creature flying vehicles, magical plant flying vehicles, and flying machines made by weathermen and alchemists, which can be used as your public transportation."

Locke glanced at the list and realized that it meant he was being provided with a car and a house in Yunze Wetland.

Daniel seemed extremely excited and whispered to Locke, "Some of the magical vehicles on this are quite ordinary, but some are very rare, such as the cloud whale and the rainbow sparrow. The cloud whale is a special type of cloud created by weather masters; it has excellent flying ability, and its best features are its carrying capacity, defensive capabilities, and durability." "The rainbow sparrow is also good; it's a special type of rainbow with a strong carrying capacity."

"I choose Rainbow Lark."

Locke wasn't too concerned about this. After thinking for a moment, he chose the Narwhal. "Then I'll take the Narwhal."

Wizard Daniel whispered to Locke, "I think we could take turns using these two different modes of transport in the future. That way, we can both experience these rare modes of transportation."

Director Floyd laughed and said, "The two modes of transportation you chose are indeed the best."

"Cloud Whale and Rainbow Sparrow, that is, people from your Advanced True Knowledge Academy have special benefits. Otherwise, it would take at least half a year to get such good things."

Director Floyd said, "I will also arrange for students to deliver the Narwhal and Rainbow Lark to your dorms. In addition, there are some other things I want to give you."

"According to the contract, each of you has been granted one opportunity to enter a first-ring wizarding realm."

"There is also research start-up funding. In addition, there are some benefits that were not discussed in our contract, but these are free of charge from Jinmianshan."

The wizard Freud took out two enormous peaches from the drawer. These peaches were neither jade nor flesh, but were extremely beautiful with their red and white colors.

"Here are two jade peaches. You two can eat them."

Even the wizard Matthew swallowed hard.

Locke took it and tentatively took a bite. The flesh melted into water as soon as it entered his mouth. Although it was a peach, it had no chewing sensation at all, and it was like drinking honey water.

The next moment, Locke's magic surged, and the peach fragrance merged with his magic, nourishing his soul. After Locke ate the whole peach, the magic in his body received endless nourishment and increased dramatically.

Locke took out the Red Crystal Matrix from his Astral Ring, tested it, and found that he currently had 8700 magic pressure.

I just ate a peach, and suddenly my magic pressure increased by 100 out of thin air!

Locke was stunned.

Meanwhile, the wizard Daniel was also incredulous, his mind completely absorbed in the endlessly delicious taste of the Water Peach.

Wizard Daniel also took out the Red Crystal Matrix to test it and found that his magic power had increased by 10 points.

That's 10 mana points for the crystallization stage!
The wizard Matthew twitched his nose, greedily inhaling the lingering fragrance of the two water peaches in the air.

Wizard Matthew whispered, "Water Jade Peach is one of the specialties of Golden Crown Mountain. Golden Crown Mountain has many peach-type magical plants, among which there are twelve famous ones, and Water Jade Peach is one of them, specially for first-ring wizards to consume."

"Eating a Water Jade Peach will greatly increase your magic power, and the increased magic power will be clear and clean, without any side effects."

The wizard Matthew said, "The effects of the Water Jade Peach are immense. Giving it to an apprentice wizard would greatly reduce the difficulty for him when he is about to become a full wizard."

"When used by a certified wizard, it is enough to greatly increase their magical power, and even if their magic was originally chaotic, it can be stabilized after taking it."

Wizard Matthew looked at Wizards Locke and Daniel with envy. "This is a benefit only your Advanced True Knowledge Academy offers. Everyone who joins for the first time gets to consume a Water Jade Peach that costs 100,000 magic stones. It's truly enviable."

The wizard Matthew said, "When ordinary wizards of the True Knowledge Academy join the academy, they only eat White Dew Peaches, which cost 30,000 magic stones each. White Dew Peaches can only increase the speed at which our magic power increases; they cannot give us pure magic power out of thin air."

Locke said in surprise, "The magic power increased by eating the Water Jade Peach is too clean. If someone eats Water Jade Peaches continuously, wouldn't they be able to quickly reach the magic pressure limit of the first stage?"

The wizard Matthew gave a wry smile.

Wizard Freud clapped and said, “Ambitious. It’s just a pity that the twelve special peach-type magical plant products of Golden Crown Mountain have limited production and can only be produced at specific times. For example, this Water Jade Peach can only be produced in the second month of this spring.”

"The White Dew Peach that Wizard Matthew mentioned earlier is only produced in January."

"There are twelve months in a year, and each month Golden Crown Mountain produces a unique peach-type magical plant. These peach-type magical plant products are produced in limited quantities and for a limited time, and cannot be bought even if you have money. This is because these things are provided to the high-level wizards, and also distributed as welfare to you wizards, and even the students."

"Therefore, the number circulating in the market is extremely small." Director Freud smiled and said, "I think the simplest way for you to continue to obtain Water Jade Peaches is to perform well in accordance with the academy's requirements."

"Look, this is the school's points ranking system. Everything you do within the Zhenzhi Institute will earn you points. Publishing articles will earn you points, doing projects will earn you points, and doing nothing will result in no change to your score."

"The academy has set up a lot of benefits. As long as your score reaches a certain level, you can also get the stored Water Jade Peaches."

"The top 30% of wizards by points will receive a White Dew Peach, and the top 10% will receive a Water Jade Peach. In addition, if you publish a District 1 journal, you will also receive a Water Jade Peach."

“You can also get a Water Jade Peach for teaching a formal wizard. You can also get a Water Jade Peach as a reward for completing one of the three major projects in the True Knowledge Academy.”

The wizard Freud chuckled, "You two, are you still reminiscing about the taste of those water peaches?"

Wizard Daniel, an honest man, nodded and said, "Even the most delicious dishes I've ever eaten, made by the best seasoning masters, can't compare to the taste of that jade peach. Its unique flavor is unforgettable."

The wizard Freud nodded and said, "Besides enhancing your magical power, the Water Jade Peach can also replenish your own life essence and purify some of the defects within your life essence."

"Therefore, you will instinctively crave the Water Jade Peach again. In other words, consuming the Water Jade Peach can even slightly enhance your talents."

The wizard Freud said, "So, if you two want to get another Water Jade Peach, then keep trying."

"Complete one of the three major projects within the Academy of True Knowledge: writing articles in the first district, teaching formal wizard students, and completing just one of them. As long as you accomplish one of these tasks, you will immediately receive a Water Jade Peach that wizards outside the academy dream of."

"Moreover, regardless of the Water Jade Peach, even without the peach, these are things you would have been doing anyway. The academy is just giving you some extra benefits."

Daniel swallowed hard and gave a wry smile. "As expected of Golden Crown Mountain, their methods of motivating wizards are truly superb."

"I'm actually still missing the smell of that jade peach from earlier."

This longing is not dependent or addictive, but rather a pure desire of a living being for those rare magical crops that can enhance the essence of life.

It's just like how people naturally pursue beautiful things.

Locke pondered, "No wonder they say that Golden Crown Mountain's greatest strength isn't cultivating combat-type magical plants, but rather being a model of efficient agriculture in the Eastern Boundary."

These twelve special peach-type crops are truly amazing. Their effect seems to deeply relate to the unique relationship between animals and plants.

'Even among rare potions in potion-making, few can enhance a wizard's magical power so effectively, without any side effects, and even elevate the wizard's very life essence. This peach seems to be a product of profound understanding of the laws of nature; it must be the masterpiece of a high-level breeder.'

Locke deduced: 'The growth gained from consuming the Water Jade Peach is fundamentally different from the growth gained from consuming a magic potion. A magic potion is a medicine, while the Water Jade Peach is a product of nature, so… the enhancement of mental strength gained from consuming the Water Jade Peach naturally won't have significant side effects on my biological body.'

'Of course, this kind of thing is very rare in nature. It's the work of breeders.'

So, I came to Yunze Wetland.

If I hadn't come here, I would never have encountered something like this in my entire life if I had stayed in the Southeast Corner Region and the Six Towers Land.

"There are two final things. This badge is your library pass; without it, you cannot enter the Central Library at Golden Crown Hill."

"And finally, the academy is giving you a free perk—one protective magic suit for each of you."

"The magic robes were also made by the wizards of our academy themselves."

The wizard Freud handed two black wizard robes, as soft and light as silk, to the wizards Locke and Daniel.

"These two magic robes are not cheap either, costing at least 30,000 magic stones each. They don't require cleaning and are woven from the fibers of 12 kinds of plants that increase magic resistance. They are incredibly light, thin, soft, and comfortable. Wearing them will enhance your magic resistance, indirectly resisting the enemy's magic."

"It's not just about blocking attack magic. After increasing magic resistance, you will have a certain resistance to all kinds of magic, including Proverb-type magic, Illusion-type magic, Prophecy magic, Curse magic, and even Archaeology magic. Its effects are very wide-ranging."

"Therefore, this kind of magic garment is also called the Demon-Breaking Garment."

Locke put away the tattered magic robe with satisfaction. In this way, as soon as they arrived at this advanced True Knowledge Academy, they received a car, a house, certificates, equipment, and all kinds of benefits.

Daniel got down to business. "Director Freud, my co-mentor, wants me to start my postdoctoral research six months early and complete the True Knowledge Institute grant project as soon as possible. I'm wondering where I should apply for the project?"

Director Freud said, "Hmm, that's indeed a good arrangement. Since it's the arrangement of the Throne Wizard, you should listen carefully. As for the specifics, I don't have the final say; you'll have to ask your mentor." Director Freud cautiously added, "Or perhaps your senior brothers and sisters."

"I'm just a junior manager in the finance department, I wouldn't dare to comment on the plans and arrangements of the Throne Wizards."

Matthew the Wizard said to Daniel the Wizard, "There's no rush. You can follow your mentor's instructions."

"I think your mentor will contact you in the next few days."

"Let's go, you two must be tired from your long journey. I'll take you to the witch's kitchen for a meal, and you two can also take a bath at the wizard's hot springs and rest."

The wizard Matthew said meaningfully, "After all, this may be the last... leisure time for the two of you."

(End of this chapter)