Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 667 Received the Istoria Archaeology Prize and was published in "The First Ring of History"

In Zaran Bailey's private office, he was discussing with a wizard from the Joseph Golem Shop Alliance about ordering a large quantity of brass-like golems when Tucker suddenly burst into his office.

Zaran Bailey frowned in displeasure, as he was speaking with a second-circle agent wizard from the Joseph Shop Alliance when Tucker's intrusion interrupted their conversation.

He had clearly told the wizards in Group 2 not to enter his office during this time.

"Tak, what's the matter?" asked the wizard Zhalan.

Wizard Tucker held up the document in his hand, glanced guiltily at the agent wizard of the Joseph Golem Shop Alliance beside him, and quickly said to Wizard Zaran Bailey, "Lord Zaran, Locke Augustine has won... the Istria Archaeology Award in the Starfield Sea."

"An article was published in a top journal of archaeology in the Starfield Sea."

Zaran Bailey's pupils suddenly contracted. "What did you say?"

Joseph's shop alliance's agent wizard's eyes flashed with surprise. "The Istoria Archaeology Award? I remember that award was the most prestigious archaeology award in the Starfield Sea at the first stage."

"That award hasn't been given to archaeological wizards from outside the Starfield for many years. If your friend can win this award, it can only mean that he has made a groundbreaking discovery in archaeology. Otherwise, based on my understanding of the people in the Starfield, they would never give this award to any outsider."

"As expected of Jinmian Mountain. Winning this award this year is something that Jinmian Mountain can promote a little."

A look of embarrassment appeared on Zhalan Bailey's face.

He glanced at the wizard's agent and said, "Mr. Jacob Zion, I'm sorry, but I may not be able to conduct any business negotiations with you today."

"I think we should reschedule for another day."

Jacob Zion the wizard looked at him with a puzzled expression, but he did not insist, because Joseph's Shop Alliance was a relatively large shop alliance.

We don't need his business.

Wizard Jacob Zion nodded. "Of course, Mr. Bailey can negotiate whenever he wants. It's just that I'm quite busy and have limited time. I don't know when the next appointment will be."

He turned and left the office.

Zaran Bailey looked displeased.

Tucker looked at Zaran Bailey with a puzzled expression. "Senior Brother, why did you suddenly stop negotiating with that wizard?"

Zaran Bay tapped the table with his fingers and said, “Nothing else. My mind is in turmoil. I’m agitated right now, and that man is a cunning and shrewd wizard. If I continue to negotiate with him, I will inevitably suffer repeated defeats. Then I will only have two choices: either agree to back down or turn against him.”

"Neither option is beneficial to me. Therefore, the best option is not to negotiate with him today. Don't be fooled by his unhappiness; I'm going to talk to him about a deal worth millions of magic stones, and he's just trying to make me feel guilty with his words."

"But that's a side path."

"The order is in my hands, so he's the one in a hurry," said Zaran Bailey coldly. "I'm in a bad mood today and it's not convenient for me to talk to him about serious matters. Therefore, I can refuse decisively."

At this point, such a small trick is probably not enough to cause psychological fluctuations in a wizard of his caliber.

However, when he heard that Locke Augustine had received the Istoria Archaeological Prize, his heart was still filled with turmoil.

He had initially thought Augustine was no match for him, and thus lowered his guard.

At this moment, his fear of Locke reached its peak.

“No wonder he was completely silent during the three months I was back in Group 2. I heard he hadn’t returned to Golden Crown Mountain for a long time. Turns out he was working on a project.” Wizard Zaran Bailey’s eyes were gloomy. “He won that Starfield Sea award and was featured in the Starfield Sea’s top-tier journal.”

"The Sith leader will definitely pay more attention to him, and he will compete with me for the resources of Group 2. Damn it, I didn't think this guy was my enemy. But now it seems that he really is my competitor."

Zaran Bailey whispered, "I'll pay him a visit another day."

Wizard Tucker said, "Senior Brother, don't worry. No matter how much he achieves in archaeology, it won't matter. Our Group 2 is the breeder's research group."

Zaran Bailey nodded. “Keep an eye on him for me. It seems I let my guard down too early. Oh, and Tucker, could you do me another favor and help me submit the grant application for this first-class project?”

"Has Locke submitted a project application for a first-class project grant?"

Tucker said, "No. Perhaps he's been spending too much time on archaeology. A person's attention span is limited; if you spend more time on one thing, you have to spend less time on others."

"He just won a major award, how could he possibly have the energy to devote to the field of breeding? Don't worry, senior brother, both of our groups support you."

……

In the research institute, on the 2th floor underground, the Sith wizard received congratulations from his old friend and learned that Locke had won the Estoria Archaeological Prize.

The Sith wizard blinked, a hint of joy appearing on his face. "No wonder Locke left Group 2 for three months. So he went to the Abyss Ruins for archaeological work."

"I knew I hadn't misjudged him. I thought he would need some time to adjust to life in Group 2, but I never expected that he would win such a prestigious award in the Starfield Sea in just three months."

“Wait a minute. This level of award would be commonplace for Jinmianshan in the fields of breeding, bloodline science, or physiology. But this is in the field of archaeology. This is the first time Jinmianshan has received an award of this level in the field of archaeology.”

"I reckon the higher-ups at Jinmian Mountain will reward him."

The Sith wizard thought for a moment and then sent Locke a 'congratulations' message through the Water Hyacinth System.

At the same time, he immediately received a message from the Dean of Academic Affairs: 'One of your researchers, Locke Augustine, won the Istorian Archaeology Prize, the archaeology award from the Starfield Sea, did you know that? Sith Group Leader?'

The Sith wizard replied, "I don't know; that should be His Majesty's responsibility."

The Dean of Academic Affairs sent a message: 'Hmm. I didn't know what kind of award this was at first, only that it was a highly prestigious award from the Starfield Ocean. After checking some information, I confirmed its importance.'

'Golden Crown Mountain has contacted the newspapers to report on this matter, and having heard that this wizard is at a crucial moment in breaking through to the second ring of wizardry, Golden Crown Mountain is giving the wizard an extra two Golden Cloud Peaches. The original reward was a Water Jade Peach, so this effectively upgrades the entire reward by two levels.'

The Sith Wizard was stunned for a moment, and said incredulously, "Golden Cloud Peach? This thing is useful even for a second-ring wizard. To give such a good thing directly to a first-ring wizard, when did Golden Crown Mountain ever do something so unprofitable? This is too generous. I have never seen Golden Crown Mountain so generous when I was a first-ring wizard."

"It seems that the higher-ups at Golden Crown Mountain are quite fond of this Augustine wizard. Wait, by the way, Augustine wizard is now basically a member of their academic committee."

The Golden Cloud Peach is a closely guarded secret of Golden Mound Mountain, one of the twelve peaches.

After taking it, a wizard can enter a special state, unite with nature, elevate the essence of the soul, and enter a special state of thinking with the help of heaven and earth.

Before a wizard advances from the first to the second ring, consuming a Golden Peach can greatly increase the success rate of constructing a powerful spell.

Furthermore, it can greatly enhance the quality of magic, which is extremely useful for botanical wizards and wizards of life magic.

Of course, these peaches are pure poison to necromancers.

On the seventh floor of the True Knowledge Academy, the witch Catherine was on the phone with the Dean of the Academic Committee, Gaia.

The Dean of Gaia Academy said, "Ekaterina, your student Locke Augustine will be entering the Silent Grail War in less than three months."

"You'd better give him some pre-match training."

"After all, this matter involves the enrollment quotas for my Golden Crown Mountain in that mortal region of the No Man's Land for the next ten years."

The Eastern Boundary has fifty-three Wizarding Lands, but also hundreds of natural barriers. These natural barriers are interconnected, making the areas between the fifty-three Wizarding Lands far apart, and the only way to connect them is through the Second Sky and the Cloud Lake Waterway.

However, these formidable terrains are not entirely devoid of life.

In some areas, ordinary people live in communities that, despite living in dire circumstances, demonstrate remarkable resilience and have survived due to special circumstances or environments.

These are unclaimed territories.

In the no-man's-land, anyone can recruit students, and over time, wars will break out between the major wizarding organizations.

However, war would result in financial losses, which is why the four top wizarding academies in Yunze Wetlands use the rankings of the Silent Holy Grail Tournament to determine the allocation of resources for some unclaimed lands.

Dean Gaia said, "Storm Tower, Quinnjoll, and Bonifaceus—I've heard that the contestants they've sent are all outstanding young first-circle wizards they've nurtured over the years. It's estimated that before the competition, each of them will have reached the level where they can construct extremely powerful magic and become a second-circle wizard."

"It's just that I didn't build up the ultimate magic in advance in order to pursue a better version of myself."

"Katya, what do you think of our Locke Augustine? I see that the other academy's participants are all purebred wizards, which worries me a bit. Now that our Academic Committee has secured this bridge, we must win the Silent Grail Tournament properly, otherwise the Senate will take the opportunity to make trouble for us."

The witch Catherine said, “Headmaster, I have complete faith in Locke. Besides, that esteemed student from Storm Tower is still wandering around our Golden Crown Mountain. I can’t figure out what he’s been up to.”

"Quinjoll's contestant this year, like Locke, is not a native wizard of Cloud Marsh Wetland, but an outsider wizard."

“The kind of wizard you described might only fit the description of a participant from Boniface University. However, there’s something wrong with that witch’s parents; they both defected from the Twin Demon Realm.” The Gaia Academy President chuckled. “Katya, it’s good that you have confidence.”

"So many years have passed. Ah, I can still vividly recall the days when you studied under me."

Dean Gaia said, "I've read the information of the contestant from Boniface University. She's a pitiful person too. Her parents were tricked by the Twin Demon Realms and violated their duties. To avoid being held accountable by the White Wizarding Association, they were constantly coerced into doing those things, stealing Quinnjoll's assets. After the matter was exposed, they could only be ruined."

"Alas, the Twin Demon Realms have committed countless evil deeds and destroyed countless families. In this war, we demand that the Twin Demon Realms remain silent for at least thirty years!"

Catherine the Witch snorted coldly. "What's truly despicable are those who deliberately condone evil."

The wizard Gaia coughed. "Stop talking, stop talking."

"This matter is very sensitive."

……

Locke emerged from the Queen's Chessroom and quickly received a message from the Sith Leader: "Two Golden Cloud Peaches?"

Locke glanced at the attached information. "I see. It's a special magic peach that allows me to communicate with all things in nature, enabling them to help me conceive powerful magic. Even for a second-circle wizard, this is a treasure."

"After completing a major spell, a second-circle wizard still needs to continuously refine his major spells to achieve perfection."

"I never expected that just winning a relatively important archaeology award and publishing a paper in a first-tier journal of the Starfield Sea would give me two such treasures."

Locke received a message from the Sith Group Leader, who said that the college wanted him to give a newspaper interview to promote the academic capabilities of Mount Golden Crown, which would be very useful for future admissions.

Locke thought for a moment. Since he could get two Golden Cloud Peaches, there was no harm in doing this as a favor, so he agreed.

Locke first gathered Mason Witch and others, and together they spent an afternoon completing a first-class project grant application, which Mason Witch then took to the Institute of True Knowledge to submit the application.

My own first-class project grant application mainly describes how I used the Queen's Chessboard to analyze the special flower roots of ancient flowers and discovered the magical plant-locking structure of glandular root sacs.

This new energy-locking structure is almost guaranteed to receive a first-class project grant.

One day later.

Locke learned from the Mason Witch that his application for the first-class project grant had been approved, and immediately gave himself one hundred magic crystal cards.

In the shared office of Group 2, Mason Witch and Freya Witch stood next to Locke's workstation, both beaming with joy.

Mason Witch said, "Boss, you're really amazing. You've only been back for less than a week and you've already secured the first-class project funding."

Freya the witch laughed and said, "That's right, Mason. Don't you know who our boss is? He's incredibly efficient."

Freya the witch rolled her eyes, while several researchers from Group 2, who were eavesdropping nearby, perked up their ears.

Locke said, "You two, stop arguing. You should work quietly like Barrett. By the way, I might still be quite busy lately, so I need the three of you to help me use finite element cultivation to cultivate a batch of pineapple magic plants using the plant factor information I provided."

"I want to first recreate the glandular root sac structure on the pineapple magic plant."

"If we can successfully reproduce it, this pineapple magic plant should have a very strong drought resistance. But that's not the main point," Locke said in a low voice, then glanced at the three of them, snapped his fingers, and used a simple spell model to block the transmission of sound with a soundproofing spell.

For him now, this simple protective spell can be used at will without needing special learning, since it is only an apprentice-level spell.

But it's enough.

After all, they are all researchers from Group 2, so it's unlikely that anyone would dare to use magic to break through their soundproof barrier.

That way, you'll immediately realize that your magic has been broken.

Locke said, “I have named this special root the Ancient Flower Root, because it can turn sand into soil.”

"But we still need a lot of water."

"I want to bring this special root back to life on pineapple-type magical plants."

Mason Witch and the others exchanged glances, all of them taken aback.

Mason Witch said, "Turning sand into soil? If that's the case, then this entire dune plane could potentially be greened as a result."

Locke said, "But the problem of needing water is still not solved."

"Water... thinking about it carefully, it is indeed quite precious. Before entering the Dune Plane, I never imagined that even wizards would have a hard time creating a large amount of readily available water in a single plane."

"Water is so cheap in one plane of life, but so expensive in a plane of life that is about to be destroyed."

Freya the witch pointed to the conversion plant outside and said, "But someone helped me solve the water shortage problem. Even the water extracted using the special equipment of the Storm Tower was not as much as that produced by those conversion plants."

“Those conversion plants are producing large amounts of water every moment. Because our second-circle wizard has the idea of ​​transforming the entire plane, the production capacity of these conversion plants is increasing every day. A new conversion plant is being added every day, and a new natural gas plant is being dug every day.”

"So, thanks to him, in the current Group 2, there is not only no shortage of water, but also an abundance of water. So much that it can be wasted at will."

The witch Freya laughed, "Since he's so good at targeting us anyway, we might as well use his water. We can use his water to grow our magical plants."

Freya covered her mouth and laughed, "He can't possibly tell the Sith wizard that there's no water when it's our turn, can he? He was the one who bragged before, saying that from now on, Group 2 has so much water that we can waste it at will."

Locke considered the feasibility of this. "If that's the case, then our ancient pineapple root project becomes very feasible."

"Perhaps, with the help of abundant water resources, it is indeed possible to transform large areas of desert into fertile land."

"This way we can secure the first-class project funding. As for the special-class grant, we can discuss that later."

After some discussion, the four of them determined their future direction.

After the exchange, Locke and Scarlett the Witch contacted each other through the Water Hyacinth System and confirmed that the Golden Crown Mountain was evaluating the war suits for the Demon World War, especially the samples and designs submitted by various wizards for their shoes.

Meanwhile, within the Water Hyacinth System, Locke saw a message from a Group 6 researcher from Mount Golden Crown, saying that he was helping someone invite him to meet at the Witch's Kitchen in the Dragonblood Market of Mount Golden Crown.

"Storm Tower?" Locke's expression was strange. "Going to see it wouldn't hurt."

Anyway, inside Jinmian Mountain, the other side wouldn't dare to do anything.

Locke immediately left the Dune plane and headed there.

At the same time, the wizard Zaran Bailey just happened to pass by Locke.

He stood beside his workstation, smiling as he looked at Mason and the others, saying, "Oh, I see. So I was unlucky and just missed meeting Wizard Augustine."

Mason Witch said, "Yes, Lord Zaran Bailey."

Zaran Bailey smiled knowingly. "Perhaps he just doesn't want to see me."

His gaze fell on the crystal ball containing plant essence information held in Mason Witch's hand, and he said dismissively, "However, I am now a second-circle wizard, and he is a first-circle wizard. So, he doesn't need to worry about me."

"I only wanted to meet him to welcome an excellent wizard to our group."

"Since he doesn't want to see me, then forget it."

Zaran Bailey the wizard turned and left.

Mason Witch sighed. "A second-circle wizard... his magical pressure is too much for me."

Freya the witch stamped her foot and said, "Isn't it because he saw that we passed the application for the first-class project funding that he wanted to come and talk to us? He said we shouldn't worry about him. If he didn't care about us, why would he keep an eye on us every day?"

Barrett the wizard whispered, "It's no use him keeping an eye on us. Inside Mount Golden Crown, even if he's a second-circle wizard, he still has to rely on his own abilities."

Mason Witch said, "However, I heard that Wizard Zaran Bailey recently invited an environmental wizard to our Dune plane."

Inside the common office, a researcher from Group 2, who was in the ordinary first-stage crystallization phase, immediately said after hearing Mason Witch's words, "Yes. Senior Brother did indeed invite a botanical wizard friend over."

"It is said to be an alliance of environmentally friendly shops, and also a second-ring wizard."

"Therefore, although the pollution of the Dune Plane is getting more and more serious, it is still within the control of the senior brother so far."

(End of this chapter)