Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 754 The World of Epirus and the Invasion of the Styx

Locke received a special magical plant standard requirement document sent by the witch Georgina to the key laboratory of Bonifacius University.

He opened the request form and took a look. First of all, this key laboratory is currently developing a new type of textile engineering yarn.

Therefore, the previous requirements list contains fifteen indicators related to this type of yarn, such as fiber length, fineness, and breaking strength, but this fiber performance requirement list is actually not very relevant to me.

Because this is actually a task of targeted magical plant variety improvement.

If I were to cooperate with them, I would at most be responsible for improving new magical plant varieties.

But Locke noticed that the request form came with a document that turned out to be a contract for a specially appointed breeder.

Locke glanced at it briefly and realized that it was actually a job offer. It stated that he would be paid three million magic stones within a year, and that the company would provide him with the necessary equipment and rights for his experiments, as well as a special grant of three million magic stones to improve new varieties of magical plants.

The contract period is one year.

During this year, I will be a visiting researcher at Boniface University.

This is a fairly common way for wizarding universities to collaborate with individual wizards. Of course, for a wizarding college as large as Boniface University, it is generally not possible to reach such an agreement with ordinary first-level wizards.

Typically, money is given directly, and the wizard is asked to complete the task, much like the relationship between a company and its employees.

However, he is now a second-circle wizard. Although there are thousands of second-circle wizards in wizarding academies like Boniface and Mount Golden Crown, they have reached the point where they can be invited to cooperate through the [guest system].

If one could become a Sun Ring Wizard, their status would likely be even higher, and they would probably receive even more generous treatment.

There will be fewer Sun Ring Wizards.

Among all wizards in the second ring stage, the Sun Ring wizard holds the most unique position.

Of course, Star Ring Wizards and Moon Ring Wizards are of much higher status than Second Ring Wizards, and with each step they take up a level, the number of their companions will inevitably decrease.

Locke glanced at the contract, which stated that if he accepted it, he would become a senior visiting researcher at Bonifacius University.

This title is meaningless; it's just something to look at.

The Wizarding University in Yunze Wetlands has a large number of over-issued titles; if the university can't afford to pay for them, it can just give out honorary titles.

Any title that is not associated with a fixed teaching position recognized by the White Wizarding Association can be considered a title that is no different from literary rhetoric.

Locke thought for a moment, "Does this contract also include a one-year usage period for ten acres of magical fields within Bonifacius University?"

Georgina the Witch sent me a message.

"Yes, Mr. Augustine. The director of our key laboratory admires your talent in the field of breeding and would like to invite you to collaborate."

'As you see in the requirements and contract, the development of this new material is itself for the righteous cause of us White Wizards.'

'Epiros is a commercially-partnered colony of our Boniface University, but that world has been invaded by a tributary of the Styx. The Sons of the Styx routinely attack the Epirus plane and plunder its population.'

'The inhabitants of Epirus, once swept into the River Styx, will die because they cannot adapt to the environment of the underworld. Simultaneously, their armies, unable to adapt to the underworld, will be forced to watch as the children of the underworld plunder the lives of their world.'

"Currently, magical plants have proven to possess the power to restrain the underworld. Therefore, our new textile science is developing new magical plant threads to create a bright future for the people of Epirus."

Locke looked at the long message Georgina the Witch sent and immediately understood that Bonifacius University had found a new business market.

According to this theory, how much the wizards of the world of Epirus needed such magical clothing that could adapt to the environment of the underworld and resist the aura of the River Styx!

Even ordinary people in that world need them. Not only that, in the future, Boniface University may even be able to sell their magical robes in every world invaded by the River Styx.

This will be a huge market.

Locke pursed his lips. Georgina the witch's mouthful of white wizard justice was arguably even more hypocritical than that of the Holy Wizard.

After all, in the eyes of the Holy Master, making money is a virtue, and not making money is morally corrupt.

However, these things are none of my business.

After all, the development of new types of high-quality silk threads was done by the key laboratory at Bonifacius University, while I could at most develop an improved variety of magical plant for them.

The overall plan was likely handled by the Sun Ring Wizard behind that laboratory.

only……

Locke looked at the name of that magical plant and was speechless.

Why is it so.

It's actually a magical pineapple plant called the Black Swan Pineapple!
It is a common first-stage magical plant. The cultivation requirement is to find a way to make the plant fibers of the Black Swan Pineapple finer and longer.

The original Black Swan Pineapple, while meeting other requirements to a minimum, was difficult to weave into thread due to its coarse and short plant fibers.

The breakage rate of the silk thread reached 70%.

In addition, there is a third requirement: to enhance the Black Swan Pineapple's ability to resist the aura of the underworld, which would be approximately doubled.

Locke's pupils constricted slightly upon seeing this requirement; it was likely a newly added one.

The original requirements were likely just two: to make the plant fibers of the Black Swan pineapple fine and long.

This contract wasn't originally intended for me.

Bonifacio University probably originally had its eye on other breeders.

But after the Silent Grail, they changed their minds and discovered that their lunar cultivation method could indeed produce specific environmental adaptations through the reverse flow of dimensional information.

Therefore, I added a third requirement for myself.

Locke pondered for a moment, then handed the beginning of the contract to the witch Catherine and asked her if he could sign it, and whether this would be considered bypassing the Academy.

Catherine the Witch responded quickly.

"Sure. Nobody's going to bother with something as trivial as this. It's perfectly normal for a second-circle wizard to be a guest speaker at various wizarding universities."

Even though the Rose Council and Mount Golden Crown have many conflicts, wizards from both academies still visit each other as guest speakers.

'Could you please show me the requirements for this task?'

Locke immediately took a screenshot and sent it over.

The witch Catherine stated, 'There's no problem. They probably coveted your personal cultivation method after the Silent Grail incident and want to establish a good relationship with you. The new School of Textiles has just become independent and is easily destroyed. They don't want to rely on the Alchemy School, so they'll not only offend the Old School of Textiles but also a large number of alchemists.'

It could be described as being in a precarious situation.

Therefore, they must choose their natural allies, namely us breeders.

"Having only read their task requirements, I understand now. The so-called truth of the new textile science must be manifested in the clothing worn by mortals. The old textile science indeed neglected the market for low-level magical clothing, such as that of mortals and wizard apprentices. For the new textile science to rise, besides needing a large number of talented individuals, it needs something more direct—a market."

'It seems that the new textile science is aiming for the lower-tier market.'

Locke suddenly realized.

That's right. You can only say you've risen to prominence if you have money; without money, you're nothing.

Catherine the Witch truly lived up to her title as the Throne Wizard; with just one transaction, she saw clearly the future development path of the new textile science.

Locke sends a message to the witch Georgina.

'I can sign this contract. But it's impossible to simply sign a contract for a water hyacinth system like this.'

"How about we sign a formal contract at the Witch's Kitchen in Dragonblood Gathering in a few days?"

Locke looked at the Water Hyacinth System and waited for a while, but the other party did not reply to the message immediately.

After a while, Georgina the Witch sent a message.

"Yes, Mr. Augustine."

……

At Boniface University, in the key laboratory of Heraclitus, Heraclitus was the proposer of the theory of "flowing matter into weave" in the new textile science.

Indeed, he is a representative figure of a new generation in the field of textile science.

Several throne wizards at Bonifacius University's new textile science department are waiting for him to become a third-circle wizard so that the theory of "flowing matter into weaving" can be proven true.

Georgina the Witch is currently working part-time for him, and it is estimated that once she is discharged from the Institute of True Knowledge, she will go directly into this key laboratory.

The interior of this key laboratory is a vast artificial river, with banks planted with vegetation on both sides, and artificial rocks and other landscape features in the middle of the river.

Heraclitus addressed a first-ring wizard, saying, "Amo, place a square stone, two meters by two meters, in the middle of the river. I want to observe the changes in the water flow..."

Amo immediately directed three minotaur slaves to move the stone over.

Heraclitus nodded.

“Georgina, it’s good that you can become a second-circle wizard. It’s even better that you’re willing to study with me. Listen carefully, I don’t care about your past or your background. Because in my teachings, I believe that this world is a great river.”

"You can't step into the same river twice. Everything is in flux. Change is the eternal theme of this world, and change itself is like a river."

Heraclitus, seemingly immersed in the beauty of the theory of "flowing matter forming a tapestry," was writing and drawing on the paper in his hand, calculating the changes in water flow.

“Everyone and everything is changing, and finding the patterns within this change and placing them within an unchanging framework is what I believe we new textile wizards should do. And the framework I have chosen is the Great River.”

"Look at this great river before you, will it give you any new insights? After you leave the station, come work with me. I will teach you how to brew honor..."

"Georgina, has Augustine agreed?" The witch Georgina bowed and said, "Lord Heraclitus, he has agreed. It's just that I don't know if he can really develop the magical plant varieties we need within this year."

The wizard Heraclitus smiled, his eyes narrowing.

“I have high hopes for him. There are also wizards with higher rings in our New Textile Academy who think highly of him.”

"However, the key point is not whether it can be developed successfully. That's a matter of probability, and all development work must accept the possibility of failure. The key point is that the new textile science needs to maintain a close working relationship with excellent breeders, so it is very important to establish a working relationship with wizards who may become excellent breeders in the future."

“Of course,” the wizard Heraclitus smiled. “That’s all decades from now. But as magic weavers, we should have the vision to see fifty years from now.”

“I will arrange for the Star Ring Wizard to sign the contract with Locke. You will represent our laboratory in handling the subsequent cooperation and communication with him. You are both young and talented, and you should be able to agree on many of your ideas.”

"The old textile school has recently been collaborating with some alchemical wizards. They seem to be trying to take away several markets we control through commercial competition, forcing us to abandon our development path."

"At least for the next decade, it will likely remain a battleground of business competition. But the future is uncertain..."

"After all, Yunze Wetland is full of black wizards."

Georgina's eyes, hidden behind the witch mask, suddenly changed.

"I'll kill any black wizard I see."

……

After Locke accepted the collaboration request from Bonifacius University, he checked the stock price trends of Solas Barefoot and Melochy Magic Step again through the Water Hyacinth System and found that the stock prices of the two stores had fallen by at least one-fifth.

It should have fallen even more.

Because there were originally two downward curves, they formed a large plunge curve, causing the stock price to drop by at least one-third.

Later, it seems that the wizards behind the alliance of the two shops exerted their influence, investing a large amount of money to forcibly raise the stock price, and even make the stock price rise slightly.

This behavior is essentially a way to further deplete one's resources and reduce one's cash flow.

It's just about exchanging money for health bars.

Locke glanced at the opponent's two decline curves. The first decline occurred after he won the Silent Grail Championship.

Clearly, some wizard stock market investors immediately realized what was going to happen next.

The second descent was when he was wearing the Bloodwave Wizard Shoes, chasing down the dark wizards of the Crimson Deep.

That incident had the most severe impact, with the stock prices of both Wizard Shoes stores plummeting rapidly.

Locke checked the other Wizard Shoes Alliance stores and found that their stock prices had declined, but a few smaller stores were showing an upward trend.

Clearly, the continued success of their pure magical plant wizard shoes has led many wizards to believe that it will cause a huge change in the wizard shoe market.

With his status as a second-circle wizard, this change had become an unstoppable trend.

However, the wizards of Yunze Wetland still cannot see how this conflict will ultimately end, so many people are betting on the more excellent magic weaver wizard shoes.

Locke thought for a moment and decided to go to the library on Mount Golden Crown to see if there was any clone magic suitable for him.

This skill provides a significant boost to second-ring wizards; you'd be missing out if you didn't learn it.

In such a competitive environment as Yunze Wetland, I need to learn a clone magic as soon as possible.

……

At the Solas Lightfoot technical seminar, the head of the Moon Ring Wizards looked extremely grim, glaring at everyone at the meeting, especially the minister of the Crisis Pre-Management Department.

The head of the crisis management department remained silent and kept his head down to avoid being blamed.

The Moon Ring Wizard Manager said, "After the Silent Grail incident, our shop alliance actually used 120 million magic stones to save our stock price from falling, which prevented the risk of stock market turmoil!"

"Many wizard shareholders seem to have doubts about our future, believing that Solas Lightfoot is no longer the monopoly it once was! They think we will be eliminated in the future!"

"The direct loss is over 100 million magic stones, and that doesn't even include the indirect losses!"

"It's just a ridiculous wizard shoe brand founded by a first-ring wizard, yet it used the Silent Grail to cause many wizards to lose faith in our shop alliance, forcing us to lose a lot of money to make up for the losses!"

"Are you all useless! So many of you, and you were all bullied like this by just one person!"

At the technical seminar, many wizards were visibly moved.

Some remained unmoved, some looked grim, and some showed anger on their faces.

One of the designers whispered, "It's that guy Jesse. He can't even kill a first-ring wizard."

At the meeting, even the second-ring wizard, who was the chief designer of the second ring of Solas's Lightfoot, was losing face.

He coughed once, then said in a steady voice, "It's just one person, of course it's impossible for us to lose more than 100 million, that's too exaggerated. I've said it before, don't get too obsessed with the stock market. Stock market fluctuations are common, it's a matter of confidence."

"When others temporarily lose confidence in us, the stock price drops. But soon, they will regain their confidence, and the stock price will rise. We were like a frightened rabbit, taking such a trivial thing as the stock price too seriously. To stop the stock price from falling, we actually invested a lot of working capital..."

"The 100 million yuan was just the final cost we incurred. If we look at the funds we used at the time, it would be staggering. Moreover, a large portion of that money was stuck at various stages. So, the actual amount we lost in the short term was far more than that."

The manager of Yuehuan looked grim; he was under pressure to resign.

His plan to force Jesse the witch to join the dark wizards in assassinating Locke was a failure, and he was now being driven crazy by the wizards of the board of directors, the council, and the overseer.

Moreover, he is also facing a legal crisis.

At the very least, Solas Lightfoot would have to pay Locke and Golden Crown Mountain money, and if he were abandoned by Solas Lightfoot, he might face the risk of imprisonment.

What the Moon Ring Supervisor fears is that, under normal circumstances, Solas Lightfoot shouldn't abandon him.

But what if Soras Barefoot wanted to force him to deal with Locke Augustine's matter, just as he had forced the Jesse Witch?
To push a first-ring wizard to the limit, turning him into a debt slave, and then forcing him to ally with dark wizards and engage in an "asset war" with the Golden Crown Mountain, exchanging inferior assets for the opponent's superior assets...

Isn't this what Soras's barefoot has always been best at?

As he thought of this, he shuddered and felt a chill run down his spine.

No.

He shouldn't be thinking such nonsense.

For Solas Lightfoot, a Moon Ring Wizard was already considered extremely valuable and held a very high position.

He won't be given up on so easily.

At this moment, the head of the lunar ring looked at the head of the crisis pre-management department in the meeting, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.

Although this is unlikely, people must protect themselves and cannot rely on the conscience of others.

He had to act quickly and find some scapegoats!

Solas Barefoot Shop Alliance is a huge organization. Because it is so large, its decision-makers are unlikely to think like one or a few individuals.

There are many vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

He wanted to clarify the issues beforehand at this meeting and find a scapegoat.

The head of the Moon Ring division began, "The biggest responsibility for this incident lies with the crisis management department. This department completely misjudged Locke's strength, and also underestimated the possibility of him quickly becoming a second-circle wizard and rapidly creating the second-circle wizard's shoe plant..."

The head of the crisis management department widened his eyes, and as a wizard at the first crystallization stage, he hurriedly defended himself.

"No, wait, sirs. I'm just a lowly department manager, I..."

At the technical seminar, many wizards exchanged glances. No one wanted to stand up for this minor first-ring crystallization wizard and offend the Moon Ring Director, who was unlikely to step down anytime soon.

Therefore, many people remained silent.

Several wizards even sneered and suddenly interrupted, stepping on his head.

"Agreed, no problem."

"The crisis management department should have discovered this incident earlier and nipped the danger in the bud."

The Moon Ring Supervisor's gaze swept over the other wizards at the meeting. One first-ring crystallized wizard was simply not enough to fill this hole.

After all, it involves Mount Jinmian.

There must be a second-circle wizard, at least an ordinary second-circle wizard, who will take the initiative to shoulder this burden; otherwise, this matter will eventually affect him as well.

The Moon Ring Supervisor immediately looked at an ordinary second-ring witch who remained silent during the meeting; she was the wizard who had brought in the head of the crisis pre-management department.

At the same time, he was also the production supervisor of Solas's bare feet, and the one who directly ordered the witch Jesse to intercept and kill Locke.

The Moon Ring Supervisor's eyes gleamed coldly, and the witch suddenly felt a chill, for she realized that the supervisor had ordered her to relay his command to the Witch Jesse to intercept and kill Locke...

It was done by the two of them in a private space.

There was no crystal surveillance camera, and no paper documents whatsoever!

Moreover, she was not well-liked in Solas because, as the head of the production oversight department, she often clashed with other wizards.

After all, she has to oversee the transportation of materials, product design, and product manufacturing, ensuring that Solas Lighting is connected at every stage of production.

In this process, how can one possibly avoid offending anyone?

(End of this chapter)