Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 792 Establishment of the Augustinian Forest Alliance School Fund!

Locke and Hussein greeted Justin, the association president, as he was a local bigwig and they couldn't afford to be disrespectful.

Association President Justin tentatively asked the two, "Wizard Locke, Wizard Hussein, please feel free to tell me if you need anything. I just don't know why you two returned to the Southeast Corner Region. I wonder if I can be of any help?"

Hussein said, “I came back because it is related to the Blood Curse Tribunal. Now I have basically taken control of the Blood Curse Tribunal, and I will lead the Blood Curse Tribunal to relocate.”

President Justin immediately smiled and said, "Relocating an entire academy is a huge undertaking; the cost of the boat tickets alone is considerable."

Hussein said, "Most of the ordinary apprentices of the Blood Curse Court can be disbanded on the spot. Wizarding prodigies can be sold separately to interested white wizarding organizations, and the wizarding mentors can come with me to the Cloud Marsh Wetlands."

“I have contacted my colleagues at Mithril Law Firm, and we will take care of the restructuring and optimization of its assets. I am a professional in this area. Of course, I have also contacted the relevant auditors.”

“I’ve already estimated that the money I’ll get from selling the Blood Curse Court separately will cover the cost of the Migration Wizard Academy, and I might even make a small profit.”

Association President Justin nodded repeatedly in agreement, as Hussein's plan was also in his favor.

During the war between the white and black wizards, the white wizarding association lost too much property. In hindsight, it appears that black wizarding organizations from higher-level wizarding lands were involved from the very beginning of the war.

Their motives have never been pure.

At this moment, the major white wizard academies in the southeastern corner of the region do indeed need some wizarding talents to replenish their ranks with fresh blood.

Locke knew what Association President Justin was worried about, so he said directly, "I'm just back in the Southeast Corner to take a look around, and I have a collaboration with my alma mater on research into the power of Mist. This is just an avatar of mine, and I will be leaving here soon."

"After all, Hussein and I are aiming for the Starfield Sea."

Hussein's eyes sharpened as he looked at Locke.

“Locke, you’re ahead of me now. The legacy of the progenitor wizard is a problem. If I had known this would happen, I would have chosen the Mithril Law Firm route.”

Locke nodded slightly.

President Justin finally relaxed. He was indeed somewhat worried that the two would return to the Southeast Corner to develop their business.

The main problem is that if that happens, he'll have to recalculate many things.

But now that he heard neither of them would be coming back to develop their careers, he breathed a sigh of relief.

This would make the post-war situation much simpler.

There will be no potential conflict of interest among the three parties; on the contrary, they are potential allies.

Association President Justin sighed as he looked at the ruins of Verdandia University.

"Dark wizards are a bunch of destroyers. They're not very good at building, but they're good at destroying. Hundreds of years of wealth were destroyed like this by dark wizards all at once..."

Association President Justin looked somewhat lost.

"I have devoted myself to maintaining the situation in the southeast corner region with all my might and with great effort, but this balance has been easily disrupted by a small intervention from the superior wizarding land."

“When I was young, I went to a larger wizarding land, the Razer Lowlands, but I was soon dismissed by the Root Crown Court because I couldn’t meet the promotion-or-leave requirements, and they demanded that I return the subsidies they gave me. After losing my job, I also lost my home and allowance. I barely managed to stay in the Razer Lowlands for a while, invested in a project, but lost everything, so I had to return to the Southeast Corner.”

The association president, Justin, looked bewildered.

"At that time, I also thought it was only temporary and that I would go back to fight. But who knew that later, I never left the Southeast Corner Region again."

"Later, I became one of the deans of the University of Verdandia and also rose to a leadership position in the local White Wizards Association."

"I hope you two get what you want. It's not easy to make a living in a big city."

"You will be the pride of the Southeastern region."

Locke spoke with President Justin for a while longer before leaving and heading towards Lilith's cabin.

Locke walked to the position of the Lilith Hut camp. At this time, the formal wizards at Lilith Hut had all quieted down. Locke had met most of the wizards there once before.

Some of his wizard mentors were encountered when he took the breeder and potion master certification exams, while others were met when he participated in wizarding realms or borrowed materials from the library.

Locke looked at the wizard Harlan Vera, who nodded at him with satisfaction.

Wizard Harlan Vera said to Locke, "Locke, I knew it. You are one of the three brightest students I have ever taught. You will achieve great things, and I will be proud of you in the future."

Locke bowed to the wizard Harlan Vera and said, "Teacher, thank you for your past guidance and help."

Harlan Vera was moved, because Locke was now a second-circle wizard, while he was only a crystallized wizard, but Locke still bowed to him, just as he had in the past.

This deeply moved Harun Vera.

You see, it's not that he didn't have students who became second-circle wizards before, but those students were ultimately different after they became second-circle wizards.

Only Locke, after becoming a second-circle wizard, still treated him with the respect due to a student to a teacher.

This surprised Harlan Vera and many of the wizards present.

Harlan Vera swallowed hard and said cautiously, "Locke, you are already a second-circle wizard. Now you have gone further on the path of exploring the truth."

"Therefore, you don't need to bow to me. The student has finally surpassed the teacher."

"This is the greatest satisfaction for a teacher."

Locke looked at Harlan Vera and said, "In my eyes, you will always be my teacher."

"This has never changed."

Harlan Vera's face showed relief and joy.

"You are also the best student I have ever taught, and that has never changed."

“Locke, take a look. This is my newest student, the Child of Elements. She is very good at breeding and has half of the talent you once had in breeding.”

"Her name is Isis."

Harlan Vera pointed to a first-class wizard apprentice witch beside him. The witch had about three hundred magic pressure and was looking at the senior brother that her teacher often mentioned with curiosity and awe.

As a breeding genius, she entered school hearing the legendary name of Locke Augustine, took Locke Augustine as her role model, and always wanted to surpass him.

But at this moment, when she faced her senior brother, who had already become a second-ring Grand Wizard, her competitive spirit was instantly extinguished.

The witch Isis was somewhat at a loss. She bowed her head to Locke and said, "You...hello, senior brother, no...Great Wizard Augustine."

The witch Isis originally wanted to call Locke "senior brother," but when she realized that it would be offensive and foolish for her to call a second-circle archmage "senior brother," she immediately changed her mind.

Locke simply nodded gently at her. "It's alright, I'm your senior brother."

"From now on, you can call me senior brother."

The witch Isis nodded nervously, feeling a warmth in her heart at the same time.

Such a powerful and wise wizard was actually her senior brother.

very nice.

She is so lucky.

Wizard Harlan Vera chuckled, “Locke, isn’t your little junior sister interesting? She enrolled more than a year before you went to the Land of the Six Towers, and became a second-class wizard apprentice after you went there. I noticed her and that’s how she became my disciple.”

"The progress has been quite rapid."

Locke was taken aback for a moment after hearing this. "Five years, three hundred magic pressure, hmm, the talent is not bad."

If someone else were to say that such a genius's talent is merely average, someone would certainly disagree.

But when Locke said this, no one thought it was wrong; on the contrary, they thought it was perfectly reasonable.

Because at this moment, Locke is the greatest genius here.

Harlan Vera said to Locke, "I intend to send her to the Myster Power Research Institute."

Locke nodded slightly.

This means that they want this witch named Isis to become a formal wizard using the [Forest Sanctuary].

Locke said, “Great! I happen to have two projects that I’d like to collaborate on with the academy.”

Dean Earl's eyes immediately lit up. "Cooperation? Of course."

“You are an outstanding wizard from our Lilith House. Lilith House will certainly do its best to cooperate with you.”

Locke, Headmaster Earl, and Wizard Harlan Vera walked and talked, while the other wizards wisely kept their distance from them.

Locke snapped his fingers, and instantly his mountain-like magical pressure compressed the air, forming walls. These walls of magical pressure appeared one after another, effectively creating a soundproof barrier.

Locke looked at Dean Earl Thompson and asked, "Dean Thompson, what are your plans after this war?"

Dean Earl Thompson said, "War has harmed all wizarding universities; seven full-fledged wizards have died at our Lilith Hut."

"The death of these seven formal wizards will affect the development of our Lilith Hut's academic disciplines. In particular, the death of our only formal wizard specializing in the Beast Taming Magic sub-discipline of the Summoning School will completely cripple our Beast Taming Magic sub-discipline."

"There were already few research resources and equipment, and now even the only official wizard has died. The problem is that many third-class and second-class wizard apprentices in this field, as well as two first-class wizard apprentices, have lost their mentors."

Dean Earl Thompson sighed.

"These people have lost their mentors and have almost no hope of advancing further. Third-class wizard apprentices are alright; there's not much cost involved in switching majors."

"But for second-class and first-class wizard apprentices, the sunk costs are too high."

"I plan to recruit a regular, formal wizard, specializing in beast taming magic. If successful, I can give him the laboratory and research team of that deceased wizard."

"If that doesn't work, then there's nothing I can do. I'll have to expel those students, or entrust their education to other colleges..."

"In short, I need to carefully consider the issue of whether these students will stay or leave. The deaths of the other six formal wizards will also have some impact on our academic development."

Dean Earl Thompson said, "However, the losses we suffered at Lilith Hut in the war were relatively small."

"The losses to colleges like Four Seasons Garden and the University of Verdantia are much greater. After this war, I estimate that many of their disciplines will be directly canceled."

“Because there are no corresponding wizard mentors.” Dean Earl Thompson said, “Oh, by the way, all the official wizard mentors for the Breeding Studies program at Verdandia University have died out because they were targeted by the previous Dark Wizarding Alliance.”

"Now, it is estimated that the University of Verdandia will completely abandon the Breeders College."

Locke's eyes lit up immediately.

Because he knew that Dean Earl was reminding him of something.

If the other party wants to sell the talent and laboratory equipment as a package deal, that's the best time to make a move.

Especially since we are currently short of manpower.

Dean Earl said, "Now that you've gone out on your own, I imagine you're lacking equipment, resources, and manpower. If you want them, we'll give them to you then."

Locke shook his head slightly. "I'm just an ordinary researcher at Golden Crown Mountain."

“I can’t possibly consume all the resources of the entire Breeding Laboratory at Verdantia University. Besides, I don’t need that many resources. Thank you for your kind offer, Dean, but I only need a portion of it—the equipment and personnel I require.”

Dean Earl nodded.

"Then let's take over when they sell it."

Locke also sighed with emotion.

Unexpectedly, the University of Verdandia has suffered such a terrible calamity.

They were even forced to abandon the development of the entire breeding science discipline.

Harlan Vera said, "However, the Four Seasons Garden and the University of Verdandia will not completely decline; they will certainly make a comeback."

"Both of these academies have the academic lineage of the higher-level wizarding lands behind them."

"The Four Seasons Garden's founding wizard, the Four Seasons Witch, currently serves as the chief wizard mentor at the Rootcrown Royal Court and is a Three-Ring Throne Wizard."

"The founding wizard of Verdandia University is dead, but they have an academic supervisor who is very influential in the Siming Waters. Throughout Verdandia University, there are several lineages of high-ring wizards from the higher wizarding lands. Those high-ring wizards may not pay much attention to this area, but they will still care to some extent about the continuation of their lineages in the various wizarding lands."

"Therefore, the Four Seasons Garden and the University of Verdantia will not decline, and will rise again sooner or later."

Locke asked, "Are there no high-ring wizards at the University of Verdandia's breeding department currently?"

Harlan Vera said, "Yes, that's right. There used to be a high-ring wizard from the Rose Council there. But recently that sun-ring wizard switched sides and left the Eastern District for the Southern District."

"It seems to be the Southern Shanghai Magic City."

"By using the Three Swamps as a transit point, a round trip between Wizarding Lands takes about four months. But if it's a cross-border area, it takes much longer."

"Therefore, his academic lineage was severed. After he left, his students were leaderless, which is why the Dark Wizarding Alliance dared to target the breeding wizards at Vildandia University. Of course, there are other things involved, and there may be more complex issues involved, because we don't know why the Dark Wizarding Alliance is targeting the breeding program at Vildandia University."

Locke asked, "Professor Harlan, how is the Dark Wizarding Alliance targeting us?"

Harlan Vera took Locke's words very seriously at this moment. After all, he was a second-circle wizard, so he thought about it carefully and then said, "They captured many official wizard breeders from the University of Verdandia."

"For a time, we were worried that the Black Wizarding Alliance would target us."

"The dark wizards led those breeders into the Forbidden Forest, and they have never been seen since."

Locke pondered, "Capturing breeders? Right, the dark wizards don't have breeders; they need them to identify the Dragon's Saliva Narrow Line. Essentially, the dark wizarding alliance forcibly captured breeders and formed an expedition team. Because the Forbidden Forest is incredibly dangerous, those breeders probably all died there."

'It was most likely the work of the King of the Forbidden Forest.'

'The reason why the breeding science at the University of Naveldandia disappeared was because it became embroiled in the lineage dispute between the Red Dragon Witch and the Rose Witch.'

Locke now realized even more that the clash of academic ideas between the Rose Throne and the Red Dragon Throne could actually have a butterfly effect, affecting the fate of one of the top wizarding universities in the entire wizarding land.

The war between the two throne wizards will probably not be limited to the Cloud Marsh Wetlands or the Three Marshes Land.

Therefore, the academic clash between one's teacher and the Rose Witch will affect multiple wizarding communities.

Locke thought of the Tianjiang River. After thinking about it carefully, wasn't the Three Kings Tournament in that Wizarding Land affected by the academic conflict between the two throne wizards?
If the consequences of current academic clashes are already so severe, what must the Throne War, which terrifies his fellow students, be like?

That seems to be related to the Ladder of Truth.

Locke pondered for a moment. After hearing the term "Ladder of Truth," he had searched for free books in the Second Ring Road area, but found nothing.

That's something only a third-ring wizard can research.

It's likely that the name of the Feathered Serpent Pavilion's Heavenly Ladder Test is related to this so-called Heavenly Ladder of Truth.

Locke currently does not have enough contribution points to exchange for Linghong Baijie, so he cannot directly take the exam for the second-ring potion master, which is the expert-level potion master certificate.

Locke said to Harlan Vera and Dean Earl, “Teacher, Dean, I have an idea. I want to set aside a fund to subsidize first-class wizard apprentices to study in the Forest Sanctuary and become formal wizards.”

"As you all know, it takes a lot of money for a wizard to build a forest sanctuary. The cost of the sanctuary itself alone is a million magic stones. Not to mention the related magic potions, such as the Swarm Consciousness potion."

The two nodded as they listened.

Locke walked along the forest path in the southeast corner of the region: "Therefore, I give every first-class wizard apprentice who passes my test or meets my standards, who comes from Lilith's Hut and has 800 magic pressure, a choice. Accept my sponsorship of 500,000 magic stones, on the condition that they accept my Forest Alliance Spell."

Locke gave a brief explanation of his Forest Alliance Spell.

Dean Earl Thompson was extremely interested.

“I see. I’ve heard Albert mention the Forest Alliance Spell before. That’s good.”

Of course he agreed.

Why did Lilith's Cottage decline?
That's because the lineage of learning at Lilith's Hut has been severed.

The emerging force in the southeastern corner region, Four Seasons Garden, has the chief wizard mentor of the Root Crown Royal Court and a wizard of the Third Ring Throne behind it.

Although the throne may not care about this, just by using its power, it can scare a lot of people.

The group of dark wizards breached the Garden of the Four Seasons, but they didn't dare to cause too much damage, especially to the Winter Garden that the Third Ring Throne wizard used to manage.

They dared not damage it in the slightest.

The power of the Throne Wizard is so great that even if he doesn't personally target you, the presence of his followers is enough to cause you a lot of trouble.

The University of Verdandia also has several academic lineages behind it, although the university itself has declined over time.

Because his founding wizard, after going to the higher wizarding lands to develop, after becoming a fourth-circle wizard, still wanted to become a truth wizard and a leader in his field.

He died as a result.

I heard he died from an experiment, which seems to have been a very dangerous one.

As a result, the University of Verdandia itself has already declined once, no longer possessing the absolute dominance it had two hundred years ago in the southeastern corner of the region.

After this war between the black and white wizards, things became even worse, once again exposing their true colors.

Lilith's Hut, as the oldest and most established power in the Southeastern Region and the true owner of the Forbidden Forest Secret Realm, is now less renowned and powerful than the Four Seasons Garden and the University of Veldania.

This is because their founding witch, Lady Myster, has long since disappeared. She was a very early figure, making it difficult to distinguish whether she existed in reality or was a character from mythology.

The several academic lineages they later acquired gradually broke down over time.

Academic ties have disappeared.

Therefore, Lilith House was originally in a situation where there was no one in charge, the infrastructure was constantly falling behind, and the number of students was decreasing.

At this moment, Locke, as an outstanding graduate of Lilith Hut and a senior researcher at Golden Crown Mountain, took the initiative to propose to cooperate with his alma mater and establish a personal fund there to create academic ties.

Dean Earl Thompson had no reason not to agree.

Although Locke is currently only an ordinary second-ring wizard, far from reaching the point of establishing a lineage, at least a sun-ring wizard would be qualified to do so.

After all, academic lineage involves many directions, including the upper and lower wizarding lands, as well as teaching positions, corresponding resources, and so on.

But Locke was so young at that moment.

He's not a Sun Ring Wizard now, nor a Third Ring Wizard, but who can guarantee he won't be in the future?

Harlan Vera exclaimed, "Lilith's Cottage has had a stroke of good luck. Suddenly, you and Sophia the Witch appeared as master and apprentice."

"It's as if you appeared out of thin air."

"I suspect the Black Wizard Alliance didn't target our breeders this time, perhaps because they were also considering your relationship with Sophia."

Locke nodded slightly.

Probably.

Moreover, it is estimated to be most relevant to oneself.

It wasn't that he was too proud, but rather that the Rose Throne was behind the Black Wizard's actions, and the Rose Throne clearly wanted to operate in secrecy, without alerting his teacher.

Since Lilith's Hut is closely related to him, even if it's to avoid alarming his teacher, they should try their best to avoid targeting Lilith's Hut.

Locke said, "It would be wonderful if you two could agree with my idea."

Dean Earl chuckled, “The Forest Alliance Spell will establish a connection between the permanent defensive field of you wizards who study the Forest Sanctuary. I don’t see any problem with that. Naturally, there’s no way you’d have any objections.”

“In fact, I think it’s pretty good.”

"Locke, you are now a great wizard."

"How about calling it the Augustin Forest Alliance Fund?"

Locke said, “Okay. I will have Hussein set up a fund committee for me and store one million magic stones in it. If needed in the future, I will provide more funds.”

"I just hope that more and more formal wizards will use the Forest Sanctuary as a permanent defensive force field."

(End of this chapter)