My inventory is full of monster materials.

Chapter 97 Special Project Team Leader

Wow~

Mark scooped up a handful of water and slapped it hard on his face. The lingering agitation gradually subsided, and his mind calmed down completely.

Looking at the white-haired, blue-eyed boy in the bronze mirror, the shadow in Mark's eyes had faded, and he had regained his usual gentle and refined demeanor.

But when my elbow accidentally brushed against the bulging inner pocket, I couldn't help but feel excited.

hold on.

I'll take a good look at today's findings later.

Let's discuss the thesis with Morris first and create a solid alibi.

Mark picked up the towel from the edge of the basin, carefully wiped his face clean, tidied his appearance, and composed himself before returning to Professor Morris's reception area.

Surprisingly, while Mark had gone out for a stroll, Morris and Dylan, teacher and student, were still engrossed in their papers.

However, the scene had changed. Morris, wearing reading glasses, pointed out the contents of the manuscript while explaining the key points, while Dylan sat to the side, taking notes rapidly.

Mark stepped forward and gave a brief greeting.

"Professor Morris, Dylan, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Huh? You're back so soon?"

Upon hearing this, Maurice paused, looked up and saw that it was Mark returning, and then praised him without reservation.

"A genius idea! Absolutely a genius idea!"

Then, Morris pointed to the paper, offering his own insights and pointing out its many shortcomings.

"I also found this neuro-hallucinogen in the cannibal corpse you donated before, but I never thought of turning this harmful toxin into a nutrient for the human body."

"However, your paper lacks key steps such as evidence testing, data verification, and pharmacological analysis. A large number of experiments are needed to fully verify your ideas."

"If successful, this will have a profound impact on brain research in humans and all intelligent beings."

At this point, Maurice showed a hint of regret on his face.

"It's a pity that the reserves of this neuro-hallucinogen are too small. Even including the ogre's body, there simply aren't enough samples to support a series of subsequent studies."

"Neuropsychedelics, raw materials..."

Mark murmured to himself, lost in thought.

This neuro-hallucinogen is produced by the Slime King brain nucleus of Merito Falls.

But in that battle, a large number of contaminated animals died, and so much time has passed that the toxins have probably degraded naturally long ago.

Currently, only a few areas around the waterfall may still have some contaminated animal individuals, but they cannot be used as long-term, stable research materials.

However, Mark had a backup plan.

His expression was calm and composed as he spoke softly to Maurice.

"Professor Morris, actually I preserved the ogre's heart back then."

"Because of the cannibal's powerful regenerative ability, its heart remains active and can continue to secrete neuro-hallucinogens."

"real?!"

Morris's eyes lit up instantly, and he leaned forward, eagerly pressing for an answer.

"You mean we have a source for manufacturing neurotransmitters?"

Mark nodded and added.

"Yes. As long as the heart is supplied with enough nutrients and the internal living environment is simulated, it should be able to continuously produce neuro-hallucinogens."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Morris shouted excitedly three times and eagerly pressed for an answer.

"I'll buy this heart. Just name your price, I won't haggle!"

Mark waved his hand, expressing himself sincerely and tactfully.

"Professor, you've misunderstood. I was planning to give it to you anyway."

"This heart can only reach its full potential in your hands."

Upon hearing this, Morris narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at Mark solemnly, and said...

"Mark, do you know what you're saying? You should also know very well that brain-boosting factor Omega-3 is extracted from neuropsychedelics."

"The only stable source of this toxin now is the ogre heart in your hand."

Morris valued the enormous potential and worth of this research, but he possessed an inherent pride and disdained underhanded tactics.

Although Mark did not formally publish his research findings, he would never use his status and background to arbitrarily seize the achievements of his juniors.

However, Mark simply smiled faintly, bowed slightly, and showed no hesitation.

"Young man, I am willing to offer up my heart."

'

'

Morris fell silent, a complex mix of emotions welling up in his eyes.

The core ideas and key materials for this research were all provided by Mark, and he benefited from almost everything.

Morris's expression hardened, and he made his final decision, announcing it solemnly.

"Okay, I will submit a research proposal on the brain-nourishing factor Omega-3 to the research group of the Magicians' Association in my own name."

"And how about you take on the role of group leader for this project?"

Mark roughly understood what he meant.

The old professor gained control of the Omega-3 research, allocated resources to advance the research, and incidentally, as the group leader, firmly bound Mark to the association.

As for Mark's personal plans, they are pretty much the same.

Omega-3 is currently in the initial stages of hypothesis and discovery.

Mark alone was unable to lead the entire development process.

Furthermore, he didn't want to be a pure scholar.

In this world, overwhelming power has always been the first principle.

Therefore, Mark proactively offered his findings and materials in exchange for Professor Morris's resources and status in order to maximize his benefits.

After thinking these questions through, Mark looked serious, stepped forward, and made a suggestion.

"It is my honor to serve as the research group leader."

"But Professor Morris, I am, after all, an adventurer who often needs to go out and about, and often cannot handle the daily affairs of the project in a timely manner."

Morris frowned instantly, his expression turned displeased, and his tone became somewhat impatient.

"You clearly have such great academic talent, why are you still thinking about becoming an adventurer? If you just focus on your studies, your future achievements will be..."

Before Maurice could finish speaking, Mark interrupted and quickly added.

"Therefore, I hope Dylan can join this research group as the deputy leader and assist me in completing the research and development of Omega-3."

"He is meticulous and has been learning from you for so long, so he will definitely be able to handle this job and help me with the daily affairs of the association."

"this..."

Morris froze instantly, swallowing back the words that were just on the tip of his tongue, his face full of astonishment.

Maurice understood Mark's thoughts perfectly well.

Dylan is indeed very talented, otherwise he wouldn't have been taken under his wing. However, the kid is still a bit green and far inferior to someone like Mark, who can independently develop research topics.

Mark's act of having Dylan join the research project was undoubtedly a form of "ingratiation," much like adding a second or third author when publishing a paper.

In the past, Maurice would have utterly despised such academic misconduct, but now that it had fallen upon his beloved student, and especially since it was the research group leader himself who suggested it...