Above the mage

Chapter 374 Promotion and Reimbursement

After leaving the port, Gaode stayed in Lagos for another half day.

This is because Aldridge and his seven henchmen who were raising rotting salamanders in the Marco Cotton area were difficult for him to deal with.

Following the usual procedure, one can simply use the identity of a sea sentinel mage to clear the way and temporarily imprison them in the local mage prison.

However, this matter involves the nobles in the city, and in order to avoid alerting them, they cannot act in this way.

However, it wasn't a big problem. Gao De sent a briefing back to Dorn, requesting support from the Sea Sentinels. They just needed to wait for someone to come.

He took advantage of this rare free time to collect a bunch of local tree species from Lagos.

Lagos is 361 kilometers away from Dorne as the crow flies, and there are still many differences between the local tree species and those in Dorne.

Without sparing any expense, Gaode Maps collected 14 more tree species that were not found in Vallar Bay in less than half a day.

Even though Lagos is a coastal fishing city, the number of tree species there is definitely far more than that.

It should be noted that in the previous life, when there were no supernatural powers, there were already more than 60,000 known species of trees.

In a supernatural world where the continental area is far larger than in the previous life, the number of tree species would only be greater.

However, the market rules are the same: the tree species you can buy on the market are only those common tree species that have economic value and are easy to grow.

Gao De understood this very well, which is why he decided to buy a shop in Dorne so that he could acquire tree species and even magic tree species in the long term.

Trees can be broadly classified into six categories according to their uses:

First, there are timber and industrial raw material trees, which account for the largest proportion, making up 30% to 40% of all tree species.

Secondly, there are edible trees, including those whose fruits, seeds, oils, and sugars are consumed by humans or animals. This category of trees accounts for 10% to 20%.

Then there are ecological trees, whose common functions are windbreak and sand fixation, and soil and water conservation. This type of tree species also accounts for 10% to 20%.

The fourth category is medicinal and special substances trees, from which medicines, spices and other substances can be extracted, accounting for about 10%.

Finally, ornamental trees and other special-purpose trees, such as various flowering trees or mulberry trees, each account for only half of the total.

Of course, this classification is rather crude, and in many cases, the same tree species often serves multiple purposes.

The tree species sold on the market are mostly of the first two categories.

The 14 tree species that Gaode bought in Lagos all belong to these two categories.

There are two types of edible trees. One is the red pebbly tree, whose fruit is cheap and easy to grow, and whose branches, when boiled in water, can treat diarrhea. The other is a tree similar to a coconut, which can produce sweet water.

The remaining twelve tree species are all related to shipbuilding or fishing.

For example, the hibiscus tree, whose bark fibers are often used by fishermen to make ropes; the casuarina tree, whose wood is used to make charcoal for grilling seafood; and the teak tree, a large tree species that produces high-quality wood that is resistant to seawater corrosion.

These tree species are extremely practical and are exactly what Phoenix desperately needs.

Especially in Gaode's development plan, the Northern Territory will definitely develop its own shipbuilding industry in the future.

Therefore, the raw materials needed for shipbuilding must be planned in advance.

It would be ridiculous to start planting trees only after we're ready to build a ship!

In addition, if we cannot be self-sufficient, the cost of shipbuilding will be too high, and we will be easily subject to others and "sanctions".

Therefore, Gaode purchased more than a hundred of each tree species.

Although the quantity was large, it didn't cost much money.

Tree saplings are better, a single one might be worth a dozen copper coins, while large saplings can fetch a price as high as one silver dragon.

Tree species are not very valuable; in fact, they are usually sold in the market not by the number of trees, but by weight.

For example, a pound of hibiscus seeds costs only 5 copper coins.

However, there was no harvest of magic tree seeds.

Compared to ordinary tree species, the price of magic tree species is much higher, and more importantly, they are rarely seen on the market.

Gao De, who had just returned from the market laden with his purchases, was heading back to his newly booked hotel when he saw two monks dressed in sea sentinel uniforms already waiting for him at the hotel entrance.

One of them was an acquaintance.

"Mage Melia, Lieutenant!"

Gao De quickly stepped forward to greet him.

He hadn't expected the mage sent by the Sea Sentinels to be of such high caliber.

Melia was only a first-class apprentice mage. Although she was one level higher than him, she was still an apprentice mage just like him.

The focus was on another mage he didn't recognize, whose uniform had two parallel gold stripes on the shoulders.

These are the epaulets of a lieutenant.

"Master Gaode, I heard you've made quite a stir," Master Melia joked upon seeing Gaode.

"What a coincidence, we just happened to run into each other." Gao De chuckled.

"This is Lieutenant Rayson," Mage Melia introduced to God, who nodded in acknowledgment.

"Where is he now?" he asked directly.

"I temporarily housed them in an unused warehouse."

Because Danica acted as his agent to sign the acquisition contract for Harland Shipyard, and to avoid others associating him with Harland Shipyard, Goddard had left the orphanage and also moved Aldridge out of the orphanage.

"Take us to see it."

Gao De led the two to the warehouse where Aldrich was housed.

"Show me the mission log to see what exactly happened." Only after seeing the person did Lieutenant Leisen begin to inquire about the details.

The report sent back by Gaode Maps only provided a general overview of the situation, and could not elaborate on the details.

Without hesitation, he deftly handed over the parchment he kept close to his body.

Lieutenant Leisen took the parchment and carefully read through the statement that Gao De had recorded.

At first, he was somewhat dismissive, but the more he looked, the more astonished he became. In the end, he suddenly looked up at Gao De.

"This second-in-command of the Embroidery Gang, Aldrich, is a second-ring mage? You took him down?"

"He was promoted to the second ring less than half a year ago." Gao De nodded naturally, giving a rough explanation of the specific reason.

"One ring beats two, what incredible skill!" Lieutenant Leisen raised an eyebrow, inwardly amazed.

But he didn't ask how Gaode, a first-circle mage, managed to defeat Aldrich, a second-circle mage.

Not only would he not ask, but the Sea Sentinels wouldn't inquire either when Godd returned to Dorne to report.

It's not that I don't care.

In the world of magicians, it's not unheard of for the weak to defeat the strong, but they are extremely rare, so every instance of this happening attracts a great deal of attention.

However, before mastering the [Spell Fixation] spell, a mage is already at risk of being defeated by unconventional means.

For example, traps, poisoning, or other crooked methods.

Furthermore, the second of the three fundamental principles of magic is "Never let others know about your magic," which is an axiom recognized by all magicians.

It refers to magic, but in a broader sense, it should be understood as "means".

This includes equipment, pets, and more private "specialties".

If you insist on asking about the specific methods to "win the battle," it's tantamount to forcing the mage to reveal all their "specialties" and "spells."

There is no reason for this to happen, and even the authorities cannot risk such a public outcry.

Putting everything else aside, if this were done, it would inevitably lead to disunity and everyone keeping secrets from each other.

To avoid potential questioning, no one will dare to do their job conscientiously.

Therefore, the Sea Sentinels only look at the results and evidence. As long as the methods you use during the process are not immoral or unethical, no one will inquire about them, nor are they allowed to.

Even if Lieutenant Rayson was curious, he would not go against this principle.

He turned his gaze back to the parchment and read through the rest of the statements.

He then took a deep breath and handed the parchment back to Gao De.

"A seemingly ordinary water beast expulsion mission has actually involved such a vast amount of trouble, and you, a mere apprentice mage, managed to uncover it. You've done a great service," Lieutenant Leisen couldn't help but say.

"Lieutenant Leisen, how many military merits do you think I'll get this time?" Gao De put away the parchment, his heart filled with anticipation.

Lieutenant Rayson thought for a moment, "I heard this is your first time going out on a mission?"

"Yes." Gao De nodded.

After a moment's thought, he extended his right hand and made a three-point gesture, "Three second-class merits."

"Finding the connection between the Marco district water beast and Aldrich, who defeated a second-circle mage while only being a first-circle mage, counts as one. As a newcomer, you'll also be awarded an extra second-class merit!"

Three second-class merit awards!

Even though I had anticipated this, Gaode was still pleasantly surprised.

Three second-class merits are equivalent to thirty third-class merits when it comes to the evaluation.

They are only numerically equal; their actual value and significance are incomparable.

For example, in military merit exchange, one second-class merit can be exchanged for the same amount of resources as ten third-class merits, but the reverse is not true.

For example, in military rank promotion, if a trainee mage wants to be promoted to sergeant mage, he must have a second-class merit on his merit list. If he doesn't have one, even a hundred third-class merits are useless.

Melia, standing to the side, was extremely envious.

Three second-class merit awards.

She has never received a second-class merit award.

"I'm a little envious. A newcomer can achieve such great merit on his first mission. I've never heard of such a thing before," Lieutenant Leisen remarked.

That's the truth. Even though he's already a lieutenant, it's not easy for him to get a second-class merit award.

Because the evaluation of merit is often related to ability.

The reason why Gaode was able to get a second-class merit for defeating Aldrich is because Gaode was only a first-level mage.

If he were to take action, he would at most receive a third-class merit.

"Lucky, lucky, we just happened to run into each other." Gao De smiled shyly.

"Luck. This Marco Polo District Water Beast quest has been around for several years now, how come no one else has earned this credit, but you have?"

"This is skill, not luck," Lieutenant Leisen said earnestly.

"Thank you, Lieutenant Rayson." Seeing this, Gao De no longer showed any modesty.

"Why are you thanking me for the work you've done? I haven't helped you at all," Lieutenant Leisen said in a very straightforward manner, waving his hand. "This matter is no longer your concern. Go back and report."

"it is good."

After packing his things, he bought an airship ticket, boarded the airship, and by evening, God had returned to Dorne from Lagos.

Upon his return, he went straight to the White Tower of the Abyss and entered the supplies area.

Any later, and they'll be "off work."

"Deliver the mission." Gao De handed over the parchment scroll of the "Macco District Water Beast Extermination Mission" along with the mission settlement vouchers he had collected: the rotten water salamander tail fin and the demon octopus eye, to the mage Neil who was "in charge" of the supplies department.

Master Neil glanced at the parchment scroll, counted the number of tail fins and eyes, then looked up at God and said, "No problem. According to the mission, you will receive a third-class merit."

However, the Marco Polo District water beast extermination mission is special; the reward is doubled, so it's two third-class merits. Do you have any objections?

"No." Gao De shook his head.

Upon seeing this, the mage took out a piece of parchment from the drawer and began to write.

This is creating a merit record for Gaode.

A military merit book is standard equipment for every sea sentinel mage.

The sea sentinels keep detailed records of every military merit the mage earns, including the specific details of the mission, the process, and the final number of merits earned.

The staff recorded all of these details, affixed their official seal as proof, sealed and archived them, and placed them in a box bearing the monk's name.

When it comes to promotions or competition for positions in the future, the military merit record will be a very important reference.

In Gaode's words, it's essentially like an archive.

For example, the mages with the rank of colonel or above among the sea sentinels have reportedly accumulated several thick boxes of military merit records.

After finishing recording, Mage Neil looked up and saw that God was still there. "Is there anything else?"

Gao De chuckled and handed over the parchment containing the statements of Aldrich and others. "And this too."

"Hmm?" The mage Niel took the parchment with a look of surprise.

At first, I just glanced at it casually, but later I gradually sat up straight.

After reading everything, the mage Neil looked up at God.

"This recognition of military merit still needs to be assessed, which is beyond my authority. It needs to be reported to higher authorities for a decision, and it should take one or two days to be made."

"Okay, thank you, Mage Neil," God said gratefully.

"He definitely has two second-class merits." Clearly, Mage Neil's understanding of the merit assessment for sea sentinels was far less than that of Lieutenant Rayson, and his guess was rather conservative.

"Moreover, it just so happens to be the year-end evaluation period. With this great achievement, you will definitely be promoted directly to a first-class apprentice mage."

"Although promotion to a minor military rank isn't particularly difficult, this speed is still rare," said Mage Neil, his tone tinged with amazement.

If it weren't for the written record, he would have found it hard to believe that a simple, despised mission to expel the Marco water beast could lead to such a great achievement.

It's one thing for this kid to be lucky, but it's another to actually catch him.

After delivering the task, Gao De took his leave, but instead of leaving the mage tower directly, he turned around and went to the finance office next door.

—There's still expense reimbursement to be done!

It's not a lot of money, but even a mosquito bite is still meat.

Working at my own expense is impossible.

"Good evening, Miss Rosanne." Gaudí, remembering Melia's instructions, walked in with a smile.

"Master Gao De!" A young woman with freckles on her face exclaimed softly upon seeing Gao De. "Are you here to get your expense reimbursed?"

"Yes," Gao De nodded, handing over a small stack of receipts and other documents he had prepared. "I hope this hasn't added any extra work for you."

"No," Rosanne said seriously, "I still have half an hour before I finish my work for the day."

After saying that, she took Gao De's receipt and carefully counted it: "The round-trip airship ticket from Dorn to Lagos costs a total of 4 gold, 3 silver, and 20 copper. For accommodation, it costs 3 silver dragons per day, and there are receipts for ten days, which is 3 gold bird coins. Then, add the extra meal and transportation allowance of 1 silver dragon per day. Your mission lasted a total of 24 days. It's been that long, so that's 4 gold and 8 silver."

"Then it adds up to..." Rosanne was calculating in her mind, while Gao De had already arrived at the answer.

12 gold, 1 silver, and 20 copper.

"12 gold, 1 silver, and 20 bronze!" She finally calculated the total and checked it with Gaode, asking, "Are there any problems?"

"No problem," Gao De shook his head and said.

"That's good, but it still needs to be reviewed first. Only after the review is completed can we reimburse you," Luo Shan said earnestly.

"The review process usually takes 3 to 5 days. If you don't want to make a wasted trip, you can come back in five days."

"Okay, I'll come back then." Gao De wasn't surprised. Reimbursement, especially within the system, is rarely settled on the same day, no matter what world it is.

(End of this chapter)