The Wizard: From Zero-Ring Wizard to Almighty Lord.

Chapter 176 Membership
Chapter

Lynn stood quietly to the side, listened carefully for a while, and finally figured out the core of the dispute between the two second-level wizards.

The beautiful wizard with black-rimmed glasses was named Millie. She advocated that war fortresses should build diverse battlefield environments and focus on developing mechanical legions to win through sheer numbers.

Another tall, rugged-looking wizard named Vincent strongly advocated strengthening the war fortress itself and concentrating resources on individual wizards to create a more powerful elite fighting force.

The two held their own opinions, and neither could convince the other.

"Faced with the goddess's army, we need enough mechanical puppets to delay the battle!"

Millie said firmly, "As you all saw, the retreat from War Fortress No. 13 was impossible without the deployment of hundreds of thousands of mechanical puppets to block our way!"

Vincent snorted coldly and retorted without any politeness:
"On the contrary, it was precisely because we relied on mechanical puppets that we suffered heavy losses!"

"Have you ever considered that in the battle of War Fortress No. 13, a mechanized army of over a million was lost! And what was the result? The Goddess Army still broke through the defenses!"

"Do you know why? Because those despicable knights are among the goddess's army! Coupled with those unpredictable divine spells, our mechanical legion's ranged attrition tactics are simply ineffective!"

"The battlefield is not won by sheer numbers; the real key to victory lies in the fighting power of the individual!"

"Therefore, we should concentrate all our resources to strengthen individual wizards, so that our warriors can truly establish themselves on the front lines, instead of simply hiding behind machines!"

Millie's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this, and she remained unyielding:
"Your thinking is too idealistic! War is not a one-man show; we need a broader perspective!"

The two argued heatedly, neither giving an inch.

Generally speaking, the preparations for a war fortress are not exactly top secret.

After all, large-scale personnel movements are easy to spot, so there's no point in trying to hide them.

However, such issues involving strategic deployment should not be openly debated in public.

The reason this situation occurred was clearly because Millie and Vincent had communicated with each other multiple times beforehand.

However, they were unable to reach a consensus, which led to the dispute finally erupting in public.

As the two became increasingly agitated, the situation gradually became tense, even showing signs of a physical confrontation...

"Both of you."

A calm voice broke the tense atmosphere.

Several level-two wizards who had rushed over quickly stepped forward, one of them saying in a deep voice:
"It's normal to have disagreements when making plans, but I hope you won't go too far."

“This isn’t the first time you’ve argued. If this continues, I’m afraid the commander will have to deal with your differences.”

Millie and Vincent exchanged a glance, their eyes still showing dissatisfaction, but they both snorted coldly and temporarily suppressed their anger.

"Disperse, disperse, everyone go back to your posts."

Another level-two wizard waved his hand, dispersing the level-one wizards who were watching.

Seeing this, Lynn narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.

Unlike the other first-level wizards around him who were retreating, he had no intention of leaving. Instead, he quietly took a step forward, his eyes slightly brightening.

This is an excellent opportunity!

Previously, he was still pondering how to reach the management of the mechanics department; now, the core management of the mechanics department of War Fortress Thirteen is right before his eyes.

If we miss this opportunity now, it will be many times more difficult to reach out to them again in the future!
Taking a deep breath, Lynn quickly considered his words before stepping forward without hesitation.

At that moment, the level two wizards were busy calming Millie and Vincent down, trying to quell their argument, and dispersing the crowd of onlookers.

After all, this debate involves the future strategic deployment of the war fortress. Although it is not a top secret, it is not appropriate to discuss it casually in public.

They had assumed that the first-level wizards would obey the order and disperse, since even though it was not a formal military order, the orders of superiors still had a strong deterrent effect in the army.

However, to everyone's surprise, there was still one first-level wizard who did not retreat, but instead dared to walk straight towards them!
"Ok?"

The level-two wizard responsible for dispersing the crowd frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

"There are still people who don't know what's good for them?"

His gaze turned cold, and he suddenly released the pressure of a second-level wizard, like a heavy, invisible mountain crushing down on Lynn.

However, Lynn was prepared!

"Attain emptiness and maintain stillness!"
"A vibrant response!"
He activated the two major techniques instantly, and with his calm will, he dispelled the oppressive force.

At the same time, he stepped firmly, placing himself within a distance where everyone could hear him clearly, and said in a calm and unhurried tone:

"I don't think either of your ideas are wrong..."

The room fell silent immediately upon hearing this.

This debate was originally a contest between second-level wizards, but now a first-level wizard has suddenly interrupted.
In an instant, not only the second-level wizard who released the pressure, but also the expressions of the other second-level wizards darkened slightly.

Millie's argument with Vincent was interrupted, and she couldn't help but look at Lynn.

Fortunately, as Lynn spoke, he had already held an exquisite mechanical token in his palm and handed it out.

In an instant, all those previously heavy gazes fell upon the token in his hand.

Membership token of the Mechanical Capital Research Institute!

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Lynn felt the increased pressure under the watchful eyes of several second-level wizards, but fortunately, the token was weighty enough to finally serve its purpose.

"A membership token for the research institute?"

Millie adjusted her black-rimmed glasses, her eyes flickering slightly, her tone revealing a hint of surprise and scrutiny.

Vincent, standing beside him, also raised an eyebrow, his eyes showing a thoughtful expression.

As key figures in the mechanical engineering of the Thirteenth War Fortress, they were intimately familiar with the system of the Mechanical Capital Research Institute.

Even the lowest-ranking members of the research institute are far superior to ordinary first-level wizards.

Since this young man in front of them possessed a membership token from the research institute, in their eyes he was no longer an ordinary subordinate, but a peer with a certain academic standing.

This alone was enough to subtly change their attitude towards Lynn.

Millie's gaze lingered on Lynn for a moment, then she raised her chin and said calmly:

"Wait a minute... What is your name, identity, and position? Let me see. When did our Thirteenth War Fortress gain a research institute member? I didn't know about it."

Although her tone wasn't exactly harsh, her beautiful eyes, gleaming with shrewdness, were scrutinizing Lynn, clearly indicating she had some doubts about him.

Although Vincent did not speak, his expression revealed a hint of inquiry.

Lynn had anticipated this sudden scrutiny and answered without hesitation:
“Lynn Cole, a first-level wizard, served in the Seventh Assault Squad and has just experienced the battle against the Goddess's army... The squad originally had eight members, and I am the only survivor.”

His tone was calm and his words were concise. In particular, when he mentioned the ambush battle, he deliberately pointed out that he was the only survivor and clearly outlined his experience and contributions in the war.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the second-level wizards visibly softened.

His near-death combat experience and the military achievements he made are enough to make people somewhat more forgiving of his "overstepping his bounds".

However, Millie was clearly not satisfied with this answer. She frowned slightly and waved her hand, saying, "That's not what I'm asking. What I want to know is... your thesis at the research institute."

She paused, then gave a soft hum and muttered to herself:
"Fine, I'll look it up myself."

As she spoke, she gently tapped the black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose.

In an instant, a faint light flickered on the lens, data was quickly retrieved, and a moment later, her voice rang out again:

"Lynn Cole, a first-class wizard, published 'A Study on the Adaptability of Improved Otherworldly Purification Devices to External Metal Structures in the Environment of the Civilization of Gods' as the first author... This paper has already entered into practical application."

As Millie finished speaking, Vincent's expression changed. The scrutiny in his eyes lessened considerably, replaced by a hint of approval and curiosity.

Although there are strict requirements to become a member of the research institute, such as making certain contributions in a relevant field, the research institute is not a rigid ivory tower.

For certain mechanical geniuses, research institutes often relax their standards appropriately, giving them more freedom to develop.

Strictly speaking, Lynn's membership was not obtained through his own mechanical talent, but rather through the connections of the great wizard Chris.

But at this moment, in Millie and Vincent's eyes, he was undoubtedly regarded as a mechanical genius.

"You're taking too much risks! You actually went to join the assault team?!"

After confirming Lynn's identity, Millie immediately showed concern, her tone even carrying a hint of reproach.

Vincent, standing to the side, didn't say much, but his gaze had softened considerably.

“You must have heard Millie and I arguing just now.”

Vincent paused, his gaze falling on Lynn with interest, his tone inquiring.

"You experienced war firsthand, so what are your thoughts on this issue?"

With Lynn's involvement, the tension between Millie and Vincent noticeably subsided.

At this moment, the two of them developed a strong interest in this suddenly appearing member of the research institute.

The second-level wizards standing to the side also turned their gazes toward Lynn.

However, the look in their eyes at this moment was no longer one of scrutiny and intimidation, but rather one of intense curiosity.

After all, membership in the research institute is not something that ordinary mechanical wizards can easily obtain.

The fact that this first-level wizard could become a member clearly indicates that he must possess considerable talent in mechanics. Perhaps... he really does have some constructive suggestions worth listening to?
Faced with the gazes of numerous second-level wizards, Lynn felt even greater pressure than before.

After all, he only needed to produce his membership token to dispel all doubts.

But now it's different.

The reason these second-level wizards were willing to listen to him was because they assumed that Lynn dared to speak up when Vincent and Millie were arguing, so he must have some worthwhile opinions to offer!

If it's just ordinary opinions, they will surely be greatly disappointed.

But fortunately...

Lynn did indeed have some unusual ideas.

These ideas did not come entirely from his own observations, but rather from the information provided by the otherworldly being "Qi," and their feasibility was extremely challenging, even to the point of being almost impossible.

But at this moment, he still decided to present these insights as his "sincerity" and his true academic contribution without reservation.

However, before actually speaking, Lynn knew he needed a proper prelude.

A story that makes your words more persuasive.

So, in a very natural tone, he slowly recounted his experiences after arriving in this dimension.

He recounted how he stepped onto the battlefield, how he fought between life and death, and how he faced those knights clad in heavy armor who swept across the battlefield.

And what happened when faced with the onslaught of the goddess army?

He deliberately emphasized his experiences and observations on the battlefield to make his words sound more weighty and to make his points seem more authentic and credible.

The group of level-two wizards nodded frequently, clearly acknowledging Lynn's battlefield experience and beginning to look forward to his true insights.

Just as everyone was getting into his rhythm and waiting for him to give his opinion, Lynn finally spoke:

"I think that neither of your ideas is wrong."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere paused slightly, and then the expressions of the several level-two wizards became subtle.

Millie raised an eyebrow, and Vincent's eyes flickered. Clearly, although this sentence sounded like he was playing coy, it was the safest way to start.

After all, their dispute essentially represents a divergence in the development of mechanical wizards, not a question of who is right and who is wrong, but a clash of different ideologies.

Even Vincent couldn't directly refute Millie's point of view; he could only say...

Her plan is not applicable to the current war fortress.

Lynn's statement, "None of them can be considered wrong," is undoubtedly fair and impartial.

Then, he slowly uttered a truly weighty sentence:
"In fact, I made a small discovery while I was on the battlefield."

Lynn spoke calmly and unhurriedly, as if he were stating something very ordinary, but beneath this calmness lay a very subtle sense of oppression.

He paused, then added:

"It may be a coincidence, and this phenomenon may not be repeatable."

"But I think this is very important and worth bringing up for discussion."

"That is……"

He glanced around, meeting the eyes of each of the second-level wizards present, before finally uttering the words that truly resonated with everyone in attendance:

"I've discovered that the magic net of the Goddess of the Magic Net can be completely covered!"

"In this way, those mages who rely on magic networks to cast spells will completely lose their spellcasting ability!"

In an instant, the entire space seemed to freeze.

Everyone's gaze suddenly sharpened!
Even Millie and Vincent showed an unprecedented shock on their faces!
The level-two wizards present couldn't help but gasp, their expressions shifting from initial astonishment to utter disbelief.

A magic shield?!
The "otherworldly purification device" set up by their mechanical wizards can indeed influence the environment, transforming it into the environment of their wizarding civilization.

However, the mages of the goddess's army could use other methods to make the magic network reappear.

To completely block the magic network, and even prevent magic network mages from using it to cast spells...

This is practically a fantasy!

However, Lynn's tone was extremely confident.

Of course, in order to make his words credible, he also prepared corresponding materials.

Lynn opened his palm, revealing a fragment of shattered stone that shimmered with a hazy blue light.

(End of this chapter)