Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 120 Academic Clique
Locke also understood why they were recruiting so many students from outside their network of connections.

Without him.

It's just about finding someone to take the blame.

By recruiting so many people, who can be outwardly considered assistants and second-class wizard apprentices, even if something goes wrong in the experiments, the White Wizarding Association and the academy's higher-ups can immediately push these dozen or so 'assistants' from the medicine-making room out as their responsibility when they investigate.

With Harun Vera's powerful network of connections, Angron will handle this matter perfectly, while those second-class wizard apprentices without any background will have no power to resist and can only take the blame for nothing.

Thus, Angron and the others were safe and sound.

However, those second-class wizard apprentices who are unjustly blamed will undoubtedly have their future affected, and may even have their path in potion-making cut off as a result.

But obviously, no one would consider this matter.

The unremarkable-looking Terri Calvin looked at Locke nervously, as if awaiting some kind of judgment.

The study of potions already requires a lot of resources, and she was caught up in this scandal.

This interview could be considered her last chance.

If that doesn't work out, she'll have to give up potion-making and focus on studying plant magic.

Locke tapped his fingers on the surface of his desk, beginning to think and weigh the pros and cons.

He glanced at the poor resumes of the second-class wizard apprentices in front of him, as well as Terry Calvin's resume. Undoubtedly, Terry Calvin was the most suitable. In fact, it could be said that she had been trained to be very professional, at least in Angron's apothecary.

She even has experience working in a medium-sized personal pharmacy.

Of course, she also has flaws; her resume has blemishes.

"I need to ask Professor Sophia if this person's issues will prevent my pharmaceutical lab from passing the review process. If they will, then forget it; I can't risk losing the big picture for a small gain," Locke pondered. "But if they don't, then it's like I've gotten a lucky break."

"It's highly unlikely to have any impact. After all, I'm just an assistant; the review process mainly targets me and the personal medicine formulas I submitted."

"The others are just accessories. These assistants and helpers are no different from the equipment in my pharmaceutical lab to the senior college officials in charge of the review process."

Locke looked at Terry Calvin, his tone no longer cold but warmer, after all, she was likely to be his assistant. "A second-class wizard apprentice assistant, the standard monthly salary is about ninety magic stones per month."

"But you have some responsibilities to bear for others, so I can only pay you sixty magic stones a month. What do you think?"

Locke felt that he was being fair.

After all, there's an added benefit to having Terri Calvin as his pharmaceutical lab assistant: if she works for him for more than a year, it's practically like she's rewritten his resume.

Next, it won't be as difficult for her to find relevant work as it is now.

Moreover, hiring her myself might cause some minor troubles, so it's reasonable for her to only receive two-thirds of the salary.

If it weren't for his special circumstances and the fact that his wizard mentor had a network of connections, he wouldn't even need to recruit assistants from outside; instead, he would directly recruit his junior classmates.

That would be more reliable.

Therefore, it was also Terry Calvin's luck to encounter herself, as not all first-class wizarding apprentices who open personal medicine-making workshops will hire others.

Moreover, sometimes, certain positions, like Angron's pharmaceutical lab, might be recruited just to make you a scapegoat. Terri Calvin bowed gratefully to Locke. "Thank you, Lord Augustine."

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will repay you with hard work."

Locke didn't seem to care much and said to her, "It's not completely confirmed yet. I need to make sure that the problem with you won't affect my pharmaceutical lab."

A look of guilt flashed across Terri Calvin's face.

Locke said, "Go outside and tell them that I've already recruited people, and that everyone outside should leave."

Continuing with the interviews wouldn't make much sense.

The efficiency of recruiting from outside is relatively low.

Many second-class wizarding apprentices, whose studies had nothing to do with potions, wanted to try their luck, just in case Locke happened to have some other suitable job opportunities for them.

There are also second-class wizarding apprentices who are even bold enough to forge their resumes.

Their average professional competence is also inadequate.

Locke met the witch Sophia, so he essentially received the best potion-making, breeding, and plant magic foundational services all the way.

However, most students in the college only acquire knowledge through the fixed open courses provided by the college; the rest of their knowledge is fragmented and pieced together from various sources.

Their knowledge of potions was simply not up to par, unlike Terry Calvin in front of them, who at least had received some professional training.

Therefore, you can't say that Terri Calvin necessarily suffered a loss in her previous position.

If people hadn't asked her to take the blame, she wouldn't have had the opportunity to receive more professional training in potions.

With a slightly excited heart, Terri Calvin stepped out of the house and conveyed Locke's message to the second-class wizard apprentices outside.

The second-class wizard apprentices outside all looked very disappointed.

But there's nothing we can do; all these people are essentially competing for the same position.

After the interview, Locke went to the laboratory in the wooden cabin next door, where he had bought a new set of basic, simple standard crucible equipment the day before.

“Potion making is a discipline that combines theory and practice.” Locke picked up the formula and began to think. “Let’s start by practicing making Lesser Emerald Potions using a few inexpensive substitutes.”

"As long as I can consistently refine secondary emerald potions, I can earn a lot of magic stones just by treating others."

Locke spent half the morning in the laboratory using the most basic equipment and practice materials. Around noon, a second-class wizard apprentice from Lijin's Secret Language came to visit respectfully and brought a message from Yuri Burns.

“Lord Augustine, Manager Burns sent me to invite you to have a meal at the Witch’s Kitchen.”

"Manager Burns said that Lord Zack, a first-class wizard apprentice in charge of the academy's bulk procurement, was also dining with us. Lord Zack is very satisfied with your Crystal Palm Fire Lotus, but wants to meet you in person to discuss the specific details of the academy's bulk procurement contract."

"Do you want to go? Or would you like to schedule another time?"

(End of this chapter)