Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 207 Plant Research Group
Locke said, "This... must consume a lot of resources."

"Moreover, I don't know much about this."

Captain Jack nodded. "That's true."

Senior Zack put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, "It's not as complicated as Locke thinks. I understand; I'm in charge of this aspect of the college, so I know a bit about it."

"Generally, you can develop plant-based spells yourself, or entrust them to plant-based research groups within the academy, or even plant-based research groups outside the academy."

"If your project is very popular, these research groups will even come to you and offer to pay you to complete it. Of course, in that case, your influence in the field will be much weaker."

Locke took a sip of the witch's watermelon juice and frowned. "She came to us on her own initiative?"

Senior Zack patiently explained in detail: "Well. Generally speaking, developing a plant-based spell that matches a mid-to-high-level magical plant usually requires 0.7 to 0.8 levels. You'll spend a lot of money on that; if you're lucky, it'll cost between 10,000 and 20,000 magic stones."

"If the project doesn't go smoothly, it might cost between 20,000 and 30,000 magic stones, depending on the research level of the research group you find. A mature research group should be able to compress the cost of developing a completely new plant-based spell to around 10,000 magic stones."

Locke listened and nodded slightly, inwardly marveling at how expensive it was to have someone develop a complete set of plant-based spells.

Ten thousand magic stones is a lot.

If it weren't for the custom magic plant competition and the curse of the magic plant, I wouldn't have been able to develop a defensive magic plant that required the research and development of new plant-based spells by chance.

Zack said to Locke and Captain Jack, "These magic stones are funded by individuals, so the cost is indeed quite high."

"But the academy provides a lot of support for this field, and has set up a special fund to support it. Not only that, the White Wizarding Association can also set up corresponding funds, which these research groups can apply for."

"Therefore, if your project is really popular, you can find research groups to develop new plant-based spells without spending a penny."

"You can get the White Wizard Association and the Academy's funds for free."

“Those research groups can apply for grants and awards from the academy and the White Wizard Association, as well as grants from other private first-ring wizards, to attract investment and then use it to develop your projects.” Senior Zack took a sip of witch watermelon juice and said, “That way, they won’t lose money, and they might even make a profit.”

"If they can't spend all the money they apply for on the project, they can distribute it internally as welfare."

"Moreover, developing a popular project usually enhances the reputation of that research group, making it much easier for them to attract horizontal and vertical funding in the future."

Zack further explained, "It's like using the project you have to create a project application, thereby attracting investment and reputation for them."

"That's how it is in the academy. A good project will have a lot of extra value. To be honest, a student like Locke who brings his own project will be highly valued by most wizarding teachers and they won't let you go."

Locke nodded slightly after listening. "I see."

Vertical funding refers to the funds allocated by the Academy and the White Wizarding Association.

Horizontal funding refers to funds provided by private wizards and commercial markets similar to chimeras.

Locke had indeed heard that research groups in various laboratories competed most for funding every day.

After all, funds are equivalent to magical resources, and the more magical resources you have, the faster you can develop a project.

This thing is like a snowball rolling downhill.

The more projects you complete, the easier it becomes to apply for funding. Therefore, the ability to attract both horizontal and vertical funding for one's research group's projects is a skill that research groups in various laboratories highly value.

A qualified wizard usually has several research groups under his command.

However, his teacher, the witch Sophia, has not yet established a research group to study anything.

Therefore, Locke's situation is extremely rare; he's already a first-class wizard apprentice, yet he hasn't participated in a single research group. First-class wizard apprentices who are valued by formal wizard mentors are usually likely to lead one, or even more, research groups.

Locke asked another crucial question. "Senior Zack, what you said is very good. But I'm afraid it won't be easy for my project, developing a new spell, to be recognized as a popular project." "Under normal circumstances, what would it take for my project to be recognized as a popular project?"

Captain Jack also looked at Zack.

Senior Zack smiled and said, "Actually, it's not difficult. For example, if your Eye of Perseus lichen wins the competition, it will definitely be a hot item."

"Many research groups will come directly to you."

Even if you only win a top-three finish in the competition, I estimate that some research groups will still contact you to discuss funding issues.

Zack pondered, "In my experience, if it's a custom-made plant competition winning entry, you generally don't need to spend a single penny. You can borrow money from the academy and association, find the most famous research group, and have them develop a matching plant magic for you."

"Of course, in this case, the plant magic developed belongs to the research group, the academy, or even the association. You also have the right to use and learn it, but that's enough, since Locke, all you need to do is sell magical plants anyway."

"This will actually make it easier for you to sell them."

"A powerful magical plant can allow a large number of people to make a living from it for a long time. For example, the old heirloom project of Qingmiao Studio, [Gear Iron Thorn].

“If you can only get into the top three, I estimate you’ll still have to pay some money, around four or five thousand,” Zack said. “But you can also become a major investor in that research group and have some participation rights in the group’s development progress.”

"You are also one of the owners of the spells that were developed."

Zach said, "In other cases, it is indeed quite difficult to be recognized as a popular project."

Zack said to Locke, "So, Locke, now it's your Eye of Perseus Lichen. You should win the championship, or at least finish in the top three."

“Otherwise, things will get really complicated later. It will consume more resources, and you won’t be able to find a good research group to develop the magic spells that complement your magical plants.” Zack said with great experience, “The difference is huge.”

"The difference between some magical plants is not that big at all, but because the research groups that develop the matching plant spells are at different levels, the quality of the matching spells they develop is different, which leads to a huge difference in the treatment of the two magical plants in future procurement."

Locke nodded; he understood.

The ranking results of the custom plant competition are indeed crucial, which explains why major studios care so much about them.

Captain Jack looked at Locke and comforted him, "Don't worry, if that's the case, then at least our team will try our best to endorse your creations, Locke the breeder."

"This is indeed a good product."

He quickly signed the contract.

Locke sold it to him for 100 magic stones per Eye of Perseus lichen.

This is the average price of a defensive magical plant of the Perseus' Eye Lichen level at the market.

The reason why magical plants like the large green-leaved banana are so expensive on the market is because they are rare magical plants.

The reason it's a bit pricey is because it's rare, not because its value is actually at the 500 magic stone level.

Captain Zack took out 1000 magic stones from his astral ring, while Locke planned to send his minotaur servant this afternoon to deliver ten defensive magic plants directly to Captain Zack's combat squad's camp.

After greeting the two men, Locke left the witch's kitchen.

The matter of Perseus's Eye of Lichen was settled, and now he needed to hurry back to his laboratory.

I've been cultivating the bloodline of the three-eyed tiger cat on the workbench in my makeshift laboratory for almost two days now. I wonder how it's going and whether it's ready to use.

(End of this chapter)