Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 267 Harlan Vera's Power

During the banquet, even some first-ring wizards who were still teaching at other wizarding academies in the southeastern corner of the region were very interested in the projects Locke had.

Christine, a first-ring wizard currently serving as a [Lecturer] in the Four Seasons Garden, whose entire skin had turned green, walked up to Locke and used her eyes to signal the first-class wizard apprentices surrounding Locke to temporarily step back.

Christine nodded to Locke and said, "Junior, our Four Seasons Garden is currently engaged in a wizarding war with a dark wizarding organization called the Bone Order. I am very interested in several of the projects you have."

“However, what interests me most is the Crystal Palm Fire Lotus. I would like to purchase 2000 Crystal Palm Fire Lotus from you first. If possible, we can sign a contract now.”

"Let's sign an off-campus order for 10,000 magic stones first. If it goes well, I'll place even more orders with you on behalf of Four Seasons Garden."

Unlike other first-ring wizards, Christine actually came in her true form.

Locke had previously noticed that Christine was different from other first-ring wizards; most first-ring wizards treated her rather coldly.

It's probably because Christine, even though she's a first-ring wizard in Harlan Vera's network of connections, was probably just an unknown student before.

Her magical power is relatively low among first-ring wizards.

Therefore, unlike the relatively serious attitude of other first-ring wizards towards themselves, Christine's attitude towards herself was much more equal.

She is also the only first-ring wizard who has now taken the initiative to place an order with Locke to purchase magical plants.

The other first-ring wizards are either far away from the southeast corner region or are still observing.

Locke said to Christine, "Alright, Senior Christine, let's sign the order then. But it will take me some time to restart the Crystal Palm Fire Lotus's magic field, at least three months. Is that alright, Senior?"

Christine smiled and said, "Of course, we're both breeders, I know the rules."

"I have seen the combat records of the Crystal Palm Fire Lotus in your possession. The [Lava Conduit] phenomenon can significantly increase the power of the Crystal Palm Fire Lotus when used in large quantities, creating a synergistic effect."

"In addition, spells like Scorched Earth Bomb are general-purpose plant spells, and most of the wizards in our Four Seasons Garden can use them."

"Now, I'm really looking forward to seeing how your magical plant performs in the wizarding war against the Bone Cult."

The other first-level wizards were also watching in secret. Some of them were not without needs, but Locke was only a first-class wizard apprentice, so they were still observing and considering.

Since Christine took the initiative to try this out, they could decide whether to place an order with Locke by observing the purchasing results of Christine.

Besides, Locke's current production capacity is obviously limited, and the team has not yet been assembled. Even if they place an order, it will take a year or two to arrive, so no one is in a hurry.

This was the first student reunion in thirty years, and everyone gained a lot from it.

Locke was the biggest beneficiary of this gathering; by attending one party, he secured orders and gained manpower.

Locke, as if struck by a thought, tentatively asked Harlan Vera, "Professor Harlan, I would like to apply for a medium-sized botanical garden."

"I applied several times before, but the process has been stuck and there's been no progress at all."

Harlan Vera glanced at Locke in surprise. "Locke, you don't even have a medium-sized botanical garden?"

Wizard Anthony took a sip of wizard's wine and laughed, "What, teacher? Lilith's Cottage has been around for so many years, how come it's still like this in terms of resource allocation? Even a breeding genius like Junior Locke hasn't had a medium-sized botanical garden of his own after all this time."

A hint of displeasure flashed across Harlan Vera's face, directed at Francis, the senior advisor. "You all know Francis; he's always been stingy and stupid."

“Lock…” Harlan Vera tapped her fingers on the table repeatedly. “Don’t worry, I’ll have the college leadership approve a medium-sized botanical garden for you right away.”

"Don't worry, I'm here for you."

Locke hesitated for a moment, then said to Harlan Vera, "Professor Harlan, I heard that the son of a formal wizard in the academy is also applying for a medium-sized botanical garden soon. A wizarding academy can only apply for a medium-sized botanical garden once every three years from the White Wizarding Association. If I apply now, I'll have to cut in line with that formal wizard's son."

Harlan Vera raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Locke, you mean that useless son of wizard Cohen Chamberlain who just joined Lilith's Hut?"

At the banquet, some first-ring wizards showed knowing expressions, and Anthony, a formal wizard, even let out a slight laugh. "Don't misunderstand, junior, I'm not mocking you. I'm mocking that laughable son of a formal wizard..."

"The son of a mere formal wizard..."

“Locke, look at how many official wizards are here at this banquet! A mere son of an official wizard wants to compete with you for resources? Hahaha... This is absolutely ridiculous.”

The illusion of Wizard Anthony walked over, patted Locke on the shoulder, and said, "Locke, don't worry, as long as Teacher Harlen Vera stands up for you, no one can take resources away from you in Lilith's Hut."

Harlan Vera nodded firmly. "A week, I'll get your application for a medium-sized botanical garden approved within a week."

“As for Cohen Chamberlain’s good-for-nothing son,” Harlan Vera’s eyes flashed with indifference and disdain. “Nobody cares about him.”

"I don't even care about Cohen Chamberlain's feelings."

“I originally felt that Lilith Hut didn’t need to bring in wizards specializing in summoning magic to build a magic discipline from scratch, which would just waste the academy’s resources. But Francis was too greedy; he wanted everything and ended up losing sight of the core of development.”

“If Cohen Chamberlain doesn’t know what’s good for him, he can leave Lilith Cottage.”

The first-ring wizards present all showed affirmation in their eyes. Clearly, what Harun Vera said was a fact he could accomplish.

Locke realized the immense benefits of being a star student of the academic elite.

Within this academic clique's network of relationships, a super genius can easily draw upon a vast amount of influence, and even the son of an outsider first-ring wizard cannot contend with this influence.

Locke glanced at the list and was surprised to find that Angron was also on the invitation list for the banquet. However, Angron had been hiding in a corner of the banquet and had not shown his face, so Locke had not seen him before.

At this moment, Angron looked at himself with eyes full of fear, unease, apprehension, and a lack of self-confidence.

After exchanging a glance with Locke, Angron was overcome with anxiety, so much so that he gripped his wine glass tightly. 'He's become my teacher's student, my fellow disciple!'

The teacher threw him a banquet of a scale I've never even experienced.

'Does the teacher value him that much?'

'He can still chat and laugh with so many formal wizards, and once he joined, he became the center of attention. Is there any place for me left? I should be the focus of all this.'

Angron tried to strike up a conversation with Harlan Vera, but Harlan Vera, who had always been very attentive to him, was now too busy to talk to him and had become much more casual in his attitude.

This made Angron's sense of crisis even more acute.

Angron glanced at Carrie Ackerman beside him, who was looking at Locke with adoration, and felt as if struck by lightning. In that instant, he felt that he had been severely betrayed.

'This is betrayal. I should be the center of your attention, not that foolish, ridiculous Locke Augustine. Is he really better than me? No, I want to be number one, I want to be number one, I want Professor Harlan Vera to look at me with admiration and satisfaction, just like before.'

Angron was consumed by rage. 'I can't accept defeat. If only Locke Augustine could disappear, but I know I can't beat him…'

'He's even stronger than the dark wizard, and now his magic power isn't much less than mine!'

Angron had initially intended to kill him, but then he remembered Locke's reputation as a beholder, and all his extreme thoughts vanished immediately. Now, he could only think about fighting Locke fairly.

'I will surpass him in terms of results!! I refuse to believe I am inferior to him.'

(End of this chapter)