Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 65 Strategic Shift

The Rukia family is a large family.

Paro the Wizard's words contain multiple layers of information.

First, the wizard Paro saw through Link and Sophie Lucia's rivalry;

Secondly, the wizard Paro guessed that Link might have further retaliatory intentions;

Finally, the wizard Paro warned Link to be careful that Sophie Lucia might be pushed to the limit and use her family's power.

This is a subtle reminder to Link that academic competition is fine and harmless.

Even if you suffer a loss, you should endure it if you can.

Even if you can't tolerate it, never resort to the same brutal methods you used against Rivers and Enrique, which resulted in bloodshed.

Otherwise, disaster is not far off.

Unlike Rivers and Enrique, who have no connections, Sophie Lucia has an entire family behind her.

The wizard Paro's words carried a deeper meaning, indicating that if anything were to happen, he would not stand up to the Lucia family for Link's sake.

As Link left the "paper" review office, cold sweat involuntarily seeped down his back.

He carefully recalled the beginning and end of his contact with Sophie Lucia, and was relieved that it was just a minor conflict and that he had not offended her too much.

As long as you don't completely offend anyone, there's always room for maneuver, and things won't escalate to the worst possible outcome.

It's likely that Sophie Lucia's arrogance stems from her proud identity and lineage.

Large families always pride themselves on their noble bloodline and superior status, looking down on the lower-class peasants.

If the locals weren't so prejudiced and disdainful of the new students from Stormsea, why would the academy have set up two campuses, north and south?

The reason she was so brazen and took advantage of Link was because she was certain that Link wouldn't dare to retaliate against her directly!

Link had to admit that he had to stop all thoughts about Sophie Lucia and avoid her for a long time to come.

Despite feeling frustrated, Link decided that he would never initiate contact with Sophie Lucia again, nor would he seek revenge out of anger.

Those are locals with connections; you can't afford to mess with them.

Link then felt fortunate to have been noticed, invested in, and mentored by the wizard Paro.

Otherwise, one might never know how they died.

Outside the administration building.

When Jasmine saw Link emerge with a grave expression, her heart tightened. She quickly stepped forward and asked with concern, "Link, you don't look well. Is something wrong?"

Link took a deep breath, suppressing his lingering fear, and said, "Jasmine, after the 'paper' is published, let's stop targeting Sophie Lucia."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Jasmine didn't even ask for the reason, nor did she hesitate; she immediately nodded.

"The wizard Paro told me that the Lucia family is a large family."

Link, however, felt compelled to explain, "I think you understand the capabilities of large families better than I do, right?"

Upon hearing this, Jasmine couldn't help but shudder, filled with lingering fear.

She understood all too well what kind of things so-called powerful families were capable of.

Even though they come from different social strata—one a large family in the mundane world and the other a large family in the extraordinary world—their essence is not much different.

For a family to grow and prosper, it must inevitably tread upon countless bones!

Bloodshed and brutality are the true nature of large families.

"Then we..."

Thinking of the terrifying thought, Jasmine couldn't help but grip Link's arm tightly with both hands, her voice trembling slightly as she asked, "Will we be in trouble?"

"It's not that bad."

Link reassured us, "It's just academic competition. The fact that Wizard Paro reminded us means things haven't gotten to that point yet."

As he spoke, Link patted Jasmine's little hand, signaling her to let go.

It wasn't because it hurt from being scratched.

Instead, it's about men and women not touching each other; pulling and tugging at each other is unseemly.

Jasmine felt reassured and her anxiety subsided.

Since Link isn't worried much, it means there's no need to worry.

Jasmine pouted slightly and reluctantly let go of her hand.

Then, she forcibly shifted her attention and asked, "What about the 'patent'? What happened to it?"

The first author of this "paper" is Link, and the second author is Jasmine.

As for the corresponding author, Link wrote "Paro Wizard".

After all, it uses a laboratory funded by the wizard Paro, so it can at least have some connection to the lab.

The wizard Paro could definitely see Link's intentions; the fact that he didn't refuse outright meant he tacitly approved.

Therefore, the rights to the 'patent' are divided into three parts: Link takes the lion's share, owning 50%, Paro Wizard takes 30%, and Jasmine gets 20%.

Compared to the new germination method, the economic value of hybridization breeding and the three optimized seeds is much higher.

Even with a buyout plus a split, Link and Molly would immediately receive 320 and 128 standard level 1 magic stones respectively.

The share will be 0.2% for five consecutive years.

Upon hearing the numbers Link mentioned, Jasmine jumped up with joy, completely forgetting her earlier anxiety.

What a big heart.

Link didn't stop her, and let Jasmine cheer and celebrate for a while.

Having a way to relieve psychological stress is always a good thing.

A moment later, Jasmine finished processing her joy and skipped lightly and cheerfully toward the cafeteria.

She's happy today, so she'll eat a lot of good food to reward herself.

After dinner, I went to the library to study as usual.

Link took out his personal smart device, but instead of doing anything else, he pulled out Sophie Lucia's first "paper".

After reading it, Link realized that Sophie Lucia's main research focus was most likely on the cultivation of cash crops.

The previous new germination method for Silver Star Flower, and the positive impact and scope of this new germination method on the rate of improved Silver Star Flower varieties, are all impeccable in terms of the "paper," experimental design, and experimental data.

Since the intention is to strategically shift course and avoid further clashes with the other side, thus escalating the conflict, then avoiding direct confrontation is undoubtedly an extremely appropriate strategy.

Linke is preparing to temporarily suspend his research plans on the cultivation of cash crops and turn to other fields.

Coincidentally, during the three-week hybridization breeding experiment of silver star flower, Link, inspired by "Pomona Sprout's botanical talent," discovered that a plant relatively rare in the Tudor region might have some special function.

The seeds of that plant look very similar to those of the silver star flower, and if you are careless when storing them, you are very likely to confuse them.

Link and Jasmine found several silver star flower seeds while selecting and pre-treating them.

With nothing else to do and the lab fully equipped, Link decided to cultivate the plant.

Afterward, Link used that plant as experimental material and subject to practice using various facilities in the laboratory.

As the saying goes, unexpected joys always come unexpectedly.

Link discovered that the leaf extract of that plant had a calming and soothing effect.

After reviewing relevant literature, it seems that no one has raised this point yet.

This is of great research value.

Link was just about to make a strategic shift in his research direction.

Everything was such a coincidence.

Ah!

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(End of this chapter)