Wizard: Starting With Synthesized Gems-Chapter 205: Plant-Type Research Group

Locke said, "This... should consume quite a lot of resources, right?"
"And I don't understand much about this aspect."
Captain Jack nodded, "That's true."
Senior Zack put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin, "It's actually not as complicated as you think, Locke. I understand this since I'm responsible for this aspect of the academy's work, so I know some of the situation."
"Generally, developing plant-type spells can be done by yourself, or you can commission some plant-type research groups within the academy, or even plant-type research groups outside the academy."
"If the project in your hands is very popular, these research groups might even actively seek you out, willing to pay you money to complete the project in your hands. Of course, in that case, your voice in this matter would be much weaker."
Locke took a sip of witch watermelon juice and frowned, "Actively seek me out?"
Senior Zack patiently explained in detail, "Yes. Generally speaking, developing a plant-type spell that matches a medium-high level magical plant usually requires 0.7 to 0.8 circles. You'd consume quite a bit of funding. If you're lucky, it would cost ten thousand to twenty thousand magic stones."
"If the project doesn't go smoothly, it might cost twenty thousand to thirty thousand magic stones, depending on the research level of the research group you find. Mature research groups should be able to compress the funding for developing a completely new supporting plant-type spell to around ten thousand magic stones."
Locke listened while nodding slightly, sighing inwardly that finding people to develop a set of supporting plant spells was indeed expensive.
Ten thousand magic stones was already a lot.
If it weren't for the custom magical plant competition and the magical plant curse situation, he wouldn't have coincidentally developed a defensive magical plant that required developing new plant-type supporting spells.
Zack said to Locke and Captain Jack, "Having individuals fund this is indeed quite costly."
"But the academy provides much support for this field, establishing special funds for support. Not only that, the White Wizard Association can also establish corresponding funds that these research groups can apply for."
"Therefore, if the project in your hands is really very popular, then finding those research groups to develop new plant-type spells could cost you absolutely nothing."
"You can freeload off the funds from the White Wizard Association and the academy."
"Those research groups can completely apply for fund rewards from the academy and White Wizard Association themselves, as well as get fund rewards established by other private First Circle wizards, attract investment, and then use it to develop the project in your hands." Senior Zack took a sip of witch watermelon juice and said, "This way, not only will they not lose money, they might even profit."
"If they can't spend all the money they applied for on the project, they can distribute it internally as benefits."
"Moreover, developing a popular project usually brings greater reputation improvement to that research group, making it much easier for them to attract horizontal and vertical funding in the future."
Senior Zack further explained, "This is equivalent to borrowing the project in your hands to make project proposals and attract investment and reputation for them."
"This is how it works in the academy. A good project possesses a whole bunch of additional value. Honestly, students like you who come with their own projects, Locke, are usually highly valued by wizard teachers who won't let you go."
After hearing this, Locke nodded slightly, "I see."
Vertical funding was funding distributed from above by the academy and White Wizard Association.
Horizontal funding was funding invested by private wizards and commercial markets like Chimera Trading Market.
Locke had indeed heard before that what various laboratory research groups competed for most every day was those funds.
After all, funding equaled magical resources, and the more magical resources, the faster project development speed.
This thing was like a snowball effect.
After doing many projects, applying for funding became easier, so how to attract horizontal and vertical funding for one's research group projects became a skill that various laboratory research groups valued highly.
A formal wizard usually had several research groups under them but his teacher, Witch Sophia, currently hadn't established research groups to study anything.
Therefore, Locke's situation was very rare. He had reached first-class wizard apprentice level yet hadn't joined a research group. Generally, first-class wizard apprentices valued by formal wizard mentors might lead one or even more research groups.
Locke asked another key question, "Senior Zack, what you're saying sounds good. But I'm afraid having my new spell development project recognized as a popular project won't be easy."
"Generally speaking, how would the project in my hands be recognized as a popular project?"
Captain Jack also looked at Zack.
Senior Zack smiled, "It's actually not difficult. For example, if your Perseus Eye Lichen wins the competition championship, then it's definitely a popular project."
"Quite a few research groups will come directly to you."
"Even if it only wins a top-three position in the competition, I estimate some research groups will still approach you and discuss funding issues with you."
Zack thought, "From my experience, if it's a custom magical plant competition champion work, generally you really don't need to spend a penny. You can borrow money from the academy and association to find the most famous research groups to help you develop a supporting plant magic."
"Of course, in this situation, the developed plant magic jointly belongs to that research group and the academy, even the association. You also have usage and learning rights, but that's sufficient. After all, you only need to sell magical plants, Locke."
"This way, it's actually easier for you to sell."
"A powerful magical plant can completely support a large group of people for a very long time. Just like Green Sprout Workshop's outdated family heirloom project [Gear Iron Brambles]."
"If you can only get top three, then I estimate you'd still have to pay some money, about four or five thousand." Zack said, "But you could also become a financial backer for that research group, having certain participation rights in that research group's development progress."
"You'd also be one of the owners of the developed spell."
Zack said, "In other situations, wanting to be recognized as a popular project is indeed quite difficult."
Zack said to Locke, "So, Locke, now your Perseus Eye Lichen had better win the championship, with the bottom line being top three."
"Otherwise, things will be very troublesome later. You'd consume more resources and still can't find good research groups to develop supporting magical plant spells for you." Zack said very experientially, "The difference here is quite significant."
"Some magical plants don't have such big gaps between them, but because the levels of research groups developing supporting plant spells are different, causing the quality of supporting spells they develop to be different, this results in vastly different treatment for the two magical plants in future procurement."
Locke nodded. He understood.
So the ranking results of the custom magical plant competition were indeed crucial. No wonder all the major workshops cared so much about it.
Captain Jack looked at Locke and comforted him, "Don't worry. If that's the case, then at least our squad will try our best to endorse your work, Breeder Locke."
"This is indeed a good thing."
He quickly signed the contract.
The price Locke sold to him was 100 magic stones per Perseus Eye Lichen plant.
This was the average market price for defensive magical plants at the Perseus Eye Lichen level.
Magical plants like Large Green Leaf Banana were expensive in the market because they were rare magical plants.
The reason for the slightly high price was rarity, not that its value was really at the 500 magic stone level.
Captain Zack took out 1,000 magic stones from his astral ring, while Locke planned to have his minotaur servant directly deliver ten defensive magical plants to Captain Zack's combat squad's [Squad Camp] this afternoon.
After greeting the two, Locke left the Witch Kitchen.
The Perseus Eye Lichen matter was settled, and now he needed to quickly return to his laboratory.
He had been cultivating Three-Eyed Tiger Cat bloodline on the operation table in his simple laboratory for almost two days. He wondered how it was now and whether it could be used.