"You have no idea. The faces of those other institute directors all turned green, especially that Great Mage Scotty, who looked absolutely grim. Hmph, after this, let’s see if they still dare to look down on us!"
"And! And over at the Ice Castle, after the dean submitted the report, Master Boras urgently convened a council of Legendary Mages to discuss whether to use this research paper for the competition..."
As Teresa finished explaining the whole affair, gesturing excitedly, Wei’en came to understand the school’s intentions.
Most of the Ghost faction’s Legendary Mages now recognized the value of the Mechanical Undead project and had even discussed the required level and the gold pound cost for exchanging the related knowledge.
According to the school’s rules, their research institute would earn fifty thousand gold pounds for every copy of the Mechanical Undead research report that was exchanged in the future.
However, while fifty thousand gold pounds seemed like a lot, with the condition that "only those above the Legendary level can exchange for it," the total profit would only be about a million gold pounds even if every Legendary Mage of the Ghost faction bought it.
The total revenue would, at best, only cover the institute’s current gold pound expenditures...
In comparison, the school’s plans for the Rune Array Board Card project were far more exciting.
"You’re saying the school plans to make the research report on the Rune Array Board Card a required part of a Wizard’s inherited knowledge? And they’re also planning to put my name in the Wizard’s Manual?"
Teresa nodded excitedly. "Yes, Director. Master Boras also said that as long as we can produce the complete knowledge of the Rune Array Board Card, he will convene the other four major Wizard Schools and make this knowledge common to all schools."
Hearing this, Wei’en frowned.
The Rune Array Board Card and the Mechanical Heart Rune Device were designed to work together. Only the Ghost faction’s Mechanical Undead and the Mechanical School could really use them; the knowledge systems of the other schools weren’t a strong match...
"Teresa, did Legendary Mage Boras say anything about the purpose behind this arrangement?"
"He didn’t, actually."
Teresa looked at Wei’en’s calm expression, a little puzzled. ’Why doesn’t the Director seem very happy?’
"Do you have any questions? I can go ask the Master."
"Hmm... not for now."
Wei’en shook his head. Just because he couldn’t think of a use for the board cards in the systems of the Spiritual Secret, Blood Spirit, and Shadow Schools, it didn’t mean Legendary Mage Boras and the other Wizard Schools couldn’t.
Besides, this arrangement by the school benefited him more.
Beyond the profit from exchanging the knowledge, having his name appear in the Wizard’s Manual was of immense value.
While that value wasn’t in gold pounds, it was something gold pounds couldn’t measure—it would elevate his status in the Wizard World to a height others could hardly imagine.
Just like that Legendary Mage from the Blood Spirit School, Gaman Macalis, he could also try putting an advertisement in the Wizard’s Manual.
’Hmm, better not... Stay low-key, stay low-key.’
"Since the school doesn’t need us to participate in the competition with the Shadow School, we’ll proceed with the plan as discussed. After you’ve all rested up, start preparing for the next phase of the research project."
"Understood, Director. I’ll go explain it to them right away."
"No rush," Wei’en said, waving his hand to stop the wealthy wizardess. He took out a freshly written piece of parchment. "I’ll send you a list of materials later. Gather them as soon as you can and send them to me. I need them for something."
"Materials? Are they related to the project?" Teresa asked.
She had already submitted purchase requests through her family’s channels as per the institute’s arrangements... ’Could it be that because of the school’s new plan, the Director thinks the materials are insufficient?’
’No, that’s not right...’
"No, they’re for a Rune Array that I need to set up here."
"No problem. You can count on me."
Wei’en nodded. "Thank you."
"Director, I should be the one thanking you for letting me join the institute..."
’Having a rich lady with a family that owns a mine in the research institute is truly reassuring.’
A short while later, after ending the call with Teresa, Wei’en sent the material list over through the blue and white box.
’I almost forgot.’
Looking at the box as its Rune Patterns flickered, Wei’en suddenly remembered he still hadn’t sent out the [Burst Sniper Rifle] he’d made for Black Jack and Menor.
Menor’s wasn’t urgent; he could just give it to him the next time they met.
With that in mind, he took out the teleportation device Black Jack had provided before he left. He then had his driver summon the Mechanical Gate, retrieve the [Burst Sniper Rifle] and ammunition, and place them inside. He watched as the crude mechanical teleportation device rumbled to life.
Wei’en pursed his lips. Compared to the equipment provided to the Ghost faction’s Intelligence Officers, the stuff from the pirates of the Black Pearl was much cruder.
"I wonder where Marco and the others are now..."
’They should be near Avad Island by now, right?’
He remembered Black Jack saying he needed to get there as soon as possible the last time they parted ways.
...
...
The treacherousness of the Cordo Sea Region lay in its capriciousness. One moment, the sun would be shining and the waves gentle; the next could bring an apocalyptic scene of dark clouds, raging winds, and monstrous waves that blotted out the sky.
Add to that the occasional appearance of Deep Sea Giant Beasts and swarms of Deep Sea aberrations... all of which forced any ship sailing these waters to remain constantly vigilant and maintain a healthy fear for this region.
BOOM!
RUMBLE!
Nearly ten thousand kilometers from Avad Island, a colossal mass of dark clouds slowly drifted north. The sky-spanning lightning and thunder, the massive, visible waves, and the roars emanating from within it made every ship that caught sight of it flee or change course.