688: Representative Population Benchmark Law and the 150,000 Ticket Price for the Silent Grail
Trouble?
Locke clearly sensed that the two seemed to know something, so he directly inquired with Team Leader Kelt through the water gourd system, and Team Leader Kelt replied to him immediately.
He only told him that this matter involved content that only a Second Ring Wizard could know, so it was truly inconvenient to speak of.
But if it were extremely urgent and would affect him, he would definitely find a way to warn him in advance to avoid certain things.
A strange look flashed in Locke's eyes. 'The perspective through which a One-Ring Wizard and a Second Ring Wizard see the world is fundamentally different. However, since Team Leader Kelt said this, it means the problem isn't serious enough to threaten me immediately.'
'These two are probably trying to use this to scare me, or they mistakenly think I found out something in advance, so they think I'm playing with fire.'
'But what exactly is it?'
Locke thought hard and decided to let it go; after becoming a Second Ring Wizard, he would naturally find out about such things.
Locke looked at the two and said, "In that case, the talks have broken down?"
Wizard Luwen suddenly reached out to stop Locke from standing up and gestured for him to wait. His eyes no longer held the feigned kindness from before, but were instead very cold and cruel as he spoke bluntly. "How should I put this... Wizard Locke, let me give you an example. Indeed, the pure Magic Plant wizard shoes you designed have truly surprised our Shop Alliance in terms of performance."
"But our Shop Alliance's commercial logic is different from your True Knowledge Institute's logic. Let me give you an example: there was once a somewhat talented One-Ring Wizard named Brown, who was an Enchanter. What did he do? He optimized a key enchanting process for wizard shoes. I don't mind telling you the name—[Raven Enchantment]."
"This enchanting array could partially replace the high-quality fabrics researched by Magic Weavers, allowing inferior fabrics to do the job of our high-quality ones. At that time, just like you, he made everyone uneasy."
Wizard Luwen said, "He collaborated with a small-scale Shop Alliance and also wanted to overthrow us. But do you know what happened later? This person has now been reduced to a debt slave, his future ruined, and he never became a Second Ring Wizard."
"The Shop Alliance he collaborated with was called the [Zerita Wizard Shoe Shop Alliance], and it remains obscure to this day. Nothing changed."
"I'm not threatening you. I'm just stating a fact."
Wizard Luwen pointed to a report and said, "Look at this. The annual turnover of our two top wizard shoe Shop Alliances is calculated in the billions."
"Even if we make wrong decisions, even if we take the wrong path, even if our technology is temporarily inferior to some of your products, even if our marketing is wrong, even if my costs are higher, even if we slight our customers and place a bunch of demands on them, we can still win steadily. Do you know why?"
Witch Jessie sneered, "The reasons are simple, and there are two. First, our two Shop Alliances accumulate a massive amount of capital every year because of the stock market. This capital gives us a leisurely and comfortable margin for error."
"Second, we have professional legal teams. The low-price issue of the wizard shoes you designed has already reached the standard of malicious competition. Don't think Golden Crown Mountain can protect you; as long as we have a sound argument and win against you in court, no one can protect you."
"You..."
Someone walked in from outside the door.
"Is that so? How come I didn't know that my friend here violated any laws? You two, so fond of baring your fangs and claws here, are you bullying my friend because he doesn't understand the laws established by the White Wizard Association?"
Locke turned his head and saw the tall, imposing, and aggressive-looking Contractor Hussein walking in with a playful smile.
He was wearing a tailored, slim-fit wizard robe that looked as straight and sharp as a suit.
He walked in and closed the door, but not completely, leaving a small crack.
Hussein said, "Essentially, what you two sell isn't even the same category of product. You sell shoes, while my friend here is at most selling Magic Plants. Even the Breeder Association has no complaints against him, so I don't know how you two can stand here so confidently claiming my friend broke the law."
"In my view, you two are the ones spreading rumors."
Witch Jessie said dissatisfiedly, "And who are you? He is a senior researcher of Golden Crown Mountain, so even if he's impolite to us, we can let it slide. But who are you?"
Hussein smiled confidently and then handed over his business card with both hands. "I am a partner at the Mithril Law Firm, Hussein. You should have heard my name recently."
Wizard Luwen and Witch Jessie immediately exchanged a glance. The contempt in their eyes vanished instantly, and their dissatisfaction disappeared; instead, they sat up straight, their expressions becoming serious.
The two communicated with their eyes.
Hussein was only a wizard at the One-Ring Crystallization Stage, which wasn't much of a concern.
But the problem was that Hussein had just helped Mithril Law Firm win a major case where a One-Ring Wizard inherited a family fortune of one billion magic stones.
His reputation was soaring.
Why did the two of them know? Because as wizard representatives for the Shop Alliance, they naturally encountered various disputes frequently.
Certain people encounter certain kinds of events.
Therefore, the two of them were very familiar with the major law firms and naturally knew of the Mithril Law Firm's illustrious reputation.
Again, they could ignore a mere One-Ring Wizard, but it was a different story if that One-Ring Wizard was a somewhat famous pettifogger working in a top law firm in the Yunze Wetland.
In other places, they could use their status as Second Ring Wizards to scare low-level wizards, but it was a different matter for a Contractor who was completely familiar with all kinds of White Wizard laws.
Of course, Second Ring Wizards possessed many legal immunity privileges, and some provocative behaviors wouldn't be taken seriously as long as they didn't cause a certain amount of loss.
Furthermore, if a Second Ring Wizard wanted to play dirty, they could just go to the black market and find a few Black Wizards to do the job.
Thus, a Second Ring Wizard still held an absolute, crushing status over a One-Ring Wizard.
But the problem was that both Locke and Hussein had excellent backgrounds and resumes; they weren't people who could be bullied at will.
On the premise that they couldn't be bullied at will, they really had to talk about the law.
And among the four people present, the one most familiar with the law was the Contractor Hussein, who had just won a billion-stone inheritance case and earned five million magic stones for himself.
Wizard Luwen and Witch Jessie exchanged a look, and both felt the urge to retreat.
Because they couldn't possibly satisfy the bottom-line requirements Locke proposed, and even if they reported it up, the probability of it being approved was likely not high.
So, the talks had basically broken down.
Just now, they only wanted to make a final attempt to intimidate Locke with the law and force, but with Hussein here, that was clearly impossible.
The two immediately stood up, their faces not looking very good. They simply gave a greeting and left.
Locke breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them leave. To be honest, talking with two Second Ring Wizards in one room was still a bit stressful.
Although he knew they wouldn't dare do anything to him at Golden Crown Mountain, facing two Second Ring Wizards at such close range was very taxing for him.
Fortunately, Hussein had come to Golden Crown Mountain recently for business, and Locke had happened to hire him for fifty thousand magic stones to represent him in the talks.
He had originally thought it might be unnecessary, but looking at it now, it was indeed very necessary.
If his lawyer hadn't been present just now, those two Second Ring Wizards would likely have kept pestering him and wouldn't have let him leave.
Now, seeing that they couldn't gain any advantage, they left obediently on their own.
Hussein took a sip of the wizard tea on the table. "Eye Demon Wizard, I was actually looking forward to seeing you, a One-Ring, take down two Second Ring Wizards."
"A pity I came in too early. I didn't get the chance to see it."
Locke chuckled. "A One-Ring taking down a Second Ring? After entering my soul decline period, I realized just how large the gap between a Second Ring and a One-Ring is."
"However, even if those two had attacked me just now, I could have escaped calmly and turned around to take them to court."
Hussein said, "Second Ring Wizards have high immunity. As long as you aren't crippled or severely injured, you won't win even if you sue."
"This is related to the current wizard law, which uses the [Representative Population Benchmark Law]. You wouldn't understand even if I explained the specifics. You just need to understand that in court, the number of people a Second Ring Wizard represents is, by default, greater than the number of people you represent."
"By the same token, the number of people you represent is far higher than that of mortals and apprentices. The system of White Wizard Society is indeed very sophisticated; compared to it, Black Wizard society—sigh, although it varies by place—is just so primitive and backward."
Hussein said, "Though I don't believe Black Wizards themselves are inherently primitive or backward. In short, there are some things I am still exploring."
Locke smiled and said, "It's hard to believe these words are coming from the former First Sequence Candidate of the Blood Curse Court."
Hussein said with a smile, "Now that I understand the law, why would I want to go around fighting and killing?"
"In my view, being a Black Wizard itself has potential. It's just that the Black Wizards we see currently really don't have much of a future."
"I'm still thinking about what the specific reason is."
Hussein changed the subject. "By the way, Locke, are you really sure you want to keep going head-to-head with those two top wizard shoe Shop Alliances?"
"You White Wizards can't act yourselves, but you can certainly hire Black Wizards to go after their targets. Opposing them like this carries a certain risk to your life. Is the profit really that big?"
Locke nodded. "Yes. I've already cleared the path in this wizard shoe market. I am very certain that as long as I keep going, I can replace Solas Lightfoot and Meileqi Magic Step."
"Moreover, as a Breeder, being able to pioneer the era of pure Magic Plant wizard shoes would be a wonderful story."
Hussein laughed. "Gutsy. As expected of the Eye Demon Wizard. Haven't seen you in half a year, and you're still just as full of vigor, and even bolder than before."
"But you're right; because of your status, you aren't actually in that much danger. You already have far more advantages than many wizards without backgrounds. You have a Throne Wizard behind you. Those two Shop Alliances don't even have a Throne Wizard."
"If you didn't dare to go for it even with that, I really would have to doubt if you were still that Eye Demon Wizard."
"Alright, good luck. Locke, I've already subscribed to your Grand Magic Modeling Competition in advance."
"It cost me one hundred and fifty thousand magic stones."
Locke blinked, saying in disbelief, "One hundred and fifty thousand magic stones?"
Hussein said, "Yeah. Of course, you... don't really watch competitions much, do you? Ticket prices for watching competitions are all very expensive, but your Silent Grail is indeed in the most expensive tier."
"One hundred and fifty thousand magic stones only buys a regular seat! It's said that just watching the Silent Grail Competition is extremely beneficial for us in constructing Great Magic. That's why the tickets are sold so expensively."
"Moreover, during the competition, any of your truly important secrets will be pixelated by the production crew to help you keep them secret."
Hussein said, "But I also really want to see the battle between the so-called top young geniuses among the One-Rings of the Yunze Wetland."
"So, I bought it. When the time comes, I'll be watching all your performances."
Locke pursed his lips and nodded. "Alright then, enjoy the show."
Hussein closed the door. "By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you about. I didn't actually come to Golden Crown Mountain because of a client, but because I'm looking for something."
"This thing is useless to you, but very useful to me."
"According to my current clues, it should be in the Golden Crown Mountain Region. But the map shows it as a land of golden halls. Do you know what that refers to?"
"I'm not very familiar with the names of the factions and places in the Golden Crown Mountain Region."
Locke thought for a moment. "land of golden halls? The Everlasting Hall of Glory? The Everlasting Hall of Glory specializes in Light Magic and Breeding Science. Their academy-style buildings are halls, though they are dark-colored. But if magic is used, wouldn't they be golden... They like to cultivate light-attribute Magic Plants."
"You might want to try looking over there."
Hussein pondered, "The Everlasting Hall of Glory? Alright. I'll go check it out. Thanks, Locke."
Hussein seemed to be in a hurry and was about to leave immediately. "Locke, see you at the Grand Magic Modeling Competition. I mean, I'll see you from the audience seats."
"That is one of the largest-scale commercial competitions in the Yunze Wetland, and the most prestigious competition for One-Rings."
"I'm looking forward to your performance then," Hussein said. "Let these wizards see the prowess of us wizards who came from the Southeast Corner Region."
"It would be great if you could win the championship."
"That way, the next time I introduce myself as being from the Southeast Corner Region, those wizards will at least know what the Southeast Corner Region is, instead of thinking it's a Wizard Academy..."
Locke gave a comical smile. A Wizard Academy?
Well, the Southeast Corner Region indeed wasn't some well-known Wizard Land. If some Wizard Land hadn't heard of it, it was only natural.
Generally, it was only Breeders and Botanical Wizards who might submit to "southeast"; for wizards outside these two fields, it was normal not to have heard of the Southeast Corner Region.
And by participating in a top-tier event like this in the Yunze Wetland, winning the championship would indeed go a long way toward making one's birthplace more famous.