The third wave of Sumeru scholars had settled in Inazuma, though some from the second wave lingered, self-funding their research. Take the hydroponics team—loaded merchants' kids, never short on Mora.
"Lord Reisen, long time no see," a scholar greeted.
"How's the hydroponics tech coming?" Reisen Riou asked, inspecting their progress.
"It's ready for early commercial use," the scholar replied. "But you know, only Inazuma and Sumeru have the infrastructure—agricultural tech and researchers."
Inazuma led Teyvat in agricultural research headcount. Over 100,000 student-level scholars (Theory LV4), thousands of researcher-level (Theory LV5), hundreds of full-fledged scholars (Theory LV6), and dozens of elite scholars (Theory LV7) filled its ranks. Reisen, a long-lived Theory LV8 sage, was a one-man army. While Sumeru's Akademiya Vitalist Faction had more formal and elite scholars, Inazuma's student and researcher numbers dwarfed them.
"Hydroponics is wild," a scholar marveled. "Mix the right nutrient solution, handle pests, pick good seeds, and you get premium crops. It feels unnatural, but it's amazing."
"That's the beauty of research," Reisen smiled. "Follow nature's rules—nutrients, sunlight, growth—while defying it by ditching soil for liquid."
Many Vitalist scholars settled in Inazuma for its research environment. Their faction, fueled by Inazuma's funds, had ballooned, outnumbering Sumeru's Spantamad and Amurta Schools combined. Overflowing with talent, Vitalist sages planned collaborations with Liyue and Fontaine, even eyeing desert farming.
The Resurrection system, idle since Reisen's major projects, had partially reactivated for crop breeding. Scholars, hooked on its blazing research speed, couldn't leave. Reisen's data collection devices—compact calculators, scanners, pixel screens, signal transceivers, with maglev and tracking—fed plant and soil data to Resurrection, analyzing everything from crop health to soil color.
He'd considered using One System, Ten Thousand Minds for data collection, but after consulting Raiden Makoto, decided against expanding it. Instead, he mass-produced these devices.
"Lord Reisen, hydroponics shines for medicinal herbs," a hefty scholar said, hailing from Sumeru's richest merchant family and a top hydroponics expert. "Herbs need perfect water, nutrients, even elemental infusion. Crack that, and their profits offset half the tech's cost."
His commercial instincts were sharp. Reisen had already planned to use hydroponics for premium herbs. "Good thinking," he said. "We'll partner with your family to develop this."
"Phew, Lady Makoto, I told you hydroponics needs seven or eight more years to mature," Reisen said, turning to her.
"Can't we speed it up?" Makoto sighed, crestfallen. She dreamed of deploying it across Inazuma, especially Watatsumi Island.
"No can do," Reisen said. "I don't have the time to spare."
This inspection was Makoto's last push for Watatsumi, desperate to ensure its people ate well.
"Let's head back to work," he urged.
Two lightning bolts vanished, reappearing in Tenshukaku. Raiden Ei sat at the head, scratching her head over documents. With Reisen and Makoto inspecting, she'd been roped into governance duty.
Ei's administrative skills had grown over a decade. She could now analyze reports, spot hidden agendas, and predict outcomes, a far cry from her early dizziness. Unlike Yae Saiguu, who dodged paperwork like a fox, Ei stuck it out, rarely making big mistakes.
"Good job, Ei," Reisen said, doting.
Despite over ten years of marriage, their bond was as fresh as ever.
"Not hard," Ei groaned. "But this stuff's for you and Sis. I'm no good at it."
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