Locke said, "This... probably requires quite a lot of resources, right?"
"And to be honest, I don't know much about this field."
Captain Jack nodded. "That's true."
Senior Zack, however, set down his fork and knife, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, "It's not as complicated as you think, Locke. I'm familiar with this since I handle related work for the academy, so I know a thing or two."
"Generally, developing Plant-based Spells can be done independently, or you can commission some Plant-based Research Groups within the academy—or even those outside the academy."
"If the project in your hands is particularly sought-after, these research groups might even approach you proactively, offering to cover the costs themselves just to take on your project. Of course, in that case, your influence over the project would be significantly weaker."
Locke took a sip of Witch watermelon juice and frowned. "They'd approach me proactively?"
Senior Zack patiently explained in detail, "Yes. Normally, developing a Plant-based Spell to complement a mid-to-high-level Magic Plant usually requires 0.7 to 0.8 Spell Circles. The funds you'd spend aren't insignificant—if you're lucky, it might cost between ten thousand to twenty thousand Magic Stones."
"If the project doesn't go smoothly, it could end up costing twenty thousand to thirty thousand Magic Stones, depending on the research capabilities of the group you hire. A well-established research group should be able to compress the cost of developing a brand-new complementary Plant-based Spell to around ten thousand Magic Stones."
As Locke listened, he nodded slightly while inwardly marveling at how expensive it was to commission someone to develop a complementary Plant-based Spell.
Ten thousand Magic Stones was already a huge sum.
If it weren't for the Custom Magic Plant Competition and the Magic Plant Curse, he wouldn't have coincidentally developed a Defensive Magic Plant that required the creation of a new complementary Plant-based Spell.
Zack said to Locke and Captain Jack, "Covering these Magic Stones out of pocket would indeed be quite costly."
"But the academy provides substantial support in this field, setting up dedicated funding programs. Not just that—even the White Wizard Association can establish corresponding grants that these research groups can apply for."
"So, if the project in your hands is truly in high demand, you could have a new Plant-based Spell developed by these research groups without spending a single Magic Stone."
"You could essentially freeload off the funding from the White Wizard Association and the academy."
"Those research groups can apply for grants from the academy and the White Wizard Association themselves, as well as secure investments from private funds set up by other First Circle Wizards, and use that to develop your project." Senior Zack took a sip of Witch watermelon juice and added, "This way, not only would they not lose money, they might even turn a profit."
"If the funds they secure exceed what's needed for the project, they can distribute the surplus internally as benefits."
"Moreover, developing a high-profile project usually boosts the reputation of the research group significantly, making it much easier for them to secure both horizontal and vertical funding in the future."
Senior Zack further explained, "It's essentially using your project as a proposal to attract investments and prestige for themselves."
"In the academy, it's always like this—a good project comes with a lot of additional value. To be honest, students like you, Locke, who bring their own projects, are highly valued by most Wizard mentors. They wouldn't let you go easily."
Locke nodded slightly upon hearing this. "I see."
Vertical funding refers to the resources allocated by the academy and the White Wizard Association from above.
Horizontal funding, on the other hand, comes from private Wizards or commercial markets like the Chimera Market.
Locke had indeed heard before that research groups in major labs compete fiercely for such funding every day.
After all, funding equals Magical Resources, and the more resources available, the faster a project can progress.
It's like a snowball effect.
The more projects you complete, the easier it becomes to secure funding. Thus, the ability to attract both horizontal and vertical funding for a research group's projects is a highly valued skill among major labs.
A Formal Wizard typically oversees several research groups.
However, his mentor, the White Wizard Sophia, had not yet established any research group to focus on a specific subject.
This made Locke's situation quite rare. He had reached the level of a First Class Wizard Apprentice without joining any research group. Normally, a First Class Wizard Apprentice favored by a Formal Wizard mentor would likely lead one or even multiple research groups.
Locke raised another key question. "Senior Zack, what you're saying makes sense. But I doubt the project I'm working on—developing a new Spell—will easily be recognized as a high-profile project."
"Under normal circumstances, what would it take for my project to be considered high-profile?"
Captain Jack also turned to Zack.
Senior Zack smiled and said, "Actually, it's not that difficult. For example, if your Perseus' Eye Lichen wins the competition, that would instantly make it a high-profile project."
"Many research groups would come straight to you."
"Even if you only secure a top-three position in the competition, I estimate some research groups would still approach you to discuss funding arrangements."
Zack pondered further. "Based on my experience, if your Custom Magic Plant wins the competition, you wouldn't need to spend a single coin. You could borrow funds from the academy and the Association to hire the most renowned research group to develop a complementary plant magic for you."
"Of course, in such cases, the developed plant magic would be jointly owned by that research group, the academy, and even the Association. You'd still have usage and learning rights, which should suffice since you, Locke, are only interested in selling the Magic Plants."
"In fact, this would make it easier for you to sell them."
"A powerful Magic Plant can sustain a large number of people for a long time. Take, for example, that outdated heirloom project from the Green Sprout Workshop—the Gear Iron Thorns."
"If you only make it to the top three, I estimate you'd still need to contribute some funds—around four or five thousand. But in that case, you'd also become a sponsor of that research group, gaining some influence over their development progress."
"And the Spell developed would be partly yours as well."
Zach said, "Under normal circumstances, it would indeed be quite difficult to be recognized as a hot project."
Zach turned to Locke and said, "So Locke, your Perseus' Eye Lichen really needs to win the championship now, with the bottom line being top three."
"Otherwise, things will get very troublesome later. You'd have to expend more resources and still might not find a good research team to develop matching spells for your Magic Plant." Zach spoke with experience, "The difference this makes is huge."
"The gap between some Magic Plants isn't actually that big, but because the quality of the research teams developing their matching plant spells varies, the resulting spell quality differs, leading to vastly different treatment in future procurement between two Magic Plants."
Locke nodded in understanding.
So the ranking results of the Custom Magic Plant Competition were indeed crucial—no wonder all the major studios cared so much.
Captain Jack looked at Locke and comforted him, "Don't worry. If that's the case, at least our squad will do our best to endorse your work, Breeder Locke."
"This is truly good stuff."
He quickly signed the contract.
The price Locke sold to him was 100 Magic Stones per Perseus' Eye Lichen.
This was the average market price for Defensive magic plants at the level of Perseus' Eye Lichen.
Magic Plants like the Great Azure Leaf Banana were expensive on the market primarily because they were rare.
The slightly higher price was due to rarity, not because their actual value reached the level of 500 Magic Stones.
Captain Zach took out 1,000 Magic Stones from his Astral Ring, while Locke prepared to send his minotaur servant that afternoon to deliver ten Defensive magic plants directly to Captain Zach's combat squad's [Squad Camp].
After bidding farewell to the two, Locke left the Witch's Kitchen.
With the Perseus Lichen Eye matter settled, he now needed to hurry back to his laboratory.
The Three-Eyed Tiger Eye Cat's Bloodline he'd been cultivating on his simple lab workstation for nearly two days—he wondered how it was progressing now and whether it was ready for use.
(End of Chapter)