Chapter 207

Chapter 207 Botany Research Group

Chapter 207: Plant Research Group

Locke said, “This… should consume a lot of resources.”

“Besides, I don’t know much about this.”

Captain Jack nodded. “That’s right.”

Senior Zach put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “It’s not as complicated as you think, Locke. I understand this. I’m in charge of this aspect of the academy, so I know a little bit about the situation.”

“Generally speaking, when developing plant-based spells, you can develop them yourself, or outsource them to some plant-based research groups within the academy, or even to plant-based research groups outside the academy.”

“If your project is very popular, these research groups may even approach you and offer you money to complete it. Of course, in that case, your voice in this area will be much weaker.”

Locke took a sip of the witch’s watermelon juice and frowned. “He came to me on his own initiative?”

Senior Zach patiently explained, “Well. Generally speaking, developing a plant-based spell to complement a mid- to high-level magical plant requires a 0.7th or 0.8th level. It’ll cost you quite a bit of money. If you’re lucky, you’ll need 10,000 to 20,000 magic stones.”

“If the project doesn’t go smoothly, it might cost 20,000 to 30,000 magic stones, depending on the research team’s level of expertise. A mature team should be able to reduce the cost of developing a brand new plant-based spell to around 10,000 magic stones.”

Locke nodded slightly as he listened, and at the same time he sighed in his heart that it really cost money to find someone to develop a set of supporting plant spells.

Ten thousand magic stones is a lot.

If it weren’t for the custom magic plant competition and the magic plant curse, I wouldn’t have developed a defensive magic plant that required the development of new plant-based matching spells by coincidence.

Zach said to Locke and Captain Jack, “These magic stones were funded by individuals, so the cost is indeed quite high.”

“But the academy has been very supportive of this field and has established a special fund to support it. Not only that, the White Wizards Association has also established a corresponding fund that these research groups can apply for.”

“So, if your project is truly popular, you can find those research groups to develop new plant-based spells without spending a penny.”

“You can get the funds from the White Wizard Association and the Academy for free.”

“Those research teams can apply for funding from the academy and the White Wizard Association, as well as other private First-Ring wizards, to secure investment and use it to develop your project.” Senior Zach took a sip of witch watermelon juice and said, “That way, not only will they not lose money, they might even make a profit.”

“If they don’t spend all the money they apply for on the project, they can distribute it internally as welfare benefits.”

“Moreover, developing a popular project usually enhances the reputation of the research group, making it much easier for them to attract horizontal and vertical funding in the future.”

Senior Zach further explained, “This is equivalent to borrowing your project to write a project application, thereby attracting investment and reputation for them.”

“That’s how it is in the academy. A good project will have a lot of additional value. To be honest, for a student like you, Locke, who comes with a project, most wizard teachers will value you very much and won’t let you go.”

After listening to this, Locke nodded slightly. “I see.”

Vertical funds are the funds allocated by the academy and the White Wizard Association.

Horizontal funds are funds contributed by private wizards and commercial markets like Chimera Bazaar.

Locke had indeed heard before that the research groups in major laboratories competed for the most every day with regard to funds.

After all, funds equal magic resources. The more magic resources there are, the faster the development project will be.

This thing is like a snowball.

After doing more projects, applying for funding will become easier, so how to attract horizontal and vertical funds for your own research group’s projects is a skill that research groups in major laboratories attach great importance to.

A formal wizard usually has several research groups under his command.

But his teacher, Witch Sophia, has not yet set up a research group to study anything.

Therefore, Locke’s situation is very rare. He has reached the first-class wizard apprentice and has not participated in a research group. Generally, a first-class wizard apprentice who is valued by a formal wizard mentor is likely to lead one or even more research groups.

Locke asked another crucial question. “Senior Zach, you’re right. But I’m afraid it won’t be easy for my project, developing new spells, to be recognized as a hot topic.”

“Generally speaking, what does it take for my project to be recognized as a hot project?”

Captain Jack also looked at Zack.

Senior Zach smiled and said, “It’s actually not that difficult. For example, if your Eye of Perseus lichen wins the competition, it will definitely be a popular project.”

“Many research groups will come directly to you.”

“Even if you only win the top three in the competition, I think some research groups will still come to you and discuss funding with you.”

Zach pondered, “Based on my experience, if it’s a winning entry in a custom magic plant competition, you generally don’t have to spend a penny. You can borrow money from the academy and association, find the most reputable research team, and have them help you develop a matching plant magic.”

“Of course, in this case, the developed plant magic belongs jointly to the research group, the academy, and even the association. You also have the right to use and study it, but this is enough. Anyway, Locke, you only need to sell magic plants.”

“This will make it easier for you to sell it.”

“A powerful magical plant can allow a large number of people to make a living from it for a long time. For example, the old heirloom project [Gear Iron Thorn] of Qingmiao Studio.”

“If you can only place in the top three, I estimate you’ll still have to contribute a portion of the money, around four or five thousand,” Zach said. “But you’ll also become the financial backer of the research group, and have a certain degree of participation in its development progress.”

“You are also one of the owners of the spells that were developed.”

Zach said, “Under other circumstances, it’s really difficult to be recognized as a popular project.”

Zach said to Locke: “So, Locke, now it’s your turn to win the Eye of Perseus lichen. It’s best to win the championship, and the bottom line is to be in the top three.”

“Otherwise, it’ll be very troublesome later. You’ll have to consume more resources, and you won’t be able to find a good research team to develop spells to complement your magic plants.” Zach said with great experience, “The difference is huge.”

“The differences between some magical plants aren’t that huge at all. However, because the teams developing the supporting plant spells have different levels of expertise, the quality of the supporting spells they developed varies, leading to vastly different treatment for the two magical plants in future purchases.”

Locke nodded, he understood.

Then the ranking results of the Custom Magic Plant Competition are indeed the key. No wonder the major studios care so much about it.

Captain Jack looked at Locke and comforted him, “Don’t worry. If that’s the case, at least our team will try our best to endorse your work, Breeder Locke.”

“This is really good stuff.”

He signed the contract quickly.

The price Locke sold it to him was 100 magic stones for each Eye of Perseus lichen.

This is the average price of a defensive magical plant of the level of Perseus’ Eye Lichen at the market.

The reason why magical plants like Musa is so expensive in the market is because they are rare magical plants.

The reason why it’s a bit more expensive is because it’s rare, not because its value is really at the level of 500 magic stones.

Captain Zack took out 1,000 magic stones from his star ring, and Locke was going to send his minotaur servant this afternoon to deliver ten defensive magic plants directly to the [Team Camp] of Captain Zack’s combat team.

After greeting the two, Locke left the witch kitchen.

The matter of Perseus’s Eye of Lichen was settled, and he now had to hurry back to his laboratory.

I have been cultivating the bloodline of the three-eyed tiger-eyed cat on the operating table of my simple laboratory for almost two days. I don’t know how it is now and whether it can be used.

(End of this chapter)