boyutpedia Chapter 338 2-Ring Alchemist, Zhan Xun, the scarce 2-Ring Laboratory, Elgar Zhang Gui!
Chapter 338 2-Ring Alchemist, Zhan Xun, the scarce 2-Ring Laboratory, Elgar Zhang Gui!
Chapter 338 Second-Ring Alchemist, Zhan Xun, the scarce Second-Ring Laboratory, Elgar Returns!
Alchemy Department.
Augusto's office.
"Congratulations, Ian. From today onwards, you are a second-circle alchemist recognized by the academy."
Augusto slowly unveiled a document and a badge.
"Thank you, sir."
Ian bowed.
He took the documents and badge.
First, look at the badge.
The front is dark gray with brass edges and the center features the logo of the Alchemy Department—a crossed engraving knife and hammer. Above it floats a star, representing a junior alchemist.
On the back, there is a line of text imprinted.
Alchemy Department, Specialist, 231, Gregorian calendar 3990.
Specialist?
Ian's eyes flickered; he had gained some understanding of the department's hierarchical positions over the past few days.
The lowest rank is Specialist.
Moving up the hierarchy, the order is Senior Specialist, Project Manager, Deputy Minister, and Minister.
The numbers should be serial numbers.
As for the final calendar.
This is the current timeline used by wizards, starting with the beginning of the wizarding world's struggle for supremacy, the death of Metatron, and the split between the black and white wizards.
Today is 3990.
Wearing the badge on his chest, Ian immediately felt his mind clear up; it was also a second-circle sorcerer's artifact.
It can keep the wizard's mind clear at all times.
"As for the benefits of second-circle wizards, they are all in the documents, but I think I'll still tell you about them."
Augusto said slowly.
Ian became more serious as well.
"Advancing to the second-level alchemist and joining the Alchemy Department means you have officially entered the academy's system. That's the first point. From now on, the Alchemy Department will be your support."
Ian nodded.
Before joining, he had no position and could be considered a wandering wizard in the academy.
But now, he also has his own support; behind him is the Alchemy Department.
Within an academy system, the role of a powerful patron is self-evident, and can even be described as extremely important.
"Specific permissions: starting today, every five years, you can exchange one second-ring knowledge from the academy library using magic stones or contribution points. Secondly, your permission to purchase second-ring resources is also activated. You can purchase or exchange two units of elemental crystals and three units of other cultivation resources each month. Other ordinary resources can be purchased normally."
"You haven't advanced yet, so you can exchange for some; it's a benefit period from the academy, but it ends after that," Augusto continued.
what?
Ian was taken aback. Why was there a restriction on elemental crystals?
"Don't make that face. Elemental crystals are an extremely precious resource, and the academy's monthly production is limited, so we naturally have to restrict purchases, otherwise it simply won't be enough." Augusto glanced at him and said, "But don't worry, you can improve your supply through promotions and merits."
"Promotion? Merit?"
Ian was taken aback.
He can understand the former, but he doesn't quite understand the latter.
"Battle merits are a different system from contribution points. The latter mainly refers to what you have done, while the former evaluates whether you have done well or not."
Augusto said, "For example, if you are better than the other few newly promoted second-ring alchemists out of the same number of people, you can get a battle merit during the annual settlement every two years, which can increase your purchase limit, or you may make contributions along the way."
It turned out to be the case.
Ian immediately understood.
This is to prevent people like him from just taking advantage of resources without doing any work.
It seems I need to be more careful in the department from now on.
Having figured this out, Ian turned his attention to another privilege: the ability to exchange for a second-level knowledge every five years.
This is interesting.
Augusto also explained to him in a timely manner: "As for knowledge exchange, five years is roughly the time it takes for a second-circle wizard to master the knowledge. If you want to exchange for more, you can only rely on battle merits."
"I want to remind you that the power of battle merits is beyond your imagination."
He looked at Ian, his gaze turning serious.
"Things like the order in which you accept projects, resources, and the upgrade of your status all depend on your Battle Merit. The higher your Battle Merit rank, the higher your priority. You could say that Battle Merit is the second most important thing in the academy besides your Extraordinary level."
"I understand, Minister."
Ian also realized its importance.
If we accept what he said, then that is indeed the case.
"And the knowledge you need to learn from your alchemical heritage should be almost used up too," Augusto said, looking at him.
Ian nodded.
At that time, the academy, as a reward for his previous advancement to the rank of Grand Scholar, granted him the complete alchemical inheritance of the second-level initial stage.
He was also given a considerable amount of materials to improve his knowledge of these four disciplines, or rather, his sorcery.
It's not that we can't make progress without these special supporting materials, it's just that the speed will be much slower.
Since he improved several skills to proficiency, he only has a portion of these resources left, which he estimates will be used up within a month or two.
He'll have to buy it himself then.
"From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself."
After Augusto finished speaking, he asked, "Ian, how are you feeling about alchemy now? Do you feel like you don't have enough manpower?"
""
Ian nodded.
Although he has only performed a small amount of second-level alchemy, he can already feel the difference from the first level.
The second-ring gold refining process is more complicated and involves more steps.
"After you advance, you can recruit twenty first-level alchemists and fewer than a hundred zero-level alchemists in your department to assist you in alchemy, which will make things much easier," Augusto said.
Ian's eyes lit up.
With so many people, so many preliminary tasks, and so many miscellaneous items, these tasks can be handed over to them.
And this number is quite generous.
So many people.
“Unlike when you were in the first ring, these alchemists are now completely under your control. The academy will pay them a basic salary, but you'll have to pay for anything extra yourself, so you'd better be careful. However, once you advance, you can take on smaller commissioned tasks in the second ring. As long as it's reasonable, you generally won't lose money,” Augusto said.
Ian's lips twitched.
So that's how it is.
But he still had to resort to this tactic, since efficiency was money to him.
It's fair to say that the experience on the Second Ring Road is indeed different from that on the First Ring Road.
Furthermore, Ian can now accept second-ring quests, which is equally important because these quests can earn contribution points.
He needs it.
"What about the laboratory?"
Ian suddenly asked.
Because what he's using now is actually just the laboratory before the first ring, he wants to see the laboratory before the second ring.
"no."
"No?"
Ian's eyes widened.
How could there not be?
"It's not that there aren't any labs in the second ring road, but rather that there aren't enough second ring road labs available for allocation."
Augusto shrugged and explained, "A second-ring alchemy lab requires far too many facilities. Even the most basic setup, such as a core furnace, precision engraving table, multi-dimensional detector, spiritual nurturing chamber, and elemental stabilization array—easily costs over a million magic stones."
"Of course, the academy knows the need, so it has been building facilities one after another, purchasing them from the Gray Tower. However, the review, approval, and construction of the funds take time, and there are really no spares at the moment."
Ian looked unwell.
If an assistant can reduce a lot of his chores and even help him gain benefits.
Then the laboratory is what can truly accelerate his research.
Those large-scale alchemy devices in the second ring can increase his efficiency by at least 30%.
His rate of improvement in proficiency is self-evident.
"But don't worry, a new laboratory should be completed in six months. You can try to get one then. Don't worry, you'll be given a chance."
Augusto said.
"Thank you, sir."
Ian nodded, but he keenly grasped a key word: strive?
"Minister, are there many people in the academy who don't have a second-ring laboratory right now?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Besides you, there should be two other people," Augusto said directly, naturally aware of the department's situation.
Ian's lips twitched.
Competing with alchemists who have been at the top for years or even longer? Interesting.
But since Augusto said he would have a chance, then there should still be a chance, so Ian didn't ask any more questions.
Then Augusto explained to Ian various precautions and rules that needed to be observed in the department.
This also allowed Ian to rediscover the Alchemy Department.
"Today also happens to be another departmental meeting, and this matter will be discussed at the meeting. You can listen to it then."
Augusto slowly rose to his feet.
Is this a departmental meeting?
"Come with me."
Ian nodded and followed Augusto slowly out the door, then arrived at the center of the Alchemy Department.
A three-story building.
Entering the building and going up to the top floor, there is a small room that is only a few dozen square meters in size.
The floor is dark oak, the walls are gray-black stone, and there are gilded lamps on both sides illuminating the room.
In the center was a long table, unfurnished except for a copper ink bottle and a few quill pens.
At the northernmost end is a chair, with eight chairs on each side, occupying only about half of the long table.
Ian also noticed that there was a very new chair at the very end, as if it had just been placed there.
Of course, besides the two of them, some wizards had already arrived. These people all exuded the aura of the second ring and had proof of being second-ring alchemists on their chests.
Ian saw Leo in it.
The intermediate-level alchemist from the same project team as him nodded when he saw him arrive.
"Sit here."
Augusto pointed to the last one and then said.
Ian nodded and sat down.
The wizards present seemed to notice this new face as well, and they all looked him over.
As for being strangers, they weren't really strangers, because most of them had actually met Ian before.
We just don't know each other.
Time passed slowly, and a slightly overweight wizard wearing a blue wizard's robe sat down next to Ian.
"Aston Reed, you must be Ian. I didn't expect you to advance so quickly."
The wizard greeted him.
"Ian."
The two continued chatting casually.
Ian learned about this wizard; he was a second-circle junior alchemist who had been practicing for decades and had his own laboratory.
soon.
The alchemists have all arrived.
Finally, Darwin arrived and took the seat of honor.
There were a total of seventeen people: three senior alchemists, five intermediate alchemists, and nine junior alchemists.
These are all the second-level alchemists in the Alchemy Department at present.
The quantity is not small.
However, considering that this is the accumulation of the academy over a hundred years, it seems that this number is not much at all.
After all, a second-level alchemist's lifespan is already over five hundred years.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin our meeting."
Darwin smiled and looked at the person at the end of the table: "But first of all, we must welcome another second-circle alchemist to the Alchemy Department family. Welcome, Ian Green."
"Hello everyone."
Ian immediately stood up.
Other alchemists also cast their gazes, some with smiles, some calm, and some scrutinizing.
But following Darwin, the crowd still applauded to welcome Ian.
Once everyone quieted down.
Darwin continued, "Then let's continue the meeting. This meeting will still mainly revolve around the Academy War. Our main tasks are still the refining of some emergency resources, as well as the repair missions for those returning from the front lines, etc. There are three relatively urgent tasks, the first one being..."
The mission is divided into three tiers. Damaged second-ring magical artifacts sent back from the front lines must be repaired and returned within three days. This batch of missions will be led by high-level alchemists with intermediate-level support. Dante, you're in charge of the armor; Augusto, you're in charge of the airship core.
He glanced at Augusto to his left and an old man with a hooked nose on the other side, the academy's third-highest alchemist.
"And some batch crafting tasks, which are handled by a few intermediate alchemists and some junior alchemists, and finally some simple repair tasks."
Darwin arranged things methodically.
Although it had basically nothing to do with Ian, he still listened carefully.
"Oh, a new laboratory will be completed in about six months. There should be three more people who meet the requirements."
After finishing one point, Darwin suddenly said...
Ian sat up straight, as did a middle-aged wizard with green eyes and a gaunt wizard with sharp eyes sitting opposite him.
"If we were following the old rules, we would have ranked them according to their merits, but we won't do that this time."
After he finished speaking, he saw the gaunt wizard's brows furrow noticeably, indicating that the wizard was quite senior.
"Because what the academy needs right now are truly capable and excellent alchemists, whose skill level must be up to par, so it will still be a competition of alchemy skills. At that time, we will compete on the most basic elemental crystal refining. Whoever is better will be able to take over this new laboratory."
Darwin looked at the wizards present and said.
Elemental crystals?
Ian's eyes flickered. He had already started this before. The reason he chose this was because it was the most commonly used in the second ring. It could be used for alchemical puppets, witch arrays, and alchemical equipment.
At this time.
The way the three of them looked at each other changed.
Especially the green-eyed wizard and the gaunt wizard, while Ian was ignored by them.
After Darwin finished speaking, he moved on to a new topic; for him, it was just a minor matter.
The meeting continued.
The meeting ended half an hour later.
"Hello, Ian, I am..."
'
Several wizards left, but a few others came up to greet Ian, and Ian responded to each of them.
"Ian, there's a salon for our junior alchemists in a week. Would you like to come?" Aston asked.
"I suggest you come, because basically everyone comes here whenever they have free time to exchange experiences, tasks, and so on."
"OK."
'
Ian nodded.
This is the first time a salon has been held in the Second Ring Road area.
Leave the meeting room.
Ian returned to the lab to rest.
Organize your thoughts.
"The most important thing right now is to compete for the laboratory."
Ian pondered.
Although the two men didn't take him seriously, he knew he needed the lab.
Because this greatly affects the speed at which his talent improves.
We must strive for it.
There is no room for negotiation. If you miss this opportunity, it's uncertain how long it will take to get it again next time.
Next is to assemble the experimental team. Even if the first-stage laboratory is small, the core personnel can be assembled first.
This can help him a lot.
"There's a lot going to happen next."
Ian sighed. He had been quite relaxed before, but after talking with Augusto today, he felt a bit more at ease.
He then realized that this was the time when he would truly have to fight tooth and nail.
Military merit, knowledge, resources, laboratory...
In the blink of an eye.
Three days have passed.
His core team was also assembled.
Thea, a first-ring advanced alchemist; Hayden and Finney, both former members of his lab, first-ring intermediate alchemists; and then zero-ring alchemists, about twenty people in total.
There wasn't anything more.
After all, he's only just started out; we'll see how things go.
And then...
Ian accepted the academy's quest for elemental crystals. This quest was a long-standing one at the academy, but only second-ring beginner alchemists were qualified to accept it. Previously, he had been using crystals from his own mine.
His assistants handled the preprocessing, while he was responsible for the core parts.
The laboratory was soon up and running.
And at that very moment.
Elgar and Alberto also returned to the Grey Tower.
Get off the airship.
Elgar went straight to the main building of the Glorious Branch.
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