Under the gaze of the two academic powers, fine beads of sweat appeared on Francis's forehead.

No matter whom he agreed with, he would definitely offend the other person.

Just as Francis was thinking about what to do now, Halen Vera suddenly said to Lady Morgana, "How about making a trade? You give Locke to me, and I'll withdraw from competing for the magical plant garden maintenance project at Verdant Nursery."

"That magical plant garden project should not only include the energy garden section, but also a large portion of the magical plant weapon garden section. If I compete, the chances of winning between you and me are fifty-fifty each."

"No, my winning rate is even slightly higher than yours. Lady Morgana, your research on energy magical plants is indeed very deep. No one in the southeastern quadrant can surpass you."

"But Verdant Nursery is a medium-scale white wizard organization. Compared to energy magical plants, they'll be more concerned with multi-functional magical plants, such as those that both provide energy and offer spell protection as well as spell attacks."

"After all, their organization doesn't have much money. For wizard organizations without sufficient resources, they usually tend more toward pursuing multi-functional magical plants."

"You see, this deal is very cost-effective for you."

Lady Morgana looked at Halen Vera strangely, "You have so many geniuses under you, why must you compete with me for one student?"

"That magical plant garden maintenance project is at least at the 100,000 magic stones level, enough for your students to live off for a long time. You won't fight for their interests, but actually voluntarily withdraw from commercial competition with my research group for a student who doesn't belong to you?"

Halen Vera nodded very seriously. "I really want to teach a genius like Locke Augustine. Besides, Locke is your student's student. Ethically speaking, it's also inappropriate for him to become your student again."

"But he is ultimately your student's student, still within your relationship network. You're not losing out by giving him to me."

The expression on Lady Morgana's face changed again and again. She really began to consider it. She herself could sense Halen Vera's emphasis on Locke. The resources Locke could obtain in the past might even be more than under her.

Secondly, Lady Morgana was different from Halen Vera. She placed more emphasis on the overall interests of all students.

A project starting at at least 100,000 magic stones, she really wanted to secure it firmly in hand. This way, those students under her could publish many papers based on this project and earn quite a lot of resources.

At least enough for some of her students to live off for more than five years.

Lady Morgana hesitated, then said to Halen Vera, "Wizard Vera, I didn't expect you'd still be so fond of directing all resources toward one super genius."

"Those ordinary students under you are really pitiful. Fine, I agree to the exchange."

Lady Morgana added, "Before Sophia left, since she didn't recommend me to the academy, I probably understand her meaning."

"Then the deal is made." Halen Vera curved his lips and sarcastically said, "Just that Lady Morgana, you care so much about the ordinary students under you, so why is the depression rate among your students still so high every year?"

"I heard that quite a few students under you have even developed the bad habit of inhaling Iborg Pepper Water. Some of your students are really too pitiful."

Senior Advisor Francis wiped the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief and quickly mediated between the two who already had rising tempers. "You two, calm down."

"How about this, I'll treat you to a meal at the Witch Kitchen today."

Lady Morgana snorted coldly, turned and walked away, leaving the room.

After Lady Morgana left, Halen Vera shook his head slightly, "No matter how many years pass, she still has this temper."

Senior Advisor Francis smiled bitterly. "She's already much better."

"Lady Morgana's temper ten years ago was even worse than now..."

Halen Vera said, "Let me be the host at the Witch Kitchen. I'll treat you and Locke."

"Advisor Francis, help me invite Locke Augustine."

Senior Advisor Francis looked at Halen Vera in surprise. "You value one student this much? After all, he's just a newly promoted first-class wizard apprentice. He's still very far from our formal wizard world."

"You actually want to treat him to a meal."

"Isn't this treatment a bit too high? For him, isn't it still too early?"

Halen Vera didn't speak.

Senior Advisor Francis shook his head slightly and muttered in a low voice that only he could hear, "Still the same fondness for super geniuses."

Francis knew that for someone like Halen Vera who was a severe super genius collector, Locke Augustine had an irresistible magic for him. Halen Vera simply couldn't possibly give up obtaining Locke.

Therefore, Francis actually had some inclination in his heart just now to allocate Locke to Halen Vera.

Moreover, Witch Sophia had also hinted at this choice to him intentionally or unintentionally before leaving the academy.

Senior Advisor Francis said, "Alright, I'll try to invite Augustine."

...

Two days later, Locke received a reward of 15,000 magic stones, of which 1,000 magic stones were the Rising Star of Breeding Studies reward.

In addition, Locke also formally signed a large-scale procurement order worth 50,000 magic stones through Zack, which was a total purchase of 500 Perseus Eye Lichen plants.

This quantity was relatively large after all, since the minimum usage requirement for Perseus Eye Lichen must be a first-class wizard apprentice.

Five hundred Perseus Eye Lichen plants were enough to withstand multiple large-scale fierce battles and restrain all the enemy's curse magic in these fierce battles.

Thus, Locke's fund pool suddenly became 65,000 magic stones.

He could completely take out 10,000 to 20,000 magic stones to cultivate Perseus Eye Lichen to complete the delivery task. The remaining magic stones could all be used to invest in himself.

Since he temporarily didn't need to go out on operations, Locke decided to use this huge sum entirely to purchase magical resources needed to advance to formal wizard.

"Of course, I can also take out a small portion to invest in researching Beholder Lord Potion and mass-producing Large Green Owl Banana." Locke pondered. "Large Green Owl Banana can earn me another huge sum."

"Money is definitely better the more you have. After I become a formal wizard, there will also be a whole bunch of places where I'll need money. The magic vine technology I've accumulated, invisible magic vines can also be planted and sold in a batch to earn money."

"Just upgrade the Super Mandrake Vines magic field to Invisible Mandrake Vines. This isn't difficult."

"Moreover, Super Mandrake Vines is currently just ten acres. If upgraded to Invisible Mandrake Vines, the advantage over Tiflo Root Vines will be even more obvious, and the market share will be larger. It can completely expand to thirty acres and completely erase Tiflo Root Vines' survival space from the market."

"With my current strength, I also don't need to worry about attracting unnecessary attention."

"Also, I need to quickly exchange the wizard secret realm resources I have on hand. I've already accumulated enough."

He looked at the two bottles of Hive Mind Potion in the exquisite vacuum crystal potion box placed on his table.

Locke opened a vacuum crystal potion box, then unscrewed the Hive Mind Potion and drank it all down in one gulp.

Immediately, the medicinal effect took effect in his body.

His mana was rapidly rising.