Chapter 122 - 110: 35 people, 78 guns_3
So far, four ‘papers’ have been published and four ‘patents’ owned.
Economically, he’s already surpassed the rank of the New Blood.
From his exposure, he worked part-time at Serene Wizard’s potion shop during the holidays. Although not worldly, he is far from a typical Storm Sea New Blood.
In summary, I think we need to take this matter seriously.”
As his words concluded, silence fell in the conference room for a moment.
As local apprentices, everyone present had always looked down on the Storm Sea New Blood.
Even many high-level witches from the Storm Sea felt the same.
Because most high-level wizards’ offspring considered themselves local apprentices and looked down even more on the bumpkins from the Storm Sea. Therefore, whenever new blood talent emerged in the Southern District, it would be suppressed, either openly or secretly, by the local apprentices from the North District.
This time, the “Pure Blood Will” had aligned their thinking early on.
Everyone else, like Lanny Taylor, could be set aside for now. The focus should be on eliminating Link Grande.
“What’s the plan?”
Vice president Henry Johnson, ranked second, asked, “The format of the interdistrict competition is random. If it’s a one-on-one battle or exploring secret realms, that’s easy. But what if it’s a single-person survival challenge or research topic?”
This was indeed a problem.
Not to mention them, even their backing families couldn’t influence the format of the interdistrict competition.
Getting the form and content of the competition in advance was impossible.
Third-ranked Merck Percival and fourth-ranked Bobby Smith were also perplexed with this aspect and all looked at Tiffany Colonna for an explanation. To their question, Tiffany Colonna said indifferently, “There’s no specific plan. Convey the intention first to the first-year participants of the interdistrict competition, um… pick out those with strong combat capabilities and exceptional research abilities. Let them know and we’ll discuss the others before the competition starts.”
“Alright, I’ll take charge of this.”
Hawk Lucia was very proactive and volunteered to do it.
Although he and Sophie Lucia weren’t close, even rivals for resources within the family, he genuinely didn’t want to deal with the trouble she caused.
But this was a task given by Zoran Lucia, the Third Level Wizard in the Lucia family who has the best chance to become a Sage in recent years.
Hawk Lucia had no choice but to do it, and do it enthusiastically.
Even if he couldn’t win Zoran Lucia’s favor, he mustn’t provoke any ill will.
The other vice presidents, Henry Johnson, Merck Percival, Bobby Smith would rather avoid this troublesome matter.
So it was settled.
The meeting moved on to the next agenda item.
In the laboratory.
Link sorted out the 20 Zero Ring witchcrafts, picked out the seven that he no longer needed to research the Rule Runes, unrolled the scrolls one by one and familiarized himself with the magical blueprints.
Afterwards, he told Jasmine and went to the seventh floor.
More than two hours passed.
The seven Zero Ring witchcrafts, with Link’s own qualifications and talent for spellcasting, were successfully mastered.
Link also practiced the 12 witchcrafts he had firmly grasped once.
He had a strong premonition that the opportunity for the secondary misty rain technique, water shield spell, and thorn entanglement to advance to the “Breakthrough” was coming.
So, in prior to the start of the spring term, other matters could wait. The priority is to practice witchcraft.
He went downstairs and called Jasmine, who was absorbed in practicing refining the Glasswort Series potions, to have lunch in the cafeteria.
People are iron, rice is steel. If you don’t eat, you’ll feel weak.
Even if you want to progress, even if you work hard, you can’t skip meals.
The body is the basis for everything.
In the cafeteria, five gentlemen were eagerly waiting at the seat Link and Jasmine usually sat. Seeing Link, they were thrilled.
“What’s up?”
Link put down his tray and asked indifferently.
“Boss…”
The boss of the gentlemen showed a sad expression, “Boss, you have never asked our names. Do we mean so little to you?”
The other four gentlemen also began to act, almost simultaneously showing their heartbroken faces.
What a bunch of clowns!
Link sighed inwardly, then said, “I know your names.”
“I don’t believe it!”
The oldest among them was visibly excited, his voice raucously loud, “Unless ourbossasksus!”
Dinner had not yet officially begun, so Link decided to indulge the five brothers in their foolishness and playfully responded with a joke only he could understand, “If I call, would you dare respond?”
“Of course!”
The eldest didn’ t know why Link asked this question, but he answered very decisively. The other four consecutively nodded their heads, like pounding garlic.
A fleeting shadow of disappointment passed Link’s eyes, unnoticed even by Jasmine. However, he quickly regained his spirits and yelled, “Dalton Collen.” “Hey, here I am.”
The towering brother lifted his hand as though being called upon by Link was an immense honor.
“Ezio Richie.”
“Here, here!”
“Digee Finley.”
Boss, please feel free to command.”
“Lynn Hewitt.”
Hello, Boss. Nice to meet you, please take care of me.”
Once Link had finished calling the names of the four brothers, he purposely teased the eldest, remaining silent.
The elder, anxious and restless like an ant on a hot pan, nevertheless dared not to urge him aloud.
“Okay, Link, stop teasing him.”
Jasmine, seated across from him, couldn’t bear it anymore and interrupted Link’s mischief.
“Thanks, Boss…”
Grateful for Jasmine’s “righteous intervention”, the elder was just about to pile the praises on when…
One look from Link sent chills down his old spine, and the elder swallowed back his words.
However, the eldest was street-smart; he quickly changed his tone: “Thank you, Miss Boss, thank you, Miss Boss.”
Seeing the elder’s willingness to adapt, Link didn’t make too much fuss.
A small slip of the tongue or even with an intention to do so, all were minor details.
The bottom line was that after careful consideration and comparison, these five brothers had sincerely decided to pledge their loyalty and show their friendliness to Link.
The events over the holiday had made Link reconsider some of his views.
He thought that perhaps taking these five brothers under his wing, not as underlings, but as partners who could be cultivated and grow together might be a good thing. ’
After all, a single tree does not make a forest.
A genius like Wizard Palo needs to closely unite partners like the Serene Wizard and the Wizard Cody.
A wizard with a good family background like Peter Lionel also needs to hold around Zoran Lucia.
Link contemplated for a while, then said seriously, “Buck Watt, I can more or less guess why you are waiting for me today, but let me be clear in advance I do not accept followers.”
Buck Watt, also the elder, got nervous hearing this.
Before Buck Watt had a chance to declare his allegiance, Link raised his right
hand, stopping him from speaking and continued:
“If you appreciate me, Link Grande, and want to grow together as partners, advancing and retreating together, then I welcome you.
But if you want to put me on a pedestal and have me serve as a figurehead, charging ahead while you all cheer from the back and reap the benefits, then I suggest you abandon this idea as soon as possible.
Otherwise, there might be a time when we may end up killing each other!” Link outlined this bottom line with great candor, then began eating his meal saying nothing further.
He left time for the five brothers to consider.
The brothers were tactful and did not disturb Link and Jasmine while they dined.
They waited until Link put down his knife and fork, tidied up his mouth with a napkin, then simultaneously shouted, “Boss, we follow you!”
Link simply nodded his head without further comment.
He didn’t believe in oaths and curses.
The truth about people and horses comes out over the course of a long journey together. y
Over time, through practical actions, the truth would reveal itself.
However, just before the new term began, finding new partners indeed made him very happy.
After all, a new journey was about to start.