Chapter 214: Not a Pet, a Familiar

Just as expected.

Under everyone's astonished gazes, Steel Wool flew a lap over the ocean surface before flying back to perch on Lan Qingyou's shoulder, carefully setting Little Spoon down there as well.

"Squeak!"

Little Spoon was not having it at all. The little rat immediately turned and burrowed against Lan Qingyou's chest, only poking its tiny head out to peek at the large crowd of people outside.

It was safe to say that ever since being taken in by Lan Qingyou, it had never seen so many people at once. The little creature was quite frightened.

Steel Wool, on the other hand, looked completely indifferent, its gaze even carrying a hint of condescension as it looked down from above.

However, perhaps because it looked so adorable, or maybe because of its large, round eyes, that contemptuous glare somehow gave off the distinct, goofy vibe of a husky.

"Ah, are these your pets? They are so cute!"

Upon seeing the two little guys, Vivian, the High Priestess, immediately hurried over with a delighted expression, wanting to pet them.

Gu Xiaobei, however, had already seen them before. Since she was currently busy preparing food, she just took a quick glance before walking into the kitchen.

She was about to cook, so to keep her hands clean, she gave up the urge to give them a good petting.

Professionalism. No further explanation needed.

"They are not pets. They are familiars."

Lan Qingyou extended her arm, letting Steel Wool hop onto it before offering the bird to Vivian.

"A familiar?"

Vivian carefully received Steel Wool and gently stroked its slicked-back head feathers, her eyes curving into happy crescents as she smiled.

"It is a monster that has formed a bond through a Contract Magic Circle. This one is an Aurora Snowy Owl named Steel Wool. And this slightly shy white rat is Little Spoon."

"Steel Wool, Little Spoon... I wonder if I could buy that Contract Magic Circle for familiars? I will offer five tons of alchemical materials."

"Sure, it is no big deal anyway."

Understanding that the other woman also wanted to get an adorable familiar, Lan Qingyou was incredibly generous and agreed to the sale without hesitation.

Of course, this did not mean Lan Qingyou was simply being charitable.

The main reason was that she wanted to spread the Contract Magic Circle around to facilitate her future business layout.

After all, she still possessed an ancient tree branch at home that could attract, pacify, and tame flying monsters.

Who would not love a flying familiar?

Therefore, not only Vivian, but everyone else who heard the news gathered around to join in the fun.

Lan Qingyou refused no one.

Anyone who wanted one purchased a familiar Contract Magic Circle from her.

"Speaking of which, I took a look at your Teleportation Array last night. While the concept of mana displacement is quite good, the consumption is far too high. Furthermore, the plastic paper acting as the main body is far too coarse; it simply cannot withstand such a massive, instantaneous ignition."

While waiting for Gu Xiaobei to prepare breakfast, a bored Lan Qingyou picked up her fishing rod. As she gazed at the calm ocean surface, she spoke to David, the Magician, who was standing beside her. He was dressed in a burgundy double-breasted tailcoat and trousers, wearing a top hat and polished leather shoes, with a short rod resting next to him.

This plain-looking short rod with a white tip and black body was the world-class item, the Element Staff, crafted from the branches of the World Tree, which he had obtained after developing the Demon Race.

Her words not only caught the Magician's attention but also drew the interest of the rest of the group.

This was a perfectly normal academic discussion within Tarot Manor.

And as long as it was an academic discussion, everyone loved to participate.

This could be considered one of the few common topics shared among the manor's members.

Thus, when Lan Qingyou brought up such an intriguing subject, the several people around them perked up their ears and simultaneously began to ponder it themselves.

Naturally, they were not pondering the Teleportation Array, but rather magic arrays in general.

Based on the applications demonstrated by Lan Qingyou and David, magic arrays were highly adaptable. In many situations, they could be used like modular building blocks—moved and placed wherever they were needed.

Therefore, they also hoped to develop a type of magic array perfectly suited to their own constitutions.

Learning from advanced experience was never a bad thing, so listening closely now was definitely the right move.

"I am aware of that issue, but I simply have not found a suitable medium yet. Everyone was in a hurry to enter the dungeon, so I used that thing as a temporary measure."

The Magician offered a bitter smile and shook his head. What else could he do? He was feeling pretty helpless about it too.

As the original developer, how could the Magician not be clear about the flaws Lan Qingyou pointed out? But in his haste, the only alternatives to paper he could think of were tank armor plates or metal alloys.

Yet, no matter which one he chose, ultimately none could withstand the immense, instantaneous burst of mana displacement.

"Actually, I think you could try using this formula and see how it goes."

As she spoke, Lan Qingyou took out a pen and paper, jotted down a list of materials and their corresponding ratios, then tore the sheet off and handed it to the Magician.

Lan Qingyou was never someone who only knew how to run her mouth.

As the person who raised the issue, she naturally had her own set of solutions. As to whether it could genuinely solve the problem, that would require some empirical testing.

"This is..."

After taking the formula and reviewing the required materials, the Magician looked at Lan Qingyou in confusion.

"This is..."

After taking the formula and reviewing the required materials, the Magician looked at Lan Qingyou in confusion.

"It is the crafting formula for the base I need for alchemy. Regrettably, I lack Mithril ore, so I am currently unable to craft an alchemy base myself. As for whether it can be used as the base for a Teleportation Array, I cannot say for certain."

While speaking, Lan Qingyou retrieved an alchemy base to show him.

Since she was traveling, these items were absolutely essential.

Especially after tasting the benefits of brewing potions on the spot before their previous major battle, there was absolutely no way Lan Qingyou would leave behind the tools of her trade.

"Mithril ore... That is indeed a tricky problem. However, whether it works or not can wait; at the very least, we have a direction now. Thank you."

The Magician nodded.

In research, the greatest fear was not heading in the wrong direction, but having no direction whatsoever.

Having no direction meant wandering aimlessly like a headless fly, an agonizing feeling that was no less excruciating than an author facing writer's block.

"You are welcome. Just remember to give me a twenty percent cut of the technology shares as dividends if it succeeds."

"..."

The Magician was somewhat speechless, but since she had indeed provided the technical knowledge, it was perfectly reasonable for her to ask for a share.

Of course, that was provided this formula actually worked—or rather, he would only pay up if her 'concept' proved genuinely useful.

In truth, he was not the only one left speechless; the others who had been pricking up their ears to listen to the discussion felt just as dumbfounded.

They just wanted to make a little progress in their own knowledge. How did you two suddenly jump straight to finalizing project proposals?

Was it even possible to have a proper learning environment around here anymore?

Still, having a solution was undeniably a good thing, so they all wanted to see what kind of formula Lan Qingyou had given the Magician.

As a result, upon hearing Lan Qingyou demand a twenty percent technological stake, every single one of their open mouths slowly clamped shut.

This was no longer a matter of money.

Nor was it a matter of technology.

It was that those two had elevated the conversation to a commercial level, meaning that if the others wanted to speak up, they would have to offer something of equal value.

Otherwise, they would basically be stealing commercial secrets.

Even though they were all researchers and rather insensitive to most commercial matters, they understood basic boundaries.

But researchers had to eat too, and to eat, they had to find ways to make money. They certainly did not lack resources, but that did not mean they could shamelessly open their mouths and demand things from others for free.