Chapter 439: Attraction and Co-option

After looking over the new Magic Mirror products from the Tilake Research Lab, Xia Duo asked about the production status of the lab's Magic Scrolls; under the new model, there must be quite an outstanding result.

Regarding this, Tilake pulled Sami over from the side, "My lord, Sami is mainly responsible for the Magic Scroll production; it is better to let him explain it more clearly."

"Hmm?" Xia Duo turned to face Sami, casting an inquiring gaze.

Seeing that he was being asked, Sami immediately introduced, "Because the research lab is currently mainly conducting research on Permanent Magic, the scroll output has not reached maximum efficiency. It is mainly in Zero-Ring Magic Scrolls that the research lab has already taken on all relevant tasks for the Tower of Time, and while the output of 1st Circle and 2nd Circle Magic Scrolls is relatively low, compared to other Mages, it is not low either."

Pausing for a moment, Sami said with some hesitation, "Recently, quite a few Mages have come to inquire about the research lab's scroll output, but none of us said anything!"

"..."

You are supposed to tell them!

Xia Duo felt a sense of "hate that iron does not become steel"; this was not some secret, as the Intermediate Mages of the Tower of Time all knew about it, but they found it hard to make up their minds to transform. It was likely that those coming to inquire were just Primary Mages who wanted to strike out on their own.

"Next time someone comes to ask, just tell them directly that Apprentices can also participate in the manufacturing of 1st Circle, 2nd Circle, or even higher-ring Magic Scrolls."

Not just the initial drawing, but even during the later stages of spellcasting to Link Magic Web, an Official Mage can lead and perform Cooperative Resonance Casting to reduce their own consumption.

Distributing work that can be delegated as far down as possible, while doing only the most critical parts oneself, can maximize profits.

In essence, this is the profit margin caused by the difference in labor costs between an Advanced Mage and a grassroots Mage. Of course, the increase in efficiency will also increase the profit ratio.

And the Advanced Mages who have tasted the sweetness will certainly strive to improve the Spellcasting Level of their subordinates; even if they do not do so, at least they will no longer have a resistant mentality toward the improvement of their subordinates.

Of course, grassroots Mages are not entirely the exploited party; being able to participate in high-end production itself increases their own labor value, and the high-end Knowledge they come into contact with during the production process is something that was hard to obtain in the past.

The only concern is whether the Tower of Time has enough grassroots Mages available to be driven.

After giving Sami a few pointers, Xia Duo prepared to leave. The Tilake Research Lab was basically on the right track, and he only needed to come over and check on it from time to time; for now, it was better not to disturb them from continuing their work.

"By the way, Aideliqi, come with me."

Calling for Aideliqi, Xia Duo left the Tilake Research Lab, but he did not walk very far before stopping outside the lab. When Aideliqi came out, he asked:

"I saw your brother's name on the Progress Society personnel list; why didn't he join the Tilake Research Lab?"

In fact, for members of the Progress Society to join the Tilake Research Lab had basically become an unspoken default, especially for Official Mages, who were exactly what the research lab urgently needed.

Regarding this question, Aideliqi appeared somewhat bashful, as if he had turned into his brother Aidelian at that moment, and his speech was a bit stumbling, "Xia Duo, my brother said there are too many people in the Tilake Research Lab, and he wants to start a research lab of his own."

Speaking of this, Xia Duo suddenly realized that he seemed to have forgotten something before: besides his daughter Niya, Lord Aipusi had four students—Leonard, Bo Te, Aidelian, and Saixili.

Among them, Leonard was the one who brought Xia Duo into the Tower of Time and was also the most talented of the four; he was already an Intermediate Mage at that time.

Bo Te was the son of Keyaan, the military director of Savile Territory, while Aidelian was Aideliqi's own brother and also the son of Dailike, the Commercial Director of Savile Territory.

As for Saixili, she was Niya's housekeeper and also the daughter of the housekeeper of Lord Aipusi—Saier Town Mayor.

However, ever since Niya took over the Tower of Time, these four people, except for Saixili who became the Material Supervisor, had almost no presence at all.

Perhaps they felt their status was somewhat awkward and were deliberately keeping a low profile.

But Xia Duo would not let go of any "idle" Mage, and upon hearing Aideliqi say that his brother wanted to start a research lab himself, Xia Duo knew the opportunity had come.

It was not just about getting the old lord's students back on track; more importantly, Aidelian was a Primary Mage, and letting him establish a separate research lab might further stimulate other Primary Mages.

Of course, Aidelian must have gone through a certain amount of examination to join the Progress Society; it could be said that everyone in the Progress Society had the potential to become an Arcanist, they just lacked a little opportunity.

Other Primary Mages might not necessarily be like this, but they could still become Advanced Technicians leading a production team, which also aligned with Xia Duo's philosophy of division of labor and cooperation.

After all, it was impossible for everyone to go into research, and not everyone was suited for research.

Right now, since Aidelian had the idea of establishing a separate research lab, Xia Duo was certainly supportive. Looking at Aideliqi, he announced a piece of news that should have been released long ago:

"Go back and tell Aidelian that the Tower of Time supports Primary Mages establishing research labs, and this is a resolution that was already passed at the previous meeting of all Intermediate Mages of the Tower of Time."

The resolution had indeed been passed long ago, but Xia Duo, considering the intensity of the transformation, had not implemented it fully; only Tilake had jumped the gun early.

This time, it was launching the bus again.

However, while expressing his support, Xia Duo also gave his own advice: "Establishing a research lab must have its own subject; I hope that while Aidelian is working on his subject, he does not forget the improvement of his Spellcasting Level."

Spending one's whole life muddled among Primary Mages was certainly a dead end; whether for the purpose of pursuing truth, or pursuing profit, power, and strength, leveling up and even advancing to an Arcanist was a mandatory choice.

Aideliqi nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "I will notify Aidelian right now!"

"You go notify him, I have other matters to attend to, so I'm leaving."

Leonard's residence.

Leonard was very surprised by Xia Duo's sudden visit, but he quickly invited Xia Duo in. After taking a seat, Leonard asked first: "I wonder what business Mage Xia Duo has with me?"

"Nothing much, just catching up on old times."

The current Xia Duo could already speak to Leonard like this. In the past, Leonard had brought him into the Tower of Time, and he was an existence he looked up to, but now he had already surpassed the other party in Magic attainments, and his status and position had also changed.

Recalling the past along this journey, Xia Duo felt quite a bit of emotion; this fate was truly wonderful!

However, while Xia Duo could be nostalgic and emotional, Leonard revealed a bitter smile; it was hard for anyone to remain calm when seeing someone who was once inferior to them surpass them in every aspect.

"Mage Xia Duo, stop joking, just say what you have to say; everyone's time is very precious!"

Once these words were out, Xia Duo immediately understood that it would be difficult for him and Leonard to become friends. Of course, he did not feel much regret; after all, the two sides did not have much friendship to begin with, and the other party bringing him into the Tower of Time was also just following orders.

But even if they could not become friends, it did not hinder their normal dealings; the superior-subordinate relationship still existed.

Thinking of this, Xia Duo could not help but speak seriously: "Mage Leonard, what is your take on the new production model of the Tilake Research Lab?"