Since they couldn't immediately resolve the complex Magic Plant Curse afflicting that patient, Locke and the other two had no choice but to set him aside for now and focus on treating the other First Class Wizard Apprentices who had fallen victim to the Curse.
By evening, Locke was preparing to leave the Healing Hand Clinic when he ran into Senior Zach halfway.
Locke waved at Zach. "Senior Zach, did you need something from me?"
Zach's smile widened upon seeing Locke. "If I'm looking for you in such a hurry, it must be urgent. I wanted to discuss the second Academy Centralized Procurement contract for the Crystal Palmfire Lotus."
"Let's head to the Witch's Kitchen—we can go over the details there. They've recently added a new dessert called [Joy Mille-Feuille], made by extracting seven different types of joyful emotions from ordinary people. It costs 10 Magic Stones per piece, and today, I'll treat you as an exception."
Zach then turned to Angulo and Essie, giving them a polite but distant nod in greeting.
Angulo and Essie watched the exchange with surprise. Angulo lowered her voice and asked Locke, "Locke, centralized procurement? Your work got into the Academy Centralized Procurement? And this is the second time?"
Essie also stared at Locke, her expression conveying the feeling of two coworkers who had once toiled side by side, only to realize one of them had secretly struck gold.
After all, in the beginning, Locke had even relied on consulting them daily for many Potionology-related questions.
Neither of them had expected that Locke would turn out to be a true genius in Breeding Studies—so much so that his brilliance was almost blinding to them.
Locke gave a slight nod and explained in a hushed tone, "Yes, it's one of my works in Breeding Studies. It seems the Academy has taken notice."
"I'll head off now. See you tomorrow."
Angulo and Essie belatedly returned his farewell. Only after Locke and Zach had left did Essie let out a bitter chuckle.
"No wonder Senior Angron approached Locke for a conversation. He really is a genius among Breeders."
"Then why did he come to the Healing Hand Clinic to be a nobody? Wouldn't it have been better to focus on being a Breeder?"
Angulo also wore a wry smile before replying, "What's the point of overthinking it? At the very least, we're friends with a Breeding genius."
"And we're even part of the same team in the Healing Hand Clinic. That's all we need to know."
"It's nothing but an advantage for us."
Essie laughed. "You're right."
"Who would've thought that Locke, who's always so easygoing in the office, is actually such an incredible Breeder? I always thought he was just an ordinary Breeder Assistant—he doesn't even have a Breeder Certificate yet."
...
Inside the Witch's Kitchen, Zach once again used his Gourmet Badge to order a spread of dishes prepared by the Flavorist, including the 10-Magic-Stone Joy Mille-Feuille.
Locke watched as a delicate, seven-colored mille-feuille, placed right in the center of an oversized white porcelain plate, was brought before him. At that moment, he knew Zach had come to ask him for a favor.
Locke turned to Zach. "Senior, is there something you need my help with?"
Senior Zach was taken aback for a moment before smiling. "As expected of Locke, you're very sharp. That's indeed the case."
"The Academy... ahem, and I, would like you to maintain the production line for Crystal Palmfire Lotuses."
Locke frowned slightly. "Well, with Academy orders, I'd naturally maintain it and could even expand further."
"After all, the Academy recently approved another medium-sized Plantation for me."
"I could open up another hundred acres of Magical Fields. But without orders, there's no way I could maintain it."
Zach looked somewhat awkward. "That's precisely the issue. The Academy plans to purchase another 2,000 Crystal Palmfire Lotuses as resource reserves and for developing new Spell platforms."
"But afterward, we'd need you to maintain at least a hundred acres of Crystal Palmfire Lotus production capacity, so you can quickly supply when the Academy needs to make purchases."
Locke frowned in dissatisfaction. "Senior Zach, you should know this is impossible, right?"
"I refuse. You know, Senior Zach, this violates the principle of fair trade. I also have a Wizard Mentor."
"I'm afraid if my Wizard Mentor hears about this, they'd laugh at me."
Zach coughed awkwardly. He also found it absurd—this was just one of those outrageous demands from Academy higher-ups who were used to administrative work.
Yet, such an unreasonable request had fallen to him to tentatively bring up.
But as the person in charge, he had to steel himself and try again. "Of course, the Academy higher-ups aren't forcing you. If you're unwilling, the Academy can't compel you."
"Rest assured, this is just a small suggestion. Even if you refuse, it won't affect future orders or collaboration between you and the Academy."
Zach laughed it off, trying to soothe Locke's displeasure. "It's just about maintaining the production line. Normally, you could still sell those Crystal Palmfire Lotuses to shops in the Chimera Market."
"For example, to my junior, Shopkeeper Yuli."
Locke shook his head. "Then I'd only need to maintain twenty acres of Magical Fields for Crystal Palmfire Lotuses."
"That's enough for the Chimera Market's monthly demand. As I said, if you want me to retain production capacity, you need to keep giving me orders."
"There's no such thing as expecting me to maintain a production line without spending money." Locke explained, "Maintaining a production line means I'd have to invest resources into those hundred acres of Magical Fields every month."
"Maintaining the Magical Fields."
"The Weather Control Device costs a thousand Magic Stones in monthly rent—500 for the device itself and 500 for energy usage. If I only maintain twenty acres, I could save four hundred Magic Stones on Weather Control Device expenses."
"Secondly, Magic Plants are crops. Once they mature, they must be harvested, or their quality will suffer. Harvesting means storage, and storage costs money."
"These costs would all fall on me. That's not how things work." Locke continued, "Setting that aside, there's also my personal time investment. I'd need to spend at least two to three hours daily on those hundred acres of Magical Fields."
"Occasionally, when problems arise, I have to spend an entire day carefully directing those slaves to maintain my plantation."
Locke took a sip of Anglula Fragrant Tea and then said, "So no matter how you look at it, if the academy doesn't give me orders, I'll have to shut down some of my Magical Fields."
"If you want me to maintain production capacity, you'll have to place orders with me."
"Besides, I still need to develop the fourth Magic Plant."
When Zach heard that Locke was still working on a new Magic Plant, his eyes immediately lit up. He knew that any Magic Plant produced by a genius Breeder like Locke was guaranteed to be top quality. So, with a brightened gaze, he could only try his best to soothe Locke and calm him down.
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right. It's the senior who doesn't understand the situation."
"Don't worry, we would never force such a thing," Zach said with a smile. "Rest assured, your senior will handle these minor troubles for you."
"This is part of my job as the person in charge of procuring Magic Plants. My role is to serve talented Breeders like you."
Zach grinned and added, "Here's a contract for ten thousand Magic Stones. I've already brought them with me—payment can be made right now."
"Junior, calm down, calm down. It's just those administrative higher-ups who don't know what they're doing… completely unprofessional, amateurs trying to dictate to the experts…"
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