Chapter 518: The Value of the Great Knowledge Seed
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 518: The Value of the Great Knowledge Seed
After gaining some inspiration from the Academy Dean regarding the construction of the "firewall" for the Tree of Great Knowledge, I decided not to disturb them any further.
As for the information grading of the Identification Art and changing the appearance of the Knowledge Shadow, I already had a few ideas. I didn't need much help from the Dean for those, whereas the firewall was something I knew absolutely nothing about.
Having discussed it with her, I now had a general direction to follow, allowing me to build my own security protections on that foundation.
At the very end, however, Dean Mei made a new suggestion that truly caught my eye: linking the Tree of Knowledge to the Witch Academy’s network!
If possible, Dean Mei could use her authority to open a connection interface. This meant that, if handled correctly, my Tree of Knowledge could function as a Ley Line Operating System!
That would be far more convenient than lugging around an external operating system.
To that end, the Dean introduced me to several mentors who were deeply involved in the research of Ley Line Operating Systems and provided me with their contact information. Dean Mei promised to help pull some strings when the time came.
I naturally accepted with joy. If I could link to the Academy Network without needing a Ley Line system or a phone—using only the information projections from the Tree of Great Knowledge—it would be way cooler than those external gadgets!
Of course, the main benefits were convenience, durability, and being able to use it whenever and wherever I wanted.
I remembered the Ley Line Operating System Teacher Ji Niang had given me; it was currently gathering dust in my storage equipment. That thing was a hassle just to start up, and once it was open, you weren't supposed to move around too much, or you’d risk losing the connection to the Ley Line.
"I'm so sorry for disturbing the two of you for so long over this. I should probably head back now." As things wound down, I prepared to take my leave. The gains from this trip were so immense they were almost hard to describe.
"It’s fine, it didn't take that long. If you run into problems again, feel free to come and ask. I’m quite happy to clear up your confusion," Dean Mei said with a smile.
After all, as the Academy Dean, ordinary students didn't have the standing to bother her with trivial questions. But Xiao Han was different; this was a collision of inspirations between Great Spellbooks.
"Mhm! I will!" I nodded emphatically. This was a Great Spellbook, after all. If I ran into trouble and didn't ask the Dean, I really wouldn't know who else to turn to.
"By the way, Xiao Han, how many Great Knowledge Seeds do you have left?"
Just as I was about to leave, Dean Mei suddenly spoke up again.
"Right now? Um... I probably have fewer than ten left. The condensation process for these seeds is quite slow. I’ve been trying to optimize the casting speed, but the consumption of raw materials like memories and information is quite high. Plus, I’ve been doing a lot of consumption tests lately, so there aren't many left." After rummaging through my things, I pulled out the few remaining seeds and explained.
"Could you give all of them to me? I can help promote them among the faculty. I believe many Transcendent Witches would be interested in this. Of course, I’m not taking them for free. Xiao Han, have you thought about how to price your Great Knowledge Seeds?"
"Pri... Pricing? There’s no need for that. The fact that you're willing to help promote them is already a huge help. I don't need to charge anything else," I said, waving my hands dismissively.
The Dean was talking about promoting this to the level of Transcendent Witches!
Wouldn't that make my acquisition of knowledge even more terrifying? Why would I charge for that? I’d promote it for free! I’d stay up all night making more seeds if I had to!
"Pricing is a must, Xiao Han. You need to maintain a certain level of respect for your research results. Giving it a proper valuation is the greatest form of respect you can show it."
The Dean’s tone turned slightly serious as she slowly explained the reasoning to me.
"You have to understand that memory backups, Knowledge Shadows, and the Ley Line information Identification Art—the value of these three things alone is nearly immeasurable. Within the Witch Academy, there might be substitutes for the first two, allowing for a price comparison, but the third one is a heavyweight. However, considering you’ll be sharing the knowledge and memories the users bring back, which acts as a form of value recovery... the right to set the price is in your hands. There’s no rush. I imagine your pricing should fluctuate depending on the audience."
"I understand..."
"So, have you thought about how to price this batch for me? If not... I can make a recommendation. I won't let you get the short end of the stick."
"Then... I’ll leave it to you to decide, Dean," I said.
I ended up tossing the problem back to her. I really didn't have a concrete concept of how to price such things.
My goal from start to finish wasn't to make money. If I could earn a little, I’d be happy, but I couldn't let the cart pull the horse. Money couldn't be allowed to become a stumbling block on the path of promotion.
"I noticed that you don't use any weapons when you cast spells—no magic wand or any other magic tools. How about I give you two choices?"
"Weapons?" I was a bit stunned by the Dean's remark.
Now that she mentioned it... I really didn't have the habit of using weapons when casting. The magic wand I got at the start of the semester had been gathering dust until now.
While I admitted that a wand provided a significant boost to my casting, most situations I encountered didn't require that extra bit of power or speed. My combat style was purely technical; I didn't rely on equipment...
But the fact remained that some alchemical equipment was truly powerful—and very expensive!
Even if I didn't necessarily use it, since the Dean had brought it up, I might as well go along with it.
"Could you tell me more, Dean?"
"Of course. The first choice is that you can pick a ready-made weapon from my private collection. These even include non-alchemical weapons, ranging from casting wands to cold weapons. I’ve collected almost every type."
"And... the other choice?" I asked, suppressing my excitement.
"The other... I have quite a few precious materials that have been gathering dust. I can introduce you to the academy's most famous alchemy master to help you customize a weapon or magic tool that perfectly suits you. Those alchemists value rare materials immensely. I believe that between my rare materials and my personal introduction, she will be willing to help."
"Well? Have you decided? Personally, I recommend the second option. A customized weapon that fits you is far better than a powerful one that doesn't," the Dean suggested, seeing my indecision.
"Then I’ll go with your recommendation, Dean," I said immediately.
I didn't have any plans to get a weapon right now anyway, so it was hard to make a snap judgment. It was better to choose the "to-be-determined" option so I wouldn't regret my decision later once I’d had time to think.
"Then I’ll reserve the materials for you. I’ll give you that Demon Witch's contact info first. Once you’ve made up your mind, remember to get in touch with her, okay?"
"Mhm, mhm!"
I nodded repeatedly and "entrusted" all my Great Knowledge Seeds to the Dean. These were my entire current stock.
"By the way, Dean, I... I’m just curious. Do even Transcendent Witches... um, need to use these things for memories and such?" After handing over the seeds, a sudden doubt popped into my mind.
"Of course, Xiao Han. What do you think a Transcendent Witch is? The boundary of Transcendent is Real Time, not becoming omniscient and omnipotent. If you don't believe me... ask Dean Bev over there. Ask her what else she knows how to do besides fighting and being an Amusement Seeker. Yet, she is still a Transcendent Witch." Mei Lind paused for a moment at my question before reacting immediately, using Bev Alanna as an example.
"Why drag me into this? Do we have a grudge?" Bev Alanna, who had been chatting happily with Bai Yu, looked up and glared at Mei Lind with a look of helpless resentment, as if she’d been used as a bad example and couldn't even argue back.
"It’s nothing, I was just praising you in front of Xiao Han." Mei Lind didn't care; as long as it helped Xiao Han understand, any example would do. "So, Xiao Han, do you understand now?"
"Yes." I nodded, my questions cleared.
I could see that the Dean was trying to "demystify" things for me, stripping away the sense of mystery surrounding the "Transcendent" level so I wouldn't hold any strange misconceptions.
"Is Xiao Han leaving?"
After saying goodbye to the Dean, I walked over to Sister Bai’s side, and Dean Bev spoke up.
"Yes, I’ve basically settled everything I came here for, and I’ve gained far more than I expected. I won't disturb the two Deans' official business any longer."
"You're not disturbing us; it’s not like it’s anything urgent anyway," Dean Bev said with an air of indifference. "Xiao Han, let me ask you—did you really give all your stock to that woman? You didn't keep a few for yourself?"
"Eh? I really did give them all away. Does Dean Bev need some too?" I asked curiously. I hadn't expected the Great Knowledge Seeds to become such a hot commodity. I’d originally thought no one would want them.
"I already have one, but I think they're pretty fun. I was thinking of bringing a few to my sisters so they can see for themselves. Xiao Han, I also put in some effort for your Great Spellbook. You wouldn't be stingy, right? I know rare things are expensive. Don't worry, I’ll give you something good in return." After her little speech, Bev Alanna finally revealed her true intention.
"Of course. Your help back then saved my life, Dean Bev. I haven't forgotten. But I really don't have any stock left. How about I send some to you once I’ve condensed more?" I asked tentatively.
"Sure, that works. I’ll leave it to you then. I won't let you lose out. Since Old Mei Po gave you a custom weapon, I’ll give you something more practical. I don't have much else, but I have plenty of spellbooks and Mana Sources." Bev’s tone was full of confidence.
"I’m going to give you a special spellbook. As for Mana Sources... how many do you think you need? One or two thousand... would that be too stingy? I remember Old Mei Po saying you aren't restricted by the Main World Ley Line Shackles anymore, so your limit should be over ten thousand, right? How about I round it up to ten thousand for you? After all, you're a teaching assistant now. It wouldn't look good if your Mana Source count was too low."
"Isn't that a bit much?" My eyes widened in shock. Giving away so much at once—as expected of an Academy Dean.
"Is it? Mana Sources are precious to students, but for Transcendent Witches, they're a cultivation resource we can constantly acquire. Ten thousand might seem like a lot, but for a Transcendent Witch of my level, it’s just a drop in the bucket."
"And that’s not even the main point. The main point is the spellbook I’m giving you. How should I put it... it’s a spellbook even I haven't quite figured out. It doesn't fit my style, so I never studied it deeply."
"Is that so?" If even a Dean couldn't quite figure it out, then the value of this spellbook was likely far beyond imagination.
"Mhm. Don't be fooled by its low consumption. You understand that consumption isn't the only metric for a spellbook's value, right? I hope you don't think I’m being stingy. This spellbook is just gathering dust with me; maybe it can shine in your hands?" As she spoke, Bev Alanna took out a spellbook and handed it to me, along with a storage card that likely contained the Mana Sources.
"Thank you, Dean Bev~" I immediately thanked her with a sweet smile.
"No need for thanks, it’s just a normal trade. I’ll come find you when I’m free, so remember to save some for me, okay?" Despite her words, Bev Alanna clearly enjoyed the gratitude, the smile on her face plain to see. "See you next time~ Xiao Han, and... Xiao Bai, hehe~ If you want to know anything else, just contact me directly. No need to listen to those rumors flying around."
"Thank you. I’ll take Xiao Han and head out now." Sister Bai also had a smile on her face as she bid farewell to the two Deans.
After watching us leave, Bev Alanna immediately moved to Mei Lind’s side, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
"Are kids these days really this terrifying? Is this the frightening upper limit of Main World beings?"
"Perhaps. Or maybe Xiao Han is just special," Mei Lind replied. "Let’s not talk about her for a moment; I need a breather. Let’s talk about your mess first. I’m starting to think the mess you made isn't actually that bad."
"That’s a rare compliment. Have you decided how to arrange the script node this time?"
"More or less. The [Transcendent Knowledge] fragment originally intended for the script has broken away from the original plot. Since those players are so desperate for it, we’ll use it as bait. A civilized world that has tasted the flavor of [Transcendent Knowledge] won't be able to refuse it."
"Heh... your groundbait is even more ruthless than mine. What are you after?"
"A grand gamble. Dragging that world down with us—wasn't that your idea? We need a margin for error. Merging that small world with the Main World is both an experiment and a risk. You and I both know how broken the Main World is. Having another world to act as a safety net while pushing the script forward is a good deal, isn't it? And don't forget those disgusting Abyssal Demons. They’re part of the Main World now too..."