"Enchanted architecture?"
Richard was somewhat startled upon hearing this research direction.
Enchanted architecture was a branch of the alchemy school, but it was an extremely niche field. In fact, if it weren't for the Plane Wars and the need for specialized fortress Wizards, this discipline might have been categorized under general Wizard studies.
After all, before the advent of battlefield fortresses, the entire purpose of this branch was essentially limited to the construction of Wizard Towers.
And building a Wizard Tower was something that the vast majority of Wizards had to do.
However, Richard's surprise wasn't due to the rarity of enchanted architecture, but rather that Tosio had chosen to focus on it.
Richard had great respect for Vladimir's expertise in alchemy machines. As a student of such a master, one would expect Tosio to follow in his teacher's footsteps rather than delving into such an obscure field.
He could have chosen the Flesh Faction, and Richard would have understood that.
Seeing Richard's astonished expression, Tosio smiled bitterly, "Master, you must think I'm a fool, don't you? Ignoring my teacher's expertise in alchemy machines to pursue this obscure branch of enchanted architecture. I must be utterly stupid!"
But Richard shook his head.
"No, no, choosing a niche branch isn't foolish. It's precisely because of Wizards like you, who follow their hearts and explore their passions, that the Wizard World remains diverse and vibrant.
If everyone only studied the major branches and focused on the popular directions, the Wizard World would be doomed."
Richard's tone was sincere, as he truly believed what he was saying.
In research, there must always be those who delve into the obscure disciplines, who are willing to sit on the cold bench. Perhaps they may never achieve anything significant in their lifetime, but as Wizard civilization progresses, even the most niche branches will eventually find their use.
Tosio could feel Richard's genuine sincerity. This was the first time, apart from Vladimir, that he had received such an earnest and non-condescending evaluation.
Tosio wanted to say something, but it turned into a sigh.
"Ah!"
Richard then asked, "Since you're studying enchanted architecture, I assume you must have your own understanding of Wizard Tower construction."
Tosio nodded, "Designing and building Wizard Towers is the foundation of our branch.
Building on that, I also specialize in urban planning, energy plants, and communication towers.
If you wish to build a Wizard Tower in the Wizard World, I can now design a mortal city centered around it based on the location you choose."
Hearing Tosio's description, Richard was once again surprised.
Was enchanted architecture this competitive? Even urban planning had to be studied?
Richard sincerely praised, "So, you're saying that if I choose a location now, you can immediately plan a mortal city around a Wizard Tower.
I must admit, that's quite impressive."
Tosio smiled shyly. He was several hundred years older than Richard, but in Richard's presence, as a Second Circle Wizard, he acted as timidly as an apprentice.
Tosio could never have imagined that this Wizard, who surpassed him in both status and power, was actually younger than him.
"However," Richard shifted the topic, "urban planning is ultimately just an add-on. Do you have any unique insights into Wizard Tower design? Or perhaps, in other areas?"
"Unique insights…" Tosio's face once again showed a bitter smile, "Master, what I'm researching… is quite unconventional.
If I must say, I do have something unique, but you might not find it useful."
"Oh?" Richard became intrigued, "What are you researching? Feel free to share. I'm from the Flesh Faction, so I won't steal your ideas."
"A person of your stature would never be interested in the thoughts of a small Wizard like me," Tosio said humbly, "What I'm researching isn't a secret. It's a concept that emerged at the end of the Enlightenment period in our alchemy school, called the Small Floating City.
I wonder if you've heard of it."
The Small Floating City—Richard had indeed heard of it.
At the end of the Enlightenment period, during the latter stages of the Wizard Wars, Wizards from various schools were devising ways to counter their rivals.
During this time, all sorts of imaginative technologies were invented, and countless peculiar ideas were proposed.
Among them, the Small Floating City was one of the concepts proposed by the alchemy school.
The alchemist Wizards who proposed this idea intended to transform an entire Wizard Tower into a massive, mobile war fortress.
This concept later deeply influenced the design of the first-generation Floating Cities.
The challenge of this concept lay in establishing a sufficiently stable and long-lasting energy source within the Wizard Tower. Without this, the Small Floating City would be like a rocket—once it ascended, it would inevitably fall.
In the Wizard World, there were only three types of power furnaces capable of lifting a Wizard Tower, and these were the same power furnaces used in the first, second, and third-generation Expeditionary Floating Cities.
The size of these power furnaces was even comparable to some Wizard Towers.
Thus, the concept of the Small Floating City had long been abandoned by mainstream alchemist Wizards. It was unclear where Tosio had unearthed this knowledge, and he had even made it his research focus.
"Tosio, what does Master Vladimir think of this research direction?" Richard asked, subtly expressing his opinion.
Tosio was not surprised by Richard's reaction.
"My teacher called me a complete idiot."
"So why don't you change your research direction?" Richard couldn't help but ask, "The issue with the Small Floating City doesn't lie in the enchanted architecture branch. To solve its problems, the energy manipulation school would need to make a major breakthrough."
Tosio shook his head, "Master, although my teacher called me an idiot, I'm not a complete fool.
The reason I'm researching this is because I obtained a Small Floating City design from the Enlightenment period.
In this design, the Small Floating City's concept is nearly feasible, and the requirements for the power furnace aren't as stringent.
Building on this design, I've improved many aspects. The Small Floating City is no longer just a castle in the air.
But…"
Tosio sighed.
Although he was confident he was on the right path, his research had become painfully slow due to limited resources.
When Vladimir was alive, he would occasionally fund Tosio with some Magic Essence. But now that Vladimir was gone, continuing his research felt like an insurmountable challenge.
"A design?"
Richard raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
"Could you show me this design? If it's as you say, I could become your academic sponsor."
If the Small Floating City was truly feasible, it would undoubtedly be a highly promising project.
While the large Floating Cities were effective, as war fortresses, they were far too massive.
They were well-suited as motherships but not as individual warships.
If the Small Floating City could be realized, Wizard expeditions would no longer be conducted in units of Floating Cities but in fleets.
"What? You're also researching the Small Floating City?" Tosio exclaimed in surprise.
This was such an obscure research topic that, apart from Richard himself being involved, he couldn't think of any other reason Richard would consider becoming an academic sponsor.
Richard stroked his chin and smiled, "Not exactly, but I have something in my hands. If I can figure it out, I'll have a power furnace with considerable potential."
"I see."
Tosio nodded, pulling out a Soul Contract from his pocket.
"Would you be willing to sign the contract, Master?"
Richard chuckled, "Of course."
The design was Tosio's research, and Richard naturally had to sign a Soul Contract to assure Tosio that his work wouldn't be stolen.
Once the contract was signed, Tosio led Richard out of the hall and down the path to the Wizard Tower that had served as a funeral parlor that morning.
Tosio pulled out a key and opened the door to the Wizard Tower.
"My teacher always liked to pay the rent for a hundred years in advance. Since the rent hasn't been refunded yet, technically this is still my teacher's Wizard Tower."
As they entered the tower, Tosio led Richard to the laboratory with practiced ease, then activated the tower's anti-surveillance measures.
Most Wizards were overly protective of their research, even if it hadn't yet yielded results.
Tosio turned on the laboratory lights and handed Richard a thick stack of papers.
"Master, here's the optimized design I've been working on."
Richard took the papers, found a chair in the lab, and began to study them intently.
He was so engrossed that he read from night until sunrise.
"Impressive work," Richard said, his eyes shining as he handed the design back to Tosio.
"This design seems nearly feasible to me. I happen to have a research project on power sources. If we can design a suitable power furnace, it might solve the power issue.
I'll fund your research."
With that, Richard extended his right hand.
Tosio stared at Richard in stunned silence before finally, with tears in his eyes, reached out and firmly shook Richard's hand.
In his heart, he cried out, "Teacher, watch me. I will succeed!"
...
After the funeral, Richard's life returned to normal.
He arranged for Tosio to have a position as a construction consultant in the guild, with an annual salary of ten Magic Essence. Additionally, he invested ten thousand Magic Essence into Tosio's Small Floating City project.
If Tosio succeeded, the returns on this investment could multiply by tens or even hundreds of times.
Meanwhile, Richard began his own research into the Black Crystal of Yuris and the spoils he had acquired from the Academy War.
As a Third Circle Wizard, he was currently a paper tiger—formidable in appearance but vulnerable in actual combat. He needed to expand his knowledge and strengthen his abilities as much as possible.
This research continued for three hundred years.
Three hundred years later, in Jolod's laboratory at the Black Tower Wizard Academy.
"Richard, are you sure about this?" Jolod frowned, looking at Richard with confusion.
"I'm certain, teacher," Richard replied seriously. "I don't plan to take the position of Vice Dean at the Black Tower Academy.
I intend to follow the Great Wizard Galun and explore the mysteries of physical evolution."
Richard's contract with the Black Tower Wizard Academy was a short-term one, lasting only five hundred years. Now that the contract had expired, Richard no longer had any formal ties with the academy.
"Since your mind is made up, I won't try to persuade you. But I must tell you this," Jolod stood up and placed a hand on Richard's shoulder, his expression solemn. "You will always be a student of the Black Tower Wizard Academy.
The doors of the Black Tower Wizard Academy will always be open to you."
(End of Chapter)