Above the mage!

Chapter 591 Quantitative Magic Potion Research Institute
Once the "basic national policy" of universal law is implemented, within a decade or so, the number of mage apprentices in the Northern Territory capable of becoming formal mages will be countless.

After all, during the apprenticeship stage of a mage, as long as one's talent is not so terrible, anyone who is willing to spend time and practice diligently for twenty or thirty years can eventually reach the threshold of becoming a formal mage.

But what happens after you get to the threshold?

No one is willing to stay in the apprentice stage forever; everyone will try to advance to the next level.

However, the natural success rate of a mage upgrading their ring is less than 20%.

Moreover, without the aid of ring-up potions, failure to upgrade a ring can result in injury or even death.

Upgrade potions are precious items. Even if the North were to stockpile them with all its might, the amount of upgrade potions it could accumulate in a year wouldn't even be enough for the top apprentices, let alone supply hundreds of thousands of ordinary mages.
Doesn't "law for all" mean personally sending nearly 80% of the population to their doom?

This problem has actually been troubling Gaode for a long time.

The appearance of the weaker version of Green Vine Dew finally brought a glimmer of hope.

Even a weak leveling potion is still a leveling potion.

For those exceptionally talented geniuses, it's not good enough; they need the best Ring-Up potions to ensure a successful Ring Up.

But for the vast majority of ordinary apprentices, it was a lifeline, a hope within their reach.

With it, they no longer need to risk their lives trying to upgrade their rings.

With it, they can strive for the opportunity to become formal monks in a relatively safe environment.

Moreover, if there are enough of them, for example, if 10,000 mage apprentices take a weak leveling potion to level up, according to probability, more than 1,000 formal mages will also be produced.

Of course, the actual increase will only be greater.

Because the Ring-Up potion also provides intangible boosts such as confidence to the mage during the Ring-Up process.

In other words, Leni's achievement is the final piece of the puzzle for the "law for all" concept, making the whole plan complete and feasible.

Gao De's immediate priority is to find time to return to the Sea Sentinel and exchange his military merits for a bottle of the highest-grade Tier 1 Ring-Up Potion.

Then take it back to the North and have Leni develop its magic element reaction formula.

If successful, the Northern Territory will be able to mass-produce weak first-tier ring-up potions at a lower cost, completely solving the ring-up safety problem for ordinary people and clearing the biggest obstacle to the plan of universal magic.

After reviewing his thoughts in his mind, Gao De spoke to Leni.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely complete the mission." Leni readily agreed to Gao De's idea.

With the magic element diagrams becoming increasingly complete, and with the successful derivation of the magic element reaction formula for the weak-effect Green Vine Dew, Leni is full of confidence in deriving the magic element reaction formula for first-tier magic potions.

"However, that is not my main purpose for coming here this time."

Gao De nodded and then said, "I have another very important and long-term task that I want to entrust to you."

"An important mission!" Leni's eyes widened, and she suddenly became flustered. Although she was flustered most of the time, she was unusually flustered now.

"Don't be nervous." Gao De knew what Leni was worried about, and also knew that she might have misunderstood. "It is important, but it shouldn't be too difficult for you."

"To be precise, this is something only you can do."

He didn't keep Leni in suspense, "I'm planning to set up a new department in the North, and you'll be in full charge of it."

"In charge of a new department?!?" This time, Leni was genuinely shocked. "Like Lady Flora?!?"

“Similar, but not exactly the same,” Gaud noticed Leni’s panic and stopped trying to scare her. He explained, “This new department is different from the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Police.”

It does not directly exercise administrative power or manage administrative affairs; it is a research institution established specifically to tackle difficult problems and promote the application of technologies.

The main task is to concentrate efforts on in-depth research in a specific field, and then translate the results into practical applications.

“Yes,” Gao De nodded, and continued, “It is to specialize in quantitative potion science, on the one hand to further improve the basic theory of this system.”

On the other hand, it is used to derive the magic element reaction formulas for various weaker potions, applying them in practice, and ultimately benefiting the entire population of the North.

"I plan to name it the Quantitative Magic Potion Research Institute."

"And you, Leni Thornvine, will serve as the first director of the institute, responsible for its daily management and decision-making, and leading its research work and development direction."

"You are the pioneer of quantitative potion science, and no one is more suitable for this position than you."

Leni opened her mouth, as if to say something, but then swallowed it back, her face turning bright red.

Gao De chuckled and added, "Of course, the Northern Territory is currently short of talent, so this quantitative potion research institute is just an empty shell."
"Sorry, to be precise, there isn't even a shell yet. You won't have any subordinates or assistants for the time being, but that's only temporary."

"When you will be able to have your own staff depends on your own efforts."

Gao De added, "Because your first batch of personnel will come from the first edition of the quantitative potion science textbook that you have compiled, the teaching of it in schools, and the training of the first batch of qualified freshmen."

"The good news is that basic compulsory education in Phoenix has been underway for almost two years, and the children in Phoenix have basically mastered basic reading, writing, and even calculation skills, which is enough to support their learning of quantitative potion science."

"Once you've compiled the teaching materials, all you need to do is select children from among these who are interested in quantitative potion science and have a certain talent for training and teaching."

“If it were a year ago, you would probably have to start by teaching them to read and do arithmetic, which would have taken a long time.”

"But, but Your Highness," Leni didn't know how to respond, but she felt that she was not qualified for such an "important" position, and her tone was a little flustered.

“Quantitative potion science is a very important system for the North. I know that serving as the director and building a quantitative potion research institute in the North from scratch is a very difficult task, but as long as you have the ability to take on this position, I will give you the corresponding treatment and remuneration to compensate for your hard work,” Gao De said.

"No, Your Highness, it's not that I feel tired."

Leni's eyes widened, and she waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "It's because I'm just a farmer's daughter, and I've never held such an important position before. I'm afraid..."

"Of course I know you're not afraid of hardship," Gao De thought to himself, while gently comforting the frightened "rabbit" in front of him. "Ability has nothing to do with birth. You are the only person in the North who can take on this responsibility. Believe in your abilities."

"But...but Lady Flora...her abilities are far superior to mine," Leni whispered, still trying to struggle.

"So, she's already the Minister of Agriculture, and the burden on her shoulders is too heavy. She needs others to help her shoulder some of the responsibility," Gao De said with a smile.

Having said that, Leni couldn't find a reason to refuse.

She didn't realize that she could refuse without a reason, but she nodded in a daze, "Okay, I'll try my best."

"Director Naleini, you still have one more task to do."

Leni immediately perked up her ears and focused her attention.

“While you’re working on the first edition of the textbook, you should take some time to choose a location for your quantitative potion research.” Gao De shrugged. “As I said, the quantitative potion research institute isn’t even an empty shell yet. You choose a location first, and I will arrange for Pierre to build the quantitative potion research institute in the place you choose as soon as possible.”

"Whatever the research institute needs: such as a larger experimental platform, a safer flow channel, and a temperature-controlled warehouse for storing magical plants, you can directly ask Peter. I will explain it to him and make sure he fully cooperates with you."

“Okay.” Leni nodded vigorously.

"In addition, there are two things I need to remind you." Gao De's tone became unusually serious. "First, for magic elements that cannot be organized and archived at this stage, or reaction formulas whose principles are unclear and difficult to optimize, don't rush to complete them. Register and record them first."

"Once the research institute is built and the team is formed, we will concentrate our efforts to tackle each problem one by one. Scientific research is never something that can be accomplished overnight; it requires patience and accumulation."

"Secondly, while it is important to apply quantitative potion science in practice, the greatest and most important part of any endeavor is often the foundational stage, that is, establishing basic theories and building a basic framework."

So don't rush, it's essential to spend more time organizing the first edition of the textbook.

He looked at Leni, who seemed to understand but not quite, and said, "After all, one person's strength is ultimately limited. Even if you are a genius in this field, you cannot possibly exhaust all the mysteries."

Only by encouraging more people to learn and enter the field of quantitative potion science, and by contributing their efforts, can this edifice be built.

Leni nodded repeatedly, even though she didn't know what "building" meant.

But anyway, what His Highness said makes a lot of sense to those who can understand it.

Even if she doesn't understand it, it must make a lot of sense; it's just that her level of understanding isn't high enough.

During her first meeting with Gaode in Vallar Bay, she was deeply impressed by Gaode's "foresight" and "erudition".

During her three months in Phoenix, although she devoted most of her time to completing the magic map, she still had some normal life and needed to familiarize herself with the environment.

During this process, she heard more about Gaode's achievements, and her impression of him as "erudite" became even more deeply ingrained.

Therefore, Leni now has an almost blind trust in what Gaode says.

“Alright, then this important task is entrusted to you.” Gao De patted Little Leni on the shoulder and said earnestly.

After leaving Leni's "research lab", Gao De also visited Jin Hui Farm and Flora's Abundance Plaza.

Because of the successive acquisition of the Winterhammer and Frostwolf Clan, two large tribes, the demand for food has increased significantly.

Therefore, both farms, especially Jinhui Farm, once again entered into a large-scale expansion.

Without a doubt, the tireless Lady Flora became the busiest person.

From afar, Gaode could see the little girl flapping her wings, busily fluttering about in the wheat field, which was taller than her.

Therefore, what he said to Leni earlier was not entirely a lie.

Flora is indeed very busy and capable, but she does need someone to help her with some of the tasks.

Gao De didn't want to disturb Flora, but Flora seemed to have a telepathic connection; even though she wasn't looking in his direction, she sensed his arrival immediately.

After finishing her current task, she immediately flew to him.

"Master! Master! Master!"

The three monks spoke with varying intonations and intonations, each conveying a different meaning.

The first tone means "Hello!"

The second tone means "Why are you here?"

The third tone means "So you actually came?!"

As a master of the Fuyu language, Gao De immediately understood and explained seriously, "There are so many more people in Phoenix, yet everyone is still able to eat their fill. I'm wondering how that's going on~"
Everyone says it's all thanks to Lady Flora's hard work, so I came to see her specifically, afraid she might be working too hard for everyone.

Flora's expression hardened, and she stared straight at him.

Gao De remained expressionless and continued, "Along the way, everyone I met praised Lady Flora, saying that Lady Flora of the Ministry of Agriculture is the most remarkable person in Phoenix."

Although I'm very proud of Lady Flora, I'm also genuinely worried that she might overwork herself.

Flora's expression hardened again.

This time, she stared at Gao De for a long time, then looked back at the vast wheat field with its many unfinished tasks. After hesitating for a moment, she flapped her little wings and flew back, leaving behind a message: "Mage, Lady Flora isn't tired. Lady Flora has other things to do. We'll talk later!"

As Gao De watched the little figure's back and the wings shimmering in the sunlight, a smile involuntarily crept onto his face.

Phoenix Tenth General Education College

Gaode stood under the huge sign, looking at the large characters that shone brightly in the sunlight.

The number ten does not indicate the school's level; it simply indicates the order in which the schools were built.

This is a brand new, tall building constructed from gray-white rocks.

Looking at the whole of Phoenix, it can be considered one of the tallest buildings.

What's even more striking is that, like a city hall, it has a wide plaza paved with stone slabs in front of the main building.

This is a venue for students to conduct extracurricular activities and outdoor courses.

The reason it was built so grandly and conspicuously is because God believed that children are the future of the North.

A sense of honor and belonging should be instilled in children from a young age.

In addition, a magnificent school will increase the public's aspirations for school: being able to study in such a grand building is something that most people are proud of and yearn for.

This means that even without Gaode's mandatory enrollment policy for school-age children, most people would still try their best to get their children into school.

After the invention of film classes temporarily solved the teacher shortage problem, fifteen such schools have already been built in Phoenix.

On one side of the square of the Tenth General Education College in Phoenix, a slender yet sturdy clock tower rises from the ground.

The clock case, made of brass at the top, gleamed in the sunlight.

In fact, not only at schools, but also in key locations in various major areas of Phoenix, similar clock towers have been erected one after another.

This contrasts sharply with other regions, which greatly puzzled Elsa:

In the Principality of Westminster, a town typically had only one public clock in the central square or on the highest church tower.

(End of this chapter)