Chapter 64: The Choice
"Military system? What's there to say about it?"
The Physique Crown was somewhat puzzled by Richard's thoughts, as Richard's question was somewhat unexpected for him.
He thought Richard had discovered something during his encounter with the King of Mayfly.
Richard organized his language and slowly began, "Dean, I remember you once told me that contribution is equivalent to share, and the essence of share is the strength of the Wizard Civilization, which can be semi-equivalently regarded as the Wizards."
The Physique Crown nodded slightly, "You are correct, the strength of the Wizard Civilization is strongly correlated with the number of Wizards."
After speaking, a slightly intrigued smile appeared on the Physique Crown's face.
"So, have you found some system that can reduce our war losses?"
Richard nodded slightly, "Yes. For now, I have found two ways to reduce our losses."
"Explain carefully."
The Physique Crown leaned forward, a look of wisdom that didn't match his usual demeanor appeared on his bear-like face.
Richard nodded slightly, and then began to elaborate on his ideas.
"To reduce losses, I've divided it into two parts. I'll start with the underlying aspect. You should know, I had a small victory in the Wilderness World."
"Yes, I know about this." The Physique Crown's tone was humorous, "I heard that after the victory, you said something outrageous, making quite a few old folks want to see just what kind of hero you are."
Richard shrugged, "Even now, I don't think what I said was outrageous. It's just that some people are used to flattery and can't stand the truth."
"Haha, saying things like that will undoubtedly upset quite a few old folks again. Continue."
Richard nodded, "Based on my combat experience in the Wilderness World, by making a reasonable combination, forming a mixed-breed army of clans and wizards, it's possible to make ordinary fill-line troops also possess offensive capabilities."
"Oh? Is there really something like this? Matters like this should theoretically be visible to us."
The Physique Crown was slightly surprised. If Richard's proposal wasn't a coincidence, it indeed seemed quite feasible.
By rights, such things should be organized by the working wizards and delivered to the desks of the few crowns like them.
"You might have overlooked a problem." Richard shrugged, "As a Great Wizard who just entered the battlefield, the greatest role of my post-battle report is for publicity. If it weren't for that so-called 'outrageous remark,' this report wouldn't have likely caught anyone's attention.
Of course, the reason you didn't see this was probably because I said at the time that it was an immature suggestion."
"That makes sense." The Physique Crown nodded slightly, "So why do you now think this thing has matured?"
"It's not that it has matured; it's that it's worth trying." A sharp look flashed in Richard's eyes, "For the next few decades, or even a hundred years, there won't be any big moves from the Galaxy Mayfly.
This chance is just right to test the feasibility of the mixed-breed army in the Edge World."
"Makes sense, I will discuss this idea in the council. If the results are remarkable, your share will certainly not be small.
You've reached the Five Rings now, and even if that Plastic Energy fellow is shameless, he can't snatch your share anymore."
After speaking, the Physique Crown asked with a hint of curiosity, "Tell me about your other idea?"
"The second idea is relatively mature. I've conducted experiments on both the frontal battlefield and the Wilderness World, and the results perfectly matched expectations. But..."
"But what?"
Seeing Richard hesitating to speak, the Physique Crown knew Richard was doing it on purpose, but couldn't help feeling curious.
What kind of method was this to potentially trouble even him, a Truth Wizard?
"You should look at the data. This kind of thing is hard to be persuasive when just talked about."
Richard took out a Crystal Ball from his pocket, which recorded his battle report on new tactics from the frontline battlefield, and the report from the Wilderness World.
For an old wizard like the Physique Crown, no matter how extravagantly you talk about something, it can't compare to solid data.
The Physique Crown received the Crystal Ball and absorbed the information with his spiritual power. Richard then watched as the Physique Crown's expression shifted from surprise to shock, then to a tightly furrowed brow, falling silent.
After a long time, the Physique Crown spoke, "Your method... is indeed a bit outrageous."
A bitter smile appeared on Richard's face.
"It is somewhat outrageous, which is why I was so hesitant."
The Physique Crown stood up, and the tight furrow on his brow showed no signs of easing.
He paced within the room as the oppressive atmosphere thickened the air, making time seem to slow down.
After an unknown period of time, the Physique Crown suddenly asked, "Do you know about the council balance?"
Richard was slightly taken aback.
"Council balance? Are you saying that the Alchemy and Plastic Energy crowns have reached an agreement, balancing the forces of the two factions within the council?"
The Physique Crown nodded.
"Yes, that's it. Council balance is a real thing.
Plastic Energy and Alchemy are the two strongest among the Truth Wizards, they are a level above someone like me, who hasn't been a Truth Wizard for long.
That's the Eighth Level, which we call Eternal Sovereigns.
In the past, the Plastic Energy Soul was one faction, the Alchemy Undead another, and the Curse School always abstained. But with my becoming a Dominator, this balance was disrupted.
I was cultivated by the Alchemy Crown, so I naturally belong to the Alchemy faction. And to balance the factions, the Curse School is currently temporarily supporting the Plastic Energy School.
Do you know what that means?"
Richard shook his head blankly.
The Physique Crown said in a deep voice: "It means that as long as the Alchemy School produces another Truth Wizard, the council balance will be completely broken.
By then, the west wind will overwhelm the east wind, and everything will become unknown.
It's not impossible for the Wizard Civilization to split."
Richard shivered. Although he still didn't understand why the Physique Crown said these things, he vaguely felt that his plan seemed to be a big bomb.
"What do you want to say? Dean."
"What I want to say is very simple: your plan is difficult to pass. Under the current conditions, Shaping Power will definitely stop this plan, and Alchemy won't provoke Shaping Power at this time."
"Provoke the Shaping Energy Crown?"
"Yes," Physique Crown nodded, "Among the Great Wizards, the Shape-shifting School has the most Great Wizards and holds the highest proportion at the frontline.
If your plan is introduced, without Shaping Power's opposition, the foundation of the School will be shaken.
Besides, since you are still an Alchemy School Wizard, the Alchemy Crown has difficulty speaking for you due to council balance.
So this plan is unlikely to pass."
Richard was stunned and sighed slightly.
Even in a world with Extraordinary Power, as long as the upper echelon cannot completely detach from the lower, balance inevitably exists.
The Shaping Energy Crown's influence over Wizard Civilization relies on numerous Great Wizards, and if he speaks for them, they will just turn to other schools.
"However, it's a pity to abandon your plan entirely," Physique Crown suddenly said, "Your plan has no market among the old Wizards but should be well promoted among the new Wizards.
If you go to Shaping Power with this plan, he will certainly help promote it among the new Wizards.
Now, you need to make a decision: Are you going to leave the Alchemy Crown's faction and join the Plastic Energy faction?
I know your idea is likely neutrality. But now the council allows no neutral ground; it's either one faction or the other."
Physique Crown's tone was serious, and though he had never proposed taking Richard as a student,
the treatment he accorded Richard was student-level.
His words amounted to a betrayal for the Alchemy faction. But he was unwilling to let these petty struggles affect Richard's future.
Wizards should be purer.
Richard is a Wizard with great potential. If he loses a chance for great profit due to these messy balances and strife, it would truly be a shame.
"... This choice seems to have no options, Dean."
Richard showed a faint, bitter smile.
The Physique Crown looked at Richard, seeing ambition, a burgeoning ambition, in this little Wizard's eyes.
Just like he did back then.
The Physique Crown patted Richard's shoulder, "The battles in the council won't affect our personal relationship. As long as you still call me Dean, I'll still be your Dean."
"Go and do what you want to do."
...
"Richard, have you finished your discussion?"
At the center of the institute, Ali left the microscope, looking excitedly at Richard.
Beside her was the latest model of Tesla Research Institute's Spiritual Concentration Microscope. Using this microscope, even a One Ring Wizard can experience Great Wizard-level observation.
Even in the Evolution Road Institute, this microscope is not something a regular Wizard can equip.
"Yes, we're done talking. It seems you're quite adapted here."
Richard glanced at the Spiritual Concentration Microscope. Under its lens, a cluster of cells was undergoing induced evolution.
But compared to the induced evolution Richard originally performed, the technology at the Evolution Road Institute is more advanced.
Under the catalyst's action, the cells beneath the microscope quickly underwent a change in the Life Core aspect.
Ali smiled, her voice suddenly turning somewhat deep.
"What's there not to adapt to? We've lived like this before, haven't we?"
War has a tremendous impact on Wizards. In less than a thousand years, Wizard Society underwent earth-shattering changes.
Once seemingly ordinary lives now appear incredibly precious.
"Then live well. With the Dean's protection, you won't need to worry about being cannon fodder on the battlefield in the future.
I can also be at ease."
Ali nodded seriously, "I know. I definitely won't cause you trouble. You also need to stay safe on the front lines. I'll join you there once I become a Great Wizard."
"Haha, let's wait until you become a Great Wizard first."
Richard laughed, turned, and headed towards the institute.
Physique Crown had already shown him the way; now the rest is for him to walk himself.