Chapter 1518
Chapter 1518: Section 1519: Ways to Obtain Chapter 1518: Section 1519: Ways to Obtain “Yes,” Antonio briefly described the method of obtaining points.
Currently, there are two ways, the first one is personal achievements.
Every time a member of the Research and Development Institute releases an approved alchemy product, they would receive certain points, and if they are willing to distribute it on behalf of the Institute, they would be awarded more points.
The display cases from the first to the fiftieth floor of the Research and Development Institute are set up for this purpose.
The second method of obtaining points is simpler than the first; it involves accepting tasks from the Research and Development Institute.
Tasks are generally of two kinds, the first kind are issued in the name of the Institute, and the second kind are issued by members of the Institute. The distinction between these two types of tasks is that tasks issued by the Institute inevitably reward points, while tasks issued by members have rewards set by the issuers themselves.
After explaining, Antonio paused, “By the way, currently no member of the Research and Development Institute has issued a task with points as a reward.”
That is to say, either take the route of personal achievements or accept tasks from the Research and Development Institute.
Angel actually prefers the first one, but choosing this method does not guarantee that every alchemy product you release will be recognized. This means, following this path requires a long time for research and also needs inspiration.
Angel pondered for a moment and decided to keep the first method as an alternative. After all, it's not something that can be achieved in the short term, and this chess move can be played anytime; first, let's see if there are other simpler methods.
“Excluding the 10 points I got as a special judge, Antonio, do you have any suggestions on how I can quickly obtain another 20 points?” Angel asked.
Antonio replied almost without thinking: “There's a task, and if you agree to it, you can instantly obtain at least 100 points.”
Instantly obtain 100 points? Angel looked at Antonio expectantly.
Antonio said: “Preside over the Research and Development Institute.”
Presiding over the Research and Development Institute is at least a yearly commitment, so just by agreeing, you immediately get 100 points, and if you are willing to continue, the awarded points will increase.
Presiding over the Research and Development Institute can be understood as acting as the institute head. As an acting head, the authority can be significantly elevated, which seems very tempting, but the corresponding inputs are also substantial. For example, what frustrates members the most is the need to waste a lot of meaningless time dealing with cumbersome yet essential tasks personally.
All negotiations with other organizations, work scheduling of the Research and Development Institute, topic assignment, work release, and follow-up… etc., are responsibilities of the acting institute head.
Unless one is extremely desirous of power and overly responsible, basically no one would voluntarily accept this task.
Angel was puzzled: “I remember Midora once told me that to preside over the Research and Development Institute requires a basic assessment of the members, covering many aspects, and he said I wouldn't be arranged to preside over the Research and Development Institute in a short time?”
Since this task involves assessments in various aspects, alchemists with extreme character traits like “Grafting Maniac” Dong La would absolutely not be assigned to preside over the Research and Development Institute.
Antonio was silent for a moment: “After Mr. Pat became an Official Wizard, the Dean Muse personally endorsed that you are qualified for this task. However, according to the rules of the Research and Development Institute, indeed, in the next several decades, you wouldn't be arranged to preside over the institute.”
“But if you want to take it proactively, you can.”
“So, Mr. Pat, what is your answer?”
Angel shook his head without hesitation: “No.”
He has many things to do and doesn't want to invite trouble.
“Apart from presiding over the Research and Development Institute, are there no other tasks?” Angel asked.
Antonio thought for a moment: “There is another one, which I think might be more suitable for Mr. Pat.”
Antonio slowly uttered a word: “Teaching.”
Indeed, presiding over the Research and Development Institute and teaching are standard tasks that members of the Research and Development Institute are exposed to. The former, unless it's mandatory or one's turn by rotation, members would reluctantly do; the latter, however, many members are quite willing to take.
The reason why the Research and Development Institute can become a holy land for alchemists, with Alchemy Masters presiding and occasionally teaching, is one of the reasons.
Moreover, teaching is also a way of organizing one's own knowledge.
Most importantly, the teaching schedule is very flexible; even if you only teach one class, and decide you do not want to teach anymore, you can stop at any time.
“How many points would teaching one class get?” Angel asked.
“Points are calculated based on effective duration, but looking at the average scores of all members when they teach, typically, one class can earn at least 2-3 points, with higher scores earning over 5 points.”
Angel did the math himself; although the points for teaching are not many, he only needs 20 points, and teaching fewer than ten classes could achieve this score.
This could be considered as a reference.
After all, teaching is relatively free. And he doesn't plan to stay in the Research and Development Institute for long, it would naturally be best if he could handle things in the short term.
Besides teaching, Antonio also mentioned several other ways to earn credits, which either restrict freedom or are beyond Angel's expertise.
From a comprehensive perspective, teaching is still more suitable.
Although Angel does not believe he has reached the level to teach, according to Antonio, instructors can design their own courses. Thus, he could try teaching some parts he is familiar with.
Additionally, Midora had encouraged Angel to teach, which would not only help him earn credits but also stimulate his own journey in Alchemy due to questions raised by other Alchemists.
“If you decide to teach, for some of the questions, you might consult other members, who can explain clearer than I can,” said Antonio, who, being a Spirit, never really taught and thus gave this advice to Angel.
Then, Angel discussed with Antonio some matters regarding being a special judge and bid him farewell.
After leaving Fantasy Mechanical City, Angel initially planned to visit Mukihara Bar to check on Nausicaa's situation. However, since he had already come to the opposite side of Sky Mechanical City and the Magic Potion Cottage was nearby, he decided to visit Midora.
Specifically, he wanted to ask Midora about teaching-related issues.
When Angel arrived at the Magic Potion Cottage, before he could knock, the door opened by itself.
“Come in,” Midora's voice reached Angel's ears.
The warm yellow light softened the homely atmosphere of the cottage.
Stepping in, Angel saw Midora standing by the kitchen stove, intently observing the liquid in the pot.
Initially, Angel thought Midora was concocting some potion, until a rich fragrance filled with mushroom and seafood scents wafted over.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out Midora was preparing a pot of mushroom and seafood chowder.
This scene: the soft lighting, the cozy atmosphere, the savory aroma of the chowder, and Midora's focused expression wearing an apron seriously…
It made Angel unconsciously think he was not in an Alchemy Master's home, but rather in a warm, ordinary family of three.
Angel's originally restless mood calmed down suddenly due to this scene.
With the increasingly rich aroma in the air, not only did Angel's long-silent appetite start to stir, but Toby, who was dozing in Angel's breastplate, couldn't help but pop out his little head, looking famished.
Midora continued to remain silent, only gesturing for Angel to sit at the table. After a while, as the aroma intensified, Midora turned off the heat and brought the pot of chowder to the table.
Seeing Toby's eager face, Midora smiled and scooped a bowl for him, even specially putting a whole fish into Toby's bowl.
“Go ahead, try my cooking.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Angel initially wanted Toby to restrain himself, but as soon as Toby heard he could eat, his little face burrowed eagerly into the bowl.
Midora also scooped a bowl for Angel, indicating him to give it a try.
Angel, albeit somewhat sheepishly, thanked Midora.
A bowl of warm chowder settled in his stomach, further relaxing his mood after entering the Magic Potion Cottage, making him feel almost lazily content.
“Midora, why are you cooking yourself today? Isn't Lady Yeliya around?” Angel curiously asked.
“Don't address me or Yeliya with formal titles; you're now an Official Wizard and a member of the Research and Development Institute, we're peers,” Midora said, removing his apron.
Angel thought for a moment, then replaced “Lord” with “Master Midora.”
Even though Midora mentioned they are peers, in Angel's heart, Midora was always a senior.
Midora didn't fuss over the formality of titles and answered Angel's question: “You know how Yeliya dotes on Tugan. These days, she has been following Tugan to the new star races and has stayed in the main city area, leaving me to cook for myself.”
Despite Midora sighing and grumbling, it was clear that he and Yeliya shared a very genuine relationship.
“Does Tugan also love watching the new star races?”
“Yes, he can't stop talking about Princess Shan, pestering Yeliya to take him to watch Shan's matches. Such a small boy already so fixated on a girl, he definitely won't turn out well.”
Princess Shan is actually Shan from Barbarian Cave.
Angel learned from Tugan before that Shan and he are from the same tribe. In their tribe, as the chieftain's daughter, she is addressed as a princess.
However, Shan left the tribe early to train in Barbarian Cave. Tugan had only seen Shan a few years ago during a tribal festival.
Perhaps because of that one glimpse, the little Tugan had taken a liking to Shan.