A Hospital in Another World?

Garrett stared earnestly at the elder mage, hoping to sway him with sincerity for a good score. Just a little boost, adding 15 points would do!

If they reach 70 points collectively, they'd secure next year's research funds! The elder mage had seen countless such expressions during his years inspecting various places.

If the person were a formal mage who understood the Magic Council's assessment rules, he would've just given a score.

However, this was a newcomer, a talented one at that. With a heart inclined towards recruiting talent for the council, the elder mage decided to explain a bit more: "When it comes to grading magical innovation, the council has a fixed set of standards. It's not about arbitrary scoring. Let's take a look at your paper and see how much it's worth."

With a wave of his hand, a colorful light projected onto the wall. Garrett looked up to see the clear criteria for grading magical innovation displayed there.

The organized grid, the neat layout, it almost seemed like a projection from a computer, though Garrett, having traversed here months ago, had gained some understanding of magic. He could tell it wasn't a projection but a magical trick, meticulously crafted. He couldn't help but admire the finesse.

Looking at the content on the wall, Garrett felt a jolt as if his mind had been struck.

The grading formula for magical innovation:

10 * Magic Level * Novelty * Creativity * Practicality

Novelty, creativity, practicality—these three criteria mirrored the assessments for their research paper topics!

That person who had traversed here must have dealt with patents...

No, they should have been a humanities student, maybe partly involved in HR functions. Patent agents require a background in science or engineering. So, that predecessor might not have been directly involved in patents but could handle related matters in their daily work?

Summing it up, the predecessor might have been from a humanities research department at an academic institution, involved in assessing educational research topics... perhaps...

Garrett internally mocked, eyes slightly lowered, scanning the table below the formula. The magic level was straightforward—level 1 magic multiplied by 1, level 2 by 2, and so on.

Regarding creativity and practicality, Garrett scrutinized the table, estimating his potential scores:

Creativity—Creating a new spell: 10 points, which mine isn't;

Increasing magic intensity: 5-9 points, which mine doesn't qualify for;

Reducing material quantity, price, or scarcity: 2-7 points, which mine also doesn't match;

Pioneering new usage methods—Ah, that's my case! What? Only 1-2 points? So low?

However, arguing with the system was futile. Garrett sighed and glanced at the practicality formula. Another surge of frustration welled up in him, making him want to vent right there.

Practicality score: (1+N*1), N=(extremely practical, 7-9; reasonably practical: 4-6; somewhat practical: 1-3; impractical: 0)

This miraculous formula, only someone who had traversed could write, only a mage could handle! If you were a bit weaker in math, it'd drive you insane!

As for my own score...

Garrett recalled the elder mage's remark, "That's not useful." A bad feeling crept in. As expected, the elder mage smiled and said:

"Your new method does have some utility, but high-level mages rarely suffer fractures, and even if they do, finding magical items five levels higher than their own is extremely difficult. For commoners and mage apprentices to encounter items above level 5 magic is also very unlikely.

So, as for the practicality of this innovation, I can only judge it as—"

With another wave, a red light marked the "impractical" column.

"But sir!" Garrett hurriedly argued. "This magic is very useful in healing! And it serves an irreplaceable role in current healing practices! As for its cost—"

Isn't it just expensive?

Aren't magical items generally costly?

Build a hospital!

Accessible to all patients!

CT scanners, MRI machines, even X-ray machines, weren't they expensive when they first came out? A single MRI costs tens of millions, a substantial part of a hospital's surplus funds for half a year!

Yet, everyone grits their teeth and buys them! As long as the volume of treatments is high enough, the costs can be spread out; to a point where every patient can afford it. What's more important than life itself!

Moreover, magical items aren't like equipment; they don't depreciate even when kept idle!

Garrett wanted to continue arguing, but the elder mage waved his hand, silencing him:

"No need to say more. The council won't approve something that involves massive investment but is of no use to high-level mages. Even if I were to give you a high score, it would still be rejected. Why bother?"

Garrett tried to glare, but his efforts were futile; he couldn't make a sound. The elder mage continued with a smile:

"So, you see, the score is out. Base score 10 points; magic trick is a level 0 spell, conventionally multiplied by 0.5; for creativity, giving you the benefit of the doubt, multiplying by 2; as for practicality, it can only be multiplied by 1. 10 * 0.5 * 2 * 1, the final score is 10 points."

"Ah..."

Sighs filled the mage tower. Gelman, Elliott, Karen, and the other low-level mages were disappointed, helpless. To argue further seemed impossible; they'd already presented the achievements of mage apprentices. How could they dare push for more points?

"Innovation in magic, 65 points. The total score..." The elder mage projected the entire table, showing each section, weight, and the individual scores. Finally, he impartially provided the result:

"78.55 points."

Didn't make it to 80.

A 'D,' the overseer's salary deduction, and deductions in resources for the entire mage tower.

Next year would be tough...

A wave of gloom swept through the mage tower. After concluding, the elder mage's demeanor changed again, smiling to comfort everyone present:

"It's alright, don't worry too much. Resource deductions by the council are also according to scores. You all are just a bit shy of the passing line; it won't be too many resources deducted. As for your concerns about replacements next year—"

He turned to his own disciples: "I see many here in the mage tower are on the verge of a breakthrough. If one or two people upgrade next year, the scores will immediately rise."

Gelman nodded reluctantly. The elder mage rummaged in his pocket, pulled out a gem-like object, and beckoned Garrett:

"Come, take this. Gelman is my disciple, and considering your lineage, you're part of our line too. A small token, take it—"

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