Scientific Wizard

It took Lynn the entire afternoon and evening to explain the workings of various mechanical structures to a group of alchemists. He felt as if he'd turned into a living version of 'a hundred thousand whys,' especially under Lydia's barrage of questions.

With everyone's combined effort, the blueprint for the first-generation magic internal combustion engine was ready by the crack of dawn the next day.

It seemed decent enough at first glance, but Lynn couldn't be sure of its success. He had to let them proceed and fix any issues that arose along the way.

For the next few days, Lynn didn't interfere much, leaving the production of the internal combustion engine to Phillip and Darren. He tasked them with the detailed study, instructing them to inform him once the prototype was ready.

His entire focus shifted to compiling a new textbook and establishing a new newspaper. Lynn understood the significance of public opinion like no other; it could dictate what people saw, heard, and even thought every day.

The former ruler of Iyeta Harbor, Herlram, didn't care much about it, and the Council's attention was far from sufficient. But Lynn wouldn't let the high ground of public opinion slip into others' hands.

Therefore, a few days later, a newspaper titled the "Daily Bugle" appeared prominently in every shop.

The thin, white pages immediately grabbed everyone's attention, capturing their gaze with the contents printed on them.

The front-page headline detailed the incident in the southern district and the subsequent action plan. To ensure Iyeta Harbor's stability, it omitted any mention of Herlram, placing most of the blame on the rogue mage, Merk.

However, the incident was undeniably connected to Merk, so it wasn't entirely slanderous.

For the common folk, what astonished them wasn't this revelation but the decision of the new lord of the Iyeta Harbor city, the Magic Star of Iyeta, to provide compensation to the impoverished victims. This news was nothing short of thunderous.

When did those high and mighty wizards start caring about the poor? Some of the destitute in the southern district were moved to tears upon receiving the resettlement fees.

Mary was one such person. The unexpected appearance of the Soul Devouring Array in the southern district had abruptly snatched away her husband's life, leaving her with two young children.

The meager stock of black bread she had received earlier was almost depleted. She had even contemplated whether to go to the Magic Workshop and become an experimental subject for the wizards' magical medicines. Rumor had it that, with enough luck, one could gain extraordinary strength without side effects.

Mary knew the probability of success was minuscule. There were already quite a few individuals in the southern district whose bodies had become deformed due to the wizards' potions. Except for dire circumstances, not many were willing to play with their lives.

Fortunately, just when she was hesitating, she received news of the compensation distribution. For someone like her, who had lost vital labor in her household, she was entitled to a hefty fifty silver coins.

With some frugal living, it could sustain her family for a year or two. This made Mary immensely grateful. She gritted her teeth, spent five copper coins, and purchased a copy of the "Daily Bugle," requesting the illiterate shopkeeper to narrate its contents to her.

Mary's decision was undoubtedly correct because the newspaper also announced two crucial pieces of information.

Firstly, several paper mills, glass factories, and airship manufacturing workshops were being established in Iyeta Harbor, recruiting a large number of workers—approximately fifteen hundred. Not only were meals and accommodation provided, but depending on the work type, they could earn between eight to fifteen silver coins per month.

Those skilled in mathematics and craftsmen had priority. Additionally, families of those deceased in the southern district incident would receive preferential treatment.

Upon reading this, Mary's eyes lit up. There was no distinction made between men and women, only minimum and maximum age limits—she undoubtedly qualified.

Eight silver coins might not mean much to the wizards, but for the common folk, it was a significant sum. It could sustain a family of three, even allowing for a slightly better lifestyle with occasional additions like eggs to their diet of white bread.

The second piece of news was the expansion of the Iyeta Academy, welcoming back both willing wizard apprentices and established wizards.

Moreover, the "Daily Bugle" mentioned the future establishment of a school in Iyeta for ordinary people.

"A school for non-magic users?" Mary could hardly believe her eyes.

"Yes, Lord Theodore mentioned that. Teaching arithmetic, chemistry, and physics," the shopkeeper confirmed with conviction, having double-checked with the wizards.

"But... what can we do with this knowledge?" Mary looked puzzled.

"According to Lord Theodore, the current lord is in dire need of manpower. These students can join real alchemy workshops and become assistants to the wizards... just like Lydia." the shopkeeper patiently explained.

Lydia? At the mention of her name, Mary became excited.

In Iyeta Harbor, everyone knew the halfling girl who usually jumped around and enjoyed concocting peculiar gadgets. Now, she had transformed into the trusted right-hand woman of the Lord.

And with that transformation, even those halfling individuals, usually looked down upon, had attained a significantly better life. Rumor had it they could earn several gold coins each month.

The power of a role model was undoubtedly formidable.

In her mind, Mary quietly calculated whether she should send her two children to the academy.

The admission fee for each person was ten silver coins, almost half of their compensation. But considering that they could become assistants to the wizard lords in the future, freeing themselves from the struggles of the southern district, Mary resolved herself.

As long as she could secure a position in the workshop, the monthly income would be enough to support the daily expenses of her two children.

Once again, Mary thought of her deceased husband, silently praying that life would gradually get better.

Similarly, in the port city, wizards and many graduated apprentices were reading the newspaper. Their attitudes toward Lynn's re-education plan varied. Some couldn't swallow their pride and flatly refused, even sneering at the idea. But many others were intrigued.

They were all well aware that the current academy director, Lynn, was a prodigy in magical theory research. Despite his young age, he had developed numerous novel and potent spells.

Moreover, rumors had been circulating within the port city that he had already ascended to become a grand wizard. Consequently, the number of applicants returning to school far exceeded Lynn's expectations.