Chapter 33: Knowledge is Power (and Wealth)

Ian had to admit that part of his plan relied on a gamble. He wasn't entirely sure how valuable his experience manual would be. Still, as a prudent thinker, Ian had prepared a backup plan: technical blueprints for propellers, sealed compartments, and wave-suppressing panels.

While propellers weren't exactly a secret, Ian's design was based on advanced models from his previous life, refined and tested by Wah Wah. These were undeniably cutting-edge. After all, the development of propellers had always been a story of trial and error.

The sealed compartment was an indispensable feature of the ironclad warship era, while the wave-suppressing panel, though seemingly simple, was a game-changer for improving propeller efficiency. These technologies shared a common drawback—they were hard to keep secret. Once deployed, they could be reverse-engineered.

For Ian, this was no problem. Let them copy all they wanted. He had plenty more where that came from.

The six wizard towers of the Alchemists' Mutual Assistance Society each specialized in different fields: potion-making, magical energy devices, alchemical equipment, enchanted artifacts, combat sorcery, and more. Yet, the knowledge within them was shared across the society.

At the entrance of the third wizard tower, Ian placed his hand on the crystalline sphere by the door. The familiar ripple of spiritual energy confirmed his identity, and the heavy doors swung open. He made his way unimpeded to the fifth-floor hall, where a white-haired alchemist handled contribution exchanges.

Ian submitted his manual detailing the production process and best practices for crafting enchanted weapon oils. To reinforce his credibility, he also included a vial of the finest-quality weapon oil he'd ever produced.

The elderly alchemist, intrigued by the pristine weapon oil, immediately expedited the submission process. Within an hour, a four-person review team was convened: one supervisor to record proceedings and three experts to evaluate the submission.

Ian demonstrated the process live, producing another top-tier batch of enchanted weapon oil. Though optional, a live demonstration often sped up the evaluation process. Typically, validating a piece of knowledge could take days, so Ian had braced himself for a wait.

To his surprise, the three alchemists, all specialists in enchanted products, quickly confirmed its value on the spot. They signed off on the submission, awarding Ian an initial 30 contribution points—a respectable sum, matching the value of the weapon oil's recipe alone. And this was just the beginning.

The Alchemists' Society regarded knowledge as the ultimate wealth. Their contribution system reflected this belief, splitting rewards into three parts: base value, adjusted value, and usage royalties.

Base Value: A guaranteed minimum reward, in Ian's case, 30 contribution points.Adjusted Value: Additional points awarded later if the knowledge proves more valuable than initially assessed or finds applications in new fields.Usage Royalties: Whenever another alchemist spends contribution points to access the knowledge, the original contributor earns 1% of the cost.

Ian had a hunch that royalties could turn into the real jackpot.

Flush with his newly earned points, Ian eagerly browsed the exchange catalog.

Awakening Potion I: Dramatically increases the success rate of spiritual awakening while protecting the spirit from damage. (30 points, one bottle per year.)Alchemical Gunpowder Formula I: High explosive power and stability. (30 points.)24-Pound Alchemical Cannon: Precision-crafted alchemical equipment. (30 points, limit two per year.)Repair Spell: Rapidly restores damaged magical devices. (80 points.)Unstable Compound Formula: A volatile concoction that produces powerful explosions. The longer it steeps, the greater the damage. (120 points.)32-Pound Alchemical Cannon: (200 points, limit one per year.)Alchemical Cannon Manufacturing Process I: Covers 3- to 24-pound alchemical cannons. (300 points.)Awakening Potion Formula I: ... (350 points.)

Ian couldn't help but gulp. The list was full of treasures—rare knowledge, unique magical devices, and resources practically impossible to acquire in the outside world. Yet, even with his newly acquired points, his choices were limited.

Grudgingly, he submitted the technical blueprints for the propeller, sealed compartment, and wave-suppressing panel for evaluation, knowing they would take longer to verify. For now, he settled for a 24-pound alchemical cannon, unable to afford the accompanying ammunition or specialized gunpowder.

By evening, Ian returned to his tower, leading the transport crew that delivered the massive cannon. The 24-pounder, weighing over two tons, was encased in a sturdy wooden crate. Ian had it unloaded near the base of the tower, intending to install it on his warship once the standard gunpowder and ammunition he'd ordered arrived.

Back at the tower, Ian found Miltar enthusiastically hauling supplies into the ship. He'd already moved most of the stockpile from the second and third floors. Ian smiled wryly at the sight. He had planned to let Wah Wah handle the labor with its tentacles later that night, but seeing Miltar so invested, he decided not to interrupt.

The cannon safely delivered, Ian turned to Miltar with a mischievous grin. Together, they carried out a set of sails he'd prepared earlier.

"Captain, shouldn't we rig the tackle first?" Miltar hesitated, glancing at the sails. Setting up rigging was an arduous task, requiring careful coordination and plenty of manpower.

"We've got a better way," Ian said cryptically.

From the storage chest, he retrieved the Animated Ropes. "Wah Wah, can you handle this? Will it interfere with your spirit?"

Artifacts like the Animated Ropes could affect their users' spiritual stability, especially if the user had weaker or less focused spiritual energy. But Wah Wah's unique, robust spirit meant it could easily master the artifact without adverse effects.

"Wah Wah… (Master, I can use it. No trouble at all…)," Wah Wah replied confidently.

With its spiritual imprint applied to the ropes, the Animated Ropes sprang to life. Like fluid tendrils, they uncoiled, hoisted the sails, and deftly secured them to the masts. The process was a seamless dance, elegant and efficient, completed in under three minutes. The rigging was not only functional but aesthetically flawless.

Ian watched in awe, while Miltar stood frozen, mouth agape, staring at the ropes in disbelief. If this is what it means to harness alchemical wonders, Ian thought, they had only just begun to tap their potential.