In their view, this young lecturer was clearly blinded by his newly acquired status, making an extremely unwise decision.
"I’ll arrange it for you right away." He sighed softly: "But have you really thought it through? If enrollment numbers sharply decline..."
"That just means this pricing has filtered out unsuitable students." Ron turned to leave: "Notify me promptly of any results."
Watching Ron leave, Victor shook his head and said to his colleagues:
"Too impulsive, triple the price, I think it’s fortunate if a fifth of his classroom fills."
The finance administrator echoed:
"The title of New Star Plan’s runner-up is indeed valuable, but not worth this much.
Students aren’t fools; this price more than covers the cost of attending advanced lecturers’ classes."
However, four hours after the course adjustment information was released, Victor’s Magic Crystal Communicator began flashing wildly.
"Mr. Victor, Lecturer Ralph’s advanced course enrollment system... seems to be experiencing a data glitch."
The apprentice responsible for network maintenance reported anxiously:
"The enrollment numbers are growing too fast, no, it seems to be real data... the prepaid Magic Stone Fragments have already been credited..."
"What?" Victor incredulously checked the real-time data: "This... how is this possible?"
In just a few hours, enrollment numbers had surpassed 200, and were continuing to grow at a rate of 8-10 people per hour.
Even more astonishing was the fact that among the enrollees were not only apprentices but also more than a dozen official wizards.
"Quick, quickly contact the equipment department, apply to use the large lecture hall!" Victor frantically directed:
"Also, install sound equipment and temporary seating!"
That afternoon, Victor had to personally visit Ron’s residence to report the situation.
When he saw Ron, his face was filled with deep admiration.
"Lecturer Ralph, I... I must apologize to you." Victor bowed, his voice trembling slightly:
"I completely underestimated your influence; enrollment numbers have already surpassed 300 and continue to grow."
He carefully handed over a detailed report:
"It includes 13 official wizards, 87 advanced apprentices, and the rest are intermediate apprentices.
We’ve had to apply for the academy’s largest lecture hall with seating sufficient for 500 people."
Ron took the report and quickly browsed through the data.
In his eyes, the identity of the New Star Plan runner-up was a quantifiable resource, with a value far exceeding his expectations.
"What’s the equipment cost?" he asked.
"In total... a total of 50 Magic Stone Fragments need to be additionally paid." Victor’s voice grew smaller:
"For renting the large lecture hall, installing sound runes, and temporary seating. This is already an internal discount price..."
"It’s okay, just deduct it from the income of my first class."
According to his understanding, this was indeed a rather discounted price, and Ron was too indifferent to haggle over such small sums.
When Victor returned, several staff members who had not yet clocked out immediately gathered around.
"Victor, how did it turn out? Are there really people willing to pay such expensive tuition?"
"What was Lecturer Ralph’s expression? Wasn’t he disappointed?"
Victor shook his head, his eyes full of awe:
"Over 300 people enrolled, including more than a dozen official wizards.
We’re not worried about insufficient enrollment, but rather about not accommodating everyone in the classroom."
The office fell into dead silence, everyone’s eyes wide open.
"This... this can’t be." The finance administrator murmured:
"300 Magic Stone Fragments for one course session, and over 300 people enrolled?"
"It seems we completely misunderstood what ’prestige value’ means," Victor said with a bitter smile:
"This title of New Star Plan runner-up is worth far more than we imagined."
He recalled Ron’s earlier calm expression, fearing the latter had already anticipated such results.
This young man, his judgment of his own influence was quite precise.
"A genius is called a genius precisely because they have qualities we ordinary people cannot comprehend."
Victor sighed to his colleagues.
......
In the morning, the large flying machine heading to the Abyssal Observation Station slowly started, the magic engine emitting a deep and powerful roar.
The departure lounge was filled with various research personnel preparing to return, their faces marked by the complex emotions of imminent danger.
Ron stood among the crowd, with a delicate suitcase containing a compressed workshop beside him.
Drawing envious glances from several young researchers nearby.
"Lecturer Ralph, your space device looks quite advanced,"
A material analyst wearing thick glasses marveled:
"With this compression ratio, it must be worth a good many complete Magic Stones on the market?"
"It’s okay, the craftsmanship is mainly complex." Ron replied humbly.
A seasoned-looking middle-aged researcher nearby shook his head with a bitter smile:
"We ordinary people can’t enjoy such treatment.
My experimental equipment has to be shipped, which requires recalibration at the observation station, wasting several days at the least."
Upon boarding the aircraft, the captain noticeably treated Ron with more respect than the other passengers while confirming the list.
"Wizard Ralph, your seat is in the third row of A zone, with the best view there."
The captain personally led him: "If you need any special services, feel free to call the attendant."