The following morning, Professor Devika arrived at Greenhouse Room Seven earlier than usual.
She carried a small lacquered box and a stack of documents. Her expression was composed, but the faint tension in her eyes revealed her excitement.
Krishak was watering the Moonveil Vine while Lunafang lounged nearby.
The silver wolf lifted his head in greeting.
Professor Devika placed the lacquered box on the table.
"I tested the pill you created."
Krishak set aside the watering can.
"And?"
Devika exhaled slowly.
"It surpassed the academy's finest recovery potion in every category.
She opened the box.
Inside were several sealed reports.
"Efficiency, purity, stability, and absorption rate."
She looked directly at Krishak.
"There is no comparison."
Professor Devika sat across from him.
"I would like to make a formal
proposal."
Krishak nodded for her to continue.
"The academy should establish a confidential research partnership with you.
The offer included several benefits:
Access to advanced alchemy facilities.
Priority use of rare ingredients.
Additional contribution points.
Protection of his intellectual property.
Direct mentorship under senior scholars.
In return, Krishak would share selected pill formulas and contribute to the development of Earth's alchemy.
For most students, such an offer would be beyond imagination.
Krishak remained calm.
The proposal offered undeniable advantages.
Access to better resources would accelerate his work significantly.
However, revealing too much too quickly could attract dangerous attention from families, corporations, and government organizations.
Knowledge was power.
And revolutionary knowledge invited both admiration and greed.
Krishak asked, "Who would be informed?"
Devika answered immediately.
"Only myself, Headmaster Rudra, and two trusted researchers."
Krishak considered her response.
He trusted Devika's sincerity, but caution remained essential.
Krishak made several conditions.
1. All formulas remained his personal property.
2. No information could be shared without his approval.
3. He could terminate the partnership at any time.
4. Any profits from future commercialization would be negotiated separately.
5. His identity as the creator would remain confidential whenever possible.
Professor Devika listened carefully.
Then she smiled.
"You negotiate like a seasoned scholar."
Krishak returned a small smile.
"I prefer clarity."
Devika extended her hand.
"Agreed."
Krishak shook it.
Later that afternoon, Krishak and Professor Devika met with Headmaster Rudra.
After reviewing the reports and proposed terms, the headmaster signed the agreement without hesitation.
He looked at Krishak with a thoughtful expression.
"You continue to provide surprises."
Krishak replied, "I hope they are useful ones."
Rudra chuckled.
"They may prove historic."
The Headmaster then presented Krishak with a black access token.
"This grants you entry to the academy's advanced alchemy laboratory."
That evening, Devika personally guided Krishak to the restricted facility.
The laboratory was far more sophisticated than his makeshift greenhouse station.
Rows of spirit furnaces, precision instruments, and ingredient storage chambers filled the room.
The ambient energy was carefully regulated for alchemical work.
Krishak examined the equipment with genuine appreciation.
With these resources, he could attempt formulas that were previously impractical.
Professor Devika asked which projects he wished to pursue first.
Krishak provided a short list.
Improved Recovery Pills.
Beast Nourishment Pills.
Basic Healing Pills.
Low-grade Poison Antidotes.
Devika reviewed the list and nodded.
"These alone could transform field medicine."
Krishak knew that this was merely the surface.
But even modest advancements would create a strong foundation for future progress.
As Krishak returned to his dormitory, he reflected on the significance of the agreement.
He now possessed:
Direct support from a senior professor.
The Headmaster's trust.
Access to advanced facilities.
Proprietary alchemical knowledge.
Each element increased his influence within the academy.
Influence would allow him to gather resources, protect his interests, and eventually support the academy he intended to build in the future.
Lunafang walked beside him, his silver fur glowing softly beneath the moonlight.
The wolf nudged Krishak's hand.
Krishak smiled.
"We're making progress."
That night, Krishak reviewed his goals.
Continue refining alchemical techniques.
Advance his cultivation.
Strengthen Lunafang.
Guide his hidden disciples through his clone.
And slowly prepare the systems that would one day reshape Earth's understanding of cultivation.
The research partnership was not his final objective.
It was another strategic step.
One more piece placed carefully into a much larger design.