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In the roar of countless machines and gears turning.
In Teacher Meila’s fervent calls.
Mu’en fell into a daze.
What person, what creation, what authority, what power?
Can such authority really be created by humans?
And what exactly is this terrifying thing filled with the feeling of a climactic ending being unveiled for the protagonist to carry against the final villain?
According to the original storyline, we haven’t even passed the academy chapter yet!
“Originally, according to my calculations, I should have awakened five years later to re-implement this plan.”
A hint of regret suddenly appeared in Teacher Meila’s amber eyes:
“But since I awakened early, and the direction of fate has become so chaotic that even I cannot predict it, I have no choice but to proceed with this step ahead of time.”
So, is this thing really meant to be revealed much later in the story?!
“Then… why did Teacher Meila call me here?”
Mu’en couldn’t help but feel his legs go weak, and his speech became incoherent.
“I don’t believe I can be of any help.”
At first, Mu’en thought Teacher Meila was going to use him to study some terrifying forbidden magic or something, and he had already mentally prepared to face failure.
But he didn’t expect her to directly reveal something like this?!
How can I help with this? I can’t even understand the principle of how those gears can float in the air and move by themselves. Besides hiding behind and waving little flags while shouting, “Great leader, six six six,” what else can I do?
“About that…”
Teacher Meila suddenly turned around, revealing a meaningful smile towards Mu’en.
Mu’en felt a shiver from that gaze and slowly retreated while clutching his collar:
“What, what do you want to do?”
“Well, even though I shouted very loudly just now, this is only a prototype of authority, far from being true authority.”
Teacher Meila said with an innocent expression:
“After all, how could a soulless object created through alchemy and magic possibly become a true authority on par with a deity?”
“Is… is that so? So what?”
“So…”
With a subtle wave of Meila’s small hand, it was as if everything around was encompassed in her palm.
“They need a vessel, a… living vessel.”
“A vessel?”
Mu’en’s mind went blank for a moment.
Then, as if he had just had a major realization, this shocking news made his scalp tingle.
“A vessel? Who?”
“Who else could it be?”
Teacher Meila asked curiously:
“Is there a third person here?”
“Me?”
Mu’en looked at the enormous mechanical creation that he could not see entirely and had no idea how large it was. Then he looked down at his small arms and legs and shook his head frantically:
“No way, no way, it’s too big to fit in.”
“Can!”
“Definitely can’t; I would be crushed!”
“If I say it can, then it can!”
Meila asserted firmly:
“And of course, it’s impossible to directly fit such a large thing into your body. I will definitely make some modifications.”
“Modifications?”
Mu’en gestured, “Is it about making this thing small enough to fit in my pocket?”
“No, it’s about modifying you to put something inside.” Meila said earnestly.
“…”
After a brief contemplation, Mu’en seemed to finally understand. He raised his head and with a serious expression said:
“So, is it still too late for me to get off this ride?”
“Want to leave?”
Meila chuckled coldly.
Then she snapped her fingers.
Accompanied by the sound of machinery operating, the huge door slammed shut.
Following that, sounds of countless lock cores closing echoed from the door.
“You think I’ll let you go after you took my knife? I’ve welded the door shut.”
Various drill bits, electric saws, axes, screwdrivers, and mechanical arms appeared from behind Meila, shining with cold light like a peacock showing its feathers, making Mu’en’s face go pale.
“Are you ready to accept your teacher’s affection? My obedient pupil.” Meila said with a benign smile.
…
…
That night.
Bairland’s lower city.
Rainwater washed over the muddy ground, leaving behind distorted patterns resembling the grand works of abstract painters.
Under the dim sky, a young girl with a bun struggled to hold up a large umbrella to shield the silvery figure in front of her from the rain.
But the silvery figure, seemingly finding it cumbersome, pushed the large umbrella aside and stepped into the pouring rain, disregarding how the uniform was quickly soaked through.
In front of them, an area marked by bright yellow caution tape was illuminated.
Many black-clad figures in raincoats were busy on the flat ground near the riverside, meticulously collecting something, occasionally inserting small markers into the ground with numbers on them.
And at the center of them, faint white lines could be seen outlining the silhouette of a deceased person.
It was obvious that this was a crime scene.
Celicia lifted the caution tape and stepped into the center, looking at the body in a familiar uniform on the ground. Her cold face still showed no visible emotion, but her hands had unconsciously clenched tightly, with the joints turning white.
“Your Highness.”
A balding middle-aged man appeared by Celicia’s side at some point, constantly wiping his face with a handkerchief, unsure if it was sweat or rainwater he was wiping away.
“The identity of the deceased has been confirmed.”
“Speak.”
“Tek Rod is indeed a student of St. Maria Academy, in his second year.”
“Rod?”
“He is the fourth son of Count Rod. Although he has three older brothers, due to his talent, he is highly regarded by Count Rod.”
As soon as the words fell.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the edge of the caution tape.
Horses neighed.
A stern-looking man emerged from a carriage engraved with the Rod family crest, shouting at the guards blocking his way:
“Let me through! Do you know who I am? I am Count Rod! I must see my son!”
The scene became chaotic.
Count Rod’s guards clashed with the police, creating a ruckus where even the sound of the rain became difficult to hear.
“Let him get lost first!”
Celicia suddenly said coldly.
“Eh?”
The balding middle-aged man was taken aback: “The exact words?”
“The exact words.”
Celicia paused, “And tell him, I will give him an explanation.”
Thus, with Celicia’s guarantee, Count Rod was furious but had no choice but to leave, and the scene fell quiet once more. The black-clad guards continued to silently gather information, leaving only the sound of rain filling the world.
Celicia lowered her head, looking at the body.
The blood around the body had been washed clean by the heavy rain, but one could still see that the chest of the corpse was stained blood-red.
Through the torn uniform over the left chest, it could be vaguely seen that this body seemed to be missing some important part.
“What was the cause of death?”
Celicia silently withdrew her gaze.
“Just… just as your Highness sees.”
The balding middle-aged man wiped his forehead, which he couldn’t get dry, and said:
“The deceased died from a heart extraction.”
