Wei’en looked at the various materials on his workbench. The recipe and materials for the Anomaly Suppression Magic Potion—that could wait.

He didn’t know how long it took other Wizards to learn Magic Potion recipes, but he was sure it wasn’t just a day. It would be better to wait a day or two before he started learning to brew it.

As long as he didn’t exceed the 30-day deadline Lance and the others had given him, he would be fine.

Next, he inspected the materials and blueprints Luo Ke had given him as compensation. "A blueprint for a Mechanical Puppet... Kener?"

Kener was the name of a genius Mechanical Puppet Wizard from the Mechanical School, and the Mechanical Puppet he designed was widely studied within the school due to its exceptional power.

Wei’en looked at the Mechanical Puppet on the blueprint, focusing on its Rune Array.

’It’s still based on a framework of the Keystone Rune and the Spirit Rune. Oh, but with an added Illusion Rune as the core?’

’Illusion?’

Wei’en’s interest was piqued. ’Does this mean the Kener can change its form?’

’On top of that, it’s paired with the Solid Heart Rune, Swift Rune, Blink Rune, and Lightning Rune...’

"Interesting. The Swift Rune is one thing, but they also specifically added a Blink Rune. This Mechanical Puppet’s movement speed must be astonishing."

Drawing on his extensive knowledge of runology, Wei’en quickly understood the effects of the newly added runes.

He had to admit, this Rune Array alone far surpassed that of the Iron Heart Fury.

’I wonder if Zero will feel slighted after finding this out...’

"Tsk, looks like I’m already starting to treat it like a real living being."

Wei’en glanced toward Miss Zombie’s bedroom and could still clearly hear the conversation between Shawa and Zero.

"...You have to remember, he’s not just your father, he’s also an incredibly powerful Wizard. If your own power doesn’t increase, you’ll be abandoned very soon..."

Zero: "Abandoned? No, no! I want to get stronger!"

"I will help you. We’ll start with the basic movements..."

’She’s already started teaching Zero the basics of combat?’

’Not bad, not bad.’

’Still, when she mentioned abandonment just now, Miss Zombie’s tone seemed a little off. Was I just imagining things?’

At this thought, Wei’en shook his head and stopped focusing on Shawa and the others. He had a more important sniper rifle to build tonight.

’Thall metal, 10 pounds?’

’There are quite a few gears, too... Wizard Luo Ke is pretty generous.’

This would save him a good number of gold pounds.

Wei’en took stock of the metal materials, checked them against the sniper rifle blueprint, and found he only needed to get two more types of materials to have everything he needed.

Before long, he had used the blue and white box to exchange for the remaining metal materials from the specter.

"Let’s do this!"

Wei’en had very high hopes for this sniper rifle. He just hoped its power would significantly increase his combat capabilities.

To meet his expectations, it would have to be at least as powerful as two of the King of Skeletons’ fingers.

He had just started up the drill press when a small figure appeared in the workshop, its familiar white hair dancing as if in a nonexistent wind.

Huh??

Wei’en asked cautiously, "Tina?"

"Well now, we meet again, young Mr. Apprentice. What a... good evening." Tina’s lips curled upward, her face twisting into a strange, sinister smile as she spoke in a hoarse voice.

Holy shit.

’It’s not Tina. It’s that detestable Mr. Clown!!’

"Mr. Leonard?"

’Fuck, you’re here again??’

"Of course it’s me. Isn’t it a wonderful surprise?"

’A surprise? Surprise my ass!’

Wei’en wanted to cry but had no tears as he looked at Tina, whose eyes were bloodshot, and at the clown doll she was clutching...

’Oh no... I haven’t even finished the sniper rifle yet!!’