Wizard Earl

Chapter 403 Weighing the Pros and Cons

"Is there any way for the auxiliary chip to speed up the inscription of the siphon runes on this metal brick using mental micromanagement?" Although he knew that the auxiliary chip would be unable to build a data model due to insufficient information about the metal brick, and that the probability of it providing a solution to his current predicament was very small, Connor still held onto a sliver of hope and wanted to try anything as a last resort.

"Beep! Following the subject's will, initiating analysis by combining the database... Analysis complete. There is a method to accelerate the subject's alchemy efficiency!" Hearing the cool female voice from the auxiliary chip in his mind, Connor was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected the auxiliary chip to provide a solution so quickly. Hearing the auxiliary chip mention a possibility that could help him improve efficiency, Connor's face instantly lit up with ecstasy. He hadn't expected that his gamble would actually pay off; the auxiliary chip really did have a solution!

"Assistive chip! Tell me quickly, what's the method?!" Connor asked the assistive chip expectantly in his mind.

"Beep! The main body can seek assistance from Wizard Martina!"

Upon hearing the solution offered by the auxiliary chip, Connor's smile froze instantly. He had never imagined that the solution provided by the auxiliary chip would be this!

"Let him cooperate with that woman Martina, how the hell is that possible..."

"Auxiliary chip, besides this method, are there any other ways to improve my alchemy efficiency and speed up the process?" Connor asked the auxiliary chip again, unwilling to give up.

"Beep! Due to a lack of sufficient information and data regarding the metal bricks, the auxiliary chip is unable to construct a simulation data model. The auxiliary chip cannot provide any method to improve the main body's alchemy efficiency other than suggesting that the main body cooperate with Martina!" The cold female voice of the auxiliary chip echoed in Connor's mind.

That cold voice instantly extinguished the flame of hope in Connor's heart, gradually calming him down. Although he still couldn't shake off his dislike for Martina, he had to admit that the suggestion of the auxiliary chip, in itself, wasn't a bad idea; it was quite constructive.

The task Old Victor gave him was mainly divided into two parts. The first part was to temper the metal bricks and force out the remaining impurities. The second part was to use mental manipulation to inscribe siphon runes on the metal bricks.

The second part, the task of mental micro-management, is something he can only complete himself and cannot delegate to Martina. However, regarding the first part, the task of tempering the metal bricks, if Martina possesses a certain level of alchemy skill, she might be able to handle the job! There are five metal bricks in total. He has already completed the tempering of one, and there are four remaining. Tempering one brick will take him a day. But if Martina can take on this task, it means he can save four days!

If he doesn't use Martina, he'll have to complete both alchemy tasks by himself. The chance of returning to the apartment before the alchemy bomb explodes is slim, if not impossible. And even if he does manage to get back before the bomb explodes, the damage to himself from continuously refining metal bricks and using mental manipulation will be immeasurable!

If he didn't want Martina's help, didn't want to suffer too much damage to himself, and didn't want the alchemical bomb in his apartment to explode, then there was only one way: to confront old Victor!

But while it's easy to talk things out, how is Connor supposed to bring this up with old Victor? Oh! Old Victor, I'm afraid you'll try to harm me, so I planted a bomb in my apartment and left notes with all your identities. If you don't let me go back, the bomb will explode and we'll all be finished.

Connor was certain that if he said that to old Victor, the old Victor would probably just detain him here and send people to search his apartment. Old Victor was so cunning; even if he changed the excuse, he probably wouldn't be able to fool him.

After careful consideration, Connor sighed slightly. He had to admit that of all the possibilities, cooperating with Martina, although difficult for him to accept, was the least risky one!

"A true man can bend and stretch. What's a little cooperation with Martina? Besides, I'm the boss on this alchemy mission. Martina is just my assistant at best!" Connor comforted himself and pressed a button on the lab table.

This button was a device that old Victor left for Connor to contact him. When Connor was being monitored while forging the Soul Spear, Connor and old Victor met and, very tacitly, neither of them mentioned it, as if it had never happened. Although neither of them mentioned it, it didn't mean that Connor's actions were ineffective. This time, in this connected laboratory, Connor did not find the presence of the surveillance device, and old Victor left himself this button for contacting him.

"Is there a problem, Connor?" Five seconds after Connor pressed the button, old Victor's calm voice came from the alchemy lab.

"Butler Victor, you mentioned before that the master taught Martina a few alchemical techniques, is that right?" Connor asked calmly.

"That's right! So, do you need her help?" Old Victor continued:

"Yes! I plan to entrust the task of refining metal bricks to her if her alchemy skills are sufficient!" Although he felt helpless, Connor did not show any emotion on his face.

"As you wish!" After saying these four words, old Victor's voice disappeared completely, and ten minutes later, Martina, with a cold face, pushed open the door of the alchemy laboratory and appeared in front of Connor.

Seeing Martina's lifeless expression, Connor suppressed the urge to kick her out and forced himself to calm down. He said to Martina, "I heard from old Victor that your teacher taught you alchemy. Do you know how to quench metal?"

"meeting!"

Martina glared fiercely at Connor before finally uttering a single, cold word.

"Very good. Temper this metal to force out the impurities. Let me see!" Connor took out a fist-sized piece of metal from his spatial ring and handed it to Martina.

The stubborn Martina showed no intention of taking the metal ball Connor offered her. She continued to stare coldly at Connor, but there was something inexplicable in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)