Chapter 337 - Chapter 337 Chapter 336 If I have ulterior motives you can dig
Chapter 337 of "Exploring Technology in a Wizard World" starts with unexpected events: Answer: The rate of test tube breakage is faster than the rate of use. Everything... Find out more!
Answer: The rate of test tube breakage is faster than the rate of use. Everything is fine, just a bit costly.âCrash, crash, crashâŠâ
Pandoraâs hands were constantly filled with the sound of shattering glass, and although she wasnât breaking every single one anymore with accumulated experience, the situation was still far from optimistic.
Richard glanced at Pandoraâs serious expression and estimated that, once this batch of test tubes was cleaned, at most only one-third of them would survive. Considering these werenât all the test tubes, it wouldnât affect subsequent experimental research.
However, short-sightedness leads to immediate worries. He would have to plan ahead for the test tubes. Otherwise, when they were desperately needed one day, they would only be faced with broken glass shards in the corner.
With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Richard spoke to Pandora, who was still washing test tubes, âPandora, you keep washing here, I need to step out for a bit. No problems, right?â
âOkay,â Pandora nodded in agreement, indicating no problem. However, distracted by speaking, the glass test tube in her hand she had just picked up shattered with a âcrash.â
Pandora pouted slightly in displeasure, shook off the broken glass from her palm, and picked up a new test tube to start washing.
Richard looked, shook his head slightly, and walked towards the laboratory door. As he stepped out, he heard a clear âcrashâ from behind. Richardâs expression didnât change as if he hadnât heard anything, and he continued walking out, comforting himself in his mind: Youâll get used to it, youâll get used to it. After all, itâs normal for a newbie to break a test tube or two.
âCrash, crashâŠâ
The sound of breaking glass persisted relentlessly from behindâŠ
Richard couldnât help but speed up his walk.
Leaving the lab, Richard didnât spend much effort to find Alex, paid him a sum of money, and entrusted him to handle the test tube situation.
Seeing an opportunity to make money, Alex naturally wouldnât let it go. He promised brightly, patting his chest, more ample than that of a woman, and assured, âDonât worry, my dearest friendâLord Richard, I wonât take your money for nothing. I will get this done in the shortest time possible! I swear, on the name of my great ancestorâCaptain Alex, you will get the largest quantity and best quality of test tubes! If what I say does not match what I do, then may my great ancestorâCaptain Alex, not rest in his grave!â
Hearing Alexâs words, Richard couldnât help but recall the time Alex was paying respects to a tombstone outside of White Stone City. He actually trusted Alex; although the man was a bit greedy, he knew limits, and their multiple past cooperations had proved this. Richard didnât really care about swearing in the ancestorâs name.
For one thing, he didnât believe that swearing had any real binding power, and secondly, if Alex really did something to betray him, digging up his ancestorâs grave wouldnât compensate for anything.
After exchanging a few words with Alex and confirming the arrangement, Richard didnât waste any more time, turned around, and left, ready to return to the lab to continue his busyness.
On his way back, just as Richard was about to enter the main experimental lab, he heard the continuous âwhooshâ sounds from inside the door, followed by Pandoraâs muttering complaints, âIt seems there are a few test tubes short, if I keep scrubbing like this, soon⊠whoosh⊠they will all be scrubbed clean. When Richard comes back⊠whoosh⊠Iâll ask if thereâs anything else I can scrub⊠That big cup is nice, that magnifying mirror isnât bad either, and thereâs⊠whoosh⊠that thingâŠâ
Richardâs step halted mid-air and stayed suspended for a long time. He blinked, silently and slowly retracted his step, turned around, and quickly moved away from the laboratory.
He couldnât risk not leaving; after so much effort, there were only a pitiful few items left in the laboratory. If he returned now with Pandora in such high spirits, scrubbing everything in sight, it was almost certain heâd have to start all over again.
Therefore, it was better to take a stroll outside and return to the lab in the evening when the losses could be minimized. And when the large batch of test tubes he ordered from Alex arrived, he could let Pandora scrub test tubes all day long, and that would be safe.
With this in mind, Richard walked along the streets and made his way into White Stone Tower Academy.
It had been a long time since he last visited the academy, and Richard noticed changes compared to his last visit. The East Coast exchange meeting wasnât over, and many visiting students were still around, making the academy seem bustling, yet amid the bustle, there was a subtle abnormality.
For some reason, Richard felt an inexplicable tense atmosphere in the air; every passing student had a hint of vigilance in their eyes.
This wasâŠ
Richard walked at a measured pace and saw a group of Wizard Apprentices wearing Rose Red Robes passing byâthey were from Rose City, and among them was Angel, whom he had met before.
Angel obviously saw him; her eyes widened in surprise and delight. She opened her mouth as if to say something but then remembered something and suddenly restrained her expression, dulled her eyes, quickly lowered her head, and walked away with her companions as if she hadnât recognized him at all.
Richard knew this was because Angel remembered his previous requestâafter bringing her back from the graveyard, they were to act as strangers to avoid raising any suspicion that might lead others to unravel any traces. Of course, his request was also because he disliked trivial matters, especially those involving men and women, feeling it unnecessary, avoiding contact whenever possible.
While contemplating, Richard heard a voice from behind, someone said, âLord Richard?â
âHmm?â Richard turned at the sound and saw Gro standing nearby, his face showing an unexpected expression.
âLord Richard? You⊠youâre back?â Groâs eyes widened, âI mean, I thought you had already left White Stone City; itâs been quite a while since Iâve seen you.â
âHa!â Richard smiled and shrugged his shoulders in response, âIâve just been quite busy recentlyâŠâ
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Richard inquired about the situation at the White Stone Tower Academy, âBy the way, Gro, I wanted to ask, has something happened at the academy recently? It doesnât seem quite normal.â
âNot normal? In what way?â
âIn every way,â Richard gestured around seriously, âIt feels like thereâs something on alert.â
âOh, you mean that.â Gro said, âYou are not wrong there. Iâve heard that itâs because the Wizards of White Stone Tower have detected the presence of some evil force trying to disrupt the order of White Stone City.
Because of this, many Wizards from the tower are now trying to investigate and eliminate the threat, creating an uneasy atmosphere in the academy. Several classes have been suspended, and the professors have been called away to assist.â
âIs that so,â Richard listened, his eyes flickered, and he couldnât help but think about Suo Men and Mu Konniâs Mysterious Organization behind: the evil power that the White Stone Tower Wizards had detected should be this organization, yet it was uncertain who would win if a conflict were to break out.