Chapter 1368 Research Institute <TOC> Chapter 1370 Enchanted Mechanical City
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel had previously contemplated meeting Midora. With today’s events, and Midora lending his voice in support, Angel naturally found no reason to decline.
Angel nodded in agreement, “Very well.”
Sabo glanced at the regretful expressions of the other law enforcers around him, remaining silent, then said to Angel, “Let’s go.”
With the departure of Sabo and Angel, the once bustling Monsignor Magic Material Street returned to its usual tranquility. However, the incidents here and the ripples caused by this duel will continue to reverberate in the days to come.
As Angel accompanied Sabo to the Research Institute, he was also reflecting on the prior battle.
This was his rare experience of confronting a formal wizard. All things considered, it wasn’t a negative feeling. Although Angel wasn’t entirely sure he could triumph, given the circumstances, he felt confident just relying on his physical strength. He never saw defeat as a possibility.
Measured in approach, victory or defeat was a matter of heart.
Overall, Angel was satisfied with the duel. Perhaps Winchester hadn’t given his all, but didn’t Angel have a few cards up his sleeve too?
…
The Research Institute was not situated on the front side of Sky Mechanical City but rather on its reverse. On their way there, Sabo would occasionally steal glances at Angel.
Throughout the journey, he was curious about what had brought about such a transformation in Angel. But clearly, this touched upon personal matters. Sabo was hesitant, fearing the potential to strain their relationship by asking.
In his internal conflict, Sabo failed to recognize that he was beginning to view Angel as an equal rather than a mere apprentice. If he still perceived Angel as a novice, he would not be so concerned about Angel’s feelings.
As they journeyed silently to the City of Inversion, Sabo held back his questions. It was Angel who broke the silence first.
“Master Midora summoned me. Is there any urgent matter?” Angel inquired.
Sabo shook his head, “I’m not entirely sure.” Had it not been for Midora’s message, Sabo would have been unaware that Angel, who had recently become the talk of the town, had arrived in Sky Mechanical City.
“However, you needn’t worry. I doubt anything untoward will happen,” Sabo asserted, well aware of Midora’s high regard for Angel. Ever since Angel left Sky Mechanical City, Midora had been closely monitoring his situation.
Given the significance Midora places on Angel, it’s unlikely that his summons would bring any harm.
Above the City of Inversion, where gravity is reversed, two radiant figures flew past and eventually settled in front of a metallic structure resembling a Dragonblood tree.
A massive iron pillar rose from the ground, capped with a semi-elliptical canopy.
This was the renowned heart of Sky Mechanical City——The Research Institute!
“This is the Research Institute. Mentor Midora awaits you inside,” Sabo pointed towards the main entrance. “I don’t have access to the Institute; this is as far as I can take you.”
Angel nodded without uttering another word and headed towards the entrance.
Upon reaching the door, a screen flashed a warning red light and emitted a mechanical voice: “Please present your access card. Countdown commencing: ten, nine, eight…”
Angel wasn’t sure what the countdown signified, but the ominous flashing light suggested that the aftermath might not be pleasant.
He quickly retrieved the access card, placing it in his palm.
With the appearance of the access card, the red light on the screen promptly vanished, turning green. “New access card detected and registered. Welcome, new member.”
As the words faded, the colossal steel gate before him opened like a fan, pivoting from the center to reveal a passage.
Without hesitation, Angel stepped inside.
Angel had always wondered what the interior of the Research Institute might look like. After all, it was renowned as the dreamland for alchemists, the origin of countless experimental tools. He had imagined a bustling atmosphere, filled with individuals engrossed in their research, assistants bustling about.
However, upon entering, he found a chasm between imagination and reality.
The place was eerily empty; not a soul in sight.
Rather than an institute, it felt more like an exhibition hall. From the moment Angel entered, he noticed display cases lined on both sides.
To the left was a device that wasn’t foreign to Angel: an energy stabilizer. But this wasn’t a refined version; it appeared to be the original prototype.
As Angel moved closer to inspect, he noticed luminescent green text appearing on the display case’s glass.
The text detailed the stabilizer’s function, its invention date, and its creator. And when Angel stepped back, the text on the glass vanished.
Curious, Angel tried approaching a few other cases, finding a similar mechanism in play. Each case housed a unique alchemical artifact.
It’s noteworthy to mention that every alchemical creation originates from the Research Institute, and most of the items displayed here are authentic original pieces.
Journeying this far, just along this short path alone, there are over two hundred display cases.
Most of the showcased artifacts are ones Angel is profoundly familiar with; he even uses many during his alchemy sessions. However, while Angel regularly employs these devices, he seldom delves into the tales behind them. Yet, here, each artifact’s backstory is meticulously documented.
As Angel perused, he found it incredibly intriguing. Many inventors had merely jotted down their innovations’ intent in a few succinct words. Yet, it’s these brief narratives that can often ignite sparks of inspiration.
Despite the corridor only being a few dozen meters long, Angel found himself immersed for half an hour.
Exiting this passage, he felt immensely enriched.
Beyond the corridor was a circular exhibition hall. At its heart stood a cylindrical glass tube, and several hallways radiated outward from the exhibition’s perimeter. Even without stepping in, Angel could discern that these corridors, like the one before, housed numerous display cases.
Angel contemplated exploring further, but just then, a luminous streak flashed across the central exhibition hall.
Something resembling an “elevator” began to gently descend from within the cylindrical glass chamber.
Upon its descent, the glass chamber seamlessly unveiled a door, its invitation unmistakably clear.
It beckoned Angel inside.
After some contemplation, Angel stepped in.
It’s essential first to ascertain what Master Midora wants. As for the display cases here, they’re not going anywhere. He can always return for a closer look another time.
The elevator ascended level by level. With its rise, Angel discerned that nearly every floor was similar to the ground level, filled with display cases and entirely devoid of people.
Not until the fiftieth floor did the elevator come to a halt.
Surveying the surroundings, Angel noted the absence of display cases on this floor. Their absence only accentuated the inherent emptiness of the room, lending it an even more desolate aura.
The elevator moved no further, clearly indicating this was the intended destination.
Stepping out, Angel’s gaze immediately met an elderly man seated on a sofa straight ahead. He was perusing a magazine, wearing a monocle.
Atop his head rested an ornate, gold-gilded wizard’s hat. The sparse auburn hair peeking out from beneath was somewhat withered, its edges revealing a smoky, curled tinge. His robes matched his hat’s grandeur, donned in the same gold-gilded pattern.
This was the man Angel had come to meet——”Potion Master” Midora.
The sound of Angel’s footsteps drew Midora’s attention, and he looked up. Midora examined Angel from head to toe with a curious gaze, then remarked with a chuckle, “A few years apart, and the changes in you are beyond my expectations.”
Midora’s tone rendered Angel at ease, instantly evoking memories of the days he spent learning in the potion hut years ago.
Angel grinned, “Master Midora, the changes in you have also taken me by surprise.”
“What changes?” Midora queried, slightly taken aback.
“It’s my first time seeing Master Midora in such formal attire,” Angel responded.
Midora’s expression turned rather peculiar, as if struck by a sudden thought. “Do you think I chose this attire willingly? Had it not been for him entrapping me, pushing me to take charge earlier…”
Sighing, Midora looked at Angel, “You’ll understand in due course. Perhaps you’ll find yourself in my shoes one day.”
“In your shoes?” Angel appeared puzzled, unable to grasp the implication.
Midora chose not to elaborate and set aside the magazine in his hands.
Angel noticed that his portrait adorned the magazine’s cover. In this moment, life seemed to imitate art, a face-off of sorts between his real self and his depicted image.
Finally, Angel averted his eyes, consumed by a wave of awkwardness.
Midora chuckled, “Recently, almost every issue published by Sky Mechanical City’s magazine has you on its cover.”
Angel recalled his earlier outing with Leon to buy —City Firefly’s Night Whisper—, where he had witnessed this grand spectacle. Hearing it from Midora now still brought a blush to his cheeks.
Keen to change the subject, Angel inquired, “Master Midora, what did you wish to discuss when you summoned me?”
Chapter 1368 Research Institute <TOC> Chapter 1370 Enchanted Mechanical City