25: Chapter 0025 An Encounter

It was already past three o'clock when they left the 'Mountain' Metallurgical Institute. It seemed time was truly running short.

This left Li Size with a hint of regret; he wouldn't be able to properly tour the first city he'd seen in the Wizard World that was brimming with sorcerous civilization.

With Felina in tow, he hurried to the 'Crimson Soul Machinery Group Gele Branch'...

It was probably around four o'clock. The Forging machinery had limited functions, so they placed an order quickly.

However, since Li Size's factory was to produce weapons like knight swords, arrows, and knight armor, and also planned to manufacture corresponding bicycle parts, the required machine tool functions were relatively complex.

Therefore, the branch receptionist prepared to take Li Size to visit the branch's machine tool exhibition center, allowing him to choose his own combination of machine tools.

The staff member led the two to the exhibition center...

The vast exhibition hall was empty and quiet, displaying over twenty finished machine tools of various types.

Li Size walked up to inspect the first machine tool. It possessed cutting, milling, and grinding functions—precisely what was needed for Forging knight swords.

'Branch Manager!'

The staff member beside them suddenly spoke up, clearly because someone else had arrived.

'Hmm. Pava, we have distinguished guests visiting now. You'll have to ask your current guests to leave temporarily. If they still wish to purchase machine tools, they can come back tomorrow.'

The branch manager hurriedly instructed, evidently having just received the notification of the distinguished guests' visit.

Judging by the address, he was, after all, the head of a military-affiliated institution in Gele City. One wondered what level of distinguished guest required him to personally clear the area.

Li Size glanced at his pocket watch. It was almost 5 p.m. They still had to return to Gray Mist Mountain Town tonight. Time was clearly insufficient. He regretted not taking care of business yesterday before going to the hotel.

Li Size sighed and was about to leave to figure something out later when a clear, firm female voice suddenly rang out:

'That won't be necessary! I'll tour with them. Consider it a chance to make a friend.'

The afternoon sunlight outside the doorway scattered like shattered gold, outlining the slender yet upright figure of a young woman. A bright, delicate face came into view:

Her porcelain-white skin held a faint cherry-blossom pink hue, like thin porcelain kissed by sunlight. Willow-leaf eyebrows, delicate and curved, their ends slightly upturned, carried an air of casual liveliness.

Those almond-shaped eyes were like obsidian stones soaked in clear water, their pupils seemingly holding scattered starlight deep within. When she looked at someone, there was always a trace of subtle inquiry and slyness.

Long, thick eyelashes fluttered gently like two small fans with each blink.

Beneath her pert nose, lips of pale coral were full and soft, the corners holding a faint yet captivating smile.

She had fluffy, soft pink hair cut just above her ears, the strands shimmering with a fine, velvety light, the ends slightly curled, making her cheeks appear even more petite and exquisite.

She wore a matte black leather bodysuit that clung to her graceful curves. The material resembled exotic beast leather, with silver patterns embroidered along the stand-up collar. A wide belt at her waist was fastened with a silver wolf-head emblem.

Over it, she wore a white fox fur stole, the fluffy fur covering her shoulders, creating a stark contrast with the black clothing.

On her left wrist was a black beaded bracelet. The fingers of her right hand were slender and elegant, nails coated with transparent protective varnish.

Overall, she was like a rose blooming in darkness—possessing both the bright vivacity of a young woman and the mysterious aloofness of a Wizard Apprentice, making one want to approach yet not dare to touch lightly.

Felina leaned close to Li Size's ear and whispered: 'Intermediate Wizard Apprentice!'

'Oh!?'

Wizard Apprentices weren't rare creatures, but they weren't so common as to be found everywhere on the street. Running into another Intermediate Wizard Apprentice so suddenly was quite a surprise.

'Hello!

I'm Felin.

I'm interested in these machines. If you don't mind, let's tour together.'

Felin smiled radiantly, her words light and cheerful, though it was evident she was more interested in Felina, who was also an Intermediate Apprentice.

Felina obediently looked at Li Size, clearly deferring to his opinion.

Seeing that they could stay to complete the purchase and wouldn't have to worry about the machine tools anymore, Li Size, with the matter resolved, nodded to indicate they could stay.

Noticing the unusual dynamic between the two, Felin then examined Li Size with a hint of curiosity. The lively young woman secretly speculated about their relationship.

Apart from the machine tool he'd just seen, Li Size also needed machines for punching, drilling, polishing, bending, and so on.

Because Felin was present, the branch manager personally took over, providing detailed introductions for each of these machine tools one by one.

Li Size listened with great interest. These machine tools were both similar to and different from the ones he commonly used in his previous life—their functions were alike.

But their structure and principles were vastly different. The brilliant and peculiar sorcerous civilization had borne another kind of splendid flower in the field of machinery.

Li Size had basically already selected his combination of machine tools.

But considering the Feiting Federation's 'borrowing a hen to lay eggs' plan, it was clearly impossible to only produce cold weapons like knight swords and armor.

He predicted that once the production capacity for the first batch of products was verified, the other side would definitely demand that Li Size's side continue producing standard firearms!

Thinking of this, he asked the branch manager:

'Branch Manager, I wonder if the machine tools we just saw can produce firearms?'

Upon hearing this, the branch manager and the others all looked at him. Felin asked curiously:

'Are you planning to build an arms factory?'

Felina seemed thoughtful. Li Size smiled and answered vaguely:

'Hmm, my family might receive some military orders.

You know, military orders are increasing these days. Existing factories can't keep up.'

Felin looked deeply at Li Size again, as if trying to remember this young man, then quickly nodded and answered on behalf of the branch manager:

'The machine tools here won't do.

These are all only medium-precision. Manufacturing firearm barrels requires deep-hole drilling, rifling broaching, and precision grinding. These all require high-precision machine tools to meet the requirements.

I'm actually quite curious too. In principle, a city-level branch of the Machinery Group should have high-precision machine tools.

Branch Manager, why don't you have any here?'

The branch manager hesitated for a moment, then replied in a low voice:

'The current Viscount Weisman restricts high-precision machine tools from entering Gele City, citing the prevention of proliferation of dangerous goods like firearms.'

Li Size had originally thought if they were available, he might as well buy them all at once. Hearing this, he felt somewhat disappointed.

He frowned slightly, thinking to himself, would he have to go somewhere farther to buy these machine tools?

Seeing his expression, the branch manager indicated he was powerless. Felin hadn't intended to get involved, but after seeing Li Size's disappointed look, she suddenly changed her mind:

'Leave your contact information. When I return to the academy and arrange the lathe procurement, I'll have someone contact you.'

Li Size was overjoyed. Judging by the branch manager's deference, her status was certainly not ordinary, and she seemed very familiar with the 'Crimson Soul Machinery Group'.

With her help, it should be no problem. He left both Felina's and his own contact information.

After a thought, he still asked for her contact information as well, to thank her if the opportunity arose in the future.

Felin neither agreed nor disagreed. Although she felt there was little chance they'd meet again, she didn't put on airs and generously left her address:

Lanwei Alchemy Academy, Lanwei Province - Felin.

Li Size was inwardly surprised. This was a famous higher wizard academy of the Duchy, and she was actually a student!

Afterwards, Li Size and Felina took the initiative to thank and bid farewell to the branch manager and Felin, then followed a staff member to sign the purchase contract and pay the deposit.

This way, his father had already gathered apprentice blacksmiths, the land approval would come through soon, the factory equipment was ordered, and he believed production for the academy's instruments and the Feiting Duchy's weapon orders could start soon.

However, he needed to urge Rice to pay for the Feiting goods.

As for the production of the little sorcerer donkey and the three-wheeler, to be safe, it was better to wait until the inventor's rights approval came through.

The accounting for the spoils from the last mission to capture Rice should also be done. Sven would pass it to Gelia through his friends in the police System.

It seemed he and Felina would need to find Gelia after returning to Gray Mist Mountain Town.

This trip to Gele City for equipment procurement had far exceeded the budget. He had almost had to borrow gold coins from Felina.

Those were what she was about to mail to that high-level Necromancy System apprentice. Li Size didn't want to touch them.

After finishing all the business and leaving the branch, the silver moon had just driven away the sun...

On the streets of Gele City, colorful neon lights slowly lit up one by one, ushering in the bustling city nightlife.

Romantic ladies and couples were visible everywhere on the main streets, showing that the citizens of Gele City lived quite happily.

Li Size and Felina agreed to directly drive the witch box back to Gray Mist Mountain...

They could go find Gelia to collect their share of the spoils. There would be chances to experience Gele City's nightlife in the future anyway; the round trip was only a little over one sorcery hour...