Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3255: Chapter 3256: Debugging

Pika Sage listened to Angel’s account, pondered for a moment, and said, ”The foundation of the Deceitful Smile Shell is the Recording Shell invented by the Pi Luoxiu clan. The Recording Shell can record all the audio present in the Mirror Ghost’s laughter, and only through manual adjustment by Pi Luoxiu scholars can the effect of the Deceitful Smile Shell be achieved.”

”What you mentioned, sir, is actually having the subjects accept images. This is different from accepting sound frequencies.”

”However, having subjects accept sound or images is essentially a deception of the sensory organs. In theory, it can be achieved.”

Pika Sage spoke rapidly and immediately added a clause.

”But, this is only theoretical. The Recording Shell was invented after years of painstaking effort by several Pi Luoxiu scholars, and the amount of inspiration, time, and technical resources invested is difficult to explain in just a few words.”

The invention of the Recording Shell was extremely difficult; trying to invent the Recording Image Shell that Angel mentioned is not easy at all...

Pika Sage: ”Do you understand what I mean, sir?”

Angel: ”... Does that mean it can’t be invented?”

Pika Sage raised his index finger and shook it: ”No, it means more money.”

Angel: ”...”

After Pika Sage’s explanation, Angel roughly understood his meaning. Recording sound and recording images are essentially the same, but the research directions are vastly different. Even if they can be referenced, the technology that can be referenced is very little, and truly inventing it requires starting from scratch, consuming a lot of time, inspiration, and resources.

If Angel wants a ”Recording Image Shell,” he has to pay for all the expenses of this invention.

In other words, it means Angel will pay for Pi Luoxiu scholars to make the invention.

Angel doesn’t see anything wrong with ”paying”; if he can truly obtain the corresponding tool through payment, he is willing.

However, there is a very important point in this.

According to Pika Sage’s explanation, this type of invention is generally measured in decades; even if Angel pays, once it’s invented, it will be at least ten years later, or even longer.

Angel calculated carefully and felt that spending such a long time for a technology seemed not very worthwhile. Most importantly, this ”technology” is still a semi-finished technology, and even if the Recording Image Shell is invented, it will be controlled by Aggregation Energy, and Angel will have to research how to transmute it into Magic Power control.

Reflecting on this, Angel pondered, ”The time is too long; can we change the approach?”

Pika Sage was stunned: ”Change approach? What approach?”

Angel opened his mouth without hesitation: ”I will still pay, but instead of paying Pi Luoxiu scholars to invent the Recording Image Shell, I will buy the knowledge related to the Recording Shell and then research myself.”

In Angel’s opinion, rather than spending a great deal of time letting Pi Luoxiu scholars research, he might as well research himself.

If he researches, he can avoid many problems from the beginning. Whether it’s the change in the energy system or the refining of the tool... etc. He can correct all these himself.

Most importantly, even if he doesn’t successfully invent the Recording Image Shell, the knowledge related to it entering his mind is itself a gain, preventing a futile outcome.

After listening to Angel’s words, Pika Sage was silent for two seconds, sizing up Angel with his cloudy eyes before speaking: ”I almost forgot, sir is a Wizard pursuing truth and knowledge. Making such a choice is quite normal.”

”Generally speaking, the Pi Luoxiu clan does not sell knowledge, but considering the face of the one behind Luigi, I can make a concession.”

”However, even if I am willing to sell the technology related to the Recording Shell, the technology inside cannot be explained in a few words, and the most important step of the Recording Shell is ’adjustment,’ which requires the participation of many Pi Luoxiu scholars.”

”In other words, if you want to buy all the technology...”

”... it will cost more money.”

Angel: ”...” Aren’t you a Sage? How come it’s all about money; feels like you’ve stolen Pixi’s job?

Angel: ”I wonder how much Pika Sage wants?”

Pika Sage’s small eyes spun rapidly: ”Crystalline, we actually don’t lack it. However, if sir is willing to exchange it with the Log-in Device...”

Upon hearing this, Angel already understood: Pika Sage mentioning money was not for Crystalline but aimed at the Log-in Device.

Thinking carefully, this makes sense. With Pika Sage’s vision, how could he not see the value of the Crystal Origin of Dreams?

This is a treasure sufficient to change the future pattern of the Daylight Mirror Domain!

Whoever first grasps the overall situation of the Crystal Origin of Dreams can have more say in the future.

Of course, Pika Sage does not believe that Pi Luoxiu can hold absolute say, but as long as they have more opportunities, they might use this to alter other races’ perceptions of Pi Luoxiu.

Pika Xiu’s great invention movement led to Pi Luoxiu’s transformation; perhaps the emergence of this Crystal Origin of Dreams is a change equal to the great invention movement!

A change, though divided into bad and good.

But Pika Sage is not worried about a bad change; for Pi Luoxiu, which is already at the bottom of public opinion, what more could go wrong? What they need to consider with this change is maintaining stability, improving a tiny bit, or improving significantly!

In summary, the Log-in Device is the Pi Luoxiu clan’s new opportunity!

Angel asked calmly, ”How many Log-in Devices does Pika Sage want to exchange?”

Pika Sage thought for a moment and raised his fingers, indicating ”1.”

Angel looked at the ”1,” pondered, ”A hundred?”

Pika Sage didn’t speak, and Angel furrowed his brow slightly, his eyes showing a hint of pain: ”A thousand?”

Still, Pika Sage remained silent, and Angel’s brows furrowed even tighter, his tone changing: ”... ten thousand?”

Pika Sage keenly observed Angel’s change in expression, and upon hearing ”ten thousand,” not only did his tone change, but the hint of pain disappeared; he immediately realized ten thousand might have exceeded Angel’s bottom line.

He thought for a moment and said, ”I mean, one thousand... one thousand nine hundred.”

After hearing this number, Angel’s expression showed hesitation, with his brows tightly furrowed, and after quite a while, he sighed: ”Alright, one thousand nine hundred.”

Pika Sage was inwardly delighted upon hearing Angel’s confirmation. However, he felt Angel hadn’t considered much before agreeing; it wasn’t quite what he expected.

Something feels off?

What Pika Sage didn’t know was that Angel had actually gone crazy with laughter internally... He understood Pika Sage’s idea, and seeing the other party indicating ”1,” he guessed they were testing his bottom line.

Since it’s mutual probing, why not put on a performance? The so-called pain was merely acted out.

Perhaps in Pika Sage’s view, ten thousand seemed a lot. For defense, there’s probably only a few tens of thousands altogether. Hence, he finally backed down and only asked for one thousand nine hundred.

But to Angel, ten thousand is just a small number.

He can now refine multiple log-in devices at once, as long as his spiritual power keeps up, refining tens of thousands in one go is no problem.

Of course, with his current spiritual power, refining ten thousand at once is still impossible. But a few hundred, even a thousand, is doable.

Moreover, Angel has been contemplating whether there is a more streamlined refining method.

The base, which is the semi-finished product of the log-in device, can be handed over to other Alchemy Apprentices for refining. He only needs to complete the last step, assigning the Nightmare Illusion Dream Technique to the log-in device, and it’s done.

This speed would be much faster.

In fact, he might even be able to refine the Nightmare Illusion Dream Technique into an ”Inscription,” that can simply be pressed onto a ’base,’ completing the process.

He might not even have to participate in the refining process at all.

In short, methods to increase the quantity not only exist, but there are many. Pika Sage purely underestimated...

This is also normal; information asymmetry often leads to misjudgment.

However, considering Pika Sage got to receive 1,900 log-in devices in advance, from the Pi Luoxiu Clan’s long-term development perspective, it isn’t a major loss.

Yes, upon agreeing with Pika Sage, Angel immediately took out 1,900 log-in devices and handed them to Pika Sage.

Money exchanged hands, goods exchanged hands.

Pika Sage did not hesitate, quickly extracting all the technical information of the Recording Shell and Deceitful Smile Shell from the academic library and projecting it before Angel.

For convenience, Pika Sage even translated the Pi Luoxiu text into the human Universal Language.

Angel glanced at it and used the Art of Nightmare Illusion to record all the documents, directly transforming them into a thick book.

Although he hadn’t entirely memorized these documents at this moment, he could use this ”Book of Nightmares” to read the projections.

Once Angel confirmed these documents were recorded, Pika Sage added: ”These documents are just a portion, the most crucial ’tuning’ stage requires six Pi Luoxiu scholars to narrate. ’Tuning’ is more heartfelt, and varies with circumstances, making it impossible to record in writing. It can only be taught by them personally, which might take some time.”

Upon hearing ”requiring time,” Angel frowned: ”Approximately how long will it take?”

Pika Sage contemplated: ”Narrating the theory itself doesn’t take long, possibly finished within one or two days. But after narration, subsequent practical operations are harder to calculate time for—depends on sir’s comprehension speed. If quick, maybe three to four days? But if slow, might not complete in a month.”

Perhaps it might take over a month? Angel doesn’t consider himself as slow in comprehension, but the Pi Luoxiu papers are entirely Aggregation Energy related. To comprehend, one must first understand Aggregation Energy—this process makes timing difficult to ascertain...

Possible to indeed surpass a month.

Although a month isn’t too long for him, Angel thought carefully and found he might have a better way, potentially bypassing time constraints.

”Can I have someone else learn ’tuning’ for me?”

Angel earnestly raised this question; if he learns by himself, he must first learn Aggregation Energy, extending the timeline greatly.

But if someone who’s already knowledgeable in Aggregation Energy learns, wouldn’t they finish ’tuning’ more rapidly? Then, when tuning is needed, having the person explain suffices.

Pika Sage frowned: ”It’s possible, but who is sir planning to have learn tuning?”

Angel glanced back at Luigi and Laplace.

Luigi’s eyes resolutely turned away, whistling with a ”don’t involve me” look.

In contrast, Laplace didn’t mind, signaling with eyes: I can learn on your behalf.

Of course, Laplace wasn’t indicating she’d learn herself; a created Avatar would suffice. Although an Avatar’s learning ability might not match her own, that’s inconsequential—she trusts Angel wouldn’t mind the difference between learning for a month or two.

Angel chuckled at Laplace, shaking his head: No need.

Neither Luigi nor Laplace are his top choices.

Angel lightly reached into a bracelet and retrieved a mouse cage covered with a curtain.

Yes, his top choice is...

Invention Mouse, Bimon!

As an Invention Mouse, Bimon had browsed the Pi Luoxiu’s papers before, in addition to being consistently engaged with them since birth, deeply understanding Pi Luoxiu’s inventions.

Previously, Bimon swiftly solved the ”Golden Silk Stomach Bag” problem, demonstrating this point.

It is incredibly smart, knowledgeable about Pi Luoxiu scholars, and has profound understanding of Aggregation Energy.

These three aspects perfectly match Angel’s ”proxy training” needs.

Angel believes if Bimon learns, it certainly won’t take a month.

”What’s this?” Pika Sage noticed the mouse cage but couldn’t see its contents due to the curtain.

Angel mysteriously smiled at Pika Sage and gently lifted the fabric.

With the warm room light shining into the mouse cage, Bimon, busy writing at the desk inside, looked up in puzzlement.

Bimon first saw Angel.

It asked, somewhat confused, ”Is the esteemed sir coming to check love poems?”

Upon saying this, Bimon’s expression grew tense—it’s a novice at love poetry and had discarded countless drafts already, dissatisfied with any completed work. Or rather, feeling none could pass Luigi’s scrutiny.

To its mind, Luigi, having requested it write love poems, must possess high poetic sensibility. High quality is imperative for acceptance.

Thus, it kept revising and rewriting repeatedly.

Yet, it hadn’t anticipated Luigi’s poetic sensibility matching his own poetry skills...

Angel noticed Bimon’s anxiety and reassuringly remarked, ”No need to worry, there’s time for love poems later. I want you to do something else...”

As Angel spoke, he stepped away, allowing Bimon to see Pika Sage standing behind him.

Upon seeing Pika Sage, Bimon paused and quietly said, ”Sage... sir?”

Pika Sage examined Bimon, visibly surprised: ”So this is an Invention Mouse? Have you seen me before?”

Bimon shook its head, respectfully replying: ”No, I’ve only admired the sage sir’s visage in paintings.”