Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 545 Volunteers

Mr. Monkey stretched out his legs, stared wide-eyed, and slumped into the chair, lifeless and still dead. However…

"The penetrating wounds to the heart and lungs have almost healed, leaving only the superficial wounds on the chest. The theory is indeed feasible."

"Then only the final step remains."

The mage muttered to himself as he reached out and took out the natural treasure—Beven's Leaf of Concealment.

A person in a state of suspended animation cannot be simply and crudely awakened by healing spells, just as they cannot be brought back to life. A resurrection ritual is possible, but the cost is obviously too high.

"Freebies are always the best."

In reality, using advanced restoration techniques to awaken a feigned dead target is quite extravagant, but Zhang Yuan has a treasure to rely on.

After all, it was a sixth-ring divine spell, and its effect was far superior to that of the fourth-ring Restoration spell. Not only did it awaken the lucky Mad Ape from his apparent death, but it also thoughtfully replenished his life force and eliminated a series of subsequent negative effects such as weakness and confusion.

Here comes another energetic Mr. Monkey!
Of course, this also means that the other party can be equally energetic and vibrant.

The next round of experiments began in a truly tragic manner.

Three rounds! The unfortunate monkey was captured and subjected to three rounds of clinical trials before being released. Yes, Mr. Zhang was kind-hearted after all and couldn't bear to see his experimental partner die, so he kindly released it back into the mountains and forests, allowing it to regain its freedom.

However, after several brushes with death, the monkey seemed to have gained a profound understanding, taking everything, including its own life and death, indifferent. Its ethereal eyes gazed at the mountains and forests ahead, without sorrow or joy.

Is this the sign that wisdom has been born?
The mage looked suspiciously at the mad ape standing like a stone statue, wondering if the other party had developed Stockholm syndrome and fallen in love with the carefree days of being a lab assistant.

The lab's cage is just missing a long-term strategic partner, how about...?

Just as the mage was kindly sizing up the mad ape, intending to appoint it as a stable boy to oversee all the living materials in the laboratory, the monkey suddenly shuddered, its fur seemingly about to stand on end.

It leaped three feet high and fled from the philanthropist as if its tail was on fire, running frantically into the depths of the forest without looking back.

To the ungrateful Mr. Mad Ape, Master Zhang's kindness was far too heavy, far exceeding what his ape life could bear.

The smile on the monk's face froze as he was about to raise his arm. Feeling that his good intentions had been taken for granted, he reluctantly withdrew his expression and headed back home.

Forget it, the important matter is already accomplished, let's not bother with this rascal.

Shortly after Zhang Yuangang returned to the Shadow Cliff Fortress research lab and finished organizing the experimental data, he received an access request from the teleportation array. The location on the other end showed: High Fortress in the main plane.

"Teacher, you've arrived."

Direct interdimensional teleportation is nothing unusual for an archmage, Tyrandeur said without further ado:
"The external neural link hub has been successfully verified. When do you plan to integrate the envisioned powered armor system?"

"Today, today."

With the last two tiles completed, the entire building project was finally nearing completion. Even though Zhang Yuan was trying his best to suppress his joy, he couldn't help but rub his hands together with anticipation, and then asked with some curiosity:
"But why did you come here in person, teacher? Wouldn't it have been more convenient for me to deliver the personnel and equipment to you?"

"And then what? Every time there's a new compatible candidate, you just send them to my lab? Do you think I'm some kind of research dog?" Tyrantir glared at his disciple, annoyed. The term "research dog" was something Zhang Yuan had unintentionally coined when he was Zhang Yuan's assistant, but the archmage thought it was quite apt.

So it became even more natural to use this cheap apprentice as a laborer, or rather, to make him work like a research dog.

"This is the experimental equipment left behind by Shadowcliff Fortress, plus the instruments you added later? If you hadn't told me, I would have thought it was a kobold witch doctor's workshop."

"Let alone meeting the standards of the necromancy laboratory, even for the modification surgery of the black carapace, it is somewhat of a stretch. Fortunately, I have a few spare pieces of equipment."

After examining the comprehensive magic laboratory that Zhang Yuan had painstakingly built with his own resources, Tyrandeer made the following assessment.

Haha~

The former could only manage a wry smile; was it easy for him?

Which spellcaster wouldn't want a state-of-the-art, fully equipped laboratory? But…

Describing this thing as burning money is an understatement.

The current resources are based on the expansion of the elemental pool and enchanting factory in the Netherworld Ruins. Not only have most of the equipment in the portable alchemy room given by the cloud giant been moved, but a large sum of money has also been spent to purchase a batch of still-functioning obsolete equipment from Neverwinter Academy.

As for why it still performs well even though it's supposed to be phased out?

Hmm, don't pry into other people's business. Do you really think that Mr. Zhang's recent visit, his fawning smiles and tea-serving, were all for nothing?

As a direct descendant, and with the tacit approval of the Archmage Balas, who was in charge, it was only natural to open a door for them; as long as it looked good on the surface, that was enough.

Therefore, although Master Zhang had spent a lot of money, he was secretly delighted.

In any case, after the teacher's adjustments and arrangements, the operating table in front of us still showed some signs of being pieced together, but it was much better than the wasteland punk style that Zhang Yuan had spent half a day tinkering with.

Now there is only one question left: who will be the first to try something new?
This iron crab is a fusion of steel and witchcraft, and is even connected to its own bloodline!
"I'll take care of it. Leave this task to me."

"Shut up, you guy whose beard isn't even as long as mine. I'm the one who's the right person."

"Um, Captain, actually I'd be quite willing too..."

Bard, Kegan, Minsk, and a group of others were making a ruckus.

The situation was somewhat unexpected for Zhang Yuan. Faced with a modification experiment that risked their lives, these guys not only didn't back down, but instead seemed to be scrambling to participate. Behind their heated arguments, which revealed only one thing:

I want it, I want it, I want it!
The mage, who had been buried in paper for so long, underestimated the appeal of power armor, this revolutionary equipment, to the melee barbarians. While he was still busy with his humanitarian work with the monkeys, the Keen craftsmen had already completed the manufacture of chainsaws and kinetic weapons.

After personally handling and wielding the kinetic weapon and experiencing its power firsthand, the soldiers' reactions could only be described as one of surprise and longing. This was especially true after learning that the kinetic weapon was just one component of the power armor system, making it even harder for them to suppress their burning desire for it.

On the other hand, it was also because Tinker and Ryzlach were bragging and fanning the flames. Before Zhang Yuan could even open his mouth, those two old bastards, who had no sense of propriety, had already bragged about him to the heavens.

Damn it, I'm the bull you guys have hoisted to the sky!
Thank you to O銜尾蛇O for the donation, and also thank you to 书即吾命2, 反复横跳的创意, 第十二只族裔, 阿伦丶Brook, for the monthly ticket support. Thank you all!


(End of this chapter)