I have a Synthesizer

In the large apartment of the Jie Society's Research Department, Perona was busily tinkering with something on the bed, surrounded by scattered snacks and treats.

To say Perona was tinkering would be inaccurate; it was more like Candelilla was helping Perona tinker, while the snacks by the bed were definitely being consumed by Perona herself.

Resting before her was a black, mechanical device riddled with small holes.

Perona was continuously injecting magic power into the honeycomb, adjusting the device's overall structure, marking the tenth day of this process.

"Candelilla-sama, is it not ready yet! I'm so bored; I want to go out and play, or even just go to the library and read."

[These past ten days, haven't I kept you from doing any work? You've been eating non-stop, you've even gained three pounds, how can you have the nerve to rush me?

You still want to go out and play? Play my ass, once this is done, you're meditating, and you're not going anywhere until your magic power improves.]

"Candelilla-sama, it's not right to say a girl is fat; it's impolite, you know!

Besides, you've been doing all the work lately, completely occupying my meditation time. You've compressed my time, and now you're blaming me for being lazy."

[You think I want to help you? Isn't it because I sensed a dangerous aura here? We need to produce technical results as soon as possible to show them your value.]

Perona shrugged. A dangerous aura? In her opinion, no place was more comfortable than the Jie Society. Plus, it was where Klein-senpai stayed. How could there be any danger? Candelilla must be mistaken.

"You also said we need to show them technical results, but you're occupying my body, doing research, and making me cultivate, not letting me sleep all day; I'm going crazy!"

[Not sleeping is a necessary condition for the strong. What do you know about it.]

"I'll die if I don't sleep, Candelilla-sama. Most of the time, I feel you're pretty good, but sometimes, I feel you're more annoying than my dad, really."

As time passed, Perona and Candelilla became more familiar, and her speech was no longer as respectful as before, occasionally throwing in a sarcastic remark or two.

[I'm at least 1000 years older than your dad!]

"So what if you're 1000 years older than my dad? Aren't you obediently stuck here as my artifact spirit now?

Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You want to possess Klein-senpai but don't dare to, only daring to possess me, you ancient coward."

Seeing that Candelilla remained silent for a long time, Perona thought he was angry and tried to comfort him:

"Candelilla-sama? Are you angry? I was just saying things; don't be angry, I'm sorry!"

Seemingly touched by Perona's apology, Candelilla spoke:

[Why would I be angry with a child like you? Alright, this thing is considered complete.]

"Awesome! Candelilla-sama! I knew Candelilla-sama is the best!"

Hearing Candelilla say it was complete, Perona immediately started flattering him, seamlessly switching her attitude.

"Candelilla-sama, what is this thing? What's it for?"

Candelilla looked at the black mechanical device before him, seemingly lost in some memories. After a long while, he finally spoke.

[This thing is called a Hive. It used to have many functions: reconnaissance, infiltration, assassination.

But the one before us is just a prototype. Its combat power isn't very strong, only having some basic functions, like creating some bees with no combat power, but for now, it's enough.]

"What are bees? Ah, forget it, don't answer. Anyway, it's a prototype, and it doesn't have combat power, so it's trash? Then you keep researching and tell me when a better one appears!"

Candelilla looked at Perona, seemingly having expected her to make that expression. However, this time, making this Hive wasn't for Perona. He had other plans.

[This thing wasn't originally made for you. Your magic power can't support an item like the Hive, and you're too stupid. Even if you had enough magic power, you wouldn't be able to use it well.]

"Hmph, always calling me stupid, do you think I don't have a temper? Then go find someone smart, huh? If it's not for me, then why did you make it? You even wasted so much time."

Candelilla ignored Perona and continued.

[This thing is for Klein. Perona, if you want to rise, you still need his help.

Klein is very smart; with just a simple explanation, he'll understand the value of this thing.]

Hearing Candelilla say this thing was a gift for Klein, Perona's expression immediately changed.

"Candelilla-sama is so thoughtful, not forgetting to prepare a gift for Klein-senpai for me. You've arranged everything for me; you truly are my elder."

Candelilla shook his head, looking at Perona, who was still lying lazily on the bed, and said helplessly.

[This isn't a gift for Klein. Although your progress has been decent lately, it's not enough.

Your own efforts are important, but resources are also necessary, so I need to plan your future development direction.]

"Help me develop? It's pretty comfortable staying in Jie Society! I don't think I need a plan."

Candelilla couldn't stand it anymore and said:

[Can't you get up from the bed and move around?]

Perona frowned:

"Why should I get up and move around?"

"If it's wrong, why am I so comfortable?"

This kind of happiness is only temporary. Only by becoming strong and reaching the pinnacle of life can you achieve lasting happiness and live comfortably forever.

Perona nodded.

Although what you said makes a lot of sense, I think becoming strong is too tiring. Since lying down is only temporary happiness, wouldn't lying down long-term solve the problem?

Damn it!

If you disrupt your world like this, can you keep lying down?

Yeah! I feel like I can. It's pretty good just scraping by in the Jay Society.

Candlewick tried his best to suppress his anger and continued to speak kindly.

Sit up, try to improve yourself. The joy that comes from self-improvement is far more comfortable than lying down.

I sat up… but I don't feel comfortable, so I lay down again!

At this point, Candlewick had lost his patience. A waste of space. How could there be such a complete waste of space in this world?

Sit up!

Perona saw signs that Candlewick was about to go berserk and felt a little timid.

Candlewick-sama, what are you going to do?

Are you going to sit up or not?

I'll sit, I'll sit!

Although Candlewick felt helpless, he had to persevere with the host he had chosen, even if Perona was a complete waste of space. With his assistance, he would help Perona stand up, no matter what.

I told you, this thing is not a gift. It's a trade. I'm going to use this thing to exchange resources with Klein to help you develop.

A trade? I have such a good relationship with Senior Klein. Talking about trades would hurt our feelings too much.

You have a good relationship with him? You're clearly just infatuated! You're always fantasizing about him, you lecherous ghost!

Why do you have to say it like that? Can't a person hold onto some fantasies?

Alright, give this thing to Klein. There's a slip of paper inside with what I want written on it! If nothing goes wrong, he should give it to you.

Why not ask the Jay Society? I feel like the Jay Society treats its members pretty well! They provide good food and drink. We're giving this thing to Senior Klein, why don't we get the things we need from the Jay Society?

The Jay Society's power definitely needs to be used. I'll delay giving them what the Jay Society wants, and they'll give us enough resources.

That thing on your bedside table, along with that document, is for the Jay Society. I prepared this a long time ago.

But Klein is a separate line. This guy has a lot of potential. This kind of transaction is the establishment of a relationship, a long-term investment. Although this guy is greedy, he's fairly principled!

As Candlewick spoke, he recalled the scene of Klein giving each piece of furniture a knife in the villa! Just thinking about this scene made Candlewick feel uncomfortable all over.

Perona nodded and took out the slip of paper from the honeycomb.

Oh, let me see what resources Candlewick-sama wants!

Ten bottles of Ethereal Potion? A method and item to quickly increase magic power, and a defensive magic tool.

You're exchanging a broken iron box for so many things, you're too greedy! Ethereal Potions are very famous even in the Red and White Society!

??? A broken iron box? I worked hard for more than ten days to make this thing, and you're telling me it's a broken iron box? Do you know how much of my magic power reserves this thing used?

You still have magic power reserves? Didn't you tell me last time that you used them all up?

Can't I have some magic power reserves? If we were as wasteful as you, we would have been kicked out long ago!

Alright, alright, I got it. When should I send it over?

In a few days. First, send over the things that the Jay Society wants. It's been a few months, and they've been providing good food and drink, so we can't give them nothing in return.

There's no need to rush with Klein. As long as he's at the Jay Society, he'll go to the potion rest area for a glass of tequila every afternoon. Just find a time in a few days to send it over.

Perona nodded and first looked at the things that Candlewick was going to give to the Jay Society. It was a special metal sheet, and looking at the information next to it, it explained that this metal was a new type of material.

The information described in detail the manufacturing method, function, and effect of this material, but Perona couldn't understand it. She naturally asked.

Candlewick-sama, will they agree to just give them a broken piece of iron? Didn't you say you were going to get the Jay Society some kind of magic-powered mecha? Are you trying to fool them?

You don't know anything! This thing is related to the magic-powered mecha. They used the magic-powered mecha technology to exchange for you, so naturally they don't want this technology too much.

It shows that the higher-ups of the Jay Society have realized the shortcomings of the magic-powered mecha, but this thing can make up for the shortcomings of the magic-powered mecha very well. It just depends on whether the higher-ups of the Jay Society are willing to invest in it.

During this time, you should quickly cram up on metallurgy. You need to understand at least 450 kinds of metals, the types of alloys, how to identify them, and their properties.

…Do I have to study again? I haven't even finished studying mechanics, and you're giving me more homework. If you exhaust me to death, you won't have such a good host.

Good my ass. In our era, we could do 40 test papers a day, with 60 questions on each paper. What you're doing is nothing.

Perona lay on the bed, feeling lifeless. Compared to that broken iron piece for the Jay Society, she was more concerned about the honeycomb in her hand, because this thing was for Klein.

It's been a long time since I've seen Senior! I wonder how he's been lately.