Magic Industrial Age

Chapter 2 Bartholomew (Bonus chapter for 200 monthly tickets)

Here, Loy was happily selecting items and spending money.

Meanwhile, Imperial Ambassador Lord Robin Water went quickly and returned even faster.

However, when he returned, he was not alone; he was accompanied by an old man with a white beard.

This old man was thin and lanky, with a thick beard that reached his chest, but he was bald with a hooked nose.

When he looked at people, he had an extremely scrutinizing gaze, his eyes like searchlights, as if to scan people inside and out.

However, his gaze was also very aggressive, as if everyone he looked at was a good person.

After he arrived, he ignored the Imperial Ambassador and waved his hand, sending all the mechanical apprentices to the side.

He first touched the rifling that had been cut, then circled around the entire machine.

His old fingers caressed every lapis lazuli, every magic rune, every gear, every inch of metal.

He would nod in approval from time to time; sometimes frown, shake his head in silence; sometimes his eyes would light up, sometimes he would be puzzled...

It seemed that he was piecing together the various systems and components of the entire machine in his mind.

Until a certain moment, he suddenly looked at a group of mechanical apprentices next to him and asked, "Which of you has the best technique?"

His words were so plain that they almost scared the apprentices to pee their pants. After they understood what he said, no one dared to step forward.

It wasn't until the white-bearded old man gave them an impatient glance that a mechanical apprentice walked out tremblingly.

Under the old man's sharp gaze, he carefully operated the lathe.

Although there were some minor flaws, and his forehead and face were covered in sweat, he finally cut the rifling of a steel pipe.

The old man watched with great interest, and after understanding how to operate it, he waved his hand and swept the apprentice aside.

Then, he began to do it himself.

Don't look at him as an old man, but his hands were very steady, and his strength was not small.

Although the speed was very slow at the beginning, methodical, by the second steel pipe, he was already getting more and more skilled, and the speed was getting faster and faster.

Until he continuously cut out the tenth steel pipe, he finally straightened his back, carefully caressing the steel pipe in his hand, the smile on his face growing bigger and bigger.

Imperial Ambassador Lord Robin Water hurried forward and asked, "What do you think?"

"The concept is very advanced, and the idea is even more unique, it is unique in the magic world.

Surprisingly, it directly abandons magic and uses mechanical power to shape, as long as the operator has magic power, they can cut various shapes."

"Of course, there are also many problems, such as the magic rune system being too complex, the mechanical stability needs to be strengthened, the accuracy is too poor, and so on.

These all need to be improved one by one."

Imperial Ambassador Robin Water's ears were very keen, he only grasped the key points: "That is to say, it can really replace most second-tier and third-tier mechanical mages to cut gun barrels and cannon barrels with rifling?"

The white-bearded mage finally nodded and said, "Yes! And, it can do more..."

Saying so, he strode forward, and in Robin Water's surprised eyes, he went directly to Loy.

Loy looked up and met the white-bearded old man's gaze. Of course, he also saw the conspicuous five-pointed star array on the other party's robe, with a full four rings lit up.

That was the symbol of a fourth-tier Calamity mage, and a rare mechanical mage at that.

Eyes met, and just as Loy was still a little confused, he opened his mouth: "You are Loy Raymond, who studied at the Imperial Magic Academy?"

"Yes! What's wrong?"

"Have you ever thought about continuing your studies, for example, becoming my apprentice?"

"Huh?"

This time, confusion turned into bewilderment. Loy's eyes widened, and he asked in disbelief, "You want to take me as your apprentice?

No, who are you? Do we know each other?"

A head appeared between the two, it was Imperial Ambassador Robin Water.

He winked at Loy repeatedly, but kept saying, "Earl Loy, allow me to introduce you.

The one in front of you is a special member of the Imperial Magician Association, one of the founders of the Imperial Mechanical Association, a recipient of the Imperial Iron Cross Medal, a honorary court mage, and an external member of the Royal Society.

A fourth-tier peak Calamity mechanical mage, His Excellency Saint Bartholomew."

"Quite a long title?"

Loy spoke lightly, but his expression had become serious, he couldn't help but be serious.

Anyone who could be called 'His Excellency' was either a king or a fifth-tier legendary professional.

This one was obviously a little short of strength, which meant that he had extremely amazing contributions, or an amazing identity.

Thinking again, it was even more extraordinary to be able to put the word 'Saint' before his name.

Robin Water added, "Actually, this cooperation with the Empire was also facilitated by His Excellency.

I am responsible for communication and coordination, and the one who truly directs and arranges the work of the Imperial personnel is His Excellency Bartholomew."

The white-bearded old man raised his head high and said, "Now that you know my identity, are you willing to become my apprentice?"

Loy hesitated for only a second before refusing, "Your Excellency Bartholomew, I am honored to be valued by you, but I have already walked a certain distance on the path of a combat professional.

If I change my extraordinary path now, I am afraid that it will be counterproductive and difficult to go far.

Moreover, my magical talent is limited, and I still have some self-awareness."

Saying so, Loy added, "However, if you want to find the creator of this magic-powered machine, you should look for Lilia Lightninger.

I believe that she would be very willing to become your apprentice."

The white-bearded old mage shook his head and said, "I know that little girl, she should have designed the magic rune control system for this magic-powered machine, right?

She has some spirituality, and her basic knowledge is fairly solid, but she is not qualified to be my apprentice, Bartholomew!"

Loy's eyes narrowed and said, "May I ask, Your Excellency, why do you want to take me as your apprentice?"

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The white-bearded old man stroked his beard: "The most amazing thing about this magic-powered machine is the idea, the concept, the design.

To allow magic-powered machines to achieve what ordinary people, no, to be precise, ordinary mage apprentices, can do what second-tier and third-tier mages can do, this is very remarkable."

He looked at Loy and said, "Don't tell me that this is not your idea, your design?"

"Indeed!"

Loy did not deny it, but added, "Actually, although this lathe has a great effect, it can only process shafts, disks, sleeves, and other workpieces with rotating surfaces, and cannot solve all needs.

Therefore, in addition to lathes, there are milling machines, planers, boring machines, grinders, and drilling machines."

"These all have design drawings, if you want to see them, you can ask Lilia, she has them all?"

The white-bearded old man's expression froze, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and he said, "You kid is scheming against me?

I tell you, it is impossible for me to accept an apprentice so easily!"

"I know, I know, but it would be good if you could help advise.

If you can design the magic rune route and simplify the control system, then we will have made a profit!"

"What you said is also right!"

Bartholomew nodded, turned and left, a staff appeared out of thin air in his hand, and he pointed with his hand.

He stabbed out a teleportation spell, and he directly disappeared into it.

He said he wasn't in a hurry, but his movements were really fast!

Imperial Ambassador Robin Water couldn't help but say, "Earl, do you really not know what you refused?

This one has agreed to take you as an apprentice, wouldn't you just kneel down and worship him?"

"Speaking of which, just now, I hinted so clearly, how could you not see it?"

Didn't see it?

Of course not, it's just purely inappropriate!

However, Loy still wanted to get involved in this relationship, not only because of this person's identity, but also because he was a mechanical mage.

Lilia's ability has actually been greatly enhanced, although her cultivation talent is a bit poor, she truly loves magic-powered machines.

But she is only one person after all, only a second-tier mechanical mage. Before, there was Douglas Hill who could help advise, but now, she can only fight alone.

Loy had not considered recruiting, but the lowest-level mechanical apprentices were fine, but he couldn't afford to hire real magic-powered machinists.

Therefore, he didn't even invite Douglas, let alone others.

This one in front of him purely came across on his own, it would be best if he could provide some help to Lilia.

These were all small thoughts, Loy naturally couldn't explain to the Imperial Ambassador, so he directly picked up those catalog books and began to calculate the required Gintel with Robin Water.

Exchanging what is needed from the Imperial Treasury, merit is the stepping stone. If you can't open that door, you can't buy these good things even with money.

However, after opening the door, Gintel is necessary.

Of course, the price given by the Empire is very fair, and if you find capable people, you can also give certain discounts.

Robin Water took the initiative to give Loy a 20% discount. Calculated in this way, a total of 63,000 Gintel is required.

It can be said that these treasures are not something that ordinary combat professionals can afford. Loy didn't even have enough when he got the treasure of the Bloody Mary!

Of course, it's different now.

Loy said that discounts are naturally necessary, but that is the hard work fee for Imperial Ambassador Robin Water.

Robin Water declined, but he recognized it!

And he clearly stated that next time, there will definitely be a next time...

Next time, if Loy has anything he wants, don't be polite.

Both parties reached an agreement in harmony and were very satisfied!