Volume 3, Chapter 13 – This Child Might One Day—

In one corner of the workshop lay some leftover steel, and all the machine tools were shut down. Anran did not rashly jump straight into mechanical manufacturing.

She first familiarized herself with the automated equipment. The precise grinding of components could be done through programming, and those programs used an extremely simple logical language. Since Anran had studied programming in the real world, it did not take her long to get the hang of it.

The blueprints themselves already contained highly precise structural dimensions. She only needed to modify the code according to the rules.

Anran took a piece of steel from the corner and cut it into two parts, one for the blade and one for the handle.

As the workshop filled with the sounds of buzzing and rumbling, the mechanical switchblades were produced in an orderly flow.

Since she already had experience from making one before, Anran was able to adapt quickly even after changing equipment.

The more time passed, the more Anran felt an extraordinary affinity with machinery. She did not know whether it was her own talent or the mechanical affinity provided by her skills.

Tss.

Sparks flew from the metal as the shape of the handle gradually took form. At the same time, the blade was being made in parallel.

Anran devoted more of her energy to polishing the spring mechanism. That was the true core component of the mechanical switchblade.

Twenty minutes later, Anran looked at the sharp blade in her hand reflecting a harsh white gleam, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

[Mechanical Switchblade: Quality – Green, Attack 9-20, Length 31 cm, Blade Length 15 cm.]

The upper limit of this knife’s attack power was 2 points higher than the one Anran had made before. They were both green-grade items, yet the difference was obvious to the naked eye.

Compared with the [Alloy Short Knife], whose structural dimensions were much more conventional, the mechanical switchblade’s attack power had clearly increased, mainly thanks to its special structure. But in direct combat, the [Alloy Short Knife] was still easier to use.

The mechanical switchblade was more function-oriented.

That was the conclusion Anran had reached, and it was also a conclusion that fit reality very well.

“Then let’s go all out!”

Anran pulled out a large number of cylindrical iron rods at once.

Working multiple lines at the same time, she used both hands together.

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The equipment in the workshop could produce up to five mechanical switchblades at once, with each batch taking about thirty minutes.

Even accounting for a bit of wasted time in between, Anran could complete one round of production every forty minutes.

That was 1,000 EXP every forty minutes, with no risk at all.

The rapid pace of accumulating EXP made Anran hopelessly addicted to making knives.

The entire morning passed quickly. Only when the steel piled in the corner had been used up did Anran reluctantly stop.

Clang.

She lightly tapped one of the handles resting on the tabletop, and it immediately gave off a crisp sound.

Soft light spilled down from above. Thirty-two mechanical switchblades were arranged in two neat rows, so orderly they looked ridiculously dazzling.

“Only four and a half hours. Not only did I earn 6,400 EXP, I can also sell these knives for money. Science and technology really are the primary productive forces!”

Grinning from ear to ear, Anran packed all of the knives into her backpack.

With her current Strength, carrying all this was no problem at all.

She might not have six-pack abs, and she might be short enough to look like a little girl, but that did not conflict with the beast-like strength hidden inside her.

A girl in a dress could still be a war goddess.

It was getting late, and there were no raw materials left in the workshop.

Anran decided to head back to Eudora’s house for the time being, store the mechanical switchblades, and lighten her load.

She did not hurry to leave. Before going, she first leveled herself up once.

Free EXP -10000. Remaining: 1130.

[Apprentice Mechanic] successfully leveled up to Lv7. The next level requires 15000 EXP.

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Accordingly, Anran’s six core attributes also changed.

[Strength 12, Agility 15, Endurance 15, Intelligence 23, Spirit 5, Charm 7.]

She still had 3 free attribute points and 2 skill points left, which she would not use for now.

She was getting closer and closer to [Basic Mechanic]. As long as she saved up enough EXP, she would be able to break through. She had already prepared the professional knowledge books required for the advancement: Colin’s two sets of notes.

Only after randomly altering all the settings in the equipment until they were beyond recognition and impossible to undo did Anran walk to the door.

Boom.

Anran opened the workshop door.

Carrying her bulging backpack, she went up the stairs to the first floor under the puzzled gazes of several people.

After only a few steps, Anran saw Gray standing there with a broad grin on his face.

If he was smiling that brightly, then he definitely had bad intentions.

“The total comes to 560 Bilu. With a ten percent discount, and rounded down a bit, just pay 500 Bilu.” Gray’s face looked exceptionally warm and friendly.

“…”

Anran’s face stiffened. Her footsteps stopped, and she turned around rather mechanically to look at Gray.

Then she suddenly ground out through clenched teeth, “The metal in the corner was left there on purpose, wasn’t it?!”

“500 Bilu. Thank you for your patronage!”

“…”

Anran clenched her teeth. It was so expensive, and she had not brought any money at all.

“Actually, I have a very good suggestion. It’s fine if you don’t pay,” Gray said with a smile.

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Definitely up to no good.

Anran tightened her grip on her backpack warily.

“As long as you take me as your master, not only will I waive the charge, but aside from a few restricted areas, you can go anywhere you want in this research center.”

Not a chance in hell!

“Out of the question!” Anran refused directly.

She had no energy to play some master-and-disciple game with Gray.

“Then 500 Bilu it is!” Gray spread his hands.

“…”

Anran gave a light cough. “Let me discuss something with you.”

“What?”

“Do you buy knives? The kind that pop out?” Anran pulled a knife out of her backpack.

It looked rather like she was threatening him at knifepoint.

“…”

The scene fell quiet for a moment.

Gray wanted to wipe away some sweat. His throat felt a little dry. He was getting old, and his thinking had slowed down a bit. He simply could not keep up with young people anymore.

“Mechanical switchblades, originally 150 Bilu each, now all going for just 100 Bilu! Don’t miss out when you pass by!” Anran began her sales pitch.

Gray said, “Give me five.”

“Thank you for your patronage!” Anran handed five mechanical switchblades to Gray. “Please continue supporting my shop in the future. Goodbye.”

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Then she walked out the door with light, lively steps.

Gray shook his head with a bitter smile. He turned the mechanical switchblade in his hand, its surface engraved with exquisite patterns. Compared to the one he had seen yesterday, this one looked far better.

“This child might one day…”

Gray muttered softly, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by voices from the hallway.

“It can be used to stew soup!”

“…”

Gray lifted his head.

“Thanks, Sister Xu.” The speaker was the same young man who had passed by earlier carrying coffee, along with a middle-aged woman in her thirties or forties.

The young man spotted Gray at once. “Director, busy?”

Gray shook his head. “Not really.”

“What’s this?” The young man stared at the five mechanical switchblades in Gray’s hand.

With their blades still retracted, they looked like uniquely shaped metal bars.

“Just some little trinkets I made. I was planning to take them home for my grandson to play with,” Gray said perfunctorily.

The young man did not pursue the matter. After greeting him, he left.

Gray frowned. This young man was a top student who had graduated from Twinmoon Engineering University. His technical skills were excellent, and he was also extremely popular in the center.

But there were certain ideas of his that Gray simply could not accept at all.

When the era of this young man’s rise arrived, what direction would No. 1886 be taken in?