Chapter 519: Emergency Modifications

Chapter 519: Emergency Modifications

"Uncertain, but it seems this island has existed for a long time."

"Moreover, if it were just an ancient dragon, it would be manageable. But if it's a Red Dragon of the Jiulao Dragon level, I won't be able to help you at all and would only be a burden." Menya shook her head and said.

"So, Rayne, if you want to explore, wait a few more days until I can stabilize my injuries."

"Of course, no problem, Princess Menya." Rayne had no objections to Menya's request.

Moreover, Menya was right. If it were a Red Dragon of the Jiulao Dragon level, its strength would be close to Peak Epic, likely not far from that of the Red Dragon King, Strahd.

While Rayne wasn't afraid, once a fight broke out, he wouldn't be able to take care of Princess Menya.

Worried about the possibility of a powerful Red Dragon in the Lava Lake, Menya quickly entered a deep meditation to recover, and Rayne naturally continued his study of gnome engineering.

Considering Menya's unstable injuries, Rayne had to temporarily abandon the idea of using arcane communication to contact anyone. After all, if there were Sea God Cult wizards or sorcerers on the island, they might detect the communication signal and expose their position.

However, in such a quiet environment, earnestly studying an interesting subject was a very joyful experience.

Soon, with the successful completion of the thirty-first 'mystic iron rifle,' Rayne's knowledge of gnome engineering naturally reached 100%. The System Prompt appeared in his mind:

[Ding! Host has mastered the basics of gnome engineering, triggering the subsequent class change—goblin engineer (legendary)!]

[Requirements for advancing to goblin engineer (legendary): 1. Level 5 or higher in a casting or mechanical extraordinary class (Master Armorsmith meets this requirement); 2. Strength 18 or higher, Constitution 18 or higher, Spirit 20 or higher; 3. Mastery of goblin engineering knowledge; 4. Independent creation of any three qualified goblin engineering constructs. Current conditions met! Do you wish to advance to goblin engineer (legendary)? Yes/No?]

[Note: After advancing to goblin engineer (legendary), the original Master Armorsmith (extraordinary) class panel will be integrated into the goblin engineer (legendary) class panel.]

Without hesitation, Rayne immediately chose "Yes"!

[Starting class change.]

[Ding! Class change to goblin engineer (legendary) successful! Strength +3, Dexterity +3, Spirit +5!]

[Acquired core skill of goblin engineer (legendary): Emergency Modifications (Active)]

On the system panel, the original Master Armorsmith (extraordinary) class panel had vanished, replaced by the goblin engineer (legendary) class panel.

The entire panel shimmered with an intense blue light, which, in Rayne's memory, was even more brilliant than the blue light of the previous Weapon Master (legendary) and almost as bright as that of the Warhammer Wizard (legendary).

This seemed to indicate that even among legendary classes, the goblin engineer (legendary) was a top-tier profession.

Of course, Rayne's perspective had broadened, so he wasn't ecstatic, but he couldn't help feeling a sense of joy.

"Hmm, Emergency Modifications?"

Rayne couldn't help but focus on the new core skill, as the name alone was intriguing. The skill description read:

[Emergency Modifications (Active) Effect: A goblin engineer can modify mechanical devices based on the situation and available resources. For example, in the absence of certain specific parts, they can create temporary substitutes using other materials, or repurpose mechanical components originally intended for other uses to meet the current device's needs.]

(Note: Modifying components consumes psi energy, with more complex or scarce components requiring more psi energy. The duration of the modified components is also limited.)

"Interesting."

When Rayne carefully read through the effects of the core skill in front of him, a smile appeared on his face.

It was one thing for small or medium-sized mechanical devices, but for a large mechanical device, it was impossible for all the materials to be metal. Even Prototype, which was nearly 99% metal, had a small amount of insulating ceramic components and rubber seals inside.

So, even though Rayne could find a large quantity of various metals by the Lava Lake and had mastered fire magic, allowing him to freely melt and cast alloys and shape them as he pleased, he still couldn't make a large mechanical device. There were still a few key components that he couldn't resolve.

But now, things were about to change!

"Perfect, I might as well try making a large mechanical device. It could also help me advance to the goblin engineer rank and earn some attribute points and skill points", Rayne thought to himself.

Since the last battle, Rayne had only one miserable attribute point left. If he really encountered a powerful enemy, he would be at a significant disadvantage.

Without much hesitation, Rayne quickly got to work.

Soon, as various metal parts took shape and transformed in his hands, the prototype of a Mechanical Land Bird, which had appeared multiple times in the Sky City Ruins, gradually took form in front of him.

After another ten minutes or so,

With Rayne silently reciting 'Emergency Retrofit,' he managed to quickly assemble a small, cylindrical energy furnace about half a meter long, using his psi energy to invoke mysterious particles and temporarily alter the properties of the metal, all without any insulating materials.

Finally, when he inserted a Hellfire Crystal, the power core for the Mechanical Land Bird was complete.

This was the most challenging part.

Logically, the construction of a small energy furnace required several insulating components to prevent the energy from leaking out. However, Rayne's core skill 'Emergency Retrofit' perfectly bypassed this bottleneck.

The rest was simple.

Before long, a buzzing Mechanical Land Bird appeared in front of Rayne.

"Indeed, it works! Great!"

Rayne smiled, admiring the Mechanical Land Bird he had seen several times before. Insights related to goblin engineering kept popping into his mind.

At the same time, system prompts appeared:

[You have crafted a Mechanical Land Bird, and your related understanding has improved!]

[You have learned a new skill—Mechanical Land Bird Crafting]

[Your skill Mechanical Land Bird Crafting has improved, +20 experience]

[You have focused on Mechanical Land Bird Crafting, +30 experience for your goblin engineer (legendary) profession]

Thanks to his advantages of having metal affinity, being a late-stage Dawn Wizard, and reaching the fourth level of Advanced Steel Heart Meditation, Rayne was almost as effective as a small goblin engineering workshop on his own.

Parts that would normally require casting machines and milling machines, Rayne could craft alone, and with even higher precision.

This is why, a task that would normally take several goblin engineers working together and take ten to fifteen days, Rayne completed in less than two hours!

"+30? So, making four Mechanical Land Birds would be enough to reach level 2?" Rayne's eyebrows raised as he said.

With renewed enthusiasm, Rayne quickly got back to work on the Mechanical Land Birds.

Three days later, Rayne didn't see Menya awaken, but he did reach level 5 as a goblin engineer. Along with this, a series of new system prompts appeared, the most important being the detailed conditions for advancing to a goblin engineering expert (epic), which had been vaguely mentioned during the Sky City event.

[Ding! Detected that the host's goblin engineer (legendary) has reached level 5, triggering the advancement to goblin engineering expert (epic)!]

[To advance to goblin engineering expert (epic), the following conditions must be met: 1. goblin engineer (legendary) level 5 or higher; 2. Strength 20 or higher, Constitution 20 or higher, Dexterity 20 or higher, Spirit 40 or higher; 3. Mastery of advanced goblin engineering knowledge; 4. Independently craft any five qualified advanced goblin engineering constructs. Current conditions not met! Failed to advance to goblin engineering expert (epic)!]

"Sure enough, all the class change conditions have appeared."

"Goblin Advanced Engineering Knowledge? No problem, it's basically the content from that second Memory Crystal."

"Advanced Goblin Engineering Constructs? Does this mean creating massive mechanical devices like the Prototype and the Mechanical Octopus?"

Rayne carefully examined the conditions and realized that as long as his knowledge was up to par, he could almost immediately undergo the class change. This greatly lifted his spirits!

Not only did this mean the emergence of a powerful combat profession, but as the profession level increased, it would also provide a significant number of attribute points and skill points.

For some reason, his mind suddenly conjured up the image of the goblin corpse in the Sky City Ruins B2 Level, wearing a white lab coat and continuously awakening one Prototype after another.

"That must be the so-called Goblin Engineering Expert, right?" Rayne couldn't help but think.

Imperial Capital, Tamriel.

Inside the headquarters of the Bishu Construct Guild.

Guild Master Moria and Rayne's mentor Makar were leading several key personnel in the guild's construct hall, attempting to repair the massive golem 'Destroyer' that was destroyed in the battle at Ferdinand Forest.

Although the large furnace core, equipped with Abyssal Fire, had exploded, the proximity of the blast nearly melted the Destroyer Golem!

However, when the massive iron wreckage was brought back for inspection, everyone was surprised to find that while the external integrity was only at 20%, the internal integrity was at 80%.

Most of the damage was to the outer metal and a few lines.

This meant they didn't need to rebuild the entire Destroyer; they could consider direct repairs.

Now, nearly a month had passed, and the repair progress was over 70% complete. The remaining issues involved differences in certain mechanisms, such as the differences between ancient and modern large furnace devices.

Any adjustments would require corresponding changes to the wiring, which, though not particularly difficult, were time-consuming and labor-intensive.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Suddenly, the sound of knocking came from outside the hall.

"Come in!" Moria said without looking up.

The person who entered was the deputy guild master, Bradley. His expression was grim as he reported, "Guild Master, the Imperial Academy's Joint Meeting has put our guild's promotion application on hold."

"What! Why on hold?"

Hearing this, Makar, who was bent over examining the wiring, looked up in surprise and stared at Bradley.

The other key personnel also looked shocked.

"What's the reason? Even if the Destroyer Golem isn't fully repaired, Sir Rayne is a genuine Level 4 Dawn Wizard and should meet the promotion criteria!"

Compared to the others, Guild Master Moria remained more composed. After a moment of thought, he asked, "What is it? Even if the Destroyer Golem isn't fully repaired, Sir Rayne is a Level 4 Dawn Wizard, and he should meet the criteria!"

"This..." Bradley glanced around at the others and whispered, "Guild Master, could you and Sir Makar come with me to the side to talk?"

"Hmm? Alright!" Moria gave Bradley a puzzled look and nodded.

So, the two quickly followed Bradley to one side.

Bradley's expression grew serious as he said, "I heard that Sir Rayne has run into trouble."

"Hmm? Trouble? But Rayne is accompanying Princess Menya on a visit to the Federation. How could anything happen there?" Makar looked at Bradley skeptically.

"Princess Menya has also run into trouble! I've verified this with a few old friends. It seems that the Imperial Delegation was ambushed by the Avatar of the Abyssal Sea and a large number of Sea God Cult followers during their return journey", Bradley shook his head and sighed.

"What!" Even the usually composed Guild Master Moria's eyes widened in shock.

"Then, the two of them..." Makar said, stunned.

"We don't know, but according to rumors from the Astrologist's Platform, Grand Astrologist Darian's divination showed that both should be alive, though they seem to have been imprisoned by the Goddess of the Depths."

"What's the empire's stance on this?" Moria calmed her agitated heart and asked again.

"It's still unclear", Bradley shook his head and replied.

"No wonder the empire wizard guild federation put our application on hold! A bunch of turncoats!"

In an instant, Moria understood the reason. After all, the fewer large wizard guilds, the better. No large guild likes to see medium-sized guilds rise to their level.

Previously, they couldn't stop it, after all, Rayne's combat strength was too formidable.

Additionally, the empire also doesn't want too many large wizard guilds, and with the deliberate interference of certain factions, what was once a sure thing has now taken such a turn.

"Ah! In the deep sea, it's the Sea God Cult's stronghold. Our guild is too weak! There's no way we can rescue Rayne!" Rayne's mentor, Makar, couldn't help but show his anguish.

Rayne was his most outstanding disciple, and now, knowing that he was in trouble, he couldn't do anything to save him. It was a torment!

"The biggest problem now is that Isodrial Academy believes our Destroyer Golem technology is stolen from their data. They're demanding we submit detailed information to the empire wizard guild federation within half a month!" Bradley said with a grim expression.

"What! How despicable! These despicable people!"

"To take advantage of our situation!" Moria was almost ready to jump out of anger!

Meanwhile.

In the inner ring of the Imperial Capital.

At the Sneider Family estate.

"Lord Luthor, we have always had a good relationship with the Sneider Family, and we collaborate in many fields. This time, I have come at a friend's request to bring you a message. Your friend, Sir Rayne, is likely in grave danger, so I hope you don't pay too much attention to certain matters."

A middle-aged man dressed in formal attire bowed slightly and said.

"Sir Rayne is not only my friend but also someone who has made outstanding contributions to the empire. Isn't this a bit too much!" Luthor's face was grim.

This was the fourth group of representatives from the Imperial Capital's major nobility to visit, subtly suggesting that the Sneider Family should not meddle in this affair.

Though they all entered under the pretext of discussing trade, the conversation always came back to his friend Rayne, and the implications were clear!

If it were just one or two families, Luthor wouldn't be afraid!

But now, it was the fourth family, and representatives from the Guardian Families were starting to show up.

While the Sneider Family's power is the strongest in the Maen Province, here in the Imperial Capital, they are still the weaker side.

Moreover, the most critical issue was that he didn't know how to convince his father. He had already heard that Rayne might really not return.

On one side was his friend Rayne, and on the other was his family's interests and safety. This was an extremely difficult decision for Luthor!

The same situation was unfolding at the Bavaria Family estate.

"Sir Hallowen, you don't need to feel guilty about a friend who will never return. You are simply doing what is best for yourself and your family, aren't you?"

"You should know that our two families can collaborate in many trade areas."

"By the way, your father, Duke Minter, seems a bit too fixated. I might as well be frank; we will be taking action in Minstrel soon, and I hope you can persuade your father. After all, Minter Province is your family's fief."

Hallowen, known as the 'Lance of Bavaria,' was standing in the reception room, his face serious, as he watched a middle-aged man in noble attire leave. The man's words still echoed in his ears. In summary, he was being told to stay out of the matter.

"It seems I need to discuss a strategy."

"They are planning to act in Minstrel? But aren't Sir Rayne's family all in the Imperial Capital?"

"Regardless, I need to inform my father and prepare immediately." Hallowen's face showed deep thought.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end