This chapter is six thousand words, considered a double release—begging for monthly votes!

Time moved swiftly; three days had already vanished. According to the intelligence Al had gathered, most factions in the Magic World had converged on Neo-Ostia. Excluding ordinary soldiers, the elite forces alone numbered at least twenty thousand, the majority belonging to the M.M. Senate. Furthermore, two hundred warships were arrayed outside the city, standing ready in strict formation.

“No way, that many?” Hearing Al’s report, even Lin Luo was somewhat taken aback. The M.M. Senate was taking them too seriously, deploying such combat power merely to defend against their perceived threat. It seemed slightly illogical… although Lin Luo could handle all those troops by himself, the problem was that the enemy certainly didn't know he possessed that kind of fighting capability.

Al also wore a doubtful expression. “Among those troops, the guards for the three Empresses of the Helas Empire total three thousand; the Ariadne Magic Knight Order numbers two thousand. Of those, nearly two thousand M.M. elite cavalry could potentially be swayed to our side. Then there are about three thousand troops from the fence-sitting factions elsewhere. The remaining force, loyal to the M.M. Senate or affiliated powers who have defected to them, is estimated at fifteen thousand. Combined with the two hundred warships outside the city… yes, this configuration is quite unusual.”

“Could it be that the Senate plans to use this opportunity to swallow the Helas Empire and Ariadne too?” Lin Luo couldn't help but ask. The M.M. Senate was notoriously ambitious, and he couldn't entirely rule out this possibility—but!

The Imperial Guard Yun shook his head. “The Senate shouldn't have that much audacity. The Helas Empire and Ariadne are the two superpowers second only to Mekalo. Even if they managed to eliminate all the forces here, it would be useless; instead, it would incite those two nations to join forces and retaliate against Mekalo. They shouldn't be that foolish.”

“That makes sense. So, what do you think they are planning?” Lin Luo nodded and asked. To be honest, he was quite lost when it came to these political maneuvers. He could apply what he learned on the fly, but actual analysis was beyond him.

“Didn’t you get any intel from Kurt?” Al countered.

Lin Luo had met with Kurt three nights prior. Despite initial friction, Kurt had ultimately agreed to cooperate after hearing Lin Luo’s plan... Of course, even if Kurt hadn't agreed, it wouldn't have mattered, as Lin Luo possessed absolute military superiority.

Lin Luo shook his head. “Beyond the initial information, nothing useful has surfaced. The only concrete detail is that tomorrow is the day of our judgment.” Kurt didn't know much either; whatever he knew, he had already shared.

“Could it be the Creator’s people pulling strings from behind the scenes?” Evangeline suddenly interjected.

At these words, everyone’s eyes lit up. Though the idea sounded far-fetched, it wasn’t impossible. In the great war over a decade ago, the Creator’s puppets had intervened in the politics of various nations, sparking a not-insignificant civil war. Were they trying the same trick again...?

For instance, if someone loyal to the Creator within the M.M. Senate initiated a massacre during tomorrow’s judgment, wiping out the Helas Empire’s troops and the Magic Knight Order, a Second World War would inevitably break out. The entire Magic World would then be engulfed in smoke, making it easy for the Creator to build their "Perfect World."

“If that’s the case, we need to be extra cautious then,” Al stated solemnly.

The others nodded in agreement. The Senate posed no major threat to them; even if the enemy harbored some conspiracy, the strength of their group made it a negligible concern. But if the Creator was mixed in with the enemy, it became an entirely different matter. Given the current situation, they were inferior to the Creator in both strategy and raw power.

“Oh, right, where is Chou Rinne?” Sakuya suddenly asked. “She’s a genius from the future world, possessing remarkable talent in strategy and tactics. Perhaps she can see something we can't.”

“That’s right, we should ask Chou Rinne about this,” Lin Luo exclaimed, struck by a sudden realization upon hearing her suggestion. In terms of sheer intellect, no one present could surpass Chou Rinne. In ancient times, she would undoubtedly have been a top-tier strategist; having been born and raised on the battlefield, she surely possessed a clearer understanding of politics.

“She’s in my Time House; she seems to be conducting some kind of research,” Evangeline replied lazily. Since the first day, finding the current setting tedious, everyone else—apart from the core group—had retreated to the Time House. Even Evangeline and Sakuya sometimes returned there.

“I’ll go to the Time House to find her then.” With that, Lin Luo walked toward an adjacent room. Evangeline preferred not to carry the Time House around constantly, so she had placed it in that specific room.

“We’ll go inside for a while too.” No sooner had Lin Luo left than Sakuya and Evangeline followed suit. In a blink, only Al and Headmaster Yun of the Imperial Guard Academy remained in the room. Although they also wished to rest in the Time House, someone needed to remain on guard outside, so they reluctantly stayed put.

Upon entering the Time House, Lin Luo immediately witnessed intense combat taking place mid-air. Three parties were engaged in a fierce duel: Mikoto, Hinaichigo, and Setsuna, while the others cheered them on from the sidelines.

The three days outside equated to two and a half months inside the Time House. Setsuna’s swordsmanship talent was indeed extraordinary. In just two and a half months, she had mastered several advanced sword techniques; her current strength rested just above the peak of the Human Rank. If she activated her Avian form, she could faintly approach the power of the Spirit Rank. This meant that even if Mikoto and Hinaichigo didn't hold back, the three could put up a respectable fight.

Of course, Setsuna couldn't possibly win against them yet. However, growing through repeated defeats, her strength advanced by leaps and bounds. Given more time, closing the gap with those around her wouldn't be a major issue—provided Mikoto and the others didn't continue to grow stronger.

On the other side, Konoka was practicing magic in the central courtyard. After this period of dedicated study, supplemented by occasional guidance from Evi, she was essentially a competent apprentice magician, capable of casting most small-scale spells, such as a single Light Arrow or a Fireball.

Furthermore, she possessed an innate advantage in control. Judging purely by her mana manipulation, she was already a first-rate magician. Moreover, due to her world origin, her mana supply was virtually infinite, promising limitless future growth.

Chachamaru and Chacha Zero also stood in the courtyard, though they were more relaxed, sipping coffee while observing the aerial battle.

Upon seeing Lin Luo and the others enter, the three in the courtyard immediately halted their “work” and rushed over. Lin Luo smiled, nodded at them, praised Konoka, and then asked Chachamaru for Chou Rinne’s whereabouts.

“Chou-san is in her research lab. I heard she’s working on some kind of weapon,” Chachamaru replied.

“A weapon?” Lin Luo was slightly taken aback. Building a time machine would have been understandable, but what was she planning to use a weapon for?

“Where is that lab?”

“I can take you there, Teacher.”

“Alright, I’ll trouble you then.” After bidding a brief farewell to those nearby, Lin Luo followed Chachamaru into the castle. Chacha remained silent during the walk, and Lin Luo was too preoccupied with earlier events to converse. Soon, they reached the laboratory Chachamaru had mentioned.

“Isn’t this the abandoned warehouse?” Lin Luo felt a bit strange. He had stayed in this castle long enough to know its layout well. This room was where Evangeline stored miscellaneous junk, rarely used. How had it become Chou Rinne’s research facility?

“Chou-san requested it herself. She said to give her a room we didn't need,” Chachamaru explained, then bowed slightly to Lin Luo. “I won’t disturb you further, Teacher. I will take my leave now.”

“Mhm.” Lin Luo nodded. After Chachamaru departed, he gently pushed the door open. The scene inside stunned even him.

This was hardly an abandoned warehouse anymore; it was a high-tech chamber one usually only saw in science fiction films. The room spanned several hundred square meters. The walls were covered with large screens displaying flashing lights, and the machinery scattered around was so sophisticated that even an idiot could recognize its precision. Small robots, barely half a meter tall, moved intermittently through the room, ferrying items back and forth, performing unknown tasks.

To think Chou Rinne had transformed the space so drastically in such a short time—truly worthy of her genius status.

Then, Lin Luo spotted Chou Rinne in a corner of the room, sitting on the floor with a distinctly unladylike posture. Before her lay a pile of chips and metal blocks, seemingly assembling something.

Curiosity overcoming him, Lin Luo quietly approached and stood directly behind her. Even at this close range, she hadn't noticed him, appearing completely engrossed.

Lin Luo didn't interrupt. He watched carefully. The object Chou Rinne was assembling in her hands looked like a set of flight wings, though, in Lin Luo’s estimation, they appeared incomplete.

“Sigh, creating that thing is still a bit beyond my current capabilities, isn't it? Yes, the technology is there, but I’m missing many crucial materials. And I still need to figure out the transition joints. How should I proceed?” Chou Rinne sighed, placing the object she was holding back on the floor, a look of disappointment crossing her face.

“What is it you’re making?” At this point, Lin Luo could no longer contain his curiosity and finally asked.

“Wha—!” Chou Rinne jumped in surprise, nearly leaping off the floor. Only when she recognized Lin Luo behind her did she visibly relax, patting her chest. “Teacher, couldn't you avoid startling people like that? Scaring someone to death is dangerous.”

Lin Luo was speechless. He waved his hand dismissively. “No, no. I think anyone could be scared to death, except you.”

“Oh? Is that how you view me?”

“I mean it as a compliment to your bravery.”

“Then I thank you very much.” Chou Rinne offered no further comment, turning her attention back to the flight gear on the floor.

Seeing that Chou Rinne didn't seem inclined to explain, Lin Luo pressed on. “Hey, you still haven't answered my earlier question. At least tell me what you’re working on; you were so focused.”

“Huh? What?” Chou Rinne turned back, her face filled with confusion. She hadn't heard him clearly at all. Lin Luo suppressed his frustration and had to ask again.

“Oh, that.” Truly the scientist who sold her soul to science, Chou Rinne immediately became animated when her research was mentioned. Gesticulating wildly, she began to explain. “A long time ago—I mean, before I arrived in this era—I had a concept for a type of weapon that a person could wear.”

“A wearable weapon?”

“Yes.” Chou Rinne nodded, then suddenly asked, “Teacher, do you think the power of technology or the power of magic is stronger?”

“Well, how should I put that?” Lin Luo wondered why people lately were constantly asking unanswerable questions. Magic versus technology—which was stronger? Honestly, it was hard to compare. Magic could destroy the heavens and recreate life; technology could shatter planets and traverse time. “It’s difficult to compare their raw destructive power, but the effects they can produce differ based on the environment. So, it depends on the time and place.”

“Your answer is quite objective, Teacher,” Chou Rinne smiled slightly. “Teacher, I am not a magician, but a scientist. I believe you know this. I possess no natural talent for magic; my ability to use it relies entirely on scientific assistance. Therefore, in my view—at least for me—science is more powerful than magic, because I can achieve things with science that many magicians cannot.”

“I believe that,” Lin Luo nodded without hesitation. Time travel—no one else in this world could achieve that except Chou Rinne. Even the Creator apparently couldn't... Not counting someone as irregular as himself, of course.

“Take my body, for example,” Chou Rinne continued. “Unlike my kinsmen who possess strong physiques and magical aptitude, I was born extremely frail, often unable to walk on my own. Simply put, I am disabled. But I possess a mind superior to everyone else’s, so I not only achieved the ability to sustain myself but surpassed everyone else. This was all thanks to my science.”

“Uh!” Lin Luo was momentarily stunned. He knew Chou Rinne couldn't learn magic, but why was she disabled?

“Let me see.” A thought struck Lin Luo. Without waiting for her answer, he reached out and grabbed her hand. Activating his perception, he immediately detected that Chou Rinne’s physical condition was terrible. It wasn't a disease but... specifically, she suffered from two problems: first, acquired damage from the Magic Engraving, and second, congenital weakness in her organ tissues.

Either of these issues could threaten a person’s life, especially the Magic Engraving. Based on Lin Luo’s observation, this engraving placed an immense burden on the human body. An ordinary person fitted with that engraving would likely not live past thirty. Given Chou Rinne’s pre-existing tissue weakness, her prognosis was even worse.

While tissue weakening could cause physical frailty, it wasn't insurmountable with proper care; she might live for several decades without incident. But with the addition of that engraving, Lin Luo estimated that Chou Rinne would be lucky to reach twenty.

He finally understood why Chou Rinne was so desperately determined to return to the future on the day of the School Festival—she simply didn't have the time left. But then!

“If that’s the case, why do you still want to go back?!” Lin Luo’s tone became somewhat severe, perhaps even angry, because he knew the engraving was not self-inflicted. This meant... Chou Rinne had been forcibly modified, and at a very young age, probably no older than eight.

“Heh, Teacher is very gentle,” Chou Rinne chuckled softly, offering no explanation. “If I were an ordinary girl instead of a scientist who sold her soul to science, I might have liked you... Ah, never mind that. Weren’t you asking what I was making? Come see, and you’ll know.”

Chou Rinne walked over to one of the large screens and pressed a spot. An image suddenly popped up on the display. Lin Luo stepped closer, deciding not to press the previous topic further, but when he saw the image, he froze. The image was of a humanoid armor—not the kind worn on ancient battlefields, but one equipped with several flight wings, guns, cannons, swords, and other weaponry attached to the arms. The lower body was relatively massive, and it seemed a person could stand inside it... The more Lin Luo looked, the more familiar it seemed; he felt certain he had seen it somewhere before.

“Teacher, watch this.” Chou Rinne pressed another button. A simulation dummy suddenly appeared in the image, and the armor instantly disassembled, cladding the figure in less than a moment. The armor didn't seal completely but left enough room for movement while providing excellent defense to vital areas.

“That’s not all,” Chou Rinne added. Then, Lin Luo watched as the armor suddenly emitted a faint halo of light, and with a whoosh, the figure and the armor lifted off the ground.

“That halo is a defensive shield, capable of blocking most attacks, though it dissipates when the energy runs out. It also contains the flight system, featuring long-range laser cannons as well as close-combat blades, offering excellent maneuverability... Teacher, what's wrong?” While explaining, Chou Rinne noticed Lin Luo’s expression had gone blank and asked curiously.

“Nothing, nothing,” Lin Luo casually shook his head, but internally, he was utterly dumbfounded. He finally knew why it looked so familiar: that thing was... an Iron Man suit!

What the hell, Chou Rinne is inventing the Mark V? You’re not Orihime Rinne! ... Wait, Orihime Rinne pilots a Mark V.

“Why did you think of inventing this?” Lin Luo couldn't help but ask. He figured that if Chou Rinne were transported to the Marvel dimension, she and a certain researcher fond of bunny costumes would get along famously.

“Since Teacher already knows about my condition, I won't hide it from you,” Chou Rinne exhaled. Although she spoke casually, a hint of sadness permeated her tone. “In my era, many children like me were forcibly fitted with Magic Engravings. Although many opposed it, given our severe lack of combat strength, it was deemed necessary if we didn't want to be annihilated. So, I kept thinking if there was something else that could replace the Magic Engraving. And this is what I came up with.”

Chou Rinne pointed at the diagram and continued, “In my design, anyone can use this equipment, even children as young as twelve or thirteen. After a few months of training, they could master it proficiently. The power it generates is equivalent to five to ten first-rate magicians.”

Lin Luo believed this. It was no wonder the Iron Man suit possessed such power... While whether Chou Rinne’s creation was an exact replica of the Iron Man suit remained to be seen, their overall power output should be comparable.

“Can you build it now?”

“No, I can’t,” Chou Rinne shook her head, her voice filled with disappointment. “While I have absolute confidence in the technology to construct it, I lack the most crucial element: the power source.”

“Is the power source magic?” Lin Luo asked, as Chou Rinne’s time machine was powered by magic.

But Chou Rinne shook her head again. “Using magic as a power source consumes too much energy. Forget ordinary people; even a first-rate magician couldn't sustain it for long. And this is meant for ordinary people. If I use magic as the source, it defeats the purpose.”

It seemed there was no way to wear an Iron Man suit, then.

Chou Rinne was disappointed, and Lin Luo felt the same way. He had secretly hoped Chou Rinne could produce the armor so he could borrow a set or two for fun. What a letdown.

“Never mind. We can worry about the power source later; it’s not urgent right now.” Soon, Chou Rinne regained her cheerful demeanor, seemingly unbothered. She turned back to Lin Luo. “Oh yes, Teacher, what did you need my help with?”

“Ah, yes, there is something I need your assistance with.” Her question brought Lin Luo back to the main task; he had almost forgotten the real reason for his visit. “But before we discuss the serious matter, let’s take care of another thing first, or I’ll feel uneasy.”

“What is it? Is it something you want me to do, Teacher?” Chou Rinne asked with a playful smile.

Lin Luo almost collapsed. Chou Rinne was indeed extraordinary. However, he didn't speak further; he simply scooped up the young woman. She froze, momentarily thinking Lin Luo was actually going to do something inappropriate.

A strange warmth quickly suffused her body, a current that flowed through every vein, instantly bringing a profound sense of ease and comfort to every area it touched. What was even more unbelievable was that the side effects caused by the arcane glyphs—gone! Miraculously vanished!

“This… how is this possible?!” Super Lingyin’s eyes widened in disbelief. Since the age of eight, the side effects from the magical etchings had plagued her; even her advanced science could only suppress them, never eliminate them entirely. Yet, with just a touch from Lin Luo, they were completely gone!

Even the naturally weakened organ tissues felt robustly healthy now?

“Teacher, what in the world is this?”

“While I can’t send you back to the future, making sure you get a few more years of life is certainly within my capability,” Lin Luo replied, releasing his hand with a smile.