Exploring Technology in a Wizard World

Compared to Marquis Vian, Richard's thoughts were clearer. At the moment, he had only one concern: the stock of Magic Salt was running low, and it looked like he would need to produce another batch upon his return.

Yes, he had used Magic Salt to complete the test just now.

The process was quite simple: he first silently controlled the Magic Salt to adhere to the surface of Soron's Armor, then ignited it with a sufficiently hot Martian to create an explosion.

Although there wasn't a large amount of Magic Salt, the power of the close-range explosion was enough to seriously injure Soron, who was flesh and blood, knocking him unconscious.

This was considered a relatively mild method. Otherwise, if he had thrown Metal Needles improved from 315 alloy, a single stab into Soron would have resulted in a bleeding hole, if not death, then certainly a disability.

And if he pulled out a Magic Gun, that would be too much. With one pull of the trigger, Soron would have been torn to pieces, leaving nothing intact.

But to speak of using the force of fate from the Destruction Gloves to attack, that would keep Soron's body whole, yet it would be no fun—it would be pure bullying of a child, after all, that was a power that even a Third-level Wizard could not resist.

With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Richard was clear that the key point of this meeting had been accomplished. Staying any longer wouldn't be very meaningful, so he began to prepare his words for departure.

However, as soon as he spoke, Marquis Vian rose from his seat, his eyes twinkling as he said, "Master Wizard Richard, I have an audacious request, and I hope you can grant it."

"Hmm?"

"That's the thing," the Marquis rubbed his hands together, with a somewhat embarrassed tone, "you might have seen the invitation I sent before. Master Wizard Richard, I have a pair of children, not very old, who have always wanted to follow the same path as you. So, if it's possible, I hope, Master Wizard Richard, that you could teach them a little."

Richard's eyebrows twitched.

The Marquis's actions were an attempt to forge a connection with him, using his children to show significant sincerity. However…

Richard shook his head the next moment and said, "I'm sorry, Marquis Vian, I would like to agree, but… as I told you before, I am always busy with various research projects and seldom have free time, so I probably cannot teach your children."

"That's alright," Marquis Vian quickly said, "Actually, Master Wizard Richard, I wouldn't dare to take up too much of your time with the two children. They are usually guided by another wizard in their studies; you just need to give them a few pointers occasionally."

"Oh, they have a dedicated teacher? And a wizard at that?" Richard asked.

"Not exactly dedicated; they study at a small academy," explained Marquis Vian.

After this explanation, Richard learned that in Jialan City, there was indeed a Wizard Academy. It wasn't very large, with only about twenty to thirty students, taught by a Level One Wizard whose background was unknown, along with several Wizard Apprentices that he trained.

The Marquis's son and daughter usually followed this person to learn and had indeed gained some knowledge.

But Marquis Vian was clear in his thinking; studying with a Level One Wizard however long could never compare to studying even a few days with a Third-level Wizard, which would be much more beneficial for his children. Plus, it would help him bridge a closer connection with Richard—so why not?

After the explanation, Marquis Vian earnestly said, "Master Wizard Richard, if you really are busy, then there's no need to go out of your way to care for my children. When they come, just assign them some tasks to keep them busy, treat them as servants.

If they can learn something out of it, it's their luck; if they learn nothing, it's their own ineptitude and they deserve it. In truth, I believe that even if they don't learn anything, just being around you will expand their horizons. For this, I am willing to offer you one hundred Gold Coins a month as a tuition fee. What do you think?"

One hundred Gold Coins was roughly equivalent to two hundred thousand RMB on Earth, and that was per month—a considerable display of sincerity from Marquis Vian.

Richard didn't care much for the money, but with the Marquis putting it this way, it would be somewhat impolite to refuse. Since the Marquis didn't insist on having his children educated to be anything specific, just desiring to nurture a relationship, Richard thought it over and agreed. After all, if the manor was to build a Wind Tunnel Laboratory, they indeed lacked manpower; having one more person would be better than having one less.

"Alright then," Richard said.

"Thank you, Master Wizard Richard. By the way, let me introduce my children to you first," Marquis Vian said. Then he clapped his hands and called out to the door, "Harry, Cathy, come in and greet your teacher—Master Wizard Richard."

"Tap tap tap!"

Footsteps sounded, and two children about ten years old ran in quickly.

Stopping in the middle of the living room, they bowed to Richard respectfully, "Greetings, teacher."

Their greeting over, they stood quietly by the side.

The two were clearly very polite, and from that, one could also see that Marquis Vian had done a good job with their upbringing.

Richard looked over and could tell that both the boy and the girl had inherited Marquis Vian's bloodline, with pale skin and golden hair. Their faces were still youthful, slightly nervous, but more mature than children of the same age.

The boy seemed a bit shorter, the girl taller by a margin, suggesting that the boy was the younger brother and the girl the older sister. But Richard also knew that girls developed earlier than boys, so he didn't jump to conclusions.

After observing the two for a while, Richard spotted something and turned his head slightly toward Marquis Vian, "Marquis Vian, your son and daughter seem to have decent wizard Talent. With enough effort, they could become Wizard Apprentices."

"Ah, yes." Marquis Vian appeared somewhat pleased with himself but tried not to overdo it and smiled, "You're right, Master Wizard Richard. Harry and Cathy both indeed possess wizard Talent, and that's why I had them studying with the wizard from Ash Academy, and why I wanted you to guide them a bit.

To me, their taking over my business and becoming Nobles is not much of a big deal. But if they're lucky, and become powerful Wizards, that would truly be an achievement. In that case, they could definitely lead my family out of this city of Jialan and develop excellently."

Richard nodded, agreeing with Marquis Vian's viewpoint, and glanced at the children once more, "I hope you get your wish."

With that, he said no more, stood up, and took his leave formally.

Marquis Vian, having achieved his goal, did not hold him back any further, personally escorted Richard to the door, saw him off in the carriage, and watched as the carriage moved away, disappearing at the end of the street.

...