Bolent's Recruitment

Inside the Ministry of Science and Technology's Mess Hall.

Bolent bought a cup of milk and handed it to Li Qi, who was sitting across from him.

Seeing that Li Qi still looked a bit shaken, Bolent said apologetically, "Sorry, I scared you. I didn't expect that Orb to explode."

"No... it was my lack of consideration, Sir. I shouldn't have directly input the maximum Magic Power."

Li Qi held the milk with both hands and replied softly.

He should have thought of it earlier; this type of Orb was clearly a prototype.

The fact that it could withstand the amount of Magic Power needed to fire one bullet didn't mean it could handle the amount of Magic Power needed to fire ten.

And Li Qi had just poured all his Magic Power into it at once, which obviously exceeded the Orb's maximum Magic Power input limit. Therefore, it was perfectly normal for it to have a Magic Power reaction and explode...

Well, actually, Li Qi was also very angry.

They used this unfinished prototype for his experiment without even informing him of the danger.

It was a good thing Li Qi reacted quickly.

Otherwise, if Li Qi had been blown up by the Orb, Dr. Riv and Bolent beside him definitely wouldn't have been able to escape either!

Even taking a step back, even if Bolent was extremely powerful and could survive the explosion, the mortal Dr. Riv definitely couldn't.

Li Qi had seen with his Superpower when he met Dr. Riv that Dr. Riv was just an ordinary Elementary Mage Master. He absolutely could not withstand that level of explosion!

But despite his anger, Li Qi also understood that this explosion was probably not within Dr. Riv's and Bolent's expectations.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have stood so close to Li Qi.

It was just an accident.

However, even though it was an accident, Bolent still said to Li Qi apologetically, "This isn't your fault. I should have thought that a device that can enhance Magic Power circulation would definitely have big problems if it malfunctioned, but... I trusted Dr. Riv too much."

"Dr. Riv... who is he?"

Having calmed down a bit, Li Qi asked Bolent.

Bolent explained, "He's the person in charge here. He's currently responsible for researching the Magic Amplification Orb. The Orb you just used was personally developed by him."

"Then Dr. Riv is very impressive..."

"Yes, very impressive. He found a way to use Magic Power enhanced bullets and also found the future for Mage Masters, but..."

Bolent smiled helplessly at this point. "Sometimes Dr. Riv's head isn't quite clear. Besides research, he doesn't care about anything else, which is why today's incident happened."

That's how genius scientists are.

Li Qi complained inwardly.

It wasn't hard to see from Bolent's description that Dr. Riv was the traditional 'mad scientist' type from movies and TV shows. Besides the projects he cared about, he wouldn't bother with anything else.

He perfectly fit Li Qi's stereotype of a genius scientist.

But putting aside whether that scientist met Li Qi's standards, thinking of the circular disk that was attached to him today and almost blew him to pieces, Li Qi looked up at Bolent and asked, "Sir, may I ask, what exactly is that Orb Dr. Riv gave me today...?"

When this was mentioned, a smile appeared on Bolent's face.

He smiled at Li Qi and said, "Surprised, right? That thing was named [Magic Amplification Orb Model 1] by Dr. Riv. It can enhance a Mage Master's Magic Power and, when paired with specially made Firearms, can make the Firearms exert even greater power."

He said this, met Li Qi's gaze, and said meaningfully, "Didn't you say that the Magic Corps' future would be surpassed by Firearms and more powerful weapons? Do you still think so now?"

"..."

So this was the reason Major Bolent brought him here.

Li Qi vaguely understood.

It was because of what he had said in front of Bolent a few days ago that he was brought here today and personally tested the [Magic Amplification Orb Model 1] which was currently being tested.

Li Qi had to admit that if this kind of Orb could really be mass-produced and put into battle, used by every member of the Magic Corps, then the Magic Corps could truly become the Duchy of Uno's trump card force!

Think about it, the maximum range for accurate shooting with an ordinary Bolt-Action Rifle is three hundred meters.

However, if you don't consider accuracy, the bullet from this kind of rifle can actually fly up to eight hundred meters away!

Suppose the Magic Corps were standing on high ground, each with one of these guns in their hands, simultaneously shooting at the same spot.

Even without aiming, just the bombardment of bullets could cause extremely severe damage to the enemy!

Greater strike distance, more lethal firepower coverage – this represents an absolute advantage on the battlefield!

Li Qi had to admit, this was a groundbreaking product.

This holds true for Mage Masters, and for this entire world!

Li Qi took a deep breath, stood up, bowed to Bolent, and apologized:

"I'm sorry, sir. My previous remarks were too hasty. Perhaps you are right. The Magic Corps... is the future of the nation."

"Alright, alright, I'm not angry. Have a seat first."

Li Qi's apology pleased Bolent greatly, but he didn't show it. Instead, he gestured for Li Qi to sit down.

After the other man had returned to his original seat, Bolent continued:

"It's not your fault. The research and development of Magic Weapons is currently classified. Only a few people know about the relevant progress. You don't know about Magic Weapons, and based on your perspective, the Magic Corps indeed has no future.

"And that's why I appreciate you."

Bolent looked at Li Qi with satisfaction.

Hearing him say this, Li Qi suddenly realized that the person who had him transferred to the Royal Capital seemed to be Bolent, who was right in front of him.

He must have taken notice of Li Qi a long time ago and wanted him to do something.

The chance encounter at the Library that day might not have been accidental either.

Perhaps it was precisely because Li Qi didn't choose the Magic Corps courses that Bolent became curious, leading him to approach him at the Library in advance.

But... why?

Li Qi pondered.

Why did Bolent appreciate him so much?

One must remember that Bolent had Li Qi summoned to the Royal Capital even before he had a face-to-face conversation with Li Qi.

So what was the real reason?

Was it because of his performance on the battlefield, or because of the medals he wore?

Or perhaps it was because of his strength?

Li Qi couldn't figure it out, but subconsciously, he felt there might be a trap involved.

He lowered his head slightly and said in a low voice:

"...Your subordinate might not be worthy of such high regard from you, sir."

"Don't be modest, Warrant Officer Li Qi. I've seen your excellence with my own eyes. I've looked into your 'deeds' on the battlefield and your performance during the assessment. That's why I brought you here today."

At this point, Bolent asked very seriously:

"Warrant Officer Li Qi, I believe I have seen the future of the Magic Corps. So... are you willing to work for me now?"

"Major Sir, I believe you haven't forgotten that my current appointment letter still seems to be with the Intelligence Department?"

Although Wood had told Li Qi to try and leave the Intelligence Department.

However, since it was an officer from the Intelligence Department who recommended Li Qi to the school, his appointment letter and some of his military records were still with the Intelligence Department.

Regardless of whether Li Qi would choose to transfer departments after graduation.

At least for now, Li Qi was still a member of the Intelligence Department.

He was a subordinate of the person who was nominally the highest officer in the Intelligence Department right in front of him.

In other words, Li Qi was actually working for Bolent right now. There was no mistake about that.