August, Flame Moon

August, Flame Moon.

This was the hottest month of summer. The sun hung overhead all day like a furnace, scorching the earth and everyone beneath it, bringing unbearable heat that left people drenched in sweat.

Yet it was also the season of harvest. Countless crops across the Main Continent ripened one after another, while wild fruit in the forests and fields turned bright red and hung heavy on the branches. During this month, even the poorest person could fill their stomach as long as they were willing to take a stroll into the wilderness in the early morning. Once the sun rose and the temperature climbed, after eating and drinking one's fill, jumping into a pond was an even finer pleasure.

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Richard. Whether it was scorching heat or bitter cold, neither could easily drive him out of Blue Lake Manor. During this period, Richard had remained in the manor, steadily researching all manner of things according to the many plans he had laid out.

For example, improvements to the Micro Spell Tracking Missile, improvements to Warplane Mode, deciphering the spells in "Veisha Secrets," and so on.

Some of these had run into problems, while others had achieved breakthroughs with astonishing ease.

Richard did not react too strongly to any of it. He knew full well that this was the most common occurrence in the course of research. Thus, whenever he encountered a minor problem, he found a way to solve it. Whenever he made a breakthrough, he pressed on. He stayed busy every day.

During this time, Bobobo Wei Qi often came calling. Officially, it was to visit, but he would then repeatedly suggest exchanging combat techniques. Richard knew that the other man merely wanted to recover some of the