Chapter Summaries

Richard met the conscious shadow that had emerged from the Eight-Armed Skeleton and agreed to a cautious contract with it. The shadow chose the name A Nan, and Richard turned to his ongoing tasks over the following days.

• The Eight-Armed Skeleton's consciousness emerged from its body and told Richard it meant him no harm.
• Richard agreed to contract with the Eight-Armed Skeleton, promising it freedom while requiring it not to act against his interests and placing it under probationary monitoring.
• The Eight-Armed Skeleton explained that it had no clear memories or name, but recalled Gisgugigamenshen and A Nan.
• Richard agreed to call the genderless consciousness Master A Nan.
• Richard stored ores from Leis City, repaired damage from Tinwood's escape, sought the Truth Society branch address, and processed ores as several days passed.

Richard began the final stage of his nuclear weapons project, manufacturing an atomic bomb casing and preparing rhenium-tungsten alloy. The casing was completed, and the alloy began heating in an electromagnetic furnace.

• Richard warned Tinwood to focus on his work or face destruction, then took time to recover before starting nuclear weapon manufacture.
• Richard set up equipment around a reinforced metal worktable in Laboratory No. 1.
• Richard cut a metal block into a precisely measured oval shell for an atomic bomb.
• Richard mixed tungsten and rhenium powders and placed them in an electromagnetic furnace.
• Richard powered the furnace with energy drawn from the volcano, heating the alloy powder until it glowed white.

Richard completed the nuclear weapon’s rhenium-tungsten alloy, beryllium, and uranium components in Eden Garden’s underground laboratory. He finished the central uranium component, which he called the “Crystal Heart,” but many precision procedures remained before the weapon would be complete.

• Richard sintered several hundred rhenium-tungsten alloy components in the furnace.
• Richard processed the beryllium in the hazardous materials laboratory while wearing protective gear.
• Richard melted and cast weapons-grade uranium-235, then cut and polished it into the nuclear weapon’s central component.
• Richard admired the finished “Crystal Heart” and put it away.
• Richard left the laboratory, knowing that further procedures were needed to complete the nuclear weapon.

Richard tested explosive configurations for the implosion-type Nuclear Weapon at the Spell Testing Ground. After three days of experiments, he found and produced a suitable Composite Explosive, bringing the weapon closer to completion.

• Richard arrived at the Spell Testing Ground seven days after beginning work on the Nuclear Weapon, with manufacturing progress at sixty percent.
• Richard arranged explosive columns around a test target and repeatedly detonated them to find stable mixtures and ratios that could produce the required pressure pattern.
• Richard used mathematical calculations to narrow the options before testing the most promising explosive configurations.
• After three days and dozens or hundreds of tests, Richard selected the suitable Composite Explosive and manufactured enough for the Nuclear Weapon.

Richard carried out the final test of his Composite Explosive design by compressing a uranium replica, confirming that the setup could simulate the conditions needed for a nuclear weapon. As he watched, an unexpected wave of energy spread across the test target, leaving the result uncertain.

• Richard told Pandora and Afu that he was nearing completion of a powerful weapon, but warned that it was unsuitable for dealing with Tinwood.
• Richard arranged one hundred Composite Explosive blocks around a uranium replica at the Spell Testing Field.
• Richard detonated the explosives, compressing the replica into a tiny cylinder.
• Richard saw a faint wave of energy flash across the test target and spread outward.

A strange energy wave from Richard’s experiment destabilized Eden Garden’s systems and harmed those nearby. Richard hurried to assess the damage, while Pandora and the Lich Old Man blamed Tinwood and rushed toward Laboratory No. 3.

• Richard felt the energy wave surge through his mana source and destabilize the Wandering Energy Elements.
• The wave overloaded Eden Garden’s energy system, shutting down its lights and triggering its highest-level alarm.
• Richard headed toward Eden Garden’s buildings to inspect the damage and continue work on the Nuclear Weapon.
• Pandora was hurt and nearly transformed into Dragon Form, but she suppressed the change while the Lich Old Man checked on her.
• Pandora and the Lich Old Man suspected Tinwood had caused the disturbance and charged toward Laboratory No. 3.

Pandora confronted Tinwood over the energy wave, but Tinwood insisted it had been recovering and showed that its body had become far more durable. Richard arrived and revealed that an explosives experiment he had conducted had accidentally caused the damage to Eden Garden.

• Eight-Armed Skeleton A Nan collected bones from the Magic Puppets whose Soul Fires had gone out.
• Pandora kicked open the door to Laboratory No. 3 and pulled Tinwood from its nutrient solution, accusing it of causing trouble.
• Tinwood denied releasing the energy wave and explained that it had strengthened its defenses while recovering.
• Pandora punched Tinwood and discovered its trunk had become too hard for her to damage.
• The Lich Old Man and Pandora questioned who had caused the energy wave, and Richard admitted his explosives experiment had unexpectedly damaged Eden Garden's energy system and equipment.

Pandora apologized to Tinwood after Richard explained her mistake, while Richard investigated the destructive energy wave and realized it resembled a magical electromagnetic pulse. Worried it might have alerted the Truth Society in Pompeii Town, he hurried there and found no immediate signs of an attack, though what he saw outside left him unsettled.

• Pandora apologized to Tinwood and returned him to his Nutrient Solution, then argued with the Lich Old Man over his damaged Magic Puppet and stolen bones.
• Richard concluded that compressing the uranium replica might have caused the strange energy wave and considered whether it could be a controllable magical electromagnetic pulse.
• Richard realized the pulse might have reached Pompeii Town while the Truth Society's members, including Long Mei Er, were nearby.
• Richard rushed from Eden Garden to Residence No. 1248 and found no one waiting in his bedroom.
• Richard used Gaze of the Eye to scan the streets, then left the Stone Tower with a strange expression.

Richard appeared in Pompeii Town as its unstable Energy System overloaded and exploded, setting the town ablaze. He helped extinguish the fires with an unusual spell, and Inogova identified him to curious Wizards.

• Richard saw the Energy System’s nodes turn red and watched the mountaintop energy core explode.
• The released energy caused the nodes to melt and spread flames through Pompeii Town.
• Several Wizards used their spells to extinguish the fires, and Richard absorbed flames with a ball of light.
• Richard’s efficient fire-fighting drew the attention of nearby Wizards, who asked who he was.
• Inogova approached and told the Wizards that the newcomer’s name was Richard.

Wizards suppressed Pompeii Town’s fires, but the Energy System’s collapse triggered earthquakes and signs of a volcanic eruption. Long Mei Er contained the volcano and began organizing repairs, then summoned Richard to join a meeting about the Energy System.

• Pompeii Town’s fires were brought under control, but earthquakes cracked the streets and damaged the Stone Towers as the volcano began showing signs of eruption.
• Richard worried that the tremors and possible eruption would expose or destroy Eden Garden beneath his residence.
• Long Mei Er flew to the volcano and used a golden beam and magic to suppress its unrest, sending the resulting vapor and sparks into the sky.
• A sudden downpour fell over Pompeii Town as Long Mei Er returned and directed the wizards to restore the town and improve the Energy System.
• Richard set out for his residence, but Long Mei Er called him over and ordered him to join the meeting.

Richard attended a meeting about rebuilding Pompeii Town’s Energy System while keeping his role in the Truth Society and his secrets hidden. He planned to finish repairs in Eden Garden and assemble a Nuclear Weapon within five days, but learned that the new system might require demolishing every Stone Tower in Twelfth Area, where his home stood.

• Long Mei Er asked Richard for advice on rebuilding the destroyed Energy System, and Richard suggested changes to improve its interference resistance and stability.
• Richard considered whether Uranium-235 caused the spell electromagnetic pulse and concluded that he needed to make a Nuclear Weapon to investigate further.
• Richard planned to spend two days repairing Eden Garden and three days assembling the Nuclear Weapon.
• A Wizard said the Energy System’s preliminary work could be completed in five days if several Stone Towers were demolished.
• Richard reacted when he heard that all Stone Towers in Twelfth Area might be demolished, since Stone Building No. 1248 was there.

Richard learned that the Twelfth District would be demolished, threatening to expose the hidden passage beneath his residence and disrupt his work on the Nuclear Weapon. He secured a delay for the demolition of his residence, leaving him four days to continue his plans.

• Richard worried that demolition of his residence could expose the hidden underground passage and jeopardize his Nuclear Weapon research.
• At the Conference Room meeting, Richard asked Long Mei Er to delay the demolition of his residence so he could move his fragile equipment and materials.
• Long Mei Er had Shuster arrange for the buildings around Richard's residence to be demolished on the afternoon of the fifth day.
• Long Mei Er let Richard leave the meeting early, and Richard thanked him and Shuster before departing.
• Omark asked for the same delay for his residence in the Tenth District, but Shuster said the key construction area would be difficult to postpone, and Long Mei Er told Omark to sit down.

Richard repaired Eden Garden enough to use, confirmed that Uranium-235 caused the magical electromagnetic pulse, and then spent over two days assembling three implosion-type atomic bombs. The weapons were completed in Pompey as the deadline to demolish his residence loomed.

• Richard summoned Pandora, Lich Old Man A Fu, and Eight-Armed Skeleton A Nan to repair Eden Garden, restoring it to about half its former condition after twenty-four hours of work.
• Richard tested Uranium-235 on a small scale and confirmed that it produced the magical electromagnetic pulse, then resumed work on nuclear weapons.
• Richard carefully assembled the bomb components in the Hazardous Materials Sector laboratory over the next fifty-two hours.
• Richard completed three implosion-type atomic bombs on September 24th in his eighteenth year in the world.
• Richard named the bombs Truth Number One - Goodwill, Truth Number Two - Friendship, and Truth Number Three - Persuasion.

After completing three Implosion-Type Atomic Bombs, Richard decided to leave Pompey for the Northern Wastes to conduct secret nuclear tests and gather research data. He planned to depart the next morning, before the Truth Society could uncover his hidden work, while memories of the White Stone Tower made him wary of unexpected setbacks.

• Richard considered his exhaustion after completing the three Implosion-Type Atomic Bombs and concluded he needed to leave Pompey.
• Richard decided to keep his nuclear research secret and use the weapons for research and leverage rather than destruction unless necessary.
• Richard weighed an ocean island, the Sika Kingdom's deserts, and the Northern Wastes as testing sites, then chose the Northern Wastes.
• Richard planned to study a route, settle the Truth Society's remaining affairs, and leave Pompey early the next morning before his residence was demolished.
• Richard recalled how the Supreme Order Divine Assembly's sudden attack at the White Stone Tower had disrupted his plans and endangered Pandora.
• Richard shook off his doubts about another surprise and stepped outside.

Richard visited Tinwood in Laboratory No. 3 and told him to keep consolidating his source power while warning him not to cause trouble. He then went to the Lich Old Man’s new residence, where the Lich Old Man cautiously let him in after checking that Eight-Armed Skeleton A Nan was not nearby.

• Richard asked Tinwood whether he could absorb energy, and Tinwood explained that he could either keep consolidating his source power or begin absorbing energy.
• Richard told Tinwood to continue consolidating his source power and warned him to honor their contract.
• Richard recalled that the Lich Old Man had received a spacious room to protect his Magic Puppets from Eight-Armed Skeleton A Nan.
• Richard knocked on the Lich Old Man’s heavily secured door, and the Lich Old Man opened it only after confirming A Nan was absent.

Richard told the Lich Old Man that Eden Garden would travel with him to the Northern Wastes, where the old man hoped to find traces of his past and bones for making Magic Puppets. After Richard left, the Lich Old Man discovered that more puppets had vanished despite his precautions and grew convinced his room was haunted.

• Richard found the Lich Old Man sealing his room against A Nan, whom he suspected of stealing Magic Puppets.
• Richard told the Lich Old Man that Eden Garden would go with him to the Northern Wastes, and the old man agreed to join the journey.
• The Lich Old Man recalled vague impressions of having lived in the Northern Wastes and hoped to find useful bones there.
• The Lich Old Man let Richard out, then resealed the door and counted his Magic Puppets.
• The Lich Old Man counted the puppets three times and found the total had fallen from sixty-two to fifty-seven, leaving him terrified that the room was haunted.

Pandora abruptly lost interest in her mathematical model and grew irritable, throwing paper balls for Little Bell to retrieve. After Little Bell repeatedly brought them back, Pandora weighted one with compressed dirt and hurled it hundreds of meters away; she then sat alone, looking melancholy.

• Pandora stopped working on the Collective Magic Puppet’s mathematical model and tossed an ink-stained sheet away.
• Little Bell returned the paper ball to Pandora twice, eager to play fetch, while Pandora asked it to leave her in peace.
• Richard saw Pandora leave her study and head outside with Little Bell following her.
• Pandora compressed dirt inside a paper ball and flung it toward the Sinkhole Spell Testing Ground, challenging Little Bell to fetch it.
• Little Bell set off to prove itself, while Pandora sat by the door, hugging her knees and staring ahead.

Richard realized Pandora’s unexplained despondency might come from her prophetic ability and guided her to uncover what she had sensed. Pandora predicted that their current location would soon become very dangerous and urged them to leave immediately.

• Richard found Pandora unusually bored and encouraged her to rest from her studies.
• After leaving Pandora, Richard realized her mood might reflect an advance prophecy about an unforeseen danger.
• Richard returned and asked Pandora what she wanted most to do, and she said she wanted to go far away to a safe place.
• Pandora sensed that their location would soon become very dangerous and shouted that they should leave immediately.
• Pandora returned to normal, and Richard told her she might have completed an advance prophecy.

After Pandora’s advance prophecy warned that Eden Garden was in danger, Richard decided to leave immediately and began abandoning preparations to depart Pompeii Town. As he set off at twilight, a tall woman called out to him.

• Richard explained that Pandora’s warning was an advance prophecy and agreed that they should leave at once.
• Richard told Pandora to alert Tinwood, Mr. Afu, and A Nan, secure Eden Garden, and prepare for departure.
• Richard cut the cables powering Eden Garden, packed them away, and headed through his residence to the surface.
• Richard stepped onto the streets of Pompeii Town and saw Wizards calmly rebuilding the town’s energy system.
• As Richard walked toward the foot of the mountain to leave Pompeii Town, a tall woman called out, “Wizard Richard!”

Richard tried to leave Pompeii without drawing suspicion, but Inogova asked him to vacate his residence before dawn and sign paperwork relinquishing his residence allocation. He agreed to go to the Affairs Office with her, leaving his immediate departure for Galan City unresolved.

• Inogova asked Richard to move out of Stone Building No. 1248 Residence before dawn because construction work needed to begin earlier.
• Richard considered pretending to choose another residence but decided to say he was returning to Galan City instead.
• Inogova offered to take Richard to the Affairs Office to sign documents temporarily relinquishing his right to a residence.
• Richard agreed to go with Inogova and said he had planned to hire a carriage to move his belongings back to Galan City.