Just as Edward had remarked, Ouyang Tao’s machines achieved exceptionally high completion due to his dominant metal affinity and top-tier skills.

Moreover, Ouyang Tao’s imagination and creativity rivaled Edward’s. After practicing operation once, he could rapidly build most parts with mana; only modified components needed precision crafting.

Additionally, he could now control a lathe magically, drastically boosting efficiency.

In just three hours, he finished three prototypes, replicated five copies of each from leftover materials, and packed them into three weapon cases—mission accomplished.

Tomorrow, he’d only need to test them at the weapons range.

Just then, Ouyang Tao sensed a strange, suffocating pressure—a scorching aura radiating oppressive heat—rushing toward him.

The source? The lab’s tightly shut window.

Boom—! Before he could react, a violent explosion shattered the wall. The shockwave hurled him backward, slamming him into the door.

The impact was brutal, yet Ouyang Tao wasn’t badly hurt and stayed conscious. Something had absorbed the force.

A figure slowly emerged from the lingering smoke and dust. Masked, clad in an exaggerated red classical gown with a cape and black top hat, it radiated intense heat. It stopped five meters away.

Who was this? Ouyang Tao instantly knew—he was the culprit behind the recent two attacks!

“Hey! What do you want!” Ouyang Tao shouted.

“Judgment!” the intruder declared, raising his right hand. A fireball—no, a crimson energy sphere forged purely from fire element—locked onto Ouyang Tao.

But Ouyang Tao wouldn’t wait idly. Weapons were at hand. He instantly deployed one mid-air using mana. Both fired simultaneously—crimson light clashed with five blue lightning bolts, erupting in a blinding flash and triggering another explosion.

Smoke and debris swirled violently. Shards scattered everywhere, wrecking the lab. Instinctively, Ouyang Tao curled up, shielding his face and turning away.

“Don’t move!”

“Is anyone there!”

Patrol teams and the Imperial Guard smashed the door open and rushed in. Despite their speed, the room seemed empty.

“You’re stepping on me… damn it!” Correction: someone was there—pinned under the door panel.

Rescuers pulled Ouyang Tao from the debris and handed him to arriving medics.

“I’m fine, really,” Ouyang Tao insisted. Though unharmed beyond scrapes, the Healer insisted he go to the academy hospital for checks.

Compared to the seven prior victims with severe burns in ICU, Ouyang Tao’s minor injuries defied luck alone. His quick reflexes and new weapon had saved him.

This also made him the only witness to survive a direct encounter with the attacker—now a crucial clue for the investigation.

At the hospital, tests confirmed only superficial wounds, yet the Healer refused discharge.

Forced to stay, Ouyang Tao grumbled, “I said I’m fine. Why won’t you let me leave?”

“It’s my order,” said a young professor, appearing at his bedside.

“Huh? Professor Lu Yun? What brings you here?”

“Of course I’d visit. How could I sit still when my student’s attacked?” Lu Yun hid his lead role in the investigation—for secrecy and to avoid stress. “How are your injuries?”

“Heh, minor. Barely worse than my last spar with Deya.”

“Don’t underestimate minor wounds. Rest here tonight. Discharge tomorrow. Besides, the repair team needs time to fix your lab.”

“Alright…”

Since his mentor insisted, Ouyang Tao dropped it.

“Tell me what happened,” Lu Yun said calmly, though inwardly frantic—why Ouyang Tao? Had his judgment failed?

Ouyang Tao recounted the attack.

Lu Yun was puzzled. He’d predicted retaliatory strikes and marked Deya as the next target.

But he’d been wrong. He needed to find where he’d erred.

Sadly, Ouyang Tao’s account gave no clues—it sounded like a random assault.

Now, Lu Yun began to worry…

“Bro… Brother!” A girl’s shout cut in.

Turning, Ouyang Tao saw Ouyang Xue, face flushed and breathless from running.

“A Xue?”

“Waaah—! Brother!” Relief overwhelmed her. She threw herself onto him, sobbing. “Sob… You’re okay, you’re okay…”

She’d just been escorted to her dorm by Edward when news of the attack—targeting her brother—sent her racing to the hospital.

“A Xue, shh, I’m fine,” Ouyang Tao soothed, apologizing to Lu Yun. “Professor, sorry—she’s emotional.”

“No issue. Sibling concern is natural.”

Visitors kept coming. Dormmates Monster Girl and Silent Sword arrived with a fruit basket. “Yo~ You look lively. All good?”

“Mm, mostly.”

Silent Sword placed a small vial on the bedside table and patted Ouyang Tao’s shoulder. Monster Girl explained, “His emergency life-saving pills. Super fast-acting.”

“Thanks, seniors.”

Soon after, Edward arrived under guard escort.

“Yo, Edward—didn’t expect you!” Ouyang Tao greeted his new friend.

“Sigh, my friend… I never imagined this…”

“It’s fine. I wouldn’t chat so casually otherwise.” Touched by the care after only days at the academy, Ouyang Tao smiled—then frowned. “Huh? Your hands? Hurt?”

Edward’s bandaged hands drew a shake of his head. “Rushed after hearing about you… tripped down the stairs. Guards bandaged me. Cough…”

“Be careful. Your genius mind can’t afford a frail body.”

Even unfamiliar faces came. Deya placed a gift box on the table. “Get-well gift. Recover fast. I won’t accept injury as an excuse when you lose next time.” She turned and left instantly.

Her whirlwind visit left Ouyang Tao bewildered.

Ouyang Xue blurted, “Brother! Who was she? What’s your relationship? Why visit you?”

“Huh? We’re not close…” Ouyang Tao sighed helplessly. Beyond the freshman guidance match, they’d barely interacted—he’d never expected her visit.

Though the attack was tragic, warmth filled Ouyang Tao’s heart…