Chapter 496 - 204: Type-Zero’s Debut

"Whether you’re satisfied with that answer or not, I expect you to remember one thing: inside this institute, you will maintain one hundred percent focus and do exactly as I ask! Understand?"

Teresa’s eyes burned with intensity as she stared at the tall figure on the screen. She took a step forward. "Understood! I will carry out all of your orders!"

The other researchers exchanged glances, then followed Teresa’s lead, bowing. "We will follow all of the Director’s arrangements."

Only Benoy remained standing where he was. The surprise on his face slowly faded, replaced by laughter. "Hahaha, Wei’en Mage, did you say you want to fuse undead and machinery to create creatures that surpass all other Undead Creatures of the same rank?"

Wei’en watched him in silence, not saying another word. ’I had decided from the start to remove Benoy from the institute, so I wasn’t concerned with an ordinary Wizard I would likely never interact with again.’

"Haha... If other Wizards found out about this idea, they’d probably die laughing... This is hilarious..."

"If you’re done laughing, you can leave."

"Huh? You’re firing me?" Benoy’s laughter died in his throat. He pointed at himself. "You’re firing a Second-level Researcher?"

Wei’en couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on him. He looked directly at Teresa and said, "Tell Dean Josue to help select another researcher... Hmm, on second thought, never mind. The few of you will be enough for now."

"Yes, Director!"

Teresa pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses and shot Benoy a fierce glare. "Get out of here!"

"I..."

"Don’t make me use force!"

Benoy’s expression soured as he scanned the room. The other researchers were all averting their eyes, looking anywhere but at him. Even Christa, who had arrived with him, avoided his gaze, acting as if she barely knew him.

"You people... Hmph! I’ll be waiting to see your research report. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up being a joke!"

"That’s not for you to say!" Teresa waved her hand dismissively. "Hole, see him out!"

’Hole?’

’Who’s that?’

Just as Wei’en and the other researchers were wondering, a tall, powerfully built figure completely encased in red armor stepped out from the empty space behind Teresa.

The moment the armored man appeared, he gripped the longsword at his hip and knelt before Teresa on one knee. "As you command."

Then, to Benoy’s horror, the armored man instantly appeared at his side, clamped a hand around his neck, and, ignoring his struggles, began dragging him away.

"Gently, Hole. Don’t kill him," Teresa felt compelled to add as she watched the scene unfold.

"Yes!"

CLICK.

After the dull thud of a door closing sounded from off-screen, the room fell completely silent.

"What’s wrong with all of you?"

Teresa looked quizzically at Ausel, Christa, and the others, then it dawned on her. She quickly turned back to Wei’en and stammered an explanation, "D-Director, he’s... I hired him to guard the institute. Since you aren’t here, I thought it would be bad if... if something unexpected happened."

"Oh."

Wei’en nodded, recalling the moment the figure had appeared. He looked at Teresa thoughtfully and asked, "His strength... seems far from ordinary."

"Er, he’s not that strong. He’s just a Legendary-level Extraordinary..."

Teresa’s voice trailed off, and she lowered her head. ’Did I make the Director angry by hiring a Legendary-level guard?’ she wailed internally. ’Please no! I don’t want to leave the institute!’

The other researchers: "..."

Wei’en: "..."

’This Teresa’s background is anything but ordinary!’

’Hiring a Legendary-level Extraordinary as a security guard... What a power move...’

’Why can’t I do that?!’

"Ahem, Director," Oshana said from the group, covering her mouth with a hand to hide a smile. "You probably don’t know, do you? Teresa’s family is very famous on the Northern Continent. Having a few Legendary-level guards in the family is... well, it’s quite normal."

’Family?’

Before Wei’en could ask, Oshana continued, "Teresa was the one who funded and built this entire institute. I heard that, including everything inside, it *only* cost a few million gold pounds."

’Several million gold pounds?!’

Wei’en’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest when he heard that number.

He looked at Teresa as a thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind. ’It’s not too late to ride those coattails, is it?’

’So the family of the deputy the school assigned me is incredibly powerful.’

’Not just wealthy, but strong, too!’

"W-Well, it’s not as exaggerated as Oshana makes it sound," Teresa said with a dry laugh, her head bowing so low her face was nearly hidden by her own chest. "It only cost a little over two million."

’A little over two million... and she says *only*?’

’What the hell? What kind of research institute costs that much to build?’

Wei’en took a deep breath, suppressing the sudden urge to just give up on everything. With a placid expression, he said, "That’s not a lot, no. But next time something like this comes up, it would be best to discuss it with me beforehand. Understand, Teresa Witch?"

’Yeah, not a lot at all.’

’Just the cost of about two hundred Burst Sniper Rifles... that’s all!’

"In the future?" Teresa lifted her head, her eyes sparkling brightly behind her gold-rimmed glasses. "As you command, Director! I promise I’ll discuss everything with you from now on!"

"There’s no need to be so formal..."

Wei’en glanced at the others, then cleared his throat with a cough. "Getting back on topic. Are there any other questions about the research proposal?"

Oshana was the first to shake her head, speaking before Teresa had the chance. "None at all, Director. I think you’re right. The things the schools teach aren’t necessarily the only truth. Our research will definitely be a success!"

Teresa shook her head as well. "Director, I have no questions either."