Mirabe watched Wyatt''s hurried departure with a raised eyebrow.


    James served Mirabe a piece of fish, seemingly oblivious to her expression, and casually asked, "When are you heading to university?"


    "I have a meeting with my professor in the morning." Mirabe took a bite of her meal, still in a good mood, "I''ll also pick up the award money for the project we coborated on with the Institute of Technologyst year."


    James paused momentarily at her words, expressing his surprise, "It''s finished already?"


    A scientific research project, from its initiation to development, requires an incredibly long time toplete - a year, two years, or even five to ten years.


    "A master''s touch ensures speed is of the essence." Mirabe nodded, her delicate face beaming with her usual confidence, softening the sharpness in her features with a few loose strands of hair falling across her forehead.


    James nced at her thoughtfully, guessing she was eager to get the prize money.


    Mirabe coughed and continued to focus on her meal.


    After dinner, which was around nearly ten o''clock, Mirabe felt wide awake. She went to the living room to grab her phone, ready to head home.


    Her phone had been on silent mode. Upon activating the screen, she saw two missed calls.


    The unfamiliar number, with calls made two hours ago, was from the province of T.


    Mirabe merely nced at it before putting her phone away and grabbing her down jacket, turning to James who had just finished tidying up the kitchen, "I''ll be heading back now."


    James looked at her, rolling down his sleeves and also grabbing his coat, "I''ll drive you."


    Mirabe initially wanted to decline, but seeing his gesture, she eventually did not refuse.


    They walked out one after the other.


    *


    Before long, James had returned home after dropping off Mirabe. He then proceeded to the basement study to continue his work on the weapon''s structural design.


    As he put on gloves, ready to dismantle and reassemble the semi-finished framework on the table, his gaze lingered on the precision parts lying next to it, pausing momentarily.


    The parts on the table, previously scattered, were now somewhat organized, with several mainponents apanied by a few other small interface screws.


    James observed the seemingly chaotic yet orderly parts, standing still in contemtion for two minutes, his mind suddenly clearing without any particr direction.


    He picked up the tools beside him and began to assemble them slowly and methodically.


    Time flew, and by four in the morning, James had finally fitted thest piece in ce.


    Looking at the heavy weapon, identical to the one on the blueprints, the furrow between his brows finally rxed.


    With a profound look in his eyes,


    эле


    James walked to the cab after a while, took out a ck silk cloth, and covered the assembled weapon before leaving the basement.


    The next day, Wyatt and Curtis arrived at the vi early.


    James, who had only rested for a few hours the previous night, sat on the sofa, clearly exhausted. He listened to the two men while massaging his temples.


    "The Department of Weapons is getting antsy. If we don''t assemble the K-1 soon, there might be trouble.


    I just got word that the stere


    have started delegating tasks," Wyatt said, cautiously ncing at James.


    Curtis nudged Wyatt with his foot, signaling him not to overdo it, as James hadn''t rested well because of this for some time.


    Catching the hint, Wyatt quickly changed his tone, "But there''s no rush on this matter. James, you really should get some rest."