Returning to his room with the servitor, Tech-Priest Omega eagerly began touching and examining the armored suit.
The adamantium skeleton was sturdy and reliable.
It had adjustable stances (standing, leaning, sitting) and a semi-open cockpit that could be operated directly by connecting to neuro-sensor nodes on the spine.
Alternatively, it could be operated using force-feedback systems on the pilot's legs and arms.
The two operating systems could be used independently or in conjunction with each other.
The power unit at the lower back was a sub-atomic nuclear fusion reactor, with a backup solar charging system (including 100 solar cells)—the same model as a Space Marine' power armor!
On its back was an embedded, detachable multi-function mechanical arm component, far more advanced than Tech-Priest Omega's own set.
Two large and two small engineering mechanical arms extended flexibly over a wide range, with average precision but powerful output, each capable of providing 1-3 tons of force individually, with diverse functions: grasping, cutting, grinding, welding, drilling… and so on.
Excellent! Excellent! Truly excellent! Obtaining it was like a donkey finding water, a donkey-water joy, as it were.
(Was it a donkey or a fish, though?)
However, Sage Lauster, that old fellow, wasn't truthful; how could this be his imitation! It was clearly a combat sister's Heroic Armored Suit that he had stolen from somewhere, rubbed off the Ecclesiarchy symbol, and then modified!
The reputation of the Adeptus Mechanicus was ruined by these Tech-priest with sticky fingers!
Something's not right! Something's off!
Tech-Priest Omega rubbed his chin, trying to figure out what felt wrong, and after a while, he clenched his right fist and struck his left palm, saying, "How did I know it was a modified Heroic Armored Suit?! How did I know it was the same power pack as a Space Marine' power armor!?"
He stared intently at the armored suit, trying to verify his suspicions, and soon, a silly grin was the only expression on his face.
Cheat! Why did you only come now! Do you know what I've been through for the past six months! Waaah waaaah waaaah…
(╥╯﹏╰╥)ง We'll never be separated again!
When a person has good news, their spirits are high, and the factory workers now occasionally saw the familiar Tech-Priest followed by a young Priest in an armored suit—Tech-Priest Omega.
Even though he was short and young, Tech-Priest Omega still worked diligently for 12 hours every day, humming the binary hymns of the omnissiah from time to time during his work, and after the arduous work was done, a joyful sense of accomplishment always graced his tired face—truly an excellent cog of the omnissiah. (Tech-Priest Omega was already given preferential treatment; other Priests only slept 6 hours every 3 days.)
Sage Lauster even suspected that he had scared Tech-Priest Omega into a mental illness that day, given his performance, and hinted several times, both overtly and covertly:
"You are still young and growing; don't push yourself so hard. If you feel unwell, just say so; I, the Sage, am very reasonable."
Tech-Priest Omega replied, "'Work' (secretly learning) makes him happy, can the armored suit be given to him?"
Sage Lauster replied, "Young people should balance work and rest; don't daydream all day!"
As a result, the two parted unhappily.
Tech-Priest Omega was having a great time with his secret learning, but some people weren't so happy—the apprentices.
Especially those like Paul who were nearing their selection.
With more earnings, Tech-Priest Omega naturally didn't forget his subordinates. After receiving his first month's salary, he bought a pile of canned goods and distributed them to everyone in the library, telling them to take home any leftovers.
"Paul, don't always look so gloomy; your mindset affects your performance!" Tech-Priest Omega advised Paul, who walked beside him, step for step, with a bitter, resentful expression.
Paul frowned, pursed his lips, and smiled wryly, "Boss, I know, I know…"
"Let me tell you, you've remembered everything you need to; it's just too much pressure that makes you unable to answer. If I give you just a tiny hint, you can recite it verbatim immediately. Mindset! Mindset!"
Paul was lost in thought, not knowing what he was thinking, and blurted out, "You don't have a family; you don't understand. My family has sacrificed too much for me, and their expectations are too great. I…"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that!" Paul, realizing his mistake, quickly apologized in a panic.
Tech-Priest Omega couldn't say he understood, so he just patted him to indicate it was okay: "No need. If it really doesn't work, have Anduin buy a tranquilizer from the black market; I'll pay."
"This! Is that allowed?"
"Of course, but…" Tech-Priest Omega hesitated and didn't continue.
Paul, however, quickly said, "Boss, don't worry, no matter the outcome, I will find a way to pay you back."
Tech-Priest Omega waved his hand and said, "No, I just feel that things from the black market are unreliable; who knows what the effect will be. If something unexpected happens, it won't be worth it!"
"Ah!? This…" Paul's face changed between light and shadow upon hearing this.
Tech-Priest Omega thought this approach was feasible; chemical preparation for exams was popular in the 2K era, and now it was 42K, so the medication would be even better.
"That's what we'll do, but we won't buy the medicine from the black market. These two days, I'll look for Adept Riya and Father Louis; both of them are quite skilled in biology and genetics."
Paul said in surprise, "Really?!"
"Don't worry, whether it's for humans or beasts, as long as the side effects aren't too big, I'll get it for you. I guarantee you'll be able to concentrate on the exam even standing next to a Titan."
"For beasts…"
"Don't worry, the animals in Father Louis's lab are much more delicate than you."
The process of getting the medicine went smoothly, without the twists and turns of dozens of chapters like in stories. The only requirement was for Tech-Priest Omega to record the reactions after taking the medicine.
On the day he received the medicine, Tech-Priest Omega gave Paul a dose to test the waters. The effect was excellent; Paul's performance after the injection could only be described as that of an enlightened monk if he shaved his head, showing a profound detachment from worldly concerns, and he answered Tech-Priest Omega's questions fluently.
The downside was that Paul had some blood in his urine for the next few days, but for ordinary people living on a Forge World, these were minor issues.
Seeing such a capable boss, the apprentices now looked at Tech-Priest Omega with a certain reverence, which made Tech-Priest Omega feel a bit uneasy.
However, to live up to the apprentices' admiration, Tech-Priest Omega, who currently had little free time, temporarily set aside his research on "his" beloved armored suit and spent a week compiling a reference book catalog.
Yes, just a catalog.
This catalog meticulously listed the knowledge points of physics, chemistry, biology, genetics, mathematics, engineering, mysticism, cryptography, mechanical linguistics, forging, runology, linguistics… and so on, from low to high, indicating which chapter and paragraph they were in the theological tome.
After writing it, Tech-Priest Omega not only felt a great sense of accomplishment, but the chaotic knowledge in his mind was as orderly as if it had been sorted, and his intelligent mind became even smarter.
However, to be safe from being branded a heretic for destroying Adeptus Mechanicus traditions, Tech-Priest Omega decided to first ask Sage Lauster to help him revise and endorse it, preferably with Sage Lauster signing as the author directly.
Sure enough, when Sage Lauster heard that Tech-Priest Omega had used his free time to write a catalog, he began to stare at him with an "you're really too idle" look, signaling him to scram quickly.
But the thick-skinned Priest stubbornly refused to leave, and finally, Sage Lauster, with nine parts disdain and one part curiosity, began to "observe" Tech-Priest Omega's masterpiece.
Then he flipped through the book, looked at him, looked at him, flipped through the book, and after reading it, mumbled, "Damn it, why didn't I think of that!"
"Sage? How is it?"
"Ah? Oh, it's not bad, not bad. There are just a few small errors and uncovered areas here. Go back and revise the places I marked."
"Okay, Sage. Thank you, Sage. How about you put your name on it, Sage?"
Upon hearing this, Sage Lauster's face immediately darkened, and he snapped, "I am not one of those dross who steal other people's achievements!"
"Sage, I didn't mean…"
"Alright! Go back!" Sage Lauster said irritably.
I don't care either! I'm just afraid some fanatic will come looking for trouble (⋟﹏⋞)
Not achieving his goal and offending his superior left Tech-Priest Omega quite upset. He glumly handed the revised catalog to his subordinates. How to describe the apprentices' reaction?
Perhaps if Tech-Priest Omega now claimed to be the incarnation of the omnissiah, Paul and the others would believe him.
For the next few days, Tech-Priest Omega avoided Sage Lauster, but Sage Lauster kept asking him on the communication panel if the book was revised and, if so, to upload it to the Manufacturing Great Temple's Cogitator Archives for the Forge World's approval.
Tech-Priest Omega hadn't originally intended to do all this. With Sage Lauster pressing him, he had no choice but to push it through. He found a Scribe Servitor to convert the text into binary data and send it to the Manufacturing Great Temple.
Thinking that the Adeptus Mechanicus was, after all, involved in technology, and that a small Mechanical Temple like Sage Lauster's might even have technical quotas set by the Forge World, it wasn't incomprehensible for him to use a book like this to fill them. It was a remnant of the 2K era, Tech-Priest Omega thought.
Half a month later, Tech-Priest Omega had almost forgotten about it when he suddenly received a notification of approval, asking if he agreed to sell the knowledge, either on consignment or through the Great Temple's agency.
Agree! Agree! Agree to everything! Whoever wants to read so many words can read them.
Knowledge is wealth! This is a universal value of the Adeptus Mechanicus; the more knowledge a Tech-Priest possesses, the greater their wealth. When material money is needed, it can be obtained by selling one's knowledge, or one can use money and materials to purchase needed knowledge.
Approval by the Great Temple meant that at least on Tyeedan Forge World, Tech-Priest Omega's copyright was protected.
Tech-Priest Omega sold his knowledge, so his wealth increased! And it was increasing rapidly in ways and at a speed he had never dreamed of.
"It's rising! It's rising again!" were the words Tech-Priest Omega said most often these past few days.
"Tech-Priest Omega, watch where you're going!"
Hmm, oh, it was the poor Adept Ed. He lacked humility, no wonder he was poor.
"Tech-Priest Omega, snap out of it! Snap out of it!"
Oh, it was the equally poor Father Louis. Losing ambition to trivial pursuits, no wonder he was poor.
"Tech-Priest Omega, stop quickly! The forge is ahead!"
Oh, it was the also poor… not poor Adept Riya. Relying on her ancestors, a mere forge dares to… Mama mia!
Tech-Priest Omega, scrambling away from the dangerous area, deeply understood how terrifying it was to "die with money left unspent."
Tech-Priest Omega, who had earned several years' worth of salary in just a few days, now had a question in his mind:
Is selling study guides on a Forge World really that profitable? Who is buying them?