Inside Workshop F-37, the lights were blazing.

Allen stood in the center of the workshop, his eyes closed.

Arranged around him were ten semi-finished "Spider Slayer" Mechanical Bodies.

An instant later, six invisible Craftsman’s Hands extended from his body, simultaneously grabbing various parts and tools.

He now had three thought threads, each capable of controlling two Craftsman’s Hands.

Processes that once required meticulous work and a great deal of time and effort now proceeded with perfect fluidity, without a single hitch.

After engraving the Mechanical Mind and advancing to a First-level Wizard, his work efficiency had increased by more than an order of magnitude.

He was now terrifyingly powerful; he could single-handedly run an entire assembly line!

’One man doing the work of an entire factory. What boss wouldn’t want an employee like that?’

’Oh, wait. He *was* the boss. Never mind!’

「A night passed.」

Ten brand-new, basic model Spider Slayers were now neatly arranged in the assembly area.

Allen packed them all up and sent a message to Vera, asking her to send someone for pickup.

Once he was finished, he transformed into a black shadow and flew toward the Black Tower of the Forge.

...

「Mercer’s office.」

"Congratulations, Allen Wesren, on becoming an official Wizard."

Mercer’s Teaching Golem stood before Allen, its voice devoid of any congratulatory emotion.

"As of today, the apprentice training agreement I signed with the academy has been fulfilled."

Allen’s mind stirred.

’Fulfilled? Does that mean...’

"You are now free to choose your own path."

Mercer seemed to read his mind. "The academy is no longer obligated to provide you with any educational resources or protection. Of course, for the next two months, you may still use the academy’s facilities for a fee."

He paused, then pointed at Allen with his mechanical arm.

"As my final obligation, I will outline the path of a First-level Wizard for you."

"Your training as an Advanced Apprentice has laid an excellent foundation. The *Omni-Machine Resonance Meditation Method* automatically unlocked the next stage of its path upon your advancement, so there is no need to change it."

"As a First-level Wizard, you will need to engrave five additional Core Matrices in your Sea of Spirit."

"Simultaneously, you can continue to engrave your Mind Split Rune Array. At this stage, you can split off a maximum of five additional thought threads."

"You will also gain six Permanent Sorcery Slots. Three of them must be reserved for the Core Witchcraft needed to advance to a Second-level Wizard. You are free to do as you wish with the remaining three."

Five Core Matrices, five sub-threads, and six sorcery slots. Each one represented a massive investment of resources and a long period of training.

"As for the three Core Witchcrafts needed to advance to a Second-level Wizard..."

Mercer’s voice trailed off. "You have a choice. You can join a major power and trade your loyalty for their legacy, or you can spend the next few decades, or even centuries, developing them yourself."

"From now on, your path is your own."

The office fell into silence.

This was a crossroads.

To the left lay joining an established organization, becoming a cog in a vast machine—a stable path, but one where he might lose himself.

To the right lay exploring alone, forging his own path through a dark forest—a path of freedom, but where any misstep could send him plummeting into an abyss.

The advantages of joining a large Wizard Organization were stable resources, a complete system of inherited knowledge, and lower risk.

The disadvantages were being beholden to others, the potential for monopolized channels of advancement, and the enormous cost of acquiring core techniques.

The advantage of independent research was complete technological autonomy, freedom from any restrictions, and immense future potential. The disadvantages were just as clear: extremely high costs in time and resources, a great risk of failure, and a slow path to developing initial combat strength.

He had to serve the Plane Development and Exploration Association for a time now that he was a First-level Wizard, but that didn’t mean he had to join them permanently. He couldn’t make a rash decision before truly choosing his path.

After a moment of contemplation, Allen looked up at his mentor.

"Mentor, I don’t believe I have the ability to develop superior Core Witchcraft on my own right now."

"And the legacies held by those major powers might not necessarily suit me."

"Until I have grown into a towering tree myself, following in the footsteps of the strong is the wisest choice."

Allen bowed slightly, his tone sincere.

"I wish to continue following your path. How might I learn the Core Witchcraft of your school?"

The eyes of Mercer’s Golem betrayed no emotion.

It was several seconds before it spoke.

"Each of my Core Witchcrafts costs more than ten times the price of the Intermediate Witchcrafts in the academy library. Furthermore, I do not impart them lightly."

Allen’s heart sank.

’Ten times? That’s over ten thousand Magic Stones for a single Witchcraft.’

’And from the sound of it, money alone might not be enough to learn them.’

"However..."

Mercer’s tone shifted.

"The plane where my true self resides is at war. We are desperately short on manpower, especially Wizards of the alchemical school."

It looked at Allen.

"If you are willing to go to that plane and work for me for a time, I can teach you the three Core Witchcrafts required to advance to a Second-level Wizard. I’ll even give you a discount on the cost."

"In addition, I will provide you with a workshop, free of charge, equipped just like the one you’re currently renting. Consider it an initial investment in you."

"Mentor, may I ask what my obligations would be?"

Allen knew full well there was no such thing as a free lunch.

"Obligations?" A deep rumble resonated from Mercer’s metal chest. "I will designate an area for you in the Molten Iron Mountain Range—an undeveloped, uninhabited region."

"Your mission is to conquer and hold that area for twenty years, after which I will take over."

"During those twenty years, eighty percent of everything the area produces will be yours. The remaining twenty percent will be your tuition fee."

It added, "The Molten Iron Mountain Range is rich in mineral resources. As long as you can establish a firm foothold, the output will be more than enough for you to advance to a Second-level Wizard and build a substantial fortune, laying the groundwork for that ’mass-produced gods’ idea of yours."

For an instant, Allen’s heart hammered in his chest, too fast for even his Mechanical Mind to suppress.

’An entire region designated for him to conquer and manage, with eighty percent of the profits going to him.’

’I can be a Pioneer Lord in a Fantasy World?’ 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

’This is like an investor handing me a project and startup capital, personally guiding me through my own business venture!’

"Mentor, I’ve already signed a service agreement with the Plane Development and Exploration Association," Allen said, voicing his concern. "I’m technically in their service now."

"So what?"

Mercer’s tone was dismissive. "You signed a letter of intent with them, not a contract of indenture. This would be considered short-term employment, or advanced training. The Association would be thrilled to have someone else train their talent for them; they won’t have time to be anything but pleased."

With its mechanical arm, it drew an invisible line in the air.

"Do not concern yourself with it. The choice is now in your hands."

"You can go to the Association, accept missions by the book, collect a salary, become a salaried employee, and safely grind your way to a Second-level Wizard."

"Or, you can come with me to the front lines and earn your first real fortune with your own two hands. I’ve already told you the risks. Your ultimate success will depend entirely on your own skill."

"Now, tell me your choice."

In Allen’s mind, the scales had already tipped decisively.

’A stable job?’

’A regular job? Not a chance. I never wanted to work a nine-to-five again in this lifetime.’

What he loathed was mediocrity.

The path of a Golem Wizard could only be forged in the true fires of war.

He needed resources, but even more, he needed a stage where he could "design" and "create" without restraint.

"I choose to pursue advanced training under you."

Allen answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Very good."

Mercer’s Golem nodded.

"Wait for a reply from my true self by tomorrow."

"Yes, Mentor."

Allen bowed, then turned and walked out of the office.

He had just stepped into the corridor when the personal terminal on his wrist vibrated gently.

It was a new message.

Sender: Eleanor.

[Lord Allen Wesren, congratulations on your advancement to First-level Wizard. On behalf of the Plane Exploration and Development Association, I would like to arrange a formal meeting to discuss our future cooperation. Please come to the office at your convenience.]

Allen glanced at it but didn’t reply right away. It wouldn’t be too late to discuss matters in detail after he received a definitive answer from his mentor’s true self.