Returning to his room with the servitor, Gamma eagerly began to examine the armored suit. The adamantium skeleton was sturdy and reliable, the frame was adjustable to any stance, and the semi-open cockpit could be operated either directly by connecting to neuro-sensor nodes on the spine or using a force-feedback system for the pilot's limbs. The two systems could be used independently or in conjunction.
The power unit at the lower back was a sub-atomic nuclear fusion reactor with a backup solar charging system—the same model as a Space Marine's power armor! On its back was a detachable multi-function mechanical arm component, far more advanced than Gamma's own set.
The two large and two small engineering arms extended flexibly, with an average precision but powerful output, each capable of providing up to three tons of force. Their functions were diverse, including grasping, cutting, grinding, welding, and drilling.
Excellent! Truly excellent!
Suddenly, a realization hit him. How did I know it was a modified Heroic Armored Suit?! How did I know it had the same power pack as a Space Marine's power armor?! He stared at the suit intently. A silly grin spread across his face.
The cheat! Why did you only come now?! Do you know what I've been through for the past six months?!
When a person has good news, their spirits are high. The factory workers now occasionally saw the familiar young Priest in an armored suit, diligently working for twelve hours a day. He would hum the binary hymns of the Omnissiah during his work, and a joyful sense of accomplishment always graced his tired face—a truly excellent cog of the Omnissiah. Other Priests only slept for six hours every three days, so Gamma was already being given preferential treatment.
Magos Lauster even began to suspect that he had scared Gamma into a mental illness that day. The Magos hinted several times: "You are still young and growing; don't push yourself so hard. If you feel unwell, just say so; I am very reasonable."
Gamma replied, "Work makes me happy! Can I have the armored suit for my own?"
Magos Lauster replied, "Young people should balance work and rest; don't daydream all day!"
The two parted unhappily.
Gamma 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 his increased earnings, Gamma 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 any leftovers home.
"Paul, don't always look so gloomy; your mindset affects your performance!" Gamma advised Paul, who walked beside him with a bitter, resentful expression.
Paul frowned, pursed his lips, and smiled wryly. "Boss, I know, I know…"
"You've remembered everything you need to," Gamma said. "It's just too much pressure. If I give you just a tiny hint, you can recite it verbatim. It's all about mindset!"
Paul was lost in thought. "You don't have a family; you don't understand. They have sacrificed too much for me, and their expectations are too great." Realizing his mistake, Paul quickly apologized.
Gamma couldn't say he understood, so he just patted him. "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…" Gamma hesitated and didn't continue.
"Boss, don't worry, no matter the outcome, I will find a way to pay you back," Paul said.
Gamma waved his hand. "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!"
Paul's face changed as he heard this. Gamma thought this approach was feasible; chemical preparation for exams was popular in the 2K era, and by 42K, 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 Leia and Father Louis; both are 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."
The process of getting the medicine went smoothly. The only requirement was for Gamma to record the reactions after taking it. On the day he received the medicine, Gamma 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.
He answered Gamma'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.
To live up to his apprentices' admiration, Gamma temporarily set aside his research on his beloved armored suit and spent a week compiling a reference book catalog. The catalog meticulously listed knowledge points from physics, chemistry, biology, genetics, mathematics, and more, from low to high, indicating which chapter and paragraph they were in the theological tome.
After writing it, not only did Gamma feel a great sense of accomplishment, but the chaotic knowledge in his mind was as orderly as if it had been sorted, and his mind became even smarter.
However, to be safe from being branded a heretic for destroying Adeptus Mechanicus traditions, Gamma decided to first ask Magos Lauster to help him revise and endorse it. He hoped Magos Lauster would sign as the author directly. When Magos Lauster heard that Gamma had used his free time to write a catalog, he began to stare at him with an "you're too idle" look, signaling him to leave. But the thick-skinned Priest stubbornly refused to go. Finally, Magos Lauster, with nine parts disdain and one part curiosity, began to "observe" Gamma's masterpiece.
He flipped through the book, looked at Gamma, looked at the book again, and after reading it, mumbled, "Damn it, why didn't I think of that!"
"Magos? How is it?"
"Ah? Oh, it's not bad. There are just a few small errors and uncovered areas here. Go back and revise the places I marked."
"Okay, Magos. Thank you. How about you put your name on it, Magos?"
Upon hearing this, Magos Lauster's face immediately darkened. "I am not one of those who steal other people's achievements!"
"Magos, I didn't mean..."
"Alright! Go back!" Magos 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 Gamma quite upset. He glumly handed the revised catalog to his subordinates. The apprentices' reaction was one of awe. If Gamma had now claimed to be the incarnation of the Omnissiah, Paul and the others would have believed him.
For the next few days, Gamma avoided Magos Lauster, but Magos Lauster kept asking him to upload the book to the Manufacturing Great Temple's Cogitator Archives for the Forge World's approval. Gamma hadn't originally intended to do all this. With Magos 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. He figured it was just some remnant of the 2K era, maybe to fill a technical quota.
Half a month later, Gamma had almost forgotten about it when he suddenly received a notification of approval, asking if he agreed to sell the knowledge.
Agree! Agree! Agree to everything!
Knowledge is wealth. This is a universal value of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The more knowledge a Tech-Priest possesses, the greater their wealth. Approval by the Great Temple meant that at least on Thedan Forge World, Gamma's copyright was protected.
Gamma sold his knowledge, and his wealth began to increase rapidly at a speed he had never dreamed of.
"It's rising! It's rising again!" were the words Gamma said most often these past few days.
"Magos Gamma, watch where you're going!"
"Magos Gamma, snap out of it!"
"Magos Gamma, stop quickly! The forge is ahead!"
Gamma, scrambling away from the dangerous area, deeply understood how terrifying it was to "die with money left unspent." Having earned several years' worth of salary in just a few days, he had one question in his mind:
Is selling study guides on a Forge World really that profitable? Who is buying them?!