Without wasting any time, Jane got to work on modifying his eye. The bit of metal he was holding was stretched out and pulled into a wire, which he then inlaid on the surface of the eyeball. It formed a circle in the front half, in which Jane placed a few 'Pinch' runes acting on 'Light'. On the rim of the circle, Jane filled the space with auxiliary 'Amplify' runes and a single 'Project', aimed in the same direction as his pupil. Just to make life easier, Jane shaped a few 'Reinforce Flesh' and 'Reinforce Material' runes on the remaining space, then popped his eye back in. While healing the severed nerves, Jane also imbued mana into the metal.
Once he opened his eye, an effect even more potent than Vanessa's was applied. When he looked out into the sky, he could discern individual particles of water forming the clouds. Simply glancing over an area, combined with his perfect memory, allowed him to process it in full. However, it was a little annoying how his vision was split between clear images and blurry ones, so Jane ripped out his other eye and got to work with the remaining metal.
After popping the other eye in, Jane truly felt like he had grasped the principle behind making advanced magical tools. Additionally, he still had heaps of metal left, scavenged from his family's vault. It was time to revive an old partner of his.
This time, Jane only took the tiniest fraction of his bone and flesh, since it would be annoying to rebuild a large chunk of his body. After healing the wound, Jane cast 'Grow' on the structure, and gradually shaped it into a sword. He didn't bother with a hilt, since he never ended up needing one anyways. Another change he made to the process was the continuous use of 'Pinch' to harden the blade. Since it worked on his own bones, it would surely work on a sword made of them.
Once the sword escaped from the mold, Jane made the most significant change of all. Along the edge of the blade, he cut the mass of bone straight in two. Then, mirroring each side, he carved out spaces where metal could go. He didn't bother including flesh this time, so the only runes used were 'Reinforce Material' across the whole thing, and negated 'Flesh' runes on the blade. With significantly more effort, the blade was again sharpened, and the handle roughened. Mana was imbued into the runes of metal, as well. Jane held the bloodstained sword, and swung it around a few times. With his current strength, there was no need to cut holes into it. However, an ordinary human would struggle to even lift the sword, let alone swing it around with one hand like Jane did.
'Alright, then.'
Jane formed a block of metal, then slammed the sword in by the tip. The metal parted before the blade, forming a makeshift scabbard. He quickly wove a strap, then affixed it to both sides of the hunk of metal. Once it was slung over his shoulder, he created an illusory self, completely unchanged by the modifications and armaments.
[Seriously, why is everything you do so barbaric?]
She would not even have known, since Jane was concealed throughout the entire process. Unless he wanted to be captured for good this time, no one would ever see his actual appearance.
Jane contemplated for a second, then glanced outside. A few hundred merds away, there was a carriage bearing the insignia of the Predio family. It was traveling fast enough to arrive within a few seconds. Jane hastily beefed up his illusion a little to match his actual body, then waited at his door. Soon enough, he heard someone call for him.
'Young Master? Count Predio and his daughter are here."
"I will be there shortly."
Jane gave his illusion some clothes, then walked out of his room along with it. He didn't want to keep his guests waiting. Soon enough, he could see the faces of the Predios. Melinda was blushing at him slightly, looking elated, while her father was wearing a scowl like usual. Jane wasn't too concerned about the latter, though. The very fact that he had brought his daughter along suggested a certain amount of approval.
"Son of Viscount Hortich, you—"
"It's done! You're my fiancée now!"
The Count coughed.
"It is as she says."
Jane smiled, and offered his respect to the both of them.
"While I may be lacking, this is surely a cause for celebration."
"No, no, it's not right to deem you as lacking in any degree. Those rotten research mages lost one of their brightest to you, so how could I find any fault?"
At that moment, Jane felt a majority of his personalities support their relationship. The only dissenter was Adam, but there was nothing that could be done about that.
"As long as you find me satisfactory, my lady, I dare not object."
"Father, do you mind leaving us alone now?"
The still-scowling Count rose up from his seat, and walked out the door. He glanced back once before closing it, as if issuing a warning to his son-in-law.
"So, when will we be wedded? Consummated?"
'What does consummated mean?'
[Sex.]
'Oh.'
It couldn't be seen on his illusory face, but Jane had started sweating profusely. He was a gifted sweet-talker, but this level of rapid development was far too much for him, who had never even had a female friend. Vanessa did not count, since she was a part of him.
"My love, if I could have it my way, then we would be wedded tomorrow and consummated within the hour."
Melinda tilted her head a little, looking confused.
"But, dear, what is stopping you?"
'Thinkthinkthinkthinkthink—'
Jane showed an anguished expression.
"Sometimes, I wonder. Is it really alright for me to be happy? Even if I don't experiment on humans, I am still in the same class as those despicable kinds of nobles."
She clasped his hands in her own, and leaned forwards. Jane had to make an effort to be pulled, since he had too much inertia otherwise.
"Then, we will face them together. As husband and wife."
[Hey, I don't think you can weasel your way out from this one.]
'Shit! I've only ever fought women, so how—!'
"So be it. As for the wedding plans, how will we arrange them?"
[You're a man now... Congratulations.]
"Do not worry. I am well acquainted with experts in that area, ones who even planned a wedding for a duke!"
[You seriously don't see anything wrong with this?]
'What, is this not how women behave?'
"In that case, I will rely on you for the logistics."
[Ah ha ha! No, she's obviously crazy!]
"Wonderful! The wedding will be next week, at the latest."