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Translator: M.S
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Conquered
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Lorraine taught me how to activate the Magic Armor.
“You’ve communicated with a Sword Spirit before, right? Try to commune with the Magic Armor as if it were a sword. See the Mana Heart in the center of the chest?”
I glanced down and saw a large magic stone.
A frame of silver and gold metal formed its border, inlaid with intricate patterns.
“Focus on that spot. The feeling is similar to creating an aura. Except this time, you’re communicating with an Armor Spirit, not a Sword Spirit.”
Hmm…
Similar to creating an aura?
But armor and a sword are fundamentally different, aren’t they?
I couldn’t quite grasp it.
Is this how you do it?
“For your reference, you need to succeed in activating it within fifteen minutes, at the latest…”
*Vwooom-!*
It cried out.
The Magic Armor.
*Vwoooooom-!*
Light burst forth from the Mana Heart.
It was clear.
The mana flowing into every corner of the Magic Armor.
It actually worked?
“…It’s activated?”
Lorraine’s eyes widened slightly.
I was surprised myself.
Whether a Sword Spirit or an Armor Spirit, they were both souls born from objects crafted by human hands. Their essence was the same.
Thanks to that, I succeeded in communing with it far more easily than expected.
I almost smiled, feeling a little pleased.
I quickly hid my emotions and deliberately asked in a dry tone.
“Yes, it’s done. Is there a next step?”
Since Lorraine had told me twice that I’d have to prove my worth, I was determined to show her I was more than capable.
That’s why I didn’t smile.
I maintained an attitude that this sort of thing was nothing.
“Hmm~ You might have a better sense for this than I expected?”
Lorraine’s eyes sized me up, though her lips curled into a bright smile.
“But this is just the beginning, you know? Brace yourself. Once the mana starts flowing in earnest, it’s going to hurt a bit.”
Is that so? It’s going to hurt, she says. Fine by me. I’m good at enduring pain.
I tensed up,
and waited.
But,
what is this?
“…”
“What’s wrong? Does it hurt a lot?”
“…”
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
…What exactly is supposed to hurt?
The mana originating from the Mana Heart accelerated, coursing fiercely through the entire suit of armor, but…
Ah, how refreshing.
On the contrary, my whole body filled with power, as if I had circulated my aura.
I felt like I could crush a well-made steel sword with my bare hands, even without aura.
Magic Armor.
She said it was different from simple magic armor…
It seemed it enhanced the body just by being worn.
And the amplification rate seemed much stronger than that of ordinary magic.
It also felt similar to strengthening the body with aura rather than magic.
So, of course, it couldn’t hurt. For me, who circulated aura within my body as a matter of course, the pressure of mana flowing through a suit of armor was nothing.
“It doesn’t hurt?”
“It doesn’t.”
“It doesn’t hurt?”
“No.”
“That can’t be… right?”
“It doesn’t hurt.”
“Wait a moment. Then try using a skill.”
“How do I do that?”
“Maintain resonance with the Mana Heart and guide the mana as the armor instructs you.”
As the armor instructs me…
*Vwoom-!*
Ah. I think I get it.
The circuits intricately engraved on the armor.
Of the countless lines through which mana flowed, I just had to channel it in a specific pattern.
It was remarkably similar to an aura technique, which involved circulating aura within the body in a specific way.
“This one will be quite difficult. Just getting the feel for guiding the mana through resonance will take some time… so take it slow.”
A hint of anticipation was creeping into Lorraine’s voice.
Alright, I’ll show you today just how much I’m worth.
“Understood.”
There was nothing difficult about it at all.
Mana was easier to handle than aura to begin with.
For me, who handled the stronger and more violent aura as easily as breathing, this was child’s play.
I simply guided the mana according to the pattern the armor showed me, and in that very instant,
*Fwoosh-!*
Wind swirled around me.
This is?
I knew instinctively.
The skill embedded in this Magic Armor was,
[Flight]
*Fwoooosh!*
My vision shot upward in an instant. I was looking down at the top of Lorraine’s head, and the high ceiling of the testing chamber felt close enough to touch.
Lorraine craned her neck so far back it looked like it might break, staring up at me. Her mouth was agape.
“You did it? That easily?”
Oh,
The leisurely smile had vanished from her face.
In its place was a burning, fervent desire.
This was the beginning.
Lorraine rolled up the sleeves of her perfectly tailored white coat.
“Th-this! Try this one on too!”
This time, it was a slightly more ornate suit of Magic Armor than the first.
It even had two skills embedded in it.
[Shockwave] and [Shield]
Oh… this is nice.
I was a little surprised when I tried the skills.
They were powerful!
The [Shockwave] unleashed by the Magic Armor was strong enough to make even a Sword Master stagger for a moment.
On the battlefield, that was the difference between life and death.
The shield was plenty strong, too. I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed better than a typical aura shield.
I was surprised by the power of the skills, and Lorraine was surprised watching me.
“This one too, so easily? It’s double the output! Doesn’t it hurt? Isn’t it difficult? Really?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Th-then this one! Not just anyone can activate this…”
Lorraine undid the top two buttons of her blouse.
Her perfect attire was starting to get disheveled, but a blazing passion began to pour out in its place.
And so, the new Magic Armor I put on.
‘The design of this one is on another level.’
It possessed an artistry that would undoubtedly make it a national treasure if I took it back to my era.
It even had three skills.
[Charge], [Shield], and [Acceleration]
And what’s more, this one…
*Ch-r-r-r-r-ring!*
It transformed upon activation!
From a breastplate that barely covered my chest to a full suit of armor encasing me from head to toe!
A thrill shuddered through my chest.
This must be really expensive, right?
No, I can’t sell this. We have to use it.
Moreover,
‘…I feel like I could shatter a decent sword aura with my bare hands.’
The physical enhancement was also significantly greater.
I was overflowing with strength even without circulating my aura. What would happen if I used my aura on top of this?
I was moved, and Lorraine was thrilled.
“R-right! Next! The next one, too! Yes, this one! And that one!!!”
Lorraine now completely cast aside the white coat she had been so proud of.
She brought out all sorts of prototypes that she hadn't been able to test until now, had me wear them, and diligently measured and recorded something.
The Lorraine who had been smiling sweetly and prodding me was gone.
In her place was a Lorraine who swallowed dryly as she looked at me.
And finally,
When I managed to activate the most powerful Magic Armor in the testing chamber—one they hadn't even dared to test until now because of its high output,
and when I perfectly demonstrated all of its functions,
Lorraine, who had been furiously scribbling something down, suddenly shuddered.
As if she had discovered something, she compared the measurement records with her own calculations over and over again.
Finally, she tore at her hair and cheered.
“R-Rising Thunder Kick!”
Shattered to pieces.
The woman who had been smugly taking jabs at me,
crumbled in that moment, utterly conquered.
* * *
Rising Thunder Kick…
She was out of her mind.
Just look at her now.
There was nothing but a ruffian standing there.
“No, let go! No! I’m not excited, so just let me go, okay? I’m just going to talk to him!”
The perfectly pressed creases of her white clothes were now just a mess of wrinkles, devoid of any aesthetic.
Her black-and-gold hair, once tied back without a single stray strand, was now in disarray, and the once-elegant hair tie clung precariously to a clump of hair like a dead leaf.
The one person standing in the way of her rampage was the head chamberlain with stylishly swept-back silver hair… no, the elder mage and senior researcher of this facility, Master Eodran.
“You cannot, Director.”
“No! I’m just going to ask! I can ask, can’t I?”
“That item is absolutely forbidden. You know this better than anyone, Director.”
“But it might just work, you know?!”
“If that thing goes wrong, it won’t just leave him crippled, his body will go boom! He’ll die…”
“But he might not die!”
“Director, the fact that he *could* die is the problem…”
“That’s why I’m just going to ask!”
A frenzy.
Lorraine was in a state where conversation was impossible.
It was simply amazing how calmly Eodran was handling her.
The old man had been like that for a while.
Even as Lorraine started getting worked up, rolling up her sleeves and unbuttoning her blouse,
Eodran had stayed by her side, fanning her, pouring her water, brewing her tea, and even preparing a chair for her to sit, attending to her with utmost devotion.
No matter how you looked at it, he was prime talent for a head chamberlain.
“Hah…”
Eodran, who had been patiently calming Lorraine down, finally let out a long sigh.
Then,
“Director. Please excuse me for a moment.”
He unceremoniously lifted the struggling Lorraine, slung her over his shoulder, and walked out of the testing chamber.
The old man is strong…
Her shouts could be heard faintly.
“It’s a chance! This is a chance to change history! To test! The masterpiece of the era! We have to test it to improve and complete it!”
“Where in the world is there an achievement without risk!!”
“No, me, me, wait! Let go for a second! I’ll just talk to him, okay? Huh? I’ll just taaaalk…”
Her voice faded into the distance.
A short while later, Eodran returned, looking weary.
“My apologies, Sir Lansen. We must proceed with the schedule. I will now adjust the Magic Armor you will be using.”
“Alright.”
So what happened to Lorraine?
I was curious, but I didn’t ask.
Since I didn’t know this era well, the fewer words I spoke, the fewer mistakes I’d make.
“You must have been taken aback.”
Eodran struck up a conversation as he took my measurements.
“I am terribly sorry for this on your first day. But she is not a bad person.”
Uh… hmm…
Not a bad person?
I wasn’t so sure about that. She seemed like an exploitative boss to me.
“Dinner has been prepared, so I will escort you to the dining hall. The ruin exploration will begin in four hours. After your meal, please rest for a bit and gather in front of the ruins in three hours. We will provide further instructions then.”
See? I just met her today, and she’s already throwing me into a ruin exploration.
She’s definitely an exploitative boss.
“All done.”
Eodran finished adjusting the Magic Armor.
A blueish-gray, handsome breastplate now fit my chest perfectly.
This was the same type as the last one I had tested.
The model with the best performance and the most beautiful design.
“Thank you.”
I thanked him calmly, but inside, my heart was pounding.
Magic Armor.
Its performance was beyond imagination, and it was an unbelievably magnificent piece of equipment.
‘I absolutely have to take these back with me.’
As many as possible.
The best ones I can get.
I made a firm resolve.
* * *
The meal was very satisfying.
The food was so delicious that when I asked what it was, they said it was the taste of seasonings processed with mana.
Putting mana in food!
This was the age of magic!
As I left the dining hall, feeling full and content, Lorraine stood blocking my path.
The ruffian from before was gone, replaced by the woman with perfectly combed hair and a spotless white outfit.
“I’ve figured out your secret.”
She said abruptly.
“You have a unique constitution, don’t you? One that can directly handle mana.”
Oh…
She figured it out that quickly.
“The test data was so incomprehensible that I stared at it for a long time. No human should be able to do that… Then it suddenly hit me. That one of Grand Duke Laitena’s disciples also had such a constitution! I never imagined there would be another person like that… I’m right, aren’t I?”
I didn’t really answer.
The more I talked, the more likely I was to make a mistake.
‘This is strange, though.’
A disciple of Grand Duke Laitena with a unique constitution…
‘She’s talking about me, isn’t she?’
It felt incredibly bizarre to hear someone from 10,000 years ago talk about me.
Lorraine took my silence as confirmation, her eyes sparkling.
It wasn’t her usual feigned, sweet smile, but a face full of passion and anticipation.
“Could I! Possibly run some experiments?”
“Experiments?”
“On your unique constitution! It might hold the key to advancing magical engineering!”
She wants to experiment on my body?
Honestly, I didn’t see why not.
But a negotiator from Roverland never shows their hand first.
An attitude of doing it reluctantly was always best.
“Not interested.”
I said flatly and walked past her.
“Wait! Wait a minute!!”
As expected, Lorraine called out urgently and chased after me.
That’s right.
This is how a negotiation begins.
Walking the tightrope is crucial.
Keep her on edge, but not so much that she gets offended.
My expression was impassive, but my mind was busy with all sorts of calculations.
A chance to experiment on the only unique constitution in the world…
How much could I get out of her with this as leverage?
It wouldn’t be a small amount.
I heard her loud and clear, after all.
I heard her shout, “Rising Thunder Kick!” with her own mouth.
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