Bab 104: Micah - 10.0
Today was the day! Everything before now culminated into a single product. This product surpassed the firearm. Surpassed the pylon. Surpassed everything!
I stumbled through mad etchings, half-baked projects, and empty vials to make it to her: Weapon 31. Suit was a gross simplification. She was far more- nay far better.
She heralded a new era of Micah Morley. After all, I needed something that could keep up with Sebastian Beswick, stop Magnar Munthe, and slay twisted invaders.
The full-plate with interlocking segments and articulating joints, the metallurgy surpassing even the dwarves by combining Thundersteel with silver and vex, and the inlaid enchantments powered by my Aurorian crystal created a base for me to rival master magicians.
I wiped sweat from my brow, stepping back to survey my work. The suit stood on a mannequin, its glossy surface gleaming in the soft light. The alloy had a unique sheen, a subtle interplay of colors that hinted at its extraordinary composition. Empty sockets for gems and crystals were strategically placed around the suit, eager to be filled. The crevasses connected by embedded artificial leylines.
Metal containers with hinges formed a belt, allowing easy access to various tools and gadgets. Two holsters for sheaths were integrated into the tassets, ready to house blades for close combat. Additional holsters on the backplate provided storage for larger weapons or equipment.
As I worked, I muttered to myself, reciting the specifications and double-checking each detail.
"The alloy's tensile strength is off the charts, but we need to ensure flexibility... The vex crystals should absorbed all oncoming manapower, but we need to test the dispersion rate..."
I moved around the suit, adjusting and fine-tuning. Each piece had to fit perfectly, not just for functionality but for comfort and mobility. This suit was meant to be an extension of the wearer, a seamless integration of man and machine.
The workshop was silent except for the sound of my tools and the occasional creak of the building settling above. I took a step back again, admiring the suit. It was almost complete. Just a few more adjustments, a few more refinements, and it would be ready.
I diligently finished the enchantments, the same ones from the prison and those that powered the pylons. My fingers elegantly raked the needle through the glowing armor, etching the last runes and sigils into the metal. A design that repeated across the entire surface.
All pathways led to the nearest vex shard, a backup feature incase the natural mana absorption of the armor was overwhelmed by god-tier magic. I reached for a jeweler's tool and began to work on one of the sockets.
"These sockets need to be perfectly aligned to maximize the energy flow. One miscalculation, and the whole system could short circuit..."
As I worked, I referred to my checklist, ensuring everything was exactly correct. The mana crystals and vexcrystals were loaded into the suit, each on two separate lattices of pathways. The mana crystals were socketed into latex shielded by silver, designed to conduct and control the flow of energy.
With a deep breath, I reached for the final component, the gem that would serve as the suit's primary power source. I held it. The gift I received back in Aune refracted all light through its facets, and then I carefully placed it into the central socket. A soft hum filled the room as the suit flared to life, the energy gushing through her circuits.
Perfect! The main hull is finished.
I walked over to a large coffin-like box. I opened her up and found my under garment, a skin tight latex that spans with gloves and booties included. A multipurpose inclusion. Aside from the obvious, it is a great barrier to hot, cold, lightning, some poisons, and cushions physical blows.
The next piece of the puzzle was a gambeson of my own making. Weaved from zalika grass and maneater tendrils, forming an almost rigid cloth armor in its own right, but I treated the layers of the gambeson with alchemical tinctures to improve its durability further beyond natural.
I grabbed one of my knives and raked it against the surface, the blade dulled while not even scoring the surface.
Perfect! The under layers are completed.
Rummaging through the litter of my basement, I selected several of my nigh-complete ideas: miniature pylons, multi-sword, and the all-seeing helmet.
I took the miniature pylons, delicate works of artifice, and began the intricate process of conjoining them into my gauntlets. The pylons were small, almost fragile-looking, yet their power was undeniable.
With precise movements, I integrated two pylons into each gauntlet. When I clenched my fist and angled it slightly downward, the connection would be made from the pylon to the mana circuit, firing a thin but powerful beam of magic.
Next, I turned my attention to the multi-sword. This artifact was one of my most ambitious projects, utilizing the aether element to grant it size-changing capabilities.
The blade could transmute its nature, shifting from a dagger to a greatsword according to the pressure and grip on the handle. I meticulously fine-tuned the transmutation runes, ensuring complete control over her body. The sword gleamed with a faint, violet light as it grew and contracted in my hand.
Finally, I picked up the all-seeing helmet. This piece had a modified version of the mana-absorbing enchantments, turning even the subtlest traces of mana into a visual display inside its visor.
Just as I was about to pack up my tools, I heard a loud bang upstairs. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly ascended the stairs to investigate. Poking my head up, I saw Master standing in the middle of the workshop, his expression stern.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Five more minutes," I replied, my heart still racing from the sudden noise.
"I'll be waiting," he said.
I climbed into the latex suit, feeling the tightness against my skin. Then, I slipped into the gambeson. The plate armor fit snugly on top, each piece perfectly aligned. I slid the gauntlets onto my hands, careful not to accidently trigger the beams. The penultimate piece was my helmet. Its enchantments activating as soon it connected to the rest of the suit. Finally, I secured the sword at my side.
"Let's go," I said, my voice slightly muffled by the helmet.
We arrived outside the city at the new training arena. It was a spacious area, bordered by tall, sturdy walls to contain even the most powerful of blows. The ground was packed dirt, perfect for gaining traction. Master and I squared off, swords drawn.
We tested the measure, adjusting our distance with careful steps. Feints and kill shots were attempted as we circled each other. I kept my focus sharp, analyzing his every movement. I saw his mana shift towards his feet.
Master lunged forward with a feint, testing my reaction. I parried smoothly, countering with a quick thrust aimed at his shoulder. He sidestepped, his sword flicking out in a deadly arc toward my side. I twisted away, my armor absorbing the force of his blow.
"It seems it works," Master said.
"No master smith makes an armor susceptible to one attack."
We withdrew and circled again, refinding our measure with a few test blows.
In a blitz, we exchanged lethal shot after lethal shot. Each movement created an opening that the other would immediately exploit. His blade came at me in a high arc, and I parried, stepping into his guard and aiming a thrust at his chest. He twisted, deflecting my strike and countering with a low sweep at my legs. I jumped back, my sword flashing out in a quick riposte.
Parry high, counter low. Feint left, strike right. Watch his footwork. Exploit every opening. Clanging of steel bounced off the walls of the arena.
Master increased his speed again, his strikes coming faster and harder. I matched him blow for blow. Our swords clashed, sparks flying with each impact. I could see the flow within him, giving me a slight edge in predicting his attacks.
He aimed a slash at my head, and I ducked, my sword slicing upward in a counter. He parried and spun, bringing his blade down in a powerful strike. I blocked by half-swording, feeling the force reverberate through my arms.
We broke apart, circling each other once more. His eyes narrowed, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You're improving," he said, his voice carrying a note of approval.
"Thanks," I replied, breathing heavily.
Every parry, every dodge, every counter was executed with precision. We were evenly matched, each trying to outthink and outmaneuver the other. The training had paid off, and for the first time, I felt like I could truly stand toe-to-toe with my master.
"Well done, Micah," he said, his voice warm with approval. "You've come a long way."
"Thanks, Master," I replied, sheathing my sword. "But I know there's still a long way to go."
He nodded, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "True, but not today."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone