Chapter 67

Due to the settings, I changed the power of Sword B in Episode 64 to B class.

Aina was walking down the path to the workshop, reflecting on the goal set by Roland yesterday and feeling determined.

(Yesterday, I was able to make 5 out of 10 Sword C with the weight of 40 iron. The durability has also improved, so today I will make all 10 Sword C with the weight of 40 iron!)

When Aina arrived at the "Spirit Workshop," she noticed that the atmosphere was different from usual.

Roland and Dylan were unloading a large amount of cargo from a cart into the warehouse.

(Are those... armors?)

They were all armors with peeling exteriors, missing parts, or that had become unusable.

Some were of such poor quality that they were likely to be discarded as unsellable.

"Good morning, Roland."

"Good morning, Aina. It's good timing. Can you help me move these?"

"What are these? So many, where did they come from?"

"I went around the alchemy guilds in the city and collected armors that were no longer needed or were broken."

"Why did you do that?"

"I'll explain later. First, we need to get these unloaded."

"Okay."

Aina helped Roland carry the heavy armors.

She held the opposite side of the armors and carried them to the warehouse together.

"Phew. Thanks for the help."

"These are armors, right? So many, what are you going to do with them?"

"We have a new job."

"A new job?"

"Yes. We need to prepare for a meeting in the workshop, can you do that?"

---

"The new request is for light and sturdy armor."

"Light and sturdy armor?"

Aina and Rody sat in front of the conference table set up in a corner of the workshop and looked at each other.

"Isn't that contradictory?"

"Yes, but it is possible. We can do it. Look at this."

Roland spread out a paper with diagrams and showed it to the two of them.

There were the specifications for each rank of armor.

[Armor E Specifications]

Power: 1-20

Durability: 1-20

Weight: 1-20

[Armor D Specifications]

Power: 20-40

Durability: 20-40

Weight: 20-40

[Armor C Specifications]

Power: 40-60

Durability: 40-60

Weight: 40-60

[Armor B Specifications]

Power: 60-80

Durability: 60-80

Weight: 60-80

[Armor A Specifications]

Power: 80-100

Durability: 80-100

Weight: 80-100

"These are the standard specifications for equipment," Aina said.

"And they are also the limit values corresponding to the weight of iron. For example, with iron weighing 50, the maximum power and durability are 60. Even if you use 'Metal Shaping' A, you can't make armor with power 70 and durability 70."

"The skill 'Metal Shaping' can only draw out the power inherent in the metal."

"But you can make armor with power 70 and durability 50, or power 50 and durability 70."

"Or armor with power 80 and durability 40, or power 30 and durability 90."

"In short, the total of power and durability can be up to 120."

"Regardless, improving the 'Metal Shaping' skill only broadens the range of values, but you have to sacrifice either power or durability. However, this time, we will break that convention! This is the requirement for the equipment we will propose to Elio."

Roland showed the requirement document to the two of them.

"This is..."

"Armor with a weight of 50, power (defense) of 70, and durability of 70, with a shield?"

"Isn't that contradictory? Light armor with both high power and durability..."

"Yes, it is contradictory. But, Aina, with your unique skill, you can resolve this contradiction."

"My unique skill?"

Aina looked puzzled.

"Yes, your unique skill 'Exterior Reinforcement.'"

[Overview of Exterior Reinforcement]

By applying this skill to equipment, you can increase its power and durability.

"If we complete this request, we won't just be able to take adventurers as clients, but we can also expand our market. This is a quest that 'Dragon's Flame' couldn't cover. There must be other adventurers with the same problem. We can even take clients from 'Dragon's Flame.' That's why I want you two to take on this quest. Aina will handle the shaping and durability reinforcement, and Rody will handle the design."

Aina and Rody looked at each other.

"Completing this quest will not only improve your skills but also broaden the scope of our work. If the project gets on track, it will lead to a raise. Of course, there will be no penalty if you fail. It's just a matter of trying something new. What do you think? Will you do it?"

"If it will improve our skills, I'll do it," Aina said.

"I'll do it if it leads to a raise," Rody said.

"Great. It's settled. Let's get started."

---

Roland placed a piece of armor with a peeling exterior on a stand and handed Aina a staff and a bottle of liquid.

"What is this?"

"A support magic staff and paint."

"Support magic?"

"Yes. Your unique skill 'Exterior Reinforcement' belongs to the support magic category."

Roland skill-identified Aina and reconfirmed the detailed explanation of her unique skill.

[Detailed Explanation of Exterior Reinforcement]

By casting support magic on ink, you can grant the effects of support magic semi-permanently to the equipment painted with that ink.

"Have you ever used support magic?"

"Of course not. I've only received training in alchemy. Magic..."

"Right."

[Aina's Skills]

'Attack Addition': E → E

'Defense Addition': E → E

'Agility Addition': E → E

'Illusion Magic': E → E

'Crust Magic': E → E

(Since the limit for all support magic is E class, then...)

"Then, the essence of this skill must lie in the painting method."

"The painting method...?"

"Yes, the color of the ink, the pattern, the thickness. The details are unknown, but it must be related to some painting technique. Your role is to find this pattern."

Roland took out blue paint and a brush.

"Let's start with blue paint that suggests 'Defense Addition.' Apply the paint and then cast the support magic."

"Understood."

Aina painted the armor and, with the spellbook of support magic in hand, cast the spell while holding the staff.

(Something feels strange. Even though it's my first time, it feels like I've known this for a long time.)

A sensation like blood being drawn ran through Aina's palm.

The warm sensation from Aina's body flowed into the tip of the staff, surging like a torrent.

(Gah. The staff is hot. It feels like it could burn me. This is the feeling of using magic.)

The tip of the staff glowed and exploded onto the armor.

"!"

Aina instinctively let go of the staff.

The staff fell to the floor with a thud.

The light from the magic flickered for a moment and then disappeared.

"Aina, are you okay?"

Rody rushed to Aina's side.

"...I'm fine. I just got a bit startled."

Aina's palm had no burn marks.

"What about the armor?"

The three of them looked at the armor again.

The armor was still in place, unchanged from before.

"...Nothing happened," Rody said.

"No, it was a success."

Suddenly, the paint on the armor began to expand, forming countless bubbles.

"What...!"

Eventually, the blue paint tore apart like a burst foam or stuffing spilling out of a doll, stopping in a ragged state.

Aina was stunned by the sight of the armor.

(This is... my unique skill.)

"Hmm. It wasn't a completely wrong approach."

[Armor E Status]

Power: 10

Durability: 11 (↑1)

Weight: 10

"At least the durability increased."

"Roland, did the durability really increase?"

Rody poked the blue, bubble-like protrusions that had completely changed from the paint.

"Yes, the durability value increased by 1 point."

"But the shape is terrible, isn't it? It will fall off easily."

Aina pinched and pulled the protrusions, and they snapped off.

"Yes, of course it's still in the development stage. We need to improve the skill."

Roland moved the modified armor aside and placed a new piece of armor on the stand.

"Aina, try different painting methods and casting methods from now on. There must be a more optimal way to make 'Exterior Reinforcement' take hold."

"Okay."

"Alright. Next, Rody. It's your turn."

---

"I've already taken the measurements."

Roland handed Rody a paper with the measurements of Elio's body that he had taken.

"Design the armor to fit these measurements, but the problem is the exterior."

Roland pointed to the diagram.

"The exterior is expected to expand due to Aina's coating, so you need to account for that in your design."

"Hmm. I'm not good at designing."

(...Right.)

[Rody's Skills]

Design: D → A

(At least for now, it's still D class. But in the future, he will be a top designer.)

"Can I do it?"

"It's okay. I'll support you."

"Well, I have to do it. Aina is working hard too."

The two of them looked at Aina, who was casting the support magic spell.

Aina was already working on the fifth piece of armor with 'Exterior Reinforcement.'

Four failed attempts were scattered on the floor, but the blue expansion was gradually settling down and becoming flatter.

(I'm starting to understand. The painting method must be important.)

Aina cast the support magic on the armor, imagining compressing the paint.

(The paint is moving with the power of magic.)

Aina tried to contain the energy as the paint bulged and tried to escape.

The paint didn't form bubbles but remained somewhat rough, with several small mounds, but the undulations were manageable enough to be considered armor.

(Okay. It's much better.)

"Roland, it's like this. How is it?"

Roland skill-identified the armor Aina had coated.

[Armor E Status]

Power: 10

Durability: 15 (↑5)

Weight: 10

"Yes, the durability has increased."

"Yay!"

[Aina's Unique Skill]

'Exterior Reinforcement': D (↑1 rank)

(As expected, skills that haven't been used much improve quickly. It's already one rank higher.)

"Aina, keep improving your skill at this pace."

"Okay!"

---

While Roland and Rody were working on the design, the sound of a staff falling on the floor echoed.

Aina was crouched on the floor, her hand trembling.

"Aina!?"

"Are you okay?"

Aina nodded.

"Yes, just a bit dizzy."

[Aina's Status]

Magic Power: 1 (↓9) - 10

"It's a magic power drain."

Roland stood up.

"Aina, that's enough 'Exterior Reinforcement' for today. Take a rest."

"Okay."

(Damn. I was so close to figuring something out.)

Aina looked at the armor regretfully.

"Don't worry. We still have three days until the deadline."

"But I was so close to figuring something out..."

"Don't worry. Your skill is definitely improving."

"Okay."

"Even though you can't practice 'Exterior Reinforcement' today, this afternoon you'll be shaping the armor based on Rody's design. Get some rest and prepare for the afternoon."

"...Okay."

Aina's cheeks turned slightly red.

(Roland is so kind. He always encourages me when I'm about to give up.)

Aina crossed the workshop, heading towards the break room, and glanced at Roland's profile with a growing admiration.