novelraw Chapter 87: The Marvel of a Magic Engineer
Chapter 87: The Marvel of a Magic Engineer
It didn’t take me long to get back to District D and reach the training center. Without wasting time, I stepped inside the training hall to begin my training. Inside, the faint scent of polished wood mingled with the tang of sweat. As expected, Boris and Michelle were already training. Boris was pounding away at a massive, weighted dummy with his usual bone-jarring strikes, and Michelle was in the far corner, practicing precision shots at a moving target rig, hitting the bull’s eye whenever she fired.
I went to Boris first since he was the closest.
“Finally decided to show up, huh, lad,” Boris said between blows as he saw me, not breaking his rhythm.
“Well, I had business to take care of,” I replied casually. “Here—consider it payment for my lateness.”
I reached into my inventory and pulled out two Harmonic Elixirs of Balance, handing them to him.
“Just in time! This’ll help with my training.” Without hesitation, Boris uncorked one and downed it in a single gulp.
I then crossed the hall to Michelle and handed her two as well.
“Thanks, Maxim,” she said with a faint smile, tucking them into her belt pouch. “I’ll be sure to repay this later.”
With that done, I moved over to the gym section and began my own regimen—starting with the same physical drills as before to build raw strength and endurance. Beyond that, I intended to dedicate time to refining my magic control as well.
***
One day passed in the blink of an eye as we pushed ourselves to the limit in the training center. Even after a full night’s rest, a dull ache still lingered in my muscles. But now, it was time for the three of us to return to Tuilë’s workshop and check on the new equipment.
District D’s streets were calmer than District E’s, even in the early morning, and it didn’t take long for us to reach our destination. Warm light spilled through the windows of Tuilë’s workshop, accompanied by the rhythmic ring of hammer on metal. I pushed open the door to find her exactly where I expected, leaning over a workbench littered with tools, her oversized hands deftly fitting a steel plate into place.
“You’re early,” she remarked without looking up.
“So it seems,” I replied, stepping inside. “How’s our order?”
Tuilë straightened, brushing metal shavings from her apron before reaching for a nearby rack. “Finished the armor this morning. Boots too. I just finished the last adjustments on the buckler.” She placed each piece on the counter with a satisfying clunk. “Reinforced with the materials you gave me. Strong, flexible, and a little lighter than before. You’ll move faster without sacrificing defense.”
I ran my fingers over the armor’s smooth surface and brought up its stats.
Predator’s Stalker Hide
Grade: Unique
Type: Light Armor
A masterfully reforged light armor made from the scales of an Armored Black Bear and the toughened leather of an Alpha Gale Wolf. It is further coated with the skin of the Black Venomfang Serpent, giving it a stealthy nature. It offers natural protection without slowing the wearer down, and its durable, lightweight design makes it ideal for close-quarters combatants who rely on speed and survivability.
Durability: 90/90Grants +6 Strength, +6 Stamina, and +4 DexterityReflects 30% of physical damage taken back to the attacker.Applies [Venomfang Veil] to the wearerWhile wearing this armor, it will reduce the enemy detection range and muffle the wearer’s movement sounds.
I immediately donned the armor, feeling its weight distribute evenly across my body. The balance was excellent, and it fit nearly perfectly. “Good,” I murmured. Even if it barely qualified as unique-grade equipment, it was still far superior to anything at the rare-grade level.
“What about ours?” Boris asked, glancing at my new armor with curiosity.
“Mm-hmm.” Michelle nodded enthusiastically, clearly impressed.
“Of course, I’ve got them all ready right here!” Tuilë said, reaching under the workbench and hauling up two bundles wrapped in thick cloth. She set them down with two heavy thuds.
“Boris, yours first.” She unwrapped the first bundle to reveal an almost translucent chest piece fashioned from the white serpent’s membrane.
Boris let out an approving grunt, running a hand over the smooth, glassy surface. “Exactly what I asked for.” Without hesitation, he strapped it on, rolling his shoulders to test the fit. The funny part was that once worn, the chest piece became fully transparent, meaning he still looked practically topless despite wearing armor.
Next was Michelle’s turn. Tuilë carefully unveiled a set of upgraded light armor paired with a newly forged bow and dagger. The armor was on par with mine in craftsmanship, though noticeably lighter, clearly tailored for speed and mobility. The weapons, inlaid with runes, had a refined yet deadly gleam; they were clearly of high quality.
Michelle’s eyes lit up as she quickly inspected them. “This… this is perfect.”
“Oh, and…” Tuilë grinned at me before ducking under the bench, pulling out a smaller covered bundle. She lowered her voice as she slid it across the counter. “Your… special request.”
I took the bundle and peeled back the cloth just enough to glimpse the partially revealed form of the faceless god’s statue.
“Frankly, I had to get someone to help with the sculpting to meet the deadline,” Tuilë admitted, scratching the back of her head.
“It’s fine. Thank you,” I said with a faint smile. I rewrapped the statue carefully and slipped it into my inventory. The craftsmanship was more than acceptable for my purposes. I told her to make more in the future, and that I’d pay her in soul coins for each subsequent piece.
With that handled, I turned my attention to the rest of my order, checking the stats of the newly forged boots and the upgraded buckler.
Venomfang Scaled Buckler
Grade: Unique
Type: Magic Shield
A masterfully reforged buckler made from the jagged scales of an Armored Black Bear and reinforced with the bones of the Black Venomfang Serpent. It has been enchanted with protective magic to increase its defense. The serpent’s essence makes it as much a weapon of intimidation as it is a shield.
Durability: 125/125Grants +18 StrengthAutomatically blocks one fatal attack (beneath He-rank) without harming the wearer.Slightly reduces the force of incoming blows, poisons attackers on direct melee contact, and reduces the potency of poisons received by 15%.Skyfang Strider Boots
Grade: Unique
Type: Enchanted Boots
Forged by a genius Magic Engineer from a lightweight mithril-alloy frame reinforced with the supple yet resilient leather of the White Venomfang Serpent, these boots blend agility, durability, and enchantment into a single masterpiece. The serpent’s essence imbued within them grants the wearer exceptional aerial maneuverability.
Durability: 110/110Grants +6 Stamina and +12 DexterityReduces stamina consumption when sprinting or dodging.Allows the wearer to perform a second jump in mid-air.As expected of a Magic Engineer! Even though she didn’t craft any mechanical marvel for the equipment, they were of top-notch quality. She hadn’t cut corners on materials for upgrading my armor and shield or for crafting these boots. If I had bought them outright, they would have cost me no less than three thousand soul coins each.
“Thanks. These are all great.”
“You bet! Just don’t forget our agreement.” She flashed me with a toothy grin and a thumbs-up.
“Naturally.” I nodded.
In truth, the three of us stood to gain the most from having her with us. Even though a Magic Engineer wasn’t a frontline fighter, it was a class that could tip the balance in almost any scenario. Their inventions and gear enhancements could drastically alter how a battle unfolded, especially in scenarios where holding a defensive position or sieging was the main point.
If she joined us, even if only temporarily, it could keep our equipment ahead of the curve while ensuring such advantages never fell into the hands of potential enemies. That alone was worth more than a dozen ordinary divine warriors. And with how meticulous Tuilë was in her craft, I knew she would never settle for anything less than perfection.
“Well, that’s everything for now,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “If you’ve got more materials or requests, you know where to find me.”
“We’ll keep that in mind,” Boris said with a satisfied grin.
Michelle tested her bow with a smooth, deliberate draw, the rune-lined limbs humming faintly. “Feels lighter than before… but somehow stronger.”
“That’s the idea,” Tuilë replied with pride. “You’re all set for whatever comes next. Oh, and since you’re all about to challenge the sixth scenario…” She rummaged through her inventory before tossing something my way.
As I caught it, I realized that it was… “A waterskin?”
“It’s a magic tool,” she explained. “It condenses water molecules from the air into drinkable water. You’ll need it for the scenario.”
I’d heard the sixth scenario was completely different from the previous three, which had been set in an ancient forest. Since she had already cleared it before, she also had valuable information to share. She told us that the sixth scenario was set in the scorchingly hot desert, and it was to survive there for some time.
Still, I felt uneasy accepting all of this for free. Granted, she wanted our help in clearing the seventh scenario onward, but even so, it didn’t sit right with me. After consulting with both Boris and Michelle, I decided to take out the Groveheart Core Shards I’d obtained during the fifth scenario and offered them to her.
“You’re giving this to me?” she asked, holding the fragments of the golem’s core without hesitation.
“Yeah. I think it’s only fair after all the help you’ve given us—no, honestly, this is hardly enough to repay it.” I shrugged.
“’Kay then! Thanks!” she replied cheerfully.
We exchanged a few more words before stepping out of the workshop, making sure to thank her for both the waterskin and the insight.
Outside, the air felt warmer, the golden sunlight spilling over the cobblestone street. I adjusted the strap of my newly upgraded buckler and new boots, feeling the weight—or rather, the lack of it—settle perfectly.
While I was at it, I checked my status screen.
Maximillian Anderson Lv. 4/60 (EXP 566/2,560)
HP: 100%
MP: 398/398
Rank: Gimmel [3]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Paradox Incarnate
Title: One Who Conquered the Impossible (4)
Status: Normal
Strength: 330 + 37 + 33 | Dexterity: 331 + 16 + 33 | Stamina: 278 + 25 + 28
Mind: 184 + 18 | Magic Power: 222 + 22 | Luck: 224 + 22
Plausibility: 740
Free Attributes: 36
Signature Skill(s): [Absorb Plausibility], [Fabled Vessel], [God!$# Creation], [Grant Plausibility], [Scenario Manipulation]
Skill(s): [Basic Alchemy Lv.7], [Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat Lv.7], [Basic Neutral Magic Lv.8], [Basic Shield Mastery Lv.8], [Back Stab Lv.3], [Berserk Lv.2], [Calm Mind], [Chantless Casting Lv.2], [Desperate Willpower Lv.8], [Divine Sermon Lv.1], [Extraordinary Agility], [Extraordinary Endurance], [Extraordinary Magic Power], [Extraordinary Power], [Fast Equip], [Heavy Slash Lv.6], [Heavy Stab Lv.6], [Inspect Eye Lv.3], [Intermediate Spearmanship Lv.2], [Intermediate Swordsmanship Lv.3], [Inventory], [Mana Manipulation Lv.6], [Mana Sense Lv.7], [Mental Tolerance Lv.5], [Negotiation Lv.5], [Night Vision], [Pain Tolerance Lv.6], [Paralysis Resistance Lv.3], [Poison Resistance Lv.3], [Projectile Defense Lv.3], [Predator’s Step Lv.4], [Weapon Manifestation Lv.1], [Wind Rush Lv.6]
Spell(s): {Mana Arrow}, {Mana Bullet}, {Spinning Mana Arrow}
Looking at the bonus stats that were far better than before sent a surge of confidence through me, causing me to clench my fists.
“All right! Let’s go and challenge the sixth scenario!”
Boris’s grin widened, his knuckles cracking in anticipation. “About time.”
Michelle slung her bow over her shoulder, eyes gleaming. “I’ve been waiting for this.”
We then moved through District D’s streets toward the Rift of Scenarios at full speed.