Wearing Power Armor to a Magic School (128/?) WiP 1

Author’s Note 1: Hey everyone! Here is the Work in Progress for Chapter 128 I hope you guys enjoy! :D I’m sorry for the delay on this one, I have to attend a wedding tomorrow and so things have been super hectic over here for the past few days and I’m really struggling to stay on top of things ^^;; 

Author’s Note 2: I’ve also attached the PDF and EPUB versions of the WiP, since Patreon is still working on a solution for the recent bug!

Dragon’s Heart Tower, Level 23, Residence 30, Living Room. Local Time: 1430 Hours. 

Emma

“Conspicuous.” Thacea remarked.

“Suspicious, is how I’d describe it.” Thalmin commented.

“Earthrealmer… do your people know nothing of aesthetic theory?” Ilunor added dramatically, raising a single hand to rest his forehead against as he did so.

All eyes were currently set on the latest addition to the armor. The first in-field modification made with the intent to not only bridge the gap between magic and technology, but likewise, made in an attempt to compensate for what humanity lacked — manasight.

“I admit, it is a bit crude, even by our expeditionary standards.” I nodded in a rare instance of acknowledgement towards the Vunerian’s whinings. “However, I’m sorta pressed for R&D constraints here so this is probably the best I can do for a little while.” 

I began fiddling with the calibration tools, going through the litany of novel solutions created by the EVI, and the various user interface suites the techies had come up with back home for this particular eventuality. 

There had always been the expectation that the EVI would eventually be able to improve upon the barebones of the M-RSAD systems, with the idea being that the current sensor suite would slowly improve and iterate based on the wealth of data the Nexus provided; as being constantly saturated in mana was a far better testbed than any hypothetical model could offer back on the homefront.

However, with the addition of the WAID, these HUDs did start showing their limitations, as they’d been calibrated not for this jury-rigged system of a mana-detection suite, but instead, the carefully tuned and calibrated sensor suite I’d arrived with.

Moreover, there was the issue of the user interface lacking the fine-tuning necessary to work seamlessly, at least not without a lot of iterative design.

And while that was definitely possible, I’d be hard-pressed to get it done within the timeframe of the dragon quest.

Though beyond time constraints, there was also the matter of newfound data that threatened to make the old HUDs just a little bit dated.

The R&D boys back home were limited to what they knew, after all. And while it was sufficient, they were still working under the scope of human innovation up to that point.

This was an entirely novel world and context however. With a completely novel set of circumstances that could come to redefine our approach to layering the magical world atop of the physical.

The best systems were, after all, usually modeled after some natural phenomenon… with the exception of FTL, of course. And what better system to model the new user interface after than the experiences of those who actually lived and breathed mana?

“Right. Here’s where I’m going to need your help, guys.” I began, interrupting the flurry of conversation that flowed amongst the trio whilst I was busy working inside my own little world.

“Help? Hmmph, fancy that. I thought the word was entirely absent from your vocabulary.” Ilunor began with a haughty chuckle. “Well then, let us hear it. How may we, the esteemed members of highborn society, aid you in your… requests, oh Cadet Emma Booker?” 

I couldn’t help but to blink at the Vunerian, and his exceptionally catty antics this time around.

“Erm, well. I had two requests actually. The first probably being the most important for the long term prospects of this whole mana-sight thing. I’d like you to show me exactly what you guys see. I want to know how you guys perceive the world beyond just the ‘corporeal’ one.”

The deluxe kobold’s features grew increasingly more arrogant and sly as I talked, culminating in an inflated grin at the tail end of my request.

“Oh how tragic… the earthrealmer finally admits her limits, her natural limits might I add.” He quickly turned to both Thacea and Thalmin, who looked on at him with varying levels of impatience. “What? I am speaking the truth, am I not? For weeks now, Emma Booker has been gallivanting claiming parity this, and parity that! Now, we finally see the limitations to this parity! The self admitted cries for aid as a result of her manaless limitations!” He paused, before turning towards my helmet’s eternally poker-faced expression. “I, of course, mean no offense by this, Cadet Emma Booker. I am merely… clarifying matters for the unwritten record.”

“By rubbing it in, no less.” Thalmin growled out.

“‘Tis but an orator’s drive, Prince Thalmin. For a dragon strikes when it tastes weakness in the manastreams.”

“By mocking Emma’s shortcomings?” Thacea chimed in. “Targeting an aspect of her being to which she had no control over in choosing?” She questioned tersely.

“Cadet Emma Booker has made it clear that we are in a long, protracted game of posturing. Be that political, martial, physical, or even personal.” The Vunerian paused, taking a moment to cross his arms as he did so. “This means there are no standards to be held, and no topic remains sacred.”

“Where I come from, a low blow is a low blow all the same; carrying with it dishonor and shame, Nexian.” Thalmin seethed. 

“Well then thankfully such outdated notions are now matters of domestic politics, rather than contemporary conversation.” Ilunor shot back just as snappily, prompting me to finally clear the air with a protracted sigh.

“Alright alright. Let’s just take a step back.” I began, prompting the pair to turn their heads towards me. “Let’s save your strength for the sparring match, Thalmin. Ilunor’s just not worth the effort.” 

This elicited an indignant glare from the Vunerian, who I quickly addressed next.

“And Ilunor? That’s the whole reason why I’m even asking you for your help. Because while I didn’t choose to lack a manafield—” I paused, turning to Thacea with a nod of appreciation as I did so. “—I’m choosing to overcome it by doing what my people always do when faced with the impossible.”

I could practically feel the Vunerian’s inner dialogue through the shift in his features, as I could practically see him going here we go again behind those golden eyes. 

“So, if you’d be so kind, how about you show me exactly what the world is like through your noble and discerning eyes.” I urged, as the little mast mounted sensor dome continued spinning in ‘excitement’ atop the suit’s ‘backpack’.