Wearing Power Armor to a Magic School (127/?) WiP 1

Author’s Note 1: Hey everyone! Here is the Work in Progress for Chapter 127 I hope you guys enjoy! :D

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: 1000 Hours. 

Emma

[Quest for the Everblooming Blossom… T-Minus 3 Days, 3 Hours, and counting.]

[Exoreality Contact Deadline… T-Minus 16 Days, 7 Hours, and counting.]

I stood there, shoulder to shoulder with Thalmin and Thacea, the former staring with a restrained sort of excitement, whilst the latter maintained what I was quickly referring to as her ‘eagle eyes’ — a look of analytical intensity that would’ve burned straight through the wealth cube if given the chance. 

“Am I supposed to be impressed by this collection of shiny, fanciful, scrap, earthrealmer?” Ilunor quickly chimed in, tutting as he did so, all the while turning his nose up at the proverbial beating heart of the motorcycle — what currently amounted to a hefty box of a motor, a string of chains, and a whole host of accessory parts organized so perfectly that Armory Chiefs far and wide would’ve been forced to shed a prideful tear.

“I don’t blame you if the progress so far hasn’t been exciting.” I responded bluntly. “However, I think your tune will be irrevocably changed once the frame’s printed out.” I added with a grin, moving over to manually place all the disparate elements of the drivetrain and motor into the assembler, where it now remained dormant until the printer finished with its next big project. One that required the shoveling in of quite a fair few ingots from the wealth cube into its material induction port.

“You’ll start to see it really coming into its own tomorrow.” I proclaimed, grabbing the designated ingots highlighted on my HUD as I did so, before turning around to lock eyes with a Vunerian who seemed adamant on admonishing everything… save for the elephant in the room.

One which Thalmin was quick to point out.

“We are currently witnessing what is in effect the construction of an entire conveyance.” He announced as he moved forward closer towards the rumbling printer. “A manaless conveyance, as seen only through Emma’s sight-seers. A conveyance capable of beastless locomotion. A feat only seen from Nexian designs and long-standing innovations.”

“Yes, and?” Ilunor shot back provocatively. 

“We are seeing this happen, in the comfort of our own room, Ilunor.” Thacea quickly added, her eyes not once disengaging from the machinery in front of her. “We are seeing the work of wainwrights and enchanters, the craft of mages and artificers, completed within a mere box.” 

The cogs began to turn in Ilunor’s head, as he slowly came to grapple with a realization both Thalmin and Thacea had long since come to terms with.

“We are witnessing a logistical wonder.” Thalmin surmised. 

The Vunerian’s features softened, then twisted, before simply reverting to what I could only describe as his ‘theatrical grin’. 

“For an adjacent realm, you mean?” Ilunor chuffed back, having somehow reversed gears on those cranial cogs of his.

“Excuse me?” Thalmin retorted.

“This is only a logistical wonder… for those who have yet to have made space and distance itself… trivial. Ergo, those who have yet to have mastered and conquered distance itself.” The Vunerian chided with a lackadaisical laugh. “Need I remind you, Prince Thalmin, that the Nexus is capable of bridging spaces so seamlessly that the reach of even the most niche of Crownlands’ manufactoriums extends far beyond the limitations of mere physical distance. Anything, from stagecoaches and buggies, to fineries and even foodstuffs, all within an arm’s reach should the need for it arise. As a result, your sense of wonder and awe stems not from the inherent capabilities of this box, but instead, your limited scope of reference.” Ilunor took a few steps forward, matching up against the lupinor. “To a commoner, the power of a mage is akin to the impossible made manifest. To an adjacent realm, the capabilities of the Nexus would be akin to nothing short of utopia.”

“And to the Nexus, both the volume and adaptability of earthrealm’s industrial innovation would cause even the most industrious of manufactoriums to cry out in heart-stricken awe.” I chimed in, cutting the Vunerian off, and attempting to knock him off his high horse before his ego inflated any further. “I admit, the literal death of the logistical chain as a result of instantaneous portal-ing is a feat that more or less cements Nexian primacy within your sphere of influence.” I continued, reigniting Ilunor’s ego, if only for a moment. “However, let us not kid ourselves, Ilunor. We’re both masters of our own disciplines. We’ve both tackled and taken advantage of the rules our respective natures provide us with. So how about we call it even today and tone it down with the grandstanding?” 

“I am merely trying to reframe Thalmin’s perspectives on your box, Emma Booker.” Ilunor shot back. “To — as you phrased it — tone down his admiration of your manaless constructs.”

“Produce me a box of Nexian make, one which can autonomously conjure up a monotreader, and then, we’ll discuss ‘toning’ things down, Ilunor.” Thalmin chimed in, moving to stand beside me as he tag-teamed flawlessly off of my own points.

“You’re missing the point, Havenbrockian, it is because we can be anywhere, at any time we wish, that we lack the need for such toys.”

“And has earthrealm not demonstrated that they’ve reached the same ends, simply by choosing an alternate path?” Thacea quickly added, wrapping the conversation up in a neat bow. “Lacking instantaneous portals to connect their territories, they’ve not only formed intricate webs of transit, but have built artifices capable of producing what they need, in places they cannot reach.”

The Vunerian paused for a moment, the cogs in his head once more turning, before once more reaching a point of some sort of an epiphany.

His eyes narrowed, side-eyeing me, before turning away entirely with crossed arms. 

“If the sheer sluggish pace of that box is of any indication as to earthrealm’s attempts at matching the Nexus’ instantaneous bridging, then I highly doubt we’ve reached parity in that regard.” He justified, once more worming his way out of truly admitting defeat.

“There’s always the hologram, Ilunor.” I offered with a fangy grin. “I am sure we can see plenty of examples of earthrealm’s industrial might if we simply—”

“As much as I would love for another sight-seer adventure, I believe it might be prudent if we focus instead on the preparations necessary for the quest.” Thalmin interrupted, wearing the same disappointed visage I did, his ears drooping ever so slightly. 

“Yeah, you’re right.” I admitted. “There’s more than a handful of things I need to get done with the bike, not to mention some back and forth errands I might need to do with Sorecar.” 

“That, and perhaps some sparring, eh?” Thalmin offered with a grin. “Since we will be partners on this adventure, I believe it would be wise if we started sharing martial practices.” 

“Forging what would technically be the first joint exercise across dimensions and species? You don’t need to ask me twice, Thalmin. I’m in.” I grinned widely, realizing I’d just made another ‘first’, in the long line of ‘firsts’ that I was probably accumulating without even knowing. “This will definitely look great on my resume.” I quickly added with a chuckle.

=====

Dragon’s Heart Tower, Level 19, Residence 20, Living Room. Local Time: 1020 Hours.

Auris Ping

“I assume you are all well rested?” I began slowly, emphasizing each and every syllable as I did  so. “Well fed as well?” 

“Yes, Lord Ping.” Everyone responded, prompting me to nod silently in acknowledgement.

“Then let us pray.”