Ch.204Chapter 204 – No Way, Could This Work?

The office of the Glesius Academy’s Chancellor was bustling with visitors from early morning.

A dwarf standing in front of a massive metal box bowed to me in greeting.

“It is an honor to meet you, benefactor of our clan. I am Baldvar, the spokesperson sent here on behalf of Lord Ironbeard, the Dwarf Monarch of the Grendillet Mountains.”

The dwarf who introduced himself as Baldvar was likely an envoy sent by Ironbeard.

There was only one reason why he would send an envoy here.

“His Majesty has sent me here because the hammer that the benefactor of our clan will use for years to come has been completed.”

“It’s finally finished?”

Indeed, it was because the equipment I would be using from now on, replacing the vanished Infinite Shadow, had been completed.

“Yes, benefactor. Right inside this security vault is the equipment you will be using.”

Baldvar pointed to the large metal box placed behind him.

Indeed, I thought it seemed rather large in size.

“To open this box, you must place your hand on it, Count.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“It’s for security purposes. This box may look crude, but it’s a security vault personally crafted by our monarch, Lord Ironbeard. It’s designed to open only when the intended recipient is present.”

Oh, I see.

So it’s basically a safe that requires biometric authentication to open.

I never expected to see something with this level of technology in this world.

The position of monarch among the dwarves, a race of master craftsmen, clearly wasn’t won in a drinking contest.

I stood up with Regina’s support.

Then I slowly walked toward the security vault.

“When you place your hand on the security vault, the box will automatically recognize you and unlock itself.”

Following Baldvar’s instructions, I placed my hand on the box.

A magic circle appeared above the box and began to draw a circle clockwise, bit by bit.

“What is this?”

“The security magic applied to the vault is activating. Once the circle is completely drawn, the box will open automatically.”

“Fascinating, isn’t it? To think they could modify security magic and apply it like this. Ironbeard truly is skilled.”

Even Regina seemed quite impressed by Ironbeard’s abilities.

But that was only momentary. After the circular pattern indicating the security magic’s activation was fully drawn and the box began to open, all our eyes turned toward the gradually revealing contents.

As the box slowly opened, what appeared inside was a hammer of just the right size to be held and used with one hand.

However, despite its small size, no one would dare treat this item carelessly.

“It’s incredibly… ornate.”

“Of course it is. This is an item for the benefactor of our clan—how could we not put our utmost effort into it?”

The hammer was truly beautiful, worthy of Baldvar’s proud declaration that they had put their all into it.

Except for the head and handle parts, it was decorated with such beautiful and sophisticated patterns that it could have been used as a decorative piece…

‘If I brought this to Earth, wouldn’t movie studios want to borrow it as a prop?’

The hammer was so beautiful that such thoughts crossed my mind.

I reached out to grasp the hammer.

“Ah.”

But perhaps my strength hadn’t fully returned yet, as the hammer fell weakly back into the box.

“Has your strength not yet returned?”

“It seems that way.”

“Hmm. Our monarch anticipated this and prepared something else.”

I was puzzled by Baldvar’s words.

He predicted this? Ironbeard did?

“Behold! This is a versatile exoskeleton designed to absorb natural mana to enhance the wearer’s strength or to help those with physical disabilities lead normal daily lives. This artifact was also personally crafted by our lord for the benefactor who is currently indisposed.”

What Baldvar pulled out looked like a human figure made of metal rods.

“By wearing this, even though your strength hasn’t fully returned, you’ll be able to lift this hammer with ease.”

With some skepticism about Baldvar’s claims, I put on the so-called versatile exoskeleton with Regina’s help.

“Oh?”

But what he said was true.

Though I had merely attached long metal rods to my arms and legs, they bent naturally according to my will.

Whereas before it felt like I had to forcibly summon strength to move, now my limbs moved according to my thoughts as naturally as they used to.

Somehow, even my fingers and toes moved somewhat according to my will.

‘Using only naturally occurring mana, they created something that allows this level of movement?’

Just by wearing these bracelet and anklet-like devices, I could control my arms, legs, fingers, and toes?

If such a device appeared on Earth, it would surely be welcomed by many people.

“How is it?”

“It’s amazing. My arms and legs move as if they were originally part of me.”

“Now you should be able to grasp the hammer.”

Baldvar was right.

I walked on my own, bent down, and picked up the hammer I had dropped.

‘Hmm… but there’s no dramatic change or anything.’

Contrary to what I expected, picking up the hammer didn’t give me a sensation of strength returning to my entire body.

“How does it feel?”

“The hammer fits perfectly in my hand. It feels good.”

“We dwarves are craftsmen. With just a single handshake, we can create equipment perfectly suited to a person’s physique.”

“Indeed… this level of craftsmanship is certainly worth boasting about.”

The claim that they could create perfectly tailored equipment with just a handshake no longer seemed far-fetched.

This small hammer in my hand was truly comfortable to handle.

“Since the benefactor seems satisfied, I shall take my leave now.”

“Would you please convey that I will make excellent use of it?”

“Without a doubt.”

Baldvar bowed to Regina and me, then gathered the security vault and left Glesius Academy.

After he left the academy, Regina and I sat facing each other.

“How’s your body feeling?”

“It doesn’t seem like strength is suddenly returning to my entire body or anything.”

“Hmm… is that so? Well, there was never any promise that holding the tool would suddenly restore your body to normal.”

Regina didn’t show any particular disappointment.

Rather, her reaction was quite ordinary, as if she had expected this outcome.

“Well, it’s not a bad thing, is it? With the help of this versatile exoskeleton I’m wearing, I can manage daily activities without much trouble.”

I raised the hammer to point at the versatile exoskeleton.

“And with this body, as I use the hammer like this to apply my ability…”

While explaining to Regina, I tapped my arm with the hammer—tap, tap, tap.

Then something amazing happened.

A flash of light emanated from my body, and I felt an incredible power throughout my body, different from before.

“Pathos? What just happened?”

“Um… well… you see…”

I immediately realized what had happened to my body.

The white light that appeared when I tapped my body with the hammer.

And the tremendous power I felt throughout my body at the same time.

This phenomenon could only mean one thing.

“It seems I can… use this ability on my own body now?”

That’s right—I could now use my ability on my own body.

Could it be because I became aware that my past life was that of a nameless hero?

Or perhaps Epitrina did something to my soul when I died?

Previously, it was impossible to use my ability on myself, but now I could.

“Wait a moment. Then, could you try taking off the versatile exoskeleton?”

“Sure. Would you help me?”

Although strength had returned to my body, removing the versatile exoskeleton by myself was still difficult.

With Regina’s help, I removed the versatile exoskeleton, and the tremendous power I had felt earlier disappeared.

However…

“My hands, feet, and other body parts still move according to my will.”

Even without the versatile exoskeleton, my arms and legs moved naturally.

It really seemed like my ability had worked precisely on my body.

“Hehe, that’s good news. Then you don’t need to wear the versatile exoskeleton anymore, right?”

“Yes, I think that’s the case.”

“Then I’ll keep this stored separately. So you can use it whenever needed.”

Regina said this as she put the versatile exoskeleton into her spatial storage.

“Now then, to celebrate your recovery, shall we go out for a meal today?”

“Sounds good.”

To celebrate my complete recovery, Regina and I went out for dinner and returned afterward.

The dinner Regina bought for me was absolutely delicious.