"A fresh capability?"
Raon moved toward Ensia, his eyes wide with surprise.
"What sort of concept did you come up with this time?"
Generally, a prosthetic limb was considered successful if it simply functioned as a substitute for a missing hand. However, the artificial limbs crafted by Ensia of House Yonaan were exceptionally delicate artifacts that felt almost identical to the real thing. He was genuinely intrigued by what kind of property she could have integrated to describe it as a brand-new feature.
"You'll understand once you witness it... oh!"
Ensia cut her explanation short and stared blankly.
"Gorgeously handsome Raon."
She blurted out that familiar phrase after quite a long interval, her gaze shimmering.
"No, how is it possible for you to become even more attractive! How can a human look like this! Truly!"
Ensia panted heavily, looking like someone who had just sprinted ten circuits around the massive training grounds, claiming she simply couldn't fathom it anymore.
"Attractive..."
Raon gave a dry, bewildered laugh while smoothing his messy hair.
"I’m actually looking a bit ragged today."
He had spent the day working at a shop, playing with youngsters in the fields, and then heading to the head of the house's primary training area. He didn't think he looked presentable at all—he had no clue what she found so striking.
"Simply everything! Your very being! The atmosphere you carry! Even the way you breathe is handsome!"
Ensia’s hands shook as if she were having a minor breakdown.
"I need to hurry and complete the Raon Zieghart Biography as well. The entire world must be made aware of that face!"
She squeezed her hand into a fist, declaring that documenting the Raon Zieghart Biography was a higher priority than any other responsibility.
"Lady Sylvia! How on earth did you manage to give birth to a son like this!"
Ensia turned her interrogation toward Sylvia, demanding to know the secret to producing such a good-looking child.
"Quite so. Even I find it hard to believe sometimes that Raon came from me."
Sylvia gave a gentle grin, admitting that even she found Raon's appearance remarkable.
"Is he really that handsome?"
Sia tilted her head, unable to see the appeal since he was just her brother.
-Grrr...
Wrath shook his tiny fist in sheer irritation.
-This King is infinitely more handsome and magnificent than this mortal! Humans have absolutely no grasp of true beauty!
The little guy gnashed his teeth, seemingly recalling a past instance where he had lost a beauty contest.
"I’m losing my mind. He's so handsome I just want to preserve him..."
Ensia kept whispering the word "handsome" over and over, alongside the somewhat unsettling word "preserve."
"Haah..."
Raon let out a weary sigh as he observed the glazed look in Ensia's eyes.
"Please stop the flattery and explain the new function of the prosthetic first."
Since being called handsome didn't do much for his ego, he steered the conversation back to the primary topic.
"Ah, right! I'll demonstrate the new feature once we're inside. Seeing it in action is much better than a verbal explanation!"
Ensia pushed open the doors to Federick’s estate, acting as if she were about to install the limb on Rector.
"Hurry up and follow me!"
She signaled for them to come along and marched into Rector’s medical ward as if she owned the place.
"Let's move."
Just as Raon was rubbing his aching temples from Ensia's constant praise and preparing to enter Federick’s home...
"Raon."
Sylvia reached out and took Raon by the wrist.
"When exactly did you make this request to Ensia?"
She let out a breath of astonishment, having been completely unaware.
"I reached out to Lady Ensia the very day we brought grandfather here. I asked her to construct a durable prosthetic that could withstand the power of a Transcendent."
Raon gave a steady nod, as if he had merely fulfilled a basic obligation.
"You were looking out for Father even while you were buried in your own training."
Sylvia smiled with deep appreciation for him handling the things she had overlooked.
"It was the right thing to do."
Raon brushed it off with a wave of his hand, insisting it was only natural and that gratitude wasn't necessary.
“Besides, I managed to find the time for it.”
Unlike Sylvia, who had been entirely consumed by her sessions at the great training ground, his schedule allowed him more freedom to manage outside errands.
"Even so, thank you."
Sylvia tapped Raon on the shoulder, remarking that she truly had raised an incredible son, just as Ensia had claimed.
"I understand."
Raon offered a warm smile as he took in his mother's thanks. In his younger years, he might have pushed back against such praise, but he had grown to accept it because he now understood the emotions behind the words.
"What are you waiting for! Get in here!"
Ensia flailed her arms from inside the room, telling them to stop loitering and hurry up. Even as she shouted, her gaze remained locked firmly on Raon.
"Let’s go inside."
Raon stepped into Rector’s room followed by Sylvia and Sia. Edgar and Federick were already seated and waiting, likely having been tipped off by Ensia.
"It looks like it's finally ready."
Federick gave a bright smile, noting they had arrived at the perfect moment.
"My love! My daughter! My son!"
Edgar bolted upright and rushed toward Sylvia and Sia.
"Move aside!"
"Dad! Stay with me!"
Sylvia and Sia brushed past the approaching Edgar, clearly prioritizing Rector’s condition, and hurried to the bedside.
"Father. How are you feeling?"
"Grandpa. Are you in any pain?"
The two of them checked on Rector immediately, completely ignoring the discarded Edgar.
"Just seeing the two of you makes the exhaustion and the ache vanish."
Rector smiled kindly, inquiring if their training had been successful.
"Yes. It was all possible because of your support, Father."
Sylvia dipped her head while looking at Rector.
"I actually got a compliment!"
Sia grasped Rector’s hand, mentioning she had received praise from Glenn but was eager for more.
"Ugh, they've already changed! They used to give me hugs!"
Edgar sniffed dramatically, appearing wounded by the cold shoulder from his wife and daughter.
"Father, save the drama for when we're back home."
Raon sighed as he entered the room.
"Hm? Raon, you..."
Edgar’s jaw dropped slightly as if he picked up on the shift in Raon’s Martial Prowess through his composed expression.
"You’ve got a lot of dust in your hair? Maybe you should go take a bath?"
He chuckled, mentioning the dust as if he only saw the physical mess rather than the advancement in power.
"I definitely need a wash."
Raon laughed softly and nodded.
'No matter how I look at it, those two are cut from the same cloth.'
He could see flashes of Rimmer in Edgar’s personality. It was a shame the two hadn't met sooner; they would have been inseparable friends.
"Raon. It appears you’ve achieved it."
Rector nodded with a serious expression, clearly sensing the growth.
"I had faith that you would be the one to break through that barrier."
He offered his congratulations on surpassing the wall and showed his approval by tapping his single hand against his leg.
"I thought I felt something different about you."
Federick also wore a wide grin, having noticed the change based on Rector's observation.
"One really can't stop paying attention for even a second."
He shook his head in amazement, remarking that every time he looked away, Raon’s martial rank and reputation had climbed another step.
"Attention, everyone!"
Ensia shot her hand into the air once she was sure Raon was finally in the room.
"Right now, I shall reveal the latest creation from House Yonaan!"
She tapped on Rector’s bed with excitement, urging them to prepare themselves.
"Huuuu..."
Rector, who had become quite familiar with Ensia due to the prosthetic process, seemed used to her theatrical nature and simply let out a heavy sigh.
"Presenting! This masterpiece is the new artificial limb from House Yonaan."
Ensia pulled a pristine white prosthetic from her Subspace Pouch, her face beaming with pride.
'Hm? It doesn't look remarkably different.'
Since she had hyped it up as a new model with unique features, he expected a radical design change, but it looked very similar to the one Rimmer used. If anything, the definition of the muscles and the detail of the veins were just a bit more lifelike.
"What exactly is different?"
Federick knit his brows, clearly sharing the confusion.
“It might look standard at first glance, but the truth will be revealed shortly!”
Ensia smiled with total confidence and walked over to Rector with the limb.
"Are you prepared to grip a blade once more?"
She looked at Rector, her lips curving upward.
"Yes. I’ve heard that question so many times my ears are tired of it, so just proceed."
Rector seemed to appreciate Ensia’s spirited nature and gave a nod, shifting his clothes to expose his scarred right shoulder.
"Then I'll begin the installation."
Ensia aligned the prosthetic with Rector’s shoulder, where the jagged old scar remained. The white device fused to Rector’s body like a living organism, masking the scar and radiating a faint glow accompanied by a low vibration.
"This is... wait?"
Raon’s eyes narrowed as he watched the device react.
'The color of the prosthetic is shifting.'
The formerly pale limb was changing its hue to match Rector’s complexion. The unnaturally white arm now possessed the exact same shade as human skin.
"It's... it's a perfect match!"
Sylvia blinked in disbelief.
"Father! It looks as if a brand-new arm has simply sprouted there!"
Edgar’s mouth hung open in shock.
"Impressive, right?"
Ensia giggled, clearly pleased that she had gotten the reaction she wanted.
"Now, give the arm a try."
She gestured toward Rector, who was staring at his new limb in total awe.
"Huu."
Rector gave a firm nod, and his new right arm began to lift. The movement was fluid—not only was the color indistinguishable from real skin, but it moved as naturally as if it were his original limb, bending with enough flexibility for the hand to reach across his back.
"Ha!"
Rector let out sharp breaths of surprise as the sensation of touch returned to his limb.
"Well? What do you think?"
Ensia tilted her head, waiting for his feedback.
"It’s flawless. It feels exactly like it did before I lost the arm. No, it’s even better than that..."
Rector swallowed hard, looking at the connection point at his shoulder.
"The constant ache in my shoulder has nearly vanished as well. How is this possible..."
His jaw worked as he asked what she had done to achieve this.
"Most people who use prosthetics suffer from chronic pain at the stump. I engraved specialized healing arrays to dull that discomfort."
Ensia smiled, explaining that the soothing sensation he felt was the result of those enchantments.
'So those are the upgrades.'
Skin-tone synchronization and pain management. Raon felt a small smile form, realizing how much thought Ensia had put into the comfort of the user.
'With those additions, it certainly earns the title of a new model.'
He made a mental note to pay her a significant bonus on top of the agreed price.
"I understand now..."
Rector squeezed the prosthetic hand into a tight fist, his realization complete.
"I am truly in your debt."
He bowed his head to Ensia, expressing his gratitude for such a magnificent gift.
"I apologize for thinking you were just a guest. I didn't think you were doing much work."
Edgar offered a clumsy apology, looking away awkwardly as he recalled being somewhat dismissive of her previously.
"Ugh! You idiot!"
Sylvia gave Edgar a sharp kick and stepped toward Ensia.
"Ensia. We are once again in your debt. Thank you so much."
She took Ensia’s hands in hers and spoke with deep sincerity.
“Don't mention it! We're more than just acquaintances, and we're all here to support one another!”
Ensia waved off the praise as if it were a minor thing.
"And I'm not finished yet."
She grinned, implying that there was still more to come.
"What do you mean you’re not finished?"
Raon blinked, confused by her statement.
"I told you the prosthetic has a new function."
Ensia tilted her head, acting as if he had forgotten her earlier words.
"Wait? Weren't the color change and the pain relief the new functions?"
Raon tilted his head back at her, equally confused.
"Those aren't significant enough to be called a 'new function' on their own."
Ensia smirked and snapped her fingers together.
"House Yonaan has successfully integrated an energy center into this prosthetic!"
She beamed, announcing that Rector’s new arm contained its own internal energy hub.
"An... an energy center?"
"An energy center?"
Raon and Rector spoke at the exact same time, their voices raised in shock.
"Precisely. Let me show you."
As Ensia adjusted several components on Rector’s limb, a sudden burst of blue light radiated from the arm, followed by a powerful surge of mana flowing upward.
"What do you think? By utilizing our artificial energy center creation tech, we built a reservoir directly into the limb! It functions as an auxiliary storage unit for when your own mana runs dry!"
Ensia looked incredibly proud, noting that the concept was her own invention.
"That's... that's incredible."
Raon stared, his mouth slightly open.
'That is a revolutionary idea.'
Installing a synthetic energy center inside a prosthetic to serve as a hidden trump card was a staggering achievement. She definitely deserved her reputation as an Artifact Master.
"Huh..."
Rector also gasped in amazement as he stared at his hand, which was now wreathed in blue energy. After testing the movement a few more times, he turned a focused look toward Raon, his mind clearly made up.
"Raon."
"Yes?"
Raon answered, noting the intensity in Rector’s eyes.
"Since I’ve been granted a new arm, it’s only right that I put it to the test."
Rector pulled off his hospital robe and stood up from the bed.
"Let’s have a duel."
Seiran Island sat at the southernmost tip of the world. Above this vibrant island, which served as a sanctuary for plants and animals due to its lack of predators, a golden crack appeared in the heavens. The sky shattered like brittle glass, and from the void of the distorted black space, a man dressed in white robes stepped out.
"At last, I’ve located it."
The youth with golden hair and blue eyes—the human form of the Gold Dragon Bartius—clenched his trembling hand.
"The trail that leads to the Lord!"
