Chapter 1343 White Bear's Decision <TOC> Chapter 1345 Blossom of Frost and Chapter of the Moon
Next page password is bold portion: R9w?iChUk4s
Translator: SumTLMan
Two days later, Angel arrived, bearing with him a freshly crafted set of equipment, and sought out Leon.
As Leon’s gaze fell upon the knightly armor presented before him, his eyes were spellbound, irrevocably transfixed.
“Is this truly for me?” The incredulity painted on Leon’s face was unmistakable.
“Yes.” Angel responded, “This set of armor is christened as the ‘Initial Heart Suit’. Its design should ring a bell — it’s the kind you adored as a child…”
“Gothic Armor,” Leon filled in.
Staring at the distinctively designed humanoid armor carefully arranged before him, Leon’s eyes danced with joy, and yet, there was also a hint of nostalgia.
The Gothic Armor was a creation drawn by Jon during their childhood, intended to cheer Leon up.
According to Jon, this style of armor hailed from an ancient kingdom in his homeland. Despite its age, it remained sought after by many, thanks to its unique aesthetic.
Upon his first encounter, Leon was enamored. He even entertained the idea of commissioning Dim, the blacksmith, to forge a personalized set for him. However, the intricate details of the armor stumped Dim. Such a myriad of components, all intricately designed to interlock, was beyond his mastery.
As the sands of time flowed, and Leon matured, he discovered that not only was this Gothic style absent in the Goldfinch Empire, but it was also a rarity among neighboring nations.
While the Gothic design was complex, it wasn’t impossible for a master armor-smith to replicate. However, by then, Leon was prepping for his noble inheritance. Although he still donned armor, it was more often the flexible, lightweight kind. Consequently, to this day, he had yet to own a true Gothic set.
Yet, childhood yearnings have a way of echoing in the corridors of the heart, and for Leon, this was no exception.
At present, Angel has made amends for this past regret.
The armor before him is primarily in a sleek gunmetal hue. Though comprised of numerous components, hinting at its complexity, its presentation is anything but cluttered. Instead, it resonates with a fusion of aesthetic simplicity and functional elegance. Paired with multifaceted edges, graceful contours, and the Lion Heart emblem embossed upon it, the armor’s tone strikes a balance between gravitas and vibrancy.
Undoubtedly, it’s the most visually striking knightly armor Leon has ever beheld.
It’s not only captivating but leaves an indelible impression.
Angel had been passionately detailing the armor’s classification, but Leon wasn’t absorbing a word; he was utterly transfixed by the armor.
Leon gingerly picked up the helmet, examining it without spotting any gimmick and then turned his attention to other sections. Due to the multitude of components, he hesitated, worried that handling one part might cause the rest to collapse.
“How many components does this have in total?” Leon counted carefully but remained unsure.
“If we’re talking solely about this knightly armor, there are just three components,” Angel clarified.
Leon furrowed his brow, “Odd, Jon’s schematic of the Gothic Armor, which I left in my room’s drawer, illustrated the armor segmented into over ten components. Some of which are concealed and not depicted…”
Angel exhaled deeply, having mentioned the armor’s composition earlier, but it was evident Leon hadn’t been all ears.
Rather than merely explaining, Angel gestured for Leon to try it on for himself.
Conventionally, donning a knightly armor starts with the undergarment to shield areas the armor can’t cover, followed by the iron boots and other components.
Given that the armor was designed by Angel, it naturally wouldn’t adhere to the cumbersome and time-consuming dressing process.
“There are only three components: the helmet, the body armor, and the iron boots. You can wear any of them first.”
Leon hesitated briefly, choosing to first don the seemingly simplest piece: the helmet. The moment it encased his head, a refreshing sensation spread from his crown to his feet.
This cooling sensation not only eradicated any feeling of stuffiness but also markedly enhanced his focus.
Simultaneously, Leon realized that although the helmet appeared straightforward, once worn, it mysteriously extended a neck guard, offering almost full coverage to his face, leaving only the eyes exposed.
“The helmet is engraved with a rune of tranquility, enabling you to dispel distractions and focus better in combat,” Angel briefly elucidated before adding, “You can now try on the body armor.”
Having already discerned the magical properties of the armor, Leon promptly reached for the so-called “body armor”.
The moment Leon’s hand touched it, almost 90% of the armor seemingly vanished, leaving behind only a chest plate engraved with the Lion Heart emblem.
Leon hesitated momentarily before placing the chest plate over his heart. In an instant, numerous armor parts emerged from it, flowing like water, and wrapping around Leon’s body as if they were intertwining vines and tendrils.
Besides the chest plate, these newly formed components included a backplate, chainmail skirt, shoulder guards, arm guards, underarm guards, and protective gear for the hands, wrists, and elbows.
Leon flexed his hand, feeling no impediment. The armor fit snugly against his skin, devoid of any oppressiveness. The airflow was perfectly normal, as if the armor could breathe on its own. Its weight felt even lighter than soft armor, providing him with a delightfully comfortable experience.
By now, Leon understood why this armor had only three pieces — it could stretch out automatically! Without hesitation, Leon slipped on the final iron boots. As expected, they automatically expanded to form thigh guards, knee guards, and shin guards. Behind the boots, a spur emerged, shaped like a small wing.
A feeling of lightness instantly enveloped Leon.
In the confines of the room, Leon hopped around several times, confirming that the armor didn’t hinder his movements; it made him feel even more agile and fluid.
Overcome with excitement, Leon flung open the balcony doors and jumped from the third floor, practicing his moves on the vast lawn below.
In the end, thanks to the armor’s cooling sensation, he wasn’t drenched in sweat, but the invigorating feeling persisted.
It was then that Angel approached, explaining the armor’s purpose to Leon.
Overall, the armor was defensive, capable of withstanding fatal attacks from second level apprentices — a crucial feature of the armor. Besides its overall defensive nature, certain specific sections had distinct functionalities.
For instance, there was a helmet that sharpened one’s focus, a collar field that allowed breathing underwater, and… iron boots that granted brief flight.
“Flight?” Leon glanced downward, noticing the wing-like spurs on the back of the boots.
“Yes, they grant you a momentary levitation ability, and a descent similar to the feather-fall spell,” Angel responded.
In reality, this armor wasn’t the pinnacle of Angel’s alchemy. He could have inscribed even more advanced runes, even magic formations.
However, since he named it the “Initial Heart Suit,” it wasn’t just influenced by Initial Heart City. It was also intended for “novices” to use.
Currently, Leon is merely a novice at the base of his apprenticeship. If he etches runes that are too advanced, it could not only provoke envy from others but might also foster a dependency within him. Thus, he primarily etches runes of an auxiliary nature, aiming to bolster his survival capabilities while allowing him to harness his inherent strength to the fullest.
Upon hearing Angel’s explanation, Leon’s face lit up with enthusiasm. As someone devoted to the chivalrous path, this armor perfectly embodies the knightly ideal in his heart. What’s more, its functionality is superbly robust.
What’s most convenient is… it’s so easy to put on! Even more so than his soft armor!
“Are you sure this is meant for me?” Leon inquired once more. His tone undeniably revealing his thrill and satisfaction.
Angel simply nodded in affirmation.
Leon’s gratitude was evident, needing no further elaboration.
“As for weapons, I’ve given you one before, so I didn’t forge a new one.” Angel had previously gifted Leon a katana when he returned to Pat Manor, so there wasn’t a need to create another.
“For the cloak’s attachment, I’ve included hooks, but you can modify it further if you wish.”
Leon was infatuated with the armor; once donned, he was reluctant to remove it and seized every opportunity to show it off. Fortunately, most residents of the estate were his loyal subjects, and none dared to criticize him… Well, almost none.
There were exceptions.
For instance, the former Damaskian Prince, now renowned for his sarcastic quips, Nano.
“The design is barely passable, but the color is so monotonous,” commented Nano, currently visiting the Kulakuka tribe, without hesitation upon seeing Leon, “The armor would look better with yellow stripes on a red base. And of course, a vibrant green helmet would truly accentuate its elegance.”
Leon chose to turn a deaf ear to Nano’s critique.
After a stroll with Leon around the estate, Leon announced loudly, with the clear sky above, that he would embark on a tour to Grud Town.
Seeing this, Angel, without hesitation, found an excuse and departed. This so-called tour, in reality, was just another chance for Leon to show off in a different locale… Such a spectacle was best left for Leon to savor alone.
Regarding the question of whether Leon would participate in the Novastar Competition, Angel never inquired. Although there was a high likelihood he could surmise Leon would agree, even if he didn’t, Angel would respect Leon’s choice.
Because of his engagement in forging armor, Angel hadn’t ventured to the Wilderness of Dreams. Now that the alchemy was complete, he planned to visit Initial Heart City.
“Lord Phantom Master visited, just two days ago,” Freud informed Angel as soon as he saw him.
That was precisely when Angel had started forging the armor.
“What did he say?”
“He didn’t mention much, just inquired if you had returned. Oh, and Lord Phantom Master also mentioned that he has almost wrapped up his matters and is preparing to return to Pat Manor,” relayed Freud.
“When?”
Freud replied, “He said, ‘in a day or two.’ Considering the timeline, perhaps he might arrive today?”
Returning today? This took Angel by surprise.
Upon receiving this news, he didn’t linger in the Wilderness of Dreams and instead returned to reality.
His original plan was to meditate and see if Sanders would return that day.
Before he could even settle in, he felt a powerful ripple in the fabric of space emanating from outside.
Angel stepped onto the balcony and, lifting his gaze, saw a dark fissure suddenly appear in the clear sky. As the crack gradually widened, a silhouette emerged from it.
Against the backlight, a luminous arc illuminated the figure’s silhouette.
Though Angel couldn’t discern the face with the naked eye due to the intense light, the spell-like fluctuations emanating from the figure made it clear to him who it was.
Indeed, it was Sanders!
Chapter 1343 White Bear's Decision <TOC> Chapter 1345 Blossom of Frost and Chapter of the Moon