Today too is date day.
Before the Floné fight you’d expect tension — but we’re not machines.
Living humans. Constant strain wears the mind first.
When you can enjoy, enjoy — that’s my mindset.
After two days, I understood: they coordinated a date schedule with confessions.
To think we’d all been both-side crushing……
Just as I’d planned to convey feelings before the Floné battle, they too tried to advance things their way.
Mashiro confessed; Reina confessed…… surely Karen will too.
Today’s partner already confessed.
But she had preparations; we meet outside.
While anticipating her surprise, kicked out of the room, I headed to Lurdan Workshop to check progress.
Mentioning Yueli’s name at reception got me into a private room; I drank tea waiting.
“Sorry to keep you, kid!”
The waiting partner arrived — tank top with work clothes tied at the waist.
She threw the door open boisterously, downed her tea in one gulp.
“Hot!!”
“Calm down.”
“No helping it. Hadn’t drunk or eaten since that day, making your prosthetic. Praise me, no?”
“Grateful for that. ……The status?”
“That, that! Good timing! Prototype one is done! Check it!”
She snapped fingers; the dead-eyed receptionist wheeled a cloth-covered cart in.
Recruiting Yueli was clearly hard for her.
“Behold — your custom right arm! I name it Dragon Vanisher Model 1!”
“Whoa……!”
A black-gleaming metal body with red lines on either side — a heavy-looking prosthetic.
Awful name, but cool look.
“I don’t know the strength of your mana, so first I built it without mana-stones, using normal magical-implement materials. Strength is set high though.”
She urged me; I lifted it — surprisingly light for its look.
”…… Honestly, I didn’t expect something tangible today.”
“Fufun, reevaluated me?”
“I didn’t underestimate you to begin with.”
“Sweet to hear, kid. How’s it? Per your stories, I made it lighter than your original arm so speed isn’t killed. Bare-handed style is your main, no?”
”…… Speed should hold up. But without weight, attack damage might suffer.”
“Considering that, I put iron studs at the knuckles. Small contact area = concentrated force. Per my calculations, even higher punch power than your original.”
She placed photos on the table.
The Dragon Vanisher 1 launching and a steel plate split in half.
Surprisingly, despite the immense force, the Dragon Vanisher itself was unmarred.
“At punch speed with no mana, the opponent ends up like that. Satisfied, kid?”
“More than satisfied. Very satisfied.”
“Glad! With that budget, my arms feel motivated!”
I hadn’t expected this level of output.
Yueli’s skill is real.
That her father wouldn’t hire her remains a mystery.
Having spoken much, Yueli drank more tea, then her playful face turned serious.
“Externally — passing grade. The issue: internal. Can it bear your mana volume?”
That’s the biggest challenge.
Commoner vs noble. Magic-user vs not — sensory differences mean fine-tuning on both sides.
I held Dragon Vanisher 1 in my left hand and confirmed.
”…… Okay to break?”
“It’s a prototype. Breaking is fine — recommended. Holding back means failure on the real one.”
“Got it. Then without restraint……!”
I poured mana in.
Initially the mana stalled, then I felt blocked mana being pushed through.
This must be the new [mana circuit] creation Cabunika-san mentioned……!
Enjoying the unknown sensation while flowing mana.
”…… Phase one cleared, agreed?”
“Yes. I’ll keep ramping up. Risk of rupture — stand back.”
“Thanks for worrying about my smooth skin. Don’t worry. I need to see the result with my own eyes — wearing protective gear.”
She jokingly donned work clothes and a welding mask.
Confirming she was right to be picked, I increased mana stage by stage.
“One, two, three, four, five——!?”
The moment I aimed for six, Dragon Vanisher 1 split right down the middle.
”…… Expected. Kid, what percentage was that?”
“50%.”
“So double durability needed. This’ll be tough……!”
Her face and words mismatched.
She’s loving it.
A chance to display her skill without restraint.
I understood the feeling.
“Thanks, kid! Confirmed — no go without mana-stones!”
“With mana-stones, will it bear?”
“Probably. Depends on how much impurity I can remove and how well I blend mana-stones with metal. That’s all on my skill.”
“Budget unlimited. Trusting you.”
“Of course! I’ll make my masterpiece! Look forward to Dragon Vanisher Model 2!”
She loaded the broken Vanisher onto the cart.
“Right, back to work! Come back tomorrow, kid!”
Welding mask still on, she left the waiting room high-tension.
Caught in her storm, I, too, left the room.
◇ Tease of three back-to-back dates — surprise Yueli episode ◇