The morning of their departure to K-204B arrived with a strange mix of tension and excitement. Amon and Ying Yue made their way to the ship’s armory, a secure, high-tech vault tucked deep within the vessel. Dr. Kael led them, his usual calm demeanor hiding the faintest hint of amusement at their wide-eyed curiosity.
As they walked, Amon couldn’t help but ask the question that had been nagging at him for days. “So, Dr. Kael, I’ve been meaning to ask… Why are you doing this for free? Letting us use your fancy training room, guiding us, now even letting us raid your armory? Feels a bit too generous for a guy like you.”
Dr. Kael’s mouth curved into a small smirk. “For free? Who said it’s for free?”
Amon stopped in his tracks, narrowing his eyes. “I knew it! What’s the catch? Don’t tell me we have to sell our souls or something.”
“Hardly.” Dr. Kael continued walking, forcing Amon to catch up. “When you get to the Ancient Library, there’s something I need you to bring back. Books, data, anything of value related to the history of mana or advanced spellcasting. Think of it as a retrieval mission. You get stronger, I get my data. Simple.”
Ying Yue nodded, already understanding the arrangement. “Fair enough. It’s a mutually beneficial deal.”
Amon groaned. “Great. So we’re errand runners now.”
“Errand runners who get access to state-of-the-art gear,” Kael said, stopping in front of the armory door. “You should be thanking me.”
The door slid open with a hiss, revealing rows upon rows of weapons, armor, and gadgets, each more advanced and intimidating than the last. The room shimmered with the faint glow of mana-infused technology, and Amon’s jaw practically hit the floor.
“This,” he said, his voice filled with awe, “is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
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Dr. Kael gestured for them to step inside. “Take what you need, but don’t go overboard. Everything here is powered by mana, and you’ll need to conserve your energy if you want to survive K-204B.”
Amon’s eyes landed on a sleek black armor set displayed in a glass case. It looked hyper-advanced, with glowing blue lines running across its surface and a faint hum of energy emanating from it. “What’s this?” he asked, pointing at the armor.
Kael walked over and unlocked the case, carefully removing the suit. “This is the Aegis-Class Mana Harness. It’s not just armor—it’s a fully integrated battle system. Runs entirely on mana and comes with advanced defense mechanisms, spell amplification, and the ability to cast multiple spells simultaneously. It also has a tactical HUD and auto-repair functions.”
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Amon’s eyes widened. “So, basically, it’s the ultimate cheat code?”
Kael chuckled. “If you have the mana to support it, sure. Without enough mana, though, this suit will be more of a burden than a benefit. That’s why you’ll need this.” He handed Amon a small, intricately designed ring.
Amon examined it, noting the subtle glow emanating from the gem embedded in the band. “What’s this?”
“A mana reservoir ring,” Kael explained. “It significantly increases your mana pool, allowing you to sustain both the armor and your spells. But be warned—it doesn’t generate mana, so you’ll still need to pace yourself.”
“Noted,” Amon said, slipping the ring onto his finger. He turned back to the armor, grinning. “Alright, you’re coming with me.”
Next, his attention was drawn to a weapon rack, where a sleek black katana with a purple hue seemed to call out to him. He picked it up, feeling an odd connection to the blade as a faint hum resonated through the air.
Kael nodded in approval. “That’s the Voidfang Katana. It’s perfect for your gravitational magic. It’s designed to channel and enhance those spells, allowing you to cast with greater precision and power.”
Amon gave it an experimental swing, and the blade seemed to leave a faint purple trail in its wake. “I think I’m in love.”
While Amon fawned over his new gear, Ying Yue silently browsed the armory, her focus unshaken. Her first choice was a sleek spear with an intricate design, its tip glowing faintly with an emerald light.
Kael noticed her choice and stepped over. “That’s the Emerald Striker Spear. It’s infused with nature-based mana and specializes in piercing defenses. Its secondary function lets you manipulate nearby terrain to create barriers or traps.”
Ying Yue tested the spear’s weight, spinning it gracefully before nodding in approval. “It’ll do.”
Her next pick was a lightweight but durable set of armor, designed for mobility rather than heavy defense. “This one,” Kael said, “is the Shadowweave Suit. It enhances your agility and stealth capabilities, perfect for someone with your precision.”
Lastly, she selected a pair of small, glowing orbs. “What are these?” she asked.
“Mana grenades,” Kael replied. “Think of them as emergency solutions. Throw them, and they’ll release a burst of concentrated mana that can stun or damage anything in the vicinity.”
Ying Yue carefully attached the grenades to her belt. “These might come in handy.”
As they exited the armory, fully geared and ready, Amon couldn’t help but admire their new equipment. “Look at us,” he said, grinning. “We look like actual badasses.”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” Ying Yue said, though her faint smile betrayed her own excitement.
Kael stood at the end of the corridor, arms crossed. “Remember, this gear will only help if you know how to use it. Stay focused, work together, and don’t let your guard down. K-204B isn’t just dangerous—it’s unpredictable.”
Amon gave a mock salute. “Got it, boss. Don’t die, don’t get eaten by monsters, and bring back your books. Easy.”
Kael shook his head but smirked. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
As they made their way to the docking bay, where the shuttle to K-204B awaited, Amon turned to Ying Yue. “So… ready to dive into a death trap?”
“Always,” she said, her voice calm but determined. “What about you?”
He grinned, gripping the hilt of his new katana. “I’ve got a badass sword, magic armor, and a ring that makes me feel like a mana god. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Ying Yue didn’t answer, but the look she gave him was enough to make him rethink his optimism.
The shuttle doors opened, and the journey to K-204B officially began.