Wolf Blade (6)
Balun couldn't bring himself to ask for compensation in cash instead of goods. He felt too guilty about it. How could he? They'd already ordered sturdy armor for him out of consideration. Besides, he didn't want to act stingy in front of someone bowing deeply and apologizing. In the end, he swallowed his words about wanting money.
Ah, my gold...
Balun kept smacking his lips. He'd given up, but the more he thought about it, the more it stung. It was life money, after all. He could've gotten at least thirty or forty gold...
"Balun, what are you thinking so deeply about?"
"Huh? Nothing much."
Philip's sudden question snapped Balun out of his reverie.
"Come here. I've prepared armor just for you. I hope it suits you."
Balun followed Philip to a warehouse behind the guild grounds—specifically, the most secure vault inside it—where the armor waited. His face fell at the sight of the leather armor draped over a life-sized wooden mannequin.
"This is it. What do you think?"
"It's not plate armor."
"Ah, right. You're a barbarian. I heard barbarians don't wear metal armor. So I went with leather. It's fine, right?"
"It's fine."
Not really. If he was getting armor anyway, he'd prefer full plate. The kind knights wore in movies, with plates all over.
"Glad you like it."
"What's different from what I have? Isn't it the same?"
It looked almost identical to the leather armor Balun was wearing.
"Of course not. This is enchanted armor."
"Hm?"
Balun's eyes widened. Enchanted armor?
"Worth over a hundred gold per set. Impressive, huh?"
"Whoa."
Balun swallowed hard at the absurd price.
That scrap of leather costs as much as a house? Why so expensive? Was it designer brand or something?
"Ah, you might not like it. Your people hate magic. I didn't consider that. Maybe I should prepare something else..."
"No!"
Balun shouted hastily.
"It's fine. I don't hate magic that much."
"What? Really?"
"Really."
"Well, that's a relief, but..."
Balun let out a sigh of relief. He'd nearly lost out on designer armor.
"Go on, try it on."
"Got it."
Balun pulled the leather armor off the mannequin and tried to put it on, but it wouldn't fit. The size was too big. He hadn't imagined it. Balun was already huge, but this was even larger.
"Philip. Too big. Can't wear it."
"Haha, that's normal. It has a body-fitting function."
"Body-fitting?"
"Tighten the straps once it's on. You'll see."
"Okay... Whoa?"
Balun was amazed. Following Philip's instructions, the armor shrank to fit perfectly, hugging his body like a glove.
Incredible. Such a function existed?
"Designed so anyone can wear it, regardless of build. Latest enchantment tech. Pretty great, right?"
"Great!"
What wouldn't be great about this? Even on Earth, nothing like it existed.
And that wasn't all.
The comfort is insane.
Leather armor usually felt stiff. But this felt like wearing a plain T-shirt—no sensation at all. It was bizarre. Like... an extension of his body?
"That's not all. Light as cloth for easy movement, yet tough as steel. Arrows won't even scratch it. High defense without sacrificing agility."
"Nice!"
Balun thumped the armor. It rang hard, like striking stone. Definitely different from his old one, which dented under pressure.
"I like it. Thanks for the gift!"
Balun grinned in satisfaction. The quality was top-notch, but mostly because of the price tag.
If worst comes to worst, I can sell it. Used, it'd still fetch dozens of gold.
Oblivious to Balun's scheming thoughts, Philip smiled happily.
The third floor of Wolf Blade guild headquarters had dorms for members. Philip gave Balun one room to use for now.
"I can really stay here?"
"Of course. Make yourself at home."
"Isn't it awkward? I killed some of your men. Plenty must resent me."
"It's fine. No one will complain. They know they were wrong."
"True enough."
Balun had scored big. Saved on lodging costs.
"Besides, I was planning a purge anyway."
"Purge?"
"Cut out the rot, or it'll spread harm."
Philip explained his plans to Balun. A total overhaul of Wolf Blade.
"What I found was a mess. Embezzlement was basic—intimidating adventurers, illegal protection rackets, controlling workshops, even impersonating guards. Tsk tsk."
Balun shook his head at Philip's detailed rundown. The corruption was outrageous. Sure, no group was spotless, but Wolf Blade's leadership was extreme.
"I can't let it stand. I didn't found Wolf Blade for that."
"Then why?"
"To hone our swords. To aid those in need."
Philip continued.
"Turns out our reputation's in the gutter. I was blind."
"..."
"Not anymore. I'll set it right. Even if I have to lead from the front."
Philip's face was solemn.
"Good luck. You can do it."
"Thanks for the support."
"One question."
"What?"
"Are all knights in this world as upright as you?"
Philip eyed Balun, his serious face full of doubt. Meeting Balun's gaze, Philip chuckled and shook his head.
"Not all. But I try."
"I see."
"I was a failed knight."
"Failed...?"
"I lost my lord on the battlefield. Watched him die right in front of me. Failed to protect him."
Philip smiled bitterly.
"After that, I retired, settled in Pordel, founded Wolf Blade. And here I am."
"I see."
Balun nodded. Deeper backstory than expected.
Seems like a hotshot back in the day. Hence the lord talk. Honestly, decent guy. If not, he wouldn't apologize like this or take responsibility.
Owning up and feeling shame. That made Philip a real man.
"Failing him haunted me. So I neglected the guild, swung my sword daily. And still lost to you."
"Don't lose confidence. You're strong."
"For real?"
"For real."
Philip had skill. Just weaker than Balun.
"Train hard, and you'll shine."
"Think I can reach Sword Master?"
"Sword Master?"
Balun blinked in confusion. What was that?
Some super elite swordsman?
Of course, he knew what it meant. But not how strong exactly.
"Naturally."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
He had no idea, but said yes anyway. Couldn't say no here.
"Coming from someone stronger, it motivates me."
"G-Good!"
Balun felt a pang of guilt and changed the subject.
"Got a question."
"What?"
"Can I use the training grounds?"
"The dojo? Sure, anytime."
"Great!"
Balun nodded happily.
While waiting for the Ego Weapons, time for focused training.
The fight with Wolf Blade had given him insights. He wanted to fully internalize them. Many things, but top was the foot stomp. The earth-shaking technique that made Banet curious. He'd used it instinctively; now, practice to master it.
Banet arrived at the Blue Tower Pordel branch from Wolf Blade HQ. Regular mages and apprentices greeted him.
"Senior Mage Banet, welcome back!"
"Anything happen while I was gone?"
"No major issues. One bit of news."
"News? What?"
"Red Tower succeeded in their secret project."
Banet's eyes narrowed. Red Tower was rivals with his Blue Tower.
"The secret project—high-concentration mana condensation array?"
"Yes."
"Damn."
Banet's face twisted. Red Tower succeeding in that? Worst news possible.
"Didn't think they'd pull it off."
"Cost them a fortune, apparently."
"Obviously. But worth it."
Mana condensation arrays artificially gathered mana, boosting meditation efficiency. Simply put, training inside one accumulated mana faster. Old ones maxed at 1.8x; Red Tower's new high-concentration version hit 2.2x. Huge gap—40% difference.
"Us? No progress?"
"Sadly, no."
"Infuriating."
Banet scratched his head furiously. Red Tower thriving while Blue lagged? Maddening.
"We need a plan, or they'll surpass us."
"Don't state the obvious. Just pisses me off more."
"S-Sorry!"
Suppressing frustration, he brought up his idea.
"Got an intriguing research subject."
"Pardon?"
"Might be our breakthrough."
"R-Really?"
"Have to investigate. Just a hunch."
"What is it? Why so excited, Senior Mage?"
"At Wolf Blade. Saw a barbarian."
Banet recalled the memory. Balun's duel—storming the guild alone, cowing everyone. His superhuman strength and skills. Lucky to witness from a forced stay.
"That barbarian unleashed monstrous strength. Without mana flow."
"Not special. Barbarians are strong."
"True. But this one was different."
"How...?"
"Tore chain mail with pure physical force."
"Pardon?"
The subordinate's eyes bulged.
"Possible? He's no ogre."
"Not over. Just stomped, caused an earthquake. No mana. Like Earthquake spell."
"Whaaat??"
The mage gaped. Earthquake was 7th-circle magic. Such power from pure physics?
"P-Possible?"
"Not full power. But similar effect."
Banet relived it: ground trembling from the stomp, earth mana surging, everyone staggering. Miniature Earthquake—minus fissures.
"Wanted to recruit him, but failed."
"Why not just take him?"
"Couldn't. Wrong situation. Now I regret it."
"Must've been impressive."
"Indeed."
Banet stroked his chin. Greed stirred. Wanted him somehow. But no method.
"If we get him, problem solved?"
"Yes. But how? He's wary of us."
"I'll do it."
Banet's eyes lit up.
"You?"
"Yes."
"Confident?"
"Totally. Just a barbarian. Easy to sway."
"Hm."
Banet hummed. Just a barbarian? Seemed exceptional.
"If you're so sure, try."
"Leave it to me."
"No bullying. Don't tarnish Blue Tower's name."
"Obviously. Why would I harm Blue Tower?"
The confident mage clenched his fist.