For the next several hours, Yugo and his companions sat down with Anhel to dive deep into the potential upgrades for the Blaster.
They eventually concluded that the limb shape transformation would require significant adjustments to the magic power circulation and an increased capacity for micro-particle metal. With those core goals established, the day's meeting came to an end.
Even though they had only discussed the theory for now, Yugo felt a surge of confidence from the concrete plans they had drafted. He hummed a tune as he strolled away from the Industrial Department, his mood buoyed by excitement.
"That went well, didn't it, Brother? I was worried at first, but I'm glad we found someone so willing to help."
"Seriously. I really owe Ann one..."
Yugo was profoundly grateful to Anhel for stepping up, especially since his past reputation—or rather, the reputation of the original "Yugo"—had made him a pariah in the Industrial Department. He knew she was likely helping out of scientific curiosity rather than pure altruism, but that didn't change the fact that her expertise was the key to upgrading the Blaster.
"Now we just need to gather the modification materials and the funds. Let’s knock out as many requests as we can before classes start! I’m in this with you!"
"Thanks! Taking on jobs will be good practice for handling reinforced weapons, anyway. And Melt, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask Ann to upgrade your magic items. Or you could even have her build you something brand new!"
"Ideally, we can find some requests that offer attribute-aligned magic crystals as rewards," Fee added. "If we can secure those, you'll finally have the long-range attack options you’ve been wanting, Brother. It’ll really broaden our tactical horizons."
"And I definitely need a vehicle! Every hero needs one! Maybe a motorcycle... no, a sports car would be amazing, too!"
Melt and Fee shared a laugh at Yugo's expense, watching him indulge in his usual eccentricities. They were both riding the high of a productive day, and just as they turned to say something to him...
"Wait, Brother?"
Fee blinked, realizing that Yugo—who had been walking right between them only seconds ago—was gone. He looked back and saw his brother standing a few yards behind them, staring intently at the side of the road.
"Yugo? What is it?"
"...I heard something. Someone’s voice."
The joyful excitement over the Blaster’s upgrades vanished instantly, replaced by the grim determination of a hero who had heard a cry for help. Yugo pushed through the dense weeds lining the path, searching for the source. Melt, remembering how he had sensed a child’s distress during the tunnel incident, followed close behind. She peered into the shadows of the tall grass and gasped.
"Yugo, is that...?"
"Hex?! What happened to you?!"
"Ugh... uuuuuugh..."
The person discarded in the grass like trash was indeed Hex, the student who had dueled Yugo only hours prior. As Melt began to apply healing magic to the agonizingly groaning boy, Fee stepped up to check his condition. His face went pale.
"This is awful... His magic barrier was shattered, and then he was beaten senseless... Who would do something like this?"
"Hex! Stay with me! Who did this? What the hell happened?!"
"Ugh, uuu..."
Beating someone until they couldn't move and then dumping them in the brush where they might never be found went beyond cruelty; it was practically attempted murder. Yugo tried desperately to coax an answer out of him, and Hex managed to force a few words through the haze of pain.
"It was... in an instant... Attacked from behind... didn't even know... what hit me... And then... my materials... Everything I gathered... for my magic items... they stole it all... Who... why... ugh!"
"Hex! Hey! Wake up!"
Hex finally succumbed to his exhaustion and went limp. He had only fainted, but the severity of his injuries made it clear that he needed professional medical attention immediately.
"The infirmary, now! Dammit! This pattern again?! Is the security at this school non-existent?!"
Yugo hoisted the unconscious boy onto his back and took off at a sprint, his voice laced with frustration. Following close behind, Fee looked at Hex’s broken form with an expression that bordered on tears.
"Just who could be so heartless...? To beat him and steal his materials... it's the work of a monster."
With his gentle nature, Fee was clearly the most shaken by the incident. The realization that someone capable of such a cowardly, violent robbery was walking among them at the academy was a heavy blow.
Who was the robber who had ambushed Hex? And what was their motive?
The answer lay back at the workshop they had just departed.