After finishing the helmet, Jin fell into deep thought.
"Father, it is almost noon. Didn't you have a lunch appointment with Elsa-san?"
Reiko’s reminder snapped Jin back to the present.
"Ah, that’s right. Well then, shall we head to Kunlun Island?"
"Yes."
For Jin, who tended to slip into an irregular lifestyle if left to his own devices, the habit of having lunch with Elsa was a very good routine. Because of this, even Reiko had recently begun to show a friendlier face toward Elsa and Mine.
Jin flew to Kunlun Island, accompanied by Reiko.
"Welcome, Jin-sama," Mine said, coming out to greet them.
"I've come for lunch again today," Jin replied.
"Elsa has been waiting for you," Mine said as she guided them to the table.
A table had been set up in front of the Mansion, where Elsa was already seated. Fluffy white clouds drifted across a springtime blue sky.
"Jin-nii, welcome."
"Hey, Elsa."
"The weather is nice. It's warm today. Jin-nii, aren't you hot in those clothes?"
Jin was still wearing his winter gear. His underwear and shirt, woven from ground spider silk, provided excellent insulation while simultaneously wicking away sweat. Consequently, Jin hadn't paid much attention to his outfit. However, Elsa was a young girl, and the lack of seasonal appropriateness seemed to bother her slightly. It was no longer the season for winter wear.
"Since it’s so warm today, we decided to eat outside," Mine explained as she brought out the food, bringing the conversation about clothes to an end.
A warm breeze blew; it was indeed the perfect weather for an outdoor meal.
As they ate, Jin recounted the details of Reinhard’s encounter with Stearena, which he had heard about the previous day.
"Rai-nii had a conversation like that with Stearena-san?"
"Yeah."
"The Unifilar... they're scary."
As Elsa spoke, her shoulders trembled slightly. Jin offered her some encouragement.
"Don't worry. You're safe here. I’m with you, too. And I'm going to provide Reinhard with guards as well."
Jin reassured her by explaining that he had increased the number of Secret Mobile Units (SP) to protect his friends and acquaintances from the shadows. Elsa gave a small smile and a nod.
"Mm. Jin-nii."
"Well, I'll be heading back soon. See you tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah. See you tomorrow."
After returning to Hourai Island, Jin thought about the clothes Elsa had mentioned. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.
"Magical beast materials... that's it!"
Take the Death Sea Serpent, for example. Its body was covered in scales and hide. While the scales were hard, the skin beneath was also incredibly tough. But why was it so durable?
Even as a magical beast, it possessed biological skin, so it was naturally flexible. However, when Reiko struck it, the impact sounded as though she were hitting a block of iron.
The integument of certain magical beasts possessed the property of hardening in response to impact or pressure. Against a shock like a blow, it would instantaneously harden like iron. It would exhibit the same reaction to localized pressure from fangs, claws, or blades.
These were self-defense reactions powered by magical energy. When magic with specific properties was applied to such materials, they would contract or expand. The magical muscles of Automata and Golems utilized this property, and the reason Reiko's skin remained supple yet could crush rocks was due to this very mechanism.
Jin decided to try making clothes out of this material. The trousers he was currently wearing were made of magical beast leather—sturdy and flexible, but they did not possess the hardening property.
"Sea Dragon leather... the thinnest part would be the belly side, I suppose."
A Sea Dragon had a physique similar to a dragon from Japanese legend, but about twice as thick. Its surface area was vast, and the hide possessed varying properties depending on the section. The abdominal region, specifically toward the lower belly, was relatively thin and the most flexible.
"A jumpsuit would probably be best."
He intended to make a leather jumpsuit. Since magical beast leather could be joined through Fusion with Craft Magic and was capable of a degree of Forming, it was the perfect medium. However, the color was a purplish black. When paired with the silver-gray, adamantite-coated helmet he had just made, the look was quite somber.
"First, a prototype."
Since the material was capable of being shaped through Forming, Jin wasn't worried about the fit being slightly off as he began his work. He used a Water Jet to effortlessly cut the Sea Dragon leather, which was too tough for even the strongest scissors. He then used Fusion to assemble the pieces, finishing a suit in no time.
Then, as he prepared to try it on...
"Ah, it doesn't have a chuck."
Typical of Jin, he used the word "chuck" instead of "fastener" or "zipper."
"Well, whatever. I'll just use Craft Magic to Joint it."
Since it was just a prototype, Jin opted for the easiest method.
"There we go... Ah, it's a bit tight here. 'Forming.'...This part is a little baggy. 'Forming.'"
After making several adjustments while wearing it, Jin’s custom leather jumpsuit was finally complete.
"Now then, let's try passing some magical energy through it... Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!"
It seemed he had used the wrong type of magical energy; the suit contracted all at once, squeezing him. Fortunately, since the amount of magic was small, the damage was negligible. Had he used a force comparable to Reiko’s, his entire skeleton would have been crushed.
"Father, are you alright!?" Reiko, who had been watching silently, called out in concern.
"...Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little mistake."
This time, he flowed the magical energy more cautiously. The jumpsuit hardened.
"Reiko, just... let's see. Hit me with about one percent of your power. Not directly, though—use that piece of wood over there."
Not knowing exactly what would happen if he were hit directly by Reiko, Jin conducted the performance test as gently as possible.
The results showed that the suit could comfortably withstand a blow from ten percent of Reiko's strength. However, the downside was that he was sent flying spectacularly, and Reiko had to rush behind him at superhuman speed to catch him.
After that, Jin was too spooked to test the limits any further.
"Well, this will do. I'll use this as a base and add more functions."
Jin's face brightened as he realized he had been struggling because he was only thinking about using traditional armor as a starting point.
"I wonder if I can control the contraction and expansion more precisely."
Even for Jin, this was no simple task. Making only the sections corresponding to muscles contract was incredibly difficult. Unrelated parts would shrink, or the intended parts wouldn't contract as much as he expected. Reiko watched with a look of palpable suspense.
Finally, he hit upon an idea: layering additional magical muscles on top of the jumpsuit. By doing this, he could clearly delineate exactly where and how much magical energy should flow.
"The appearance is pretty grizzly, though."
It looked like an anatomical model showing the muscular system of a human body. Anyone encountering him in a dark alley would likely faint from the sight.
However, the performance was undeniable. Not only did it support Jin's movements, but it could output roughly double his natural strength. Any more than that, and Jin's own bones wouldn't be able to handle the strain. No matter how strong the muscles were, they could not exert their full power if the supporting skeletal structure was weak.
"Still, the defense is top-tier. If it doubles my strength, I'd call it a success. It’s more of 'reinforced clothing' than a powered suit, though."
Jin rejoiced at the successful prototype.
"But I really need to do something about the look..."
The anatomical model look was far too frightening.
"Ah, of course. I just need to add another layer on the outside."
By giving it a three-layer structure, he was finally able to make the suit look like normal clothing.
"Purcell, the manager of the 8th branch, has fled back to us."
"The 8th branch manager... Ah, that talentless man. The one who bought his way into that position with money."
"Yes. It seems that despite having Elsa Randol in his custody, she was taken from him."
"Hmph. How typical of the incompetent. And who was the one who took her back?"
"It appears to have been Jin Nidou."
"Ho."
"Furthermore, at the time, Jin Nidou issued a warning to the Unifilar: 'Don't involve yourselves with us.' He then supposedly leveled the 8th branch's fort with a pillar of light."
"A pillar of light? What is that supposed to be?"
"I do not know. Purcell’s report was incoherent."
"Hmph. A talentless man is a talentless man to the end. No matter. Relay this information to the Magi-tech Chief. He might be able to uncover the true nature of this 'pillar of light'."
"Understood."
"'Don't involve yourselves with us'? What does a mere magi craftman think he's prattling on about?"
"Exactly so, sir."
"Setting Jin Nidou aside, I heard Reinhard has made contact with that woman?"
"Yes. They are said to be in Dali."
"Good. Secure them both immediately."
"At once."