Turning Chapter 785

Chapter 785

"I'll come to visit again next time."

"Farewell then," was the reply.

Upon receiving Hellem's farewell and stepping into the adjacent laboratory, Alik immediately rushed to his bag. He eagerly unpacked the meticulously wrapped and stacked suppression device, chattering excitedly.

"Mage Hellem, indeed. Despite our differing fields of study, I fail to understand how she can dismiss this masterpiece as a mere toy. Yet, she seems quite fond of Yuder. Had I gone alone, she surely would have burdened me with more tasks. But her concern for Yuder spared me; that was fortunate."

'It's more about her general kindness than particular fondness for me,' Yuder thought. She seemed to treat young ones like a benevolent grandmother, but apparently, she was different with her junior mages.

"She must be quite strict with you usually."

"Hm? No, not really! She gives me lots of work, but she's not strict. You should have seen how she is with my Master. Absolutely terrifying, no joke."

That Hellem could be so daunting, especially toward Master Thais Yulman, was hard to imagine.

"Is that so?"

"Huh? You sound skeptical. But it's true!"

Alik chuckled as he unwrapped the packaging.

"When they first met, Mage Hellem had glanced around the lab and made a pointed remark to my Master about still treating disciples this way... My Master, known for ignoring others' opinions and doing as he pleases, dared not act that way in front of Mage Hellem."

It seemed that Alik had developed a deep respect for Hellem since that incident.

"I overheard Master saying once that Mage Hellem used to be quite remarkable... Ah, now it's all done."

Alik had finally placed all the suppression devices on the table. Yuder first thought them to be about ten, but surprisingly, the quantity was quite substantial.

"How many have you made?"

"About fifty. It got faster once I got the hang of it."

Alik proudly displayed and explained his creations.

"Half are in necklace form, the rest bracelets. From my testing, bracelets worn on both hands seem to have a better suppression effect."

The suppression device, fashioned as accessories, looked remarkably ordinary, hardly resembling restraints. Yuder tested the strength of the completed devices, confirming their durability against significant force.

"They're sturdy. This should suffice."

"Right? I think this level of suppression should be enough for those who struggle to manage their powers. However, what the Cavalry currently needs is more of these for people who have committed crimes and need monitoring. So, on my way here, I thought of something..."

Alik shyly suggested adding a special key mechanism to the restraints and reinforcing them with the power of an enhancer. Luckily, there were a few members in the Cavalry with such abilities, making it a good idea.

"Of course, adding locks and keyholes will increase the cost and complicate the process... What do you think, Yuder?"

"As long as it doesn't take too much time, it seems fine."

"I've already thought through the design. It won't take long."

"Understood. I'll speak to the commander and arrange the necessary support."

Yuder didn't even consider the possibility of Kishiar's refusal. Even if Kishiar had been there, he would have made the same decision.

"Ah! Truly, a commendable decision from the Commander’s assistant. Thank you for your unequivocal support."

Alik's face lit up with a beaming smile at the promise of unrestricted research support, and he took a deep breath in anticipation.

"Now comes the most crucial moment. The time to test the prototype's performance."

Alik solemnly raised two bracelets, boasting of the enhanced performance of the suppression device he had refined in the capital.

"Would you mind trying these on?"

Both knew that the bracelets would likely not affect Yuder. Nevertheless, this was an opportunity to gauge their improved strength, so Yuder readily accepted the offer.

"Alright."

As Alik fitted the newly crafted suppression bracelets on his wrists, a sudden sensation of heaviness pervaded his body, as if his naturally flowing power had abruptly solidified.

'But still... it's nowhere near the sensation I experienced in Reneve's domain.'

Yuder clenched and unclenched his fists a few times, then extended his hand and exerted his power into the air. After a brief, trembling resistance, the bracelets shattered with a crack, unable to withstand the pressure.

Simultaneously, a burst of red flames erupted before their eyes.

"Ah..."

Alik gathered the scattered bracelet fragments with a look of disappointment.

"It seems the suppression power has indeed increased significantly."

"Yes... Though it lasted only a few seconds longer."

"That few seconds' difference could be significant for ordinary Awakeners."

"If someone else had said that, it would have sounded extremely annoying... But coming from you, Yuder, I have no retort."

Alik joked, then laughed sheepishly.

"Testing these has made me realize how much my abilities have grown. But the more powerful I become, the more I understand how incomprehensible Yuder's powers are. If my power is like a spring, Yuder's is like an ocean. It's no wonder these mere wooden-bracelet-like contraptions struggle to contain it."

"..."

"So, it's challenging... but perhaps that challenge is what fuels my passion."

Alik clenched his fist with a determined, unshaken expression, truly befitting a disciple of Thais Yulman.

To encourage him, Yuder shared information about Reneve.

"You might not have heard, but among the Awakeners who joined us from the south, there's someone who can create a domain that suppresses the powers of other Awakeners."

"What? I didn't hear... Well, I vaguely remember hearing something about an underground mechanism keeping the prison running without suppression device... But it's a person, not a device?!"

"Yes. A person. The Commander said meeting this individual might greatly aid in your research on improving the suppression device. So wait here, Kanna will be coming to get you soon."

"Good heavens! I'm already so excited! I should prepare beforehand!"

Alik's eyes sparkled with excitement. Yuder watched him, bubbling with anticipation, and felt a slight worry that Reneve might be overwhelmed by his enthusiasm.

'Well... Kanna will guide him, so she'll handle that.'

"Thanks for telling me, Yuder! I'll leave the suppression device here; feel free to take as many as you need! I'll resume making new ones after meeting this Reneve!"

After giving Yuder a hearty hug, Alik hummed a tune and dashed towards a pile of luggage in the corner of the room. Yuder quietly left, allowing him to continue undisturbed, and walked down the corridor.

The corridors of the southern branch had become unmistakably livelier since receiving support from the capital. Yet, this liveliness was not due to chaos, but rather the opposite.

Even though they might be guarded because they were mixed with the successful applicants and the Imperial soldiers, no one shunned others. Following Kishiar's directive, everyone mingled without reluctance, actively seeking ways to contribute and continuously moving about.

There had been concerns that some might show arrogance or discriminate against the new recruits or Imperial soldiers. It was planned to set an example by reprimanding such behavior through a spar, but such worries proved unnecessary.

'This atmosphere is probably due to the efforts of Ever and those who had experienced the failure of missing the sage in the capital. They are the most active ones now.'

Those involved in that mission were among the most skilled and highborn in the Cavalry. Seeing such individuals not showing signs of despair but instead working harder, discouraged any laziness among the others.

Yuder observed the busy members for a while before moving on. His next destination was a place marked with an 'Emergency Medical Unit' sign.

"You sure arrived quickly, eh?"

As he knocked and entered, the sharp voice of Enon greeted him. Enon was lying half-reclined on a bed, having tossed his small travel bag onto it.

When Yuder glanced at Lusan's neatly placed bag beside the opposite bed, Enon spoke up with a nonchalant face.

"That kid unpacked and went to meet the other priests who came to help the southern branch. He won't be back until evening."

"..."

"Don't ask why I didn't go. Just being here is enough to irritate me."

"I thought you'd be busy treating Elpkins and others."

"That can wait till tomorrow. But we need to talk today, as you'll be too busy otherwise."

Enon grumbled, making a 'tsk' sound, and sat up.

"Come and sit. You look like you have a lot to say, so let's hear it."