114

Dragon Armor

Forseti pulled out a roll of dragon skin from the Sanctuary space.

The dragon skin he retrieved had been cut from a dragon during his recent expedition to Thunder Valley. Protection against lightning strikes was essential when venturing into the valley, and dragon leather armor was ideal for such purposes. Previously, wearing metal armor had almost cost him his life due to lightning strikes.

Handling dragon skin was a delicate task requiring magical expertise; regular tanners couldn't handle it. So Forseti brought the dragon skin to Norvi Magic Shop in Ada Town.

Norvi Magic Shop was Asgard's largest, renowned for its expertise in crafting magical artifacts, including those made from dragon materials.

"Wow, that's quite a piece of dragon skin. Was it from the hunting festival?" Haldo, the shop manager's son, greeted Forseti.

Haldo was a handsome blond young man, always wearing a friendly smile that caught the attention of female customers and maids alike.

"Yes," Forseti nodded. "I want it crafted into a full-body leather armor, including a helmet. I trust you can handle this?"

Haldo assured him, "Of course. We're experts in crafting dragon armor. Any specific size or style requirements?"

Forseti hesitated briefly, contemplating the uncertain effects of the Talent Flask on his physique—whether he'd grow to 1.8 meters or even 2.5 meters.

"I'll leave the size to match your body shape. Keep the style simple and practical," Forseti finally decided.

Haldo, standing at 1.9 meters tall, a height considered upper-middle in Asgard, nodded understandingly. Forseti estimated his own height would likely fall between 1.8 and 2 meters after using the Talent Flask.

"Why?" Haldo queried, puzzled by the request.

"For a friend," Forseti casually replied, "someone with a similar build to yours but unable to come in person."

"Understood," Haldo acknowledged.

"The production of dragon leather armor takes at least a month. The cost typically totals around one hundred and fifty runes, with a fifty-rune deposit required upfront," Haldo informed him.

Forseti paid the deposit using gems exchanged for Xiaoshi Root, making up the one hundred runes. He settled the bill and departed.

Back home, Forseti resumed perfecting the Talent Flask's concoction, ensuring it was flawless.

One month later, Forseti collected his dragon leather armor from Norvi Magic Shop.

Crafted to Haldo's dimensions, the armor appeared oversized on Forseti, lacking sleeves and pant legs. The dragon-skin helmet didn't fit snugly and hung loosely.

Surveying his reflection in the mirror, Forseti sighed. He found some ropes to tighten loose sections of the armor for a better fit. As for the helmet, he'd have to wear another underneath.

Despite the size issue, the dragon leather armor looked impressive. Its simple, robust design retained the red dragon's fiery skin color and unique texture.

Functionally, after extensive treatments, the dragon skin had become thinner yet stronger, capable of withstanding ordinary Asgardian weapons and providing exceptional defense against magical assaults.

Forseti hoped his body, once transformed by the Talent Flask, would match this dragon armor.

Fully attired in the dragon armor, Forseti summoned Shilut and proceeded to the island's rear portal. From there, he traveled to Vanaheim and then onward to Garkan Warehouse, intending to rent a swamp beast.

"Hoo-ho!"

Upon arriving at the warehouse, nearby swamp beasts grew agitated, roaring loudly and causing a commotion.

Approaching one, Forseti inadvertently made it retreat with a growl.

"Roar—"

"Hold! Hold steady!" The animal handler swiftly intervened, calming the creature.

Forseti chuckled wryly. It seemed even the dragon armor had its drawbacks. Throughout the journey, the armor had shielded him from the nuisances of wild animals, insects, and snakes, allowing him undisturbed rest in the forest.

However, the dragonskin's intimidating presence unsettled the swamp beasts, proving somewhat inconvenient.

"Do you possess dragon artifacts?" an experienced elderly handler approached and inquired.

"Yes," Forseti affirmed.

In truth, his entire ensemble was fashioned from dragon materials.

The elderly handler continued, "I'm sorry, but we can't lease out giant beasts to you. Kindly depart promptly, or we'll have to remove you."

Forseti had no choice but to leave temporarily. He stowed the dragon armor in the Sanctuary space, donned ordinary attire, and returned.

Free from the dragon's intimidating aura, Forseti successfully mounted a swamp beast and journeyed towards Thunder Valley.

"A little Kronan?" The handler pointed at Shilut, asking casually.

Forseti opted for a simple nod, unwilling to elaborate. "Yes."

The handler warned, "Planning to train him as a servant? I'd advise against it. Kronans are inherently savage."

Forseti smiled in silence.

Two days later, Forseti and Shilut arrived at Thunder Valley.

"Boom..."

Beneath dark clouds, thunder rumbled incessantly.

Forseti instructed the handler to wait as he ascended Thunder Mountain with Shilut.

His objective wasn't merely to harvest fruit but also to make preparations. Given the Talent Flask's strict timeline, he needed to prepare and consume the potion on-site immediately after acquiring Thunderbolt fruit. Otherwise, the round trip would exceed seven days.

Thus, Forseti sought to establish a stable abode near Thunder Valley.

After days of exploration in Thunder Mountain, he identified a suitable site halfway up the mountain. Hidden and far from the valley, it showed no signs of lightning strikes—ideal for his needs. Moreover, the location boasted ample high-quality stones, much to Shilut's delight.

"Hehe! Hehe!"

"Don't worry. I'll ensure you're well-fed," Forseti assured Shilut, picking him up. "But first, we must construct a house."

With Shilut in hand, Forseti directed, "Create a wall here."

"Wow—"

Shilut opened his mouth, and a mudflow surged forth, swiftly solidifying into a stone wall.

"Here."

"Wow—"

Another surge, another wall.

"And here."

"Wow—"

With Shilut consuming stones to supplement materials, they spent considerable effort constructing a stone house—a three-room abode with a central hall.