Chapter 19: Rejected by the Mana He Loved

A day of recuperation had passed. The wounds from their encounter with the beast were healing, but the memories lingered like ghosts. Aeris and Zord returned to their respective routines, each driven by a renewed sense of purpose. Zord dove headfirst into his training, his determination a testament to his unyielding spirit. Aeris, however, found himself lost in thought, his mind returning to a familiar ache—the rejection that had defined his life.

Mana.

To the world, it was a force of life, a universal language, a bond between existence and the sublime. To Aeris, it was love—a deep, unrelenting love. From the moment he first felt its presence as a child, he had yearned to touch it, to connect with it as others did. He loved mana for its beauty, its wonder, its infinite potential. But mana did not love him back.

It had never answered his call.

Aeris remembered the countless times he had reached out, the rituals, the incantations, the prayers. He had watched others shape mana with ease, bending it to their will like an artist with a brush. For them, it was natural, almost effortless. For Aeris, it was an endless series of failures. Mana had always rejected him, turning away like a river refusing to flow toward its source.

Yet, despite the rejection, his love for mana never wavered. If anything, it burned brighter with each failure. He admired its complexity, its mystery. He revered the way it gave life to the world, even if it denied him the same connection.

But loving something that rejected you was its own kind of torment.

As he sat alone in his workshop, surrounded by blueprints and half-finished inventions, Aeris pondered his path forward. He could not change the fact that mana refused him. But he could change what that rejection meant. He had already done so much—blending science and magic, creating devices that produced pure mana, constructing reactors that rivaled nature itself. His mind had always been his greatest weapon, and through it, he had found ways to touch mana indirectly, to shape it without relying on its acceptance.

Still, the pain lingered. Deep down, he didn't just want to use mana—he wanted to belong to it, to feel the same connection others did. His love for mana was not about power or control. It was about unity.

Zord's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. The big man entered the workshop, his presence as grounding as ever. Zord was the opposite of Aeris in many ways—straightforward, physical, unburdened by existential doubts. And yet, Aeris couldn't help but envy him. Zord's strength came from his simplicity, his ability to act without overthinking.

"Still brooding, huh?" Zord said, leaning against the doorway. "You've got that look again."

Aeris glanced at him, offering a faint smile. "I'm just... thinking."

"You think too much," Zord replied with a chuckle. "You're already the smartest person I know, but even you can't figure everything out. Maybe stop fighting so hard and just... let it be."

Let it be.

The words echoed in Aeris's mind long after Zord left. Perhaps Zord was right. He had spent so long trying to conquer mana, to force it to accept him, that he hadn't considered another path. Maybe the answer wasn't to overcome the rejection but to embrace it.

Aeris's love for mana was unwavering, even if it didn't love him back. That love could be his strength, not his weakness. He didn't need mana to accept him to create, to innovate, to change the world. In fact, its rejection had already pushed him to achieve what others never dreamed possible.

But an idea struck him—a seed of hope amidst the chaos of his thoughts. If he couldn't wield mana directly, why not create something that could? Something that would allow him to harness its power indirectly.

His mind raced. What if he designed a device that could channel mana into physical form? Something like a projectile—a mana bullet.

Not just any bullet, though. It would be capable of more than destruction. He imagined bullets infused with elemental effects: piercing lances of ice, explosive bursts of flame, shockwaves of lightning, paralyzing jolts of electricity. Elemental bullets.

It would be more than magic—it would be refined, controlled, perfected. A tool that could turn mana's limitless potential into something tangible, something his hands could wield.

"Not just better," Aeris murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with newfound determination. "Perfect."

He began sketching, his hands moving rapidly across the parchment. Stabilizers for mana containment, cartridges that could hold volatile energy, triggers for precise release upon impact. Each detail was etched with meticulous care, a blend of science and art.

Hours passed, but the more Aeris thought about it, the more flaws he saw in his plan. What if enemies closed in? What if the bullets weren't enough to deal with them in close combat? What if, in the heat of battle, they could not maintain distance?

He paused, staring at the sketches in front of him. He frowned, frustration creeping into his thoughts. The solution to these limitations was staring him right in the face, but it took him a moment to realize it.

His gaze shifted from the blueprints to his hands. Hands that had crafted, built, and invented. Hands that had touched both the power of technology and magic.

Why not make a gauntlet?

A gauntlet that could channel mana directly, turning his rejection into an advantage. It would be more than just an armament—it would be an extension of himself. A device that could project elemental forces, wield mana in a melee form. The gauntlet could enhance his physical strikes, turning a simple punch into an elemental attack—a fiery blow, an ice-infused strike, or a paralyzing shock.

The idea burrowed deep into his mind, persistent, nagging at him, until it felt like the only path forward.

"Why not?" he muttered to himself. "It makes perfect sense."

His heart raced as he grabbed his tools, the idea flooding his mind with possibilities. The gauntlet would need a system to harness and release mana quickly, to prevent it from overloading. A protective system that would shield him from the backlash. Something that would empower his every move, that would amplify his body and mind, allowing him to battle on equal terms even when enemies got too close.

The rejection of mana had become his catalyst for invention.

He smiled. This was the path that he would walk. A fusion of magic and technology, molded by his mind and his love for something that had never loved him back.

In his rejection, he had found his purpose. And in that purpose, he would find his strength.

Aeris worked tirelessly, the idea of the gauntlet taking root in his mind like a seed that had sprouted into something unstoppable. His hands moved with purpose, sketching out the mechanics, the flow of mana, the carefully calculated safety systems. The gauntlet would not just be a tool; it would be an extension of his body, something that would give him an edge in both ranged and close combat. But the more he worked, the more he realized that it wouldn't be enough.

A single gauntlet, no matter how powerful, would be limited without the proper means to perceive and analyze the situation. He needed something that could enhance his awareness, something that would put everything in front of him into a form he could understand instantly.

The solution came to him in a flash. He needed more than just the gauntlet. He needed a helmet—a helmet that could work in tandem with the gauntlet, something that would give him a battlefield advantage.

But not just any helmet. It would need to be connected directly to his senses, his mind. A device capable of projecting real-time data on his surroundings, overlaying his perception with vital information.

As he sat at his workbench, he could see it clearly. A helmet that would augment his vision, pulling numbers, data, and readings directly into his line of sight. Information like enemy movements, the structural integrity of his surroundings, the output of his gauntlet, and the mana flow around him—all of it, presented in a form he could process instantly.

The helmet would be his battlefield companion, showing him not only what was there, but what was happening in real time. Every strike, every impact, every burst of energy, quantified into numbers he could read and react to. His mind was already racing ahead, seeing the potential for such a system. A series of projections, holographic interfaces embedded into his view—like a heads-up display, but one far more advanced.

He stood, pacing around the workshop. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. This helmet could revolutionize the way he fought, the way he interacted with mana. No longer would he have to guess the effects of his actions. Everything would be laid out for him in black and white, the data flowing like a stream into his consciousness.

He closed his eyes, imagining it: the armor—the gauntlet on his right arm, the helmet securely fastened to his head, both systems working together in seamless unity. The gauntlet would focus on the raw power—control over the elements, elemental strikes and defense—and the helmet would handle the analysis, tracking enemy movements, displaying mana levels, calculating the best course of action. The perfect synergy.

Numbers—the very thing that governed everything in the world of science, and something Aeris had always turned to when his magic failed him. He could turn this world into something more logical, more precise.

Aeris was no longer bound by the rejection of mana. No longer hindered by the limitations others had placed on him. He could now measure everything—mana flow, the environment, even his own physical limits. With this combination of technology and his ever-growing ingenuity, he could elevate his combat prowess beyond any magic-wielder's reach.

His mind ran wild with possibilities: data on his opponents' strength, precise mana consumption rates for each of his attacks, even predictive algorithms that would help him anticipate enemy moves. All in real-time. It was more than just power—it was strategy, precision, and perfect synergy.

His excitement grew as he gathered his materials. This wasn't just about a helmet and gauntlet. It was about creating a new way to fight, to be, to interact with the world. A system that would turn the rejection of mana into his greatest strength.

And as he worked late into the night, crafting the helmet and refining the gauntlet, he knew that this was just the beginning.

He wasn't just creating tools for battle. He was creating his future.

Aeris paused mid-motion, his hands still hovering over the blueprints. The helmet had seemed like the logical choice, but now, a new idea began to form in his mind. A helmet would indeed be too bulky, too cumbersome. He needed something more agile, something that wouldn't restrict his movements or weigh him down. He could already feel the excitement building.

Goggles.

Yes, goggles would give him the same advantage—direct access to real-time data—without the bulkiness of a full helmet. A lightweight, compact solution that would allow for seamless integration with his gauntlet. With goggles, he could overlay information onto his vision, his world becoming a matrix of data and possibilities.

It made perfect sense. The goggles would provide a more intuitive interface. They could be connected directly to his neural network, offering him the same data visualization without sacrificing comfort or mobility. It would be a subtle yet powerful addition to his gear, an unseen extension of his combat prowess.

He grinned, his fingers dancing across the workbench as he sketched out the design. The goggles would need specialized lenses, ones capable of projecting holographic displays that wouldn't obscure his vision. They would also have to be lightweight but durable, able to withstand the intense energy surges from the gauntlet. He would need to carefully design the user interface, ensuring the information would appear in a clear, easy-to-read format.

Aeris's mind raced as he began assembling the components. The goggles would be the perfect complement to his gauntlet—a system that could not only empower him physically but also enhance his strategic awareness. By focusing on the data in real-time, he could predict enemy actions, optimize his mana consumption, and execute his attacks with precision.

It was more than just a tool—it was a vision of the future, one where he no longer had to struggle with mana's rejection. Instead of relying on mana itself, he was building a system that allowed him to outsmart, outmaneuver, and outthink his opponents.

His heart pounded with excitement as he continued working. The goggles would be a game-changer, a revolutionary leap in his personal combat abilities. It wasn't just about creating something powerful—it was about creating something that was uniquely his, a tool born from his ingenuity and his love for something that had never reciprocated his feelings.

As Aeris worked through the night, he could already see the finished product in his mind: the gauntlet and goggles working together in perfect harmony, a seamless fusion of magic, science, and technology. This was the beginning of something truly extraordinary.

Aeris leaned back in his chair, holding up the prototype goggles he'd been working on for hours. As the lenses caught the faint glow of his workshop lights, he frowned. Something was off. They were functional, yes, but the design… It didn't sit right with him. The oversized, multi-faceted lenses gave them an odd, insect-like appearance.

"They look like the eyes of a fly," he muttered, cringing at the thought.

He set them down on the workbench, running his hand through his hair. It was an embarrassing oversight for someone so detail-oriented. Aesthetics mattered just as much as functionality, especially for something he'd be wearing in the field. A tool should inspire confidence—not invite mockery.

"This won't do," Aeris sighed. "Not like this."

He stood, pacing the room as he thought about the redesign. The goggles needed to be sleeker, something that fit snugly without being obtrusive. He envisioned a more streamlined shape, with slimmer lenses that would curve elegantly across the eyes rather than bulge outward. They had to be both functional and stylish, enhancing his perception while complementing his overall design.

"What about polarized lenses?" he mused aloud. "Something that reflects light and gives a sharp, futuristic look? Or adjustable optics that can change focus depending on the situation?"

The ideas came rapidly now. He grabbed a fresh sheet of paper and began sketching, his pen moving with purpose. The new design would integrate smaller, high-density mana processors that would sit discreetly at the temple. Instead of protruding lenses, the goggles would have a wraparound frame that provided a wider field of vision. Thin, retractable arms would ensure a snug fit without weighing him down.

"And a matte black finish," Aeris added with a smirk. "Sleek, subtle, and practical."

He envisioned them as more than just goggles. They would become a symbol of his ingenuity, a piece of tech that others would envy—not for its looks alone, but for the sheer brilliance of its functionality.

Hours later, the new prototype sat on his workbench, glowing faintly with a subtle blue light from the mana circuits embedded within. Aeris held them up, admiring the way the lenses reflected the light like polished obsidian.

"That's more like it," he said, slipping them on. They fit perfectly, as though they had always been a part of him.

With a renewed sense of pride, Aeris stepped back and tested their functionality. Numbers and diagrams flickered across the lenses, crisp and precise, overlaying his vision with real-time data. This wasn't just a tool—it was a masterpiece.

And this time, he didn't look like a fly.

As Aeris stepped out of his workshop, the faint hum of his tools and the glow of his latest inventions fading behind him, a single blueprint lay forgotten on his cluttered desk. The parchment was covered in meticulous sketches, detailed notes scrawled in his sharp handwriting.

At the center of the page was a breathtaking design—a full-body suit of armor, sleek yet imposing. The exoskeleton resembled a human-sized version of a Gundam, its intricate framework blending elegance with raw power.

The armor's design was a masterpiece of both engineering and artistry. Its structure was composed of lightweight yet durable alloys, reinforced with mana-infused plating. The limbs were segmented for maximum mobility, with hydraulic systems integrated seamlessly into the joints, allowing for unparalleled flexibility and strength.

The helmet, inspired by his goggles' sleek design, featured a retractable visor that could project data directly onto the wearer's vision. Embedded along the arms and legs were conduits for mana flow, allowing for a variety of elemental enhancements—fiery punches, electrified kicks, or even a shield of pure energy.

Aeris had annotated the blueprint with precision:

Power Core: A miniaturized mana reactor embedded in the back, capable of sustaining the suit indefinitely.

Mobility Enhancers: Micro-thrusters positioned at strategic points for enhanced speed and agility.

Weapon Integration: Modular slots on the arms and shoulders for interchangeable weaponry, ranging from mana cannons to close-combat blades.

Defensive Systems: A layer of mana shielding, calibrated to deflect physical and magical attacks.

Despite the armor's intimidating appearance, it was designed with one purpose in mind: to protect and empower its wearer, granting them the strength to face any foe.

But there was something else about the blueprint—a sense of ambition that went beyond mere functionality. The exoskeleton wasn't just a tool; it was a statement, a culmination of Aeris's belief that science and magic could coexist harmoniously.

The blueprint was left behind, unfinished yet brimming with potential. It was as though Aeris had poured his soul into the design, only to step away at the last moment, letting the idea linger in the air like a promise.

Outside, Aeris glanced back at the workshop, a faint smile playing on his lips. The exoskeleton was an idea for another day, a vision of the future that he would return to when the time was right.

For now, his focus was on the present. But the blueprint remained—a testament to his relentless pursuit of innovation and his unshakable dream of a world where humanity could rise beyond its limits.