Two week passed

  As everything continues to move forward, though no one knew, it feels like everyone was prepared for something to happen. First was Joseph of Ector, as he has fully recovered. Now exiting the hospital, he then went straight into Camelot’s research facility of Percival. This is where all the technology was developed. The family of the Percivals is a special family among others. Whereas most families learn to fight. Members of the Percival family focus on research and development. Originally, this wasn’t a thing. During the 17th century, there was a need for change. During that time, the family of Percival was at the forefront of technological development as they were the ones to pursue the need to do research. Throughout the first hundred years, they were viewed as weak. But as time developed, they finally were able to get the recognition for their hard work.

  Walking into the facility, Joseph saw the vast amount of knowledge in the facility. Everything from what Diviners use for combat to all the technology that the Avalonians use is stored here. This also contains the dangerous secrets that even the Diviners do not dare share. Looking at the spectacle, he was soon interrupted when three scientists appeared. The three were wearing glasses were rather eccentric and had weird hairstyles.

  “Hello Joseph, we were expecting you.” Leah said as she had long, fuzzy long hair that had a jacket with coffee spilled everywhere. But she was famous for her ability to design all the suits.

  “Yeah though the prototype is ready, we still don't know the consumption it takes to use such armor. Josh said as he has a fo hawk, which was weird. But he is the guy who does the weaponizing of all equipments.

  “Right now this armor drains too much. Based on what I see….. using this armor will…” Jason who was the programmer of the armor. His hair was just….. spiky as though you were in an anime. But in anime it looks cool. In real life…it just..something… Anyways the three were looking at the armor with pride as this was their current best work so far. The problem was that they found it very hard to test. In order to use it, they have to consume light energy. Nevertheless, using it requires more energy than any other equipment, leading to a certain situation that all diviners fear. This creates a problem as they couldn’t afford to do a thorough test. So the result of many years of research has been more focused on advancing the current materials than creating powerful weapons as trying to make themselves stronger would lead to many researchers dying to even see positive results. Thus, this armor, though viewed as powerful, has a massive drawback. It requires an insane a lot of power.

  Trying to warn Joseph, he paid no heed to it. Staring at the armor, he opened the capsule to get a closer look. The Percival used a special metal that they found called Dranite. Metal that, for some reason, is able to read and absorb light energy. With its durability, lightness, able to handle light energy, all weapons and armor use Dranite. Still the energy was still going to be costly no matter if the armor is strong or not.

  “So this is it. The thing that will assure my victory.” Looking at it Joseph was overjoyed. But not for the order. This was for himself. As for the chance of death, well it was a price he was more than willing to pay.

  While that was happening, there was the garden where the old man and Faust now were continuing to train again. The fights have been fierce as the garden was no longer what it was. If anyone were to see it day by day it was thought you were going to an ancient battle ruin. Yet the intensity was only getting fiercier as Faust continued to grow. Seeing the progress, the old man continues to experience the joy he hasn't had in ages. Yet despite the progress…….

  “Haaa….god damn it old man, can you look tired for me?” Faust then dropped to his knees as he overexerted himself. The old man, using the sword as a cane, then sat in victory.

  “Hehehe. This old fool still has some strength; you are going to need some more time before you can beat this relic.” After two weeks, like some miracle, it seemed like the old man regained his form as he no longer slouched and looked like he was hitting the gym every day. The old body looked like it hadn’t aged at all, looking at the muscles.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “Haha..but I’m getting closer,” Faust said as he was feeling accomplished, as he was getting so much better. Like a spark, he finally had the breakthrough he had wanted. For years, he had been training relentlessly to get better. Unfortunately, a bottleneck appeared within him. Struggling to break through, he could only take it step by step. It was a slow process that he found agonizing as nothing was budging. Then, when he met this old man whom he still hadn't asked his name yet, finally saw the progress he was looking for. He could feel he was already leaps and bounds from where he was a few days ago. Still..

  “Not quite. Last time I checked, tap tap.” The old man then tapped his sword in front of Faust's face. “Still the winner.”

  “Ha…for now…Anyways..” Faust said as he got up, “Seems like everyone else is waking up. Let's go do some more exercising with them.” Though he sounded very happy, he wasn’t. He has been training day and night, literally. If he wasn’t training, then it was Fausto that was training as well. This was along with training the two girls who were still progressing. Especially since each day he still had to watch Leonora. She seems to get stronger as time goes but it is hard to say. Saying that, the old man did seem to be curious about someone. It seemed like the two were telepathic as they were thinking of the same person

  “How is Leonora these days?” Which then raises the question.

  “What is she to you?”

  “She is a family member of course….”

  “But isn’t she frowned upon by the order?”

  “Did I ever say that?”

  “…Good point..but she should be fine. Based on my thinking…she can be stronger than both of us.” Hearing that, the old man sighed in relief as that was the answer he desired. The old man didn’t doubt the words at all. Which showed that he had the same eyes as Faust and Fausto. Leonora had a problem as her body was just too weak to control the energy herself. Thankfully, now that her powers are in check, she can strengthen her body and allow the power to sync with her body incrementally. This allows Leonora to get physically stronger as her stamina was just awful due to the lack of exercise. Her body would crumble after a few hours of work. Though strengthening her body doesn’t really help with the power, as it is still too strong. But at least making her physical ability stronger will allow her to protect herself better. Plus with the necklace, it should be able to allow the body time to get used to divine energy more properly as she got stronger. Hopefully….

  “That’s good..thats good…hehe..that is very good indeed…My eyes didn’t deceive me at all…” Faust actually was confused as to what he was talking about. But then again, seeing him there was a feeling that he does have an eye for things.

  “I’m guessing you have known her before.”

  “Yes a little kid who had the talent but not the strength to wield a sword. Somehow she was able to find me and learn the techniques better than anyone I seen….maybe even faster than you.” The old man said. Faust didn’t think too much about it as an insult. As he could tell that this old man was stating the truth.

  “Then why don’t you teach her?”

  “Because like I said, no strength. I can't even do anything.” The old man pointed out.. Recalling that was when everyone found out about her illness. “At that time, I wondered if it was punishment to have a talent that I can’t teach…”

  “Hmmm….we will find out won’t we…” Faust said as he started to leave. “Try not to die during that time. I still have to get my first win.”

  “hehe yes…yes…you..do…” The old man said as he saw him leave. But as he left, the old man was finally able to relax as he then dropped his sword as his hands were shaking. This then got two women in robes to appear as well.

  “Master? Are you alright?’’ One of them said in concern. The other lady even helped him up.

  “I'm fine, I’m fine, don't worry about me. Old age is finally getting to me.”

  “But sir, is there a need for you to fight him yourself? You could have either of us do such a task.” But he shook his head.

  “To be honest, I wanted to do this. After missing the battle for so long, I felt like fighting him would be exciting….I wasn't disappointed at all.”

  “But sir if things continue..you.” The old man then stopped her from saying anything.

  “My time was already coming eventually. I have lived for almost 600 years. My life is bound to end soon. Might as well leave with no regrets.”

  “….” The two ladies wanted to say something but remained silent as they were happy…yet…disgraced…. Not by him…but by themselves.