Last, but not least, came the full-face helm—a horizontal slit for the eyes, and a vertical slit for the mouth, like a Trojan helmet.

Warden Anso gave me an appraising look. "How does it all feel, Squire Henshaw?"

I went through a few more movements, turning, bending, and grinning like a Cheshire Cat in spite of myself. I couldn't believe how well I could see and move. I felt ten times stronger just wearing the armor.

"I feel good."

"Have you activated the armor display?"

"I've not. How do I do that?"

"Bring up your Holdings page and access your Helm, access it, and there should be an option to bring it up. Once you know where it is, you should be able to bring it up with a thought."

"Holdings?"

"You can't be serious," he growled. "I suppose I blame myself as much as anyone. Bring up your stats and mentally flip right."

I tentatively followed his instructions. Something so simple had never been explained to me, but I'd never even considered it before. I would have to ask if there were any tips and tricks from Anso and my friends once I got back.

Name: Adam Henshaw

Title: Squire of House Garazal

Level: 19

Class: Warrior/Mage

Stats:

Toughness: 22

Mental Acuity: 16

Harmony: 21

Total: 59

Progress in Class:

Warrior, Level 6: 15/60

Tradesman, Level 0: 0/10

Mage, Level 7: 50/70

I right flipped, and the page dissolved to be replaced with another page of information.

Holdings:

Wealth: 0.0u

Clothing:

Irala Academy Uniform (Standard Issue)

Dark blue tunic with silver trim (Durable, enchanted for minor resistance to wear and tear)

Black trousers (Fitted, reinforced stitching)

Leather boots (Standard durability, non-enchanted)

Armor:

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Archon-forged Plate Armor (Custom-Fitted)

Helmet: Provides damage reports for linked armor pieces and a regeneration scale for magical enchantments. Innate magical resistance via breastplate link.

Breastplate:

Enchantment 1: Magical Defense – Provides resistance against magical attacks (Recharge: ~10 minutes).

Enchantment 2: Magical Amplifier – Increases Mana regeneration by 10% every ten minutes.

Pauldrons (Shoulders):

Enchantment: Speed Boost.

Gauntlets: No additional enchantments.

Greaves (Legs) & Cuisses (Pelvis):

Enchantment: Agility Boost.

Sabatons (Feet):

Enchantment: Speed Boost.

Weapons:

None

Adornments:

None

I mentally selected the helmet, and it brought up everything I'd been told it was.

Archon Forged Helmet

Status:

Armor Integrity:

Breastplate: 100%

Pauldrons: 100%

Greaves & Cuisses: 100%

Gauntlets: 100%

Sabatons: 100%

Magical Enchantment Status:

Magical Defense: Ready (Recharge: 10 mins if depleted.)

Mana Amplifier: Active (+10% Mana Regen every 10 mins.)

Speed Boost (Legs & Feet): Active

Agility Boost (Pelvis & Legs): Active

I marveled not just at the accessible information, but the armor itself. Seeing it laid out in front of me in words was so incredible, and my mind started throwing up excuses for the Archons. Maybe they aren't so bad. They clearly respect me. What would a world look like as a famous Warrior Mage in the Union? What's even waiting for me back home anyway?

That was swiftly followed with a pang of self-loathing at my fickle thoughts.

"Ascended and with armor like this, it's no wonder the Unalaran Hunters felt invincible to us. We never stood a chance."

"Evidently so," he replied unimpressed. "You can access the hood at any time, but I feel it's worth warning you now that the helmet is set to provide warnings at certain intervals. Once you reach 70% in durability, it will alert you, then again at 50%, 25%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 1% and 0%.

"I tell you this to be prepared for them. It is common for new recruits to be distracted by the alert, but I recommend keeping it active. You should also be aware that once your armor's durability drops to 0%, all magical functions will cease to work. So my advice to you is that if you are in a tight spot, use every last ounce of magical amplification that you can before the armor expires."

I could see the logic in his words and nodded. "Thanks for the heads up on that."

"You're very welcome, Squire Henshaw. Now all you need is a weapon." He removed a sword from his hip.

I hadn't even realized up until that point that he was carrying two. I was reluctant to take it. "I'll warn you, I've still got a long way to go with my dueling. The first lesson was called off. The second lesson, I was ignored, and the last lesson, the teachers were focusing on the most talented in the class for the tournament."

"I'm aware of your situation, and I have no expectation for you to use the sword. But you are a Squire, and you are required to carry a weapon at all times when on duty. We aren't expecting trouble today, but should the unthinkable happen and we end up in combat, then by all means, use your fists rather than your sword."

I chuckled. "You got it." I raised my fist and threw a quick one-two. They were faster than usual with the armor enhancements.

Anso raised a mocking eyebrow, then put his own helmet on before escorting me out of the palace.

Augur Stanis and a unit of golden-armored soldiers — the 1st Cohort I assumed — waited for us. There were around twenty present, not counting Stanis, and as I scanned their identifiers, I discovered not a single one of them was below Level 30.

It was hard not to feel completely out of my depth as I stood waiting to go through the portal, but like in the academy, the Archons were more than happy to just ignore me.

"Attention," Anso snapped. "This mission is to make an acquisition, nothing more. No needless bloodshed, no theatrics—just business. That said, we've had word of Siroth activity on this world. If you see signs of them stirring trouble, you report it. If we can put them down cleanly, we do so. If not, I'll send for reinforcements, and the Council will see it handled.

"As for the Earther, he's already drawn Siroth interest and made a name for himself in the arena by winning in the most violent ways and for repeatedly committing the Akra. Apparently, he was naïve to it's true meaning, so for this mission, he receives the blessing of doubt."

There were grumbles and muttering as Anso spoke of the Siroth and the Akra, and I found myself wishing I'd listened more in the History and Siege classes. Sure, a heavy pinch of salt was required to stomach the drivel, but now I felt I was missing vital information. I was also insatiably curious as to what the Akra was. It didn't take too long to find out.

"As a note of interest and identification purposes should we need it, the Earther's middle fingers have been removed to prevent further misdemeanors."

I nodded understanding now. The Akra sounded like the middle finger salute.

One of the other soldiers spoke up, "Sounds like the scoundrel is lucky his middle fingers were all they removed."

All I could think of was what kind of idiot kept giving the middle finger when he'd been explicitly warned not to.

I shook my head as Stanis created a portal.

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