Aina was walking down the road leading to the workshop (atelier), ruminating and enthusiastic about the goal Roland had set for her yesterday.


    (Yesterday I was able to make 5 out of 10 swords C with a weight of 40 iron. (Yesterday, I was able to make 5 out of 10 swords C with a weight of 40 iron, and now that I have endurance (toughness), today is the day I will make all 10 swords C with a weight of 40!)


    When I arrived at work at the "Arsenal of Spirits," I noticed that things were different than usual.


    Roland and Dylan were carrying a large amount of goods on the back of a truck into the warehouse.


    (Is that ...... armor?)


    All of them had peeling exteriors, some were missing, and some had become unusable.


    Some of the armor was of such poor quality that it was not for sale, and was probably destined for the landfill.


    Good morning, Mr. Roland.


    Good morning, just in time. Can you help me carry this?"


    What is this? Where did all this stuff come from?"


    I went around to all the alchemy guilds in the city and got some armor that was no longer needed or malfunctioning.


    Why on earth would you do that?


    I''ll explain later. Anyway, I have to bring this in.


    Yes."


    Aina helped Roland carry the heavy-looking armor.


    Holding the other side with Roland, they carried it to the warehouse together.


    ''Phew. Thank you for your help. Thank you.


    This is armor, isn''t it? So much, what''s going on?"


    I got a new job.


    A new job?


    Oh. We''re going to have a meeting, so could you go to the workshop and get everything ready?"


    "The commission is for a light, sturdy suit of armor."


    "Light and sturdy armor?"


    Aina and Roddy sat at a conference desk in one corner of the workshop and looked at each other.


    ''Isn''t that a contradiction?''


    ''Yes, but it is possible. But it is possible. Look at this.


    Roland unfolded a piece of paper with a diagram on it and showed it to them.


    On it were written the specifications of the equipment for each rank.


    Armor E specs


    Strength: 1-20


    Durability: 1-20


    Weight: 1-20


    Armor D specs


    Strength: 20-40


    Durability: 20-40


    Weight: 20-40


    Armor C specs


    Strength: 40-60


    Durability: 40-60


    Weight: 40-60


    Armor B specs


    Strength: 60-80


    Durability: 60-80


    Weight: 60-80


    Armor A specs


    Power: 80-100


    Durability: 80-100


    Weight: 80-100


    ''Those are standard equipment specs.


    Aina said.


    ''And they are also limits corresponding to the weight of the iron. For example, for iron weighing 50, the limits are 60 for power and 60 for durability. Even if you use ''metal molding'' A, you cannot make armor with 70 in strength and 70 in durability.


    The only thing you can do with the skill "Metal Forming" is to draw out the power that resides in the metal, right?


    I can make armor with 70 power and 50 durability, or 50 power and 70 durability.


    I can do armor with 80% strength and 40% durability, or 30% strength and 90% durability.


    In short, the total power and durability is limited to 120.


    In any case, the improvement of the "metal molding" skill only broadens the numerical value distribution and requires sacrificing either power or durability. But this time, we are breaking the rules!　These are the requirements for the equipment we are proposing to Erio this time."


    Roland shows them the requirements document.


    This is ......."


    Armor with a shield that weighs 50, has a power (defense) of 70, and a durability of 70?"


    Isn''t that a contradiction?　How can equipment be both lightweight and powerful and durable? ......"


    Oh. Inconsistency. But, Aina, with your unique skills, we can resolve this contradiction."


    My unique skills?"


    Aina''s face becomes a scowl.


    Yes, your unique skill, ''Exterior Enhancement (Coating).


    Outline of Coating


    Applying this skill to the target equipment increases its power and durability.


    If we accomplish this request, we will not only be able to get adventurers as customers, but we will also be able to expand our sales channels. This is a quest that ''Dragon''s Fires'' couldn''t even cover. There must be other adventurers who have the same problem. We can take away clients from "Dragon''s Fires. So I would like you two to take charge of this quest. Aina will be in charge of the molding and durability enhancement (coating). Roddy will do the design."


    Aina and Roddy looked at each other.


    If we complete this quest, it will improve both of our skills and expand our work. If the project gets off the ground, it will also lead to higher salaries. Of course, we won''t penalize you for failure. You just have to try something new. What do you think? Will you do it?"


    If it helps me improve my skills, I''ll do it."


    Aina said.


    ''I''d be willing to do it, too, if it would lead to a raise.


    Roddy said.


    ''Good. That''s settled. Let''s get to it.


    Roland puts his stripped armor on a stand and hands Aina a wand and a bottle of liquid.


    What''s this?"


    It''s a wand and paint for supportive magic.


    Supportive magic?


    Yes. Your unique skill ''Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)'' belongs to the support magic type of skills."


    Roland appraised Aina''s skills and checked the details of her unique skills again.


    [Detailed description of Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)].


    Applying support magic to ink can give it a semi-permanent support magic effect.


    Equipment coated with the ink will reflect the effects of the support magic.


    Have you ever used support magic?"


    No way. I have only trained in alchemy. There is no such thing as magic. ......"


    It would be ......."


    [Aina''s skills


    E to E for "Attack Grant


    Defence: E to E


    Agility: E to E


    Illusion Magic: E to E


    Crustal magic: E to E


    (Class E is the limit for any of the support magic. If it becomes ......)


    Then, perhaps the paint job should be the essence of this skill."


    Is it how to paint ......?"


    ''Ah, the color of the ink, or the pattern, or the thickness. The details are unknown, but it must be related to some kind of painting technique. It is your role to find that rule."


    Roland takes out blue paint and a brush.


    Let''s start with the blue paint that reminds me of ''defense-inflicting'' paint," he said. Apply this paint and then try some supportive magic.


    I understand.


    Aina applies the paint to her armor, then, with her support magic grimoire in one hand and her wand in the other, she begins to chant support magic spells.


    (What is it? (What is this? This is the first time I''m doing this. It''s as if I''ve known this for a long time. I feel like I''ve known it for a long time.)


    A blood-sucking sensation ran through the palm of Aina''s hand holding her wand.


    The warmth from Aina''s body flowed into the tip of the staff and gushed out in a torrent.


    （Gugu. The staff is hot. It almost burns. This is what it feels like to use magic.)


    The tip of the wand glows and bursts against the armor.


    Pssst."


    Aina involuntarily let go of the wand.


    The wand makes a sound and falls to the floor.


    The magical light blinks for a moment, then disappears.


    Aina, are you okay?"


    Roddy rushes up under Aina.


    ''...... I''m fine. I was just a little startled.


    There is not a single burn mark on Aina''s palm.


    More importantly, where''s her armor?"


    The three of them again look at the armor.


    The armor rested in place as before.


    ...... nothing is happening."


    Roddy said.


    ''No, it''s a success.''


    Suddenly, the paint clinging to the armor expands, buzzing and swelling into countless bubbles.


    ''Nah. ......!


    Eventually, the blue paint stopped, torn to shreds like Styrofoam or cotton sticking out of a doll.


    Aina looked at the armor and was stunned.


    (This is ...... my unique skill)


    Hmm. Looks like you were never way off the mark."


    [Status of Armor E


    Strength: 10


    Durability: 11 (up1)


    Weight: 10


    At least he''s more durable.


    Mr. Roland, did this really increase your durability?"


    Roddy pokes at the blue mumbo jumbo, which has completely changed its appearance from paint.


    Roddy pokes at the blue blob, which has been completely transformed from paint.


    But don''t you think it''s too badly shaped? It comes right off."


    When Aina picks up the mussel and pulls on it, it shreds off with a poof.


    Aina picked and pulled, and the piece shredded. I need to improve my skills.


    Roland retires the modified armor and puts the new armor on the stand again.


    Aina," he said, "you''re going to have to start experimenting with paint and magic. There has to be a way to make the ''exterior enhancement coating'' stick in a more optimal way.


    Yes, sir.


    Good. Okay, now Roddy. Your turn.


    I''ve already done the measuring on my end.


    Roland hands Rodi a piece of paper describing the size of Elio''s body, which he measured himself.


    We''re going to design the armor to fit this size, but the problem is the exterior."


    Roland said, pointing to the drawings.


    The exterior is expected to bulge due to Aina''s coating, so we have to account for that in our design."


    He said, "Ummm. I''m not very good at designing."


    (...... I''m guessing)


    [Lodi''s skills


    Design: D to A


    (At least for now, still class D. But in the future I''m a top notch designer)


    I wonder if I can do it.


    I''ll be fine. I will support you.


    Well, we have to do it. Aina is doing her best."


    When they turned to Aina, she was in the process of casting a support magic spell.


    Aina''s "exterior reinforcement (coating)" armor was already about to reach its fifth piece.


    Four failed pieces were lying on the floor, but the blue expansion was slowly subsiding and becoming much flatter.


    (I''m beginning to understand. This is not about the paint job.)


    Aina points her wand at the armor and casts a support spell.


    (The magic is moving the paint.)


    Aina cast a spell with the image of squeezing the paint.


    The paint bobbed and swelled, trying to release its energy outward, but Aina managed to suppress it.


    The paint did not become a mess, and although the surface was still rough, with ridges and bumps, the undulations were barely enough to be considered armored.


    (Good. Much better.)


    Mr. Roland. How does it look now?


    Roland appraised the item of Aina''s coated armor.


    [Status of Armor E


    Strength: 10


    Durability: 15 (up5)


    Weight: 10


    I''m not sure. Durability''s up."


    Yes!"


    Aina''s Unique Skills


    Exterior Reinforcement (Coating)": D (up 1 rank)


    (I guess untouched skills grow faster. (Another rank improvement.)


    Aina. You keep improving your skills at this rate."


    Yes!"


    As Roland was working with Roddy on the drawings, the sound of a cane falling to the floor echoed.


    When he looked, he saw Aina cowering on the floor with her hands shaking.


    Aina!


    Are you okay?"


    Roland and Roddy ran up to them.


    Roland and Roddy ran up to them. I just got a little dizzy.


    [Aina''s status.


    Magic: 1 (↓9) - 10


    You''re out of magic."


    Roland stands up quickly.


    Aina. That''s it for today''s ''coating''. Go get some rest.


    Yes, sir."


    (Kuso. I was so close to getting something.)


    Aina looks at her armor, frustrated.


    It''s okay," she said. We still have three days to deliver.


    But we were so close to getting something. ......


    I''ll be fine. My skills are definitely improving."


    Yes.


    I won''t be able to practice ''exterior reinforcement (coating)'' anymore today, but this afternoon I''ll have you molding armor based on the blueprints Roddy drew up for you," he said. Get proper rest and be ready for this afternoon."


    ...... understand."


    Aina blushed a little.


    (Roland, you are so kind. (Roland, you''re so kind. You''re always there for me when I feel like I''m falling apart.)


    As Aina crossed the workshop (atelier) toward the break room, she gazed at Roland''s profile with a feeling of longing that was beginning to emerge.


    <>