The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild

Chapter 67 Aina’s unique skill

Aina walked along the path leading to the atelier, reflecting on the goal Laurent had set for her yesterday and feeling determined.

(Yesterday, I managed to make 5 out of the 10 C-grade swords with a weight of 40 iron. My durability and toughness have improved, so today I’ll make all 10 swords with a weight of 40!)

Upon arriving at ‘Spirits Workshop,’ she noticed something was different.

Laurent and Dylan were unloading a large amount of goods from a cart into the warehouse.

(Is that… armor?)

The armor they were handling had chipped exteriors, some were missing parts, and others were entirely unusable. Some seemed to be of such poor quality that they were probably meant to be discarded.

“Good morning, Laurent.”

“Good morning, Aina. Perfect timing. Can you help us with this?”

“What is all this? Where did it come from?”

“I went around the alchemy guilds in town and collected armor that was either unwanted or broken.”

“Why would you do that?”

“I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to get this inside.”

“Okay.”

Aina helped Laurent carry the heavy armor. She took the opposite side and together they moved it into the warehouse.

“Whew. Thanks for your help.”

“This is armor, right? Why do we have so much of it?”

“We got a new job.”

“A new job?”

“Yes. We’re going to have a meeting, so can you prepare the atelier?”

“This request is for armor that is both light and durable.”

“Light and durable armor?”

Sitting at the conference table in one corner of the workshop, Aina and Rody exchanged puzzled glances.

“Isn’t that a contradiction?”

“Yes, but it’s possible. At least, it is for us. Take a look at this.”

Laurent spread out a sheet of paper with a diagram, showing it to the two.

On it were the specifications for equipment by rank.

Armor E Specs:

- - - Power: 1–20

- - - Durability: 1–20

- - - Weight: 1–20

Armor D Specs:

- - - Power: 20–40

- - - Durability: 20–40

- - - Weight: 20–40

Armor C Specs:

- - - Power: 40–60

- - - Durability: 40–60

- - - Weight: 40–60

Armor B Specs:

- - - Power: 60–80

- - - Durability: 60–80

- - - Weight: 60–80

Armor A Specs:

- - - Power: 80–100

- - - Durability: 80–100

- - - Weight: 80–100

“These are the standard specs for the equipment,” Aina said.

“And this also represents the limit corresponding to the weight of the iron. For example, with iron weighing 50, the maximum achievable power and durability are both 60. Even if you use ‘Metal Shaping’ at level A, you can’t create armor with power and durability both at 70.”

“The ‘Metal Shaping’ skill can only draw out the power inherent in the metal itself.”

“Right, you can make armor with power 70 and durability 50 or power 50 and durability 70.”

“You could also make armor with power 80 and durability 40, or power 30 and durability 90.”

“In other words, the total of power and durability can be up to 120.”

“Regardless, the improvement in the ‘Metal Shaping’ skill only broadens the distribution range of values, requiring a sacrifice in either power or durability. But this time, we are going to break that norm! This is the requirement for the equipment we are proposing to Elio.”

Laurent showed them the specification document.

“This is…”

“Armor with a shield, weighing 50, with power (defense) 70 and durability 70?”

“Isn’t that contradictory? Light armor with both high power and durability…”

“Yes, it is contradictory. But Aina, with your unique skill, we can resolve this contradiction.”

“My unique skill?”

Aina looked puzzled.

“Yes, your unique skill, ‘Exterior Reinforcement Coating’.”

Overview of Exterior Enhancement Coating:

By applying this skill to a piece of equipment, its power and durability can be increased.

“If we succeed with this request, it won’t just make adventurers our customers; it could also expand our market. This is a quest that even ‘Dragon’s Ember’ couldn’t cover. There must be other adventurers with the same dilemma. We could even steal customers from ‘Dragon’s Ember’. I want you two to handle this quest. Aina, for shaping and durability reinforcement coating, and Rody, for design.”

Aina and Rody exchanged glances.

“Completing this quest will lead to skill enhancement for both of you and broaden your work scope. If the project takes off, it could also lead to a salary increase. Of course, there won’t be any penalties for failure. We can simply try something new. What do you say? Will you do it?”

“If it leads to skill improvement, I’ll do it,” Aina said.

“I’ll do it too if it means a raise,” Rody added.

“Great. It’s settled then. Let’s get started right away.”

Laurent placed the armor with its peeling exterior onto a stand, then handed Aina a staff and a bottle of liquid.

“What is this?” she asked.

“A support magic staff and a coating liquid,” Laurent replied.

“Support magic?”

“Yes, your unique skill ‘Exterior Enhancement Coating’ belongs to the support magic category.”

Laurent had analyzed Aina’s skills and rechecked the detailed description of her unique skill.

Detailed Description of Exterior Enhancement Coating:

By applying support magic to the ink, the effect of the support magic can be semi-permanently granted. The support magic’s effect is reflected in the equipment coated with this ink.

“Have you ever used support magic before?” he inquired.

“Of course not. I’ve only received training in alchemy. Magic is…,” Aina trailed off.

“I thought so.”

Aina’s Skills:

- - - Attack Enhancement: E→E

- - - Defense Enhancement: E→E

- - - Agility Enhancement: E→E

- - - Illusion Magic: E→E

- - - Earth Magic: E→E

(Support magic at E-class is her limit. Therefore…)

“If that’s the case, the essence of this skill probably lies in the method of coating.”

“The method of coating…?”

“Yes, perhaps the color of the ink, the pattern, or the thickness. The details are unclear, but it must be related to some coating technique. Finding that principle is your role.”

Laurent took out a blue coating liquid and a brush.

“Let’s start with this blue coating, which suggests ‘Defense Enhancement’. Apply it and then cast the support magic.”

“Understood.”

Aina coated the armor with the liquid, then, holding the support magic spellbook in one hand and the staff in the other, she began to chant the support magic incantation.

(What is this? It’s my first time doing this, but it feels as if I’ve known it forever. That’s how it feels.)

A sensation like her palm was being drained of blood ran through Aina’s hand holding the staff.

The warm energy flowed from Aina’s body to the tip of the staff, surging in a torrent.

(Ugh. The staff is hot. It feels like it’s burning me. So this is what it feels like to use magic.)

The tip of the staff glowed and burst upon the armor.

“Ah!”

Aina involuntarily let go of the staff.

It fell to the floor with a clatter.

The magical light flickered for a moment and then disappeared.

“Aina, are you okay?” Rody rushed over to Aina.

“I’m fine. Just a bit startled.”

There wasn’t a single burn mark on Aina’s palm.

“But what about the armor?”

The three of them turned their gaze back to the armor.

The armor remained in place, unchanged.

“Nothing seems to have happened,” Rody remarked.

“No, it worked.”

Suddenly, the coating on the armor began to expand, bubbling and swelling into countless small blisters.

“What the…!”

Eventually, the blue coating burst, leaving it in a ragged state like shredded polystyrene or stuffing protruding from a torn doll.

Aina stared at the armor in astonishment.

(This is… my unique skill.)

“Hmm. It seems like it wasn’t an entirely off-the-mark approach.”

[Armor E’s Stats]

- - - Power: 10

- - - Durability: 11 (↑1)

- - - Weight: 10

“At least the durability has increased.”

“Mr. Laurent, did the durability really go up?”

Rody poked at the blue, blistered surface that had drastically changed from the original coating.

“Yes, the durability value has indeed increased by one point.”

“But don’t you think this looks terrible? It comes off too easily.”

When Aina pinched one of the blisters and pulled, it snapped off with a pop.

“Of course, it’s still a work in progress. We need to continue improving the skill.”

Laurent moved the modified armor aside and placed another new piece of armor on the stand.

“Aina, from now on, try different ways of applying the coating and casting the spell. There must be an optimal method to permanently apply ‘Enhanced Exterior Coating.'”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Now it’s your turn, Rody.”

“I’ve already taken Elio’s measurements.”

Laurent handed a sheet of paper to Rody with Elio’s body measurements noted.

“We’ll design the armor to fit these measurements, but the issue is the exterior.”

Laurent pointed at the blueprints as he spoke.

“We need to account for the expansion caused by Aina’s coating in the design.”

“Ugh. I’m not good at designing.”

(…I figured as much.)

[Rody’s Skill]

- - - Design: D → A

(At least for now, it’s still at D-class. But in the future, he’ll be a top-tier designer.)

“Do you think I can do it?”

“You’ll be fine. I’ll support you.”

“Well, I have no choice but to try. Aina’s working hard, too.”

When they looked over at Aina, she was casting a support spell. She was already on her fifth piece of armor for applying the ‘Enhanced Exterior Coating.’

Four failed attempts lay scattered on the floor, but the swelling of the blue coating was gradually subsiding, becoming much flatter.

(I’m starting to understand. The key isn’t just how it’s applied.)

Aina directed her wand at the armor and chanted the support spell.

(The magic is moving the coating.)

She visualized compressing the coating with her magic. The coating tried to swell and release energy outward, but Aina managed to suppress it. The result was a surface that, while still rough and covered with small, mound-like protrusions, was relatively smooth and could be considered armor.

(Good. It’s much better now.)

“Mr. Laurent, I’ve managed to get it to this state. What do you think?”

Laurent appraised the armor Aina had coated.

[Armor E’s Stats]

- - - Power: 10

- - - Durability: 15 (↑5)

- - - Weight: 10

“Yes, the durability has increased.”

“We did it!”

[Aina’s Unique Skill]

- - - Exterior Enhancement Coating: D (↑1 rank)

(Her untapped skills are improving quickly. She’s already ranked up again.)

“Aina, keep improving your skill at this pace.”

“Yes!”

As Laurent and Rody worked on the blueprints, the sound of a wand hitting the floor echoed through the room. They looked over to see Aina crouched on the floor, her hands trembling.

“Aina!?”

“Are you alright?”

Laurent and Rody rushed over to her.

“Yes, I just feel a bit dizzy.”

[Aina’s Status]

- - - Magic: 1 (↓9) -10

“You’re out of magic.”

Laurent stood up straight.

“Aina, that’s enough ‘Exterior Enhancement Coating’ for today. Go rest.”

“Yes.”

(Damn, I was so close to grasping something.)

Aina looked at the armor with a frustrated expression.

“It’s okay. We still have three days until the deadline.”

“But I felt like I was on the verge of figuring something out…”

“You’re doing great. Your skill is definitely improving.”

“Alright.”

“You can’t practice ‘Exterior Enhancement Coating’ anymore today, but in the afternoon, you’ll work on shaping the armor based on Rody’s designs. Rest well and prepare for that.”

“Understood.”

Aina blushed slightly.

(Laurent is so kind. He always knows what to say when I’m about to give up.)

As Aina crossed the workshop to the break room, she glanced back at Laurent with a budding sense of admiration.