A Repeat Challenger Approaches!

Since Garuda brought the missing materials, Selen could immediately go to work. Of course, she needed a few practices first before trying to make my order. As usual, her temperament changed as soon as she began.

She spent the first hour practicing her ability before deciding that she was already accustomed to it.

"Then, I'll now be working on your weapon, Hvir."

As soon as she spoke, the same materials as the weapon she had before were set before my eyes.

I felt slightly excited, waiting for what kind of design she'd go with. This time, I didn't provide a concrete image of what weapon I like, after all. I'd hate being called a Chuunibyou again.

The flash of her skill stole our sight for a moment before the final product appeared before our eyes.

"..."

It was... a plain sword, with not much difference to the ones she was practicing with. Well, I guess that shape is much easier to imagine for her since she just tried it out for several hundred tries.

Although I tried not to show it on my face, I guess she could tell that I was disappointed. I know that her weapon's performance has no relation to its appearance, but still, I can't help but hope to have a cool weapon. I guess it's a sort of instinct for men?

For the next one, she tried to make the dagger. It was smaller and easier to imagine, so she managed to make it a little more intricate than the sword. A curved blade, like a wave, with a serrated edge on the back. The hand guard was shaped like a dragon's maw, as if "biting" the user's hand. It also had a specific blue hue the same as the sword, making it look even more awesome!

"Here, check if you can use it properly," Selen asked as she passed the dagger to me.

Without hesitation, I took it from her and held it. The dragon-shaped guard made my hand fit snugly inside it. With this, it would be hard for me to drop this dagger, even if I didn't grip it properly.

*SCHING!*

There's no problem with the range of movements either, since I could still flex my wrist despite the thick handguard. This is a really good design.

Finally, it was time for the last weapon. Selen gathered triple the amount of ores from before before closing her eyes to focus on her mental imagery. Then, with another flash of light, a new weapon appeared on top of the worktable.

A long spear about three meters long with a layered spear blade, like a folded umbrella. It looked more like a barbed hook than a spear, looking fierce and powerful. "I like this design too!"

Spiky designs are cool, especially for weapons!

I tried holding the spear and waving it a few times, but as expected, it was way different than a sword or dagger. The two could still partially use each other's techniques, but for a spear, the method of wielding it changed altogether.

"..."

Right now, objectively looking at myself, I'm just a newbie waving around a long, heavy piece of spiky metal. It's hard to say I'm "wielding" it as a weapon. Well, I'm not planning on wielding it anyway, but I still need to practice a bit with it.

"Thanks, Selen. Next Loop, I'll make sure that I give you information first and foremost."

Just as I was about to turn around and leave, Selen's hand grabbed me by the shoulder. "Wait, Hvir. Can I ask you to pass a message to me too?"

Passing a message to your past self? Well, if it's just for one, then I don't mind.

"Please keep it short, since I don't have confidence in my memory," I muttered with a wry smile.

"It's fine. It's just a few words. <The shell and core as one.> That's it."

"The shell and core as one... the shell and..."

I tried muttering it to myself several times. It was short and pretty easy to remember. After a minute of repeated chanting to myself, I nodded my head. "Alright. I think I memorized it now. Well then, please say to Major Lucas that I wish them luck in their battles!"

I stashed the dagger in my belt to my right, the spear wrapped with a long piece of cloth hanging diagonally across my back, and the sword wrapped with another piece of cloth hanging to my left waist.

Although I wanted to ask for a sheath, it would take longer to prepare since it's not technically a weapon. We did try it during the previous loop, so I didn't waste time to ask her about it this time.

"Wait."

Just as I was halfway through the camp, another familiar voice called to me. When I turned around, Garuda was there, standing with a hand to her waist in a picturesque pose.

She parted her pink lips, muttering words that I didn't completely understand. "I'll be coming with you."

"What?"

I thought I heard her wrongly, but she spoke clearly, using more words.

"I said I'd come and join your battle," Garuda exclaimed. "You're going to grind levels, right? Then take me with you."

Honestly, having someone like her who controls elements would be reassuring. However, my plan would end up changing if I did take her with me.

"Don't you dare ask me if I'm sure. I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place if I wasn't."

"..."

It seems like she has already made up her mind. Even if I said I wouldn't take her, she would just come to the mall later, I guess. "Alright, but you must follow my instructions. Is that clear?"

"Fair enough."

After getting her consent, the two of us walked to where my bike was parked. I first transferred the GoBro to the helmet before wearing it... "You take this."

I changed my mind and let Garuda wear the helmet. There should be no police watching the streets anyway, so I should be fine without one. Good kids shouldn't do this, alright?

Garuda stared at the helmet before finally wearing it over her head. After she did, I placed my phone on its holder and noticed the chats going wild.

"Hvir prevented us from seeing the beauty's face! This is tyranny!"

"Noooo!"

"Hvir and Garuda... alone in a dark place..."

"Right, there's no way nothing will happen! Hvir! Don't you dare turn off the camera when that time comes!"

These guys... Their imagination is just too wild! I wanted to delete their comments, but it was getting flooded, so there's no way I could now. I just wish Garuda wouldn't see them.