It didn't take Ashoka long to make the armor capable of concealing the wearer's aura, replicating quite accurately the effect of the medallion Joel had used for so long.

  However, the main obstacle remained constant. The armor functioned flawlessly as long as the magic remained contained within the body. But if that energy even slightly attempted to manifest above the skin—even involuntarily—the effect was lost. The mage's aura immediately emerged, clear and recognizable, like a crack in a perfect mask.

  After several failed attempts, minor adjustments, and lengthy technical discussions between Ashoka and Nana, they finally accepted a solution that was as effective as it was inelegant. The armor had to completely cover the wearer's body, leaving not a single inch of skin exposed.

  It was, without a doubt, an uncomfortable decision. The design significantly increased the overall weight of the equipment and required a greater investment of energy in systems designed to reduce its weight. From a practical standpoint, it also wasn't the most comfortable option for someone wearing it for extended periods. But at least it worked, and in the end, that was all that really mattered.

  Joel, for his part, was genuinely fascinated when he saw the first working prototype, which barely granted magical abilities equivalent to those of a level one wizard, but its mere existence was revolutionary. To his eyes, it seemed straight out of Earth's history books: plate armor from the Middle Ages, though much more flexible, streamlined, and with an almost organic appearance. The plates weren't joined by visible hinges or straps; they overlapped like living scales, adapting to the body's movements with remarkable ease.

  Nana had created it using only magic, which had granted her a design freedom impossible to achieve through conventional means, combining extremely energy-intensive techniques that were only worthwhile for projects of this magnitude. It wasn't armor intended for mass production, but a proof of concept—a demonstration of just how far they could go.

  Liam didn't hesitate for a second to try it on, while Joel watched intently as the armor began to close around the young man's body, sealing itself completely. And then, Liam's magical presence vanished completely.

  Joel couldn't sense anything magical, not even by relying on his instincts. It was as if there really was an ordinary person inside the armor, even when Liam used a little magic on his skin.

  Then came the tests of the armor's functionality, specifically those that used crystal energy to produce all sorts of magical effects, and which worked just like many regular mystical artifacts. From the outside, the energy it emanated was indistinguishable from that which normally surrounded a mystic warrior. Even Joel, with all his experience alongside all kinds of inhabitants of Gaea, couldn't tell the difference.

  It was a resounding success, and Nana assured everyone that it was only a matter of time before they could refine the design and increase the power of the new prototypes. Furthermore, with the right adjustments, she hoped to create armor that would allow Liam to conceal his identity for extended periods… and later, create a version for Joel.

  However, in the latter case, the challenge was much greater. For armor to be truly useful in Joel's hands, it would have to be far more powerful. At the very least, it would have to operate at the level of a grandmaster. Perhaps even approach that of a mystic knight. A colossal challenge, but one that Nana was willing to attempt.

  Nearly six months had passed since Joel first opened that emotional barrier that had protected him for so long… and that had simultaneously kept him isolated. His mental state had improved remarkably. Not to the point of being completely free of consequences each time he opened or closed that barrier, but enough to leave behind those almost debilitating episodes that had accompanied him in the initial stages of the process. The problems were still there, but they no longer controlled him.

  For that reason, Ashoka considered that the time was right to continue his journey. Joel was stable enough to allow him to continue exploring his spiritual world, delving into its deepest layers. And that is what he did.

  By then, Joel had already resumed much of his old routine. He traveled regularly to meet with his mercenary company, maintaining his role as a strategic supplier and key figure within the organization. In one of those meetings, he even delivered the first operational prototypes of the new rifle he had manufactured. A weapon he eventually named NJ20, using the initials of its creators: Nana and Joel.

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  He had previously informed the company's leaders about the new weapon. Of course, he had lied about its origin. He assured them that they were experimental arcane cannons, acquired through a source connected to the dwarves. An explanation plausible enough not to raise too many suspicions.

  Most accepted it without question. Basil, however, wore a look of doubt. He said nothing, but Joel knew him well enough to sense that something wasn't quite right.

  Even so, any reluctance vanished when the tests began. The mercenaries quickly realized they had something extraordinary in their hands. No one remained indifferent to the weapon's power, especially when the projectiles struck targets hundreds of meters away with an accuracy that rivaled—and even surpassed—that of trained archers.

  There were a few complaints, and they were quite obvious. The roar of each shot was deafening, it was slow to reload, and the smoke generated after each shot reduced visibility for a few seconds. In a prolonged engagement, this could become a real problem. However, these objections faded into the background when one of the mercenaries, a mere mystic apprentice, managed to outrange and out-hit an adept-level archer. This realization made everyone understand the true strength of the rifle.

  A trained archer could undoubtedly fire many more arrows in less time. Furthermore, they had the ability to attack from multiple angles, using high trajectories to reach enemies who were protected or behind cover. This kind of versatility remained invaluable on the battlefield.

  But the rifles offered something different. They could be used by virtually untrained individuals without much difficulty. They didn't require years of practice, nor a special affinity for magic. All it took was learning to aim and fire.

  There were, of course, clear disadvantages. The ammunition could only be produced by Joel, which made the supply a strategic bottleneck. Furthermore, the weapon's performance under adverse weather conditions—especially heavy rain—remained unknown. Even so, the advantages were too obvious to ignore.

  Basil was the first to verbalize what many were already thinking, describing how terrifying it would be to face a large formation of individuals armed with those rifles, especially in a defensive position. A stable line, firing in a coordinated manner, could become a wall of death difficult to penetrate.

  The tests conducted against ordinary armor only reinforced that impression. The twenty-millimeter projectiles were capable of penetrating most standard armor used by apprentices and adepts, even at a distance of two hundred meters. Only the highest quality armor, reserved for experts and masters, managed to prevent direct penetration. Even then, the impact was still devastating: the metal was dented, and the test target was always violently knocked down.

  There was another significant factor to consider. The projectiles were extremely difficult to see and dodge. When it came to arrows fired at long distances, the most experienced warriors could usually spot them in mid-air, giving them the necessary margin to dodge or block them with shields. Only highly skilled archers—experts or better—equipped with reinforced bows and stealth arrows, could achieve shots as difficult to detect as those these bullets were consistently demonstrating.

  Of course, it remained to be seen how these weapons would perform on a real battlefield, under constant pressure and unpredictable conditions. But expectations were high.

  Both Joel and the company leadership constantly reviewed and revised combat formations and training plans. For the time being, most of the time was devoted to synchronizing formations and general physical conditioning. Long marches, endurance exercises, and basic combat simulations filled most of the days. However, as soon as the rifles arrived at the camp, their impact on combat doctrine became impossible to ignore.

  Specific time blocks were immediately allocated for marksmanship practice. It wasn't just about learning to use the weapon, but about identifying talents. Joel insisted on this from the beginning: finding those with the best steadiness, greatest concentration, and cool-headedness. Rifles, unlike bows, rewarded other kinds of skills. If these could be identified in some mercenaries, it would allow for the formation of an elite sniper corps, much like Earth's snipers.

  By then, the organization was already halfway to its recruitment goal. They had 358 apprentices, 94 adepts, 12 experts, and 3 mystic masters. This fighting force was complemented by nearly seven hundred individuals dedicated exclusively to logistics, the vast majority ordinary civilians, drawn by the economic stability and future protections.

  Basil's farm, once a relatively modest agricultural plot, had been transformed into a veritable fortress. Palisade walls, watchtowers, and clearly defined areas for training, rest, and storage gave it an almost military appearance. The constant influx of people soon began to affect even the nearby village.

  The result was an unexpected commercial boom. Taverns expanded their facilities, new workshops opened, and traveling merchants began to visit the area regularly. There were even rumors of the imminent opening of a small brothel in the vicinity, attracted by the presence of so many mystic warriors, known not only for their power, but also for having more money than the common population.

  Joel was investing considerable sums in new infrastructure, and several of the surrounding properties were already in the process of being purchased. His objective was clear: to expand the training grounds and ensure that the company could grow without being limited by space or external interference.

  On the surface, everything seemed to be progressing flawlessly. Even the local authorities seemed enthusiastic about the development it was bringing, and some military delegates were eager for the company to begin formal operations. The nation was always in need of the services of large companies, especially given the circumstances on the border.

  Each of Joel's projects was well on track, meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations. However, while he was focused on plans, numbers, and strategies, something very particular was happening inside the shelter. Something he had absolutely no idea about, and which greatly involved him. And that would ultimately affect him in one of those many moments of weakness that had plagued him in recent months.