Ezekiel clicked his tongue as he watched Vahn spit out a miniscule amount of blood. Even with his rifle, the guy had just stood there and taken the rain of bullets, none of them making past his skin. The only reason why he was even wounded was because he hadn't gained enough control of his element to strengthen his internal organs from the impacts without harming himself.
He then chuckled as the multiple bruises and occasional traces of blood disappear as Vahn's Life Aura swept revolved around his body, healing al the wounds the Mage had received. "Damn, you've changed from an innocent healer to a masochistic tanker."
"Yeah? And whose fault is that?" Vahn felt his veins pop, this bastard actually dared to target his style of fighting despite being the one that sent him down that path.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Ezekiel laughed and his get-up changed. The initial belt that was his holster strap disappeared to reveal a belt with two sheathes placed at his back, around his hip section. "I'll use the Prototype Speedster Model now." The gauntlet placed on his arm disappeared, replaced by a less bulky gauntlet and his new Windchaser barely had any changes to it.
But a new armor appeared to cover his back and chest, but most of its craft was focused on the back which featured flaps and compartments that acted as more repulsors while the chest region simply featured a breast plate aimed at protecting him. He didn't dare to place anything extra without a full blueprint so as to not risk injuring himself from his own gear malfunctioning.
_
Prototype Speedster Model Equipment Set:
Simple Short Sword – F- rank
Trash sword with no special attributes except for its sharpness. System advices Host to try getting better blueprints.
_
The Mechanic ignored the system's suggestion. The only way to get blueprints was by sacrificing his Exp or fighting powerful opponents, a rank above him or more. He was better off experimenting with the fragmented blueprints he had in his head.
_
Partial Exoskeleton – F+ rank
An incomplete exoskeleton that only covers the Host's back. Equipped with Psionic Repulsors and flaps to better control flight. Psionic Repulsors drain 1% of Host's Psionic energy per second flight and increase movement speed by 25%. Can be stacked. +1 strength. +3 Constitution. +2 Agility
Windchasers – F rank
+5 Agility.
Attachments:
Psionic Repulsor – Drains 1% Psionic energy every second to achieve flight and increase movement speed by 25%. Can be stacked.
Bunny Hop – Host's steps will be lighter, increasing his speed and allowing him to spend less time on the ground. Also increases jump force.
Magnet Soles – Allows Host stick to metallic surfaces for a limited amount of time. 2% Psionic energy per second.
Boost Gauntlet – F+ rank
A subpar item made by Host, crafted with multiple blueprints fused into one gear. +1 Agility. +6 strength.
Attachments:
Boost mode – When activated, Host's punches will be aided by ejectors which will increase attacking speed by 30%. Transformation doesn't drain Psionic energy but each second the ejectors are used, 0.5% Psionic energy will be drained.
Balance mode – When activated, the Gauntlet will assume a balance state with 15% attack strength and speed granted to the user. 0.5% Psionic energy each second ejectors are used.
Psion Blast – Launches a small beam of Psionic energy that combusts on impact. 2% Psionic energy per use.
Siren Emitter – Release a high decibel sound attack that will disorient the enemy for a short moment.
_
Ezekiel smiled, feeling the extra stats bolster his body's power and he looked at his friend. "You ready?"
"'Course I am." Vahn smirked and assumed a stance, his mana flaring as he strengthened his entire body.
"Okay then. Quick Blade Technique. 1st Blade: Linear Burst!" The mechanic leaned forward while holding the hilts of his short swords before bursting forward with a terrifying speed, appearing before Vahn almost instantly. The blade of the unsheathed sword shined, cutting forward with tremendous speed as they approached the side of the latter's neck.
Of course the mage wouldn't just allow that. He roared out, sending a burst of mana into his surrounding in an attempt to delay the quick Ezekiel a bit.
He succeeded, and with that gained time, he quickly twisted his feet, using his reinforced agility to dash to the side, barely dodging the sharp blades that left a cut on his ear.
Vahn then punched out. His muscles brimming with power as he redirected most of his mana to his right fist, so much so that the air before his fist thickened forming an air cannon that coated his fist.
Ezekiel grinned as the thrusters built into his back and leg armor, tilted to the right before ejecting Psionic energy with power. With the aid of the force, his body twisted, dodging the punch, albeit not fully.
The shockwave of the air cannon seemed to blast through his armor, shaking his insides but that only seemed to widen his grin. His palm accurately spread out mid-twist before launching at Psion Blast that hit the mage on the chest.
The two moved backwards, coughing lightly. Ezekiel spat out a mouthful of blood and grinned. "Fuck, that air cannon of yours is really difficult to deal with."
Vahn gasped a bit, trying to catch his breath. He really thought he was a goner when that Psion Blast hit, luckily his friend had reduced the output, or else his injury would be much worse than a normal aching chest. "Just you wait. Once I get my hand on the actual technique manual, we'll see if you can handle my attacks with that scrawny armor."
"Wanna bet, brawn boy? Why don't I bring out my Impact model? We'll see if you still have guts then?"
The mage's lips twitched. From his expression, you could easily notice the fear he felt from the so-called Impact model.
As its name suggested, it was an armor geared towards strength. But the power of that armor was really too perverted, the youngster could only run away from it. Even at its lowest output, three hits were enough to knock him out. And at the highest… well he could only say that he truly pitied his friend's enemies that remained in the F rank.
He sighed, happy that he had managed to survive another one of the sadistic level spars Ezekiel proposed.