Erysis and Nexen warp to Elisa’s house. Our house? I guess I should start calling it that, huh.

  Anyway. “Who’s ready for some upgrades?”

  The two greet Elisa and direct their attention to me, with Erysis asking, “How extensive is this going to be?”

  “Hmm... First question, how attached are you to your bones?”

  Erysis unsurely answers, “Very?”

  Nexen shakes his head. “Not at all.”

  Elisa bumps against me. “No scaring my apprentice.”

  Said apprentice protests, “I’m not scared. Lucius here takes things too far sometimes. I’d rather not become a boneless blob, even if that makes me stronger for some inexplicable reason.”

  I wave my hand as I plop down on a couch, gesturing for the others to join me too. “When have I ever done something to elicit such a reaction, my best friend Erysis?”

  “Like every other week. Didn’t you just announce your return with a notification titled ‘Guess who’s back in town’? What does that even mean? Harthes is a city.”

  “...Fair.”

  Elisa chimes in, “I’m also getting new hardware installed, so we’ll both be blobs together.” The elf gives Erysis an encouraging smile, barely containing a bout of laughter.

  Erysis prepares to counter her teacher and rag on me some more, but a pleading glance from a Nexen that is vibrating in his seat from excitement dissuades her. “Whatever. So, bones?”

  “A batch of nanobots is going to gradually replace your skeletal system with a synthetic material that offers vastly increased durability and strength. You won’t feel anything while the process is ongoing, don’t worry. And you also won’t notice a difference when it’s done. No change in weight, nor sensation. You can feel if you want.” I offer an arm. “Same stuff.”

  Erysis gives my forearm a squeeze. “And your muscles are synthetic too?”

  “A composite.”

  “Feels like a normal arm.”

  “That’s the idea. Over my many tests, this is what let me show my true strength. I am technically a human as much as I am not. In conclusion, magic’s weird.”

  Erysis lets go after she’s satisfied and says, “Muscles. And tendons?”

  “Yup. Skin and sensory organs will receive minor improvements only. Which is still a lot, mind you, but anything more drastic is too big a change, as you probably don’t want to go the full augmented route.” Erysis and Nexen shake their heads. “Blood’s going to be imbued with specialized nanobots that will be able to oxygenate it, repair damage, and filter any non-magical toxins out. And magical if you help them along. As for internal organs... Brain we can make better. You won’t be computer level, but you’ll feel smarter and snappier. Lungs, liver, etcetera... You’re not going to need a couple rudimentary ones, so we’ll remove those. And that’s only the surface—”

  “Excuse me?” Erysis interrupts. “What do you mean ‘remove’?” I make a snipping motion with my fingers. She takes in a deep breath and directs a look at Elisa, gesturing my way with utmost exasperation, as if to say, ‘Do something about this’.

  “You’ll be fine,” the elf says. “He can always put them back in.”

  “Ah, thanks for reminding me,” I say. “The procedure is fully reversible.”

  As Nexen has started impatiently tapping his fingers against his thigh, Erysis just throws me a playful scowl. “Go on then, we have a dungeon to explore. Oh yeah, how long is it going to take?”

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  “Few hours. Slow and steady is best.”

  Elisa perks up. “Two on two shooter?”

  Nexen prepares to exclaim something, but Erysis is a moment faster. “Dibs on Lucius!”

  A dejected pugilist lets out a defeated sigh.

  “Hey!” Elisa playfully shouts. “I’m not that bad.” Nexen lets out an even longer sigh. “You’ll see,” the elf menacingly says. “You’ll all see.”

  ***

  She was that bad. The only thing keeping Nexen together is the promise of armor. Erysis and I high five a few times to mess with them some more.

  The rest of the time is spent watching an engrossing documentary about the ecosystem of rainforests, as a less involved activity is preferable during the final stages.

  “All done,” I say as the credits roll. Perfectly timed. Well, the other way around, but it’s all the same.

  Erysis stands up and does a few hops. Nexen follows with a one-two combo.

  Elisa picks me up and lifts me over her head with ease.

  The fire mage turns to her partner.

  A resigned Nexen is staring at my grinning face as we are both getting uppies.

  The two are soon satisfied with the newly acquired physical performance increase and let us down.

  Erysis says, “It’s a weird feeling, almost reminiscent of tempering, but I don’t as clearly know where my maximum is.”

  “You’ll get used to it fast,” I say. “It will eventually be like you just got stronger. No discomfort?” All three affirm. “Then, it’s time for the long-anticipated reveal.”

  A suit warps next to us. An off-white color, fine scales of armor and strategic plating covering its surface. A minimalistic approximation of human features for a helmet.

  “Mine?” Nexen asks.

  “Indeed. Composite, using my superalloys, and organic components inspired by dungeon monsters. All my normal tech, self-repairable, and the surface is customizable. Or you can set it to adaptive. Try it on. It’s linked to you.”

  A command makes the suit blink away. In another blink, it appears around Nexen.

  “Where’d my clothes go?” he asks as the helmet disappears.

  “In your fold. Did you really think you could wear a precisely calibrated and environmentally isolated piece of tech with whatever?”

  “...Good point.” The helmet slots back in place as Nexen tests a few punches and does a couple of squats.

  “The visor is one-sided synthetic crystal. No screens or your senses are going to be limited. How’s the tactile feedback?”

  I offer a hand and we clasp at the wrist.

  “Perfect,” Nexen answers. “As if I’m not wearing anything.”

  “Flexibility?”

  He does a few stretches, bending to impressive angles. “Better than ever. ...Am I going to be naked if I take it off?”

  “If you’re into that, I guess.”

  Nexen throws a weak punch at my shoulder. The suit goes back into his fold and reveals a fully clothed wearer underneath.

  The next suit warps in. Same off-white surface and helmet. No plating and finer scale.

  Erysis scrunches up her face at the armor and then turns to me. “Isn’t it going to be...” I cock my head to the side. “You know.” I cock my head to the other side. “Flattering.” I return my head to the initial askew position. Erysis closes her eyes and sighs. When she opens them again, she says, “You’re fucking with me, aren’t you?”

  I nod my head, with a small grin adorning my face. “It might be quite flexible but it’s not as form-fitting as you’re thinking. Don’t worry.”

  Erysis shakes her head, ties her hair, and equips the equipment, testing the promised flexibility. When the suit takes itself off, she says, “I was wrong, Nex. This is way cooler than I thought.” Nexen pumps his fist in victory and gives her a quick hug.

  “Why did you leave mine for last?” Elisa asks with suspicion.

  “Uhh... Pass.”

  Teacher and apprentice both take a step closer to me. I shrink under two scrutinizing gazes, with a third leveled at me, utmost expectation contained in sparkling eyes.

  I offer a nervous smile and call the final surprise.

  Something rends space apart and takes a step through the breach in reality.

  Mana answers an alarmed archmage’s command, crushing pressure blanketing the room. As Elisa is looking at her armor, her spell unravels back into nothingness.

  A radiant white suit is looking back, crackling with power and exerting just as much pressure in reply, as if to prove itself worthy. Elisa extends her arm, only for the suit to mirror the action. The elf’s hand pulls slightly back, while the suit’s awaits, frozen in place. She resolves herself and touches the smooth surface. A thought places it over her form.

  Her voice projects from the armor, not at all distorted. “What the fuck did you make, dummy?” Intent answers her question in my place. “...I’ll overlook your transgressions this time.” She takes it off, stowing it away in her spatial fold, a blush creeping up on her now uncovered face.

  Nexen whispers under his breath, “Lucky...” Erysis gives him an incredulous look.

  Then the fire mage turns to me. “Where’s yours?”

  “I work better without armor. Not like I need it, either way.”

  Erysis nods and addresses her teacher, “Alright, Nex and I are going to get used to our improved bodies and new equipment. Half an hour enough for you?”

  Elisa yells at the space that just recently occupied a smirking Erysis and a terrified Nexen, “Come back this instant, young lady!” She then mutters under her breath, “My precious apprentice is going to regret that later...”

  “Do you like it?”

  The elf turns to me and smiles. “Of course I do. You’re pretty good at this romance thing for someone with no prior experience. What can I even get you in return?”

  “I have everything I need right here.”

  The blush comes back with a vengeance. “Way too good...”