Chapter 8: Preparation
Asta sat at his workbench, deep in thought as he activated Appraiser's Eye. The faint glow of the skill lit up his workspace as he carefully scanned his collection of weapons and armor. Each item gleamed faintly as its hidden potential was revealed to him. The results, however, were sobering.
Current Equipment Status:
Dragon Slayer Sword
Grade: B+.
Description: Its massive size, sheer thickness, and raw power make it more akin to a "heap of raw iron" than a sword. It is effective for brute-force combat.
Demon Slayer Sword
Grade: C+.
Description: A katana crafted specifically for wielding multi-breathing styles. Its current state limits its cutting power and agility, leaving it fragile and inefficient against tougher enemies.
Chastiefol Spear
Grade: B-.
Description: A sleek, versatile spear known for its precision and balance. Though capable of deadly thrusts, its enchantments are weak, and its potential remains untapped.
Emiya Bow
Grade: D+.
Description: A bow capable of extraordinary draw length, allowing for powerful shots. However, the bowstring is worn, and its frame is unstable, affecting its overall performance.
Legendary Shield
Grade: C.
Description: A simple yet sturdy steel shield with black lines and a durable black gem at its center. While effective at blocking physical strikes,but its magical resistance is minimal.
Interceptor Armor
Grade: D.
Description: A lightweight armor designed for speed and agility.
Berserk Armor
Grade: C+.
Description: A suit of armor that boosts endurance and durability while pushing the user to their limits.
After reviewing everything Asta sighed, running a hand through his hair." I've got a lot of work to do ."
Asta went to the forge grabbing his smithing gear to start work on the dragon slayer sword
The massive blade loomed on the workbench, its sheer size a testament to its destructive potential. Asta began by examining its structure using Appraiser's Eye, looking over to see what specific areas and once done he started heating up the Dragon Slayer Sword until it glowed red-hot, then hammered in thin layers of Demon Steel. Each strike fused the metals together, enhancing the blade's integrity. And after giving it a nice drench Asta started with the finishing touches bye sharpening the blade with a whetstone.
[Dragon Slayer Sword (Grade: B+ to A)]
Next, The katana which had fine craftsmanship and was visually elegant but there obviously still room for Improvement. Asta turned to his alchemical solutions and precise adjustments.
For this Asta had prepared a Barrel of Snake Oil, a viscous liquid that seeped into metal and improved its flexibility and sharpness. He submerged the katana for several days, allowing the oil to penetrate deeply into the blade's structure. While occasionally giving it the whetstone treatment
[Demon Slayer Sword (Grade: C+ to B+)]
The spear was a versatile weapon, but Asta believed it could excel further with a few key improvements.
So he started by improving the spear's tip by adding more demon steel to it but this time around he intended to make his thrust faster so of course he sharpened it with a whetstone.Finishing up on the spear he worked on the wooden shaft with Sap of Eternity, an alchemical concoction that hardened the wood and made it resistant to higher amounts of pressure.
Asta then conducted multiple throwing and thrusting tests, adjusting the counterweight to ensure the spear performed flawlessly in combat.
[Chastiefol Spear (Grade: B- to A-)]
The bow's potential lay in its unique design, but its materials needed significant improvement.
Asta crafted a new bowstring from Wyvern Tendon, a material that was incredibly strong yet flexible. He carefully attached it, ensuring perfect tension. Next, He reinforced the bow's Dragonwood with a layer of Demon Steel, even making a few new arrows from Dragonwood and making their tips Demon Steel
[Emiya Bow (Grade: D+ to C)]
The shield's simple appearance belied its potential. Asta focused on enhancing its magical resilience.
Asta removed the central black gem and purified it using Wyvern blood turning the black gem into a dark red color,and for the final touch he infused the shield with Dragon Bone Dust, a substance known to strengthen metal at the molecular level.
[Legendary Shield (Grade: C to B+)]
Now the inceptor armor would prioritized speed, but Asta saw an opportunity to improve its protective qualities.
Asta wove in threads of Spider Silk, a material famed for its combination of flexibility and strength.
He also fully reworked the helmet changing the lenses to optimize sight at high speeds and for high aptitude.He even reworked the boots to be Chell Boots offering not only increased jumping height and speed but also complete fall resistance
[Interceptor Armor (Grade: D to B-)]
And finally the berserk armor an armor said that had its drawbacks but Asta set out to negate at least some of it's drawbacks
He improved weaker sections of the armor with Demon Steel and Dragon Scales (which cost a pretty penny) this improved the armors physical defense repaired a lot of the cracks in the armor and give it a bit of magic defense all in one go. The Final Touch is doing what he did with the Inceptor armor replacing the more flexible parts with spider silk Fiber mesh
[Berserk Armor (Grade: C+ to B-)]
Take a bit of a break from working all morning Asta his meditation spot and sat cross-legged on the cool grass. Closing his eyes, Asta took a slow, measured breath, feeling his chest rise and fall. He directed his focus inward, his awareness sinking into the currents of energy flowing through his body. Every pulse of his ki felt alive, a vast network of power waiting to be refined.
For a little while now, Asta had been working on a technique that extended his awareness beyond the physical senses. Drawing inspiration from one piece, he sought to develop a heightened perception that could predict an enemies next move so Focus the ki in his bloodstream into his senses and but it's full attention on his surroundings. As he meditated he visualized his surroundings in his mental Realm. He saw how the forest was alive with energy—every leaf, insect, and animal emanating a faint glow of ki. Slowly, he expanded his awareness, allowing his ki to flow outward like a ripple in a pond. At first, the flood of information overwhelmed him . Every flicker of a bird's wings and the shifting patterns of the wind blended together, chaotic and indifferent. Sweat beaded on his brow as he fought to focus, narrowing his attention to isolate individual energy signatures.
Hours passed as he honed the skill. Gradually, the chaos gave way to clarity. Asta could sense the faint ki of a squirrel darting up a tree, the soft hum of life emanating from the grass beneath him, and even the subtle shifts in the air as distant creatures moved.
New Skill:
Ki Observation
(Basic)
Type: Passive/Active
A heightened sensory ability that allows the user to detect and interpret the ki (life energy) of living beings and objects within a wide radius. With Ki Observation, the user gains an intuitive understanding of their surroundings, making it possible to sense movements, predict attacks, and locate hidden or distant targets.
Passive : Constantly active at a basic level, allowing the user to panoramic vision and sense nearby energy signatures
Active : Requires focus and ki concentration to extend the range and precision of detection.
In this state, the user can:
- Track fast-moving opponents.
- Discern the emotional states and intentions of others through fluctuations in their ki.
- Identify energy disturbances, such as traps or hidden attacks.
He smiled to himself.
When he Done with that Asta shifted his focus to another idea that had been forming in his mind—a way to channel his ki directly into his weapons to amplify their power
So he picked up one of the nearby sticks and placed it across his lap. He closed his eyes again, visualizing the stick as an extension of himself. Slowly, he directed his ki toward the weapon, guiding the energy like water flowing into a vessel.
At first, the ki was unstable and inconsistent. Making the stick more durable but not unleashing the power he wanted Undeterred, Asta refined his control, adjusting the flow of ki until it moved smoothly into the stick. This time, a faint but steady aura surrounding the weapon.
Rising to his feet, Asta held the stick aloft, the aura pulsing with his heartbeat. He swung it toward a nearby boulder. The stick snapped but it cut a considerable chunk out of the boulder.
(New Skill:
Ki Weapon Enhancement
(Basic)
Type: Active
A technique that channels the user's ki into their weapon, imbuing it with energy to greatly enhance its strength, durability, and cutting power. This skill allows the user to amplify the effectiveness of their strikes, making even mundane weapons capable of extraordinary feats.)
Asta grinned.
Satisfied with his progress,He took one last deep breath, letting the lingering warmth of his ki settle into a calm, steady rhythm.
He made his way back to the forge, where the Healing Chamber awaited completion. The foundation was already in place, its steel frame gleaming under the afternoon sun. Asta gathered his tools and materials, ready to pour his skill and ingenuity into this next creation.
New Skills:
Engineering
(Intermediate)
Type:Passive
Using Sebastian's knowledge of mechanical systems and structural design Asta can now build and repair functional devices using available tools and materials. This includes planning, constructing, and refining devices through trial and error.
Circuitry
(Intermediate)
Type:Passive
Asta's understanding of basic electrical circuits allows him to construct and maintain electrical systems. He can create power grids for small devices, repair circuits, and connect energy sources
As the Sun Dipped Lower
Asta worked tirelessly, sweat dripping from his brow as his hands moved with practiced precision. Each component of the Healing Chamber was carefully crafted and assembled, relying not just on his new tools,materials but also Skill he had gathered through weeks of effort.
Using Appraisers Eye on the Core Crystal it displayed:
Core Crystal: Energy Source
The Core Crystal is a naturally occurring mineral found in the Black Clover world, but and also be used as a high-efficiency energy source. Its unique structure allows it to store and release electrical energy without being volatile or relying on magic.
Energy Output: The Core Crystal generates power equivalent to modern Automotive batteries, capable of sustaining devices and systems for extended periods.
So Asta placed the Core Crystal into a reinforced housing made from tempered steel and insulates the wiring to distribute power safely. Using his Circuitry skill, he connects the crystal to control panels for temperature, ventilation, and lighting. Then,applying his Engineering skills to design and assemble a durable steel frame for the chamber. He welds the joints for strength and uses bolts to secure adjustable panels. The outer shell is crafted from salvaged metal sheets, hammered and polished for durability.
Inside the chamber, Asta integrates a simple heating and cooling system powered by the Core Crystal. He builds an air circulation system using fans and filters crafted from available materials.
To enhance the chamber's effectiveness, Asta includes a compartment for herbal solutions. Using tubing and simple valves, he designs a system that vaporizes healing potions, allowing their restorative properties to fill the chamber while also making a failsafe that would just fill the entire chamber up with healing potions
Once assembled,Asta uses his Circuitry skill to test electrical flow and ensure stable power distribution. He adjusts the system for optimal performance, ensuring the chamber remains energy-efficient and reliable.
With the chamber complete, Asta stepped back and took a deep breath, his muscles sore but his heart full of pride. The Healing Chamber stood tall, its frame glinting in the dim light of the forge. The faint hum of power and the subtle glow from the Core Crystal signified that it was ready for use.