Making a Saint Cloth was indeed extremely difficult.
Looking at the scattered materials on the ground, Marco scratched his head, feeling genuinely challenged.
Crafting this Cloth gave him the sensation of preparing molecular gastronomy—first decomposing materials, then shaping the Cloth's form.
It required immense effort, as every step involved the most delicate operations, draining both body and mind.
The difficulty was sky-high, with zero room for error.
Reassembling these materials was incredibly laborious.
"Maybe my approach is wrong?" Marco pondered for a moment.
Perhaps he should first focus on shaping the outer form, even if it meant starting with an ordinary suit of armor.
Once the outer structure was complete, he could then use Psychokinesis, the All-Seeing Eye, and various rare materials to gradually refine the internal framework.
Materials like Orichalcum, Gammanium, and Silver Star Sand could be reserved for later stages of structural adjustment.
With atomic-level precision using Psychokinesis and the Saint Cloth Repair Technique, these rare materials could be infused, directly replacing the initial components.
"Hiss~ It's incredibly complex and will likely take a long time. This method minimizes waste—exactly the measured amount of materials is used, and it doesn't require excessive physical effort. The main cost is time. Essentially, it's applying the Saint Cloth Repair Technique in reverse."
Marco reflected that he had no formal blacksmithing skills.
Moreover, what kind of hammer or forge could even process these rare materials?
Conventional methods were out of the question—his unorthodox approach was the only viable path.
"I'll try again when I get back. If it's just about crafting the outer shell with ordinary materials, I can ask my guildmates for help."
Gathering the materials, Marco decided to test his new idea upon returning.
The outer structure could be commissioned to his fellow guild members or even the shop Erza frequented.
As for the materials needed for the armor, he would prepare them himself—this trip to Nord Forest was essentially a supply run.
.....
After a long day's work, Marco retired to his tent for some rest.
In the coming days, he planned to grind his skill proficiency while collecting various monster-derived materials suitable for armor crafting.
Speaking of this S-Class mission, the system had also assigned him a side quest with rather enticing rewards—a Saint Cloth and a skill.
However, the requirements were stringent, and Marco wasn't entirely confident he could fulfill them all.
[Quest Name: "First S-Class Mission!"
Quest Description:
Your first quest as an S-Class Mage has arrived. The Magic Beast Tide in Nord Forest threatens human safety. As a newly promoted S-Class Mage, you've nobly accepted this mission to protect people from the beasts' rampage!
Quest Progress:
Objective 1: Halt the Magic Beast Tide (Incomplete)
Objective 2: Ensure no casualties during the Magic Beast Tide (Incomplete)
Rewards:
Completion of Objective 1:
Random Bronze Saint Cloth.
Completion of Objective 2:
Random Silver Saint Skill.]
The first objective was manageable—it aligned with his original mission parameters, so he'd accomplish it regardless.
As for the second task, it was quite abstract.
Marco wasn't afraid of the magical beasts causing chaos outside—his flock of crows patrolled the skies, minimizing the chances of such incidents.
What truly worried him were the foolish whims of reckless people who insisted on entering Nord Forest.
They ignored the open path to heaven and barged straight through the gates of hell.
Marco's crows not only had to keep an eye on the rampaging beasts but also monitor those fools, making the workload overwhelming.
If not for the mission's requirements, Marco wouldn't have bothered with those people.
If they died, so be it—who could they blame but themselves for seeking death?
Of course, some might have had no choice but to enter the forest to gather herbs or chop firewood for survival.
For them, it was a desperate necessity—without risking their lives, they might starve.
For these individuals, Marco directly applied to the Magic Council for special subsidies.
He could have paid out of his own pocket without issue—the amount meant nothing to him—but since this was the Council's responsibility, they should foot the bill.
Ultimately, this was the Magic Council's failure.
That they were willing to spend money sending an S-Class Mage to monitor Nord Forest was already commendable—how could they possibly care about the lives of those barely scraping by on the forest's outskirts?
Moreover, most S-Class Mages wouldn't even notice such details.
If one happened to encounter a struggling villager, tossing them a few coins to get by was already considered generous.
Very few, like Marco, would think to have the Council dispatch officials to distribute aid.
Of course, the Magic Council would comply.
Even if some among them were corrupt and decadent, others still held simple ideals of fairness, justice, and kindness.
For something that was their duty to begin with, the Council couldn't possibly vote against it.
....
"Where has that little brat Marco had gone?"
Yajima, short and slightly hunched with his hands behind his back, looked like an ordinary old man.
He had personally led the relief efforts here, partly hoping to meet Marco.
Yet he couldn't find him anywhere on the outskirts.
After much difficulty, guided by someone who had seen Marco's camp, Yajima arrived at the hill where the camp was located—only to be blocked by the "Crystal Wall," and he was unable to approach.
"What kind of magic is this? A defensive barrier?"
Curious, Yajima tapped the invisible wall—only for his own hand to sting as if he'd been struck.
"Rebound effect?!"
His face filled with shock, Yajima was taken aback by the "Crystal Wall's" ability, clearly not expecting such an effect.
"That kid… he's truly impressive."
Even without meeting Marco, Yajima couldn't help but marvel.
Just this single defensive spell was enough to showcase Marco's skill—it had already left Yajima astonished.
"This invisible wall surrounds the entire camp. We've tried—there's not a single gap. There's no way in."
A few villagers whispered among themselves.
When they first discovered the camp, they too had been startled by the surrounding "wall."
Still, some brave souls had circled the area to investigate, only to find the camp completely enclosed on all sides.
"This is the magic he uses to protect the camp."
Yajima was tempted to test the durability of this magical wall but felt it would be too presumptuous.
After all, barging into someone's camp while they were away would surely make them think thieves had come, possibly leading to an immediate fight.
Yajima knew his boundaries and refrained from such actions.
He decided to wait instead.
According to the villagers, Marco was often absent, venturing into the forest.
Some had seen him return carrying various monster materials.
"This kid, instead of dutifully guarding the perimeter, dares to enter Nord Forest to hunt monsters. His personality is carved from the same mold as his grandfather's—neither of them was the obedient type."
Yajima shook his head with a chuckle, though his expression was one of clear approval.
It was evident he held Marco in high regard.
Marco had willingly taken on this troublesome mission, even arranging for the Magic Council to aid the nearby villagers.
Now, he was braving Nord Forest to hunt monsters and investigate the beast tide—proof of his strong sense of responsibility, integrity, and kindness.
....
"Achoo!"
Deep in Nord Forest, Marco sneezed, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand.
He suspected the stench around him was to blame—his surroundings were littered with corpses, many of which he had already dismantled for parts.
"That's enough for today."
After surveying his collected materials, Marco decided to call it a day and return to camp.
-----------------------------
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