Chapter 53 – ５３ – Searching for a Device that Suits Naru

Debut Match Arc

“Now, allow me to provide a brief explanation. As previously mentioned, and as you are already aware, the type of Device used affects various aspects of the Masked Form, including its appearance, physical capabilities, functions, and Skills. While the impact isn’t as drastic as turning copper into steel, it is enough to turn low-grade steel into high-quality steel—certainly enough to influence the outcome of a Duel.”

The clerk operated the machine.

A hologram appeared within the Barrier, showing my Masked Form in a state of wearing nothing… in other words, naked.

Yeah, it looked a bit degraded due to the hologram’s lack of resolution, but even so, it was plenty beautiful.

“Now, for a concrete example… oh?”

“Ah, I don’t think it will accept changes that affect the appearance. My Masked Form is just built that way.”

“Yeah, that’s true. There’s no way Naru would allow his appearance to change,” Suzu added.

“…I see.”

The clerk tried operating the machine again, but there was no change in the hologram.

Apparently, because it was a change to the appearance, my Masked Form had rejected it.

Then, perhaps for the sake of the explanation, a Masked Form wearing a full-body tights suit and a full-face helmet appeared next to me.

The muscle definition beneath the tights was quite impressive; I didn’t know whose Masked Form it was, but it was remarkably refined.

“This Masked Form is a dummy for demonstration purposes, treated as if it’s using an Academy-issued Device. Now, if we manifest the same Masked Form using a Device from a famous American corporation, it looks like this.”

The clerk adjusted the machine.

Simultaneously, the muscle definition of the tights-wearing Masked Form surged, becoming what could only be described as hulking and muscular.

Its height also seemed to have increased slightly.

As for physical capabilities, it appeared that power had been increased at the expense of speed.

The Skill List showed a similar trend.

“But for Naru, there’s no change, huh?”

“Perhaps Mr. Naru’s Magic Capacity is too vast to be controlled?”

“It’s likely a matter of Naru’s magical nature as well. I see it affects these areas too,” Ichi noted.

However, there was absolutely no change to my Masked Form.

There was no change in physical capabilities, and while the Skill List might decrease slightly, it never increased.

“Looking at the trends, anything affecting appearance is a total wash. Additionally, Skills that increase offensive power don’t seem to be compatible. Given this, it’s best to assume that Devices intended to compensate for weaknesses will not suit you.”

“I see.”

Yeah, as expected of my Masked Form.

It’s truly steadfast.

“Projectile types are even worse. With Devices from that famous company originating from an American rifle manufacturer, the Masked Form can’t even manifest properly. Similar companies from other countries… aren’t great either. Some boasted stability, but still…”

“I see, I see.”

I could understand why projectiles were a no-go.

Apparently, my magical power is extremely viscous.

A standard Device probably can’t detach and process the magical power.

“What is compatible… would be those specialized in maintenance, or those that allow for delicate manipulation. Especially with the latter, physical capabilities—which showed no sign of increasing with other Devices—have risen slightly. There also seem to be slight changes in the Skill List.”

“Huh…!?”

“!!?”

It seemed a compatible Device had finally been found.

The surprise of the discovery was apparently greater for Suzu and the others than for me; they crowded around the clerk, talking animatedly.

Since I had nothing to do in the meantime, I looked at the Masked Form when the Device that supposedly improved performance was applied.

“Hmm.”

Visually… perhaps it had already reached the limit of the resolution, but I saw no change.

I suppose I wouldn’t know until I actually used it.

As for physical capabilities, they had indeed risen slightly with the one specialized in delicate manipulation.

Let’s see, as for the model… this wasn’t a product made by a company involved in Duels.

It looked like something developed jointly by manufacturers of cosmetics or clothing—a Device designed to be worn in daily life without feeling out of place.

Well, in a way, I suppose that suits me.

As for the manufacturer specialized in maintenance, while there was no change in physical capabilities or the Skill List, there seemed to be an improvement in fuel efficiency, meaning it had plenty of value in its own right.

The ideal form… would be a model jointly developed by these manufacturers, specializing in both maintenance and delicate magical manipulation.

No, wait. No matter how many sponsors I get, that’s asking too much.

That goes beyond custom-made; that’s new development.

Looking at the other Devices, the ones general Duelists use seem to emphasize attack and evasion. Since those don’t suit me, I need to use a different model.

But while a custom order is one thing, asking them to develop something new… that’s just too much.

Maybe if the technology could be repurposed for other Duelists or professionals using Masquerades, it might be possible, but otherwise, it would be far too impractical and wasteful.

“Sir. Here is the data and catalog for the Devices we believe are compatible. Please look through them when you have time.”

“Thank you.”

For now, I took the data.

Suzu and the others seemed to have finished their discussion with the clerk and were now talking among themselves.

Hmm, judging by the situation, they’re probably in the middle of filtering through which companies are best.

In that case.

“Suzu, Ichi, Marie. I’ll leave the initial filtering to you. But I’ll make the final decision myself, so please just keep it to suggestions.”

“Okay, I got it, Naru.”

It’s better to leave it to them.

I don’t have the skill to handle data from dozens or hundreds of different companies.

After talking with Suzu and the others for a bit longer, we decided to finalize the discussion after my debut match.

After all, there’s no telling what might happen during the debut match.

And so, I left the shopping mall and headed back to the Inui Dormitory…

But on the way, an incident occurred that would involve my debut match.