"Ugh~ Tsk, tsk, tsk~~" Robin groaned softly as he dragged himself out of the bath, each movement slow and deliberate, as if his very muscles resisted the idea of motion.

Though the procedure had concluded perfectly and every ounce of the active materials had been absorbed, the water he emerged from still wasn't clean—it had thickened into something akin to shimmering jelly that clung to the surface, refusing to flow. The droplets sliding off his body looked like molten metal or oil of impossible density—each drop that fell to the ground landed with a dull, heavy thud, as though it carried the weight of mountains.

His entire form moved with effort; his back was slightly bent, his breathing shallow, and his feet pressed deeply into the marble floor with every hesitant step. Yet despite the exhaustion, despite the strain—this time, Robin stepped out on his own legs. No crutches, no support, no fainting collapse. Just raw endurance.

"Hmm?" he muttered, forcing his trembling hand upward. "Honestly, I thought I'd be bedridden for several years this time."

"Not exactly," Shaddad replied, seated nearby on a stone bench, his shoulders drooping in equal fatigue. His breath was ragged, and sweat gleamed along the metallic runes etched on his arms. "Last time the focus was on reinforcing your nervous system—so, naturally, you suffered temporary paralysis. But this time, the enhancement targeted your sensory network, especially the skin. It's become absurdly dense—like the walls of a sacred city, forged layer upon layer of divine steel."

"…I got that much of a thick skin? I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult," Robin muttered with a weak laugh. Then, with deliberate effort, he clenched his fist tightly, veins straining along his forearm. "But I can feel it… Level forty-one in Body Strength!"

Of course, he didn't question why he hadn't jumped straight to Level 50. Shaddad had explained before—reaching the very peak of a realm in one sitting was something that could only happen one last time, during the Sage Tier. From Level 41 onward, Robin would have to walk the long, natural road: bathe in Armament Baths periodically, wait for his body to adapt, and let it slowly assimilate the complex materials at its own pace.

Still… even now, he could feel it—the remnants of the alchemical blend circulating through his bloodstream, feeding every cell, igniting his flesh like tiny suns bursting under his skin. His body—hammered, reforged, and refined countless times; one that had endured the markings of multiple Master Laws—was no longer ordinary. Each pulse of energy spread through his muscles like molten light, and he could already sense that assimilation would come swiftly.

"Heh~ what am I going to do with you, master?" Shaddad shook his head, a tired but genuine smile spreading across his face. "Why didn't you wait just a hundred and forty years to take this bath? You left right after returning from the Valley of Specters planet. If you'd done it back then, you might've reached Level 45 by now."

"Hm? Are you estimating around three hundred years to reach the peak of the Martial Emperor Realm?" Robin turned, raising an eyebrow as his lips curled into a faint grin. "Isn't that a bit… excessive?"

"That's the natural pace," Shaddad replied calmly, though a spark of amusement flickered in his tone. "Once the materials enter the body, progress depends solely on the harmony between the body and the mixture. Some exceptional physiques may take only a century to complete an Emperor-tier Armament Bath. Others—less compatible—might need ten thousand years. You're human, master. The Body Strength System was never designed for your kind… but you've always been the anomaly that shatters my assumptions. That's why I estimated around three hundred years for you."

"Ohh, I feel so honored," Robin chuckled, his laughter echoing faintly against the stone walls. He looked down at his palm, turning it slowly, admiring the faint golden sheen beneath his skin. "Three centuries, huh? Let's see if fate agrees with that."

Then whoosh!—a faint ripple in the air stirred beside the bath, and his spatial ring zipped through the steam to his finger. A soft golden pulse followed, and a white-and-gold outfit materialized from within. Robin began to dress himself carefully, his movements still stiff but steadier than before. His breathing grew deeper, more controlled, and even the air around him began to hum faintly with suppressed vitality.

"These figures you mentioned—ten thousand years, endless adaptation… that doesn't suit a rising power system," Robin said as he fastened the last clasp on his sleeve. "If you want the world to accept it as a legitimate cultivation path, you'll have to make the process faster—something that can inspire both awe and ambition."

"…I'm already doing my best," Shaddad answered, rubbing his temples. "That's why I devised the Instant Armament Bath method for the first four ranges—Levels 0–10, 11–20, 21–30, and 31–40." He sighed, voice weary. "But the cost is astronomical. Very few can afford the ingredients or the energy required. And even worse, I still haven't managed to perfect the fifth bath—from Levels 41 to 50… not to mention an Armament Bath designed for the World Cataclysm Realm itself."

"Hm… while you're performing the Armament Baths on Jabba, make sure you explain everything to him in full detail," Robin said, his voice calm yet steady with authority as he adjusted the collar of his white and gold robe. The faint steam still rising from his damp hair curled around his face, catching the golden shimmer of the runes carved into the walls. "He might come up with an idea to help refine the process. Recently, he developed a pressure-based formation that directly affects the bloodstream instead of the muscles. I believe the two of you, working together, could actually craft something revolutionary."

Then he clapped once, the sharp sound echoing across the quiet chamber. "And as always—if you encounter any obstacle, come straight to me. You know my door is always open."

"….." For a brief moment, Shaddad said nothing. His eyes trembled slightly, moisture gathering within them before a thin sheen of tears coated the edges. Then he stood and bowed deeply, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. "Thank you, my Master. You have my word—we won't fail your expectations."

"Mm." Robin nodded lightly, a faint smile curving at the corner of his lips. Then he turned toward the exit, his robe flowing with quiet elegance as he walked.

There was no doubt left in his mind—Shaddad had pushed himself to the brink during the past two months. Without his endless vigilance—remaining awake day and night, channeling the streams of alchemical energy through every cell with perfect precision—Robin's recovery might have taken ten times longer. Even then, the results could never have reached complete absorption. Now, every drop of energy, every trace of refined essence had been perfectly integrated. The Armament Baths were an ingenious creation… but they were still far from perfect. Too costly. Too volatile. Too inefficient for widespread use.

Creeeak…

Robin's fingers brushed across the polished handle before he turned it. He opened the heavy door and stepped forward, the soft sound of his footsteps echoing in the long corridor beyond. His thoughts were already running ahead of him—calculating what tasks awaited him today, the reports he had to review, the people he needed to meet. A faint frown touched his face as he flexed his aching fingers. He could already feel the soreness creeping back into his arms and legs. His body would remain sluggish and sore for days—perhaps even months—before it adapted completely to its new density.

Then—

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!

"Hm?" The calm silence shattered like glass.

In an instant, a thunderous explosion of noise tore through the air. Robin froze as the tranquil world around him warped, the hum of energy and vibration striking his newly enhanced senses all at once. The flood of sound assaulted his ears—so powerful that it felt like his skull might split open. His heightened hearing had multiplied several times over; even the faintest echoes became deafening roars. Instinctively, he raised his hand and pressed it over his ear. "Ugh—!"

But the disorientation lasted only a moment. His breathing steadied. He forced his focus back into clarity, lowering his hand and scanning his surroundings. "What in the world…?"

BAM! BAM! BOOM!

He stepped forward, his sharp gaze piercing through the haze, and what he saw beyond the doorway made him halt completely.

The once orderly academy courtyard—the very place meant for controlled training and demonstrations—had become a vision of pure chaos. The stone floor was cracked and smoking; runic barriers flickered violently as waves of energy collided against them. The stands surrounding the field looked more like the remnants of a battlefield—bodies lay everywhere, twisted and broken, as blood pooled beneath the shattered steps.

Students were being hurled through the air like rag dolls, their screams merging into the roar of battle. Weapons clashed, spells detonated, and dust rolled in thick waves. The metallic tang of blood filled the air.

With one sweeping glance, Robin's mind registered seven epicenters of combat—seven wild whirlpools of motion where groups of students were desperately attacking a small number of unseen foes.

Hundreds surrounded those points, fighting with every ounce of strength they could muster… yet, despite their numbers, every few seconds another group was sent flying backward, crashing into walls like discarded sacks.

The soul creatures that usually filled the academy halls by the thousands were also present—but they were faring no better. There were more of them than students, yet none could make a difference. With every heartbeat, another cluster of them was torn apart and erased from existence, their cries dissolving into white mist.

The scene was absolute pandemonium—violence layered upon violence, confusion thick enough to choke the air itself.

"Ahh—!"

"From the side! Someone help from the side!!" Pffffft!

"Damn it—his body's too hard, our blades won't pierce him! We need to—" Thwack!

"HELP! Somebody, please, HELP!!"

The shouts and explosions blended together into a wall of chaos as Robin stood at the edge of the corridor, the golden glow in his eyes sharpening. Whatever was happening here—it wasn't a mere training accident. It was war breaking loose inside the academy itself!

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