“Okay, lower the crucible.”

“Aye, let’s do this!”

A large container filled with molten hot metal was slowly tipped over with the help of clawed grippers. They were connected to a large golemic exoskeletal construct with a rather happy Bernir inside. The prosthetic hand moved as if it were his own, allowing him to control this runic machine with ease and precision.

The molten metal poured into a large container, and the room was filled with the sharp tang of heated steel and the soft hum of magical energy. Roland watched closely, nodding in approval at Bernir's improved dexterity and control. The prosthetic arm was performing flawlessly, and his assistant was back to his old self.

“Excellent work. That is all of it, right?”

“Aye, boss, but I didn’t think we’d be going back to smelting for this one.”

“There are reasons that this method is slightly better than just using the hammer.”

The two craftsmen continued their work, now pouring a magically enhanced alloy mixture into a large mold. It looked like a large black stone coffin, but it was a new piece of equipment in his workshop. It was not a casket, nor did it contain any bodies within; instead, it was a giant mold for his second version of the armor that was being created.

During his stay at the institute, Roland had gone through many magical books that could aid him in crafting his runic inventions. Luckily, the runic department had quite a few research papers on alloys and how to improve them. Several strengthening spells could be used to bathe the metallic concoction in thick mana. It was a procedure that could only be done during smelting and would work best when combined with instant runesmithing.

Under the molten alloy container was a large array of runes. They pulsated with energy, responding to Roland’s commands. Bernir stood to the side, his mouth agape, unaware of what was happening. It was impossible to see inside the mold, but Roland could sense the armor parts taking shape within. This advanced runesmithing technique, which he had briefly practiced, would allow him to enhance the magical capabilities of his new armor piece.

‘I can’t fail. I’m already almost broke from buying all those exotic metals. I wish those union dwarves had given me a discount…’

After grumbling about his monetary situation, he refocused on the task at hand. The runic array began to shine brightly, enveloping the black rocky slabs in a veil of blue mana. Roland concentrated intensely, channeling his mana into the runic array beneath the mold. The glowing blue mana pulsed rhythmically, infusing the molten alloy with magical energy. Sweat beaded on Roland's forehead as he cautiously controlled the flow, ensuring that every inch of the alloy was evenly bathed in it. Then, with a forceful push, the energy around them exploded, and the veil shifted into an orange hue.

The energy within the container crackled as he began directly infusing the still-softened armor parts inside. It was a delicate process, as he needed to fashion all the runic traces with his mana alone, unable to rely on his hammer. However, the current alloy’s softness made something previously impossible now feasible. The tiny runic traces started filling out the metallic plates inside as he shaped them with his magical force.

Roland’s eyes remained fixed on the process, his focus unwavering. This method of enchanting the alloy during the smelting process was both risky and complex, but with high risks came great rewards. Once the metal set, his armor would be ready for field testing, and all the runic structures would be in place. The biggest downside of this method was how straining it was on his senses. The overwhelming amount of mana he needed to use was quite staggering, and he would not have been able to do this without the new geothermal generator’s aid.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of concentration and effort, the glowing energy began to settle, and the room gradually dimmed as the process concluded. Roland exhaled a long breath, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over him. He leaned back, taking a moment to gather himself before turning his attention back to Bernir, who was still watching with wide-eyed fascination.

“That... was something else, boss.”

Bernir said, shaking his head in disbelief. The whole process took almost an hour and could have failed at any moment. The books in the library, along with the knowledge of the union, pointed out that this technique was supposed to be performed by a whole team of runesmiths and never alone. Only thanks to his multiple mind’s trait had it become feasible for Roland. Now they just needed to add the finishing touches to this new armor set before it was complete.

“Yes, but it’s not over yet. We need to let it cool down properly. We’ll have to smooth out a few corners, but that should be it, then we still need to assemble the parts together but that should be it.”

They carefully secured the mold and ensured the cooling process was steady and controlled. This step was crucial to prevent any cracks or imperfections in the alloy. The runes under the encasing controlled the heat of the new product, ensuring the cooling process went through without any issues. Once it had cooled down sufficiently, it was time to open it.

Roland and Bernir exchanged a glance before Bernir, using his prosthetic arm, began to carefully lift the mold. The room filled with the sound of metal scraping against stone as the two men revealed the gleaming new armor parts inside. The armor pieces lay in the mold, their surfaces glistening with a faint magical sheen from the runic energy infused within.

The process was partially complete, but there were a few issues they needed to resolve. Due to the mold method they used, there were small pathways where the molten metal had flowed to fill everything out. These remnants were still sticking to the armored plates and needed to be carefully removed.

Following that, they still needed to assemble everything together as all the components had been divided into smaller pieces. The gauntlets, in particular, were the most complicated part and had taken him a while to design. Eventually, he was able to design the mold encasing in such a way that it would produce parts that locked into each other perfectly. His new armor was almost ready but before they could continue he needed to stop his assistant to making the usual comments.

“Hey boss…”

“It’s pink due to the alloy, I can’t do anything about it now, once it settles it will be dark crimson like the other one.”

“Haha, it’s fine boss, there is nothing wrong with it being pink.”

Bernir chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. The new armor set, despite its temporary pinkish hue from the alloy mix, was shaping up to be another remarkable creation. As they carefully extracted each piece from the mold, they laid them out on the workbench. The workshop was now quiet except for the occasional clink of metal as they inspected and prepared each component for final assembly.

Roland inspected each piece with runic eyes, checking for any imperfections or irregularities in the runic components. The runes etched into the metal had settled well, and the finer details would not be visible to the naked eye. This alloy was a blend of mithril, etherium, and meteoric iron, which was an exotic metal he had chosen for this endeavor.

Meteoric ore was not commonly found on this planet. As its name suggested, it was discovered following a meteor impact, making it a rare find. It was a rare occurrence, but from time to time, meteoric ore could be discovered after meteor showers. It was on the same tier as mithril but had some additional perks, like enhancing magical and aura attacks of the items it was produced with. This would grant his lighter armor a buff to all of his spells, without lowering the durability.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

With Bernir's assistance, they meticulously assembled each piece, ensuring a flawless fit and reinforcing the runic enchantments woven into the alloy. The rough edges were sawed off and the surface smoothed out with the help of some runic power tools that Roland had previously fashioned. All the parts were designed to avoid damaging the runic traces and the metal in itself was quite sturdy, making damaging it improbable.

Once assembled, the armor exuded a subtle, magical aura, its surfaces reflecting the dim light with a lustrous sheen. Roland ran his fingers over the intricate runes, feeling the power thrum beneath his touch. For a moment, he waited for something, and just like before, he was not disappointed with his work.

Congratulations on creating a unique armor set, please give it a name.