Rael took a short break after defeating the retinue.
While resting and drinking water in his virtual reality room, Rael thought about the benefits he had gained from upgrading his gauntlet to rank E.
First, his right hand's strength had reached C plus because of this evolution.
The Maker's Core also depended on the gauntlet to manufacture parts for Rael's Steelborns, which meant that higher gauntlet quality led to better production.
On top of that, Rael could now create four streaks of magnetic force.
He used two of these to defeat the black knight and his soldiers: one anchored enemies' weapons to the ground, and the other compressed armor to crush foes.
These abilities targeted small parts of enemies, making them easier to handle.
As for the other two, one was more difficult, and the last one required serious study to use effectively in combat.
The third ability is total suppression, Rael thought, which forces an opponent's entire armor onto the ground, wall, or ceiling. It is like anchoring weapons, but on a bigger scale, so I need more streaks even if my foe is the same strength as me. The fourth ability...
Rael closed his eyes.
Even he could not believe he had awakened such a power.
He had gained the capacity to disturb or hijack his opponents' nervous systems with magnetic force, granting various possibilities, including total control of someone's body against their will.
There had to be a part of Rael that did not mind this ability for him to unlock it, since even Milford never had it, yet Rael could not understand what caused such an evolution.
He wondered how his other skills might evolve if his first innate ability was headed in this direction.
It is not about how my abilities work, but how I use them. Back when I was a weak teenager with social anxiety, superpowers were like nuclear weapons that protected their users and influenced the world stage. They were weapons of mass destruction that threatened Earth's existence. So yeah, it is all about intent. Just do not let power get to your head, Rael.
While Rael reflected on his ability's changes, Dominica worked on the blueprint Rael had made with his new Steelborn knowledge.
She did not have many fixes to make, thanks to his recent improvements, so she quickly began building it in his virtual reality room.
First, she needed Rael's EXP points.
Rael needed ten thousand to create the prototype of his second Steelborn, which meant he could not make the Steelborn Storage just yet, but he did not mind.
He could always earn more through fights in the virtual reality room.
Once Dominica had the points, she created resources from thin air, forming the second Steelborn Rael planned to bring into the real world.
In under ten minutes, it was done.
"Lord Rael. Your second Steelborn is finished," Dominica said, prompting Rael to snap out of his deep thoughts and glance in her direction.
Next to her stood a small humanoid white lion that matched Rael's height and weight.
Its cute ears and white mane around a broad, soft muzzle were its most striking differences from Rael.
Its eyes were empty, but Rael was not at the level to create a living race like Milford had.
This particular Steelborn had a different purpose than the Steelborn Tortoise, and Rael felt relieved that it was not alive.
Admiring its powerful yet calm presence, Rael rested his hand on the little lion's chest and gazed into its empty eyes.
"I will need you in another virtual reality world and in a battle against Sister Sophia," Rael said, fixing his stare on the lion's face. "You exist to be my partner and armor."
In response to Rael's words, the small humanoid lion's parts began peeling from its frame, moving onto Rael and fusing with his skin.
Though it seemed as though this second Steelborn would be a simple suit of armor, something happened that Rael and Dominica had not foreseen.
The steel plates did not only land on Rael's body but started merging with him in the same way as his Gauntlet Of The Maker.
It did not hurt. It felt like watching white paint spread across a blank canvas, except Rael was the one sensing it.
Moments later, his mind filled with new system messages that only he could see.
[Your creation, Steelborn White Lion, has responded to your call and its destiny, and has become one with you.]
[Your divine talent has been temporarily awakened.]
[You have shared a part of your soul with Steelborn White Lion.]
[Steelborn White Lion is awakening.]
As Rael's system, Dominica also had access to these messages.
She looked at her master with an expression that surprised even Rael.
He had never seen her avatar look so human.
Her eyes were wide, and her lips parted in shock.
It showed how extraordinary Rael's talent was.
He had shared his soul with the Steelborn White Lion, giving it real life and awareness.
An adorable yawn broke the silence, followed by a playful voice.
[Lord Rael! It is an honor to be part of you! Please give me a cool name! Hehe! I will do my best to help you!]
"Wait. That is too sudden. Uh... how about Shiran?"
[Shiran! So epic! I love my name!]
Rael's new armor growled in excitement, though it sounded more like a cat's meow than a real roar.
[Steelborn White Lion has received a name: Shiran.]
[You can check Shiran's status.]
[Your attributes have blended with Shiran's.]
[Your attributes have been updated.]
[Shiran's bond with Lord Rael has deepened.]
[Shiran's instincts have assimilated with Lord Rael by 20 percent.]
As soon as Rael saw that, his bones audibly cracked as if twisting, and he dropped onto all fours.
Most humans would appear clumsy on their hands and feet, but Rael's body adapted right away, letting him move as swiftly as a lion with short bursts of speed.
He strolled around Dominica, who looked amazed.
I can actually move around like a lion.
[As expected of Lord Rael! Hehe!]
I was kind of relieved that you were not alive, but I guess that changed. Still, I welcome this. Shiran, I promise I will bring you into my world.
[Epic! I cannot wait, Lord Rael!]
Let us see how far we can push ourselves, Shiran.
Rael ran around the room, then jumped up with the intention of standing upright.
This time, his bones did not crack, and they shifted smoothly into humanoid form.
He could run on two legs, kick, punch, and move as he normally did.
Then he somersaulted and went back onto all fours, racing across the room again.
He felt as free as a fish in water.
In lion form, Rael could burst forward with impressive speed and strength to close gaps quickly and deal heavy damage.
His magic and his bond with Shiran covered the usual lion weakness of limited endurance.
Our paws can kill someone for real. Is this a lion's pride?
[Epic pride!]
"Haha, for sure. Alright, we are ready. Off to another virtual world. Open the portal, Dominica."
[…as you wish, Lord Rael.]
"You seem too shocked, Dominica."
[Forgive me, Lord Rael. Your talent exceeds anything I can analyze. It brings me joy, but it also surprises me a lot.]
"That is fine. I need your help more than ever. If you need a break, just say so."
[My deepest thanks, Lord Rael, but I do not require a break. I am always here at your side.]
"Then let us go and check out a new world. I am curious."
[Me too.]
[That goes for me as well, Lord Rael and Shiran.]