Chapter Sixty-Five: The Shattered Armor (Please Recommend!)

"The report submitted by the West Branch said there is a peculiar artifact within the Heart of that World."
Lando nodded without hesitation, acknowledging the statement.
"We will retrieve it now. This is property of the Silver Tower and will be placed under its custody and research. You have the right to study it and limited usage rights. Limited usage means you may only apply to use it once its specific purpose is understood."
"Understood." This was not surprising. Moritz had previously told Lando to say nothing, but the intention was not to keep the artifact for himself; it was meant as a bargaining chip. Now that everything had settled, there was no longer any reason to conceal it.
"Let me think... Ah, yes, you may claim ten percent of the world's profits. This will likely remain unchanged in future transactions. Congratulations, you’re now a minor wealthy man. You may entrust this share to the Academy or seek out merchant guilds for development. Both options have their merits: the Academy offers stable returns and plenty of credits, while selling to a merchant guild for a hundred years would net you a windfall, enough to build your own magic tower. The downside is that merchants, in pursuit of maximum profit, will do anything and can exploit loopholes even in the most precise contracts. Consider your options carefully."
As they spoke, the two arrived at the Academy’s teleportation array. The teacher guarding the array saw Aldo and immediately stepped forward to bow respectfully.
Aldo nodded in return, and the two entered the array. A flash of light transported them to the World of the Four Kings.
This journey was obviously much smoother than Lando’s first visit. He looked around—a sealed chamber, where a middle-aged arcanist was already waiting.
A magic academy had been established here, and the waiting arcanist was its new headmaster.
After a few words of encouragement, the two left the academy.
Choosing a random spot outside, Aldo said, "Go on, I’ll wait here."
Lando nodded and, following the resonance of the will imprint, his figure faded and reappeared within the World’s Heart.
Though he longed to know what became of Hanna and the Brasso family, he remembered Aldo was waiting outside and abandoned the idea of observing directly. Aldo had said he’d stay here a while longer; there would be time to discuss it later.
He went straight to the battered armor, placing his hand upon it. Unlike the first time, no strange substance emerged; evidently, that was a one-time occurrence.
He tried to lift it, and met no resistance.
Lando took it and left the World’s Heart.
When he returned to the real world, he found Aldo standing atop the mountain, hands clasped behind his back, exuding the air of a sage beyond the mundane.
Upon seeing Lando’s return, Aldo smiled and said, "You’ve got it? Then we—" Mid-sentence, he suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed upon the battered armor in Lando’s hands.
"Master?"

Aldo produced a book in his hand—Lando recognized it as the one Aldo had been reading that morning.
"I never imagined it would be something like this." His expression shifted abruptly and he spoke urgently: "This is bad. We can’t remain here—let’s go."
He grabbed Lando, and in a blink, they appeared at the Academy’s teleportation array. Aldo activated it immediately, leaving behind a bewildered middle-aged headmaster.
Back at the Academy, Aldo said, "I need to leave for a few days. Go home and wait for my message."
With that, he stepped into the array and vanished.
Lando, though somewhat confused, felt more exhilarated than anything. The battered armor was clearly deeply connected to his system; judging by Aldo’s reaction, he seemed to know its origins. If Lando could uncover the truth, he might finally understand the origins of the system within him.
...
Time rewinds slightly—at the moment Lando brought the battered armor out of the World’s Heart, in a mysterious place within the void, shrouded in endless black mist, an enigmatic existence was awakened from slumber.
As it opened its eyes, the surrounding space churned, bizarre and unsettling changes flickering in and out of existence. Its gaze pierced through time and space, yet evaded countless powerful beings to lock onto the battered armor.
After a long while, its eyes closed, and a hoarse voice echoed: "Find it..."
The voice carried terrifying magical power. Had a mortal heard it, they would instantly be twisted into a mindless monster.
As the voice spread, the black mist rolled and formed one grotesque entity after another. When the transformation ceased, the mist surrounding the mysterious existence had thinned considerably.
...
Lando met Aldo again three days later, and the latter seemed quite cheerful.
"Master."
"Lando, I hadn’t expected the Heart of the World to contain such a thing. The Silver Tower has profited handsomely, and your share is assured."
"Thank you, Master. What exactly is that battered armor?" This was Lando’s greatest concern.
"I can’t tell you. I only gained access to this knowledge after becoming a Grand Arcanist. If you never reach that rank, you’ll have to accept special assignments to learn anything related."
"Oh." The answer disappointed Lando, but he could not press further.

After that, instruction returned to normal. Aldo was an exemplary teacher—not only patiently answering all of Lando’s questions, but also posing problems to encourage deeper thought.
One day, after upgrading Little Grey again, Lando decided to treat himself to a long-awaited feast at Old Moore’s. He entered the dining hall, shouting from afar, "Old Moore, I’m back again! Prepare plenty of delicious food!"
Old Moore glared at Lando, grumbling, "You brat, how many meals do you owe me now? Is your skin made of titanium?"
Lando replied shamelessly, "Actually, I brought some fine ingredients, but a little accident prevented me from giving them to you for now."
He was referring to the snowfish he’d eaten at the Brasso family, but after his battle with Prince Sandy and the ensuing changes in the world, the fragile species might well be extinct.
Old Moore scoffed, not believing a single word from this cunning rascal.
He went to the kitchen and soon emerged with several dishes and soups, the staple food resembling rice.
Lando devoured the meal ravenously, savoring the long-missed flavors.
Old Moore watched Lando’s messy eating, but was quite satisfied; after a puff of his pipe, he seemed hesitant.
Lando noticed his demeanor and asked between bites, "What’s wrong? Is it really just another meal I owe you? Why the gloomy face?"
Old Moore’s expression darkened, his voice rising, "Another meal?!"
Lando grinned, "Alright, I owe you many meals—so what’s the matter? If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word!"
Old Moore shook his head coldly, "No, just eat."
With that, he rose to head back to the kitchen.
Lando quickly set down his bowl and grabbed Old Moore, "Don’t go! With our friendship, if you’re facing trouble, I’ll help if I can. If you won’t tell me, I’ll ask the others."
Hearing this, Old Moore finally paused, sat down, and began to smoke again.
Lando didn’t press him, continuing to enjoy his meal.