Master of Hearts (Thorough Examination) Part 4
Seargent Iron offers a new path for Connor's development
The hour passed slowly, and by the time Shia was able to leave, she left knowing that after Friday’s training session they’d meet up in the lounge for a private conversation that her stalker couldn’t follow them too. Plus, Connor always wanted to look at the other stores down there, so it worked out for him in more than one way. However, neither Banavi or Shia would ever tell him what was so picture worthy on his ass.
Sargent Iron was quickly an approving accomplice as Shia showed the Wolf the picture on her phone, something that made him laugh; a picture that would leave him smiling for quite some time as he read through some notes in a folder and on the computer before coming up to Connor to feel his stomach, and sides to make sure that nothing hurt or was sore. When there was nothing to note he helped lay Connor on his back, “Well, it looks like the medicine worked, and before we continue I just wanted to say that your shot records are up to date, so you don’t have to worry about that unless you want a flu shot.”
“He’s going to get that.” Banavi interjected swiftly putting down his phone. The Doctor nodded, “Alright, then I’ll draw your blood, give you a shot and then clean you up and your finished for the day.” Iron tapped on his stomach before going to a medical cabinet nearby, and pulled out syringes and needles before coming back, and prepping Connor’s right arm. Connor covered his eyes as the vials of blood were drawn, not because he was scared of blood but because it just felt weird to watch it drain into something, or flow… it felt wrong even though it was necessary.
The vials were sealed with stamps before being handed to Shia who took them away as her presence was no longer required. “Alright, we should have your results by the end of the day, so I’ll call you if I find anything or if I don’t but you’ll get an email with a certification that your clean in your personal Email if you are. Take that to the Lord Minor and it should be fine.” Iron explained as he wrapped the wound before pulling out a sterile prepped needle and gave Connor his flu shot, closing the small pin prick with a wave of his hand.
“So that’s all the medical stuff out of the way, now there is something I have to ask your permission before doing.” Iron explained as he threw everything out before tucking his hands into his pockets.
“And what’s that?” Connor asked, as he watched the healer stand over him, and Iron turned around and leaned on the table as he crossed his arms, “This might be something racist but it’s true, we Mincridarins hate human body hair, it makes you look like naked roughly shaved monkeys. So one of the things you need to know about working in the Cavern is that you need to keep your body closely shaved, or, I can permanently remove your body hair. So it’s your choice.”
“Wait, you can do that?” Connor asked in surprise.
“It’s not hard, we just have to change how your hair grows, so it doesn’t and then modify your skin so you can still sweat. We healers normally have to do the inverse on anxious Mincridarins with fur pulling tendencies, so like I said before once I do this, it can’t be ever undone. So do you want me to remove your hair or do you just want to shave yourself.”
“As long as you’re not taking off my hair, I’m ok, go ahead, and take off my beard. I don’t like shaving.” Connor quickly agreed and Iron nodded with a smile.
“Your hair is fine, I won’t touch that, I just have to ask.” He chuckled before patting Connor’s hip before picking up Connor’s right arm, and pulling out a crystal tipped pen, a ring of rune marked magic formed at the tip with a click of a button and Iron slowly started rubbing away the hair on Connor’s skin, the excess just disappearing as if erased by a photoshop expert. It was a somewhat slow work but it was still only completed in a couple of minutes, everything from his nose down was completely naked, no hair, no brown tangled mass of pubes or arm pit hair, his skin looked sterile and soft.
“Now there is one last thing I can do, but your ball sack, I can clean up the stretch lines and wrinkles on that so their not so pronounced, without fur it looks like a wrinkled mess-“
“Say less, honestly, go ahead.” Connor interrupted with a smile, something the Iron returned. “Sure,” He nodded, “I just want you to know that some human features aren’t always appealing to our eye.”
“Hey, I get it, not everyone is into fur either.” Connor smiled as he pulled back his flaccid length so Iron could work, which he did as he pulled out a small twin ring with a flat iron like base. The cold metal didn’t burn but as the metal rolled across the skin the heavy wrinkles and blood veins became less pronounced, leaving everything looking high and tight, even though everything still hung like it was supposed to.
“Damn, that looks amazing.” Connor approved admiring his own balls before crossing his legs.
“Is that permanent too?”
“No, that’s something that’ll change as you grow older, but I can always redo it if you want.” Iron shook his head as he pulled the ring off.
“That kind of sucks, but thanks.”
“No problem Connor,” Iron smiled as he tapped Connor’s shoulder before sitting down in his chair, “However there is a pressing medical need that I need to talk to you and your owner about.”
“What do you mean?” Connor asked, as Banavi narrowed his focus on the doctor.
Iron waved his hand to calm down the tension, it’s nothing bad I promise, but when ever I get a client from the Lord Minor, there has been never a note about this but I’ve been thinking about bringing this up to Lord Ravinith since the last human who worked for him.” Iron explained as he tapped his folder.
“And what is that?” Banavi asked, and Iron sighed, “I would like to put Connor in training bandages and an infusion vest. If that is ok with you Banavi.”
“An infusion vest? Training bandages? What are those supposed to be?” Connor asked in confusion, having never heard of the items before now.
“An infusion vest is a newly developed human technology developed by the AMA for it’s agents. It’s purpose is to as the name implies infuse magic into the human body strengthening it’s organic structure. Giving disproportionate strength and ability to relative size… Essentially, it’s supposed to be an artificial way to accelerate what we Mincridarins naturally do through eons of evolution on our world. Because sex is so dangerous with Mincridarins Connor, I want you to wear one so you’re not just torn apart, it won’t give you the same power and abilities as us Mincridarins, but it will make your bones like Iron, and your skin like a thick leather, so if you wanted to have sex with a Mincridarn.. Penetrate one sexually, you could do so without you know.” Iron made a cutting motion with his fingers, “Losing your blade.”
“Wait… That’s possible… I can wear one?”
“It’s a special circumstance, but I can arrange it if you want. But by doing this I have to remind you that you cannot tell other humans about it. It’s a top secret item, if other humans learned about it, it could be dangerous.” Iron pressed with a stiffer warning tone to show that it wasn’t merely a simple exchange, his offer was a serious topic to not consider lightly.
“Dangerous how?” Banavi asked returning the serious tone with stiff a question.
“Well other than improving the natural abilities of a human body, there have been signs that show that humans who wear this can improve the strength of their soul, on the average of five points. That difference may not seem like a lot, but it can determine a mage from a master-
“Or a combat artist from a mage…” Connor exhaled, with a crying smile. “Is that really possible, if I wear that could I increase the strength of my soul?”
“Yes, the stronger your body becomes the more magic it can contain before rupturing.” Iron sighed, before looking at Banavi, “But I’m making this your choice Banavi, Connor isn’t in the right mind to consider the ramifications properly.” Iron noted, and Connor felt slighted by the comment but looked at Banavi begging him to let him.
“Banavi please… I could become a registered mage.” Connor pleaded and Banavi closed his eyes to think, for a moment.
“Connor, this isn’t a game. Do you see that, stop thinking about yourself. This is exactly why Humans aren’t exposed to this technology, greed and power hungry individuals would abuse it to create armies or improve their own strength. Even a small faction of power can ruin a mortal mind, a title can dominate one’s mind more than there willing to believe. So do you really think you’ve earned the right to wear it after begging for it? A power like that is earned; do you think you’ve earned it?” Banavi lectured before glaring Connor into silence, the pressure of Banavi’s stare ruining him as he felt pathetic because he was right. Even the very idea of gaining power made him hungry. Connor wanted it because he wanted to be called a mage, but he couldn’t even handle his own magic. Lilen had only just started his training, there was no possible way he earned such simple amplification.
“Sorry… My owner is right… Sorry Banavi. I got to excited please forgive me.” Connor bowed to Iron and the wolf eased up and smiled.
“It’s alright, I understand why you got excited, but I just want to say that this is something I can arrange at any time. Banavi, just tell me when you think he’s ready.” Iron directed and Banavi nodded, only glancing at Connor.
“How long would Connor have to wear it to experience these magical effects?” Banavi asked, with a more relaxed tone as Connor came up from his bow to only listen.
“Connor would have to wear the infusion vest for about a month, twenty-four seven. Interrupting the process isn’t dangerous but unless you wear it continually for that span of time the effects won’t have the lasting permanent effect that is intended. However, wearing it more than a month does not really do anything more than that, because after that first month there is an exponential increase for benefits. For example, he would have to wear it for a full year to even increase his soul size by one point or improve his bone structure by a marginal percent. It’s just not worth it after the first month of growth.” Iron explained as Banavi fell into a deep thought, holding his muzzle as he leaned on the arm of the chair.
“Please make the arrangements then.” Banavi agreed, and Iron nodded.
“Wait… Master… are you sure… Lilen just started training? Shouldn’t we talk about this with him?”
“Connor… Owner, remember that,” Banavi corrected, and Connor retracted himself, “Sorry sir, please forget I said anything.”
“It’s ok Connor,” Banavi waved down, reassuring the human with a smile, “You’re not wrong, but I’m your owner and this vest is more important defensively then offensively. Yes the magical benefits are great but your forgetting the most important part, your body will change and grow stronger. You are going to need it if you are going to be handled by so many clients who don’t exactly know your limits or how much strength to reserve. It will protect you, and that’s what it important do you understand?”
“Yes sir, I understand completely. I guess I just only see the benefits of magic because I can understand that, just strengthening the body seems to obscure to really understand.” Connor explained rubbing the back of his head shamefully. “But I’ll try and keep that in mind sir, I won’t let my magic rule my mind…”
“Good.” Banavi smiled as he looked back at Iron, “Please make the arrangements.”
“Alright, I’ll go get the paperwork then, you both have to sign.” Iron agreed as he got up to leave.
“Wait, sir, before you go…” Connor called out catching Iron’s gaze, “What are training bandages?”
“Those aren’t a secret, your Owner can tell you how those work.” Iron finished, glancing at Banavi who silently nodded in agreement before leaving with a click of the door.
“What are training bandages sir?” Connor questioned and Banavi breathed.
“Training bandages work as a way to naturally train your body by slowly increasing the weight of your limbs and appendages over a period of time; the longer you wear them the stronger you become. It is like going to the gym but every second of the day even as you sleep. Going to the gym is still required but it will be a gradual increase and will cut down your need for physical training substantially. However, I already had a plan for that, I’ll talk to you when we get you back home and changed.” Banavi waved off as he explained before pulling up his phone.
“Ok, that’s kind of cool. Did you ever wear training bandages before?”
“Of course, every Mincridarn has worn them at one point or another during their life.” Banavi finished as Connor pulled up his own phone to relax and wait; a wait that last a complete let’s play video before the door opened up just as the funders were being listed. Clicking off the video, Connor watched Iron set a heavy metal case on the counter locked to his wrist with handcuffs, the security alone on the case was intense, bioencryptions, eye scan, blood-lock and password; Iron really wasn’t kidding. Opening a sleeve on the case a tablet was pulled free and offered to Banavi. “I need you to sign this line stating that as Connor’s guardian you take full responsibility for any damages to the Infusion vest, and won’t publicly disclose it’s existence, or study the mechanics of the vest.”
Banavi silently signed with a finger, before the tablet was offered to Connor, “and you as well,” Connor signed with his thumbprint and winced as his blood was stolen with a thumb prick. Licking the wound he looked at Iron for answers.
“Sorry, as the wearer of the infusion vest it needs your DNA signature to work, it’s bio coded; if you were to use someone else’s infusion vest you could get really hurt, and let’s just leave it at that. So as a fail safe it won’t work unless you’re the being wearing it, ok?” Connor nodded and with that the tablet was locked inside the sleeve, an electronic light exposed a downloading bar on the main seam of the case.
The medicine cabinet was visited once again, but this time a bundle of simple looking white bandages were pulled out along with metal clips. “These are training bandages, I’m going to wrap these around your chest and shoulders because once I put on the vest only I can remove it, so it’s to prevent chaffing and sores. These bandages are enchanted to protect from degradation and contamination so they’ll clean themselves and what ever flesh they’re in contact with so you don’t ever have to remove them. Unless you need too.”
“Don’t wrap his limbs, I have training bands at home.” Banavi explained and Iron nodded, “Of course, do you still want me to wrap his chest?”
“Go ahead?” Banavi waved forward in agreement, and with that Iron went to work wrapping Connor’s chest, mummifying his chest in a layer of fabric, it was a bit of a strain to breathe, but Connor wasn’t suffocating, it was just a difference in pressure and something he’d have to get used to wearing. When everything was tied in place with metal clips, the bandages glowed with a gray silver shimmer, and Connor could feel the pressure on his chest change between something heavy and soft, it was like the bands were trying to adjust his their weight to his specific standard. Eventually this shifting of weight died down till it felt nothing more than clumps of wet sand on his shoulders.
“How does that feel?” Iron asked when the silver glow faded.
“Fine, it feels like nothing.” Connor admitted rolling his shoulders to test the limits and movement range of the bandages.
“Good, that’s how it supposed to feel, if it ever feels to heavy tell your Owner, he can adjust it.” Iron explained before going back to the case to lift the lid when the loading screen flashed green.
The hermetic seal broke with a whish of air, and a black what looked like scaled armor, but just without any kind of shoulder protection, it wasn’t thick or bulbous, and was designed for high ranges of movement and comfort especially since it was supposed to be worn twenty four seven. “This looks heavier than it looks, it’s made from Demeterium, or what you humans would say magically infused steel; thus, making it easier to enchant. It comes from Ecorein and hold properties that are otherwise impossible to recreate with human steel. So it is also more rugged than it appears too, this vest is capable of taking anti-tank rounds without even taking a scratch, so don’t worry about banging it up or being gentle with it, it was designed for war time use so you don’t need to hold back. But remember armor is just armor, if a blow is to heavy it will crush your organs before the armor.” Iron explained as he held it up so Connor could feed his arms through, before pulling it around to his back magnetically sealing it in place.
The suit hummed with a blue energy, and flexed as it shrunk to fit Connor’s body, leaving what already didn’t seem like a bulky suit nothing more than a metallic second skin. It rolled with his chest and the segmented inverted ‘v’s made him feel like a dragon. He couldn’t help but smile as he rolled his hands over the suit, he loved the style and honestly wished he could keep it more for the sake of form rather than function.”
“Do you think who ever made this could make me one, you know without the enchantments and all that? This looks so cool; it makes me look like a dragon doesn’t it?” Connor asked looking at Banavi who rolled his eyes but smiled, “If only you had a tail and wings you could be my little hatchling all over again.”
“That’d be so cool, imagine this thing with a tail.” Connor laughed as he explored the suit with his own hand and stretched to feel it’s limits.
“You are nothing more than a child sometimes… I can see why your owner still keeps you in diapers.” Iron chuckled as he closed the case, the mere comment about diapers making Connor fall silent, his cheeks burning from embarrassment. “But that is everything, just be sure to cover it up when your out and about, you don’t want to display it in front of everyone and don’t just go talking about it to everyone. Especially humans, if anyone asks just to say it’s a special training suit and works like training bandages.”
“But what about my body modifications, you Mincridarins are always extremely perceptive.” Connor asked pulling himself together as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“You are legally allowed to explain what the armor does to Mincridarins, to us it doesn’t matter, the suit is pretty much pointless to us. However, talking about it to humans is illegal unless that human is a member of the AMA International Security Forces, or if they signed documents allowing them to talk about the project. I’ve contacted Lord Ravinith, so he knows and will keep an eye one you to make sure you’re following the rules. But if a Mincridarn directly asks about what the suit does and how it functions please contact Lord Ravinith, or Me, do not tell that person anything, we’ll take care of it.”
“Yeah, I get it. Don’t worry I’m good at keeping secrets I’ve had to hide my whole life from my parents until just a few weeks ago. I promise I’ll keep it a secret.”
“Good, and also one finale thing, because the suit is built for combat and training purposes as long as you don’t sustain life ending damage or organ failure the suit will help you regenerate for any and all injuries. So be sure to stock up on powdered Corpse Eater, you can get some at the dispensary, I’ll write a prescription but you can buy it out right in limited quantities.”
“That’s cool Lilen is going to love that feature…” Connor groaned only guessing his training would get ten times tougher now that he could heal.
“Love, Life, and Training are all about suffering, don’t worry, you’ll learn to bear with it, because the outcomes are always greater than the pain they cause.” Iron quoted as if he was speaking with experience and pat Connor’s shoulder before locking up the case. “But that is everything.” Iron finished as he sat at the desk to write a prescription on a pad and into the computer while Connor got dressed, all but forgetting his only underwear were pull-ups.
Both Banavi and Connor bowed their thanks before leaving to go home, Iron only waving his goodbye before the door closed.