Wake up!!! Time to gear up!!!

No idea what time it was, but Aerin standing at my door had already woken me.

"Ugh!!! You couldn’t even get up yesterday! Why so energetic today?!" I yelled, throwing off my blanket.

"Huh?" Aerin stared at me, utterly confused.

"What’s wrong??" As I spoke, my hand brushed something soft beneath the sheets. I looked down—Tia was lying beside me.

*Holy crap… How do I explain this? I definitely fell asleep alone last night.*

"Misunderstanding!! A total misunderstanding!! I don’t even know when she got here!!!" Panic seized me.

"Husband~ so amazing…" Tia murmured sleepily, drool glistening on her lips.

"Amazing?! Don’t say weird stuff in your sleep!! What’s happening here?!"

"PERVERT!!!!!!!" Aerin’s kick slammed me into the wall.

"R-really just a misunderstanding…" I slid down the wall, weakly plastered against it.

After endless explanations, Aerin finally let it go.

"Tia, you’re never allowed in Pupil’s room again," she declared fiercely as we walked.

"Why? We’re engaged!" Tia shot back without hesitation.

"Engaged isn’t married. This is utterly unladylike."

"*Now* you lecture me about ladylike behavior?" I muttered, rubbing my swollen cheek.

"YOU—SHUT—UP!!!" Aerin glared daggers at me.

"Admit it—you wanted to sneak in too, didn’t you?" Tia flashed Aerin a wicked grin.

"N-n-no way!!!" Aerin flustered instantly.

"As the primary wife, I really shouldn’t share my husband… but you’re welcome anytime, dear~" Tia’s tone suddenly oozed regal authority. *Women are terrifying.*

"Primary wife?! Y-you PERVERT!!!" Aerin’s fist connected with my face again.

"W-why me…?" I groaned, innocent collateral damage.

Amidst the bickering, we finally reached the high-end armor shop marked on our map. Gleaming metal armor lining the walls instantly stole my attention.

"Pupil… you’re really buying here?" Aerin eyed me nervously.

"What’s wrong?"

"T-this place… it’s not for people like me." Her gaze, however, was locked on the shimmering gear.

"Don’t worry about coin. Consider it my apology for yesterday." I jingled a pouch of gold at my waist.

"Where’d you even get this money??" Aerin asked, fingers tracing a breastplate.

"Saved in my magic storage space. Dungeon earnings from way back!" *This time, I’m not lying.*

"Hmph… Pupil’s words are never trustworthy. ‘Dungeons’? Never heard of them. Last time you claimed robbers stole everything, but it was all ‘stored in your chrysanthemum’." She set down the armor, scrutinizing me. "Face it—you’re just an exhibitionist pervert."

"It’s a MAGIC STORAGE SPACE! Not my—! And why bring *that* up again? I’m telling the truth this time!"

"Tia, do you believe him?" Aerin turned to her.

"I trust everything my husband says."

"…Fine. Just promise it’s not stolen." Aerin shot me a sideways glance.

"Relax~~ Totally legit! Hard-earned from grinding and flipping gear!"

Just then, the shopkeeper approached with a warm smile.

"What armor can I show you today?"

"Your finest piece. Bring it out."

"Might I ask the wielder’s weapon type?"

"Spears." I glanced at Aerin, who’d shyly hidden behind Tia.

"One moment—I’ll fetch it." He hurried toward the storeroom.

"Pupil~~ you’re really buying this??" Aerin fretted over my wallet.

"Bad gear gets you killed. Only the best will do." *When you’ve got gold, spend it.*

The shopkeeper returned with assistants carrying a silver chestplate. Polished to a mirror shine, golden accents gleamed along its edges.

"Our masterpiece—a replica of the legendary Ancient Dragon Deity’s armor. Fifty gold. Care to try?"

"Ancient Dragon Deity?? What’s that? I thought dragons didn’t exist here?" I frowned at Tia.

"The Dragon Deity guards the labyrinth’s peak. Whether it’s real… only those who reach the top would know." Tia patiently explained—again.

"Figures. No smoke without fire, right?"

"*Chuckle*… You’re quite the joker, sir," the shopkeeper chuckled.

"Aerin, try it on." I ignored him, nudging Aerin forward.

"Eh?! Really? For me??" Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Move it!" I grabbed the chestplate and plopped it over her head.

The armor magically resized itself. Once fully geared, Aerin looked less like a Silver-rank adventurer and more like a Silver Saint.

"Something feels… off," I muttered.

"Huh?! What’s wrong? I’ve never worn armor this fine!" She admired herself in the mirror.

"It’s less armor, more jewelry." My vision auto-displayed its stats:

> **Replica Silver Dragon Deity Armor**

> **Rarity:** A (Purple)

> **Physical DEF +250**

> **Magic DEF +250**

> **Special:** Greatly boosts wearer’s AGI

*Predictable… just purple-tier gear.*

"Dissatisfied, sir?" The shopkeeper sensed my thoughts.

"Forgive my bluntness—do you have anything better?" I pointed at the armor.

"This… is our finest piece." He looked genuinely puzzled.

"If I’m not mistaken, this is a replica. Where’s the original?"

"*Ahem*… The true Silver Dragon Deity Armor is but a legend. No one knows its whereabouts. What we sell are faithful recreations." He gave an awkward smile. *Makes sense. An epic-tier set wouldn’t be this easy to find.*

"Take me to your storeroom. I’ll pick myself." *There’s gotta be something better.*

"That’s… inconvenient." His smile tightened.

"Here. Viewing fee." I tossed him a gold coin.

"*Heh*… Right this way, honored guest!" Greed lit up his face.

Inside the storeroom, racks held armor of all kinds—but the highest rarity visible was still purple. *Is this really the best this world has?* As I scanned the gear, my foot caught on something.

"Careful, sir!" The shopkeeper caught me before I fell.

"What’s this?" I peered at the rusty chestplate that tripped me. Its stats blazed in my vision:

> **Ancient War God Armor (One-Piece)**

> **Rarity:** Orange (Epic)

> **Physical/Magic DEF:** ???

> **Resistances:** ???

> **Effect:** All stats (STR, AGI, DEF, etc.) scale with wearer’s power. Appearance evolves with level.

*HOLY—! An actual ancient artifact?! How did this greedy bastard miss it?! And what’s "one-piece" mean? This is just a chestplate!*

"Boss! How much for this?" I jabbed at the scrap metal.

"*This*? It’s slated for scrap!" He stared like I’d lost my mind.

"I’ll take it! Name your price!" I already had my coin pouch out.

"Well… since you insist, take it free. It’s worthless anyway." His expression screamed *What a lunatic.*

"Many thanks!" I snatched the chestplate and dashed out.

"Aerin!! Try this!!" I waved the rusty relic.

"What? Show me!" She rushed over, civilian clothes rustling.

"Just put it on!" I thrust it into her hands.

***THUD!***

The chestplate smacked my face.

"Are you mocking me?! I thought you were being generous—this junk?!" Aerin fumed.

"Husband, that’s rather cruel," Tia chided.

"Wait till you try it! I’ll let you beat me all day if you hate it!"

"All day? Deal. Prepare to die." Aerin strapped it on.

*Hmm… too big. The chestplate hung loose over her frame.*

"Is your chest… too small…?" I mumbled, staring.

Aerin turned from the mirror, flashing a terrifyingly sweet smile.

"You promised a full day of beating~" She cracked her knuckles.

***"Tiny chest. Dislike! But at least you’re not some sweaty man this time!"***

"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY CHEST?!" Aerin whirled on me.

"I didn’t say anything!!" I scanned the room wildly.

***"Size doesn’t matter. I accept small chests. As they say—‘It’s not the size, but the shape that counts.’"***

"It’s the armor talking!" I pointed desperately.

"Huh?! This scrap metal??" Aerin gaped at the chestplate.

***"CORRECT! I AM THE ANCIENT WAR GOD ARMOR—FORGED FOR THE HERO WHO CONQUERED THE DEMON REALM!"***

"I don't usually accept masters easily, but since you're such a curvy little lady, I'll make you my new master this time."

This master acceptance was way too casual!!

As soon as the words faded, a golden light enveloped Aerin. Her tattered chest plate instantly transformed into a gleaming red one. Like a hero's armor transformation, pauldrons, leg guards, and waist armor materialized on her body in a flash. Though this set didn't cover as much as the earlier Silver Dragon Deity armor, it looked solid enough.

[Huh?? Huh??]

Still processing, Aerin stared at me with a completely bewildered expression.

[So 'one-piece' means all six parts come together as a set~~ And the size auto-adjusted perfectly.]

I examined the red War God armor set from head to toe.

[It's not perfect!! It feels tight!]

Frowning, Aerin tugged the butt armor outward slightly.

【Oh ho ho~~ Such a bouncy butt~~~! Oh~~~ ho ho~~~】

[Excuse me.... Aren't you the ancient War God armor?? Why act like a pervert now?]

I asked, eyeing the armor on Aerin.

【Damn it!! Do you know what it's like being soaked daily in sweaty, muscular men's stench?!】

The War God armor yelled at me.

[That does sound tough....]

Embarrassed, I glanced around—the shop owner and clerk were both frozen in shock.

【Finally!! After years waiting, a gorgeous lady wears me!! Don't judge my plain look now. Once you grow stronger, I'll become full-body armor. Then, you'll cut down thousands alone, unstoppable and stylish enough to captivate everyone!]

[Aerin~~ What do you think??]

I asked.

[Per... pervert........] Suffering from its remarks, Aerin glared at me, tears welling up.

After an inner struggle, she accepted this epic gear—perverted in every sense. As we left, the clerk and owner remained stunned, likely never dreaming such legendary equipment would appear in their shop.

[Hey, loosen up—it's pinching me!]

Aerin kept tugging at the armor.

【No problem~~~ I was just excited!! Outside battle, I can turn into a ring or necklace. Choose one?? Or underwear, if you............】

Before it finished, Aerin hugged me tightly from behind.

【Ahhh!!! No!!! Man!! Help!!! Get away!! I won't touch men!! I'll never tease you again!!!!】

[What the hell!! Am I that scary????]

[Heh heh!!!]

Aerin flashed a victorious smile.

In the end, she decided to wear the perverted War God armor as a ring off-combat. She called it my gift to her, showing it off proudly to Tia for ages.