Snow dusted the square as metallic clangs echoed through the blizzard. I lifted my gaze toward the distant clash. Visibility was poor, so I launched an Observer and commanded it to brave the storm above the plaza.

There, Lilia held the Black Mountain Ogre’s focus with her longsword, exchanging fierce blows. Knights seized the opening, striking from the flanks and chipping away at the beast. No wonder it’s Lilia—facing such horror, she still held her own. Truly exceptional!

But they’d underestimated it.

I’d reviewed the battle logs. I knew its secret. This wasn’t mere beast—it was a magical beast. Arcane energy surged within, channeled through glowing circuits. And magical beasts wielded that power with brutal simplicity.

*Ugaga—!*

With an ear-splitting roar, the Ogre snapped spears embedded in its hide. Beneath black fur, arcane circuits flared. A violet horn pierced its forehead. Lightning coalesced at the tip—then erupted into a storm across fifty meters.

Screams filled the square. Lilia escaped unharmed thanks to her arcane gear, but others weren’t so lucky. The encirclement shattered. Fallen knights and ponies groaned in the snow, moments from slaughter. At the last second, Lilia spurred her mount forward and slashed the Ogre’s left arm—drawing its rage.

“Big guy! I’m your real opponent!”

*Ugaga—!*

Roaring furiously, the Ogre reared up, pounding its chest like an enraged gorilla. *Crackle—!* Unstable energy swirled at the horn’s tip—the storm’s precursor. I knew the records: Lilia’s arcane gear could withstand only one magical strike.

Critical moment. My turn.

“Ignite engines! Maximum thrust!”

The exoskeleton prototype shed its thermal cloak, revealing crimson armor. Jet thrusters screamed to life. Propelled by searing exhaust, it shot skyward—a red meteor slicing wind and snow. Stabilizer fins held steady. As log walls flashed below, I fired metal stakes from the arms. They plunged deep into ice. Butterfly-shaped anchors unfolded, forming a perfect hexagonal barrier around the Ogre.

Then—purple lightning erupted again. Lilia urged her horse back, but too late!

Bolts arced outward, fiercer than before. Yet none struck Lilia or the knights. Every strike was drawn into the stakes, vanishing into the Arcane Crystals at their cores. Instantly, the engraved Arcane Formulas activated—redirecting the full storm back at the Ogre. It howled, fur smoking, movements sluggish from shock. Now! The prototype drew its Chainsaw Blade and slashed downward. The buzzing teeth tore through hide, carving a massive chunk from its shoulder.

Damn! I missed!

I’d aimed for the neck—a clean finish. But nerves and inexperience made me swing wide.

*Ugaga—!*

Moaning in pain, the Ogre backhanded the exoskeleton. My vision spun before crashing into rubble. Why couldn’t I dodge? Lilia would’ve evaded and countered cleanly. Now the Ogre charged, roaring, smashing through frozen walls.

“Activate Puppet Mode! Load combat module!”

The prototype rose, stance shifting—Lilia’s swordsmanship. I’d coded every motion from her demo the night before. *I can do this. I must. Because this is her art.*

The Chainsaw Blade flashed. The Ogre deflected it with thick-furred arm. *Blocked?!* Damn it! In Puppet Mode, the prototype moved with fluid grace—but missed. Twice. Perfect in testing… why now? A colossal fist slammed the side. My neural link flickered. Vision stuttered. Sent flying again. Armor dented, but the Magisteel frame held. Servos intact. No wonder—ancient mythical metal.

“Big Sister?” Lilia rode close. “Are you alright?”

Watching her weary face, realization struck: I could never win. I’m a researcher, not a warrior. I build Arcane Golems—but lack the skill. On this battlefield, I’m just a helpless rookie.

“Lilia,” I unlatched the armor, “take this unit. Only you can pilot it. Please.”

“Wait—Big Sister, you’re… stepping out?”

“Lilia, you know.” I met her eyes. “I can’t beat it. Only you can. If we wait for its next storm… we all die.”

She nodded. She understood. The knights could only drive it off. If it escaped, recovered, led the snow monsters to ravage again—this prototype was our only hope.

“Cover Lady Lilia!”

Knights rallied, re-forming the circle. Lilia dismounted swiftly. I helped her into the cockpit.

“Bring us victory.”

I sealed the helmet. Armor panels slid shut, layer by layer. Servos hummed to sync. Force feedback would engage soon—minutes, maybe. Wind lifted her maid-dress hem; black hair danced. I raised my hands. *Click!* Cold-glaring Mantis Blades snapped from the puppet’s arms.

Lilia—I’ll hold the line while you reboot.

A warhorse shrieked. A pony overturned. Its rider tumbled, stopping beneath the Ogre’s foot. As the stomp came—*slice!* The Mantis Blade’s Monomolecular Edge pierced the Ogre’s right eye. Blood sprayed. It roared, clutching its face. I snatched the knight’s cloak, hurled him into a snowdrift. Glancing at the bloodied blade—I marveled. Aleister’s combat program. Flawless. Every ounce of this puppet’s potential unleashed.

Blind in one eye, the Ogre raged. A squire flew from a wild swing. I leaped onto its back via a discarded shield, hacking the neck raw. But steel-like muscle and thick fat dulled the blades. I clicked my tongue. These weapons were made for humans—not five-meter apes.

A heartbeat’s hesitation—

A giant hand seized the puppet’s right foot. Slammed into stone. Blue conductive fluid sprayed. No pain sensors… yet instinct screamed. *Swish!* The Mantis Blade severed the thumb tendon. Blood flew. I broke free, forced the leg muscles to jump—

*Crack—!*

Mid-leap, balance vanished. Shattered foot. Gray sky blotted out. The Ogre loomed. Through the puppet’s eyes, I glared up, thrusting the blade at its descending fist.

At the last millisecond—

A crimson humanoid mech rammed the Ogre aside. The fist missed my ear by a hair. Shockwave sent the puppet tumbling into snow. I struggled up. Beside me, the rescued knight lay sprawled on his back.

“Kuro—!” Lilia’s voice rang from the cockpit. “Protect Big Sister!”

“Yes, Captain!”

He scrambled up, dragging my broken frame toward ruins. I shook him off.

I *needed* to see. No—I *wanted* to see. Lilia’s battle grace. A technician’s soul burned within me. Every motion—I’d memorize, encode, make it mine.

Yes. I don’t care if she lives or dies.

I only want… to use her. To the absolute limit.

Nothing more.