Novel Full 86 86 Final Preparations
To say the Butler in question was upset when he found out he was being called Reiko’s Butler was an understatement, but mostly he was just using the anger as a cover for the fact that he was just terrified of having to go outside and fight undead to collect their hearts.
“Man, you’ve trained with your sword since you were a little kid. Fighting the Undead is just like your sparring partners at home, only you get a real sword, and you don’t have to hold back.” Wolfe told him, ignoring the fact that hundreds of species were susceptible to becoming undead, not just humans.
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“Easy for you to say. I’ve seen you fight in the training class, and you’re enhanced way beyond human, plus you can use magic.” He complained, then started checking the backpack to make sure it had everything that they should need.
“We are short on water. There is only a small canteen in here.” He reminded Wolfe.
“And two more in the other bags. Not enough?” Wolfe asked.
“One each. Because if we’re exhausted and injured, nobody will want to spare the energy to create more water. The rest of the kit looks good, but a bit light for the whole week with our numbers. A few more meals would be nice, just to be safe.”
Mary stood up and moved toward the door. “Alright, I’ll be back with the rest of the gear. Wolfe, you make him an armour amulet as well. Reiko’s parents won’t be happy if we let him get hurt.”
Mary left, and the Witches turned a predatory look on the last of them to be fitted for an outfit.
“I don’t know how to say this nicely, but you need to be naked for the travel armour. it replaces your clothing.” Reiko informed him.
“I will have you know that I, Curtis Goldstein, have never once in my life been unclothed in front of a strange woman, and I am not about to begin now.” The stammered, nearly cracking under the weight of their gaze.
“Are you sure you want to let Wolfe design your armour without our input?” Noor asked, looking him over from head to toe.
“Quite sure. I’m more concerned about what you have planned than what he might. I will have you know that I have vigorously protected my chastity.” Curtis agreed in an incredibly awkward and formal way that had all the witches giggling.
“Fine, change in the shower room, and Wolfe will get you Armored up.” Reiko agreed, only willing to tease the man a little.
The suitor-turned-butler retreated from the room with Wolfe right behind him and came back out only a few minutes later, looking very much like a security guard with cargo pants tucked into his boots, a black shirt, and body armour-styled utility vest. Wolfe had even given him a matching black boonie hat for the wide round brim that protected him from the sun.
“What do you think? It’s stylish, functional, and gives the appropriate level of variance to our group’s appearance.” Wolfe informed them once they were back out in the main room.
“Oh, not bad. It’s like he’s the hired Mercenary to our band of Adventurers.” Cassie agreed.
“Wait, is that what you’re all planning to wear for the trip?” Curtis asked, looking around the room.
“They’re armour amulets, the same as yours, so yes, this is what we will be wearing,” Reiko informed him.
“I should have known you weren’t just cosplaying in here. Isn’t that a bit flimsy, though? It doesn’t even have a solid plate to protect your organs.”
The Witches all laughed at his misunderstanding about the nature of the magic. “It’s an armour spell. It’s just as effective when looking like this as your thick body armour fashion is. It protects everything it covers. That’s why we all have hoods or hats.”
“And what is Wolfe going as? Since he’s the only one left in a school uniform.” Curtis asked.
“That’s right, he got us all dressed, but he didn’t do it himself. You can’t be planning to travel in that gaudy black plate mail, are you?” Cassie asked.
“Yeah, strip down and show us the outfit. No, wait. Mary isn’t back yet. We will need her input.” Reiko agreed.
“How about I prepare the outfit, and we don’t finalize the amulet until she returns, in case she has a great idea for a change to the design?” Wolfe suggested.
“That’s fine. Let’s see what you had planned.” Cassie agreed.
Wolfe resisted the urge to do a little dance as he removed his uniform, then activated both Unholy and Fire Armor to give himself a very stylish black three-piece suit with a red shirt and black horns on his head. Then he added a thin black mist surrounding his entire body, giving himself what he hoped was a proper Demon Lord vibe.
Reiko burst into laughter at the outfit, while Ella gave him two thumbs up, and Cassie hid her face in her hands.
“No, definitely not. No Incubus Prince on our first foray into the wilderness.” Reiko wheezed.
“You’re no fun. How about this?” Wolfe switched the outfit into similar cargo pants and boots to start Curtis was wearing but with a gray tank top and a black leather biker jacket, topped with a ball cap.
“Oh, that’s yummy. Keep that one.” Parker cheered, her black eyes shining with excitement.
“Change the jacket. We are travelling, and you are the official snack carrier, so you need bigger pockets.” Mary insisted as she walked back into the room.
“Fine. Hook me up.” Wolfe suggested, removing the coat from his outfit.
What Mary came up with seemed more like a bear pelt with huge inside pockets, a hood and long shaggy brown fur on the outside.
She immediately buried her face in the soft fur, and Reiko sighed.
“We should have guessed that would happen, given her personality. Mary, release the spell and let’s get this done properly.” Cassie laughed.
“Fine, how about this?” Mary changed it into a very dark green, long winter parka with a fur collar and hood trim. It seemed that some amount of fur was non-negotiable to her.
“It’s practical, has large pockets, and somewhat blends with the group. I give it a passing grade.” Cassie reluctantly agreed.
“I still think that Incubus Prince with a long coat would be better, but this is fine.” Noor agreed.
Mary stepped back to admire her handiwork, and looked Wolfe over to make sure they hadn’t missed anything, then nodded her approval.
“I got another bag with more food and canteens, plus some extra supplies that the store recommended. The armour amulets can be used every eight hours and will last for up to twenty-four hours if needed, so we have some leeway. Do you two have packs from last year?” She asked Parker and Noor.
“Yeah, with everything but food. How about we meet in this room at dawn, then change and eat before we leave? One less rehydrated meal is never a bad thing.” Noor suggested.
“Sounds good. 6:30 right here. See you all in the morning.” Curtis agreed, setting the pack against the wall and gathering his clothes.
Wolfe poked the butler’s amulet and recharged it with mana for use by a mundane human or a male witch. “There you go. Now you can activate it one time at will. Just be sure to bring a change of warm clothes in case something happens that we can’t keep spells active.”